Chapter 16
Chapter 16
Cancer Is Always Nearby
Waking up with a hangover was still terrible.
A pounding headache, wave after wave. I thought I’d be fine after sobering up last night, but that wasn’t the case at all.
Even detox magic wasn’t perfect, so I had to settle my stomach with tomato soup.
“Ugh…!”
I had already thrown up once after waking up, so I had no appetite.
As I pushed the spoon around the bowl, a heavy hand smacked my back.
“Haha! You need to eat properly in the morning! What kind of man picks at his food like that?”
I didn’t even need to look to know who it was.
“Old man, are you really the lord? Shouldn’t you be busy managing your territory?”
“In Lukbranton, all I do is manage ore supply and weapon distribution routes. Everything else is handled by my capable aides, so I’m basically a figurehead lord!”
“…That’s something to brag about?”
“Hahaha!”
Honestly, I was a little jealous.
That was exactly the kind of retirement life I wanted.
“So you came to check if I got eaten by the demonic sword?”
“No. I came to give you a request.”
“…We don’t have time for that.”
I waved him off lazily.
Then—
Clink.
A pouch of gold landed on the table.
“Payment: 50 gold coins.”
“…Should I lick your feet?”
“Hahaha! I knew you’d say that!”
Money—
Always right.
“Alright. What’s the job?”
“Pest control.”
“…Pests?”
“In the mines.”
Ah.
Mineral Ants.
Creatures that eat minerals and harden their bodies accordingly.
Diamond diet?
Diamond armor.
Annoying monsters.
“Ants, right?”
“Exactly. A queen has been spotted deep inside.”
That was bad.
A queen means exponential growth.
Thousands of ants.
“If we leave it, we lose the mine.”
“Didn’t you call the guild or knights?”
“We did. Knights refused. Guild sent adventurers four days ago… no response.”
“So they bailed.”
“…Likely.”
Typical adventurers.
Unreliable.
Selfish.
“Fine. I’ll take it.”
“Really?”
“You gave me the demonic sword. I owe you.”
“And the gold?”
“…Also important.”
I reached for the pouch—
BOOM!
The door exploded open.
“Oi! Where’s the old man who posted the request?”
Trouble.
Four people entered.
A thug with an axe.
A whining female mage.
A shady assassin-looking guy.
And a priestess—
Putting on makeup.
“…What a lineup.”
They were disgusting.
“Old man, we’re the adventurers you called.”
“You’re late! The request is canceled!”
“Excuse me? That violates guild rules.”
“You missed the deadline!”
“…Even so, that’s improper.”
They had the nerve to talk about “proper.”
I almost laughed.
“Let’s calm down,” the priestess said.
Fake smile.
Hidden intentions.
“We were delayed by monsters.”
…Bullshit.
I wiped out everything nearby.
“We apologize. So please reconsider.”
“…No. Just leave.”
“Then pay our fee.”
“…What?”
“10% of the reward.”
Five gold.
For doing nothing.
Amazing.
“Bastards…!”
The old man snapped.
I stopped him.
“I’ll handle this.”
I stood up.
“Who the hell are you?”
“The one taking this job.”
“So you stole our request?”
“Not even in your field.”
I tossed them the gold pouch.
“Take it. That’s your starting fee. Now go do the job properly.”
“…Wait!”
The old man panicked.
“You’ll work for free?!”
“I already got paid.”
I tapped my sword.
“This is enough.”
“…!”
His eyes got watery.
“…Kid…”
“Relax. Just let me handle it.”
I turned.
“Alright, drama’s over. Let’s go work.”
“Bern!”
Rene arrived.
Bright smile.
Holding honey water.
“Perfect timing.”
I grabbed her shoulder and turned her around.
“Let’s go.”
“…Where?”
“The mine.”
“…Why?”
“…We’ve got something to bury.”
“…?”
She tilted her head.
Confused.
I drank the honey water.
Sweet.
Refreshing.
But not enough.
‘There’s a saying.’
People—
Don’t change.