Chapter 5
Chapter 5
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Even a Dog Gets to Eat in Peace
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They say you don’t even bother a dog when it’s eating.
As I walked briskly toward the shop's entrance, the android guarding it welcomed me.
“Welcome, customer. Please feel free to browse, and we ask that you remain quiet so as not to disturb the other patrons. In particular, please refrain from rude behavior such as theft or robbery.”
I gave a slight nod to the android speaking in its mechanical voice.
It’s hard to run a proper business in the outer districts.
With the lack of security, attacks from thugs are frequent, and powerless shops are often forced to close down.
This is especially true for shops selling luxury items like desserts. They are exceedingly rare in the outer districts.
That’s why, to keep their businesses running, those with the financial means deploy security robots or hire Fixers.
*Swoosh.*
As I stepped inside, soft lighting gently illuminated the shop's interior.
A sweet aroma wafted through the air, tickling my nose, while tranquil music created a cozy atmosphere.
Various desserts were neatly arranged in the display case.
I barely suppressed the urge to dash straight toward them.
I am an adult. My body may have shrunk, but my mind is that of an adult!
Adults don’t get easily excited.
In a place like this, one must savor the atmosphere, moving with a leisurely and refined grace. That is the proper etiquette here.
But contrary to my mature mindset, the childish instincts exploding from my body had my arms flapping about.
And my legs were already standing in front of the display case.
Damn it. I’m going to start drooling at this rate.
“Ho ho, the desserts aren’t going anywhere, little one. So you don’t need to press your face right up against the glass. Take your time choosing.”
Hearing the gentle voice, I turned my head in its direction.
Someone was arranging finished desserts in the case.
An elderly dog beastkin. The owner of this shop.
He was one of the few truly kind-hearted people in this world, selling such rare and expensive desserts at a low price.
Feeling embarrassed, I traced circles on the floor with the tip of my toe.
As if nothing had happened, I nonchalantly picked up a tray and began to browse slowly.
A gentle laugh could be heard quietly.
“Huh? Isn’t that Red? When did you get back?”
“Just got back from a job. I stopped by to grab some snacks for the kids before heading home. The streets have changed so much, I got completely lost trying to get here. If it wasn’t for this little one, I would’ve been in real trouble.”
“Couldn’t you just use a map app?”
“My battery died. Anyway, good to see you’re looking healthy, gramps.”
Do they know each other?
While focusing my gaze on the pretty and adorable desserts, I also perked up my ears.
“But from the way you’re acting, gramps, it seems like this kid’s been here a few times. A regular?”
“That’s right. One of our few regulars.”
“Well, kids can’t get enough of sweet things.”
“It’s the same for adults. The moments you’re eating something sweet are moments of happiness.”
“True, true.”
I wholeheartedly agree with the owner.
In a world like this, many people have become numb to happiness.
In that sense, the owner is more than just a simple dessert shop owner. Sweetness is truth! And the one who creates it is an evangelist spreading happiness.
Unlike a certain strange religion.
“Hey, kid. As a reward for guiding me here, this big sis will treat you. Grab as much as you want.”
I froze, struck by a powerful shock.
I stopped what I was doing and turned my head with the creak of a malfunctioning machine.
Then I tilted my head slightly. *Really?*
Even though she couldn’t see my face, Red seemed to read my thoughts and flashed a triumphant smile.
“I may not look it, but this big sis has a lot of money. You just worry about picking whatever you want to eat.”
Her incredibly mature attitude sent a powerful thunderclap through my mind.
A wave of emotion washed over my body and soul. I raised my hands high, lifting the tray into the air.
I began to hop carefully on my short legs.
My actions made the two of them smile.
After my dance of joy was over, I hurriedly started piling desserts onto the tray.
There’s no refusing. When else would I get a chance to eat for free?
I was cramming them in, determined not to leave a single empty space, precariously building a tower.
“You know, this place hasn’t changed a bit. Can you even make a profit selling things this cheap?”
“Of course I can. But more than all that complicated business, just seeing someone eat my desserts and be happy is enough to fill this old man’s belly.”
“You and your soft heart, gramps. Same as always. By the way, I saw some weirdos in town. The Cult of the Grim Reaper, you know them?”
“Ah, that pseudo-religion. Well, it can’t be helped. The harder the world gets, the more easily false beliefs find their way into people’s hearts and take root.”
“You should be careful. The things those lunatics do are always on a different scale.”
“I’ll take your advice.”
*Thud.*
After choosing as much as I wanted, I placed the tray on the counter.
Red’s face showed a hint of bewilderment at the enormous quantity.
A vein twitched at her temple.
Heh heh.
Too late for regrets now.
The owner clapped Red on the shoulder.
“Don’t forget to pay.”
“I won’t.”
Red paid with tears welling in her eyes, and the owner began to carefully package everything.
I waited for him to finish.
“You’re not going to eat here?”
At Red’s question, I shook my head.
“Our little customer has their reasons for not taking off their hood and mask. So they always get it to go.”
“Is that so? Well, everyone has their reasons.”
She could have asked out of curiosity.
But Red didn’t press any further.
Feeling at ease with her consideration, I hummed a happy tune to myself.
*Beep! Beep! Beep!*
Suddenly, a loud alarm blared throughout the shop.
There was a strange commotion outside.
Red’s expression changed as she headed out of the shop.
The owner also strode out.
I followed them outside.
A suspicious crowd had gathered in front of the shop.
***
“That’s the one you were looking for, right?”
Someone was making a racket in front of the shop.
Staring at the source of the noise, Red’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“That guy is…”
So persistent.
I sighed internally.
It was the orc with the mechanical arm who had blocked our path on the way here and gotten a harsh lesson from Red.
Ah, but now he was just a regular orc without his mechanical arm.
What was more concerning than this nobody was the group the orc had brought with him.
All of them wore skull masks.
They were all dressed in matching black robes and held staves in their right hands.
If my memory served me right, they were followers of the Cult of the Grim Reaper. And dangerous ones at that, belonging to the radical faction.
Just as most groups split into various factions over different issues, the Cult of the Grim Reaper was also divided into moderates and radicals.
The moderates were creepy folks who proselytized here and there and prayed quietly.
The radicals, on the other hand, were violent thugs who would stop at nothing to achieve their goals.
One of the radicals' doctrines was that only blood, corpses, and death could summon the Grim Reaper.
Sorry, but I don’t want that in the slightest.
In fact, she’d probably prefer offerings of sweet desserts like cake or pudding. Not that they would believe me if I told them.
Anyway, why were lunatics like them with an orc?
“This isn’t what we agreed on, but I brought her to you anyway, so I’d say the contract is fulfilled. Now, hand over the money as promised.”
A radical cultist handed the orc a pouch.
After checking its contents, the orc’s eyes sparkled like a child’s.
“Alright, let’s get out of here.”
“Yes, boss!”
The orc and his lackeys hastily tried to leave.
But a moment later, horrific screams echoed from the direction they had gone.
*Thud, thud.*
More of the radical faction were approaching from where the screams had come.
Their robes were stained with blood.
It was easy to guess what had happened.
“Gramps, you and the kid stay inside. I’ll finish this quickly, so don’t worry.”
Muttering under her breath, Red took a step forward, positioning herself in front of me and the owner.
The number of radicals looked to be about a hundred.
Even facing such overwhelming numbers, she remained completely at ease.
“Sorry, but we don’t believe in any religion. If you’re here to proselytize, why don’t you do it somewhere else?”
Red gestured dismissively, boldly telling them to go away.
The group of radicals didn’t budge.
At their resolute stance, Red shook her head.
She glared at them with a sharp glint in her eyes.
“I’m not nice enough to go easy on those who attack first. If you turn back now, nothing will happen. But if you cross that line on the ground, something very bad is going to happen.”
Red stuck both hands into her coat pockets.
“Only those who are prepared should cross that line.”
Her voice was so harsh and cold it sent a shiver down my spine.
A normal person would have run away crying by now.
The radicals slammed their staves on the ground in unison.
Blades of light shot out from the tips of the staves.
Without a moment’s hesitation, they crossed the crack in the pavement.
Seeing this, Red let out a small sigh.
She grinned, revealing pointed teeth.
“Alright. From this point on, everything that happens here is your own damn fault.”
***
“““All for the Grim Reaper.”””
*Sigh.*
This is why I hate these guys.
I hate the entire Cult of the Grim Reaper, but I hate the radical faction the most.
Because they shamelessly commit atrocious acts in my name.
I never did anything.
I never told them to create a religion, nor did I tell them to do evil deeds.
They established a religion of their own free will.
They do whatever they want and just borrow the Grim Reaper’s name for it. It’s so unpleasant and irritating to hear.
If I had my way, I’d wipe them all out.
But they’re like a cell-based organization; even if I eliminate one group, another pops up somewhere else. Their cockroach-like resilience is infuriating.
Anyway, as payment for ruining my happy time…
Normally, I would have dealt with all of them myself.
But right now, the Crime Killer, Red, is here.
With her around, there’s no need for me to step in. If she’s as strong as the rumors say, these guys won’t be a problem.
The radicals pointed their blades of light straight ahead.
With a roar, they charged forward.
*BOOM!*
But Red closed the distance at a much faster speed. The person at the front was sent flying spectacularly, crashing into the rooftop of a tall building behind them.
“I told you. Something bad would happen.”
The kick Red had delivered was a home run.