Unexpected Guest
“What do you mean? Not human? You mean a monster?”
“That’s our guess.”
Most monsters lacked any real intelligence, living purely on instinct. Unless it was one of the rare overlord-class ones, they couldn’t even hold a conversation with humans, let alone cast anything beyond their innate magic.
Of course, there were exceptions. Vampires, said to be the demon king’s minions in the past. The Black Wolves, now called werewolves. And the high-ranking monsters who’d fled north to the Demon Realm with the demon king.
After the empire was founded and humans won the war against the monsters, the powerful ones had mostly been driven beyond the northern barrier into the Demon Realm. Aside from those that couldn’t escape, massive beasts no different from wild animals, and monsters occasionally spawning from dungeons born of tangled mana, that was it.
In other words, the monsters still lurking in imperial territory were mostly at a level mercenaries and adventurer parties could handle. These days, the capital’s forces rarely mobilized just to hunt monsters.
Other human factions were far trickier. The southern kingdom alliance, the western pirates, and the eastern elven republic at the edge—they were the real headaches for the empire.
But a powerful monster that should’ve been in the Demon Realm beyond the barrier had activated a magic circle near the capital? And the magic was high-level too.
At least overlord-class from the Demon Realm.
If that was true, it couldn’t be ignored. It meant there was an unknown hole in the northern barrier.
“Is that the Magic Tower’s conclusion?”
“Yes. The knight commander and the church priests agree it’s a monster.”
“Not just some dark sorcerer?”
“No.”
“What do you think, Jane?”
Luna shrugged. “No clue. But if it’s a monster, there’s something off.”
“What?”
“That dark magic circle was designed not to drain human life force.”
That much was true. Even as I dismantled it, the circle stuck to its script without attacking me. No clauses for targeting intruders.
It didn’t match the Sylax School, the faction researching life-force extraction for mana stones, either—their methods differed wildly.
“So that’s why you think monster? Pretty thin evidence.”
Luna shook her head. “At first, I figured amateur mage, no formal training. But it’s rigged to need non-human mana to activate.”
“That’s... weird.”
“The clincher that it’s not human.”
Luna shrugged smugly, like she’d cracked the case.
“You found that?”
“Yup! Before any of the Tower’s big shots!”
She grinned like a puppy begging for praise.
“Good job.”
“Reward? Wanna grope my tits?”
“Is that your reward?”
“Could be yours too, boss. Not many girls with perky ones like mine~.”
“Not interested.”
I cut her off before things veered off track.
Still, not human? A magic circle from a monster strong enough to hail from the Demon Realm, but one that only siphoned forest essence without harming humans.
Dark elf?
Dark elves, born under the curse of evil mana, were said to hate forests by nature. They’d fled to the Demon Realm with the demon king too.
If the culprit was a monster from there, capture was non-negotiable.
“Why tell me?”
“VVIP’ll probably summon you soon.”
Her VVIP meant Crown Prince Astur, of course. Great. Dealing with bigwigs stressed me out.
“Dumping it on me?”
“Palace knights are handling it now. Commander wants to solve it himself, but... well...”
Luna glanced at me. “They need an expert.”
Expert. I just wanted to run a normal convenience store.
“Got it.”
They’d call if needed. I just hoped the payoff matched the hassle.
“Heading out?”
“Wanna crash. Got ramen? Heard employees have dorms here?”
Luna grinned mischievously, sidling up.
“Can’t go back to the lake?”
“Not yet. Still Jane, remember?”
Luna was trustworthy.
“Sorry, employees only.”
“Not even a quick nap?”
“This ain’t a motel.”
“Fiiine. Sucks about the dorms, but... instead...”
I swatted her hand away from poking my abs.
“My place is a hard no. Not even part-timers allowed in my room.”
“Sharp as ever.”
“Can’t spare more time. Customers incoming.”
“Hide behind the counter and nap then?”
“Persistent.”
“It’s my charm~.”
But Luna backed off, smile fading to business. She stepped back.
“Gotta go. Guild report.”
“Watch your back.”
She vanished as swiftly as she’d come.
A monster powering that circle. Nothing bad, right? Fingers crossed.
Night shift at a convenience store. Especially one right in front of the red-light district—every kind of customer shows up.
Same in Seoul, so why not the empire?
Even if the lake’s clientele skewed noble and merchant, nobles weren’t immune to being assholes, and commoners weren’t all saints.
Early days were rough.
—You know who I am? Drunk jerk.
—Oppa’s got this. It’s fine. Knight showboating for a girl.
—Waaah, my love Riley, how can I endure without you? Noble youth bawling he’d lost everything after love; noble lady who blew her fortune and body on a host bar guy.
All sorts tormented me.
Toughest? The host-bar casualty noble lady.
Drunks or cocky tough guys? Muscle them down.
But crazy women? Force didn’t cut it.
Why the flashback? Now?
“Romeo...”
She showed up again.
Like the knights’ monthly rounds, her visits were clockwork.
Her family dragged her off vowing to fix her head, but results? Same every time.
From a solid house, yet living like this. Sobs.
She staggered in, glamorous dress soaked in tears, chugging soju straight from the bottle. Unforgettable.
Drop-dead gorgeous too—eyes couldn’t help lingering. Why cry so sadly with that face?
I just mopped, clucking my tongue.
“Tsk tsk. What’s the empire coming to?”
Prefer its promising youths step up. But the nobles I saw? All like this.
Academy got hot guys, though.
Musing nonsense while mopping.
“Boss... what do I do now?”
The lady slumped over the table, clutching her soju, asked me.
“About what?”
“No matter how hard I try, Romeo won’t leave my head.”
“Go find him.”
“No money. He won’t see broke girls.”
“Didn’t you say duke or count family?”
“Dad cut me off. Won’t fund that scum...”
Solid, wise dad. I’d do the same—daughter dumping tens of thousands of gold on a sleaze for affection?
But even he wouldn’t guess she’d end up here, gazing moonily at the lake through tear-streaked eyes.
Her table caught the Moonlit Lake brothel’s dazzling lights. Focus, and you’d spot silhouettes in the windows.
Spot for voyeurs or the lovesick pining for lake workers.
They came often. Heartbroken weepers, varied backgrounds but same lost faces. Like her now.
“Give up. Romeo won’t come looking.”
Probably sweet-talking someone else. Not bad—he’s earning a living.
After staring wistfully at the lake, she squeezed her eyes shut. Tears glittered.
“Boss, free tonight?”
Sticky, tempting gaze. Desperate void post-Romeo.
“Sorry, busy.”
I gestured to the empty store.
“Looks free to me. No one around...”
Her eyes darkened, scanning the voids.
Hm. Trouble.
Tangling with nobles? Bad idea. Especially me.
Don’t wanna reveal I only rise for virgins.
Luna’s flirty jabs were safe play. Trusted colleague, lips sealed.
But this lady? Host-bar hexed now, but count’s daughter, socialite with pull.
My secret to her?
Spreads through nobility like wildfire.
Rumors already swirled I was impotent. Better that than...
‘Virgin-chaser convenience store boss’? Pass.
While I pondered, she closed in. Heavy perfume stung.
“Stay back. Serious.”
“Really? Heard guys saying ‘no’ means ‘ram me harder.’”
Weird sex ed source obvious: host-bar slime.
Reason I distrust those guys.
“Not that.”
What does she think men are?
As she reached arm’s length—
Ding-a-ling!
Customer.
“Welcome to DG Convenience Store!”
“Tch.”
Her tongue-click. For real?
Perfect—chase her out with the customer.
Then I saw him.
Hm?
Silver hair like molten strands spun fine. Poreless porcelain skin. Crimson eyes gripping your gaze. Delicate features, cherry lips. Towering over 180cm, long limbs sleek.
Handsome enough to blurt it out. Even the noble lady, mid-seduction, got hooked instantly.
“Oh my! Hottie alert.”
This girl’s hopeless. Total ditz. Incurable.
Why’s my pride bruised, though?
Ignoring her staring at the new guy, I headed to the counter.
“This the DG where they sell everything?”
Voice handsome too. Unfair. Gimme a flaw.
“Anything we’ve got. Looking for something?”
“Raw meat.”
“Raw meat?”
“Yes. Freshly butchered, ideally.”
“Hm.”
Nighttime raw meat seeker. I eyed him—handsome, but pallid, unhealthy.
Some believed ritual raw meat cured ills. That type?
“No butcher section yet.”
We had raw fruit, not meat. Image said everything, but menu lacked it.
Raw Fruit — Grapes — Orderable
Raw Fruit — Bananas — Orderable
Raw Fruit — Strawberries — Orderable
...
Raw Meat — Pork — Unorderable
Raw Meat — Beef — Unorderable
Meat couldn’t be ordered. Listed but locked—maybe level-up fix?
Considered sourcing myself, but supply chain hell in this world. Gave up.
“None?”
“Sorry. Raw fruit okay?”
“No thanks.”
He scanned regretfully, eyes landing on cigs behind me.
“Cigarettes... you sell those?”
“Yes.”
“Not pipe tobacco...”
“Weird at first, but better than pipes.”
Health not guaranteed.
“No sales to under ’04 births?”
“Correct.”
“Ah... no go then.”
Eh? Adult obvious. Minor?
“Not ’04?”
“’05.”
“Sorry, age limit.”
“Too bad. Wanted to try.”
Where’d he score smokes before? Kids sneak ’em everywhere.
“See ya.”
He bowed and left.
“W-wait! Coming too!”
Lady bolted after, entranced.
Smooth exit good, but...
“Leaves a bad taste.”
Silver hair, red eyes. Familiar combo.
Heard it in the north once. Ominous to barrier guards.
“What was it?”
Hm...
“Vampire.”
Wait. Vampire?
The magic circle flashed back.
“Customer! Hold up!”
I dashed out.
But...
Store surroundings empty. No silver hair. No noble lady.
“Damn it!”