7 PM.
After a whole day outside, Sol returned to the Cunning Hares. Nicole and the others had already completed their mission and prepared a feast.
"Uh, Nicole, did you swallow today's commission item? Why are you suddenly being so generous?"
Sol stared curiously at the table full of dishes.
By logic, since they'd just had a luxury buffet two days ago, Nicole shouldn't be eating this well for at least a week.
Unless she had swallowed a valuable commission item, Sol couldn't think of another reason for her to do this.
"Of course not, you really look down on me!" Nicole put her hands on her hips and said indignantly. "Today we completed the commission perfectly, and I'm a woman of my word!"
"Alright then, but why is dinner so extravagant today?"
Sol asked with some curiosity.
"Because today's payday. Every time this day comes, we always feel inexplicably happy and have a grand dinner."
Anby explained to Sol.
"Is it last month's pay?"
"Now that you mention it, it's already the 20th. To pay last month's wages this late is really dragging it out too long."
Sol couldn't help but complain.
"It's this month's wages." Billy Kid said proudly. "Although Boss Nicole is usually stingy, when it comes to payday, she's much better than most places."
"That really is quite nice."
Sol nodded in agreement, his opinion of Nicole improving.
There were still ten days left in the month, yet she paid the wages early, equivalent to an advance of ten days' salary.
Compared to the black-hearted bosses before his crossing, who often delayed ten or fifteen days' pay, Nicole treated her employees very well.
At this moment, Sol noticed that Nekomata was also very happy, as if she had been paid too.
But since this little catgirl was still in a state of atonement, she shouldn't be receiving wages yet.
Sol asked, "Nekomata, what's going on? Did you get paid too?"
"No, no." Nekomata squinted her eyes happily. "Nicole gave me some pocket money. I can buy mackerel now!"
She herself was surprised. After all, she hadn't done anything good lately, only things against Nicole.
She hadn't expected that during her atonement, not only would she live in the big house Sol provided, but Nicole would even give her pocket money.
This place was almost too humane.
"I see."
Sol understood.
It was precisely because Nicole treated everyone well that the Cunning Hares were so tightly united.
But then again, even Nekomata, who had just arrived two days ago, had pocket money. What about his wages?
Sol looked at Nicole, rubbing his fingers lightly. "Nicole, what about my wages?"
Though he didn't care much for the small sum, one couldn't just give up what was rightfully earned.
"Of course yours is ready, but since you weren't back yet, I paid them first." Nicole reluctantly pulled a stack of bills from her wallet and handed it to Sol.
"Oh, got it."
Sol reached out to take it, but found some resistance.
Looking up, he saw Nicole with her eyes closed, face full of reluctance.
"Sol, you'll have to pull harder. Money only comes away if you force it out!"
She couldn't bear to see her Denny slip away before her eyes. The pain was like a knife in her heart.
And she had already endured this pain three times today.
Sol knew that if he pulled harder, he could snatch the wages from her.
But he didn't. Instead, a brand-new idea struck him.
Sol released his grip on the bills and smiled. "Nicole, let's make a bet."
"Rock-paper-scissors. If you win, I'll give up my wages."
"If I win, you give me my wages and let me hold you for a bit. How about it?"
The wages were only five hundred thousand Dennies, equivalent to about a thousand dollars. He could afford to gamble that.
Besides, he was certain he would win.
"Well…" Nicole hesitated but eventually agreed. "If you lose your wages to me, don't regret it!"
Rock-paper-scissors was pure luck, wasn't it?
She felt her luck had been good this month—not only had she picked up Sol, but she'd made a name for herself several times.
She believed she would win.
Even if she lost, it would only mean a hug. As long as she was careful, it wouldn't end up like last time when Sol had taken advantage.
"..."
Nekomata, watching from the side, felt something was off.
With her street smarts, the way Sol looked now was exactly like a dealer in a casino.
It looked like the gamblers had a chance to win, but in reality, the house always took it all.
"Nicole, maybe you should think twice. I don't think you can win this one." Nekomata, thinking of her newly acquired pocket money, decided to offer some advice.
"Don't worry, it's just rock-paper-scissors. Everyone relies on luck!"
Nicole waved her hand, dismissing Nekomata's warning.
"Exactly, all luck."
Sol smiled faintly in agreement.
His electromagnetic control let him sense the bioelectric currents in people—Nicole's choice was plain as day to him.
But if her luck was heaven-defying, maybe his ability would fail.
"Everyone, let's eat first. It'd be a waste if this feast went cold."
Sol cheerfully sat down, inviting everyone to join.
Since his win was certain, he could now plan his next step.
Like finding a way to send Anby and Billy off so he and Nicole could be alone.
So, at the table, Sol asked about the day's commission. "Nicole, by the way, what exactly was today's commission?"
"Ahem, that's a long story." Nicole coughed twice and began boasting. "The commission item was hidden deep in the Hollow, with winding paths more complex than a maze, and countless Ethereals guarding it."
"If it were anyone else, they wouldn't have found the item—just getting out alive would be difficult!"
"Fortunately, under my wise leadership, we navigated the maze-like paths and defeated countless Ethereals…"
With her embellishment, a simple fetch quest became an epic battle, as if they had slain a Nineveh.
Anby, eating quietly, looked puzzled. Had she gone to the same place with Nicole today? The way she described it sounded completely different.
Clap clap clap! Sol applauded rhythmically at the exciting parts. "As expected of Boss Nicole, truly a role model for us all!"
"Ahahaha! Of course!"
Nicole laughed proudly, swaying with delight, already lost in Sol's flattery.
Coming from Sol—someone who's even stronger than a Void Hunter—his recognition was top-tier flattery in all New Eridu.
Who wouldn't get drunk on that?
Thus, under Sol's guidance, dinner passed with endless laughter, everyone unconsciously forgetting about the bet between Sol and Nicole.
After the meal, Sol pulled Nicole to sit seriously on the sofa to watch TV, pretending to be absorbed in the furious rant of a Ridu Reporter on-screen.
Baal and Nekomata had been coaxed off to the next room to rest, while Anby and Billy soon washed up and went to bed.
At this time, Sol finally let Nicole return to her room.
But just as she opened the door, Sol slipped inside after her.
Nicole jumped in shock, wary. "Sol, what do you think you're doing?"
Sol only smiled at her. "Nicole, I suddenly remembered our bet. I still haven't gotten my wages back."