When I emerged from the sewer, I was greeted by a dark sky and two familiar faces
"Mr. Candle! You're Safe!"
"Shavin? Why are you here?"
"What do you mean? I came because you didn't come back with a report for hours! I was worried."
Hmm, I see. I was somewhat grateful that you came in person. "But you two?" If something really happened to us, wouldn't it be more reasonable to send another scout during the day? Not to organize a party of an administrative officer and a librarian.
"What? What's with that look? Ragna is a very talented magician, thank you very much!"
That's when I glanced at the librarian. She definitely looked different than she had in the library. "Hmm." She wore a bright robe, numerous scrolls and potions hung from her belt, and carried an expensive-looking wand. I didn't know how skilled she was, but it certainly wasn't equipment an ordinary librarian could afford on their salary. Perhaps she came from a wealthy family?
"Bjorn, who are these people?"
"Shavin Emoor, the administrative employee who entrusted me with this request. And she is… Ragna Litanel Peprok."
"It's Litaniel, not Litanel!"
"Anyway, she's the librarian at my library."
"Ohh, I see," Missha agreed.
After briefly introducing everyone else, I blurted out a few superficial words. "I'm sorry I made you come all the way here at night."
"You don't need to apologize."
"Then thank you. I never thought you'd come."
"You should thank Shavin. I was just forced to." After that, the librarian turned her head away. Why did she seem colder than usual?
I was wondering if I was just being sensitive when Shavin smiled and pressed himself against Ragna's side. "Ragna, what do you mean, 'forced'? You were super worried too, remember?"
"Worried? I wasn't!"
"Didn't you say it could have gotten lost because the paths in the sewers are complicated?"
"Shavin, stop making things up. I was just talking about possibilities. And I said it to say that I was sure it was nothing."
"Hmm, is that right?" Seeing the troubled librarian, Shavin smiled. That alone gave me an idea of the kind of relationship these two had. Well, that wasn't important now.
"Enough talk. Here's my report." If I wanted to get back to the inn before the day was over to rest, I had to move fast.
The results of the sewer patrol were simple: I found and killed a homeless man, nothing more. There was no proof that the search had been completed properly because the video recorder was destroyed, but keeping the ID tag was useful.
«Hans Marcom. I'm aware. He is a fugitive criminal wanted for robbery and murder. There will be 180,000 stones including the commission and additional pay. If you visit the administrative office tomorrow, I will pay you right away».
«Don't I have to pay to break the video recorder?»
«I will explain that to those above... I'm sure they will say that nothing happens, since this is a very special circumstance.»
«Special circumstance, huh?»
He wasn't wrong, but I didn't think he took it into account. However, instead of thinking that the administrative agency was a flexible organization unlike the guild, it would be more accurate to say that Shavin did me a favor.
«May the blessing of the twilight star be with you». After waiting for a while, the person Shavin had called from the temple arrived. This was no ordinary priest, but a paladin with a terrifying bayonet on his back. The paladin made a good inspection of the body we brought and nodded. «This is the traitor Elisa Behenk. Our denomination will not forget this achievement».
His voice was kind, without any hint of arrogance, and there was even some respect towards us. But what did he mean by not forgetting? Wasn't he a little lazy?
«By achievement, do you mean the reward money?». I asked bluntly, like a barbarian who didn't know the pretensions.
The paladin simply smiled kindly. «I see there is a misunderstanding. The reward is paid by the Explorers Guild».
«Does that mean that if I give you the body I won't receive money?».
«Haha, I'll send an official letter to the guild as soon as the sun rises tomorrow, so you don't have to worry about that».
«...Ya veo.»
Oh. You could have started with that.
«Hey, Mr. Paladin?» missha asked. «When we were fighting with that woman before, we lost our memory... Can you check if that has caused any other problems?»
«Of course. Then the paladin released Advanced purification on each of us and left. Apparently, he needed to take the body to the temple in a hurry.
«We will get going too. There will be a lot to write for tomorrow's report. You should rest a little». Shavin and Ragna did the same. Since it was late, they turned around and disappeared as soon as they finished the matter.
Hmm, so we were done with the immediate work? «Let's meet again tomorrow to talk about the reward».
«Ugh, I'm finally going home!»
«I think I smell worse than coming from the Labyrinth! Hahaha!»
We also dispersed and headed to our respective bedrooms. It was eleven at night when I arrived. I wanted to rest right away, but I went to the bathroom and scrubbed my body for a while to get rid of the grime. I didn't realize it until I lay down on the bed.
It had been a hard day.
I didn't know why I had to feel this way after going to a commission of 150,000 stones, but... this time I also managed to come back alive.
***
The next morning, everyone gathered and visited the guild to receive the reward money. Fortunately, the paladin took care of the job quickly, so I was able to receive it simply by presenting my identification tablet.
«Ten million stones, I can't believe it. Hahaha!»
It was a huge sum of two million stones for each one, even divided by five. When we met in the morning, smiles blossomed on the faces of those who had been complaining about the sewer smell, which had not yet disappeared.
«Now I see it. Bjorn, you are a lucky charm. For some reason, since I met you, I feel like money is falling from the sky».
Yes, I'm sure you feel that way. I was the one whose brain was blown off by the psycho bitch.
Even Brown added a word. «... I don't believe in superstitions, but right now I have no choice. Bjorn, it is clear that the goddess fortune is with you on your journey».
I knew it was intended to be a compliment, but it didn't sit so well with me to hear it. Why were my achievements, achieved by working like a dog, now thanks to a goddess I had never seen before?
«Then I'm leaving», I said.
«Hey? Where are you going? We should have something».
«I also have to visit the administrative office».
«Oh, sure. They have told you to charge the commission. Go do it. We'll have a drink».
Wow, not even an empty word of «I'll go with you».
Well, one from Missha. «Bjorn! Do you want me to go with you?»
«Alright. After yesterday, you should rest».
«Okay».
After distributing the reward, I headed straight to the administrative office, a five-story building reminiscent of the old Seoul Station building. When I walked upstairs to the facilities management department on the third floor, I was able to meet Shavin without difficulty.
«Mr. Yandel! It's here!»
As always, he was wearing a uniform. However, since everyone wore the same thing, it didn't really stand out. Instead, it was the one that was out of place.
«Ehh, is that Little Balkan?»
«I heard that if you use that power you will grow super big!»
«What are you talking about? Oh my god, what a shame...»
Were there a majority of workers here? As soon as I entered the facilities management department, murmurs began to be heard from here and there. It was like being a caged monkey. I decided to leave as soon as I finished my homework.
«Now, all you have to do is sign the payment confirmation here. If you don't have a registered signature, you can simply type your name».
«Clear».
Shortly after, the money was paid and the documents signed. However, as I was about to leave, Shavin stopped me. «Ah! Good! If you have time, visit the library».
«Library?»
«Ragna prepared something for you».
Did? Seeing his playful eyes, I was sure I could ignore him, but I replied: «Okay. I'll stop by if I have time».
«Very good! You must do it, okay?»
Seeing that there was definitely business there, I decided I would have to stop by.
***
After leaving the administrative office, I returned to the pub where the party was. Needless to say, it was a disaster. It was still broad daylight, so I thought they'd be a little restrained.
«No, it's true! Hahahahahaha!»
«Don't lie, dwarf! How can someone be called Dick Johnson?! Ahahaha!»
Hikurod and Missha were chatting drunk. Dwalkie had his head glued to the table and was laughing to himself. «Keke, I'm the great wizard Riol Warb Dwalkie...».
Sighing at the sight, Brown greeted me like a gentleman. «Oh, are you here? Was there a problem?»
«That seems like a question I should ask. Why are they already like this?»
«They made good money. I'm sure everyone was in a good mood».
«...I see.» With that, I approached Missha. After grabbing the mug of beer he was holding, I grabbed it by the back of my neck and picked it up.
«Ahh! W-Who...?! Bjorrrn? When have you come?»
«Right now. And stop drinking».
"Eek! You are my father?» Missha looked at me with disgusted eyes and rebelled. He was about to say something before he became more rebellious, but Missha laughed. «Ah! True! My father doesn't care about any of that! Hahaha!»
This girl wasn't doing well today. Ugh... I thought I'd get some rest. «Enough. If you're bored, drink this instead».
«Wrong.»
I couldn't let him get drunk anymore, so I ordered tomato juice, put it in Missha's mouth, and sat next to her. The dwarf was none of my business, but if this girl got too drunk to even move, I was the one who had to take her home, since I was the only one living at that address.
«Hahaha! You two are very strange!» Hikurod scoffed. «There is something! There's something here!»
«Don't be silly and drink some water if you're drunk».
«Hahaha, you're still young too. Does this look like beer to you? For me it's just water! Water!»
«...Do what you want.» I decided not to listen to him and ordered a lot of dishes to satisfy my hunger. Missha woke up a little and watched me attentively as she squirmed in her seat. «... Do you have something to say?»
«Yes I have!» The answer came immediately.
That made me a little anxious, but for now I just nodded. «...Say it».
Missha patted her blushing cheeks twice, took a deep breath, and opened her mouth. «My father wants to see you...»
«Wow! Who is? Yes it is Bjorn, son of Yandel!»
«¿Eh? ¿Quién es es es es es purrson?»
The man who interrupted Missha's words and called me out loud, I remembered him. «You are...»
«Have you already forgotten my name? It's Hans! Hans Hodge!»
«...True.» I remembered the name right away, but the order was a little confusing. Characterized by a scrawny body and freckles, Hans' code for this type was B. We met in a bar after Ainar left my group. He even advised me to go to the guild to find a partner.
But what does this bastard have to do with me?
Perhaps it was because I'd encountered so many Hanses since then, but as soon as this guy started talking to me, I began to worry. For some reason, I felt like something terrible was about to happen.
"Can I sit down?" Hans asked.
"No, I have nothing to say to you."
"Hmm, it's still a coincidence that we met like this..."
"I'm getting up early. So go."
"I see. I was just happy to see you again..." As I shut him up to avoid getting into trouble, Hans B turned away, looking rather sullen. I had no reason to be, but for some reason, I felt like I'd just jumped the gun.
Bang!
The first-floor door opened and a group of gentlemen with the same family crest emblazoned on their chests entered the bar
"It's the Mozlan!"
"Why are they in a rag bar like this?"
The Mozlan: one of the most powerful armed groups in the city, which only gentlemen of noble birth could join. Famous for leaving nothing but blood and death in their wake when captured, as soon as the Mozlan entered the bar, everyone's attention was on them. Suddenly, the bar fell silent
"That way." Following the commander's instructions, the knights moved in unison. Unfortunately, it was in the direction where I was sitting.
Damn it.
What was it this time? As I was reviewing my latest progress to see if I had made any mistakes, I suddenly remembered what the clan shaman had said while telling my fortune
"Beware of bitter people anytime, anywhere."
In addition, I saw Hans B back in his original seat, pushed against the wall to make way for Mozlan.
Wait a minute, someone bitter… Could he be talking about Hans?
It was true that nothing good had ever come of getting involved with these guys, but just as my thoughts reached this point, the group of gentlemen stopped in front of our table.
Click.
They looked at us and one spoke in a deep, commanding voice. I stiffened in place, gripping my fork. "Riol Warb Dwalkie, you are under arrest for contempt of the nobility."
Surprisingly, this time it wasn't me.