Ch.33Request, Demon Hunt (1)

Life is so bitter. That’s why I naturally find myself seeking sweet things these days.

So putting lots of sugar cubes in my coffee means my life is that difficult. If you want to argue, try getting gender-swapped and working with these people.

“This is the first time I’ve seen someone put 30 sugar cubes in a single cup of coffee. Does it even dissolve?”

“It just means my life is that difficult.”

“Then why did you order something bitter instead of something sweet?”

“…Life doesn’t always go the way you want it to.”

“Stop showing off with this nonsense next time.”

“It’s not showing off, I really used to enjoy it…”

I really did use to enjoy pure espresso without syrup or sugar cubes. If you don’t believe me, ask Ju-an.

While I was silently protesting my innocence, Agath spoke with a look of disapproval.

“This is troublesome…”

“What is?”

“Seeing your current state, I’m worried you’ll spit out semen later saying it tastes bad.”

“…Do you happen to have earplugs?”

Just when I start getting used to the sexual jokes, they become even more intense. Thanks to that, I get dizzy every time I hear them.

Maybe I should really get some earplugs…

“I have blindfolds and gags at home, not just earplugs. I also have SM candles, whips, restraints, and everything else.”

“…Why on earth do you have those things?”

“I bought them in advance thinking they might be needed later. And I think someone will borrow them soon.”

“Is there actually someone who would borrow such things?”

What’s so good about that stuff? I can understand the appeal of dominating others, but I absolutely cannot comprehend the preference for being completely dominated by someone else.

Then Agath suddenly grinned while looking at me.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I’m just enjoying the thought of a bitch in heat completely submitting to a male.”

“…Do you like furry stuff or something?”

“Even I don’t have that kind of preference.”

“Then why are you imagining such things?”

“It’s just a metaphor.”

Thankfully, Agath wasn’t a suspiciously wealthy furry. But if that was a metaphor, who was the subject…

I think I already know the answer, but just to be sure, I asked Agath.

“…The subject isn’t me, right?”

“Of course it’s you.”

There are countless things I could say to refute this, but I’m not going to say anything. Whatever I say would be pointless anyway.

Still, I should borrow those earplugs from Agath. Those could actually be useful.

***

While I was passing time on my phone, a middle-aged man entered the office and asked:

“Is the mage here?”

Hearing this, Leo smiled pleasantly and welcomed the visitor.

“You’ve come to the right place. What brings you here?”

“I’ve come to request a job that only Leo, with his exceptional knowledge of magic, can handle.”

Leo’s mouth curved up so much it looked like it might tear. It was the happiest expression I’d seen on his face so far.

I should flatter Leo like that if I ever need to ask him for something.

“A high-level demon has appeared in the northern region of Kioni. The job is to neutralize that demon.”

“Explain immediately what that has to do with magic.”

Leo’s expression twisted instantly. His tone became noticeably sharp.

If you flatter incorrectly, it immediately triggers his outburst mode. I should make a note of that.

“Currently, we’re designing a magic circle to stop the demon. However, we believe it’s impossible to complete the magic circle within the deadline, so we came to borrow an expert’s hand.”

“I see I misunderstood. I apologize for my rudeness earlier. Anyway, I accept the job.”

The smile returned to Leo’s face, and his tone became extremely polite.

“Thank you. The details are written on this paper. And since there isn’t much time left, I recommend departing as soon as possible.”

The middle-aged man left the office. Leo quickly scanned the paper and said:

“Go home, pack your bags, and we leave immediately.”

“I have absolutely no knowledge about magic, so is there any reason for me to go?”

The same would apply to Agath and Rebecca. If we go, we’ll just be a nuisance rather than help. It would be much more beneficial for us to stay here.

And today is a day I don’t particularly want to work. This is the most important reason.

“You guys just need to provide security so no one interferes with the mages designing the magic circle.”

“My physical condition isn’t very good right now…”

“Payment: 400 million.”

“I’ll go pack my bags right away.”

There’s something I realized while exploring dungeons. No matter how hard and difficult the work is, seeing the amount deposited into my account heals everything.

Plus, the payment this time is four times more than before. With this amount, I can happily do even fairly difficult tasks.

So I swallowed my saliva in anticipation and headed home.

***

As soon as I got home, I went straight to my room to pack. There I saw Ju-an still sound asleep.

It would be much more convenient if Ju-an came along for the job. At least I’d have someone to rely on, he’s quite capable, and my workload would be significantly reduced.

Still, I have no intention of bringing him. The more people there are, the less payment each person gets.

Anyway, the job deadline is until Friday. So I just need to endure for four days, maybe even less.

I can tough it out that long. So I’ll let Ju-an sleep.

With that thought, I packed plenty of things in my suitcase and went to the living room.

“I’ve packed! Let’s leave quickly!”

“The girls are still packing. Wait a little longer.”

“It’s just a business trip, what is there to pack?”

“I said the same thing to them and got scolded for lacking sensitivity.”

Before discussing sensitivity, is there even anything to pack? Just clothes and toiletries seem sufficient to me.

Well, there must be something that guys like me don’t understand.

“I really can’t understand the world of women.”

“Tell me about it. But aren’t you a woman too?”

“My mind is male, so I’m an exception.”

I lived as a man for 19 years. It’s absolutely impossible to suddenly become a woman just because my body changed a week ago.

So I’m in an ambiguous position—not quite a man, but not quite a woman either. That makes me an exception.

Anyway, I’ll return to being a man soon, so it doesn’t really matter.

While chatting with Leo to pass the time, the women finished packing and came out.

“Good, let’s depart now.”

“How are we getting there?”

“By airplane, of course.”

“…That’s kind of disappointing.”

I was expecting to ride something like a dragon or teleport instantly. But hearing we’d use ordinary transportation deflated my expectations.

Still, taking an airplane isn’t all bad. That’s because I’ve never flown on an airplane in my life.

So I followed Leo to the airport, looking forward to my first flight.

***

Upon arriving at the airport, Agath suddenly asked me a question.

“Have you ever been on an airplane before?”

“No, this is my first time.”

“Then you know you have to take off your shoes when boarding the plane, right?”

“Do you think I’d fall for something like that?”

No matter how inexperienced I am with flying, I’m not naive enough to fall for such an obvious prank. Who would believe such bait?

“Then you keep your shoes on. We’ll take ours off.”

“I’m absolutely not falling for it, so stop wasting your time.”

“Your reaction isn’t fun today…”

Agath showed clear disappointment and handed me some pocket money.

“Why are you giving me money all of a sudden?”

“It’s basic etiquette to tip the flight attendants during the flight as a gesture of goodwill.”

“What nonsense is that?”

“What are you talking about… Oh.”

Agath thought about something for a moment, then smiled mischievously and said:

“I misspoke. Please forget what I just said. And could you return the money?”

“What were you planning to do with this money?”

“Obviously to tip the flight attend— No, to buy snacks later.”

Agath laughed awkwardly and avoided my gaze. It’s obvious to anyone that she’s lying. But the idea of tipping flight attendants seems like nonsense to anyone…

Yet Agath’s reaction seems so genuine. If that’s acting, she could easily win this year’s best acting award.

Maybe giving tips to flight attendants is actually a thing. What was the reason for giving tips in the first place?

Was it because you liked the service? If so, giving tips to flight attendants makes some sense.

After all, this world isn’t the one I used to live in. So it wouldn’t be strange if such a culture existed here.

Still, I should verify just to be sure.

“Rebecca? Is there a culture of tipping flight attendants in this world?”

“Yes, usually between 5,000 and 10,000 won… Mmph!”

Suddenly, Agath covered Rebecca’s mouth and gave her some kind of signal.

“I think Rebecca misspoke too, right?”

“That’s right, there’s actually no such culture. It was just a joke.”

They both laughed awkwardly. Is tipping really a thing?

While I was still confused, Leo made a decisive statement:

“Do tips go up to 10,000 won these days? I remember the maximum was 5,000 won until a few years ago.”

“…You all seriously lack tact.”

Agath sighed deeply.

From the context of the conversation, it seems that in this world, there is indeed a culture of tipping flight attendants.

“Tipping flight attendants, what an interesting culture.”

As soon as I finished speaking, Agath started making clumsy excuses as if she was flustered.

“What if I was lying from the beginning? Maybe there’s actually no tipping, and I was just acting to tease you.”

“Then why are you telling me this?”

“Um… because of my last bit of conscience?”

“How convincing.”

The fact that flight attendants receive tips has already been confirmed by both Leo and Rebecca. So this must be true.

As time passed, it was time to board the plane.

As soon as I entered the plane, I made eye contact with a flight attendant, and I immediately handed her a tip.

The flight attendant responded with a bewildered attitude:

“…Sir? What is this?”

“A tip.”

“I’m sorry. According to our airline’s policy, we cannot accept tips from passengers.”

“…What?”

While I was confused, trying to understand the situation, I heard laughter behind me.

“I can’t believe she actually fell for it.”

“Ms. Lite, you’re so naive.”

“This is the first time this prank has worked for me!”

They’re all such good actors. Anyway, I was completely fooled.

Judging by how hot my face feels, it must be extremely red right now.

But it’s not too late. I just need to handle this calmly from now on.

Although everyone around has seen this, and Agath has even recorded a video of it, I can still handle it well.

Once I calm down, I’ll quietly commit suicide in the bathroom. That’s the only way to overcome this situation.

Due to my embarrassment, I couldn’t lift my head until the plane reached its destination.