Chapter 17 : Why is your expression like that ?

I’m broke.

Yeah, that’s how it turned out.

I spent way too much money.

Even in my previous life, I lived without thinking when it came to spending.

For the sake of survival, I threw every coin I earned into A-rank gear the moment I got my hands on some money.

That’s why, despite making a decent amount from my wrecking business, I still lived in a shady one-room apartment with weak security.

Every time money came in, I poured 80% or more into gear.

After insurance, taxes, and a bit of living expenses, it was all gone.

At first, it was purely about survival.

But after that?

Yeah, it turned into mindless spending.

I was like one of those guys who go broke buying expensive cars—except my addiction was gear.

But seriously, new and better equipment kept coming out!

What was I supposed to do?

Anyone who could resist that is practically a saint.

But that’s not the point right now.

[Balance: 104 Coins]

I stared blankly into the air with an empty expression.

I don’t even need equipment right now, so why did I waste so much money?

“…I just… kept thinking about the kids…”

I got carried away, wanting them to be happy with these gifts.

I already had a habit of overspending, and the thought of using that money on my subordinates made it even worse.

On top of that, I finally had a friend for the first time in a long while, so of course I wanted to buy them something.

With a heavy sigh, I slumped onto the wooden floor.

All that money… just gone.

“Damn it… all that suffering I went through to earn it, wasted just like that.”

Thinking about it rationally, I wasn’t planning on killing anyone in my tower, so why the hell did I buy all this?

I wasn’t thinking straight.

I just impulsively spent it, imagining the kids being happy.

“Whatever. I’ll just cut their salaries a bit.”

Yeah, I bought them presents, so they can’t complain.

Besides, we provide room and board at this company.

It’ll be fine, right?

I decided to stop worrying about it.

More importantly, I needed to get these gifts to my kids.

They’d love them, for sure.

With a grin, I rushed off to the backyard, where Geomgwi was probably doing laundry.

***

Backyard – Excited to Give Gifts.

SPLASH!

SPLASH!

As I entered the backyard, the sound of aggressive laundry-washing echoed.

Water splashed everywhere, making for an almost violent visual.

“So basically, if she weren’t doing laundry, that’d be a person under her feet instead, right?”

Good thing my kid is well-behaved.

Ignoring the soap suds clinging to him, Geomgwi was rolling around vigorously.

I ran toward him, beaming with excitement.

“Geomgwi! Look at this!”

“Oh, Master, the ingredients are all—”

“It’s a sword! Super pretty, right?”

The moment I revealed the weapon, Geomgwi froze mid-sentence.

Her expression gradually stiffened.

“…How much… did that cost…?”

Her voice trembled—probably from joy, right?

To ease his concern, I flashed a bright, innocent smile.

“Huh? This? No idea!”

“…Oh my god….”

“Geomgwi?!”

She clutched her neck and collapsed.

What the hell?

Why was she reacting like this?

I genuinely had no idea.

***

15 Minutes of Nagging.

“You spent ALL your money?!”

“You always get sad when you’re just saving coins, but THIS is how you spend them?!”

“You need to be smarter with your money!”

Fifteen minutes.

That’s how long Geomgwi had been scolding me non-stop.

I sat there blankly staring into space, letting the words wash over me.

“…So unfair…”

Come on.

I thought about them and bought them presents, and they’re scolding me for it?!

“At least you bought food properly.”

“Yeah, that part was well done.”

Oh, a compliment.

“Why are you smiling?!”

“…Sorry.”

Looks like the gap between us is completely gone—she even yells at me now.

Honestly?

I’m a little touched.

Now, if only she’d use the sword I got him.

Casually, I picked up the Phantom Samurai’s Sword.

“…Are you even listening?”

“So, will you use it?”

“Haa…”

I looked up at him, watching him hesitate and squeeze her eyes shut.

I seized the moment and shoved the sword into her hands.

“Use it!”

“…M-Master, just this once… I’ll let it slide.”

Her cheeks turned red as she clutched the sword tightly, holding it like it was precious.

Seeing that, I grinned in satisfaction.

“Alright, time to call the others!”

“…U-Um… Master….”

“Hmm?”

“…Never mind.”

What was that?

She trailed off, hugging the sword even tighter.

In the end, Geomgwi smiled softly and told me to do my best.

Then, she rushed off to the kitchen to sort out ingredients.

I tilted my head in confusion but just shrugged it off.

Later, I would understand what that strange smile meant.

***

Company Group Chat – Summoning the Others.

“…Right now… come… to the top floor… immediately.”

Click.

I sent the message to our company group chat.

Instant replies came in.

[Skeleton: Coming right away, my lord!]

[Skeleton: (😜😜😜😜😜😜)]

[Archer: (🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡)]

Fast responses—good.

I relaxed on the wooden floor, enjoying the breeze while waiting for them.

My nine tails swayed gently, reflecting my good mood.

“They’ll be happy, right?”

I spent literally everything (including their salaries) on these gifts.

Of course they’d be happy.

A few minutes passed.

“Master, here’s your lunch~”

“Ah, thanks!”

Geomgwi walked out, carrying lunch, looking oddly cheerful.

I hadn’t eaten all morning.

I ended up buying way too much food, so Geomgwi had to cast preservation magic and process everything, which took forever.

Next time, I should buy less food.

In my previous life, I only ordered takeout, so I had zero experience dealing with this.

My only food-related struggle was figuring out if bones counted as food waste or not.

As I took a bite, nostalgia hit me.

“…Man, Minho’s bone stew was so good.”

I want to eat that again.

Should I ask Hunter Han-Sung to buy me some?

I pondered that as I ate.

Han-Sung and My Subordinates’ Hostility.

“Oh yeah, did you give Hunter Han-Sung food?”

“…Uh, yeah, he’s eating right now.”

“For real?”

“…Should I actually give him some?”

“…Yes, give him some.”

I sighed as Geomgwi hurried off to the guest room with food.

For some reason, my subordinates always looked cold whenever Han-Sung was mentioned.

They were monsters by nature, so they probably felt some instinctive repulsion toward him.

Like Hwarang said, they treated him like a cockroach—the expressions and reactions were identical.

I kind of understood.

When I was a wrecking streamer, I saw the ugliest sides of humanity.

There were hunters arrested for drugs and sex scandals, those who beat people for fun, and even some lunatics who threw living humans to monsters just for entertainment.

But despite all that, I had also seen the good side of people.

Like my landlady, who brought me food when I was on the verge of starving to death after failing to pay rent.

Whenever I went to sell goblin ears, the staff at the Hunter Association always worried about my well-being.

And the orphanage director, who took me in and raised me after I was abandoned.

Countless other kind-hearted people passed by my life as well.

Maybe that’s why I can’t bring myself to hate people.

Even when I see an evil person, my first thought is always of the victims they’ve hurt—it’s just a habit.

‘Sigh… If only I hadn’t gotten a taste for money, I could’ve been a true hero of justice.’

I sighed as I lifted a spoonful of food.

At that moment.

“Huff… huff… Damn, this tower is ridiculously big… L-Lord! You called?!”

“Oh, you’re here?”

“Huff… huff… What’s the matter…?”

Hwarang burst through the door, panting heavily.

Sweat dripped from his forehead, and his breath was ragged—he must have sprinted here.

‘…It’s not like I’d kill them for being late.’

Since the gift ceremony hadn’t started yet, I decided to let him rest first.

“Let me finish eating first. Sit down here.”

“Yes, Lord.”

Wiping off his sweat, Hwarang knelt beside me.

Why kneel while I’m eating?

That’s uncomfortable.

“…Just sit normally.”

“Oh, yes.”

“…I said, don’t kneel.”

“Oh! Yes!”

Finally, he relaxed and leaned against the floor comfortably.

Just as I was about to take my first bite.

“Lord, I have arrived.”

“…Oh, you’re here?”

“Yes.”

The Death Knight entered, lowering his head slightly in a reserved manner.

He must have sensed something was off about my reaction.

I suppressed my hunger and decided to start the gift ceremony first.

“Ahem.”

“…!!”

“…!”

As soon as I cleared my throat, the two flinched and stood at attention.

I reached behind me and carefully brought out the bow and pendant I had set aside.

“Ta-da!”

They should be thrilled, right?

But the two monsters’ reactions were strangely indifferent.

“…D-did you kill someone for this?”

“…The pendant… Hmm, it suits you well.”

“?”

As I frowned in confusion, the two monsters also tilted their heads, just as puzzled.

“These are gifts for you…”

“…Oh! A-a decorative bow? Wow~ It looks so pretty!”

“Y-yes! A beautiful pendant! I accept it with gratitude!”

Their responses sounded more like they were trying to be polite rather than excited.

Hwarang even outright called the bow decorative, as if it had no use.

But I spent a lot of money on this?

“…Could you… use it?”

“Huh?”

“…Use it where, exactly…?”

Wait.

Are they saying they don’t need these?

“…My own bow is better, Lord. …I apologize.”

Saying that, Hwarang held out his own bow.

I was utterly shocked.

“…So you… don’t need this…?”

The two quietly nodded.

Ah.

I think I’m about to cry.