Chapter 45

Chapter 45

Investing Through the Status Window.

Episode 45: After The Dungeon (2).

Kkeuueu.

Allen slowly opened his eyes. As his blurry vision gradually became clear, a reddish pattern of flowers touched his retina… It wasn’t the damp and gloomy cave but the ceiling of a luxurious room.

‘…Is this a dream…’

For a moment, he thought so, but then he quickly came to his senses as he felt a slight muscle soreness while sitting up. He then suddenly laughed quietly to himself like a madman.

He had survived, after all. He had returned alive—.

He got out of bed and went out to the terrace. As the warm morning sun seeped into his whole body, he couldn’t feel more at peace… The terrible and unbearable cold of the monster’s den had now disappeared.

Standing on the terrace for a while, basking in the sunlight, and then returning to the room, his heart, which had been floating until just moments ago, settled down as if it were a lie.

…Two deceased, and one injured.

The two deceased were the faint-hearted believer Dmitris and the Superstitious Nola. Axeman Cabrioldi was also severely injured, but fortunately, his life was not in danger.

Regrettably, it was all in the past now. Allen silently prayed for the souls of the deceased and instantly transformed back into a ruthless merchant.

The cost of life for the two deceased, medical expenses for the injured, remaining wages, living expenses, etc… His mind was busy with calculations.

Then, a knock sounded, and Allen, who had been sitting on the bed with a headache, looked towards the door.

– Group Leader, it’s Aiden. Are you awake?

“Ah, come in.”

Entering the room, Aiden couldn’t hide his joyful smile upon seeing the group leader looking somewhat better.

“How do you feel?”

“I got up after a good rest in a comfortable place. I’m alright now. It’s not like I was fatally injured or anything.”

“That’s really fortunate.”

“What about the others?”

“The rest are also fine now. Even that guy Cabrioldi is all healed up.”

Allen nodded lightly. Then, Aiden’s lips slowly began to rise.

“But hearing it from Kalisman, it was no joke. Truly amazing. How did you even think to survive that?”

“…Are you saying I should’ve just died?”

“Hey, it’s admiration, admiration. To have defeated the queen monster in that state…”

“If we didn’t defeat it, we’d be the ones dead. Despite not knowing whether we’d live or die, I had to rush in. …And honestly, luck was a bit on our side too.”

“Anyway, the rumors about the group leader have spread far and wide.”

‘Rumors, huh.’

“…I was just standing in the back, not doing much. The others did all the fighting.”

“It’s precisely Group Leader who united those people. Do you know how difficult that is?”

“It’s just that my face is getting all the credit. The others also went through a lot.”

“Mercenaries don’t need any of that. Rather than words, it’s sufficient as long as you take care of this, gen—erously.”

Aiden grinned and formed the shape of a coin with his thumb and index finger, while Allen chuckled and shook his head in disbelief.

“Really now. Alright…, once I have some leeway.”

“Dinner preparations are all done, would you like to join us?”

“Yeah, let’s go.”

The two headed to the restaurant. There, all the other members were already gathered. Feeling a strange sense of emotion, Allen went up to each one of them, patting their shoulders and backs, praising them for their hard work.

Since they must have already heard the detailed story from Kalisman and Elena, there wasn’t much else for him to say. He just needed to sincerely answer any questions about how he was feeling physically.

After eating his fill until his stomach was about to burst, Allen returned to his room.

As he closed the door with a thud and re-entered the silence, he felt once again, very vividly, that he had truly returned. …It was a feeling similar to the one he had when he woke up the day after he had been discharged from the military.

The feeling that it was really over… That exact feeling.

Leaning against the door and feeling the lingering emotions, Allen was soon jolted back to reality by a clear knocking sound. Who could it be, he wondered, and as soon as he flung the door open, two enticing pieces of flesh caught his eye.

It was the milk-jug mage.

“…Elena?”

“Um, do you perhaps have a moment…?”

“Ah, yes. Come in.”

She entered with the elegant stride befitting her noble lineage. As the door closed with a thud, she turned around swiftly to face him directly.

“Thank you for saving me that time. I was so flustered that I… I’m sorry for being late.”

“I didn’t do much. And if anything, I should be the one thanking you. Without you, we all would have been dead. I’m truly grateful. It’s all thanks to your diligent magic training.”

“…Still.”

The two exchanged heated glances. The atmosphere heated up along with them. They still vividly remembered their moment of emotional embrace.

“Yes, we both did well. Everyone did well.”

“Yes….”

The man and woman stared at each other for a while. And slowly, their faces drew closer….

Their lips touched. It started with a light peck, once, twice, then the lips parted and the sticky flesh entangled.

Allen grabbed the wanton mage’s breast and lightly squeezed it. Then, a sultry moan escaped her, hot and breathy.

As their kiss turned sticky and deep, crossing into dense and vulgar territory, a knock sounded right next to them.

—!

Startled, the two hastily separated and quickly straightened their clothes.

Group Leader Allen. It’s me, Viola.

“Ah—!”

“Just a moment, please wait.”

Allen checked the state of himself and the milk-jug mage for the last time, and opened the door. Viola raised her eyebrows slightly upon seeing a guest inside.

“Ah, there was a guest. I’m sorry.”

“No. We just finished our business. Please, talk. Then, I’ll be off….”

The milk-jug mage said so, lowering her gaze as much as possible, and hurriedly left the room. Group Leader Viola briefly looked at her retreating figure before entering the room.

“Did I perhaps interrupt your rest….”

“Interrupt? I’ve already rested enough. Please, have a seat.”

Allen guided the esteemed guest to the table. Unfortunately, there was no tea prepared to serve.

“All I have to offer now is water.”

“No, it’s okay. I had a cup of tea before coming.”

“Ah, I see.”

It was Group Leader Viola who broke the ensuing silence.

“Are you feeling any better?”

“Just tired and fatigued, but after a good night’s sleep, I’ve fully recovered.”

He remembered groaning in agony as if he were about to die, on top of being tired and fatigued, but he did not bother to bring up such details to Viola.

“That’s good to hear.”

“Is Alex okay?”

“Yes, he got up just fine.”

“Please tell him I said thank you for looking after me.”

“Will do.”

And then, the conversation paused again. If there had been tea, Allen might have sipped it to fill the silence, but unfortunately, without a teacup to touch, he could only awkwardly rub his hands together like a greedy merchant.

“So, what brings you here…?”

“It seems the Marquis wants to meet you. He probably heard about you killing the queen of the monsters.”

“Ah, is that so.”

“We’ll also discuss the commission there.”

As soon as the word ‘commission’ was mentioned, Allen’s eyes sparkled. It was an inevitable reaction for someone who loved money.

“It’s not going to be a difficult meeting, so don’t worry too much. And I’ll be by your side the whole time.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Viola’s gaze, with her lips sealed, landed on Allen’s number, 522.

‘- You must absolutely take him under your wing. You absolutely must.’

Alex’s resolute words were not baseless, she already knew that. ‘…What on earth did he experience in that one day to say such a thing?’

Her mouth was dry. She habitually fumbled in front of her with her hand, realizing there was no teacup, and then gracefully clasped her hands together again as if nothing had happened.

‘- You must hold on to him. You absolutely must take him under your wing—.’

The subordinate’s words kept echoing in her ears. The more it happened, the more her greed grew.

‘Can’t miss it. Catch it. Embrace it. Must.’

However, she tried not to show it. No matter how much she coveted, she couldn’t give the upper hand to the other. Being led around was not to her taste.

“I heard you led people very proactively. Alex’s praises were everywhere.”

“It’s thanks to everyone calmly following.”

“It’s hard to do that without a solid pivot.”

“…Excessive praise, but thank you.”

Viola, tapping the table lightly with her fingers, nonchalantly uttered without changing her expression.

“Come to my house sometime. Let me treat you to a meal.”

Allen’s eyebrows slightly raised then lowered. It was a very subtle reaction, but Viola saw it.

“I’ll stop by sometime when I return later.”

“Sure. Feel free to come.”

The conversation so far was impeccably neat. Viola inwardly praised her consistent composure. There was no sign of haste or greed.

When Allen smiled lightly, Viola also showed a relaxed smile.

But in fact, he saw it all.

[Notes]

She’s very desperate.

She feels a strong sense of possessiveness.

She feels satisfied with her acting.