Chapter 78: The money is not everything, but there’s nothing that’s that
by Afuhfuihgs“It seems Sihyun, you’ll have to take care of this child.”Eh?A few hours later, after barely managing to comfort Leah, who had been sniffling in his arms,Elissa returned from the emergency meeting and immediately asked Sihyun to be Leah’s guardian.”No, what on earth was discussed in that emergency meeting for the conclusion to be like that?””Well, actually—”The emergency meeting’s content held quite a lot, but to summarize, it was this:[The custody of ‘Leah,’ a girl who claims to be a Calamity-grade Urban Legend, is hereby entrusted to office worker ‘Yoon Sihyun.’]‘They completely ignored the person concerned, didn’t they? This crappy guild, maybe I should just quit right now.’If it weren’t for the jeonse loan…! I would have handed in my resignation immediately!‘No, more importantly, they’re entrusting a girl suspected of being a Calamity-grade Urban Legend to a normal person?’What is this, some kind of super fun hidden camera prank?”Ms. Elissa, it’s awkward to say this myself, but… I’m a complete loser with no abilities whatsoever. Do you think it makes sense to entrust an urban legend to someone like me?””As I mentioned, Noblesse—no, I should say Leah now, right? Leah is no different from an ordinary girl. She just goes around saying she’s an urban legend.””That alone is a no-go. And she’s not just any urban legend. She’s Calamity-grade, Calamity-grade!””Our investigation results have confirmed her to be safe for now, so you don’t have to worry too much.””Haa, if she’s so safe, why not just let her stay back in England or in the guild’s isolation room? Why entrust her to me?””If we could do that, we would have already. The problem is…”Elissa narrowed her eyes slightly and looked behind Sihyun.There, a girl with purple eyes clung tightly to Sihyun’s clothes.Like a child putting all their heart and soul into not losing their favorite toy.–Whoosh!”Oh, don’t come closer! This one doesn’t want to leave here!”If anyone tried to approach, the girl would wave her arms, blocking them from coming closer.”……As Sihyun knows best, the biggest problem is that Leah refuses to leave Sihyun’s side.””Isn’t she just throwing a tantrum?””From the moment she entered Isolation Room 3, I’ve been monitoring Leah’s emotional state. I don’t know why, but… she displayed the most comfortable emotions when Sihyun was by her side. When we tried separating them for a short while, it was truly a festival of negative emotions.”Sihyun turned his head slightly and looked at Leah, who was plastered to his back.Her purple eyes were slightly teary. The girl, with puffed-out cheeks and on the verge of tears, was expressing ‘I don’t want to be separated’ with her whole body.‘Ah, don’t tell me this happened just because I said one name?’If so, it was almost identical to Luna’s case.”Leah, are you going to keep doing that?””Th-this human tried to abandon this one…! This one is holding on because it feels like you’ll run away irresponsibly after taking my first (moment with you)!””Can you at least change your choice of words?””This one doesn’t know anything about that!”–Squeeze.Leah hugged Sihyun, concentrating all the strength she could muster into her fingertips.The girl was anxious that he might leave her behind.They had only met for the first time a few hours ago, so why was Leah clinging to Sihyun like this?‘If I knew that, would I be like this? Sigh.’”Anyway… I understand the reason, but isn’t it still too irresponsible?””Based on thorough examination results, our Eden Guild’s conclusion is that Leah has no powers and is no different from an ordinary girl. Perhaps she’s just a pitiable girl who simply lost her memories.”Elissa looked at Leah with a slightly pitiful expression, but Sihyun found her demeanor simply amusing.Because Leah was indeed a ‘true’ Calamity-grade Urban Legend.Ding![Calamity-grade Urban Legend ‘Leah’s’ emotional state is within the normal range.]An undeniable declaration from the system window.The ominous black knight, Noblesse, described in the novel, was nowhere to be found, yet the system stated that Leah was a Calamity-grade Urban Legend.‘Since the system said so, I’ll have to keep Leah by my side. But… I can’t just jump at Elissa’s current offer.’A normal person immediately accepting a request to become the guardian of a girl suspected of being an urban legend?That certainly looks suspicious. The guild might find it odd and conduct a separate investigation.So, Sihyun had been pretending he didn’t want to take on the role, waiting for ‘certain conditions’ that Elissa would offer as an additional proposal.”Leah will undergo periodic examinations and monitoring by the guild. If it’s determined that Sihyun cannot handle it, we will immediately retrieve her.””…Even so, it’s still quite a burden.””Of course, Sihyun also has the right to refuse.””Really? That’s a relief then.”As Sihyun smiled and let out a sigh of relief, Elissa placed a small document on the table.–Thud.”Sihyun, would you like to take a look at this before you refuse?””What is it?””Hehe, you’ll know once you read it.”Sihyun picked up the document with his right hand and slowly read from the top line.[Calamity-grade Urban Legend Noblesse Protection Cost Calculation Report]‘SSR Gacha appeared! This is exactly what I was waiting for!’The additional proposal Sihyun was waiting for was monetary compensation.To be seen as a materialistic guardian who reluctantly protects Leah because of the money. That was the most ideal scenario.‘That way, they’ll think I have no other intentions.’Someone who is motivated by money is the easiest to understand. Only if the guild considers him easy to handle can he resolve Leah’s story without being scrutinized.Of course, he’d also get money along the way, killing two birds with one stone!‘In the end, I have nothing to lose.’However, Sihyun planned to refuse at least once, no matter the amount.He had to take a stance to demand higher compensation at least once so they would see him as even more materialistic.”The amount is… one, ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand, hundred thousand, million, ten million… Wait, ten million…?””Hehe, what’s wrong, Sihyun?””No, this seems like too much.””Although she’s self-proclaimed, it’s still the protection cost for a Calamity-grade Urban Legend. That much is only natural.”Sihyun was momentarily speechless at the amount, which was much higher than he expected.He had thought it would be a few hundred a month at most. The document stated that if he became Leah’s guardian, the guild would pay him an additional amount equivalent to an office worker’s annual salary every month.‘Huhu, no, no… I was surprised for a moment, but no way! I’ve already made up my mind to refuse at least once!’To try and buy me with money, are they trying to insult me?!–Thump!Sihyun slammed the document onto the table and widened his eyes.”Ms. Elissa…””Yes, Sihyun. Have you made your decision?””I will diligently protect Leah with all my heart and soul.””Hehe, you made a good decision, Sihyun.”Honestly, it was too much money to refuse.****‘No matter how I think about it, I was super pathetic… to fall for money so easily!’After signing the contract, Sihyun fell into a moment of self-reflection.His plan to refuse at least once was utter nonsense. He was slightly disappointed in himself for agreeing immediately.”Hahaha… Yes, I really am trash… food waste…””Human, what is food waste?””Hmm, if Leah doesn’t eat all the pudding she’s having right now and leaves some, that’s food waste.””Leaving pudding is outrageous!”Leah, who had been sitting quietly on Sihyun’s lap, poured the pudding into her mouth with a satisfied expression.–Nom nom.Leah, munching on her pudding with her small lips, somehow reminded him of the silver-haired princess who silently ate her salt bread.‘Both Luna and Leah are urban legends, but the fact that they eat anything is already unusual.’–Stroke.Sihyun unconsciously stroked Leah’s head, who was sitting on his lap.Startled!Leah jumped in surprise, then stared intently at Sihyun with wide purple eyes.”Th-this human…! What are you doing…?””Ah, sorry. I stroked it without realizing. Did you dislike it?””St-stroking a knight’s head carelessly is not allowed…! It’s, it’s rude…!””Leah is a knight, then? Alright. I won’t do it again.””Hmph…! B-but human, since you are this one’s guardian who serves this one, this one will specially overlook it.””Hahaha! Really? Thank you, Leah.”Leah gently closed her eyes and quietly felt Sihyun’s stroking hand.‘Honestly, I was so flustered earlier that I didn’t notice… but Leah is incredibly beautiful too.’Her red hair sparkled like a blazing flame, and Leah’s eyes were mystical purple, captivating people.She looked like a child raised in luxury, but her behavior and speech were, on the contrary, bold and spirited for a girl.‘She still has a bit of a girlish feel to her… but it’s like, what should I say, her figure is developing in all the right places.’Are all Calamity-grade Urban Legends like this?Just as Luna, the first Calamity-grade urban legend he met, possessed transcendent beauty, perhaps all girls embodying the stories of destruction were like this.While Sihyun was briefly lost in thought, Elissa approached him.”Sihyun, the contract processing is complete. You can start living with Leah from tomorrow.””What about today?””The detailed examinations and experiments aren’t finished, so Leah cannot leave Isolation Room 3 yet. They should be done by the end of today, so you can pick her up on your way home from work tomorrow.””Ah… I see. Understood.”Sihyun gently hugged Leah, who was sitting on his lap, and then set her down again.”Leah, I’ll be going now.””Human…? Wh-where are you going?””We’re just separating for a bit. We’ll see each other again tomorrow anyway, so you need to stay here quietly, okay?””Th-this one doesn’t want to! The human must attend to this one’s side!”–Cling!Leah firmly grabbed Sihyun, who was about to leave, with her small hands and shook her head vigorously, telling him not to go.This peculiar human who had given her a name. She didn’t know why, but if he left, the girl felt like she would be anxious.‘Hmm, in times like these, I should comfort her well as a guardian, right? And educate her at the same time.’Sihyun bent down slightly and met the teary-eyed Leah’s gaze.”Human…?””Leah, I have four greetings I’ll teach you first as your guardian.””Greetings…?”Sihyun told Leah ‘Hello,’ ‘Thank you,’ ‘Goodbye,’ and ‘See you again’ in order.”Leah, and when we part like this, you say ‘See you again.’””This one doesn’t quite understand what that means…””Hmm, when you part with me, you must say that. Then, no matter what happens, I will come to see Leah again.””No matter what…?””Yes, no matter what. So, shall we practice once?””Ung…!”Leah slightly raised her head, waved her hand at Sihyun, and moved her small lips.”Th-this human…! See you again!””Haha! Our Leah learns very quickly, doesn’t she?””O-of course! This one is a great knight, so this much is nothing!”Leah seemed to cheer up instantly, smiling brightly and striking a confident pose.Sihyun gently stroked Leah and taught her one more thing.”Leah, just as I gave you a name and called you by it, from now on, please call me by my name too.””What is the human’s name?””Yoon Sihyun. You can just call me Sihyun comfortably.””Sihyun… It sounds somewhat similar to Lucian! It’s a good name!””Hahaha, that’s a relief. Well, Leah, it’s time to part ways, so shall we say our goodbyes one last time?”Sihyun took a few steps away from Leah, then waved his hand.”Leah, I’m going now. See you again tomorrow.””Ugh… Ummm… In times like this… Ah!”As if a memory suddenly clicked, Leah jumped up and waved her hand back at Sihyun in the same way.”Sihyun! See you again for sure!””Yes. I’ll come again tomorrow. You have to wait patiently, Leah.””Ung…! You have to buy pudding too!”The moment they started calling each other by name.Sihyun and Leah became a little more special to each other.****Time passed like that, and now, two weeks since Sihyun started taking care of Leah.”S-Sihyun is mistreating this one…! You’re, you’re too much after taking a knight’s first (moment with you)!””Leah, I think I’ve told you several times not to use strange word choices, haven’t I?””It’s true that Sihyun took this one’s first (moment)! Take responsibility!””Hahaha, no way. Pudding is forbidden for a while.””Eeek…! Y-you’re too much…! Sihyun!”Taking care of the mischievous and boisterous Lady Knight was not as easy as he thought.
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