Chapter 85

The silly jokes helped the nausea gradually subside.

If only Kaiel’s face wasn’t right in front of me, that is.

‘You’re too close!’

I think my stomach is churning again.

No matter how many times I experienced seeing such a handsome man up close, it was still hard to get used to.

— Anonymous Constellation: Is this a bull run for Kaiel stock?

— Anonymous Constellation: Whoa, is this a dating sim route?

— Anonymous Constellation: You’re just figuring that out? Why do you think we stuck around in this stream despite being gagged?

— Anonymous Constellation: Kiss! Kiss!

— Anonymous Constellation: Are you crazy? What about Johan!

[Mission: Kiss Kaiel on the cheek. (100,000 Points)]

[Accept] / [Decline]

“…”

I hated myself for hesitating even for a moment.

‘Decline.’

Kaiel, who had been studying my face, suddenly furrowed his brow.

“What is it?”

“I’m dizzy.”

“Still?”

“You’d have to be less handsome for me to feel better.”

“…”

“It’s hard to look this good at point-blank range, but you manage it. It’s quite impressive.”

“Judging by your jokes, you seem to be feeling better.”

I burst out laughing at the look of disdain on his face. I patted his broad shoulder.

“So, could you let me go now? You’re holding me so tight I can’t breathe. My ribs are starting to hurt, too.”

“…”

Kaiel’s expression faltered slightly.

He helped me into a chair. Then he suddenly opened the window and stared out at nothing.

‘Why is he suddenly acting like that?’

I was curious, but I waited quietly. Mages were eccentric by nature, after all.

After a long moment, Kaiel turned back. His expression was even icier than usual.

‘Is he upset that I showed up without notice?’

Kaiel asked in his characteristically frosty voice.

“Your body… Are you all right?”

“Yes, Johan healed me.”

“Still, it would be best for you to rest for a few days.”

“I was planning to, but I got so bored that I came over to hang out.”

The chill from Kaiel intensified in an instant.

‘Another joke and I might freeze to death. What a humorless man.’

I shrugged.

“…That was a joke. First, please stop the video.”

“What video are you referring to?”

“The video of me that’s being happily projected on the outer wall of this building.”

“Ah, you mean the illusion magic.”

“Yes, that. Turn it off now.”

“Why should I?”

Kaiel asked, perplexed. He seemed to have no idea why I was acting this way.

“Do you know what happened to me today? When I walk down the street, people look at me with pity. When I go to a café, they give me free food.”

“…Is that a problem?”

“Of course it is. How pathetic must I have looked for them to do that? It’s all because of that damn video.”

“…”

“And you still intend to keep playing it? The image of me getting the hell beaten out of me by the Dark Knight?”

Kaiel’s lips curled into a slight smile.

“I don’t understand why you’re angry. Isn’t this a good thing? It means people’s perception of you has changed.”

“I don’t care how others see me. I never have. But I don’t want to be pitied. That’s where I draw the line.”

In my past life, people’s reactions to me were split into two categories.

They either hated me.

“Isn’t Hunter Ryu taking it too far? How can she clear dungeons alone every time without even forming a party? She just wants to hog all the reward money, right?”

“Don’t you know? She’s famous for not carrying anyone. They say she has no choice if she wants to feed all those orphans.”

“Haven’t you heard that rumor? They say Hunter Ryu lives like a damn beggar because she’s crazy for money. Orphans? That’s just an excuse.”

Or they pitied me.

“Have you seen Hunter Ryu’s car? No, seriously, why does she live like that? She has plenty of money.”

“They say she has over forty mouths to feed. How much do you think it costs to raise them all and send them to school?”

“Whoa, I heard she sponsored orphans, but she’s actually raising them? So that’s why Hunter Ryu lived so shabbily…”

“What’s the point of earning money? She never even buys a single new outfit for herself because she’s too busy taking care of those kids. Seeing her makes me glad I’m on my own.”

“How pitiful… Which orphanage is it? Should we make a donation? I bet she’d be incredibly grateful for even a little bit.”

“Oh, that’s a good idea. If we get on her good side, she might party with us for the next gate.”

I quickly erased the fragments of memory that struck me like lightning.

“Being hated is much better. Pity… just makes you feel like crap.”

Kaiel fell silent for a moment. A hint of unease flickered across his cold face.

“I only judged that the video would be helpful to you… I didn’t consider that aspect. I apologize. I will replace it with a different image immediately.”

“Whew… Thank you.”

“However, Princess.”

As I looked at Kaiel, he gave a faint smile. It was like Duke Ruthius’s awkward one.

“I doubt people are only pitying you.”

“…”

“Admiration for your courage and sacrifice, being moved, gratitude, sympathy, awe. People feel many different emotions. I, for one, have never pitied you. Though I have admired you plenty.”

…Why is he saying such uncharacteristic things? It’s embarrassing.

I muttered, avoiding his gaze.

“If you’re so full of admiration, just give me money.”

“Haha!”

Kaiel laughed out loud. His mysteriously shining gray eyes drew my gaze.

‘Was this man always one to laugh so easily?’

After laughing for a while, Kaiel rested his chin on his hand and stared at me intently, his eyes filled with warmth.

“Shall I? Then tell me what you desire.”

It felt strange to see the ice-cold man act so gently.

I found myself flustered and stammering.

“Uh, w-well, if I had to choose, an advertisement for my guild opening would be nice.”

“An advertisement?”

“I heard that to advertise something, you either hang a banner or use an information guild. Illusion magic would be far more effective than those methods. People react most strongly to visual stimuli.”

“I hadn’t considered taking advertisement commissions… This could be profitable.”

To find a money-making idea in such a short conversation. That was just like Kaiel.

“It would be. If you successfully run the ad for my guild opening, you’ll be flooded with requests from others who need advertising. You should set your prices in advance.”

“Hmm, to maintain the illusion magic for a full day… about three million Ruan should suffice.”

Having set the price on the spot, he stared at me.

“What’s with that look…? Don’t tell me I have to pay?”

“A discount is available for two or more days. How many days do you plan to use the service?”

“Wow… Anyone watching would think we just met today. Isn’t that a bit much?”

“One must keep business and personal matters strictly separate. Isn’t that why you partnered with me?”

He was so right that I had nothing to say.

“…Just four days.”

“Four days would be twelve million Ruan. As this is the first commission, I will ensure it is as spectacular as possible to coincide with your opening day. The down payment is thirty percent. Shall we draw up a contract?”

Kaiel pulled a contract from a drawer and held it out to me.

‘I somehow feel like I’m getting ripped off…’

Since this was his first time doing it, there was no way to know if the price was fair or not.

I had no choice but to sign the contract and take the money out of my inventory.

“You’re going to be rich.”

“I already am.”

He must be in a good mood, being a mage who loves money. Making such an uncharacteristic joke.

I let out a small laugh and continued.

“You know those low-grade cores I sold you last time? What are you planning to do with them?”

“I plan to turn them into barrier artifacts and install them in nobles’ manors. I’m currently recruiting buyers.”

“The duration is too short, so there won’t be much demand.”

“That’s an unavoidable problem. It would be better if the duration were longer, but a core of that quality hasn’t appeared yet.”

I took out the core of the B-rank boss, the Giant Tarantula, and the barrier formula from my inventory.

Kaiel’s eyes were fixed on the flawless, glossy black orb.

“Make the barrier with this. It will last for at least a year.”

“I will contact the nobles who might purchase it. What price do you have in mind?”

“I haven’t decided yet. I plan to sell it via auction.”

“Are you planning to pit the nobles against each other?”

“Creating competition is the best way to drive up the value from the start. The rarer something is, the more it’s valued, right?”

“Even if… it’s an artifact that can be made anytime a similar monster appears?”

I smiled knowingly.