NOVEL ONLINE FREE Volume 1 Chapter 103
The next day, I woke up at 10 am, got ready, and left the house. I was dressed as Eleanor today, but not in my usual black robe. I carried two shoulder bags – one for personal use and the other containing the 100-kilo item bag filled with recovery potions for Clare.
I became visible at a convenient spot and hailed a taxi to the Ikebukuro Guild. Arriving at the back of the guild, I spotted a taxi already waiting in the parking lot.
After paying my taxi driver, I approached the other taxi and got in.
“Switching taxis like this feels odd,” I murmured to myself.
“If it bothers you, I could’ve picked you up from your place,” said the muscular driver, clearly Harry.
“No way. If you come to my house, I’ll seriously kill you.” I was quite serious about this; I didn’t want to cause any trouble for Kaede.
“Scary, scary. But you’re dressed decently today. It suits you.”
“Thanks. But saying that implies I usually don’t dress well. You’re not exactly a ladies’ man, are you?”
“Who are you to talk about fashion? You dress like a witch…”
Ignoring his remarks, I asked, “Were you in America too?”
“No, I stayed here. Kept an eye on your guild, visited Frontier.”
“Where did you go?”
“Koona Ruins. Only swords dropped there.”
Typical luck. I’d only ever gotten skeleton swords from there too.
“You’re just unlucky.”
“Like you’re any better…”
“Whatever. Since it’s lunchtime, I’ll treat you today.”
Hopefully, it’s not just ramen…
“Make it somewhere nice, okay?”
“Leave it to me!”
I still felt uneasy about it.
“Welcome back, Clare,” I greeted her, sitting next to me in the taxi.
“Thanks. Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“I don’t mind, but someone from the headquarters seems to be in a hurry.”
“Same everywhere, huh?”
“Yes. Did you bring the money?”
“Yes, it was a hassle gathering all that cash in yen. I had to bring it in cash, not dollars.”
“Well, it’s an unorthodox deal. Make sure you have yen ready next time.”
“I’ll try. You brought your stuff, right?”
“Of course. Here’s the 1000-kilo item bag. Is the design okay?”
I showed her a black bag.
“It’s fine. I’m not fussy about the design.”
“Here you go, then.”
I handed her the bag.
“Shouldn’t money come first?”
“Let’s call it a sign of trust.”
“Alright, here’s your 10 billion yen.”
Clare handed me an attaché case filled with neatly bundled bills.
“You can count it if you like.”
“Counting 10 billion yen would take forever. I trust you.”
“That concludes our item bag deal, then.”
“Yes. Now, about the Level 2 Recovery Potions…”
“You can sell to others. I don’t mind as long as you’re not flooding the market.”
“Here they are.”
I handed Clare another bag.
“This is also a 100-kilo bag?”
“Yes, with 100 potions inside.”
“Understood.”
Clare handed me another attaché case, presumably containing 4 billion yen.
“Deal’s done, then.”
“Thank you. It’s been good doing business with you.”
“By the way, you said you had something to ask?”
“Yes, about that girl you were seen with in Frontier. Is it true?”
“You mean Nanapon? She’s my apprentice.”
“I heard she was blonde, but I thought she had black hair.”
“She wears a wig. She’s a 19-year-old college student.”
“I thought she was a middle-schooler…”
“That’s harsh. She’s a legitimate college student.”
“I guess Asians do look younger. How old do you think I am?”
“Early 20s? So, around thirty?”
“Ouch… I’m actually 20.”
“Sure, let’s go with that. You really looked shocked there. Anyway, I was worried the girl might be a sacrifice or something.”
“Nanapon is not a sacrifice.”
“Good. I was just checking. So, she’s with you often?”
“Yes, but don’t trouble her.”
“I won’t. It’s you who keeps me busy.”
“Great, we’re here! I’ve been looking forward to this.”
Harry parked the taxi, and sure enough, there was a ramen shop with a long queue in front of it.