When I got out of the sewers, I was greeted by a dark sky and two familiar faces.

"Mr. Yandel?!" You're safe!

"Shawina?" Why are you here?

"What do you mean?" I came because you didn't come back with a report for hours! I was worried!

Hmm, I see.

I was somewhat grateful that she came in person.

"But you're two?"

If something really happened to us, wouldn't it be wiser to send another researcher in the afternoon? And not to organize a team of an office worker and a librarian.

"What?" What kind of look is this? Ragna is a very talented mage!

Only then did I look at the librarian. She definitely looked different from the one in the library.

"Hmm...

She wore a shiny robe, numerous scrolls and potions hung from her belt, and in her hand she held an expensive-looking wand. I didn't know how skilled she was, but it was definitely not equipment that an ordinary librarian could afford with his salary. Maybe she was from a rich family?

"Bjorn, who are these people?"

— Shawina Emur, the administrative officer who entrusted me with this request. And this... Ragna Litanel Peprok.

"Litaniel, not Litanel!"

"Anyway, she's a librarian in my library.

"Ahh, I see," Mike nodded.

After briefly introducing the others, I spat out a few abusive words.

"I'm sorry I made you go all this way at night.

"There's no need to apologize.

"Thank you, then." I didn't think you'd come.

— ... You have to say thank you to Shawina. I was only forced.

After that, the librarian turned her head around.

Why did it seem colder than usual?

I wondered if I was just sensitive when Shavina smirked and glued herself to Ragna's side.

"Ragna, what do you mean 'forced'?" You were very worried too, remember?

"B-Worried?" I wasn't worried!

"Didn't you say that he could get lost because the paths in the sewer system are difficult?"

"Shavina, stop making things up. I only talked about opportunities. And I said this to say that I'm sure it's nonsense.

"Hmm, is that so?"

Seeing the worried librarian, Shavina smiled.

This alone gave me an idea of what kind of relationship connected these two. It didn't matter now, though.

"Stop talking. Here is my report.

If I wanted to return to the inn before the end of the day to rest, I needed to act quickly.

The results of patrolling the sewers were simple: find and kill one vagrant, nothing else. There was no evidence that the quest was completed properly because the dashcam was broken, but keeping the ID tag was helpful.

— Hans Marc. He is a fugitive, wanted for robbery and murder. This will amount to 180,000 stones, including commissions and additional rewards. If you visit the administrative office tomorrow, I'll pay you right away.

— Do I need to pay for the breakdown of the DVR?

"I... I will explain this to senior management. I'm sure they'll say it's okay because it's a special circumstance.

"A special circumstance, isn't it?"

She wasn't mistaken, but I didn't think she'd take that into account. However, instead of thinking that the administrative agency was a flexible organization as opposed to a guild, it would be more accurate to say that Shavina did me a favor.

"May the blessing of the twilight star be with you.

After waiting for a while, the man Shavina had summoned from the temple arrived. It was not an ordinary priest, but a paladin with a terrifying bayonet on his back. The paladin carefully examined the corpse we had brought and nodded.

"It's the traitor Elisa Bechenk. Our denomination will not forget this achievement.

His voice was kind, without a hint of arrogance, and there was even a certain respect for us. But what did he mean by "he will not forget"? Isn't that too vague?

— By achievement, do you mean reward? I asked bluntly, like a barbarian who knows no pretense.

The paladin only smiled good-naturedly.

"I see it's a misunderstanding. The bounty is paid by the Explorers Guild.

"Does that mean that if I give the body to you, I won't get the money?"

"Haha, I'll send an official letter to the Guild as soon as the sun rises tomorrow, so you don't have to worry about it.

— ... Got it.

Well, you could start there.

"Um, Mr. Paladin?" Mike asked. "When we fought that woman, we lost our memory... Could you please check if this has caused any other problem?

— Of course.

After that, the paladin cast an advanced [Purification] spell on each of us and left. Obviously, he had to hurry to deliver the corpse to the temple.

"We'll go too." Tomorrow there will be a lot to write for the report. You need to rest.

Shavina and Ragna were of the same opinion. Since it was already late, they turned around and disappeared as soon as the business was finished.

Hmm, so the actual work was done?!

"Let's meet tomorrow to talk about rewards.

"Phew, I'm finally going home!"

"I think I smell worse than when I came out of the labyrinth!" Hahaha!

We dispersed and headed to our dormitories. It was 11 o'clock in the evening when I entered the tavern. I wanted to go to rest right away, but I went to the bathroom and wiped my body for a while to wash off the dirt. It wasn't until I was lying in bed that it dawned on me.

It was a hard day.

I didn't know why I had to feel this way after fulfilling the request for 150,000 stones, but... I came back alive this time too.

***

The next morning, everyone gathered and went to the Guild to receive the reward. Fortunately, the paladin got the job done quickly, and I was able to get the money just by presenting my ID card.

"10 million stones, I can't believe it. Hahaha!

It was a huge amount of 2 million stones each, even if you divide by 5. When we met in the morning, smiles blossomed on the faces of those who complained about the smell of the sewers, which still hasn't gone away.

"Now I see. Bjorn, you are a lucky mascot. For some reason, since I met you, it seems to me that money is just falling from the sky!

Yes, I'm sure you think so. That crazy bitch didn't blow your head off.

Even Brown put in his 5 cents:

— ... I don't believe in superstitions, but I don't have a choice at the moment. Bjorn, it's obvious that the goddess of luck is with you on your journey.

I knew it was a compliment, but I wasn't very pleased to hear it. Why is it that my successes, achieved by working like a dog, are now the merit of a goddess I have never even seen?

"Then I'll go," I said.

"Huh?" Where are you going? We have to drink!

"I also need to visit the administrative office.

"Oh, yes. They told you to pick up the fee for the request. Go and do it. In the meantime, we'll have a drink.

Wow, even the empty words "I'll go with you" didn't sound.

Well, one from Misha.

"Bjorn!" Do you want me to go with you?

"It's all right. After yesterday, you need to rest.

"Hmm, okay.

After distributing the awards, I went straight to the administrative office, a five-story building that resembles the former Seoul Station building. As I climbed the stairs to the 3rd floor to the facilities management department, I had no trouble meeting Shawina.

"Mr. Yandel!" Are you here!

As always, she was in uniform. However, since everyone was dressed the same, she didn't stand out in any way. Instead, I was the only one out of place.

"Oh, is this the Little Balkan?"

"I've heard that if he uses this power, he grows very big!"

"What are you all talking about?" Oh my God, it's so embarrassing...

Were there mostly women working here?

As soon as I entered the facilities management department, fussy whispers could be heard here and there. I felt like a monkey in a cage. I decided to leave immediately after I finished my duties.

– Now all you have to do is sign the payment confirmation here. If you don't have a registered signature, you can simply write your name.

— Of course.

Soon after, the money was received and the documents were signed.

However, just as I was about to leave, Shavina stopped me.

"Oh!" That's right! If you have time, please visit the library.

"A library?"

"Ragna has something in store for you.

Really?

Seeing her playful eyes, I was sure I could just ignore it, but I replied:

"Good. I'll come back when I have time.

"Good!" Certainly, okay?

Seeing that there was definitely something to do there, I decided I had to stop by.

After leaving the administrative office, I returned to the pub where the party was taking place. Needless to say, it was a mess. It was still broad daylight, so I thought they would be a little more discreet.

"No, that's true!" Hahahaha!

"Don't lie, you fool! How can anyone be called Dick Johnson?! Hahahaha!

Hikurod and Mike were chatting drunkenly. Dvalky glued his head to the table and giggled to himself.

"Keke, I am the great mage Riol Varb Dvalki..."

Sighing at this, Brown greeted me like a gentleman.

"Oh, are you here?" Were there any troubles?

That sounds like a question I have to ask. Why are they already in this state?

"They made good money. I'm sure everyone was in a good mood.

— ... Got it.

With that, I approached Misha. Taking the beer mug she was holding in her hands, I grabbed her by the neck and lifted her up.

"Ahh!" Who...?! Bjorrn? When did you come?

"Just now. And stop drinking.

— ... Ir! Are you my father?

Misha looked at me with disgust and rebelled. I was about to say something before she rebelled even more, but Misha burst out laughing.

"Oh!" That's right! My dad doesn't care about any of that! Hahaha!

It seems that she is not in a good mood today.

Phew... I thought I'd get some rest.

"That's enough. If you're bored, you'd better drink this.

"Good.

I couldn't let her get even more drunk, so I ordered tomato juice, brought it to Misha's mouth, and sat down next to him. The dwarf wasn't my business, but if this girl got too drunk to move, then I was the one who had to take her home, since I was the only one who lived in that direction.

"Haha!" You two are very strange! Hikurod teased. "There's something here!"

"Don't be an idiot and drink water if you're drunk."

"Khahaha, you're still young. Does it sound like beer? For me, it's just water! Water!

— ... Do what you want.

I decided to ignore him and ordered a bunch of dishes to satisfy my hunger. Misha woke up a little and watched me attentively, fidgeting in her seat.

— ... Do you want to say something?

"I want to!" The answer was immediate.

That made me a little nervous, but I just nodded for now.

— ... Speak.

Mike slapped her flushed cheeks twice, took a deep breath and opened her mouth.

"My father wants to meet with you-...

"Wow!" Who is this? Isn't that Bjorn, Yandel's son?!

"Huh?" Who is this person?

I remembered the man who interrupted Misha's words and called me in a loud voice.

"You...

"Have you forgotten my name yet?" It's Hans! Hans Hodge!

— ... That's right.

I immediately remembered the name, but the order was a bit confusing. Distinguished by a skinny body and freckles, the code of this Hans was [B]. We met at a bar after Einar left my team.

He even advised me to contact the Guild to find a companion.

But what does this bastard have to do with me?

Maybe because I've met a lot of Hans since then, but as soon as this guy started talking to me, I started to worry. For some reason, there was a feeling that something terrible was about to happen.

"Can I sit down?" Hans asked.

"No, I have nothing to say to you.

"Hmm, it's still a coincidence that we met like this...

"I'll get up soon." So go away.

"Y-I understand. I was just glad to see you again...

When I chased him away so that he would not interfere, Hans B turned away, all sad. I didn't have any reason to do so, but for some reason, I felt like I had just overcome an obstacle.

*Boom!*

The door on the 2nd floor opened and a group of knights with identical family coats of arms engraved on their chests entered the bar.

"It's the Mozlans!"

"Why are they in such a seedy bar?"

Mozlan: One of the most powerful armed groups in the city, only knights of noble birth could join. They are known for the fact that once captured by them, you can only get blood and death. As soon as the Mozlans entered the bar, everyone's attention was riveted on them.

Suddenly, silence reigned in the bar.

"There."

On the orders of the commander, the knights moved in unison. Unfortunately, it was in the direction where I was sitting.

Bloody hell.

What's this time?

As I looked back to see if I had made any mistakes, I suddenly remembered what the clan shaman had said when he had told me my fate.

"However, beware of those who experience bitterness at any time and in any place."

In addition, I saw Hans B returning to his former seat, pushed against the wall to make room for the Mozlans.

Wait a minute, the one who feels bitter... Could it be about Hans?

True, I had never had anything good from associating with these guys, but just when my thoughts came to this, a group of knights stopped in front of our table.

*Creak*

They looked at us, and one spoke in a deep and authoritative voice. I froze in place, holding my fork.

"Riol Warb Dvalki, you've been arrested for contempt of nobility.

Surprisingly, this time it wasn't me.