Chapter 184

Chapter 184

Tucked away in the box was a note that looked like someone had torn open a sketchbook and drawn on it with crayons.

[ጿFree one-time pass to Midsummer!ዽ]

The scribbles on either side of the note looked like a kindergartner had scribbled it, but it was also a sign that Peak had issued it herself.

"Oh, a free pass to Midsummer, you got something valuable."

"Yeah, I'm sure it's worth it."

In some ways, it was just a one-time pass to hire a mercenary group, but the important thing was that the group was Midsummer.

Hundreds or even thousands of them, the power of these fairies is hard to fathom.

'There was probably a guy who used one to tear a city in half before.'

In fact, after that incident, the community went so far as to refer to the Midsummer pass as a "strategic fairy weapon, a buster call."

"I'm sure you'll use it later, so you might as well keep it."

Of course. True to Parnello's words, I quietly slipped the graffiti-like scrap of the nuclear missile button into the cube.

Phew, I'm full even though I haven't eaten anything.

"What's the other one?"

This is a great start, I can't wait for the next one.

I immediately opened the next box and saw a golden brooch that was shaped like a butterfly and I recognized the item.

[You found a new item!]

[Name: Fairy's Brooch]

[Rank: Rare]

[Type: Accessory]

[Description: A pass to enter the 'Fairy Forest', a place only a few humans have ever been. When worn, it temporarily grants a large increase in affinity to fairies]

This is a passport to the Fairy Forest, which was once called the "Secret Land" in the game.

It was said to be a place full of precious elixirs, objects, and monsters, a place comparable to Utopia or Atlantis in real life.

"A gold brooch? I've never seen that before."

It was a rare object, one that was still hard to find, and one that made Parnello scratch his head as to what it was.

"I hear it's a pass to the Fairy Forest."

The rare sight brings a smile to his face, and his eyes widen even more as I explain the item to him.

"The Fairy Forest, huh? I'm sure Master Peak felt very sorry for you, inviting a human to her land."

Oh, well, at least he seems to know something about it, despite his reaction... maybe?

"Has Parnello ever been to the Fairy Forest?"

"Have I? No. There are probably only a few people in Corleone who went to the Fairy Forest, and the only one I know......is Antonio Bevalt."

Ah, so you've never been, either. I guess that's what fairies do...... wait.

"Huh?"

What did he just say?

Bevalt?

Antonio Bevalt?

"He went to the fairy forest?"

"Yes. I'd only vaguely heard about it, but I'd heard him mention in his own words that he'd gone to the Fairy Forest, and he'd even said that the Bevalt family's bloodline abilities had been trained there......."

That certainly explained his outrageous powers.

Fairies were a very skilled race when it came to elemental magic and power.

"So what you got from Lady Peak this time was a pass to Midsummer and a pass to the Fairy Forest."

"Yep. You don't know how impatient I was, because I heard that each fairy has different things that they value or cherish, and that some give candy as a reward for a favor."

Candy for a job well done.......

If I were in that situation, I would never let that fairy off the hook.

Just then, I heard the sound of a wind chime from above.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

"I'm sorry, dear guests, but please stop talking and gather at your tables~!"

The witches eagerly fly around the party, spreading the announcement to the people.

Sure enough, looking at the far end of the forest, it was almost time for the sun to rise.

"......time flies."

"That must mean a lot has happened. Oh, and Don is on his way."

True to his word, I could see him walking toward us in the distance.

His brow was raised ever so slightly, indicating that he had finished his deals.

"Here you are, father."

"Welcome, Don."

I stood up and bowed, but father waved his hand and I sat back down.

"So, how are you feeling?"

As soon as he arrives, my father is concerned about my physical condition.

"No major aches or pains."

I can't believe that Faust, who is said to be one of the best doctors in the world, examined my hand.

Nodding at my words, my father spreads a piece of paper on the table and continues.

"This is the compensation Faust has agreed to offer us."

"This is......?"

It's a slave contract, isn't it?

Faust's employment contract says that if anything happens to me or Jiyun, he'll come to me as my doctor, anytime, anywhere.

It was for five years, and it even said that he wouldn't receive any money except for assistance with transportation and reimbursement for supplies needed for treatment.

"Apparently they were intrigued by how you and Julie Rodman held up against them, since they were world-renowned powers in their own right."

One was part of a long-established triad, the other an upstart who had recently made a name for himself in conflict zones.

It was odd that he would pay attention to me and Julie, considering that we were barely scraping by with our teeth, but even that wasn't easy.

"So, does this mean that Julie Rodman will also have Faust as her physician?"

"Yeah, he signed the same contract for them, so I guess so."

The best doctor in the world, rumored to be able to bring anyone back to life, even the undead, as long as they're breathing.

Who wouldn't want to have a doctor like that?

I don't think my father could have asked for a better deal.

"Oh, and I've received a nice settlement, so I'll send you your share of the money."

He's getting money out of me? And he's giving me my share?

Wow. My dad is the best!

I can barely contain my giggles at the thought of the money already in my account.

Ting──!

A crisp sound, like the short clink of a glass, echoed through the forest, drawing everyone's attention.

Turning their heads, they saw Faust looking at the others from the dais.

"It is not long before the sun rises, and although we have had an unfortunate incident today, it was fortunately brought to a swift end by two brave young individuals, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them once again."

He begins the closing ceremony by thanking me and Julie.

"We are those who do not stand in the light. Or more accurately, we are the ones who become stronger when we are under the darkness. The world is always looking for the light to shine, and they think it protects them."

But they are forgetting.

A mood settles over him.

Exhaling once, he continued in a low voice.

"That in the end, they rest in the darkness. We, the cradle of darkness, are the resting place for the lambs. Please, return to your places and continue to work for the good of the world, and this Walpurgis Night will end here. Thank you all."

And just like that, my first Walpurgis Night was over.

* * *

"I'm tired."

I wonder if it's because of recent events and work but I can see that my stamina, which used to allow me to pull all-nighters, is dwindling.

This is evidenced by the dark circles in the mirror.

I've been covering them up with my skill [Clown Makeup], but the darker they get, the more I wonder if it's time to take a break.

"But I can't complain or declare a strike. Ha, what did Uncle Parker say about with great power comes great responsibility?"

But I can't play around with it, because if I ignore my responsibilities and just take the power, I'll be no better than the guy who owned the body in the first place.

I'm even more worried now that my nourishing tonic isn't working as well. Am I developing a tolerance?

"......Then again."

Should I use one of the expensive ones?

The number of the elixirs sleeping in my cube right now is in the double digits and some of them are pretty high tier in the worldview, however there was one elixir that was more effective when cooked than when consumed raw.

[Name: Golden Tangerine]

[Rank: Unique]

[Type: Elixir]

[Description: Only the oldest of the Ghost Tangerine Trees produce fruit once every ten years. It is said to bear only one golden tangerine. Permanently increases aura and mana recovery rate when consumed]

It was a golden tangerine that I secretly took when I went to Jeju Island.

"I should stop by the recipe development club for the first time in a while."

They've been bringing snacks for our club lately, and I've always been grateful, so I'm sure they'd be happy if I asked them to do this and rewarded them.

After washing my face with cold water in the restroom, I returned to the classroom to be greeted by the same buzzing atmosphere.

"What are you doing, cover me."

"You're crazy!"

"Jin-woo, stop being a jerk and put some dill in it!"

The members of my club huddled around my desk, playing cell phone games.

Really, do these kids know what I'm going through?

"Hey, boss, why don't you play this too? It's a 4-player maximum pot, so if you're here, go for it!"

"I don't have time to play games and I don't really want to."

I'm going to die of boredom after playing that phone game.

"Jin-woo."

"Huh?"

"You don't have anything to do today, do you?"

His body stiffens at my question.

"Uh, huh?"

"Nothing."

"No, I don't, I have a lot to do, I have a lot to do at home!"

This asshole. Is he lying to me even though his pupils are dilating like crazy?

"Why are you reacting like that?"

"Because every time boss asks me something like that, it's just so damn hard."

......I can't argue with that but this time it was different.

"It's too bad. I was hoping you could come with me to the recipe development club."

"If that's the case, you should have told me! I'm free. I'm really free!"

"I thought you said you had a lot to do......?"

"Oh, yeah. It's okay, I can clean my room and play my new game later."

Did he just say he'd be busy doing that if I didn't take him today?

My fists clench for a moment, but I manage to hold it together and look at the other kids.

"Why aren't you taking me?! I want to eat the recipe development club's food too!"

Se-ah, who is one of the biggest eaters of the Recipe Development Club's food in our circle, asks with a pouty lip.

"There's plenty of food in the stale ones anyway."

"That's true, but......it's basic common sense that food tastes better when it's made right on the spot!"

"......Well, I'm going today for work anyway, so I don't have time for food. Maybe next time."

"Ugh. I'm not coming if that's the case."

I was surprised that she was so quick to say no to food.

Anyway, when we were all out of the room, Young-jae said.......

"I'd love to go and help, but I have a mentoring appointment today, so I'll go another time."

Even as he was furiously moving his fingers.

Meanwhile, the kids' cell phones shouted 'victory' and everyone leaned back in their chairs.

"Oh......I finally won. Do you recognize my carry?"

"Yes, old man~ It's definitely my carry. Is it true that a healer is the number one dealer?"

"Okay, you guys did a great job, so let's get ready for the first period."

I wondered how I could see their personalities just by their reactions at the end of the game.

I naturally thought that they were really easy children.

Yeah, this must be an advantage...... right?

* * *

The classes went by very quickly and then it was time for club activities.

Jin-woo, who had skipped lunch just in case, and I walked to the stall of the recipe development club that we usually head to.......

"What is this?"

"Mr. Familia and Jin-woo, welcome to our 'NEW! Recipe Development Club'!"

Uh...... things have changed a lot, haven't they?

In a weird way, too.