Chapter 65
Yeoreum scratched her cheek, looking down at Levinas and me with an expression that seemed to pity children who knew little about the world.
Feeling unjustly labeled as someone naive about money, I chose to stay silent. After all, my previous actions had painted me as such, and any excuse now would likely fall on disbelieving ears.
"Gyeoul is actually really good at managing money. It's just that this time, the amount was so large that she was tricked, right?"
"Yes, y-yes..."
My usual dealings were with amounts ranging from one thousand to ten thousand won, which led Yeoreum to mistakenly assume I was unfamiliar with larger sums.
"Hmm... Did someone really spend a hundred million won on mushrooms?"
"Yes, but they threw in ten thousand won on top..."
"Oh, they did? That's a relief."
Yeoreum murmured, stroking her chest, relieved we hadn't been completely swindled.
"Is this hundred million won bill really unusable...?"
Levinas held up the bill, looking dejected.
Her usual spirited posture had sagged in disappointment.
Yeoreum, sharing my sentiments, crossed her arms, lost in thought.
"Hmm... It's not entirely useless?"
"Really? Is there something we can buy with it?"
"Yes, there is."
I wondered if Yeoreum had something in mind to cheer Levinas up. The anticipation made Levinas's drooping tail wag slightly.
"The kids seem so happy."
"They're just too adorable."
I caught the whispers of the onlookers.
They mistook my excitement as being about spending money, adding to the series of misunderstandings.
Before I could clarify, Yeoreum squatted beside Levinas and me.
"Does Levinas have something she wants?"
"Yes! Levinas has always wanted to try chocolate milk before dying. The combination of delicious chocolate and milk sounds incredible, doesn't it?!"
"Ah, yes. You should be able to buy chocolate milk."
"Really?! Levinas thought she'd never taste something so luxurious in her lifetime...!"
Chocolate milk.
Had she mentioned it, I would have bought it without hesitation.
Did she not mention it because she saw me worrying about money so much?
I somehow felt guilty.
I found myself staring at the ground for no particular reason.
"Does Gyeoul have anything she wants to buy?"
"I'm okay."
"Sure? You don't want any chocolate milk? I could buy some for you..."
"It's alright. I have my own money for what I need."
I showed Yeoreum the pouch filled with coins.
The jingling sound was faint due to the few coins inside.
This was all the money I had for personal use.
"···Hmm. I see,"
Yeoreum said, looking somewhat saddened.
Then, Levinas sprang up, eager.
"I want to drink chocolate milk quickly!"
"Uh, okay, let's go to the convenience store and buy some?"
"Yes!"
Seeing Levinas's spirits lift was heartening.
I quietly followed them to the store.
<+>
"Welcome," greeted a familiar man as we entered.
I didn't know his name, but he was always kind, buying empty bottles from us.
"Chocolate milk!"
Levinas exclaimed, grabbing a bottle from the shelf.
I also picked one, not out of desire but curiosity—it was my first chocolate milk in this life.
I decided to commemorate the moment with Levinas.
"···That'll be two thousand won."
"Okay."
After Levinas paid, it was my turn.
I had declined Yeoreum's continuous offers to pay for me, so I pulled out my coin purse.
Jingle-
Two five-hundred-won coins, seven one-hundred-won coins, and twelve ten-won coins—a total of one thousand eight hundred and twenty won.
Not enough for the chocolate milk.
I had more money, but it was saved for debts and a new house for Sophia and Levinas.
"Hmm···"
"Do you not have enough? Should I lend you some?"
"No, it's okay."
I considered postponing the chocolate milk to another time.
Just as I was about to return the bottle, the clerk intervened.
"Ahem. This is currently buy one, get one free."
"Huh?"
There was no sign indicating the offer.
Confused, I turned as Levinas asked, "What's buy one, get one free?"
"It means if you buy one, you get another for free."
"Wow···! Then you should drink one! You said it's good to take what you can!"
Levinas handed me a bottle.
Despite my reluctance, her kindness made it difficult to refuse.
I had taught her the value of generosity.
"Uh, thanks···"
"Hehe!"
Levinas beamed, hopping around joyfully.
Accepting a gift without giving anything in return felt strange.
I didn't even finish the chocolate milk.
<+>
With the chocolate milk in hand, I headed towards the guild building.
I needed to consult Yoo Sang-ah, who manages the financial aspects of the guild, something.
"Excuse me..."
Knock-knock-
I knocked on Yoo Sang-ah's desk, finding her absorbed in her computer screen.
Her indifferent expression quickly turned warm when she noticed me, likely brightened by Yeoreum's presence behind me.
"Gyeoul, you've come again."
"Yes. Sorry for the frequent visits."
"Don't apologize. It's part of my duties. So, did you manage to sell all the mushrooms?"
"Not yet."
That was the reason I had left Levinas out of this visit.
Levinas, charged with energy from the chocolate milk, was invincible.
I wasn't sure if she was truly invincible, but since she said so herself, I decided to believe it.
"I hope you sell them soon,"
Yoo Sang-ah said encouragingly, making a fist as if to wish us luck.
I appreciated her support.
"What brings you here today?"
"Ah, well, I...,"
I hesitated, knowing my request might sound peculiar.
"It's fine. You can tell me anything."
"I'm looking to buy a house..."
"A house...?"
Both Yoo Sang-ah and Yeoreum echoed, surprised.
Discussing home buying seemed odd for someone without significant funds like me.
"Yes, but I'm still quite short on money...?"
"Oh, I understand."
"So, could I possibly buy just three days' worth...?"
I showed her three fingers, sensing how bizarre my proposition sounded.
Yoo Sang-ah looked shocked, prompting me to hesitantly add another finger, wondering if four days might seem more feasible.
"Hehe, Gyeoul. Three is indeed represented by three fingers."
Was she implying I didn't understand numbers?
I extended four fingers because three days seemed insufficient, not out of confusion.
"Hey, don't underestimate Gyeoul. She knows her numbers well."
"Oh, does she?"
"Yes. She was wondering whether to extend it to four days."
"That's right..."
Yeoreum's defense brought me some comfort, dispelling the notion I was ignorant.
"Hmm... But overnight stays are usually more costly..."
Yoo Sang-ah trailed off, glancing behind me, presumably at Yeoreum.
"...Ah, my mistake. Staying longer actually costs less."
"Is that so?"
Isn't staying usually more expensive?
It seemed there was an unspoken understanding with Yeoreum.
Turning around in confusion, I noticed Yeoreum smiling kindly, as usual.
"Gyeoul, what's wrong?"
"Nothing."
Was it all in my head?
Feeling awkward, I scratched the back of my neck.
Then Yeoreum cleared her throat and tapped on the desk.
"Doesn't the guild offer lodging benefits to its members?"
"Yes, plenty."
"Did you catch that, Gyeoul? It's not for free; it's part of the guild's welfare. So, you can't turn it down, okay?"
"Alright..."
Is this why it's the top guild?
The benefits are impressive.
Even someone like me gets such perks; I can only imagine what actual members receive.
I couldn't help feeling a bit jealous.
"Having a home is great, isn't it?"
"Yes. Sophia and Levinas were happier."
"Ah... Sophia and Levinas...?"
"Yes."
Did my comment come off as odd? Yeoreum looked concerned.
"It's important to look after those close to you, but I wish Gyeoul would take care of herself first..."
"Me first?"
"Yes. I've never seen Gyeoul do something for herself."
Well, she doesn't see everything I do.
Contrary to her worries, I was actually doing a lot for myself.
"I ate five spoonfuls of corn flour yesterday?"
"···I thought you stopped drinking corn water?"
"Times have been hard. I'm starting to drink it again. But drinking five spoonfuls at once is quite a lot."
"Ah, um..."
Isn't five spoonfuls of corn powder something significant?
Why is she making that face?
I absentmindedly pulled out a water bottle from my pocket.
Yeoreum's pupils shook as she looked at the water bottle.
Perhaps she was surprised by how strong the corn water was.
Or maybe it was because she thought I was living in poverty and now I was indulging in luxury.
<+>
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