Day 2.7 deal’s a Deal

The Last Task

After what felt like an eternity of forced labor, I finally put down the broom.

I stretched my arms, my back aching from all the sweeping, scrubbing, and window cleaning.

> Me: "Alright, I'm done!"

Eve's, who had been snoring peacefully behind the counter, stirred and opened one eye lazily.

> Eve's: "Mmm... how much time left before the portal appears?"

I checked the Lovy Clock.

> Portal Appearance: 1 hour, 52 minutes.

> Me: "Less than two hours left."

Eve's yawned and leaned forward, resting his chin on the counter.

> Eve's: "Alright. This is your last task to pay off your debt."

I perked up.

> Me (internally): "Finally! Freedom!"

Eve's waved his hand dismissively.

> Eve's: "Go to the market and buy something called Salls for me."

> Me: "Salls?"

> Eve's: "Yeah. I need it. Once you bring it back, you're free to go, oh and i give you something for your hardwork."

I barely listened to the rest of his words because my mind was stuck on one thing.

> Me (internally): "Finally! A proper quest with a reward!"

Eve's tossed a pouch of CP at me. I caught it mid-air.

> Eve's: "That should be enough to buy it."

> Me: "Yes, mom! I'll get what you want!"

Eve's squinted at me.

> Eve's: "Call me 'mom' again, and you'll work here for a year."

I shut up immediately and bolted out of the store before he could change his mind.

---

Market Run

The market district was bustling, filled with stalls selling exotic fruits, enchanted trinkets, weapons, and even rare beast eggs.

I walked past a stall that sold glowing blue mushrooms and another that had dried monster tails hanging like sausages.

> Me (internally): "Man, this reminds me of when Nina sent me out to buy things for her."

I finally spotted a small shop with a wooden sign reading 'Salls & Herbs' and stepped inside.

> Me: "Excuse me, do you sell Salls?"

The shopkeeper, a middle-aged woman with fox-like ears, nodded.

> Shopkeeper: "How much do you need?"

> Me: "Uh… no idea. Just enough for an elf named Eve's."

Her ears twitched.

> Shopkeeper: "Eve's? That brat still alive?"

> Me: "Wait, you know him?"

> Shopkeeper: "Of course. Everyone in the market knows that scammer."

I snorted.

> Me: "Yeah, I figured."

I paid for the Salls and made my way back to the little tyrant's shop.

---

The Reward

As soon as I stepped inside, Eve's looked at me with narrowed eyes.

> Eve's: "Took you long enough."

He grabbed the Salls from my hands and walked toward the back of the shop.

> Me: "Ahm... where's my reward?"

Eve's stopped.

> Eve's: "Reward?"

I froze.

> Me: "Wait, don't tell me you FORGOT?!"

Eve's tapped his chin thoughtfully.

> Eve's: "Oh yeah… I did say something about a reward, didn't I?"

> Me: "I swear, if you sca—"

Eve's cut me off.

> Eve's: "Relax, I'm getting it now."

He disappeared into the back of the store and returned a moment later, holding something wrapped in cloth.

Eve's unwrapped it, revealing a beautifully crafted wooden bow.

> Me (internally): "A bow? Wait… this design…"

I hurriedly scanned it using the system.

---

[Elven Windcaller Bow] (Rare)

A weapon granted only to those who have bonded with an elf.

Can only be obtained in the Laxs Forest.

Known users: Only high-level hunters, including the legendary YouTo 'Arx' (Lv. 90+).

---

> Me: "Holy crap… this is RARE."

I turned to Eve's, eyes wide.

> Me: "Are you sure you're giving me this?"

Eve's shrugged.

> Eve's: "I don't need it anymore."

I gripped the bow, unable to believe my luck.

> Me (internally): "I'm just a Level 1, but I already got a rare elven weapon?!"

I looked at Eve's, feeling a tiny bit of respect for him now.

> Me: "Okay… I take back what I said before. You're not a scammer."

Eve's smirked.

> Me: "And You're not a flat little ches—"

SMACK!

For the fourth time today, my face met his palm.

I collapsed to the floor, groaning.

> Eve's: "Tch. You never learn."

---

One Last Task… Again

Eve's stretched and sighed.

> Eve's: "Alright. Since I'm being generous, how about you eat lunch here before you leave?"

> Me: "Huh? You're offering me food?"

> Eve's: "Yeah. But first, go get me the ingredients."

I sat up and groaned.

> Me: "You're making me work again?!"

> Eve's: "Hey, it's free lunch. Take it or leave it."

I grumbled but got up.

> Me: "Fine. What do you need?"

> Eve's: "Just some simple stuff. Meat, vegetables, and spices. Shouldn't take long."

I sighed and headed toward the market again, muttering under my breath.

> Me (internally): "I swear, if this elf slaps me one more time, I'm going to level up just to get revenge."