Chapter 1292. The Magic Tower (5)

“Big Boy, hyung! You’re here,” I greeted.

“

Huh?

Oh yeah...” Big Boy answered.

“Do you want to take a bath first? Or eat first? Here, give me your luggage. If you have any laundry, please put it in this basket,” I told him.

“I told you, you don’t have to do anything,” Big Boy said.

“How can I do nothing? Just look at this house.

Sheesh...

” I complained.

“It’s a house that’s already about to fall apart... What’s the point of maintaining it?” Big Boy said.

“Still... a house is a house. F-First, hand me your tools,” I said.

“I said there’s no need to clean this! It’s going to get dirty anyway, damn it!” Big Boy shouted.

“Please, just give it to me,” I said.

“You annoying little brat. Stop doing these useless things. You think I’ll keep taking care of you if you keep this up?” Big Boy questioned.

“J-Just give it to me! It’s dirty!” I shouted.

“Damn it... I picked up something annoying. It’s annoying, damn it,” Big Boy complained.

He kicked off his boots and flopped onto the bed in irritation. The moment I picked them up, he barked, “I told you not to clean them! You idiot! They’re boots! They’ll be dirty again tomorrow anyway!”

Of course, I ignored him. Stepping outside, I started scrubbing away on the mud-stained boots.

‘You think I don’t know that, you idiot?’

Right now, Lindel was in the middle of being restored. It had only been two days since the battle ended, and everyone was still in the middle of what could be called the "cleanup phase."

They were clearing away the rubble from collapsed buildings, collecting bodies, and tidying up areas so that they could be used temporarily.

Thanks to the mages, the cleanup was going faster, but they still needed manpower. Even with heavy equipment, human labor was essential, and big, strong warriors like Big Boy or skilled technicians were often sent to the very front lines.

Given the situation... I was no fool. Of course, I knew they’d be dirty again tomorrow.

‘I’m just doing this to make myself look good, damn it.’

Even now, seawater still soaked the ground. Unlike the second life, the streets of First Life Lindel weren't really clean, and the ground had already turned into something like a seabed.

The sunken ground made it nearly impossible to walk, so the boots would obviously be filthy again tomorrow. The same for his tools. Cleaning shovels or pickaxes was absurd in the first place, and there was no real need to wash his work clothes, either.

Step outside, and within ten minutes, they’d be caked in mud again.

From his point of view, I was just some stray kid desperately trying to win his favor...

‘But there’s no way this won’t work. No way.’

Sure, sometimes devotion could get you thrown away like an old shoe, but one simply had to choose the right person to devote oneself to, and one wouldn't get abandoned.

This was definitely going to work on someone with a warm heart like Big Boy.

‘Just look at this place we’re living in. It’s pretty obvious.’

“...”

“...”

‘Don’t you agree?’

This area was one of the few places that somehow managed to remain intact. Unlike other places that had turned into complete ruins, the roof wasn't even leaking here. Naturally, public order here was better than elsewhere. In fact, aside from inside the Magic Tower or the ships anchored outside Lindel, it was one of the best places to live. Logically, Big Boy wasn't supposed to be staying here.

His party’s house had originally been on the complete opposite side of town, and considering the status of a subcontracted party for the Magic Tower, it was a stretch to say that he had the standing to live in this district.

The major guilds and social elite lived on the ships, while mages and other important figures stayed in the Magic Tower.

Parties with some influence occupied areas that had taken less damage. Big Boy wasn't in any of those categories, yet somehow, we were living here. The reason was obvious.

‘He must’ve handed out some kind of bribe.’

As a subcontractor for the Magic Tower, he definitely had some connections, and chances were he had already spent quite a bit of money. To be honest, being able to live in a place far better than where Gen and I used to stay was close to a miracle.

The fact that I didn’t have to eat hambier meat anymore was one of the biggest reasons I found myself nodding in approval. The milk was pretty fresh; the meat wasn’t bad in quality; and there were even vegetables.

Of course, it wasn’t quite to my taste, but considering the circumstances, it was good enough to make me nod in satisfaction. I even wondered if the guy was spending his entire daily wage on food.

‘This guy’s actually solid. He just talks rough, but deep down, he treats people well.’

Naturally, I used my Telescope to observe him.

Just as I thought, I saw him getting out of bed and wiping away the mud that had fallen on the floor.

"Damn it... look at this mess. Damn it! This is driving me crazy."

Someone was pounding on the door.

"Hey, Big Boy! Big Boy!"

"

Ah

, damn it! Who is it?!"

"Carlton?"

Carlton was the archer who was with Big Boy on that fateful day.

When Big Boy opened the door, Carlton strode inside, and a short-haired woman followed behind him.

"Hey, hey! Don’t come in with your shoes on! I said don’t come in with your shoes on, you assholes! Hey, Carlton! Yoojin! I told you not to wear your shoes inside! Damn it!"

"Why are you making such a fuss, Big Boy?"

"You’ll get the floor dirty!"

" Damn, making a fuss over nothing. You’re usually the dirtiest one of all, so why the clean freak act now? Floors are meant to be walked on with shoes, you idiot... especially in a house that’s falling apart anyway."

"Take them off when I tell you to, damn it!"

"Fine, I’ll take them off."

"Does the kid nag you if the floor gets dirty?"

"What the hell are you talking about, Yoojin? You think I care what that kid says?"

"..."

"..."

"Damn... forget it. I shouldn’t even talk about this."

"So where’s the kid?"

" I don’t know. Inside, making a fuss about cleaning my boots and tools. It’s so annoying I can’t even stand it. Anyway, why are you here?"

"Why else? We came to have a drink. You know George and Kennen, right? They got their hands on some decent rum... They also seem like they have something important they want to talk about..."

- Who? The third-rate gambler and the playboy? Those bastards are still alive?

"They’ve always been hard to kill. They say they’ve got a good deal lined up and probably want a decent cut on the brokerage fee. You need money, right? And it’s been a while since you’ve had a drink... This is the perfect chance to get drunk out of your mind, Big Boy."

For a moment, Big Boy’s face lit up. Free alcohol and a promising job. There was no reason he wouldn’t react that way. His savings were probably running out like running water, so the offer had to be tempting.

However, a deep shadow of hesitation soon crossed his face.

"What are you doing, not getting ready? Let’s go already, Big Boy."

"

Ah

... damn it..."

He was probably worried about leaving me alone.

"You’re not coming?"

‘You’re supposed to have dinner with me. I already set the whole table.’

"

Oh

, is it because of the kid? Want me to tell him for you?"

"Shut up, Yoojin. The kid’s not the problem."

"Man, you’re acting like you’re on a short leash. Hey, after sweating all day, what’s wrong with having a drink? What’s the issue? Hey! Kid! Kid!"

"Don’t call him, you bastard."

Of course, I heard Yoojin calling out for me, so I had no choice but to come out while wearing my most innocent smile.

“

Uh

... yes?

Ah!

Yoojin noona! Carlton hyung!” I greeted.

“How have you been?” Carlton asked.

“You should’ve told me you were coming! Then I could’ve—”

“No, no. We’re not here for a meal today. We came to get Big Boy,” Yoojin interrupted me.

“

Ah

... what?” I asked.

“We were going to have a drink, but Big Boy says he can’t go because he’s worried about you.

Pfft! Hahahahaha!

” Carlton laughed.

“

Ah...

”

“Carlton, you asshold! Shut your mouth! I said the kid’s not the problem!” Big Boy shouted.

“So anyway, can we take Big Boy for the day? It’s not just for fun. We’ve got some business to talk over... It could be a big opportunity,” Carlton said.

“

Ah...

”

It almost felt like Big Boy was glancing this way, checking my reaction.

‘So he wants to go out and have fun, huh?’

“Get out of here, you assholes! Damn it!” Big Boy shouted.

Despite that, I could feel that he secretly wanted to go out.

‘Yeah, you want to blow off some steam too, don’t you?’

Responsibility and guilt were keeping him from going outside. The only things on his mind were the smell of stew bubbling on low heat in this sorry excuse for a kitchen and my safety.

Even if this were considered a safe area, leaving a child alone in a half-collapsed city would be a huge issue, especially during the day, and even more during the night.

Normally, agreeing would be unthinkable, but the Saint of Sacrifice and Revival—the carrier of countless burdens—was also an icon of generosity.

The fact that he was even asking for permission for something that didn't require any permission made me feel like giving him my support.

In the end, I could only nod and say, “Do you really need my permission? If you want to go, Big Boy hyung, then just go.”

‘Still, he looks uneasy.’

“And you said it’s work-related, right? Then there’s no helping it. I can handle being alone,” I told him.

“You hear that, Big Boy? The kid says he’s fine.

Hahahaha!

” Carlton laughed.

“Get the hell out, Carlton! Damn it!” Big Boy yelled.

“Big Boy, you got permission to go out today?!” Yoojin asked.

“Shut your damn mouth, Yoojin! All of you, get the hell out right now!” he yelled.

At his almost desperate shout, Yoojin and Carlton hurriedly bolted out the door. Big Boy, face still flushed from anger, was breathing heavily.

After glancing at me, he hesitated.

“...”

“...”

Honestly, he still looked uneasy, but what could I do? This wasn’t the time to turn down a good job. Money was more important than drinks right now.

𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

“Well... looks like it’s settled. I'll head out and be back in three hours.”

“Okay,” I said.

“If anyone knocks, don’t open the door. And seriously, don’t go outside. This area’s fairly safe and guards often patrol this place, so it’s hard for criminals to lurk around here, but you never know,” Big Boy warned.

“Don’t worry too much. I’ve been alone all day before. Everyone here seems kind...and I can take care of myself. Just don’t drink too much, Big Boy hyung. Alcohol’s bad for you,” I told him.

“That’s none of your concern. Anyway, sorry about this. Eat the stew, but leave my share. I’ll have it when I get back,” Big Boy said.

“Got it!” I answered.

‘Get out already, man. I’ve got things to do too. I need to check on Ha-Yan.’

Just then, Big Boy scratched his head and muttered, “Damn it. Maybe it’s better if you just come with me.”

“What?” I asked.

From somewhere, he brought over a decent-looking robe and draped it over me.

“Put this on and follow me,” Big Boy instructed.

“...”

“...”

I honestly didn’t want to go, but—

‘Ugh, that tavern’s probably filthy... Hygiene’s probably nonexistent there...’

—I could only nod with a happy face. “Okay!”