Chapter 46

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on January 22, 2025

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“Will it be okay?”

“What?”

“The organizers won’t just sit still. The betting amounts are already excessively skewed towards the Dark Realm. Even if the Dark Realm wins, the dividends will plummet.”

“Well, then the balance team will intervene. And we’ve already followed the rules for how many rounds? This kind of thing happens sometimes.”

“Are you saying the Light Realm will also take action?”

“Of course. If this continues, all the bets will go to the Dark Realm. Then, as you said, even if we win, we won’t get any dividends.”

“So, are we just going to let it go like this?”

“Yeah. There’s a saying, you know.”

“What saying?”

“A broken balance creates demand for spending. We just need to collect the fees. No matter who wins, we’re in the fee business, so we never lose.”

“But isn’t the balance too broken this time…?”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Just watch. After a couple more rounds, the Light Realm will probably start spending too.”

“I still feel uneasy…”

“Don’t worry about it. Oh, and make an announcement that Vesprede has returned to her master, unrelated to us.”

“Understood.”

***

Whether it’s the magical gun Vesprede or espresso, I hate annoying things.

And I absolutely despise being tested or lectured.

“Put it away. I get that you brought something good, but there’s no need to test me or lecture me about it.”

“Mo, Mother-Body, think again. Vesprede is the only ego rifle in the Dark Realm…”

“Mom, mom, look.”

Kabe, tugging at my hand, pointed to the box containing Vesprede.

The box was shaking slightly.

“Boss, magical power is erupting. Please be careful.”

Before I knew it, Dusik was standing in front of me, deploying a barrier.

Even without Dusik saying anything, I could feel the magical power flowing out.

Moreover, this magical power felt familiar, as if it was my own dark magic that had seeped into Vesprede.

And that dark magic flowed and surged, starting to rise into the air.

“This is serious.”

Sohee, holding a large scythe, narrowed her eyes and glared at the swirling magical power in the air.

What’s happening?

I, no, everyone here, couldn’t understand what was going on. I tightly hugged Kabe.

Kabe, scared, buried her face in my neck.

“Mom, I’m scared.”

Patting Kabe’s back, I couldn’t take my eyes off the magical power.

“It’s okay. Mom will protect you.”

And then, the magical power swirling in the air condensed into one and—

“I’m sorry!”

A boy, looking about Kabe’s age, dressed in a white shirt and khaki overalls, appeared.

***

“So… you’re Vesprede?”

“Yes…!”

The boy, kneeling, kept rubbing his nose, seemingly nervous, and continued his introduction.

“I am the ego rifle born from the hands of the Dark Realm’s blacksmith… I forgot the name, but I am Vesprede…”

“Hmm.”

Well, I’ve read in novels that famous weapons have spirits.

But seeing it in person is a first.

“So?”

“I, I’m sorry!”

“For what?”

The boy, still kneeling, started bowing his head in apology.

This looks really weird. I’m sitting cross-legged on the bed, and a boy who looks about Kabe’s age is kneeling in front of me, apologizing.

This feels like a kid who took money to buy a workbook but got caught by his mom at the arcade.

“I dared to play a trick on Mother-Body…!”

Dared to call me Mother-Body.

Am I that famous?

It’s only been about two months. And he’s not even human. But he dares to call me that?

“I, Vesprede, am a weapon that forms a pair with Vesprede Amory…! I should willingly pair with someone who possesses Amory, but I angered Mother-Body with a test… I’m sorry!”

“What’s Vesprede Amory? Keru, do you know what that is?”

“I’ve never heard of it.”

“Sohee, you?”

“I’ve never heard of it either.”

“Dusik?”

“I’ve never heard of it, but maybe it refers to your uniform, unnie? Since it’s someone who possesses Amory.”

“Y, yes!”

Vesprede nodded vigorously at Dusik’s words. He seemed very anxious, but to me, it just looked funny.

“The uniform you’re wearing now is Vesprede Amory…! The glove on your left hand is Vesprede Hand, Vesprede Boots, Vesprede Earrings, all part of Vesprede Amory, and when combined with the Vesprede Rifle, the Vesprede set is complete!”

Vesprede set.

So that’s why I felt drawn to Vesprede when I first saw it.

But that’s one thing, and this is another.

You dared to test me?

“My stance hasn’t changed. There are people who play pranks and those who don’t. A mere gun daring to test me and question my qualifications is something I can’t tolerate. Keru.”

“Okay. Got it.”

“Put it away. Put it away and get me a normal…”

I stopped mid-sentence when I saw Kabe approaching Vesprede.

“Hi, I’m Kabe! Vesprede, want to play with me?”

Huh?

“Ka, Kabe… Mother-Body’s daughter…?”

“Yep, she’s my mom.”

“Miss…!”

“I’m not a miss, let’s be friends.”

Oh.

This changes things.

I’ve never seen Kabe smile like this in front of someone other than me or Dusik.

“Then, put it away…”

“Hey, wait a minute.”

I stopped Keru, who was hastily packing the Vesprede Rifle into its case.

Well, if it’s that good, it might be reluctant to entrust itself to just anyone.

It might want to test me!

Maybe I overreacted!

“Anyway, Vesprede. From now on, I’ll call you Bedel. No complaints, right?”

“Mo, Mother-Body…!”

Vesprede looked like he was about to cry.

I crouched down and patted Vesprede’s head.

“Then, be friends with Kabe. Got it?”

“Understood…! I will dedicate my life to Mother-Body and her daughter…!”

“No, just be friends. Don’t dedicate your life.”

“Understood…!”

***

Gwangmyeong is somewhat like Seoul, so there are quite a few shopping malls near the officetel building.

“Wh, what is this place for?”

“It’s a place that sells clothes.”

Vesprede, now Bedel, said he could change his clothes as he wished.

Since Kabe already has a lot of clothes and doesn’t need more until the season changes, I left Kabe and Bedel with Keru and went to the mall with Sohee and Dusik.

I was wearing jeans, a tapered shirt, and a jacket, and Dusik was similarly dressed, but…

The problem was Sohee.

I was worried that wearing a hanbok would attract too much attention, but fortunately, Sohee’s body type is similar to Dusik’s, so I borrowed Dusik’s clothes for her.

Since I’m not much of a shopper, Dusik had to take the lead.

But something feels off.

While Sohee went to the restroom, I quietly asked Dusik.

“Dusik, why does it feel like you’re focusing on cheaper stuff compared to when you shop with me…?”

“Well, of course.”

“Why?”

Dusik looked at me as if I was asking something obvious.

“It’s not like she’s buying with her own money. Why buy expensive stuff? Just buy cheap ones and wear them for a season, then buy better ones with her own money next year.”

“Well, that’s true, but she’s now one of my mid-level commanders.”

“Unnie, it’s not like you make money easily.”

“Hmm.”

That’s too logical.

When I brought Sohee and Dusik out, I told them.

Since they’re mid-level commanders, I’ll buy their first set of clothes, and from then on, they’ll use their salary to buy what they need.

Dusik didn’t seem to like that.

Well, more precisely, he didn’t like Sohee.

Their first meeting wasn’t great, they almost had a big fight, and there was that whole deputy thing… So Dusik probably didn’t like me spending money on Sohee’s clothes.

“Dusik, no matter what anyone says, you’re my deputy. Got it?”

Dusik isn’t stupid. He understood what I meant.

“Ah, y, yes… I got it, unnie.”

“Don’t be too harsh. If there’s infighting among allies, it’s a stain on my face. Got it?”

“Got, it…”

Dusik nodded with a subdued voice.

***

We bought a few sets of underwear and some casual clothes.

Since she’s not someone who’ll disappear easily, I made sure to choose good quality within a reasonable price range.

Dusik also seemed to be trying to get along better with Sohee after our talk.

This is quite satisfying…

“Customer, it says there’s insufficient balance…?”