Chapter 18 – Drive Away the Receptionist
After leaving the coffee shop, I found that I had more money. It was because Luca had forcefully given me my commission, which felt like it was much more than usual.
“Here, take this.”
“Huh? But I didn’t work this time, though?”
She looked up at me with a pouty face.
“I’ll be in trouble if you don’t take it. I won’t be able to ask for your help next time.”
“Eh….”
The Crazy Bear responded jokingly, “Don’t leave me behind, partner!” as he hugged me tightly. His body was incredibly soft and fluffy.
He must really be earnest.
“I appreciate it, thank you.”
“That’s good!”
“Jeez, you should always accept kindness, partner!”
I sent Luca home before making a stop at the inn to retrieve some forgotten belongings.
This wasn’t good.
There was someone I didn’t want to meet.
But meeting her was inevitable, after all, she was on the threshold of the entrance.
It’s not that I dislike this person, I just don’t like the adventurer’s guild.
“Aix-san, I’ve been waiting for you.”
“Uh, yeah.”
I ignored the receptionist who had barged her way into the inn and went up to my room. She followed right behind, unabashedly.
And now, in the middle of the day, with two lovely girls in my room, I’ve become the harem guy who’s taken them both.
“Congratulations, Aix-san. You have been promoted back to C-rank! And in a month, you’ll be promoted to B-rank!”
“Um, I quit though, and I was F-rank, right?”
“That was only because the guild master gave you a challenge to help you overcome adversity and become stronger.”
“A challenge, huh…”
“From now on, the guild will refuse low-paying jobs and prioritize high-paying ones, so you can focus on those. Also, Aix-san, you’re now a candidate for my lover. You can even ask me out on a date, if you’d like.”
“High-paying jobs…
It didn’t take much thought.
This was a no-go. I declined immediately.
Luca tugged at my sleeve tightly.
And then, she hid behind my back.
I knew it.
You’re that kind of person after all.
However, thank you. I received courage.
I have changed! I’m different from back then. I clench my fist and muster up the courage to say it.
As I took a deep breath to decline, suddenly the Crazy Bear barked!
The receptionist and I were startled and looked at the stuffed bear.
My perfect line was taken away by a stuffed bear.
“Hey hey, Missy!”
“Shut up and listen here! You’re just saying things for your own convenience.”
“The bear plushie talked!” the receptionist exclaimed, pointing at the Crazy Bear, while Luca stood next to her, looking proud.
“The bear plushie loves being petted, you know?” I said.
In frustration at losing my perfect line, I hurled the receptionist missile at the bear. Okay, let’s go to war. The counterattack began. I aim to regain my stolen line.
Without much thought, the receptionist became my lackey and reached out her hand, but the bear slapped it away. What a turn of events — my buff magic ended up being to his advantage.
(TLN: Crazy bear can curse her because of Aix’s buff magic)
“I am Crazy Bear! Don’t touch me so lightly.”
The receptionist made a pitiful gesture, seeking help from me, but the bear continued its attack.
“Now now, Missy. We won’t be easily fooled by the word “challenge”.
“Magician are supposed to start at C-rank due to their scarcity.”
“In other words, the guild master was pocketing the commission from the partner and using it as pocket money!”
So that was the case!
With a surprised expression, the receptionist and I exchanged glances as we listened to the bear’s astute deductions. Giving a lecture from a bear with an intelligence of +1.
Most likely, Luca had taught the bear while I was absent.
Professor Crazy Bear launches another attack!
The bear strikes three times.
Whoa, this guy is really crazy.
“That’s right, it doesn’t make sense. The Guild Master should’ve come here to apologize in the first place!”
That’s right!
We were both amazed by the story, completely convinced.
Well, even if he apologizes, I won’t work with him, though.
This and that are different issue.
The receptionist was finally defeated, her head hanging low as she listened to the teddy bear’s lecture on human morality.
May I be called him Master Crazy Bear?
Leave it to me, kicking corpses is my job.
“Well then, I refuse. I won’t work.”
“Alright.”
The receptionist’s face dropped in defeat.
Mission accomplished: Defeating the receptionist.
As the receptionist left the room, Luca, who was shy around strangers, regained her breath.
“You should say thanks to Crazy Bear.”
“Mhhm! Thank you!”
The bear made a teasing gesture.
“Heheh, it’s okay, partner. You can call me Lucky Bear specially.”
An extremely reliable ally.
Despite its soft, fluffy interior.
