Chapter 2: Remiel's Eagerness (Patreon)

"You know him that well? I don't think so."

"But when you argued with those two kids earlier, you looked completely serious—like you'd actually met that legendary Void Hunter... I'm so curious. What kind of person is he, really...?"

Remielle propped her chin on her slender fingers, her face full of curiosity.

"I know a bit because I sort of admire the man. I'm from New Eridu too, after all—I was still young when the old capital fell. If not for him, I might have died in that disaster. Isn't it normal to look into your idol a little?"

Musachi raised an eyebrow, saying it without so much as a blush.

"Fair enough..."

Remielle nodded. Thinking back on Musachi's recent behavior, the doubt in her mind faded.

After spending so much time together, Remielle had grown quite curious about Musachi. Whether it was his bearing or the way he spoke, she could tell he wasn't like an ordinary person. That kind of presence wasn't something just anyone could fake—Remielle was convinced his identity had to be extraordinary.

Actually, while Musachi had been talking to the kids earlier, Remielle had entertained one absurd thought—

Could Musachi actually be the Taixu Sovereign?

But after Musachi had denied it, she'd let the idea go.

What Void Hunter capable of making a name for himself would hole up here running a tiny bookstore?

"Come to think of it, you seem quite interested in this Void Hunter yourself, Miss Employee."

Musachi looked at Remielle and raised an eyebrow.

"Well, someone that impressive—of course I'm curious! You know, a lot of people these days compare this Taixu Sovereign to the very first Void Hunter. With that much popularity, of course I'd want to know more."

Remielle said with a smile, then glanced at Musachi with some curiosity.

"Hmm... I heard this Taixu Sovereign is quite handsome too. I wonder how he compares to you, boss?"

"There's no man in this world more handsome than me."

Musachi answered at once. Remielle just snorted a laugh and didn't bother trading barbs with him.

After all this time together, Remielle had long since figured out what kind of person Musachi was.

He seemed easygoing most of the time, willing to joke around with her, but every so often he turned inexplicably stubborn.

He reminded her of friends she'd once known, and little by little, he'd brought some warmth back to her lonely heart.

When she'd first woken up, Remielle had been utterly lost. She'd discovered that a hundred years had passed since then.

A century was enough to change the world beyond recognition; everyone she'd once known was long dead. With her status, she could easily have gone to the city government to have her identity and privileges restored, but Remielle chose not to.

Restoring her identity would bring convenience, but also trouble—and besides, she no longer trusted anyone in this era.

So she'd decided to live on her own for a while first.

But that left her with one problem: she was flat broke.

One Dennie was enough to stump even the first-generation Void Hunter!

With no other choice, Remielle decided to find a job somewhere.

Wandering around, she ended up on Sixth Street and spotted this small bookstore next to a record shop.

Hmm, barely any foot traffic—business clearly wasn't good. But the shopkeeper was handsome and dashing, easily a match for Joyce...

But did a place like this really need to hire anyone?

"Hired!"

Musachi hadn't said much back then—he'd simply taken in Remielle, still homeless at the time.

Since there was an empty room upstairs, Remielle had naturally moved in.

"As much as I hate to interrupt your little flirting session, Mr. Musachi, this month's rent is due. I'd love to give you a few more days, but if I don't get paid, I'll be living on air myself."

Just as Musachi and Remielle were chatting idly, a woman in her thirties with a mature look walked in, smiling as she looked at Musachi.

"Sister Ling, you're here! Come, sit down. Did you really need to come all the way over yourself in this heat? Remie, pour Sister Ling a glass of water!"

"Oh, right."

Only then did Remielle realize Musachi's "Remie" was meant for her, and she nodded quickly.

After all, this woman was Musachi's landlady—if they upset her, the two of them really would end up sleeping on the streets.

"Ha, no need to be so polite, Little Sachi. You know why I'm here."

Even as she said that, Sister Ling still sat down and took the water from Remielle's hands.

"I know, I know, of course I know. But Sister Ling, it's not that I don't want to pay you—it's just that my money hasn't come through yet. How about this: give me two more days, and the moment my funds land, you'll be the first to get paid. What do you say?"

Musachi hadn't expected his bookstore to be doing quite this poorly. A whole month had passed, and forget the rent—what he'd earned barely covered the utility bills.

Actually, his rent was quite low. A two-story building with a free parking spot beside it, and the monthly rent was only four hundred thousand Dennies. For comparison, an ordinary person with a halfway decent job could easily earn six hundred thousand Dennies a month—and this was commercial property, at that. For that price, it really wasn't expensive.

"I'm not an unreasonable person, and I understand everyone hits hard times. Fine, I'll give you three more days—if you still can't come up with the money after that, don't blame me for kicking you out for real."

Sister Ling sighed, glanced at Musachi and Remielle fawning beside her, then spoke.

"Ah, don't worry, Sister Ling. I'm actually already getting the money together—it's just that the transfer needs some paperwork on the other end. In three days, I'll have it for you for sure!"

"Good, then."

Sister Ling nodded, satisfied, and turned to leave.

Musachi offered to have her stay for dinner, but she turned him down.

"Boss, what are we going to do?"

Once the landlady had left, Remielle looked at Musachi with wide, innocent eyes.

"Don't worry, I'll figure something out. It's just rent."

Musachi sighed, trying to reassure her.

"No, what I mean is—if you don't even have enough for rent, what about my pay?"

She blinked, watching him.

"Ahem... young lady, don't place so much importance on money. Work experience is precious too!"

"I don't see how minding a bookstore and pouring tea for my boss counts as work experience. Did I actually apply to be a librarian, or a maid? And another thing—talk like that should get you strung up on a lamppost!"

Remielle couldn't help snapping back.

"Honestly, taking care of books and taking care of people aren't that different. Just kidding—don't worry, I'll pay you on time. I've already found another way to make quick money!"

"Don't tell me... boss, you're finally going down the road of selling your body, no turning back?"

Remielle looked at Musachi excitedly, a hint of eagerness in her eyes.

"What are you even talking about?"

Looking at the expression on Remielle's face, Musachi let out an exasperated laugh.

And even if I really were selling myself, what was with that eager look on her face? Was she planning to book him a few times herself?

"Oh, so that's not it..."

She sighed, disappointed.

"Forget it, I'm not arguing with you anymore. Watch the shop—I'm heading out to work."

Musachi pursed his lips, glanced at a message from a contact on his phone, and replied with a quick 'On my way.'

The quick-money job he'd mentioned wasn't anything illegal, of course—well, actually, if he was honest, it probably did fall into something of a gray area.

The quick-money job he was talking about was working as a Proxy.