No wonder I felt something weird down there. When I woke up, Dirick was pressed right against me, and his "thing" was rhythmically poking my butt through my pajama pants.
"Ahh! You pervert bastard, get off the bed! Why the hell are you even here!?" I shouted, delivering a sharp kick that sent him tumbling onto the floor.
Dirick groaned, rubbing his side as he looked up at me with those golden, sleepy eyes. "Master... why did you have to kick me that hard? It hurts, you know."
"I don't care! I'm asking you why the hell you were in my bed!"
"It was so cold last night," he said, sounding like a pouting child despite his massive frame.
"I couldn't sleep without a sheet. That's why I came to your room to sleep beside you. It's warmer that way."
I rubbed my temples, feeling a headache forming. "Ugh, just get out of the room. Wait at the dining table. I'll make some breakfast."
As I walked into the tiny kitchen, I grumbled to myself. This bastard was really taking advantage of me. Should I really be making food for him? I didn't even know what someone like him liked.
"Dirick, what do you want to eat? I don't know what I should make for you," I called out.
"Just anything, Master. I will eat anything you make," he replied, appearing in the doorway with a smile.
"Sigh... then should I make an omelet?"
"It sounds delicious, Master."
He looked genuinely curious. Does he not even know what an omelet is? I wondered. It seemed he really was from a different world, or maybe he was such a high-ranking noble that he never saw his food being prepared.
As I cracked eggs into the pan, I realized I had a big decision to make. I had my shift at the convenience store, but now that I had the System... should I still go? Or should I register as an adventurer? If I wanted to survive and get stronger, I needed the perks that came with a Hunter's License.
"Dirick, here. Do you want to add sauce?" I asked, sliding a plate in front of him.
He took a bite and his eyes widened. "Ah, sure, Master. It's delicious!"
"Right. Enjoy it, because you're coming with me after this."
"Where, Master?"
"We're going to register as adventurers."
Dirick stood up immediately, knocking his chair back. "Then should we hurry up?"
"N-no! Just finish eating your breakfast!"
After he finished, I made him take a quick bath. We headed out to the Association. As we walked through the crowded streets, the whispers started immediately. I was used to being invisible, but with Dirick beside me, that was impossible.
"Who is that guy? Is he a model? He's so handsome!" one girl whispered to her friend.
"And who is that guy beside him? That plain-looking guy?" the other replied, not even bothering to lower her voice.
"Hey, they're going to hear us!"
"What? It's not like I'm telling a lie."
I felt the familiar sting of their words. I knew I wasn't much to look at, but did they really have to be that harsh? Beside me, Dirick's aura shifted. He stared at the two women with aggressive, cold eyes. They turned pale and ran away quickly.
As we walked, I noticed Dirick's clothes were a problem. The shirt I'd lent him was too small, stretching over his chest and revealing too much of his physique. Every woman we passed was staring.
"I need to buy you some clothes that actually fit," I muttered. When we reached a clothing stall, I told him to take off his upper layer to try something on. I never expected him to have such a perfectly sculpted body—even the female staff got shy seeing him.
After a quick lunch, we finally made it to the lobby of the Hunter Association."Master, I thought we were going to the Hunter Association earlier?"
"Oh, sorry. I just had to buy those clothes for you since my old ones were revealing too much of your body."
"But Master, you don't have that much money," Dirick said, looking concerned. "How about let me pay you some... ah, I forgot that I am not in my world."
Some? I looked at him. Was he really that rich back where he came from?"It's fine," I said. "Just help me increase my level later."
"Fine," he muttered, suddenly looking dejected.What the heck?! Why does he look so sad about that? This pervert bastard... I knew he was probably thinking of something perverted again. I needed to keep my guard up.
The Association was packed. As we waited in line, two girls approached Dirick, asking for his "number." Dirick looked at them, completely confused
."Master, what is a 'phone number'?"
"It's for when you want to contact a person you want to talk with," I explained, stepping in to tell the girls we were in a hurry.
Suddenly, another girl shoved her way to the front, pushing me aside."Hey, get out, plain guy! I want to talk with this handsome guy," she snapped.
"What!?"
She ignored me and turned to Dirick. "Hey, handsome guy, do you want to exchange numbers and meet me at a cafe after this?"
I looked at Dirick, silently shaking my head. He caught the look and told the girl "no."
"Come on, don't be shy! I have a lot of money and a high-status background," she persisted, reaching out to grab his arm.
I could see the muscles in Dirick's jaw tightening. He was starting to get pissed. I leaned in and whispered, "Not here, Dirick. Hold your grip. If you cause a scene, we'll get kicked out."
"Why is this plain guy blocking my conversation?" the girl screamed, pointing at me. "Hey! Guards! Hold this plain guy and kick his stomach!"Dirick snapped. I couldn't hold him back any longer."
Who dares to hold him like that!? Huh!?" Dirick roared."He's just an ugly guy!" the girl yelled back. "Do it!"
SLAP!
The sound echoed through the entire lobby. Dirick had delivered a heavy slap that sent the girl stumbling back, her face white with shock and fear. The entire room went silent. Everyone was staring. I felt myself shrinking—I was so embarrassed.
An examiner hurried over, looking between the crying girl and Dirick's towering form. He sighed deeply.
"I apologize for what happened," the examiner said, bowing to us.What? Why is he apologizing to us?
"I apologize for what my sister did," the examiner continued. "It seems she took a liking to this good-looking guy. I'm sorry she threatened you. If you're in a hurry, I will personally help you register your cards.
"Eh? Just for that?"
Please follow me. I've already told my assistant to prepare everything you need."
We followed him into the back, entering an examining area that was far more high-tech than the lobby.
"Everything is prepared. Please step into that container. Put your hand on the orb; it will automatically absorb a sample of your mana."
I went inside first. As I placed my hand on the smooth orb, I felt a weird sensation, like something was being drained out of me. It only lasted a second.
"You can come out now. Next, please," the examiner said.
I stepped out, confused. "That's it? I was only in there for a second."
"When you feel the sensation of being drained, it means it's complete. By the way, here is your card."
[Name: Kim Eudom]
[Age: 17]
[Sex: Male]
[Class: Summoner]
[Level: 1]
[Rank: G]
"I want to ask... why is there already a class even though I'm still Level 1?" I asked. "I thought you could only obtain a class at Level 10."
"Well, it's rare to have a class at Level 1, but it's not impossible," the examiner explained. "Usually, it means your mana affinity is very specific."
Dirick stepped out of the container next.
[Name: Dirick Trad]
[Age: 24]
[Sex: Male]
[Class: Paladin]
[Level: 1]
[Rank: G]
I never expected him to be twenty-four. And a "Paladin" class? I'd never seen that class before. If he was a Paladin, his growth stats would be higher than anyone else's. That meant I would get much stronger just by being around him.
"We're done, right?" I asked.
"Yeah. If you want to train or find a compatible weapon, you can go to the training center in the left area."
I looked at my wallet. Between breakfast and the clothes, I was almost out of cash. "Dirick, we're going to a dungeon. We need to earn some mana crystals to sell before we go home. Is that fine with you?"
"It's fine, Master. As long as it's what you want."
We walked out to the curb to wait for a taxi, but the atmosphere suddenly turned heavy. A fleet of black luxury cars pulled up, screeching to a halt in front of us.
A group of men in black suits climbed out of each car, moving with military precision. They're not here for me, right? I thought, my heart sinking.
I grabbed Dirick's hand to walk away, but our path was immediately blocked. These men... they felt stronger than Dirick. They lined up like a gang—or an elite private army.
Then, the door of the lead car opened. A man stepped out, wearing expensive, tailored clothes that set him apart from the bodyguards. He began walking slowly toward me, a sharp, calculating look in his eyes.