The rain had finally stopped.
Warm afternoon sunlight broke through the clouds, falling across Raizen's face like a gentle golden veil.
He stretched slightly.
"Knights, rest for a bit. We still have a few minutes before the wave."
"YES, MY LORD!"
They scattered toward a large tree, sitting in the cool shade—some leaning on the trunk, others cleaning their weapons, a few simply breathing quietly.
A panel appeared in front of Raizen.
[ Quest: Eliminate 80 Goblins ]
[ Reward: Black Box ]
Raizen's eyes sparkled.
Finally… my first quest. And the reward is a black box?
No details, huh… whatever. I'll get it once I finish the quest anyway.
---
Nox Reven reached the town gate.
There was no guard.
He didn't think too much about it and walked straight inside.
First, I should go to the guild and sell the goblin corpses. Lord's orders come first.
After a few minutes, he reached the guild.
The place was crowded—mercenaries, knights, archers—everyone talking loudly.
But most of their eyes were glued to the counter lady.
Nox ignored them and went straight to the counter.
This was not the lady he saw last time.
The new counter girl had ocean-blue eyes, soft silver hair that glowed under the lantern light, and skin pale as fresh snow.
She asked calmly, her voice unbelievably soothing:
"How many corpses do you have and what type of corpse, sir?"
Her voice was so soft it felt like warm milk being poured into the ears.
Nox was stunned.
W-wow… her voice is beautiful…
No! Focus! Mission! Mission!
His face instantly turned serious—like a soldier entering battle.
The lady blinked.
…Weird one.
Nox answered, "I have 71 corpses of goblin."
"Okay, let me verify them."
Nox froze.
"Do… do I pull out all the corpses…?"
The lady panicked slightly—waving her hands.
"No, no, no! Just give me your ring."
Nox stepped back like a kid being robbed.
"No! It's a gift from my lord!"
The lady paused… then laughed softly.
A small, gentle smile.
And every mercenary nearby went wild.
"DID SHE JUST SMILE!?"
"HEY! SHE SMILED!"
"How did a mangot like him make her laugh!?"
"When I talked to her, she replied so dry I started drinking more water every day!"
"Bro… where did you even get that water from!?"
"Say one more word—I'll tell everyone what she said when you proposed to her!"
"NO NO PLEASE—!"
Back to Nox.
The lady said kindly, "It's okay. Just give me your hand."
Nox nervously placed his hand forward.
She touched the spatial ring—
—and extracted a tiny mist-like copy of its contents to count inside her own ring.
Nox stared, confused.
"Did you… verify it?"
"Yes. Wait here, I'll bring the money."
She returned with a pouch.
"Here—35 silver coins and 50 bronze."
She added with a soft smile:
"Your lord is very lucky to have someone this loyal."
Nox answered instantly, chest puffed out, loyalty radiating like light:
"No—I am lucky to have a lord like him."
The lady's eyes softened.
"He must be very impressive if you speak of him like that."
"Yes! My lord is extremely impressive!"
She laughed again.
"You're a weird one."
Nox left the guild proudly.
The lady watched his back and thought:
If only my father had someone that loyal…
Outside, Nox nodded to himself.
Next… the equipment shop.
He walked for five minutes and entered the familiar place.
The shop lady inside brightened instantly.
Two customers in one day!?
I thought the next one would come next week… that guy was good luck!
She adjusted her glasses, preparing to observe him using her "technique."
But before she could even think—
Nox inhaled deeply.
"I WANT TO BUY 2 TIER-1 STRENGTH POTIONS AND 2 TIER-1 HEALING POTIONS AND—
ONE ARMOR SET THAT COSTS 10 SILVER OR LESS!"
"Huff—huff—"
The lady sweatdropped.
"Sir… take it easy."
She gathered everything.
"That will be 30 silver."
Nox paid, stored it in the ring, and walked out.
Standing on the street, Nox realized:
"…Lord didn't tell me where to buy food."
He stared into the distance dramatically.
Maybe… he wants me to learn and grow on my own…
So he wandered for 20 minutes until he found a street stall selling bread.
The shopkeeper took one look at him and instantly saw:
Innocent. Kind. Easy to scam.
"Sir, we have fresh brioche."
"What is the price?"
"One silver per piece, sir."
Nox used 100% of his brain to calculate.
I have 15 silver and 50 bronze… that means 15 and a half pieces!
"Give me 15 and a half pieces."
The shopkeeper almost laughed.
Half piece of bread!? Fine! I'm profiting anyway.
One piece only costs me 40 bronze…
He packed the bread with a big fake smile.
When Nox turned around, the shopkeeper muttered:
"…Idiot."
Nox walked down the road.
Then—
Two small kids appeared in front of him.
Their clothes were torn.
Their hair messy.
Their bodies thin.
They looked up at him with hungry eyes.
"Mister…
Can we have something to eat…?"
Nox froze.
His mind blanked for a moment.
Two small kids stood in front of him, thin arms, messy hair, torn clothes…
but bright, hopeful eyes staring at the bread in his hands.
Nox swallowed.
What should I do…?
He activated the full power of his brain again—
the same brain that calculated "15 and a half breads."
If I give them two pieces… I will have 13 and a half left.
There is me… my lord… and my 12 brothers and sisters…
He nodded firmly.
I can eat the half piece.
And I don't think lord will get angry if I give food to hungry kids… right?
Nox crouched down slowly and gently handed each child a piece of brioche.
The kids' faces lit up instantly— eyes widening, lips stretching into the purest smiles.
Their little hands trembled as they held the bread.
They bowed deeply, almost too deeply for their small bodies.
"Thank you, big brother!!"
They ran off happily, hugging the bread like treasure.
Nox watched them go…
…and exhaled softly, heart warm.
He straightened, adjusted the pouch on his belt, and turned toward the forest path.
Food, potions, armor…
Everything bought.
Money calculated.
Kids fed.
He puffed out his chest proudly.
Mission complete.
Nox Reven—
Bronze-1 knight, newly named by his lord,
now marched back toward the portal with determination.
Returning to his lord…
with bread, supplies, and a heart a little warmer than before.