Yeoreum scratched her cheek, looking down at me and Levinas with an expression that said she was gazing at two clueless kids.

I felt a bit wronged, realizing that I’d now fallen into the category of “child who doesn’t understand money” in her eyes, but I decided to stay quiet. After all, I had acted like that just now, so it was understandable. Any explanations I tried to give now probably wouldn’t be very believable.

“Gyeoul is usually pretty good with money, right? You just got a little tricked by the big numbers this time, right?”

“Yes… that’s right…”

Normally, the only money I handle is in small denominations, like a thousand won or ten thousand won. It would be easy to assume I wasn’t familiar with large amounts.

“So… did someone actually buy a mushroom with that hundred-million-won bill?”

“Yes, but they also gave me a real ten thousand won…”

“Oh, that’s a relief.”

Yeoreum muttered to herself, sighing in relief that we hadn’t completely been scammed.

“Um… does that mean… this hundred million can’t be used?”

With her shoulders drooping, Levinas held up the fake bill. She looked so downcast that I felt sorry for her. Yeoreum must have felt the same way, as she crossed her arms and seemed deep in thought for a while.

“Well… it’s not entirely unusable.”

“Really? Can I still buy something with it?”

“Yes, you can.”

It seemed like Yeoreum wanted to do something for Levinas. I wanted Levinas not to be disappointed, so I couldn’t help but feel a bit excited. My tail, which had drooped, began to sway slightly.

“Look at the little ones getting all excited.”

“They’re just too cute.”

I could hear people nearby murmuring to each other. Even though they were whispering, I could hear them clearly.

Maybe they thought I was thrilled at the idea of spending money. As I started to wonder why these misunderstandings kept happening, Yeoreum crouched down next to Levinas and me.

“Levinas, is there anything you really want?”

“Yes! Levinas’s biggest wish is to drink chocolate milk before she dies! Can you imagine it—delicious chocolate and delicious milk together! Isn’t that amazing?!”

“Oh, uh, yes. You can definitely buy chocolate milk.”

“Really?! Levinas thought she’d go her whole life without tasting such a rare treat!”

Chocolate milk… If she’d told me, I could’ve bought it for her anytime. Maybe she’d kept it to herself because she knew I often worried about money.

I felt a pang of guilt, and I quietly looked down.

“What about you, Gyeoul? Is there anything you want?”

“No, I’m fine.”

“Are you sure? You don’t want chocolate milk either? I could buy some for you…”

“It’s okay. I have money too. I can buy what I need on my own.”

I shook my little coin pouch, letting the few coins inside clink together. It wasn’t much, just enough for small personal needs.

“...I see.”

Yeoreum looked a bit sad as I said this. Just then, Levinas bounced up from her seat.

“Levinas wants chocolate milk right now!”

“Um, okay, shall we go to the convenience store and get some?”

“Yes!”

Seeing Levinas cheerful again was a relief. Quietly, I followed them to the convenience store.

---

“Welcome,”

The familiar cashier greeted us as we entered. I didn’t know his name, but he was always kind, buying my empty bottles when I came by.

“Chocolate milk!”

Levinas grabbed a chocolate milk from the shelf. I watched her for a moment, then picked up a bottle of the same milk myself. I hadn’t really thought about drinking it, but since it was my first chocolate milk ever, I decided to try it for the experience.

“…That’ll be 2,000 won.”

“Yes.”

After Levinas paid, it was my turn. I politely declined Yeoreum’s repeated offers to pay for it, then pulled out my coin pouch.

Clink—

Inside, I had two five-hundred-won coins, seven one-hundred-won coins, and twelve ten-won coins. A total of 1,820 won—still a long way from the 2,000 won needed for the chocolate milk.

I did have more money, but it wasn’t money I could spend for myself. I had debts to pay, and I wanted to buy a nice home for Sofia and Levinas.

“Hmm…”

“Are you short on cash? I could lend you a little…”

“No, it’s fine.”

It looked like I’d have to wait for another chance to try chocolate milk. I was about to put the bottle back when, out of nowhere, the cashier grabbed it first.

“Ah-hem. It looks like this item is part of a buy-one-get-one promotion.”

“Huh?”

I hadn’t seen any sign indicating that. As I tilted my head in confusion, Levinas piped up with a question.

“What’s ‘buy one get one’?”

“It means you buy one and get one free.”

“Wow…! Then King, you should drink one! You always said if I’m greedy, I won’t make friends!”

Levinas pressed one of the chocolate milks into my hand. I wanted to refuse, but I couldn’t ignore her kind gesture. I was the one who’d taught her that being greedy wouldn’t help her make friends.

“Uh, thanks…”

“Hehe!”

Levinas jumped up and down, clearly thrilled that I’d accepted the chocolate milk. This was the first time I’d ever received something free, and it felt strange. It was so strange, in fact, that I couldn’t even finish the chocolate milk.

---

Holding the chocolate milk in both hands, I made my way to the guild building. I had a question for Yoo Sang-ah, who handled financial matters at the guild.

“Um… excuse me…”

Knock knock—I tapped on her desk, bringing her out of her screen. Yoo Sang-ah’s face lit up when she saw me—though it was probably because of Yeoreum standing behind me.

“Gyeoul, you’re here again.”

“Yes. Sorry for coming by so often.”

“Oh, there’s no need to apologize! This is my job, after all. So, did you sell all the mushrooms?”

“Not all of them yet.”

I’d left Levinas to handle the rest. After the chocolate milk, she said she felt invincible. Gyeoul that was true or not, I figured I’d let her try.

“Alright, I hope you manage to sell the rest.”

Yoo Sang-ah clenched her fist encouragingly, and I appreciated her support.

“So, what brings you here this time?”

“Well, um…”

I hesitated, knowing my request might sound a bit odd.

“It’s okay, go ahead.”

“I… was wondering… if I could, um… buy a house?”

“A… house?”

Both Yoo Sang-ah and Yeoreum reacted at the same time. It must have seemed strange for someone with no real savings to be thinking about buying a house.

“Yes, but… I’m still short on money…”

“Oh, I see.”

“So I was wondering if maybe… I could just buy… three days’ worth?”

I held up three fingers toward Yoo Sang-ah. She stared at me, surprised, probably finding my request strange. I noticed her reaction and, thinking she might be more open to it, added one more finger.

“Haha, Winter. Three fingers really does mean three days.”

“…Oh.”

Did she think I didn’t know numbers? I’d just changed it to four because three seemed too short. Feeling a bit wronged, I quietly folded one finger back down.

“Oh, don’t underestimate Gyeoul. She’s very good with numbers.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes. I think she was just considering buying four days instead.”

“That’s right…”

At least Yeoreum didn’t think I was completely clueless. I felt a sense of relief.

“Hmm… but that might be a bit more expensive…”

Yoo Sang-ah trailed off, her gaze shifting behind me to where Yeoreum stood.

“…Ah, my mistake. Yes, a temporary stay would actually be much cheaper.”

“Really?”

Isn’t temporary lodging usually more expensive? It looked like Yoo Sang-ah and Yeoreum had shared a quick exchange of glances. I turned to check, but Yeoreum was just smiling warmly as usual.

“Winter, what is it?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

Maybe I’d just imagined it. I scratched the back of my neck, a bit embarrassed, while Yeoreum tapped the desk lightly.

“Doesn’t the guild have accommodation benefits for affiliates?”

“Oh, of course! We have many.”

“See, Gyeoul? It’s a guild benefit, so don’t feel like you have to refuse.”

“Oh… okay…”

The top guild really did have amazing benefits. If I could get this much as an affiliate, I could only imagine how much full members received.

“A real home is the best, right?”

“Yes. Sofia and Levinas have been asking about it a lot.”

“Sofia… and Levinas…?”

“Yes.”

Did I say something strange? Yeoreum’s face grew somber.

“It’s great to care for those around you, but I’d like it if you thought about yourself first, Gyeoul.”

“Me?”

“Yes. I’ve never seen you do anything just for yourself.”

Well, that was just because she hadn’t been watching all the time. Despite her concerns, I did plenty for myself.

“Just yesterday, I used five spoonfuls of corn powder.”@@novelbin@@

“...Weren’t you supposed to stop drinking that corn powder?”

“Recently, things have been tight, so I decided to start drinking

 it again. But I used five spoonfuls at once, so it was quite luxurious.”

“Oh… um…”

Isn’t five spoonfuls a big deal? Why does she look so concerned?

I pulled out my water bottle, feeling a bit awkward.

Yeoreum’s pupils shook as she looked at it, maybe shocked at how thick the corn powder mix was. It could also be that she was just surprised that I could afford to indulge a little.