RG 10

I looked up at the building in front of me. The second floor of this 4-story commercial building would serve as both a home for this little guy and our guild office.

‘It’s perfect—a bit away from Gangnam, quiet surroundings. Just right.’

Trusting Hyeon Dowun was the right call.

Despite always grumbling, he handles things so well. Satisfied, Cha Sahyeon and I entered the building together.

The empty office space greeted us as we reached the second floor and opened the entrance. It had two rooms and a bathroom—it was perfect for both an office and a home. First things first, it seemed urgent to fill it up with furniture and items.

‘We’ve got enough money, so I’ll quietly live here for a while.’

Thanks to Son Gayoung and the ladies selling the items brought from the lab, I had about 150 million won in my bank account. Considering the expenses for labor and the cost of the necklace-shaped small inventory item, the amount earned from selling the items was quite substantial.

With the remaining 150 million won, it was feasible to buy furniture and kick off the guild’s operations. It’s just the two of us, so calling it guild operations doesn’t entail much.

‘Will we get requests for lower-level dungeons?’

The world is vast, and there are many guilds, so we might not even get those. But having just 150 million won doesn’t mean we can live a lifetime without working.

“Sigh…”

I sighed as I looked around the office, pondering here and there.

Let’s worry about how to live later. There’s already a mountain of things to do, so there’s no need to think about the future yet.

“Hey, kid.”

While I was looking around the office, Cha Sahyeon, standing near the door, gazed at me blankly.

“Are you hungry?”

“…”

I chuckled and ruffled his hair. Rest was a priority for now.

***

Before heading to the hotel, I went to a nearby department store to buy clothes.

If I were alone, I might have just gone to a sauna or a motel, but I felt a bit uneasy sleeping in such places with this kid.

As we entered the hotel lobby, the previously indifferent eyes of Cha Sahyeon seemed to light up a bit. The child seemed unusually interested in the lobby’s centerpiece decoration adorned with jewels.

Seeing the child persistently staring at the glittering jewels illuminated by the chandelier was intriguing. It was the first time he had shown such enthusiasm, being rather indifferent until now.

‘Does he like shiny things? Or is it specifically the jewels themselves?’

Regardless, it wouldn’t hurt to know the kid’s preferences. If there ever comes a situation where I need to persuade him, knowing his interests could be helpful.

‘Jewels, huh…’

If it would keep him calm, I could buy him a few jewels, no problem. After all, I had plans to equip him with an item that would allow me to track his location later on. He probably wouldn’t object if he likes jewels, which made it easier for me.

Thinking about giving him the item later, I proceeded to the reserved room for now.

“First, take a shower. After that, I’ll order room service for you to eat.”

I casually tossed the key card onto the table. I spoke, but Cha Sahyeon, who had been absentmindedly surveying the room with a blank expression, didn’t even think about finding the bathroom and just kept following me around.

This little rascal is just like a baby duck. Do I really have to find the bathroom and push him in myself? This is why kids are a hassle.

I was about to grab the kid’s nape and toss him into the bathroom myself when suddenly, a status window popped up right before my eyes.

Ding!

《Main Quest has arrived!》

《Main Quest: Befriend the antagonist ‘Seed of Calamity’(1/10)》

[Main Quest: Befriend the antagonist ‘Seed of Calamity’(1/10)]

Slow down the progress of the seed by befriending the antagonist.

Objective: Bathe together with the villain (Remaining time: 50 minutes)

• Attention! Failure to complete the quest within the time limit will result in failure.

Quest Failure: Increases progress of the Seed of Calamity.

“Of all the…!”

As I glanced over the quest details, I barely managed to suppress the reflexive curse that almost slipped out.

Sending me on quests like this endlessly, what do they expect me to do?

‘And what’s with that number displayed at the back? Are they planning to send nine more of these ridiculous quests?’

Trying to check the status window while I left the kid in the bathroom to shower, I hadn’t expected it to come back at me like this.

Swallowing the many words that came to mind, I took a deep breath internally. Stay calm. Making a fuss here will just make me seem crazy.

“Hey, kid.” I put my hand on Cha Sahyeon’s head, smiling fiercely. “My dear little fellow, you must be scared to shower alone in an unfamiliar place, right?”

“…?”

Cha Sahyeon looked at me as if I were insane. Don’t look at me like that. I have my reasons too, you know?

“I’ll make a special exception today and help you out. Shall we shower together?”

“…”

Ignoring his expression of disbelief, I scooped him up and headed toward the bathroom. I planned to splash water on him before he could refuse. With a time limit, there was no time to dawdle.

Entering the bathroom with Cha Sahyeon in tow, I closed the door and set him down. Fortunately, the bathroom was spacious enough for both of us to shower together.

“Take your clothes off.”

Cha Sahyeon just stared blankly at me, making no move to comply.

Is it because it feels awkward? I couldn’t help but take off my clothes first. It was uncomfortable enough wearing the t-shirt I had on since I was at the lab.

Without hesitation, I tossed my top aside, and Cha Sahyeon flinched as he avoided glancing at me. His ears, peeking through his curly black hair, were gradually turning red, indicating his embarrassment.

‘Goodness, why is this kid so shy? Or perhaps, is it normal at his age?’

I understood his embarrassment, but I couldn’t just stand by watching him fussing over trivial things and ending up failing the quest.

With somewhat rough movements, I helped Cha Sahyeon take off his clothes and turned on the shower, drenching him from head to toe. Though hesitating, he didn’t resist and obediently took off his clothes. As water poured over his head, he tightly shut his eyes.

“Please try to cooperate whenever possible, huh? We’re going to keep living together from now on.”

As I cleared away the shower and brushed his dampened forehead, trying to comfort him, Cha Sahyeon, whose face had reddened from the pleasantly warm water, hesitated for a moment before meeting my gaze and vigorously nodding.

After thoroughly washing Cha Sahyeon, who was stiff like a broken machine, I finished my own shower and we both stepped out of the bathroom.

I put on a bathrobe while Cha Sahyeon, with no properly fitting clothes, wore the ones I had bought in advance. His naturally pretty face shone even brighter, now fairer after the wash.

‘This kid… Might make a lot of girls cry later on, huh?’

Feeling somewhat mischievous, I teasingly pinched the kid’s cheek before speaking, “Wait here. I’ll order room service. I’m starving.” 

Having rushed straight from the lab to Zone C-281, we hadn’t had any time to eat, leaving us starving all this while. 

Ding!

At that moment, a status window popped up in front of Cha Sahyeon’s face, stretching across his left cheek.

《Main Quest: Befriend the antagonist ‘Seed of Calamity’ cleared!》

《Main Quest cleared. Rewards are granted.》

《Specialty: Empty on the Side? (Class F) obtained!》

“… Am I supposed to like this?”

“…?” Cha Sahyeon blinked in confusion as I chuckled at the obviously pitiful reward.

I shook my head, indicating it was nothing.

‘This can’t be happening.’

It’s frustrating. Luckily, there’s time until room service arrives, so let’s take a look at the system and status window.

Let’s start by checking my status. I opened the status window while lounging on the sofa.

User Information: Cha Seohu (Supporting Character)

Age: 26 (28)

Primary Skill: Guardian’s Bond (Class S)

Hidden Skill: Silver Protection (Class S)

Attack Power: Class F

Attack Speed: Class F

Movement Speed: Class F

Agility: Class F

Specialty

ㄴ Drenched Cat (Class F)

ㄴ Stay Exactly Where You Are (Class F)

ㄴ Empty on the Side? (Class F)

The skills aren’t bad. The issue lies with these specialties. Even before reading the descriptions, starting off with Class F was already disappointing.

“Tsk,” I clicked my tongue and checked the one at the top: ‘Drenched Cat’. It was my specialty from the beginning.

[Drenched Cat (Class F)]

Chance to evoke sympathy from the opponent (Probability 0.5%)

This is insane…

Gazing at the status window that appeared before me with a cold, tight glare, I hurriedly checked the second specialty. Surely they couldn’t all be this trash.

[Stay Exactly Where You Are (Class F)]

Chance to stun the opponent upon impact (Probability 0.3%)

[Empty on the Side? (Class F)]

Chance to detect opponent’s vulnerability (Probability 0.8%)

“…”

I couldn’t bear to read the explanations any further. I tightly shut both my eyes. Suddenly, a headache struck my previously clear mind.

None of the three traits had a probability exceeding 1%. There was no way to get rid of these useless traits or prevent them from activating.

“Ha, hahaha…”

I laughed aloud while rubbing my throbbing forehead.

I couldn’t believe they’d all be garbage.

‘All garbage?’

Holy shit.