I Level Up With In-app Purchases

EP.83 A Man Being Tempted (4)

The question is whether I can give that woman what she wants.

Even if I ask Fran to stop preaching, would she actually listen?

‘No way. Why would she do that?’

If I say it’s to repay the favor for the sacred item I gave her, she might listen.

But isn’t that too much of a loss for me?

To have Fran repay her debt with just that.

Moreover, the church and preaching are inseparable parts of Fran’s life.

‘Asking her to stop preaching could give Fran a bad impression of me.’

It’s not like she’d stop just because I ask her to, and it might only result in worsening our relationship.

Nevertheless, I couldn’t firmly reject the woman’s offer to find out the client’s identity.

‘These days, the stress from those bastards is no joke. It feels like they’re deliberately messing around to get on my nerves…’

In the midst of all this, I’ve finally found a lead to uncover the client’s identity, and I can’t just let it slip away.

Of course, it could be that I’m being overly sensitive.

But I don’t think it’s something to be so optimistic about.

‘It was strange that the number of customers coming to the general store has increased recently.’

Why are customers suddenly appearing when I haven’t done any advertising?

Granted, even the increased number of customers is just one or two at most, but even that was enough to get on my nerves.

‘It’s not like I can suspect every customer who comes in…’

So far, the most frequent visitors to my store have been the SSRs I summoned.

Besides them, there are the kids Haeshi and Nairel, and occasionally a student who comes to the store for beads.

But they’re all R or SR characters I summoned, so there’s no reason to suspect them.

For someone like me who has an excessive number of regulars, even one additional customer a day was a very unsettling matter.

“You’re saying you’ll find out? The identity of those people?”

“Yes! I can do it.”

“…Alright. If you find out who the client is, I’ll consider doing that thing you want.”

Whether Fran would listen to me was another issue.

For now, it seemed right to accept this.

“Is that a promise? If I find out, you’ll stop that crazy bitch for me!”

“…I’m not sure if I can stop her, but I’ll try.”

“Ah… Finally, I won’t have to see that bitch’s face! Just wait a few days. I’ll find out!”

How much must she hate Fran to take such a risk and offer to find out about the client?

I thought she would never make such a dangerous proposal, but here we are.

“Oh, by the way, I’ll need some cooperation to find out about the client. Can you help?”

“What kind of cooperation do you need?”

“For instance, if I need evidence when reporting that I’ve completed the request, I’d like your cooperation.”

…That much shouldn’t be a problem.

“Alright, I can do that.”

“Heheh! Now we’re talking. By the way, don’t you need any services? I came all bundled up today so you might be feeling indifferent, but I’m really pretty when I undress, you know?”

Now that the urgent business is over, the woman starts making advances that won’t lead anywhere.

“Not interested.”

“I’ll give you a discount. I’m really good, you know. The guys can’t get enough of me. I’m not just some random girl you can find anywhere, okay? If you try it just once, you’ll see me differently. I’m the best in our establishment.”

“If you’re that good, why don’t you leave here and go find another man to roll around with?”

“Honestly, I’m so stressed because of that crazy bitch lately, I need somewhere to let off steam too. With you… I think I could feel really good. You’d feel good too getting a cheap service, right?”

“Get out!”

“Ugh! Because of that woman, my income has completely tanked recently! I need to work hard to make up for it!! Come on, oppa~!”

She keeps using Fran as an excuse for everything.

As I gently pushed her body, being a commoner woman, she was easily moved.

I restrained my strength as much as possible, knowing she might resort to self-harm and blackmail if I pushed her too hard.

“Would you sleep with a woman who’s been hired to harm you?”

“As long as it feels good, who cares! Don’t be such a prude. Then at least throw me some money as a down payment~! I need this to do the job, you know.”

The woman makes a circle with her index finger and thumb.

No sane person would think of anything other than money when seeing that.

Seemingly frightened by my glare, the woman slowly backed away.

“I-I’m not asking for much. You can at least give me enough for a meal, right?”

Looking at the woman with a pitiful expression, I said,

“I’ll consider paying you appropriately if you find out who the client is. Now get out.”

“You’ll pay me if I find out? Why didn’t you say so earlier? Hehe, just wait a few days~! Mwah! I’ll find out soon, oppa!”

Even as she’s leaving, she can’t seem to exit without a flourish, liberally throwing winks and kisses.

It was admittedly a pleasant sight, which made me sigh involuntarily.

“What a mess. Hah, I need a cigarette. By the way, what on earth is she up to?”

Thanks to Fran causing a scene at her establishment, it seems I’ve unexpectedly struck gold, but…

I’m not sure how well that woman will be able to keep her word.

‘Even if she says she’ll find out, reality might be different.’

I think the chances of that woman discovering the client’s identity are very low.

Of course, it was welcome to have a potentially useful card in a situation where the culprit’s identity was a complete mystery.

After all, I can’t even guess what this unknown client wants to do with me.

But from what I can see, it’s clear that a noble is involved in this affair.

‘To begin with, commoners don’t have that kind of patience.’

The fact that they’re using people to prod at me also suggests a high probability that the client is a noble.

That’s why, no matter how hard that woman tries, the chances of her finding out who the client is are low.

‘If she really does find out who it is, and it turns out to be an unexpectedly big fish…’

I calculated that it might be beneficial to make a deal with the woman, even if it means disappointing Fran a little.

⁂ ⁂ ⁂

“…It’s quite embarrassing to report this to you, my lord, but it seems the woman has succeeded in seducing the man.”

Crunch-

Clenching his fist at his subordinate’s report, the Duke said,

“What’s the progress on the bead that man provided?”

“They say if we can utilize the energy contained within it, we might be able to create something extraordinary. Here’s a detailed report.”

“…..”

Thinking of Ariane, he wanted to deal with the man immediately, but the appearance of this mysterious object called a bead had complicated matters.

“Considering the value of the bead, what do you think? I heard he guaranteed he could keep providing them.”

“If we could just find out how he obtained the beads, that man would be worthless. However, if that man is an awakened one in hiding, creating these beads with his ability….”

“If it’s created with his ability?”

“I think it might be acceptable for him to be the young lady’s concubine.”

“Ahem.”

“I-I apologize.”

According to what the Academy’s headmaster has verified, the students who grew through the bead showed no side effects.

An elixir that enables tremendous growth without side effects?

It’s common knowledge that the frontlines have been in turmoil lately due to monster waves.

‘If an elixir using those beads is developed in this situation… it could expand our political influence as well.’

Although he disliked the man who dared to fall for a courtesan’s seduction, it was impossible to tear him apart as planned.

The value of the beads he possesses keeps increasing with each research.

“What about tampering with his mind?”

“We can’t, my lord! It’s too dangerous. If we’re caught, the consequences we’d have to face are too great.”

“Tch!”

If caught meddling with an awakened one’s mind to enslave them, the punishment would be similar to the level of treason.

The law was made particularly strict to suppress criminal activities of those who awakened mental abilities.

At this rate, it would be far better to accept him into the family as Ariane’s concubine.

Though he knew this fact, he couldn’t help but think of crooked plans, not wanting to see that man succeed.

“Don’t you find it strange? If he’s an awakened, the information we’ve gathered so far doesn’t add up. Why did he live as a mercenary?”

“It is indeed strange.”

They say he was known as a money ghost during his mercenary days, hunting monsters extensively.

If he had awakened, rather than being a mercenary, entering the Academy and enlisting would have been far more honorable and lucrative.

“If he’s a commoner, there’s no reason to miss the chance to become a noble.”

“Our investigation was insufficient. I apologize.”

“We need to uncover the secret he’s deliberately hiding.”

“I’ll look into it separately. And what should we do about the woman?”

He must be referring to the woman we attached to that man.

“Tell her to seduce him as if she’s willing to give him everything. Find out exactly what kind of man he is. Men are bound to let their guard down in front of women.”

At that order, the subordinate spoke with a troubled expression.

“Won’t you feel uncomfortable if we might have to take him in as a concubine?”

“Once we make him a part of the family, we can manage his lower half from then on.”

We could make sure he wouldn’t even glance at any woman other than Ariane.

What wouldn’t I do for my daughter?

Of course, the best option is to make them break up before resorting to the worst choice.

“To prevent the worst-case scenario, we need to make Ariane disappointed in him and cool her feelings.”

“If the young lady’s feelings cool down, what do you plan to do with him?”

“If the beads are his ability, we can loosely make him a branch family concubine, and if not, well, things will become much easier.”

The subordinate nodded, seemingly relieved.

Even if Ariane’s feelings for him are tender, seeing him fool around with another woman would surely cool her heart.

Wasn’t that the purpose of attaching the woman to him in the first place?

“The best method is to prove that the beads are not his ability.”

“After finding out where he got the beads, we separate the young lady from him and…”

“Yes, we must make him pay for daring to look down on my daughter.”

No matter how great a discovery the beads might be, they’re not more precious than my daughter.

So, for him to keep his life, he must be an awakened.

The plan was to cover up his illegal concealment of being an awakened after receiving the beads as compensation, as if doing him a favor.

With the family’s power, it was entirely possible.