BXBX NOVEL Chapter 9: Delinquent Negotiates!
Ryuji watched Alan with narrowed eyes, a little confused that he could speak so softly.
"To be honest, Hero... Uhm, Ryuji, was it?"
"Yes. It\'s Ryuji Vincenzo."
"We normally only teach these things to official parties or trainee knights. I admire you. You could remember this while being the only one able to fight. The going rate for goblins is two small copper coins. I can give you the money directly, or you can add all funds to the team\'s budget for meals, training, and other services."
Alan\'s atmosphere felt more human than ever before and reminded Ryuji of when he worked at his mother\'s dojo. \'We all wear masks, especially when working.\' Maybe Alan\'s mask during the training was to make the heroes more desperate and to work harder.
Ryuji looked back at each member of his party before nodding.
Although it was selfish of him to decide. "Please send all money except two small copper to the party budget."
"Hmm, may I ask why?" Alan looked at Ryuji with the first smile since they met and tapped him twice, showing his immense power.
"Since I am going to take damage and fight for two people, I\'ll charge 10 per cent or two coppers if our earnings are below a silver coin."
"!!!"
"Eh?"
"Ryuji?"
Yumiko and the two behind her felt shocked, especially Akari and Ryo, who did nothing but hold torches. However, according to Ryuji, they would get an equal share of the reward, and he would only take two coins.
"A good deal for us," Yumiko said, her voice tinged with worry as she glanced at Ryuji\'s injuries. Closing her eyes with a troubled expression, she murmured, "He will face constant danger and endure all those wounds for a mere two coins?"
Ryuji noticed Alan\'s gaze, which seemed to be watching a strange person, and the other three, he could feel their concern for him.
\'I know it might seem foolish, but my goal is to strike a deal with Alan to ensure the safety of all non-combat members. This will relieve knights of troublesome tasks. Additionally, this arrangement will enable me to explore more dungeons and strengthen faster!\'
Alan rubbed his slight stubble, then narrowed his blue eyes at the two crafters.
"Maybe... Could you offer this service to the other heroes or knights who cannot fight at the same price?"
"Alan is quite clever. His demeanour as a spoiled noble is likely a motivational tactic for us... I should strive to understand this world better and refrain from quick judgments about its people."
Despite his racism towards Yumiko, Alan was the only bet for a partner.
Only self-righteous idiots would get involved with that bothersome stuff when it\'s not something he could do anything about.
"I was hoping to free up some more of the low-level heroes burden, as my class seems well suited to solo or having a single helper with me, and my partner does that well."
Alan looked at Yumiko briefly.
His eyes showed a sense of bitterness and hate, but he didn\'t insult her like last time.
"Understood, if she is all you need. I will work on setting everything up. We are thankful because the heroes paired with non-combatants usually die early."
"Since I cannot join the major parties, this is the least I can do. Also, if any party needs someone to lead its C and D ranks, you can use my name at the same rate."
This time, it was Alan\'s turn to feel stunned.
This human from another world seemed to have grasped their needs and wants as a kingdom in two days, even if he wasn\'t a top-tier hero. Alan felt a sense of respect for the young man who offered himself up for the most dangerous role.
"Hero Ryuji. I will add your name and remember it for both situations."
For the first time, he was called a hero without mentioning rank.
It was insignificant to others, but to the knight Alan and Ryuji, it would significantly affect their growing relationship.
"I hope you can reach level ten before two weeks pass. There is an official bandit-hunting mission and a few small dungeon clearances that you might be interested in. The pay would be a flat silver coin and a portion of the loot, of course. Ryuji."
"It would be my pleasure, Sir Alan."
The pair shook hands as Alan removed the two small coins and pulled out a strange tool before adding sixteen copper coins split into four lots for Ryuji\'s team.
Now, the entire team could enjoy hot meals and baths every day despite being low-tiered heroes. Yumiko gained the most because she didn\'t get a wage after leaving the kingdom.
"You should be quite tired. Take a few laps to cool down, then enjoy lunch and prepare for the afternoon lessons. Ryuji."
Thus, the group left with a nod and started their cooling-down session.
Ryu and Akari looked at him with starry eyes.
"Ryuji... how can we repay you? Just holding a torch is..."
"How about in the future, we save money, and you use your level two cooking skills to make us an enjoyable meal in the dungeon?"
"Eh, are you serious?"
Yumiko, leading their group, turned back, her ears able to hear all the conversation.
The more she learned about the human Ryuji Vincenzo, the more appealing he became to her as a man, causing her to feel conflicted.
Even if the star caused them to seek the other, it didn\'t change their feelings, and she worried about the future.
Shortly after their run, they made plans to apply for another dungeon visit the next day.
The fact they levelled up seemed to have the party excited.
Akari could make basic cloth armour, but it was better than the poor clothes they wore under the tattered leather. She could also make padded jackets and pants at level five.
Ryo learned a simple goblin meat soup that would help wounds recover and boost stamina for an entire day at level two. He only needed a water pot and herbs on sale at the cafeteria store.
****
Inside their room, Yumiko no longer seemed to find issues with changing as she removed her clothes across from Ryuji, doing the same as they both collapsed into bed.
"Let me check your wound, Ryuji."
"Don\'t bother..."
Yumiko seemed to pout, wrapping her arms around his leg and pulling up his loose shorts to see the red and purple skin from the wound.
"You seem to have accelerated healing, but you mustn\'t push yourself."
"I know."
While she helped deal with his wound, Yumiko asked a question while gazing at his face, curious about his reaction.
"Can we practice what you taught me last night?"
"Haaa..."
Ryuji sighed while moving out of the bed, realising this woman likely forgot their age and sex difference as she moved beside him and copied his movements.
He focused on training Yumiko, who kept making strange, coquettish sounds while practising.
She probably didn\'t do it on purpose, but for a young man, those were enough to fuel an entire week of side dishes.
He struggled for the rest of the night as they practised together. The pair decided to bathe in the morning because they were both exhausted.
Once again in bed, they lay back to back, the warmth of each other\'s backs comforting them as Ryuji finally fell asleep.
Moments later, Yumiko turned over and checked he was sleeping before snuggling against his back, her nose sniffing his scent in secret.
"Be careful, taking on all that danger if you die. I will be left alone... again."
Her hand reached around, hugging Ryuji Vincenzo\'s body as she closed her eyes, knowing tomorrow would be another tough day.