IRVB 03

Chapter 03

“Then it’s a deal. I hate people who go back on their word.”

“Mm. I won’t change my mind. So do I just follow you?”

“For now…”

Ikhlis narrowed his eyes as if looking at something across the building.

“Get in that carriage.”

Nearby, in the direction he pointed, stood a large carriage.

With a casual flick of his hand, a sturdy-looking man—like a solid potato—hurried over from somewhere.

“Yes, sir. What is your command?”

“Gambil. Help her get into the carriage. Her legs are too short.”

“You’re really taking her with you?”

The man, built like a giant and covered in deep scars, blinked as he stared down at Rodi.

Because of that, he looked like a freshly dug, battered potato—though a handsome one.

Ikhlis fell silent for a moment, as if thinking of an appropriate title.

“Let’s call her a temporary recruit.”

“Pardon? You’re going to keep a kid like this as a subordinate?”

“Do I have to repeat myself?”

At Ikhlis’s sharp tone, the “potato” stiffened.

“No, sir. I will escort the recruit to the carriage.”

Rodi, who had been observing the two, nodded and followed the large potato.

His dark brown hair and skin were the same color as well-baked bread.

“Ahk!”

While walking, thinking she wanted to poke him, Rodi tripped after only three steps and nearly fell face-first.

Ikhlis, who was ahead, instinctively reached back.

Thanks to his quick reflexes, he grabbed her small arm, stopping her mid-fall.

Before she could even steady herself, Rodi stretched out her hand.

“My shoe!”

She had picked it up a month ago while begging—since the orphanage never bought her any.

Even though she had worn it carefully, it was already worn out.

“…That was a shoe?”

Ikhlis clicked his tongue at what looked like nothing more than a filthy scrap of leather.

Even a dog’s tongue would be cleaner.

He casually kicked it aside.

The impact sent the worn shoe flying—and it split in half.

“No!”

“Hey, it’s dirty.”

“That’s my shoe!”

Rodi ran toward it, then froze.

“…Ugh…”

Now barefoot, she stood on the dirty ground and looked up at Ikhlis resentfully.

For a moment, sparks seemed to fly between them.

Eyes without fear.

Eyes that demanded to speak.

Like a stray cat baring its claws.

‘Look at this kid… to Ikhlis-nim?’

Not only Ikhlis, but even Gambil watched with interest.

They had never seen anyone like her.

Adults usually cowered.

Even children would cry or run away at just a glance.

But this one had spirit.

Ikhlis’s eyebrow twitched.

He had faced countless killing intents—but these clear, stubborn eyes were oddly harder to deal with.

“…Gambil.”

He gestured.

“Yes.”

“Take off your shoes.”

“…Pardon?”

“I said take them off.”

Gambil made a strange expression but obeyed.

At 198 cm tall, his feet were enormous.

Even at a glance, the opening of his shoe was bigger than Rodi’s entire foot.

It was absurd—but disobeying would only get him beaten.

Better to take them off.

“What are you doing? Put them on and follow.”

Rodi looked between Gambil and the shoes, wiped her feet, and put them on.

They were so big it felt like five of her feet could fit inside.

When she tried to take them off again, Gambil stopped her.

“You should wear them.”

“…Aren’t you going to? They’re yours.”

Gambil looked shocked.

“A-‘mister’? No… I’m fine. You wear them, kid—no, recruit.”

“…Okay. Thank you!”

“Are you coming?”

Ikhlis was already far ahead, half-turned, urging her.

“Coming, boss!”

Clomp, clomp—she shuffled forward, stuffing her feet into the oversized shoes as she ran.

Ikhlis turned fully around.

Scratching his eyebrow, he asked,

“Hey, why am I ‘boss’?”

“Mister, boss—you keep changing.”

“……”

“Didn’t you say we’re working together? That mister said I’m your subordinate. Then what should I call you?”

Boss and subordinate.

Leader and underling.

Those were the only terms Rodi knew.

Ikhlis stared at her, then turned forward again.

“…Whatever. Call me whatever you want.”

They wouldn’t see each other after this job anyway.

He walked ahead with long strides.

“Okay, boss!”

Wearing Gambil’s giant shoes, Rodi hurried after him.

Rodi ended up working with Chaeles.

Now a “temporary” member, she sat firmly inside a massive black carriage.

She had heard that Chaeles ran not only Chaeles Road, but also a huge guild.

A place with many employees that handled even difficult tasks easily.

Thinking about it, she had heard of the Chaeles Guild before.

‘To become a recruit in such a place!’

Even if temporary!

After getting out of the carriage, Rodi looked around in awe.

“Wow… wow…”

The floor was smooth and spotless, the carpet soft.

Massive stone pillars stood tall and sturdy.

The hallways were lined with statues of terrifying beasts.

Following Ikhlis closely, she asked,

“Is all of this really yours, boss?”

“Whose else would it be?”

“Wow… then you’re the richest in the empire?”

“Who knows.”

Ikhlis answered absentmindedly, walking quickly.

He didn’t have time to deal with her endless chatter.

For weeks now, something had been irritating him nonstop.

“Wow, it’s amazing!”

At that, Ikhlis suddenly stopped.

He turned and smirked.

“Of course it is.”

This kid has some sense.

He continued walking, and Rodi followed energetically.

Behind them, Gambil, growing impatient watching her struggle, picked her up under the arms.

“Ah!”

“I’ll carry you.”

And he strode after Ikhlis.

“Wow! Thank you!”

Rodi beamed, and Gambil smiled slightly.

After passing about twenty doors, Ikhlis stopped.

He opened a large door.

Inside was a vast, empty hall.

And in the center stood a massive box—larger than a person.

It had two doors: one blue, one red.

The moment Ikhlis saw it, his irritation surged.

“…That damned crazy old man.”

This—

was the payment left behind by their previous client.

The client had been an old man near death.

A self-made noble who had been taken advantage of his entire life.

“I cannot die like this… grant me one wish.”

“Ikhlis, they say Chaeles can do anything.”

“Sir, this isn’t a charity shop.”

“Money is no issue. If you grant my wish, I’ll give you everything I own.”

“How much?”

“Ten billion Libra.”

Even Ikhlis sat up at that.

Not alloy currency—but pure gold coins.

Ten billion Libra.

Ten times the value of standard currency.

He hated troublesome work—but accepted.

And as expected, it was exhausting.

All for that money.

But when the time came to receive payment

the old man died.

The day before, he had been fine.

That evening, a massive vault was delivered to Chaeles headquarters.

So large it filled an entire room.

It had two doors.

And a note.

“Thank you for your hard work.

I will give you more than promised.

One door contains ten billion Libra, plus one hundred billion more, and everything I own.

The other door will burn everything inside.

You only get one chance.

Choose correctly—and it’s all yours.”