Why would it be Yeoreum's fault that I was born weak?
If anything, it would be my fault.
I admitted it was my fault, but Yeoreum seemed to misunderstand.
"Why would it be your fault you were born..."
Yeoreum bit her lip so hard it looked like it might bleed.
I couldn't grasp why she saw my problem as her own.
It was a perspective I found incomprehensible.
"But it's not someone else's fault, right?"
"That's..."
"I won't blame others for my issues. So, it's my fault."
I tried to convince Yeoreum with my reasoning.
However, she looked displeased and a bit cross.
"Gyeoul, there's no sin in merely being born."
"But there was something wrong with my body."
"Something wrong..."
"Yes. It's my problem, so it's my fault."
Accepting blame wasn't entirely negative.
There's merit in solving your own problems.
After all, I can't solve others' problems.
This realization helped me survive with a mana-less body.
Self-deprecation isn't harmful if it leads to solutions.
"...Are you okay with that, Gyeoul? You aren't holding any grudges?"
"Grudges...?"
"Yes."
While I felt it unfair to be mana-less, I harbored no resentment.
Fear might have led me to avoid and doubt people, but resentment wasn't the root cause.
My past life taught me there are many kind-hearted people.
Surely, this world has its share of good people too.
"I've never really resented anyone."
"Really?"
"Yes. There are indeed many good people around."
Did my words sound odd?
Yeoreum abruptly stopped walking.
Observing her, I cautiously added,
"But, honestly, I don't know many people, so maybe that's why..."
The number of people I know is fewer than ten.
For someone like me, discussing human relationships might seem absurd.
It wouldn't be surprising if she found it amusing.
"It's good that Gyeoul thinks so..."
"Yes, yes..."
Did I come off as peculiar?
Feeling a sense of relief, I patted my chest.
Fortunately, the conversation ended on a positive note.
<+>
A day had passed since my stay at the guild building.
I returned to the container house with everyone.
Whether harvesting vegetables in the garden or catching fish at the pond, Sophia and Levinas trailed me, murmuring their thoughts.
"Sniff... Levinas wanted to watch more cartoons with the horned rabbits..."
"Ahem. That massage chair was really something."
They seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed their time in the building.
I wanted to let them stay in the building too, but there was a major issue.
I didn't have any money.
Renting such a place would cost millions each month.
With my current earnings, that was out of reach.
"We can't afford a house like that..."
"If it's money, Levinas has saved some from collecting bottles..."
Levinas pulled out a handful of coins.
It was only a few hundred won.
"That's nowhere near enough."
"Really? But it's a lot of money..."
"It is, but for a house like that, you'd need to collect tens of thousands of bottles every month, right?"
"Ten thousand—!"
Levinas stared at her hand, counting her fingers, then her shoulders sagged.
She must have grasped how enormous the number ten thousand was.
It hurt to expose such a young child to the harsh realities of life so soon.
All due to my own limitations.
"It's unfortunate. But if we can't, we can't."
"I'm sorry. It's because of my debts..."
Is this what it feels like to be the head of a family?
I just felt ashamed of my own inadequacy.
"King, King."
"Huh?"
"Here, take this. Levinas will help out at home."
Levinas handed me all her money, just a few hundred won.
I felt guilty for putting such a burden on a child.
"Kuk..."
A sound of sorrow came from someone nearby.
I looked around and saw a stranger blowing into a beer bottle, surrounded by familiar faces.
They were regulars who drank in the park.
'More people seem to be drinking in the park these days.'
I wondered if the guild approved, but the drinking area had apparently grown.
At least it meant more bottles for me to collect.
"King, let's save up and live in a nice house one day, okay?"
"Uh, yes. I'll work hard..."
"...I'll do my best to earn money as well."
"Sophia, you're unwell, just rest."
I tried to console her, but she just shook her head.
It was disheartening that an elder like her felt the need to earn money because of me.
"I'm sure I can do something, even in this condition. I'll find a way."
"I'm sorry. It's all my fault for being so inadequate..."
"Don't say that. You're doing all you can."
"That's right! Levinas knows King is amazing!"
Their words of encouragement lifted my spirits a bit.
Sob.
I left the sound of someone crying behind as I pondered my next step.
'I have to keep exploring the dungeon diligently...'
I wondered if 'that guy' was in the dungeon right now.
Despite my worries, I am now the head of a household.
I can't abandon those who depend on me due to my fear of others.
"I need to go to the dungeon."
"The dungeon?"
"Yes. Encia said I can explore the goblin dungeon alone now."
"Hmm... If Encia approves, it should be safe."
With Sophia's blessing, I felt ready to venture into the dungeon solo.
Hunting goblins alone meant more income.
Maybe I could afford to let them stay in the guild building.
"Le–Levinas wants to come too!"
"Levinas as well?"
"Yes! I'll collect damp mushrooms in the goblin dungeon!"
"Damp mushrooms?"
I was puzzled.
"What are those?"
"Mushrooms that grow in the goblin dungeon. They sell for about a thousand won each."
"Oh..."
A thousand won per mushroom could add up.
But was it safe to bring Levinas to the dungeon?
"Well, as a horned rabbit beast-kin, she'll probably be fine."
"Yes! Levinas is strong!"
That was surprising.
Levinas strong enough to fight a goblin?
I looked questioningly at Sophia, who leaned in to whisper.
"Horned rabbit beast-kin are great at escaping."
"Ah..."
Then it was safe to go together.
Deciding, I gazed at the guild building.
First, I needed to find out the cost of staying in the house from yesterday.
<+>
Yoo Sang-ah.
She managed mana stones at the Daybreak Guild, currently lost in thought at her desk.
'Peak time is approaching.'
Soon, the adventurers would flood in.
As Yoo Sang-ah stretched her shoulders in preparation, three children entered the pawnshop.
"Oh my."
The little beast-kin girls approached confidently.
Yoo Sang-ah smiled warmly.
"Is it Gyeoul?"
"Yes... I have a question."
"Go ahead. What would you like to know?"
Gyeoul hesitated, still uneasy around unfamiliar people.
Yet, she trusted Yoo Sang-ah, who had gifted her a gardening set.
She must be kind.
Gyeoul took a deep breath, looking at the floor, then asked,
"How much does it cost to live in the guild building...?"
At her question, the shop fell silent.
They were aware that the child lived in a container house.
"Well..."
I want to offer the lowest price possible.
No, I wished I could say she could stay for free.
That's what Yoo Sang-ah and the others at the pawnshop were thinking.
But Yoo Sang-ah was merely an employee of the guild.
She lacked the power to significantly reduce the price.
Regrettably, she had to be truthful.
"...If you're affiliated with the guild, the price is much lower."
"But, I'm not affiliated..."
"Aren't you? Gyeoul, I'd say you definitely are an affiliate."
"Right, right."
An adventurer, there to sell mana stones, agreed from the side.
Not a member of the Daybreak Guild, but a regular adventurer, he surprisingly supported Gyeoul.
"Why would I be an affiliate?"
"A person like Gyeoul is certainly an affiliate."
"Really? Am I truly affiliated...?"
As Gyeoul pondered, arms crossed, the adventurer who spoke earlier mused aloud.
"Wow, to be affiliated with the Daybreak Guild so young, that's impressive. I need to work hard and join too."
His remark left an impression on everyone in the shop.
Only Gyeoul and Levinas didn't grasp the implications.
<+>
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