You don't have to prostrate like that, even the genuflection the NPCs do is just too much. These guys even went as far as to set up a separate room that resembles a throne room, this is insane. Did the NPCs do this, or did you guys think it would please me?

"You may rise." Still kneeling on the floor, why didn't they put chairs out. I would have told them to sit. Fine, let’s just move on to the main topic. "I got your report Evals Nekorb, it seems business is doing well. Our profits increased again this semester."

Should I say something to his wife too?

"Yes! It's all thanks to you Master Yug!"

Yug, right, you're the only human - other than some of the NPCs - I’ve shown this werewolf form to. And you don't have to shout. I can smell your fear in everything you say. I know I said 'give me everything or die', and he saw my powers, so I understand the fear. I must seem like Satan in werewolf form.

It just grosses me the fuck out. I am a firm believer in 'Give me liberty, or give me death!', and to see you grovel like this just disgusts me. Shouldn't you at some point just accept death gracefully, maybe with some dignity. Is it really okay to look so uncool in front of your wife like that? Well, she's on her knees too.

I should have let the NPCs handle it. I wanted to see if you were fine and if the NPCs were doing their job properly, but why does it seem like you're more scared I'm here than anything.

Push on.

"I'm very happy with your dedication and hard work."

It makes me feel like shit saying that. I don't deserve to say that. I haven't worked a proper day in my life.

"Thank you, Master Yug!"

Don't. Shout. My. Name.

"Relax. The reason I came today is for another matter. I am opening up another branch in Nolybab, I have decided it will be a pharmaceutical branch. With Cobalt you’ve produced some praiseworthy accomplishments, and I would like to try recreating it at another location."

Cobalt Medi, a player that has rooted himself in Nadnol City, a player you exclusively have contact with. Someone I rather not approach, his level isn't high according to the NPCs tailing him but it will cause too much of a stir among this world's people if he were to just up and disappear. With his value being so high your value has risen as well Evals, of course, you don't need to know that.

"What I want you to do is send 200 pounds of each herb to this address, and also send one of the people Cobalt trained. Someone who can teach the new staff about alchemy and potion mixing. By the way, we’ll be hiring new staff, make sure to send over the needed funds. Until we can get some revenue from there, we’ll have to support everything." I handed him the file as I talked and he still hasn't looked at it. Listening to me attentively instead, can't say that's bad. "That address I gave you is to someone I hired, like you."

That made you interested in it, now didn't it. My clone will play the role of someone you can sympathize with and get closer to, and if I find anything off. Like a plan to betray me, don't be so sad if your value drops. You don't know where my cave is, you don't know where my base is, but you do know there is something lurking in the dark and I can't have that. So sooner or later I'll have to kill you in a way that doesn't leave anything to follow back to me. If possible I would like to do it sooner and at least spare the child your wife is carrying.

She didn't speak at all, just sat there staring at me. Doesn't really matter to me.

♦♦♦

Again we are walking through the slums. The same path we took yesterday, and the day before. Today I can sense people following us, and there seems to be a lot more people around the area we met the boy. Passing through the same area, the boy came out of the crowd squeezing in between the people watching us. Pulling his sister's hand, he comes, they go to work cleaning master's shoes. Just as yesterday, Master gives the boy a silver coin. This time the girl didn't seem as scared and came forth and handed him a single flower. Master graciously accepted smiling cheek to cheek.

"Would you two like to come to my house for dinner?" An unexpected invitation by Master. I was just as surprised as the children by his words, for they didn't seem to know what to say. "What, will you not?" Master asked playfully. "My maid is a level 10 cook, I believe she said she's making Beef cutlet today, wouldn't you like to taste some? I promise you it's the best you've ever had."

Master's description of tonight’s menu seems to have relaxed the mood.

"Is it fine for us to...? Like this."

The boy pointed at his dirty clothes.

"That's fine, I don't mind," Master replied without a pause. The boy nodded his head still a bit hesitant. "Alright follow me, our coach is-"

"Sir would you like to have some brownies, I baked them myself."

Master's words were interpreted by a small girl presenting a batch of brownies. We soon noticed that many have gathered around us, waiting in ready to consume us. That's when my master abandoned me.

"Simon, you take care of this. I'll take the children and go ahead of you."

"What! What should I do!?" I’m ashamed, I panicked.

"Just give each a silver coin or something. I'll leave it to you." With that, my Master took out a pouch and tossed it to me. "Please, talk to my butler." He said to the girl loud enough for everyone to hear, and turned to the kids to gesture them to follow him. "Come on, Simon will take care of this."

'Sorry.’ And ‘Excuse me.' Master repeated as I watched him squeeze through the people.

To the few that tried to follow him, he directed them to me and I was surrounded by children of all ages. While I was handing out money to the children, I noticed a group of men following my master.

♦▼♦

"You guys alright?"

Did I move too fast? It looked like they sprinted behind me.

"Ye-yeah, we're alright." He says panting like a dog. Well, we're almost there. I think the kids finally decided to bother Simon instead of us. Then there is the group of people that’s been following us since I entered the slums today; are they supposed to be ninjas? Their levels are really low if they are, they must be thieves with a little bit of skill. "We can walk the rest of the way."

Some of them are openly revealing themselves now, I guess they aren't afraid of me.

Even so kind as to wait at my coach. Did the coachman not notice, or did he just ignore them? Coachman is a preeminent summon, from my Alive Again collection.

I don't like using preeminent summons since they’re finite, even though I don't even know how many I have. There’s a lot of them in the treasury. Whenever I got a summon figure I just tossed it in the treasury. I just liked them because they're like collecting action figures in the game. They fit in your palm and when you add a little bit of your mana; there you have it a fully grown preeminent summon.

The coachman I'm using can easily finish off these fools. Level 200 from the Alive Again collection. The only distinguishing feature from a human are the pins on each of its temples. A Frankenstein’s monster like thing but with the suit and tie, it looks quite normal. It doesn't even have the yellowish color Frankenstein’s monster had. Did it not notice them, maybe it deemed them too weak to even be considered a threat.

"Hey, how about you stop right there." So the guy behind me is the leader, or is he just the spokesmen? There really are a lot of them, a bunch of cats attacking a tiger.

Did you just call yourself a tiger? What the fuck is wrong with you?

Maybe it's this body it's just so bulky, and tall. It just feels odd.

"I said don't move!"

I slowed down, didn't I? Isn't that enough.

The only ones in danger here are the kids. I hate having to protect people. I think I'll use a temporary summon to fight them, easier to protect when someone else is fighting.

"Kids, when the knight clears the path run to the coach."

"Did you just tell the kids to run to the coach!? Are you fucken stupid? You think we can't hear you!? I was going to let you go after you handed over everything, now I'm going to fucken kill you!"

His face is boiling red, shouting at the top of his lungs. Hopefully, the kids heard me properly, and be able to act when it counts. With the kids here I should try to talk this out.

"I don't have any money, by the way, I gave it all to my butler."

"I saw it! I told you!" Thanks for vouching for me. "He left that butler with the coins! We should have gone after him like I said!"

Yes, yes, fight among yourselves, don't just wave the sword in front of him, and stab him.

Just leave me alone and go attack Simon, he'll take care of you, he's level 301 after all. Then I don't have to worry about protecting.

"We'll get the butler after this fucker. Hand over everything you got, and we'll try to make it painless." He doesn't mess around with words, cuts straight to business. You have shattered my preconceptions of bandits, or whatever you guys are.

Surrounding me with greater numbers yet being this focused and ready to fight me. I thought you guys would be more mocking. I would be more mocking if I was in your position and didn't have God Eyes. Is it good leadership? Then again this bulky body does make me look threatening, so it kind of makes sense.

With God Eyes I can tell that the only one remotely good here is the leader with level 10 in both warrior and the Sword. That's pretty good for this world, but it won't even leave a scratch on me.

"What the hell you standing there for! Hand your fucken shit over!" He eyed the kids and frowned. "...and we'll let the kids go."

That's awfully nice of you bandit leader, but that won't be necessary. For extra theatrics I slammed my cane on the ground and said:

"[Summon: Black Knight]"

On the ground formed a circle of red flame. In it, the inscription of life itself in wordless symbols joined at the center in red flames. The red flames consumed. Which lit the ancient symbols. Spread through the layers of air above it. Wind froze. Life had vanished and all there was, was the flame. From it, an arm! Burst out from the ground. From the void to life itself. Clutching this world, nothing, and everything. It pulls itself up from nothing into existence. There stands the Black Knight.

"Open a path to the coach," I told the knight, and without a word it obeyed my order.

Within the moment the bandits were shocked to find a Black Knight burst from the ground, it had already cut them in two. With a single swing, it clears a path to the coach. A path covered in blood and screaming torsos. A path of broken limbs and flesh.

"Run!" I commanded the children.

They seemed a bit scared of me now, but it couldn't be helped. The older brother took the lead and pulled his sister through the dead bodies, to the coach ahead. He opened the door of the coach without instructions and jumped in with his sister.

Whatever formation the bandits had was now broken, the Knight was protecting the coach from all directions. Keeping all paths to it clear. The bandits were scattering. They took to fleeing than fighting, but I could still sense one man's presence behind me. So I turned to have a look. He didn't even seem to care I was here.

He was looking at his men fleeing, and then to the corpses laying on the ground. At which point he seemed to have drifted off somewhere. I turned to where he was looking and all I saw was the corpses of bandits that attacked me, but he seemed a bit more discerning. Some of the bandits already got away, so there is no point in killing him anymore.

There were also some people watching so word of this might get out to whoever, I might not want it to, but there was no helping it now. Maybe I can pass it off as the cane's power, I probably could make a cane that can temporarily summon a Knight with my Craftsman of Taboo class and Summoner class. I'll think about that later, for today let’s just deal with the kids and see how it goes. Baby steps.

There were no surprise attacks at my back or my sides, they really have just ran without considering putting up a fight. Maybe the speed of the knight gave them no choice, maybe it was their instincts, maybe they didn't like the odds, maybe they lost all hope. Ku ku ku.

I left the dazed man behind me and walked through the mowed path, careful not to step in any puddles of blood. When I opened the coach, I found the little girl crying into her brother's chest, where he held her tight, trying to comfort.

"Sorry, you had to see that." I tried to say as sincerely as I could. "It was just the best way to deal with them and protect you." That was true, but I don't know how they'll take it. They both seem a bit scared, the problem is if they became too scared to trust me. I want to say: let's forget about that and think about food. That'll just make me look too inhumane. "Let's go somewhere safer. My knight will protect us if they try to attack the carriage." That's not a good reaction to the word 'knight', I'm protecting you, god fucking dammit.

"T-thank you." The boy said in a very timid voice.

So they can show appreciation.

"Don't concern yourself with it."

If he can say thanks, that means I can still talk to him. Technically it's my fault for getting them caught up in the middle of all that, to begin with so I shouldn't expect much of thanks, and the bandit did say he would let them go... Given I handed over everything.

I gave a short command to the coachman to take us home, the new mansion we bought only a day ago, and turned back to the kids.

Should I do something about the girl? It’s good that she at least stopped crying. I should have the maid take care of her, I'm not good with kids.

It probably isn’t good to talk about business today either, we can talk about that tomorrow. I really wanted to get it over with today too, but they're probably tired. Fucking bandits.

▼▼▼

"We're almost there."

They seem a bit better now, talking with the boy about my Summoner class was a good idea. Explaining some of that technical stuff about magic seemed to have calmed them down a bit. I only saw the Summoner class in this world on a few people, and the highest of them only had level 3. That reminds me of that shitty Sorcerer, I wonder how they're preparing for the fight to come.

The coachman stopped and got off to open the gate to the mansion since we haven't hired a man to do it yet. Then we rode in and had to stop again when he needed to close the gate. I really need to hire a... door opener, gate opener, whatever they're called. When we turned into the front of the mansion, and the kids could see it through the coach windows. The boy excitedly asked:

"That's where you live!?"

"Yeah, I just bought it, though."

Should I be proud and boast about it, or not put too much emphasis on my wealth. I do want him to envy it that will make my offer more tantalizing.

"Is it because you're a Summoner?"

The boy looked at me with wide sparkling eyes. The little sister watching her brother was being taken in by the brother’s mood, sticking close to him.

So if I can win the brother over, I can win her over too.

"That isn't the case, but being a Summoner did help." My talk of Summoners must have interested him, maybe enlighten him. Ku ku ku. "Hum~ let’s go in. We can talk about that more in time."

Maybe it's because he's weak. Then having seen my power and being told how I got it, got him aroused. Am I reading too much into this? He was very attentive when I was talking about the Summoner class.

What would Simon say; he's a private-contrarian, no matter what you say they'll disagree with you. It's good to have a few people like that around you, maybe. Especially if you have a certain amount of power it feels like you should have someone like that around you; just to keep you in check. At least that’s what I thought when I was back on earth and didn’t have any power myself, I suppose I shouldn’t become a hypocrite now.

Though I think Simon held back because I'm his master. But was there, that much of a flaw in my judgment that he needed to disagree with me; maybe I should ask him to explain further the next time he disagrees. I don't mind being told I'm wrong. I've been wrong before, and I don't mind being wrong. Okay, I do mind being wrong but it happens, but explain to me why I'm wrong.

When I opened the door for them, the kids jumped out, and I followed behind them. The boy seemed to be in admiration of my powers and belongings, but the girl still seems a bit wary of me. I am not sure if she was like that with everyone or just me who killed a bunch of bandits without batting an eye. Hopefully, since they were bad guys she will grow to accept me. Since I used the Knight, hopefully, there is a sense of dissociation between me and the murderer... hopefully.

At the top of the stairs stood Iru, my maid, she had a tanned complexion with black hair and indigo eyes.

"Kids this is my maid: Iru. Introduce yourselves."

They were confused for a second but did as told.

"My name is Emmanuel Nixon, and this is my little sister Emily." The boy said pushing the shy girl in front.

"How cute!" Iru exclaimed hugging the little things. "How old are you guys?"

Her tone had completely changed from how she talked to me normally.

"I'm 10, and my sister's 6."

"Ahh~ So cute~ she's so shy." She said reaching for the girl.

"Iru, how about you prepare some tea and snacks for them, they're tired from the journey."

The journey might not be what made them tired, it is fatigue none the less.

"Yes, Master Derraacs." She said sounding a bit dejected before heading in.

The kids followed the maid after I gave a gesture. Iru guided them to the living room where we can sit and converse, then went to the kitchen to bring us our tea, and snacks as I had instructed.

The kids sat across from me quietly. They must be a bit perplexed, inviting two dirty kids to a mansion for dinner, and then saying let's have some tea. We still have some time to go before dinner, so I'll have to waste time somehow. I just have to pass a few hours and slowly ease the boy into the main business at hand.

"That reminds me I haven't properly introduced myself have I. I am Derraacs Dlab. I'm opening a new pharmacy store in the capital, and I was hoping the both of you can help me."

They seem a bit confused, the girl doesn't even know what's going on. Kids pick up on emotional cues more than reason, but the boy seems to understand what I'm saying.

I heard somewhere that kids adapt, become more mature if they’re forced to, might be traumatizing situations. This kid must have had some tough times. Hopefully, this goes well, I'm feeling a bit nervous.

"My mother died when I was young, my little brother and I couldn't afford the medications she needed. I firmly believe poverty breeds disease. My mother died because we were poor. My brother died because I couldn't protect him. Th- Places like the slums just... Sorry, I'm going off topic. Oh- good Iru, you're back with the tea." I think being nervous about lying helped this instant, made me sweat. I must've seemed nervous talking about this. "Let's forget about what I just said and enjoy tea."

That was all for the boy, I even added in a little brother so it matches with the little sister. I don't know how their parents died, but from what I learned on the ride here, they're both dead.

"Sorry about that, it's just seeing you reminds me of myself. Especially after I saw your sister the other day, it reminded me of my little brother."

"It's fine." The boy said sympathizing.

"So I just had to invite you both to my home."

"Thank you."

The boy expressed genuine gratitude, he even got off the sofa to bow his head. It was kind of cute how the little sister got confused for a moment before jumping down from the sofa herself and followed her brother’s example of bowing the head. Excellent. Ku ku ku.

"There is no need for you to do that. I was just being selfish. That said I would like you both to at least stay the night here, I don't even want to think what will happen if the both of you were to run into those bandits we encountered earlier."

I don’t think they’ll do anything but it’s a good excuse to get them to stay.

"Thank you."

He seems more thankful than surprised, I guess they expected this. If I was in their shoes, I guess I would hope for something along these lines as well. Though I wouldn't trust some random rich guy; is that just my trust issues or are they the strange ones.

"Master if they're staying the night shouldn't we get them something better to wear?"

The boy was wearing a dirty shirt too large for him, with plenty holes. The little sister was wearing a pink dress, which was in the same condition as her brother’s shirt and shorts.

"Hmm... Iru you have a point, get them something suitable."

"I think what we have is too big for them Master." Did she think of something from her closet? "I meant you may take them shopping Iru."

She’s acting hesitant. What’s wrong with her today?

"Is there a problem, are you low on funds?"

"No! That's not it, I'd love to but I'm cooking dinner right now, and I..."

"Yes. I understand I'll ask the coachman."

I didn't give him a name since I summoned him.

"Ah... I'm-We... Master is very kind but we couldn't-"

The boy was all over the place, I could clearly see that he didn’t want to refuse but was trying out of some obligation of some kind. A sense of manners.

"Think nothing about it. I never had the chance to have children of my own so let me have some fun." I said slyly with a smile which could be interpreted as many things. "Come on don't be so shy," I said patting his head.

Then I took them to the coach and told the coachman to take them shopping. Giving him more than enough coins to spend.

I watched the coach for a few moments before I went back in. That coach might look like a regular coach. Looking a little worse than the coach's noble’s use, but in terms of defensive power, it would be much stronger. It has all the important items we brought from the base stored away in secret compartments. It is much safer in that coach than in this mansion. The mansion wasn't built with magical defense, and anything we might add won't raise it to the level I want.

I gave instructions to Iru to bathe and dress the kids when they get back before I escaped to my office.

There were still a lot of things to be done about the pharmaceutical store. I had narrowed down my pick of the possible buildings I wanted to buy. There was still a need to figure out how much renovation these places would need, and how much time it would all take. If more recourses are needed I would have to send word to the Cave, so calculating all this ahead of time was important. This entire mansion was currently run by the butler Simon, the maid Iru, the summoned coachman, and me. We clearly need more hands, I am still deciding on whether to hire more from this world or use NPCs. There was a lot to do but I decided to waste time reading a fantasy novel I been meaning to read since I was on earth but never got around to. I didn't want to start on any of the other stuff now since I only had a few hours and by the time I start it, it would already be time for dinner.

Simon came back all covered in blood while the children were out. I'm glad because I didn't want the children seeing that. Apparently, some of the bandits gained back their courage after the Knight disappeared. Though it doesn't seem their courage lasted long.

"Master Derraacs if you don't mind I'll be taking a bath." He said and walked away after I gave him a silent nod.

When the children came back I didn't really feel like going downstairs, I was right in the middle of this good part. It seems Iru took care of it without me because after 30 minutes or so Simon came to report about the children.

He doesn't bathe for long does he, like soldiers who only take 3-minute showers. 1 wet, 2 soap, 3 rinse off; though there aren't showers in this world unless you count the crudely made ones by poor people.

There was still some time before it was dinner time, I should be entertaining the guests but having been kind of a shut in all my life back on earth it's just bothersome to go downstairs.

I check in on everything every now and then with my Monk class. It allows me to sense my surroundings with sound, Ki, air pressure, and all that kind of stuff. I can tell where they are, what they're doing, and hear what they are saying if I focus. It works within a range, with me being the center of a spear. My office is right in the middle of the mansion so it covers most of the mansion, the edges are a bit fussy.

The kids were both with Iru, helping out with the kitchen, the girl actually seems to be getting along with her. They're the guests but I don’t really care if they wanted to help, so I went back to my book.

Then a knock on my office came unexpectedly. I checked with my monk class and sensed it was the boy. Not sure what he’s here for, I put the book I was reading in the top drawer of my desk and opened up the brown file with important papers dealing with Violet Wood. After spreading a few papers on the desk from the stack of paper in the file, I said:

"Come in."

"Hi Master Derraacs, can I talk to you."

"Of course, come... have a seat," I said guiding him with my hand to the chair in front of my desk.

Then I went about collecting all the papers I spread, put them back in the order they were and closed the brown file.

"Mast-"

"You don't need to call me Master, you're my guest."

"Ah- Mr. Derraacs I know this might be asking too much, b-but I noticed there aren't a lot of people here... and I was wondering... I want to work here!"

He wants to rush this more than me, I was going to ask tomorrow.

"Emmanuel-"

"I can help out with cooking, cleaning, run errands; I'll work hard... s-so-"

"Emanuel you don't have to say anymore, really you beat me to the punch. You and your sister can stay here as long as you want, this might be a bit much to take in but I think of you both as my children. I'm going too far.” I act embarrassed to let myself seem more human. ”It's just I never had children of my own, adopting children is..." Even though I planned to say that to gain their trust, I really do feel awkward and shy saying this. Try to push on Verra, to the last part, that’s all that matters. "But Emanuel there is something only you can do for me... You can refuse if you want to because it is a bit dangerous."

If you refuse I'm going to kill both you and your sister to erase the evidence.

"Let me start by asking: have you seen this before?" I took out a small pouch and dumped some of it out on the table. A small orange powder hill formed on my table. "Do you know what this is?" The way he reacted with confusion and a little bit of fear told me he did. "Looks like you do know. Then let me explain; this causes a disease in those who use it. If you really know what this is then you know what happens to people who use it, or worse if they tried to stop using it after they started." It's called withdrawal symptoms but in a world without science hopefully my story will work. "I know someone is spreading it in the slums, spreading this disease. I want your help to cure it. This isn't the same 'orange' as the ones they sell in the slums, it's a bit different and that's the problem. I want to get my hands on the slum's orange so I can develop a cure for the people. To create this antidote I need more of orange, a lot more. They use kids to sell them, and that's where you come in; I was hoping you could become my spy, and lead me to their supplier, the manufacturer. I know that's a lot to take in and I also want to tell you that I don't plan on sending off right away, certainly not. Sending my child to some dangerous place without preparing them is just... I want to teach you summoning, that way even if you run into anything you can protect yourself. So what do you say, do you want to work for me. It will be a great help and you would be helping me cure this world of a major disease. I want to cure poverty, I want to cure the slums, but I won't push it down on you. I am also hoping to turn the people behind spreading this disease into the authorities. So what do you say, you up for it?" Best tactic: bombard them with too much information, emphasis points they'll like, like teaching summoning and push at the end. He really did perk up for a moment when I mentioned summoning.

"It's a disease."

When the boy said that he seemed like he was looking somewhere really far away. You wouldn't think a 10-year-old kid could see that far. He repeated the word 'disease' under his breath, saddened by this revelation.

"You would also be helping in catching these bad men who spread it around. I won't let you go until I think you're ready, I'll train you in summoning and the sword."

"Mr. Derraacs I'll do it, but... my sister-"

"You don't have to worry about a thing, Iru will teach her how to read and write. She'll also teach her math and magic, of course, I won't let such a young girl go out and do something this dangerous. This is between us men." I said holding my hand out, and sure enough, the boy took it firmly. Agreed upon a handshake. Makes me wonder why I was worried at all, worried about fooling a 10-year-old. "Now, how about we go enjoy Iru's cooking."

He responded with a bright smile.

I left my office without cleaning the orange hill on my desk. Which just made me wonder why orange things are always named orange. Though orange the color was named after orange the fruit, so maybe it was all just my imagination. Such needless worries.