Make Dark Fantasy Great Again-Chapter 44: High-Grade(?) Manpower (1)

Immediately after separating with the mage tower folks, I mulled over Master Meltas’ parting words. He’d said he’d contact me once the Mage Tower Supporter qualification and the Didoa incident reward were finalized.

It had been a satisfying mage tower scouting trip(?)—full of events, but just as fruitful. I’d made good connections and basically secured a positive relationship with the Gray Tower itself.

Once either of those two matters was resolved, they would guarantee my status. With their backing, I’d be treated better than most common nobles, let alone a bastard.

This left me with two options: sit around and wait for the Tower to contact me, or find something productive to do in the meantime.

While I had become a man courted by master mages and anxiously pursued by the Gray Tower, I was still completely and utterly unemployed.

I’d spent the last few days building a good rapport with the Tower, but that also meant my job search had fallen behind.

Thinking about Fienne and Rona made me restless. Those two had already landed jobs and moved out thanks to their knack for bewitching others. The idea of just waiting felt unbearable.

But then again, the Tower’s backing would significantly improve the quality of opportunities available to me.

For a second, I debated asking Master Meltas or Didoa for a letter of recommendation...

“...Nah.”

But I thought the better of it.

The backing of the two master mages was essentially equivalent to the Tower’s official endorsement. But the difference was that my actions would directly reflect on their reputation.

I had to avoid overdependence, if only to maintain a healthy connection.

“Let’s see...”

I checked my pockets.

“This should last me a few more days.”

I ultimately decided to wait just a little longer.

***“They’re laaate, those tower people...I’m going to end up homeless, y’know?”

A week passed, and still no word from them.

I hadn’t been completely idle, of course. I spent half my waking hours familiarizing myself with Bondalles (I wasn’t sightseeing) and the other half trying to control my rapidly increasing power. Plus, some training to burn off the restless energy in me.

Training with Henya or getting advice from Master Meltas would’ve been more effective, but sadly, I was still an outsider. Being friendly with a few people didn’t mean I had free access to the Mage Tower.

I admit to being tempted to just outright join the Tower itself...but that was pure wishful thinking. Mage tower students had to take regular written exams, and I hadn’t even read basic magic texts. Trying to catch up probably meant having to devour books instead of food.

If they asked me, “Why did you apply to our mage tower?”

I’d answer, “For money and power.”

Yeah, I’m not exactly equipped to handle all that.

“...”

I checked my wallet again.

“I think...”

It was the perfect time to start questioning the Gray Tower’s administrative efficiency.

I left my room, intent on doing anything I could.

***District 9 was an area frequented by wealthy foreigners. My lodgings were here.

To be clear, I was far from well-off. My reason for staying in this district was simple: my delicate soul couldn’t handle anything below this standard. As a former modern human with a noble upbringing, my soul was surprisingly petite.

District 9 was my absolute baseline. The day I had to downgrade would be the day I sold my soul for money, probably.

I didn’t think this was especially unusual. Fienne was staying in the even more upscale District 7, surrounded by wealthy merchants and foreign nobles. Apparently, a master-level individual of a guild—who happened to be working as a receptionist—heard about Fienne’s situation and took pity, offering her a room.

Now that made me damned jealous. If only I were a cute girl capable of inspiring protective instincts...

Lost in that thought, I arrived at my destination quicker than expected.

[Fadian’s Morning]

I came to a cafe, which stood out even in the flashy commercial heart of District 5.

In this world, cafes weren’t just places to spend time drinking coffee—they were social hubs for the city’s trendy(?) crowd. Naturally, their hiring standards were famously strict, but surprisingly, Rona worked here.

Once a playboy who went around charming folks with her looks, demeanor, and smooth talk, she now lived up to that past and was apparently a prized asset in the hospitality industry.

The previous afternoon, Rona had visited my lodgings and asked me to stop by the cafe. So, I decided to drop by before starting my serious job hunting. District 5 was also home to several adventurer guilds, so it was a convenient detour.

The cafe was pretty quiet, probably because it was before lunchtime. As I peered inside, a tanned blonde girl wiping down tables noticed me and hurried outside.

“Uh, y-you’re here!”

The aloof-looking girl transformed into a shy young lady upon facing me. Rona greeted me in her signature forced low voice.

“So, how’s life treating you?”

“...Are you seriously asking me that?”

It seemed the gyaru hadn’t entirely let go of her golden gyaru-oh days. She shot me a resentful look.

“After turning me into this...”

“Into that? You make it sound like I ruined your life.”

“Didn’t you...?”

“It’s normally called guidance. Or Rehabilitation.”

“The heck...”

“Think on your past life. Gaslighting, setting up a naked ambush at night to have a fun time, using love potions, casting mind controlling magic...”

“Th-that was...”

Rehabilitation had awakened a sense of morality in the tanned blonde.

Recalling her past misdeeds, Rona blushed and fidgeted, a sight unimaginable for the shameless playboy she once was.

“But look at you now. A contributing member of society, embracing the virtues of honest labor. How wholesome is that? Be proud of yourself.”

“Proud my ass...I was on the verge of 4th Rank, and now I’m a totally powerless wussy...”

Rona looked up at me cautiously.

“Wh-when are you going to give it back?”

“Give what back?”

“My power, obviously!”

“If you behave—is what I could say. But I’ll be honest. I don’t know how, Rona. I think you’re better off starting over.”

“...Can I...train?”

“Why’re you asking me?”

“Because you’re my master...”

“I never thought you’d be so obedient. Frankly, when I let you go independent, I thought you’d run.”

“B-but what if I ran and never got my power back...!”

“There’s no guarantee you’ll get it back even if you stay. Well, I don’t know. Do what you want.”

“...You’re letting me train then, okay? Don’t forget.”

Alright!

Rona clenched her fists, a satisfied look on her face.

“So. What’s up?”

“Eh?”

“Why’d you call me to the cafe? Want me to have a coffee?”

“No, it’s something else. Not that I can stop you if you want a drink before going...”

“What is it, then?”

“Oh! Here—”

Rona pulled a pouch from her pocket.

“This week’s wages...”

“Oh, right. Congrats on your first paycheck. That’s great.”

But she didn’t just show it to me. She offered it.

“...Okay, so why are you giving it to me?”

“You’re my master. I want you to decide my allowance.”

Rona waited for me to decide her allowance(?), her expression a mix of anticipation and worry.

My mind reeled. I never imagined I’d become the owner of an auto-hunting system.

“Hey, what’s with you!”

Suddenly, an urgent voice interrupted us.

Before I knew it, the cafe patrons were staring in our direction.

A man with glasses strode toward us, stopping in front of Rona as if shielding her from me. He seemed to be the one who called out to me.

“Miss Rona, are you alright? Did this person do anything strange to you?!”

The man asked Rona, his voice rising with a self-satisfied, heroic tone.

“...”

Rona’s timid demeanor instantly transformed as she retorted.

“What are you on about?”

“Huh?”

“Who asked for your help? And why are you helping anyway? Do you even know what he did to me?”

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That aloof expression and low voice—suddenly, the golden playboy was back.

Apparently, his pride had been wounded by the man’s misguided attempt to protect her.

“No I, er—I thought he was bothering you, Miss Rona...”

“What do you know? This person is my—”

Rona paused, glancing at me.

“Acquaintance.”

It wouldn’t do to reveal her slave status here.

“...Yes, he’s my acquaintance.”

Rona beamed, echoing my words.

“An acquaintance...? Then why the money...?”

“Is there a problem? When it’s my money to give?”

Rona pressed on, emboldened.

Before I realized, the onlookers in the cafe had come closer and started murmuring among themselves.

“Did you see that? The aloof Miss Rona acting all shy in front of a guy.”

“Unbelievable. I never imagined she’d be living under a man’s thumb.”

Everyone was thoroughly entertained.

“Who is that guy...?”

“Miss Rona had a boyfriend...?”

Some looked shellshocked, as if they’d been NTRed. Rona’s popularity in the cafe seemed much higher than I’d thought.

“Taking her money, is he a pimp or something?”

Hang on, though. A pimp?

“Anyway, mind your own business.”

Rona glared at the man with glasses.

“...”

The four-eyes looked utterly defeated. He turned to head back inside, only to change his mind and leave the cafe entirely.

Somehow I felt like the bad guy here.

It was unsettling to see the despair on the faces of the men who believed they were NTRed of their gyaru-oh. But unlike me, Rona was unfazed.

“Sorry for dragging you into this mess.”

With an awkward, tentative smile, she took a few coins before handing me the whole money pouch.

“This is enough for me.”

“No, no, wait.”

I might’ve been short on funds, but it wasn’t bad enough for me to work an auto-hunt using a slave. Sure, I preferred fried chicken over plain grilled chicken breast, but happily taking her money would really make me look like a pimp.

Word would get around Bondalles.

“I mean, it’s your first paycheck so...okay?”

Rona’s eyes turned round with surprise as I returned the pouch.

“Thank you...”

“Why are you thanking me? Anyhow. I should get going before things get messier. If you need anything, you know where to find me, right? Just come over and say it.”

“...Didn’t you say I’m a slave?”

Rona giggled, giving a small wave while clutching the pouch tightly in her other hand.

***Gadena stared ahead with a grim expression.

-...!!! ~!!

-~~!!! ~!~!!

-...! ...!~ ~~!!!

He was witnessing something bizarre.

A group of timid elementals, usually wary of any approach, frolicked around the chair smothered in that human’s essence, completely oblivious to Gadena’s presence.

The elf’s pride was at stake. He refused to acknowledge the implications no matter what...but it seemed this wasn’t the time for pride.

The large man in black robes addressed him.

“Their movements have been detected in Bondalles. You must hurry, Gadena. No matter what happens, we must secure it before they do.”

“...”

After thinking hard, Gadena got up and prepared to leave the lab.

The man asked him.

“Where are you going?”

“The mage tower.”

“Mage tower?”

The man frowned. As far as he knew, no tower mage could surpass the elves in their understanding of elementals.

Gadena seemed to understand his reaction as he explained.

“Master Meltas knows someone who can help in this matter.”

“An elf we don’t know?”

“No. The human who made that chair.”

“...?”

The man stared at the ‘artifact’ containing mysterious power.

“You’re suggesting...that a human made that artifact?”

“...That is nothing like an artifact.”

“?”

***Risir stood before a building, staring up at the sign.

[Draffon Adventurer’s Guild]

It was one of the most prestigious guilds in Bondalles.

Risir’s expression flickered with inner conflict. He let out a dry chuckle and shook his head. As someone who prided himself on being self-aware, he figured it was too wishful for a bastard like him to try building a career at a major corporation.

Without a second glance, he turned away from the Draffon Guild.

“The Dirt Boots Guild should be around here somewhere...”

According to his research, if Draffon was the undisputed top-tier guild, Dirt Boots was a borderline second-tier. He believed it might be within his reach.

As he was about to leave, however, a voice called out.

“Yo, mister. What’s up? Why are you leaving?”

“Hm?”

A friendly-looking woman approached him.

Her name was Kela, an adventurer from the Draffon Guild.

“Aren’t you here for our guild?”

“Ah, are you...?”

“Kela. Draffon Adventurer’s Guild.”

She offered her hand, her voice full of pride.

“Ah, I’m Risir. You’re from the Draffon Guild, huh. That’s impressive.”

“Hahaha, I won’t deny it. So, Risir, I’ll ask again. Here for our guild? Why turn back after making the trip all the way here?”

“Well...”

“If you have a quest for us, I can tell you, don’t even hesitate. Just go in. Draffon will never disappoint.”

“...Actually, it’s the opposite.”

“Opposite?”

“I was wondering if there were any quests for me.”

“...Ha!”

Kela’s laughter erupted a beat later as she processed his words.

“What, mister, you’re an adventurer?”

“Aspiring adventurer, to be precise.”

“Hmm...Not a good idea. Not good at all.”

“Is that so?”

Kela chuckled wryly, sizing Risir up. He appeared considerably fit. But with his delicate features and easygoing demeanor, he lacked the rough, violent edge adventurers needed.

“I’ve been in this business a while, you know? I can tell at a glance. My friend, you’re not cut out for this life.”

“Do I seem that way?”

“Oh! it’s a compliment by the way, not an insult. This adventurer business, you see, it’s not all romantic like the stories say. It’s a shithole. Kind of like a gutter where all sorts of bottom-feeders crawl.”

She gave him a friendly clap on the arm.

“It’s a job for those who have no other options. The way I see it, you don’t belong here. You look all fine and cute, and there’s even a refined air about you. I guarantee, you won’t last a week before running away screaming.”

“Is that so...?”

Though her advice was well-intentioned, it could easily come off as harsh.

Risir’s earnest contemplation only strengthened Kela’s resolve.

Ah! This guy is really hopeless!

She couldn’t just let this cute(?) guy rot in the gutter.

But just as she was about to continue persuading him...

“...”

Risir’s expression suddenly turned serious. Without a word, he walked into a nearby alley.

“Uh? Mister? Hey buddy! What’s going on?”

Worried, Kela followed him.

“...!”

After some minutes of walking, they came across a strange scene.

“A wolf?”

They found a young wolf surrounded by suspicious men completely covered in black robes.

“...”

The men heard them coming and turned around. After a brief standoff...one of them drew a strange-looking sword and charged at Risir.

He’s fast!

The man’s speed caught Kela greatly off guard. His movements suggested he might be a 3rd rank.

“Risir, get back!”

Kela drew her sword, ready to defend him. Even with her party members, this man would have been a tough opponent. This wasn’t a fight they could win.

We need to create an opening somehow and escape!

But just as Kela braced herself—Thwack!

A sudden gust of wind sent the attacker flying into a wall.

“Gah!”

The impact to his back and head knocked the air out of his lungs—and his consciousness along with it.

“...!”

“...!”

“...!”

Kela and even the other men couldn’t suppress their shock.

And in truth, Risir was just as bewildered.

Despite believing himself to be self-aware, he was wrong. His perception of his own abilities was significantly skewed.

Most people lacked the mana sensitivity needed to gauge someone’s rank with a mere glance. That was possible only for individuals like that one disguised master assassin, the shaman favored by a necromancer, the master mages of mage towers, that genius mage, or the centuries-old elf.

But after all the strange experiences he went through, Risir’s perception had become downright distorted.

The heck? Didn’t he come charging because he had something up his sleeve?

Risir had immediately assessed the attacker’s rank: the early 3rd rank. He’d assumed the man must have had some secret weapon to be so confident.

So, Risir immediately used his full strength, and well...

“Wha-what did you do?”

He was baffled.

Why would you attack so recklessly with such a huge gap in magical power?

“...”

The faces of the men in black crumpled.