Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended [Part One]

CHAPTER 145: A Grave Duty, a Safe Return

"...Haxks," she called softly, drawing his attention. "Thank you again for everything. You even managed to get my bag back."

"No need to thank me," Daisuke replied with a soft smile. "Honestly, I should be the one thanking you—without your lessons, I wouldn't be where I am now."

"I'm glad I could help," Thalia replied, her smile matching his warmth. "Seems the guild made the right call with the academy after all."

Daisuke gave a small nod. "So, will you be heading back to work now?"

The clerk slowly shook her head. "I usually take a few days off for the anniversary," she admitted, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness.

"I understand..."

"When will you be leaving?" she asked, her tone slipping into something more guarded.

"Today."

Thalia's heart sank at his response.

"I just have a few things to wrap up before I go."

"I see," she murmured, her eyes drifting down as she absentmindedly stepped on the toe of her boot with the other. "Haxks," she called hesitantly, then paused, biting her lip. "I... don't be a stranger, okay?"

Daisuke's eyes softened, and he gave a small, reassuring smile at her awkward grin. "I won't."

***

"Haxks! Just the man I was waiting for," Cleave greeted with a wide grin as Daisuke quietly entered the room. "Everything's ready to go."

Just like before, the expansive butchery was meticulously organized with rows upon rows of tables displaying hundreds of pristine monstron cuts, hides, and various other materials. Each piece was paired with Cleave's carefully put together notes that offered clear guidance on whether to sell or retain each item.

"Impressive work as always," Daisuke remarked, offering a faint smile in Cleave's direction. However, his expression shifted—now tinged with worry and guilt, when his eyes caught the dark circles etched beneath the man's weary gaze. "Sorry for making you do all this," he murmured regretfully. "I take it you didn't get much help this time?"

"Sorry?" the man repeated quizzically, taking a deep swig from a weathered metal flask.

Daisuke frowned. Is this old man seriously drinking on the job right now?

"There's no need to apologize," Cleave sighed with satisfaction after taking another gulp of the suspicious beverage. "I love what I do, and I got plenty of help this time around, as well."

Daisuke arched one brow curiously. "Then why do you look so exhausted?"

Cleave let out a sly smirk, a faint flush coloring his cheeks as he reminisced. "This is a bit embarrassing, but the boys and I may have underestimated the Ekimmu's aphrodisiac a little too much. It was so potent that we ended up getting carried away at the brothel. We ended up putting the courtesans out of commission. It may be a few days before they're able to work again, and, well... the whoremistress banned us for a month, as a result."

PAJIK!

A vein twitched in Daisuke's temple. I just wasted all that energy worrying about this damn promiscuous jerk.

Cleave laughed heartily, slapping Daisuke on the back so hard it almost sent him flying. "I might not walk straight for a while, but every bit of it was worth it."

Daisuke's expression darkened, clearly irritated. "Do I even want to know what you're talking about?"

Cleave leaned in with a sly grin, taking another swig from his flask. "Still got a little bit of that effect lingering, so even you look tempting right now."

A chill ran down Daisuke's spine. "And that's my cue to get the hell out of here."

Cleave let out another boisterous laugh, his booming voice echoing through the room. "Aren't you forgetting something?"

At the man's teasing remark, Daisuke froze in his tracks. As his gaze skimmed over the unsorted merchandise, he couldn't help but wonder how much more alluring Wallet-chan would look—her voluptuous form accentuated by the extra gold swelling in all the right places.

With a grunt, he clenched his jaw, already scheming. He had two choices—first, threaten the lecherous butcher with the possibility that his daughter would be devastated if she ever found out about his sinful intentions. Or, second—

Put the bastard to sleep while I go to work, he thought sinisterly as he materialized the Sturdy Club in his hands.

Obviously feeling a bit more reassured with the second option, Daisuke confidently spun around, prepared to beat the evil out of the menace. But to his astonishment, Cleave had fallen fast asleep while standing perfectly upright, his arms slack at his sides, his snoring monstrous.

"Tha' heck!? That was quick!" Daisuke exclaimed, his nose wrinkling at the strong scent of alcohol on the man's breath. "But honestly, this works out perfectly. I think I've had enough PTSD from that run-in with Reginald and that insane Orc. I really need a break."