Chapter 98 - [Bonus ] Working For Fast Cash
It took the group half a day to reach the nearest city. Thankfully, the sunlight wasn't much of a bother. On the contrary, Kidrith feels liberated to be under the sun. The only exception would be Virena, the vampire.
She was wearing her cloak, but it was clearly not enough as her strength was getting sapped away from her.
Joren has to assist her in walking, but Kidrith insisted she'd do it. Virena didn't complain.
It is also a problem they cannot run fast as they want to as it is established that myths can't show their real nature in the surface world, and currently, they are in the surface world.
As for boredom… Ness was too talkative for any of them to get bored.
"I wonder if we can reach Japan from here!?"
"Japan is overseas." Joren crushed her dreams as easily as breathing.
But after a momentary depression, Ness continued blabbing, and once the topic of money came in, the logical Jack proposed-
"How about we take a small delay to gain money? We can sell our things, but that would be too much of a hassle."
"You mean taking jobs?" Virena asked weakly as Kidrith opened an umbrella she broke.
"No, not jobs but more like gigs. We don't need commitment since we'll only be staying for a week or so before going to Camelot," Jack explained, "Since I've experienced working, I'll take one with me who doesn't know what to do. Ness, the former principal, will do the same, and also, Virena… yes?"
Jack called out to Virena, who raised her hand.
"I will be with the Principal."
"Why? That would be impractical because we only have limited professionals-" at that point, Jack remembered that Ness couldn't be relied on, "Okay, you go with Ness."
"Wait, is it me, or is your reasoning rude!?" Ness reacted in the background.
"About you, Ms. Kidrith… are you confident in interacting with humans and taking gigs?" Jack asked. Kidrith seemed to be the most mature person other than Virena, so she should be reliable, right?
"Alright, I'll try." Kidrith nodded before giving Jack an inquisitive look, "But, can you tell me what's a gig first?"
"Okay, you go with Joren." Jack changed his mind.
"No, Kidrith should be fine on her own," Joren said.
Jack was about to complain but seeing that Kidrith seemed fired up after hearing Joren's orders, this seemed better. Then the next one is Monstein.
'I don't want to be rude, but….'
"Monstein, you'll go with me." Jack had no other choice, but Monstein shook his head.
"I want to be beside them." Monstein pointed at Virena and Ness, "I need to protect them because Joren said I need to."
"Wait, Monstein, you don't need to say that."
Joren tried to cover his mouth, but it was already too late.
"Eh? Why, Joren?" Ness asked Joren. Even Virena wanted some answers.
"It's just a way for Monstein to redeem himself. After all, he still did something bad and went unpunished."
Joren briefly explained.
"Okay, that's alright. But then, lastly, how about you, Joren?"
"I think I'm going to be fine. I've tried some jobs before." Joren then asked, "But how much money are we talking about?
"Enough to buy plane tickets and all the expenses needed on this trip."
"Sure, I'll do my best!" Joren pumped his fist.
"Then, that's settled. I don't care what you do, but it's best not to show your true selves no matter what. Other than that, you can do anything. It's all up to you and your values if you will commit a crime to gain money or sell your body." Jack warned.
"Alright, but I will never sell my body. My body only belongs to Joren." Kidrith determinedly said, making everyone flustered.
"Ah, my body belongs to Joren too!" Ness raised her hand.
"P-principal, I don't think you know what that means…." Virena said sadly.
Ness frowned, "Hm, but what would Joren need of my body anyway?"
"Ness, I thought I've taught you enough."
Joren said disappointingly.
Remembered what he was talking about, Ness' face went red as she pointed at Kidrith.
"Wait, is that what you mean, too?!"
"Ye-mff…"
Virena covered Kidrith's mouth, "I think it's nothing like that, Principal. What she means is that she's Joren's servant, right?"
Kidrith has no choice but to nod. It's technically the truth too.
Earlier, when Kidrith confirmed that she's a Half-Fury, others got intimidated by her except for Ness. But seeing that she's still submissive to Joren, they felt relieved. Although the question of why this Half-Fury would submit to Joren still remains, that fact alone closed the great gap between them.
Ness then placed her finger on her lip as she looked at Joren, "But Joren… don't sell your body, okay?"
"Why would you think I would?" Joren didn't know if he should laugh or cry.
"But what type of gigs would you take?"
Ness excitedly asked. The dangerous topic finally moved on. After some discussions, Jack dragged the conversation towards some serious matters.
"The main problem now is where we should sleep at night."
"Shouldn't we be on our own by then?" Joren said, not fearing that any of them would be subjected to danger.
'If anything else, these guys are the danger.'
On the other hand, Joren was getting excited to meet other humans like himself again.
'Without Kidrith, I wouldn't be tempted and can get some time to relax.'
Eventually, the group reached the city. They all have extraordinary physiques, so they didn't feel tired, except for Virena, as they entered the outskirts of the city.
Kidrith wobbled on her steps as she got confused by all the business happening left and right.
At the same time, men and women would look at their odd group. Kidrith was still wearing her maid outfit while Virena was suspiciously covering her body. However, the most prominent thing noticed is their attractive appearance.
Not knowing that Joren was unintentionally shooing their new admirers away, the group effortlessly 'strutted' into the city downtown, where the pathways were filled with people.
Entering the nearby park, the group began to plan again.
"The first thing to do is to change your clothes, Ms. Kidrith," Jack said while flaunting his blonde hair in public, though his face is still partly beaten up.
"Stop that," Ness said with deadpan eyes.
"Alright, let's all meet here in a week at the same time. Got that?" Joren pointed down, to which everyone nodded.
"I will make myself most useful, Joren!" Kidrith said.
"Oh, how about a bet which makes more money," Jack revealed a cunning smile.
"Is that a challenge?"
Ness' replied with a confident smile too.
"No, I just said it's a bet." Jack didn't play along.
"Then, a bet it is! The loser has to kneel in front of the winner and dance!" Ness immediately placed the wager.
Kidrith got an idea and looked at Joren, "The loser will have to listen and make one of the winner's requests."
"I can already do that with you, but okay. If you beat me, I'll listen to one of your requests."
Kidrith's eyes flared with determination.
Virena and Monstein were the only ones out of it. Though they are on Ness' team, so technically, they're a part of it. Eventually, the group disbanded.
"Everyone, good luck!"
Joren said and waved before breathing the city air.
"Haa… smells like pollution and smoke. What gig should I do?"
…
Ness led both Virena and Mostein while they walked under the convenient shadows.
"Principal, I think we should look at manual labors first before-"
"An arcade!?"
Ness' eyes shone and made a gasping expression while pointing at the arcade at the end of the street.
"But… okay, let's look for a gig there!" Virena supported.
Meanwhile, Monstein looked for suspicious people who might put these two girls in danger.
…
Kidrith was asking around to ask some questions when a man in a suit ambushed her.
"Hey, do you have a minute?" he looked at Kidrith up and down and nodded in satisfaction.
"Yes, what is it?"
Kidrith gave him a chance to speak.
"Do you want to work as a model?"
"Work? Do I get paid?"
The man laughed, "Tons of money!"
"Okay, so, what do I do as a model?" Kidrith curiously inquired.
…
Jack looked around, and basing it on his experience, there's only one job appropriate for him.
"Working in a gay bar!"
As all of them worked hard to make short-term cash, a week quickly passed by…
On the promised day, Jack arrived first at the park. While waiting, he fashionably pushed his glasses up while holding a briefcase.
"I wonder what everyone accomplished in this past week?" he smiled, "It wouldn't be surprising if any of you didn't even have enough money to eat. But don't worry, I have enough money for all of us."
He became a tutor.. Very fitting for his past work experience.