Chapter 68

As soon as the story ended, the procedure for the payment of the reward was completed, so I decided to head straight to the bank.

The reason was that the money from selling the fighter from the last failure was still in my wrist terminal, and I hadn't sent money to my parents.

In other words, I currently had 12 million credits in my possession, separate from my living expenses.

Now that I realized it, I wanted to deposit it in the bank as soon as possible.

On the way to the bank, I suddenly received a call.

When I checked who it was, it was from my father.

"Hello, Dad? What's up all of a sudden?"

‘Where are you now?’

"I just finished the various procedures at the guild and am on my way home."

‘If you're at the guild, you must be on planet Itz, right? How about we meet? I'm actually here for a cousin's wedding.’

When he said that, I noticed that my father was wearing a suit, not his usual work clothes or casual wear.

I might have met my mother's cousin when I was a child, but to be honest, I have no memory or acquaintance with her.

Of course, my parents must know her.

In any case, since he's here, I want to meet him after a long time.

"Ah, where are you now?"

‘I’m at Palbea Station right now.’

Palbea Station is the closest public transportation from the mercenary guild.

"It's close. How about we meet at the family restaurant 'Pegasus Meteor' nearby? I have some errands to run, so it might take about 40 minutes. If I'm late, I'll let you know.”

‘Got it. See you later.’

After hanging up with my father, I went to the bank and deposited 8 million credits, which is two-thirds of the total reward from the previous sale and this mission, 12 million credits. Then I headed to the family restaurant 'Pegasus Meteor' as promised.

When I arrived at the family restaurant, my father and mother were already there, sitting in a sofa seat.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

"It's been a while, John. I'm glad you're doing well."

"Mom... you've lost weight..."

"Thanks to karaoke and daily gardening!"

My mother, whom I hadn't seen in a long time, looked like a different person, so slim.

Actually, did she get a slimming treatment?

But anyway, it's good that she looks healthier.

More importantly, there's something important to talk about.

"By the way, Dad, what about the debt?"

"Yes, with the money you sent, I was able to pay off the principal and interest. Here's the promissory note."

The promissory note my father showed me was definitely genuine.

Or rather, is it still in his universal terminal?

"I'm glad it's all paid off. I'm also glad there were no unexpected problems."

Even if the financial institution was legitimate, there could be people who would try to cause trouble by framing you, so I was cautious, but it's a relief that didn't happen.

"I've caused you a lot of trouble. I even made you give up on university."

My father said this with a look of regret.

"But thanks to that, I got a well-paying job. I'm grateful for that."

To be honest, even if I had graduated from university, I don't think I would have found a good job.

The good positions are probably reserved for nobles, and many companies hire based on appearance, want only ready-to-use talent, or push heavy workloads with low pay.

Besides, I had no selling points.

Compared to that, being a mercenary, where looks don't matter and it's a completely merit-based system, is a valuable job, despite the high risk and high return.

In a way, the incident in high school pointed me towards my future.

While thinking about this, my mother, who had somehow ordered a chocolate parfait, said,

"Anyway, come home once. Don't worry! I've fooled all the old ladies in the neighborhood!"

The old ladies in the neighborhood are the ones who spread rumors about my job as a mercenary, which is why I've been avoiding going home.

I don't even know them.

It's quite intriguing that she managed to silence them.

"What did you do?"

"I told them, 'My son sends me money three times a month. And this month, he sent 2 million each time!' They immediately changed their tune!"

Do they know that it's the same amount every time?

Why does it sound like you're getting different amounts each time?

I guess my mother was also frustrated.

But I can't really argue strongly.

Because the money I'm about to give will only reinforce her story.

"Ah, here's the money. It's one-third of the combined reward for two missions."

"But there's no more debt, right?"

As I handed over my wrist terminal, my father said reproachfully.

What's the point if there's no more debt?

"It will motivate me in my job. Please take it."

But I don't intend to stop anytime soon, so I gently pushed the wrist terminal forward.

"...Alright. I'll take it gratefully."

My father sighed and reluctantly took it.

The amount was 4 million credits, one-third of the total 12 million (11.55 million and 450,000).

"...Wow. This is one-third?"

My mother was quite surprised by the amount.

"Just two missions and you've already surpassed my annual salary as a salaryman..."

My father looked dejected.

Indeed, the reward is good, but it comes at the cost of risking your life.

After that, I restarted my parents, who were in a daze, and we enjoyed a family meal for the first time in a long while.

As soon as the meal ended, my mother ordered another parfait, so I took the opportunity to go to the bathroom.

She'll probably gain it back quickly.

As I came out of the bathroom and walked down the aisle, a customer wearing a hoodie entered the restaurant.

It was broad daylight, not raining, and not a cold season, so there must be a reason for wearing a hoodie.

As I was thinking this, the customer stared at me and suddenly crouched, pulling out a hand from the hoodie pocket.

The hand held a gun, and for a moment, I saw a flash of pink hair from under the hood.

The moment I saw it, I hid behind the bathroom.

At the same time, a loud bang echoed, and a nearby sofa was destroyed, filling the restaurant with screams.

Fortunately, no one was sitting there.

Why is this person, who should be in prison or a mental hospital, here?

I had many questions, but I hid behind the wall and said to draw Ako Shandela's attention,

"Weren't you arrested?"

"That was an unjust arrest! As a baron's daughter, I can't be charged for demanding money from commoners or shooting them with a gun!"

The pink-haired person spoke as if she was just asserting her rights.

"So you came to attack me?"

"I came here by chance. But it's perfect. I'll purge the commoner who defied the orders of a baron's daughter! And that impudent receptionist too!"

There's no way we can have a rational conversation.

And the receptionist she's talking about must be Mr. Zeistall.

In any case, while the pink-haired person is distracted, it would be great if the staff could help the customers escape and call the police.

However, from the looks of it, if this continues, there might be more victims, so quick action might be necessary.

I pulled out my heat ray gun from the holster and removed the safety, which I always keep on in the city.

The pink-haired person reappeared.

My mother's cousin, whom I met only once at my maternal grandfather's funeral when I was in first grade, hasn't been seen since.

After that, I didn't go because the mob didn't like it.

Thank you for your comments, opinions, and any corrections.