Vol 7 Chapter 44

When Kapros asked with a frown, Je-hwan's expression briefly deflated before quickly returning to his stubborn blank face.

"...I called and found out."

"Where?"

"The kendo dojo."

"..."

Was this guy saying he called their dojo and asked when Kapros would come to work? But why hadn't Master's wife told him? When he looked questioningly, Je-hwan shook his head.

"It's not what you're thinking."

"Then what is it?"

"I called to register at the dojo... and found out while talking..."

Though he trailed off, that alone was enough for Kapros to guess what might have happened during the days he didn't know about.

'Register at the dojo, this guy?'

"You want to register at our dojo even though your home is far? Why?"

"It's not far. And where I want to learn is my choice."

"So you specifically want to learn at our dojo?"

Je-hwan silently nodded. For someone who had obviously far surpassed beginner level to now say he wanted to learn kendo with children during daytime at the dojo. How had Master and Master's wife received such nonsense?

"What did Master's wife say?"

"She said... she'd give me a discount and to come."

"..."

Master's wife... she had seemed to like Je-hwan excessively from the moment she first saw him.

"I've already paid for three months."

Je-hwan announced the already decided matter while observing Kapros's reaction. Though he wasn't sure exactly what Je-hwan was trying to observe, was it just his excessive imagination that he seemed to have an expectant expression?

After pondering briefly, Kapros scratched his head and let out a long breath.

"Well, if Master's wife gave permission, I have nothing more to say..."

Je-hwan's face instantly brightened. Kapros looked at the back of Je-hwan's bike with a blank expression and lowered eyes.

"Do well on your own. Make sure to be punctual especially, since you'll get scolded by Master if you registered half-heartedly."

"...Is that all?"

What else was there to say? When Kapros turned back questioningly, Je-hwan frowned his handsome brow and muttered.

"Like saying you like it, or getting angry..."

"What? Me?"

"...No. Never mind. ...There will be more chances later, so for now..."

Though Kapros asked back wondering what that meant, the answer came as an irrelevant mutter. Je-hwan, who somehow seemed a bit deflated, handed him a helmet.

"...Get on."

Come to think of it, this guy hadn't planned to come to his house like this every time Kapros went out for his part-time job just because he registered at their dojo, had he? Kapros turned his gaze to Je-hwan without immediately putting on the received helmet.

"Let's say this is fine for today... but you're not planning to come here next time too, right?"

At this, Je-hwan's eyes sank even darker.

"What if I am?"

What did he mean 'what if'? Kapros looked at Je-hwan, thinking he hadn't said anything wrong.

"Obviously you should go straight from your house to the dojo from next time."

At Kapros's answer, Je-hwan looked up at the sky once and let out a long breath.

"..."

Though that too made a picture like something from a movie or drama, Kapros was just somewhat bewildered, unable to understand why he was showing such a disappointed attitude.

"I'll do that next time."

"Okay."

"But come with me today."

Well, that was fine. When Kapros put on the helmet, Je-hwan reached out and grabbed his arm. It was to help him get on the bike. Kapros gave a slight nod to show thanks before mounting the huge bike, relying on Je-hwan's arm that firmly supported his unsteady body.

<Hold on tight.>

Je-hwan's voice came through the helmet. Soon his bike shot out onto the road with an explosive engine sound.

'Will I be seeing this guy at the dojo regularly from now on.... Well then.'

While mentally repeating those still unreal words once more, Kapros added a bit more strength to his hands holding Je-hwan's back.

Somehow it felt a bit unfamiliar.

Bala Monyak upon their return remained unchanged. While Kion-hyung went to Skaga's temple for reporting, Kapros headed toward the crowded market to buy potions that were almost depleted.

"Selling black sandbags! 2 gold each!"

"Multiple rare grade weapons for sale! Cheap cheap!"

"Buying all available Crackfull leather! Make offers sellers!"

While passing through merchants raising their voices here and there looking for potion sellers, he saw a street stall not far away with a handcart full of potions.

"Selling recovery items! Best in both taste and recovery power! Lots of extras too!"

'Guess I'll buy roughly there.'

He slowly made his way through the people flowing like rapids toward the potion stall. The merchant with a friendly face greeted him brightly.

"Welcome. What can I get you? Potions? Or candy? We have patch types too! Just tell me whether you want health or mana recovery!"

"Potions... both health and mana please. How much is one bottle of the highest recovery power?"

"Both? This one's the best among health recovery potions. Golden Water that tastes like soda! Recovers up to 1000 health per bottle. Price is 20 silver per bottle. For mana recovery potions, this Purple Water with grape flavor recovers up to 800 per bottle. This is 25 silver each. You know mana potions are harder to make, right? They're both a bit expensive but worth the price, you won't regret it."

Though the explanation was appreciated, his words were so fast that Kapros couldn't take in all the content at once. He nodded to indicate he roughly understood while mentally calculating his remaining money.

"Then please give me 30 of each."

"30 each. Got it. Don't forget to search for our shop on the community and leave a review and like if you enjoy them, and since you bought a lot, I'll throw in two extra of each as service. Here you go."

After paying and receiving the potion bag, Kapros looked around for a place without people. He needed somewhere out of sight to put these potions in the Ring of Ancient Storage, such a place...