Ambrose's POV
I pet Layla's head, and she woke up and jumped on my shoulder and started to nuzzle my neck. She was sleeping in front of the door when I came in.
"Did you miss me?" I asked, and in reply, she purred
"I'm sorry I came late-" I continued, but then got cut off as Layla started to lick my face, and I got up and went inside my apartment.
I put my clothes to wash, unfortunately, my turtleneck was in ruins and bloodied, so I threw it away.
I took a quick bath and changed into some comfortable clothes, then went to my bedroom and sat at my desk.
The assistant director wanted me to come back and become a hunter… I already told her that I wouldn't… Is the public criticism putting pressure on the branch?
I opened my laptop and searched for up latest forms online, and surely, people wanted the previous number 1 back.
I sighed and closed my laptop… I already told them my decision, I hope they understand… especially the assistant director…
He is a stubborn asshole in my opinion… he didn't even give us breaks… kept assigning missions after mission… thinking about him gives me stress.
He's trying to make the retired hunters come and join back, but some hunters are under the director's protection, so he can't force them to join. Thankfully, I'm under her protection.
And on top of that that asshole doesn't know my name or face, the only people who know is Kim Harin, Cheong Su-Jin and the director and they also know that I'm 435.
I got up and lay on my bed, now everything will go back to normal…
___
The following evening, I woke up and got ready. I worked around the shop, cleaning and tidying. Layla followed me around everywhere I went.
She always did this whenever I was gone for a long time and came back; she followed me around everywhere.
By the time I finished, it was 6 pm, so I started cleaning-
*knock* *knock*
I turned around and walked over to the door and opened it, and looked up.
"Hello, A tall, black-haired man with light skin wore a dark blue, formal shirt, black pants and black gloves.
I look up at him "Hello, what can I do for you? I'm closed right now"
"That's fine. My name is Alaric, and I'm the guild leader of Mukgeom. I heard from Lee Hayoon about what happened, and I wanted to give you a thank you gift," He explained.
Alaric… I've heard the name… but where-
"Are you ok?" I asked
The man with black hair and light skin on the medical bed looks at me and weakly nods.
"Can you speak?"
The person nods
"That's good… You know I begged the workers to use my blood on you, so that you don't have to die" I looked at him and smiled weakly.
"You're my only friend, and I don't want you to die… but now that I think about it, that was very selfish of me… I should have known you wanted to die, but now you'll be like me… unable to die-" I continued, but got cut off when the person held my hand. I looked at him.
"I… don't want… to die… I want… to be with… you-" he coughed out
I chuckled, "You're weird… who wouldn't want to die in a place like this?" I gestured to the place we are
"I want… to be… alive… with you…" he answered and smiled at me
His smile was so soft… and bright…
I sighed, "Tell me your name again… I don't want to forget your name"
His smile got brighter, and He responded
"I'm… Alaric"
"Excuse me?" He looked at me
He…
He looked the same…
"Do we know each other?" I asked… Does he remember?
"I don't think so", he smirked "Why?"
He doesn't remember…
That's good
I don't want him to remember, he probably hates me right now… I did leave him-
I should distance myself…
Let him live his life…
It's for the best-
"Sorry, you looked familiar", I replied
He chuckled, "I see. Maybe you saw me on the news"
I missed his laughter "Maybe"
"Can I come in?"
"Sure", I moved aside, and he came inside and turned to look at me and gave me a bouquet.
"This is a thank-you gift. I had to do a little thinking and digging around for which flower would be nice for you," he smiled.
"Thank you", I walk towards the counter and put the flowers on it.
"Are you an artisan?" He asked, walking towards me
"Yes, I'm in the tailor category", I replied after putting the fabrics.
4 classifications come under artisan: Blacksmith, Enchanter, Engineer and Tailor
As a tailor, I make and can add states to the clothes I make.
"Oh? Then can I buy something from you?"
"What do you need?" I asked as I walked towards him
"Some gloves with resistance to poison", he explained.
"Hm… let me see"
Poison… Does he still suffer from it?
And he has my blood in him… he must've suffered for a long time…
This is my fault… the best thing I can do for him now is to not make him remember me…
I don't want him to remember all the bad times… he will be hurt…
"Let me see if we have anything in stock" I go to the shelves on display and look through the gloves section.
"mhm… oh…" I took a pair of gloves "Here, they have poison resistance" I gave him the gloves
He takes the gloves and examines them
"These are S rank… and the states are also S…" he mumbled
"How much is it?"
"2,000"
"That's cheap… for an S rank equipment" he looked at me in confusion and then smirked "are you sure you're not putting a discount for me?"
"That's my price", I answered
"Alright," he sighed, "I'll pay"
I made my way to the counter, but suddenly, there was a crash from the main door.
I quickly turned around and saw a man-no, a creature who looked like a man…
It had spikes of bones coming out of its back, and its skin looked like it was rotting-
"Get behind me!" Alaric exclaimed as he stepped forward
The monster looked at us and growled as he ran at us, then Alaric removed his glove and touched the monster, and it melted.
I saw the monster charging in and, without thinking, stepped in between and bit my thumb, and with my blood, I made a spike and plunged it into his head.
"What…" Alaric spoke in surprise
Shit…
"What's your Rank?" he asked
"B", I lied
"Bullshit, the creature is A rank"
"It doesn't matter what my rank is-"
"Are you registered?" he cut me off, holding my arm and leaning in closer.
He was so close… his breath was hitting my face, but I stayed silent… I was registered but under a different name.
"It's against the law to not do so… you know?" he smirked and leaned back, but still held my arm.
He continued, "What would you do if I reported to the branch?"
I didn't want to deal with that-
"Don't-"
"Mhm… ok, let's make a deal"
Did living so long turn him into a bastard? Why the hell is he cutting me off again and again, like he's 5 years younger than me, but still, have some respect!?
"Deal?" I composed myself and asked
"Yes… Your skills are exceptional, we should work together," he explained.
"Work together? For what?" I asked
He points at the monsters, "Them aren't you curious?"
I looked back and saw the rotting creature…the creature… they looked like the creatures from the facility-
"Of course, I'll come in two days to know your choice"
"hm… You can take the gloves for free"
"Why? Are you bribing me?" He smirked and said in a teasing manner
"No…" I replied, giving him a deadpan look
He chuckled, "Alright, thank you for the return gift"
And with that, he took the creature by one hand and walked out the door.
Sigh… did I jinx myself? What did I bring myself into…
___
After 10 minutes, I was about to pack up, but then the door opened.
"Hey!" Lee Hayoon exclaimed excitedly.
"Do you want to buy something?" I asked and smiled
"Yeah", he replied, "uhmm… did the guild leader give you flowers?"
"Yes"
"That's a relief", he sighed ", I picked some fabrics for you"
He then gave me a few rolls of sheer fabrics and cotton ones.
"You have good taste"
"Thanks"
"I have something for you as well", I told him.
I wanted to give him a gift as well, he did help me at the gate…
I pull out a box from under the counter and set it on the table.
"Open it", I encourage him.
He opens the box and pulls out a necklace.
That necklace is in an S rank, and it helps with enhancing the user's skill usage.
Lee Hayoon looked up at me, "Are you sure?"
"Yes", I replied
"Thank you so much!" He exclaimed and quickly put the band around his neck the black really suits him "but uhm… I was wondering if you have hoodies or jackets?"
"Of course, follow me"
After showing him my collections, he finally picked a light green hoodie.
"I like this- holy shit!" He exclaimed, "The states, durability… it's all S…" he spoke in disbelief
Then he turned to me and asked, "How much is this?"
"3,000", I responded, and his mouth dropped open in disbelief.
"What the fuck?… that's cheap!" He exclaimed
Why is everyone so shocked when they hear the price?
3,000 is a lot…
"Then tell me what is the minimum price for an S-rank equipment?" I asked
"Uhm… minimum is 1 million and max is 2 billion", I replied
Now it was my turn to be shocked.
"What… that's too expensive…"
"Well, S ranks are pretty rare"
But- most of the equipment here is S ranks…
"I see… but the price is still the same", I coughed out
"Alright", he smiled ", I should start buying from you from now on… maybe tell others," he added
"Come anytime you want, but don't advertise my business, I do tailoring for fun", I explained.
I'm already getting funding from my old fortune, and on top of that, the branch also funds me… and all my shop earnings go to charity and orphanages anyway.
"Oh, I see, ok", he smiled and paid
"Anyways, thanks for the stuff, see you later, bye!" And he left