Chương 61: Business

Ch 61 - Business Evan almost laughed as the surprise on Yeon-ah's face melted into barely concealed frustration the moment she realized he was there. She had clearly dressed up for the occasion. Even with the mask covering half her face, he could see the makeup around her eyes. There was no doubt she had convinced herself this was a date with Reid. It was an utterly ridiculous assumption, but he could understand how she'd arrived at that conclusion.

Evan dropped into the empty chair across from her as Reid stayed standing.

"You want a caramel macchiato, right?" Reid asked.

"Yup." Evan gave him a thumbs-up, and his brother headed to the counter to order their drinks. The moment Reid was out of earshot, Yeon-ah dropped any pretense of politeness. She fixed Evan with a venomous glare, as though she wanted to skin him alive.

"Why are you here?" she hissed.

"Why? Is it illegal for me to visit a café?" Evan asked.

"Are you trying to sabotage me?" Amusement flickered across Evan's face. His suspicions had been correct. Yeon-ah genuinely believed she was here on a date with Reid. He had seen their messages and guessed she might get the wrong idea, but he hadn't bothered correcting Reid or bringing it up. What was the point? If Reid had explicitly told her this meeting was strictly business, she probably would have buried herself in embarrassment and refused to come.

With the Quest's timer unceasingly ticking down, Evan didn't have the energy to care about fooling her for a bit.

"No. What are you talking about?" Evan said.

"Don't lie. Then why else would you be here?" Yeon-ah pressed.

"For your information, I'm here for the Outer Zone Volunteer Program." He was still annoyed about having to join it, but he couldn't think of any other way to get to the Outskirts. Evan had even been called into the headmaster's office and urged to reconsider mentioning the stadium incident, but with Reid backing his decision, the request had ultimately been approved.

"I didn't expect you to be so diligent," Yeon-ah remarked as she slipped a straw beneath her mask and took a sip of her chai latte.

"It can't be helped. You've gotta work twice as hard when you're an F-rank, you know."

"But that doesn't mean you should be here," she shot back.

"Don't you think you're a little old to keep clinging to your older brother?" Evan snorted.

"Oh, I assure you, he's the one always following me around." Just then, Reid returned carrying a caramel macchiato and a black coffee. He set the drinks down before taking the seat beside Evan.

"I'm very grateful that you accepted my request, Ms. Lim."

"Of course!" Yeon-ah replied, her cheerful demeanor returning in an instant.

"It's no bother at all."

"Still, I appreciate it," Reid said.

"Now, regarding the business matter I wanted to discuss with you."

"... Business?" Yeon-ah echoed.

"Yes. Business." Reid nodded.

"I'd like to ask for your help as an S-rank Artificer."

"Oh..." Evan raised his caramel macchiato and took several long gulps, desperately trying to keep a straight face. The lifeless expression on Yeon-ah's face was absolutely priceless. If he could have taken a picture without getting caught, he would have. It deserved to be preserved forever.

"Is there something wrong?" Reid asked.

"N-No… it's nothing." Yeon-ah steadied herself, replacing her flustered expression with her idol smile.

"What do you need me for?"

"I would like you to craft an Artifact for me. One capable of creating a defensive barrier."

"That sounds simple enough. I've made plenty of those before," Yeon-ah replied.

"But you'll need to provide the materials."

"Naturally." Reid reached into his backpack and pulled out a small bag before placing it on the table. Yeon-ah accepted it and opened it, only for her eyes to widen as she let out a gasp that she suppressed.

"This is…" She stared at the contents before looking back at Reid.

"What kind of Artifact do you want me to make?!"

"Like I said, I'd like you to create a defensive barrier. As for its form, I'll leave that to your judgment. However, I would prefer something that isn't too eye-catching since it's meant for my brother." Evan flashed Yeon-ah a grin, only to be met with a blank stare. Originally, Reid had tried to keep the gift a surprise, but after enough pestering, he gave in and admitted the truth. He wanted Yeon-ah to create a defensive Artifact for his younger brother.

"Can you do it?" Reid asked.

"I mean, I can, but…" Yeon-ah gestured toward the bag.

"Are you sure you want me to use these? I know I'm classified as an S-rank Artificer, but I've never created anything at this level." She hesitated before continuing.

"Shouldn't you find someone with more experience?" Reid shook his head.

"I'm not close with any other Artificers, and nearly all of them are affiliated with either governments or guilds. Besides… I trust you, Ms. Lim." A faint flush spread across Yeon-ah's cheeks at his words. This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Evan's lips curled despite himself, earning him another glare from her.

"But still…" Yeon-ah studied the bag's contents again, her brows drawn together.

"Refining these alone will take time. Then I still have to design the Artifact, forge it, and engrave the runes…"

"That's fine. I can wait," Reid said.

"As for payment, I'm afraid I can't offer much in monetary compensation. Would five million Credits be enough?" Yeon-ah waved her hands.

"No, it's okay. That's more than enough! Besides, working with pieces like these will be a valuable learning experience for me." She glanced down at the bag again.

"I just can't promise the finished Artifact will be perfect."

"Even so, thank you for accepting my request." Watching Yeon-ah's cheeks flush yet again, Evan could only conclude that this woman was utterly hopeless. The three lingered over their drinks and eventually stepped out of the café. Once outside, Reid turned to Yeon-ah.

"Would you like me to escort you home?"

"Ah... um... well, I..." Yeon-ah stammered.

"No way, brother!" Evan cut in before she could answer.

"Did you forget you promised the Awakeners at the Outer Zone Security Post you'd help out today? I'm sure they've been waiting for you. As for Ms. Lim, I can take her home. I know where she lives, and besides..." He flashed Yeon-ah a broad grin.

"We're friends, right?" Yeon-ah's glare could have flayed him alive. She clenched her jaw and bit out, "... Yeah. Evan can walk me home."

"Then I'll head back first." Reid turned to Evan.

"Don't wander around afterward. Come straight home, alright?"

"Yeah, yeah." Evan waved him off.

"What are the odds another A-rank criminal attacks me?" Reid shook his head with a helpless smile before leaving. They continued in silence for several minutes until she spoke.

"You don't have to take me home."

"Too bad. I already told my brother I was going to, so it'd be weird if I came back five minutes later." Evan rested his hands behind his head.

"Anyway, I'm pretty sure you'd be singing a different tune if it were my brother escorting you. Well... maybe not with how overprotective your father is." Yeon-ah rolled her eyes before letting out a defeated sigh.

"This sucks..."

"I'm pretty sure I told you before that my brother isn't interested in romance." Through the countless conversations Evan had forced upon her via their messaging app, Reid had somehow become the one topic that consistently got her talking.

"I thought you were just making excuses to keep me away from your brother," Yeon-ah argued.

"Just because today was strictly business doesn't mean I don't have a chance." Evan wasn't sure whether to applaud her optimism or rub a hand over his face at her stubbornness.

"Sure. Let me know how that works out." Yeon-ah narrowed her eyes.

"Be honest. You don't approve of me going after your brother, do you?" Evan shrugged.

"It's none of my business. Reid's an adult. I already told you how he feels about romance, but if you want to ignore that, that's your choice. Though, since when did you start caring so much about my opinion?"

"Since your brother handed me a Dragon Heart Scale and a piece of Mithril," she replied. Evan blinked.

"What?"

"A Dragon Heart Scale and a piece of Mithril," she repeated.

"Most people would've sold these materials for a fortune, not used them to make an Artifact for their sibling."

"I know about the Dragon Heart Scale. But... did you just say he also gave you Mithril?"

"Yeah. It's only a small piece, but that doesn't make it any less valuable." She patted the bag at her side.

"Honestly, having you escort me home doesn't sound so bad anymore. What if someone mugs me and makes off with them? How would I explain that to your brother?" Where the hell did Reid get Mithril? That wasn't the kind of item people stumbled across. As far as Evan knew, Mithril only appeared in S-rank Rifts or on the upper floors of the Tower, and Reid hadn't ventured to either. The rest of the journey passed in silence.

When they reached Yeon-ah's neighborhood, Evan stopped at the mouth of an alley and let her continue on alone. There was no reason to risk attracting the attention of her overprotective father. Once she disappeared inside, Evan turned around and made his way to the Outer Zone Security Post. After showing his student ID at reception, Evan went inside and proceeded to the medical bay. Peering through the doorway, he found Reid busy with a line of government Awakeners, all eager to be seen by an A-rank Healer.

Seeing his brother occupied, Evan withdrew and walked toward the residential wing, where the two of them would be staying throughout their volunteer assignment. His volunteer duties wouldn't begin until the following day, leaving him with plenty of free time. He spent the rest of the afternoon lying on the bottom bunk of the room he shared with Reid, playing games on his Orion Deck. It was a shame Hiroto hadn't been allowed to come.

His mother had rejected his request to join the Outer Zone Volunteer Program, leaving Evan stuck with only Carmen for company. Somehow, her parents seemed willing to let her do just about anything she wanted. Several hours passed before Reid finally returned.

"Hey, I thought you were going to spend the night at the medical bay," Evan said, looking up from his Orion Deck.

"Sorry, I got a little busy. I didn't expect so many people to come in for checkups," Reid replied.

"Can't blame them for taking the opportunity. It's not every day you get to see an A-rank Healer." Evan sat up.

"Did you run into any difficult cases?"

"None at all. Everyone seemed fine, but I do wish they were a little less liberal with their potion use." Reid settled down beside Evan.

"Just because Awakeners have a higher tolerance doesn't mean potions are free of side effects. I hope you didn't run into any trouble while escorting Ms. Lim."

"It was fine. Yeon-ah got pretty nervous carrying those expensive materials you gave her." Evan paused, narrowing his eyes.

"Speaking of expensive materials... mind telling me where you got that piece of Mithril?"

"Ah, Chairman Choi gave it to me."

"Chairman Choi?" Evan stared at him in disbelief.

"How did that man even get involved? More importantly, why would he give you something like that?"

"Perhaps he's worried about your safety." Reid frowned.

"You have been getting into trouble rather frequently lately."

"Don't change the subject. There's no way that old man would hand over something that valuable just because he's worried about me. What kind of deal did you make with him?"

"You do know Chairman Choi is still your grandfather."

"Brother." Reid chuckled and ruffled Evan's hair.

"It's really nothing major. He just asked me to attend a few events with him."

"Events? What kind of events?"

"He hasn't told me yet, so I don't know." Faced with such a vague answer and Reid's unconcerned attitude, Evan reluctantly dropped the subject. Even so, he couldn't shake the feeling that it was best for both of them to stay as far away from that grumpy old man as possible.

"But seriously," Evan said after a moment, "did you really have to make me an Artifact using a Dragon Heart Scale and Mithril? Those items are ridiculously expensive."

"Just think of it as helping me worry a little less." Reid smiled.

"Besides, there's no such thing as having too much protection."

"It's totally because I'm F-rank, isn't it?"

"No." Reid shook his head.

"It's because you're my brother. I can't help worrying about you." Evan groaned.