Lately, I’d been thinking... about my ambitions, the business, the trade na, and all that stuff. But above all, the most important thing was my partnership with Banji. If our store was going to stay stocked—fruits, drinks, wine—I figured the best move was to grant Banji access to my realm.
She was trustworthy, sure... but trusting people, especially won, wasn’t sothing I did easily. Not unless I’d tad them. That way, I’d know they wouldn’t do anything disloyal.
It would be a sha if I kept supplying Banji with goods while she sold them and pocketed most of the money for herself. That’s why... I decided to check on Kelly.
I bathed quickly that morning, and before school, I made a stop at my old house.
I was careful not to let Anna or her mother notice —they were just neighbors after all. I knocked on the door, and was imdiately greeted by the sound of a baby crying. Clearly Kelly’s.
I knocked again, and that familiar, sweet, mature voice called out from inside:
"I’m coming! Just give a sec!"
I waited outside, wondering if maybe her husband had finally made it back from Felmora... or if things were still the sa.
The door clicked open. Our eyes t—and hers widened in shock.
"Asher!?..." she gasped, covering her mouth. "Thought I’d never see you again! Co on in!"
She stepped aside and let in. The place was depressing. ssier than I rembered. Plates scattered on the floor, unwashed dishes in the sink, dust on the floor—it looked like no one had cleaned in days.
"I’m sorry," she said softly, glancing down. "You had to walk into this ss. I’d just been too busy to clean up."
I forced a smile. "It’s okay. I don’t mind. More importantly... how have you been?"
Her already tired face dropped even more. "Hanging on," she replied.
The baby cried again.
"Is he alright?" I asked.
"Don’t worry," she said, already turning toward her bedroom. "He’s just hungry."
A mont later, she returned, cradling her baby—his round cheeks puffed out as he nursed at her breast.
I smiled. "He’s growing."
She stroked his hair. "He is... but breast milk isn’t cutting it anymore. He needs real food."
"Greedy little guy," I joked, stepping closer. "You better cook sothing for him, or he’ll drain you dry. You’ve already lost weight."
She had. The Kelly I once knew was fuller, thicker, glowing and busty. Now, her body was thinner, and her eyes... they carried a weight of pain and loneliness.
"Is your husband still not back?" I asked.
She shook her head.
I didn’t need her to say more. I could already tell. She was struggling. Living alone with a baby, probably with barely enough to feed herself. It was no wonder she looked like this.
"I appreciate you visiting," she said, breaking the silence. "But I have to go to work."
"Where?" I asked.
"My mother-in-law’s fields."
"In the fields? With a baby?"
She smiled, but I could tell it wasn’t real. "He’ll play with his brother while I work."
Right... I rembered now. She had another son, probably no older than five. Her husband had left her with two children and no support, and she—being just a C-rank hunter—couldn’t possibly make money like Ivy or Liloth, especially not as a non-noble. That bastard went to Felmora to blow his money on cat girls, while his family suffered. If Nyxa turned him into a slave, I honestly wouldn’t feel bad.
I raised a hand toward her. "Do you want a new job?"
She blinked at . "A job?"
I nodded. "Work with . At my shop. I’ll make sure you’re paid fairly... and that you and your children eat well. You have my word."
She stared at , speechless, tears pooling in her eyes.
"You’d... hire ? But I’m not talented. I’m just a single mother of two. Are you sure you need ?"
I gently brushed her hair behind her ear. "You’re worth more than you think, Kelly. That’s why I ca here. I didn’t just visit—I ca because I need you."
Her lips parted slightly, trembling.
She put her baby down—he was strong enough to sit on his own now—and then she rushed into my arms, hugging tightly.
"I’ve missed you so much," she whispered, finally letting herself cry.
Her tears soaked into my uniform, each drop a weight she had carried alone for too long.
"I thought you forgot ," she sobbed. "I thought I wasn’t good enough. That’s why you never ca back..."
I held her closer, feeling her warmth, her sorrow. "I’m sorry I disappeared," I whispered into her ear, placing a soft kiss on her neck. "But I’m here now. And I’m not leaving again."
Back that day in the demon realm, when I hesitated about sleeping with Agatha, Rose’s General Army Commander, my system knocked so sense into , and in the process, l ended up taming all the milfs in my conquered list.
That included Kelly—even if I hadn’t planned to. She was loyal now. And I’d trust her a hundred percent over Banji.
Which is why I was making her my business clerk. She’d handle all the records and finances.
As for Banji... if I wanted to truly count on her, I’d have to ta her too. Only then would I be able to trust her fully. But that’s the tricky part. We respect each other too much.
How the hell do I even begin to seduce my friend’s sister... without ruining what we already have?
Well... that’s a problem for another day.
Today was only for Kelly.
I instructed my system to grant her access to my realm, so now she could enter it anyti. Still, I promised to explain everything about the realm—and what her role would be—once I got back from school.
For now, I simply took her to my shop and introduced her to Banji. Fortunately, the two seed to hit it off right away, and Banji was eager to teach her the ins and outs of the business.
With that settled, it was ti for to return to school.
I had a match to win against Lorraine Alvado. And more importantly, a prize money to claim!
TBC
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