For Sale: Male Lead, Obsession Included - Chapter 53
The door, which had been firmly shut and refusing to open, suddenly swung wide.
I turned around, tense, worried that this innkeeper’s accomplice might burst in and make things worse.
But my prediction was completely off the mark.
The one who opened the door was none other than Feyden, standing there with his hands casually shoved into his pockets, leaning at an angle.
“What’s this? Who are you?”
A startled Ford asked urgently, to which Feyden responded nonchalantly.
“And who are you, a pig?”
After that, Feyden took care of the situation in a simple and straightforward manner.
He didn’t even bother pulling his hands out of his pockets, just walked lazily towards Ford and swung his leg high. With that one smooth kick, Ford’s massive frame flew like a paper sheet, crashing to the floor.
Just like the man I’d seen lying outside.
Feyden turned around with a smirk and looked at me.
“Hey, are you brainless?”
“…What?”
I asked, dazed, and Feyden finally pulled one of his hands out of his pockets and tapped the side of his head.
“Are you out of your mind? What were you thinking, choosing a sleazy place like this to stay, especially on your own?”
“I thought it would be safe since it’s right in front of the temple…”
“Oh, the temple. So you did think it through a bit? You looked like an idiot though.”
‘This guy… I can’t even get mad at someone who just saved me.’
I chose to grit my teeth instead of responding.
“Anyway, thanks for helping me. I’ll take care of the rest.”
“Oh, you’re joking. How do you plan to deal with this perverted pig? You look like you’d blow away in the wind.”
Why does he keep hitting the mark so precisely?
I kept my mouth shut in silence, as Feyden’s words were completely accurate.
“Well then, why don’t you help me?”
“For free?”
“What do you want?”
“Hm, good question.”
Feyden smiled, humming to himself as he circled the collapsed Ford on the floor, looking like he was pondering something.
“Ugh!”
Ford, who had regained consciousness, began to stir and attempted to get up. Feyden stomped on his hand with the heel of his boot and sat down on Ford’s back.
“You’re weak and need me… and I need your money.”
“Right.”
He grinned, his sly, narrow eyes gleaming.
“Let’s make it 50 gold instead of 30.”
In this world, earning even 5 gold with a commoner’s salary was considered quite a good income, so asking for an extra 20 gold was basically something only thugs would do.
Feyden leaned on his elbow and gazed at me, his brown eyes carefully observing my reaction to his words.
“What? Don’t like it? Or don’t have enough money?”
Well then, we can just call it off.
Feyden stood up, exaggeratedly dusting off his pants, even though there wasn’t a speck of dirt on them.
“…Fine. But I’ll cancel the full coverage of Truu’s tuition.”
“Oh, you’re setting conditions?”
“Of course. You need my money as much as I need you. If you want to escape that miserable life, you’ll need my money.”
“Haha… are you really fifteen?”
I’ve worked as a secretary for five years. Dealing with thugs like this is child’s play.
And in a situation like this, it’s clear that the stronger stance wins.
I walked over and threw the door open wide, nodding towards it.
“With a 20-gold increase and covering Truu’s tuition, I could hire a stronger mercenary than you. It looks like you’re the one who’s at a disadvantage. But if you want to decline, go ahead and leave.”
“…”
Feyden stared at me for a moment, then let out a soft chuckle. He shoved his hands back into his pockets.
“It’s not working on you, huh?”
“You’re going to sign the contract, right?”
“Like you said, I’m the one at a disadvantage.”
Feyden gave Ford a light kick in the rear, then escorted me to a safer inn.
“So, should I start calling you ‘Boss’ now?”
With him pestering me to draft a contract immediately, I hastily scribbled out an agreement and handed it to him. He sprawled out as if this were his own room, completely at ease.
“Call me Estira.”
“Alright, then. Estira.”
“Yes?”
“What exactly is your goal?”
Feyden flapped the contract in his hand, his smile gone. His sharp eyes glinted, as if wanting to confirm my intentions before signing.
“My goal?”
“We’re going to be traveling together. Don’t you think it’s about time you told me the real reason you’re hiring me?”
“I already told you. I just need protection for a long journey.”
Hmm. So, you’re not going to tell me? Feyden narrowed his sharp eyes.
“Well, you’re not running from a crime or anything, right?”
“I’ve heard you take on those kinds of jobs too.”
“Ah, I do, but I’m picky about the jobs I take. I don’t work for the worst kinds of criminals.”
Knowing he was a mercenary but still had his own code of ethics, I simply nodded without further comment.
