It was evening.
I stood in the banquet hall alongside my mother.
And I was absolutely mesmerized.
The surroundings. The furniture. The decorative pieces displayed on pedestals and shelves.
Everything screamed wealth. Power. Status.
Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting prismatic light across the marble floors. Gold-trimmed pillars lined the walls. Paintings that probably cost more than our entire barony decorated every available surface.
And it wasn't just the hall that spoke of extravagance.
The people did too.
Every single guest wore attire that practically shouted luxury. Silk gowns. Velvet suits. Jewelry that glittered with genuine gems.
I had thought wearing this suit would attract hot chicks. It looked damn good on me when I checked the mirror earlier.
But now? Seeing all this?
My mood had shifted entirely.
I was just another face in a sea of wealth.
My mother, as usual, was gorgeous. She didn't need any fancy accessories or elaborate outfits. Her natural beauty balanced everything perfectly. She could wear a potato sack and still outshine half the women here.
The event hadn't been fruitful so far. Just happy faces everywhere. People enjoying themselves. Talking. Meeting old acquaintances. Forging new connections.
Boring.
I needed some chaos. Some fantasy-type shit to happen.
I was craving entertainment.
While waiting for something interesting, I decided to review my new rewards.
After helping Celestine, I had leveled up to 3.
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LEVEL PROGRESSION
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[ Lv.3 ]○━━━━━━━[ Lv.4 ]
Current EXP: 0 / 1500
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I checked the reward I had received.
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► LEVEL 3 REWARD Received
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Appraisal Sight
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With leveling up, my stats had increased slightly as well. And the Appraisal reward was now available for use.
But that wasn't all.
Upon reaching Level 3, a new window in the system had become active.
Just under my Summons section.
Now, when selecting a single summon, I could see its level displayed as a progress bar.
For example, Zenos had a level bar showing: 1/25
Marcus had: 1/10
And when I selected those summons, another feature appeared. One that let me level them up.
Not through the traditional method. Not through experience gained in battle.
But through cheat stuff.
By feeding them real money.
Yes. Just giving the system my coins, I could make my summons level up directly.
For Zenos, the required amount to advance from level 1 to level 2 was 50 gold coins. Or 500 silver coins.
I had that amount now, thanks to Celestine's generous payment.
But I was waiting.
Because to earn money, you need money first. That was the law that governed any world.
And I had already created a plan to earn a massive amount of wealth.
I knew that once Zenos reached level 2, the price for level 3 would double. Maybe even more. The cost would grow exponentially with each advancement.
Therefore, I needed to save every single penny until I could multiply my capital.
My thoughts were interrupted when I spotted someone familiar.
Ms Gatherer
She was wearing a red gown that hugged her figure in all the right places. Looking so gorgeous that my buddy inside my pants started rotating like a snake ready to strike after a long hibernation.
She was talking to various guests with a sweet smile plastered on her face. Elegant. Charming. The perfect noble lady.
But I could see through it.
The boredom behind her eyes. The coldness she usually displayed when we were alone.
I smiled to myself.
'Looks like she's hunting for her next prey here.'
'So that's where she gets all those valuable items. Rich marks at fancy parties.'
'I should collaborate with her to manage my finances.'
As if sensing my gaze, she turned.
Our eyes met.
She gave me a small smile.
Then immediately turned away and started walking in the opposite direction.
'She's scared I'll burst her plans.'
I told my mother I would be back in a minute.
Then dashed after Freya.
She was walking away quickly. As if she had seen a ghost and was trying to escape it.
I caught up. Put a hand on her shoulder.
"Ms. Gatherer."
She froze.
"Seems like you don't want to meet your disciple."
She looked at my hand on her shoulder. Again. Just like before, I could tell she didn't appreciate being touched.
But this time, it wasn't just her.
People around us were staring. Looking at me as if I had committed some grave crime by touching this woman.
I didn't give a fuck about them.
"So, what brings you here?" I tilted my head.
"Another mission of yours?"
Her voice turned cold. "That's none of your business."
"Ah, that's true." I nodded.
"But not anymore. Because I have a business proposal for you."
She just looked at me. Expression caught somewhere between confusion and anger.
"Come on, at least respond to me. I might become your greatest benefactor."
I spread my arms. "I can tell what something's worth just by looking at it. I'm that jeweler who can smell the coal and predict what diamond it might become."
She stared at me like I had just said the cringiest thing in existence.
I continued anyway. "You sure know how to pull strings. I mean, sneaking into a royal banquet for stealing..."
Her eye twitched. "I mean, for your noble deeds."
I grinned. "But I can provide you more reach. More power. More—"
"How..." She cut me off. Her fist clenched tightly at her side.
"How dare you—" She stopped herself. Looked around.
People were watching the scene unfold. Curious eyes everywhere.
She took a deep breath. Forced herself back into that unbothered, noble expression.
Before she could say anything more, I spotted a headache approaching.
Celestine.
Waving excitedly. Walking toward me with that innocent smile.
She looked divine in her formal attire. But I wasn't in the mood to babysit her here as well.
Behind her, trailing with visible worry, was that elf girl.
Thalia.
And the moment I saw what Thalia was wearing, I forgot all about planning an escape.
She had on a full black dress. Elegant. Form-fitting. With black heels that made her legs look impossibly long.
My buddy finally spoke up.
'Master. Unleash me. I'm going to paint that whole black outfit white.'
Before I could respond to my own deranged thoughts, Celestine was standing right in front of me.
"Goonman! Why didn't you tell me you would be here too?"
Then she noticed the woman beside me.
Her eyes widened. "Freya?"
Both of us spoke at the same time. "Do you know each other?"
Then we looked at each other. Realizing we had just synchronized.
I answered her question first about Celestine and me. "I just ran into her this morning. That's all."
Freya added her own explanation. "She's just my friend. One I have to deal with in certain moments."
I gave her a teasing glance. "You sure are professional in your business. Making bonds with a potential future queen. You really are something, Ms. Gatherer."
She hissed quietly. Put on a smile for appearances while clearly cursing me internally.
"I've had enough of your stupid perspective of me."
Her voice was sweet poison. "Dare to call me a thief again, and I will cut your head off right here."
I was about to tease her more when Celestine interrupted.
"Guys, by the way..." She was blushing slightly.
"Are you two friends? Like... boyfriend and girlfriend?"
"NO WAY." Both of us said it in perfect unison.
Freya looked especially furious at the suggestion.
Celestine made a confused face. "But I said that because you both looked like one!"
She pointed between us. "You even have the same thoughts! See? You just spoke together!"
She pouted. Turned toward Freya specifically. "And the most suspicious part is... she never talks with me like that. She's always so distant and cold."
She gestured at our little spat.
"But now you two are fighting and teasing each other! Just like what mother told me happens between couples!"
She made that innocent face of hers.
The one that made you want to both protect her and strangle her at the same time.
Before things could escalate further, an announcement echoed through the hall.
"May I have your attention, esteemed guests!"
The crowd quieted.
"Allow me to present the host of this evening's banquet!"
A figure began ascending the grand staircase at the far end of the hall.
"The illustrious Clan Head of House Astrea!"
Dramatic pause.
"Lady Aaliyah del Astrea!" She stepped forward into the light.
My gaze was focused on her. Ready to admire yet another beauty among the nobility.
But then my jaw dropped.
Because I recognized her.