Dov Dakins slowly pulled his cloak aside.
This was what had happened earlier.
Inside the shop, when Hasami had leaned closer, she had whispered—
"Loid sent me. Some people are keeping an eye on you.
Meet us at the entrance of Beggar's Alley at midnight.
Bring as much money as you can."
At that moment, Dov's expression had turned serious—
then quickly returned to normal.
Now, standing in the darkness of the alley, Dov spoke cautiously.
"I came very carefully. I'm sure no one followed me."
Loid looked at him with a completely unreadable expression.
"How much money did you bring?"
Dov narrowed his eyes.
"How much goods can you provide?"
"As much as you can pay for," Loid replied calmly.
Dov relaxed slightly and let out a breath.
"Thirteen silver coins. My business has been struggling lately.
That's all I could gather."
Loid motioned to Hasami.
"Stay with him."
Then Loid walked deeper into the alley.
A few moments later, he returned, dragging a large sack behind him.
"Check the goods."
In the shadowed corner of the street, Loid silently opened his system.
[System Interface Opened]
Points Available: 148
Purchased:
• Salt Pouch ×33 — 66 points
• Sack ×1 — 1 point
Points Remaining: 81
Inside the sack were 33 neatly packed pouches of salt.
Dov stared at it, then asked,
"How many are inside?"
"Thirty-three pouches," Loid replied.
"We're also giving you a discount worth two bronze coins."
Without another word, Dov handed over the pouch of silver coins.
Loid counted them.
As Dov lifted the sack onto his shoulder, Loid spoke again.
"Aren't you going to count or check the goods?"
Dov shook his head, his face relaxed.
"I can't stay here long.
I trust you.
We'll meet again."
With that, he disappeared into the night.
Only after Dov was gone did Hasami finally release a deep breath.
"…Now I can breathe."
She turned to Loid, still shaken.
"How could you tell me to stay alone with that man?
And where did all those things come from?
I didn't see you meet anyone… or prepare anything."
Loid replied calmly,
"The man we're working for can appear anywhere…
and do anything."
Then he handed her the pouch of silver coins.
"Spread them in my hand."
Hasami poured them out.
Then froze.
Only two silver coins remained.
The other eleven had vanished.
Her eyes widened in shock.
Loid said casually,
"As you saw, he took his money back.
These two silver coins are our commission."
[System Notification]
Converted: Silver Coin ×11 → 1,100 points
Total Points:
81 + 1,100 = 1,181
Hasami swallowed.
"Magicians… are amazing."
Loid let out a quiet breath.
I've made her believe it.
Hasami smiled softly, staring at the silver coins.
"I don't even remember how many years it's been
since I last saw silver this close."
Loid picked up one coin and placed it in her hand.
"Then take it.
Use it however you want."
Her face went pale.
Her hands trembled as she tried to give it back.
"I… I don't deserve it."
"You do," Loid said firmly.
"Without your observation, we might've been caught."
After a long silence—and many exchanged words—
Hasami finally accepted the coin.
They returned to Beggar's Alley and fell asleep.
Morning came faster than expected.
Loid woke up early, but Hasami was already awake.
Her face looked exhausted,
as if she hadn't slept at all.
Later that morning, following the plan they discussed the night before,
Loid had told Hasami to invite Moneru.
Roberto went out searching for food,
and Hasami sent Mac with him.
Most beggars scattered across the streets,
leaving the alley nearly empty.
That was when Hasami approached Moneru.
She held up the silver coin.
"Moneru, I found a job.
Want to work with me?
It pays well.
We won't have to beg anymore."
Moneru's face hardened.
"What? You've started earning money?"
"We promised each other we wouldn't do dirty work…
and now you're doing it?
I didn't expect this from you."
Her voice trembled, close to tears.
Hasami smacked her on the head.
"Ow!"
"Did that calm you down?" Hasami snapped.
"I didn't do anything dirty.
I earned it with my own talent—right, Loid?"
Loid nodded awkwardly.
"…Yeah."
Moneru relaxed slightly.
"…So what kind of job is it?"
Hasami smiled.
"We work for someone as… salespeople.
We sell goods."
Then she told her everything—
about Loid, Mac, and the deal from the night before.
Moneru stood there, thinking hard, her expression blank.
Loid watched her closely.
Last night, Hasami told me about Moneru…
Her mother abandoned her in this alley when she was a child.
She never came back.
Moneru did everything to survive here alone ever since.
Was inviting her really a good idea?
Suddenly, Moneru broke into a wide grin.
"If you're all doing it, then I'm in too!
And I'm going to eat as much as I want!"
"So when do we start working?" she asked eagerly.
Hasami smiled back.
"We don't have work for three or four days."
Loid shook his head.
"No. We do."
"For now, we observe that shop.
After that…
we'll make a large deal."