Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended

CHAPTER 117: Adrian Lysander Percival

Daisuke hung his head low as he approached. The door to the Merchants' Guild had never appeared so large and imposing. Its surface seemed to twist and shift before his eyes, exuding an ominous aura, as though it had been plucked straight from a scene in a horror film.

But it wasn't drugs that had Daisuke hallucinating such madness—it was shame. Yes, the shame of failing to pay off the measly one silver he owed the guild for his registration, a debt that had been hanging over him for well over two months now.

Gathering what little confidence he could muster, Daisuke swallowed hard and cautiously stepped inside. Just like before, the moment he entered, the merchants in the lobby turned their heads in unison to size him up. Their gazes were filled with a mixture of disdain and curiosity.

Ignoring their scrutiny, Daisuke scanned several of the service counters manned mostly by female employees and made his way up to the main corner where a familiar individual stood.

Instead of a scowl and a fiery chain of dark accusations, Jean shook in surprise, her eyes wide with relief. "H-Haxks!" She exclaimed. "I'm so happy you're alright! We've been worried sick!"

Daisuke, of course, shrank back in alarm. This wasn't quite the welcome he was expecting. While Jean wept like a baby, he attempted to comfort her, only to have the hysterical clerk lunged forward across the counter and hugged him tightly.

"Wahhh! Haxks~!"

Daisuke cringed when he spied a length of snot bungee jump from her nose. Before he could pry her off him, she aggressively rubbed her face in his chest, smearing the nose juice all over his attire.

Both Daisuke and Zephyr paled together at the unsavory sight.

"I'm relieved to see that you're in good health," came a warm and raspy voice from behind.

"G-Guildmaster," Jean remarked, finally relinquishing her hulk-like grip and began wiping away her persistent tears.

Daisuke turned around to face the old lady, his disposition remorseful, his eyes repentant. Before he could weave words of apology, the Guildmaster spoke.

"One of our merchants saw when you were approached by a shady group," she informed him calmly. "He wasn't there for the outcome, but we had a pretty good idea of what happened. We're just relieved it didn't turn into the worst-case scenario and that you're safe."

"...And what exactly would've been the worse-case scenario?"

The woman's gaze darkened ominously, and Daisuke raised his hands dismissively. "Okay, forget I asked." Something tells me I'm better off not knowing. "More importantly, isn't there a penalty for missing two monthly payments on my loan? What's the damage?"

"About that," the woman began, gesturing to Jean who gave a ninety-degree bow similar to what Daisuke had done when the loan was initially approved.

The girl peeked up from beneath her eyelashes, her skirt barely cascading over the creamy curves of her bottom. When she spied Daisuke's expectant gaze, she clapped her hands together and tightly closed her eyes. "I'm so sorry!" She blurted out ungracefully. "I kinda... may have forgotten to check the rarity of the mana crystal you turned in for sale."

Jean bowed lower, the posture revealing striped panties. "According to Mr. Devereux, the rarity of the crystal you had suggested it may have originated from within a Hidden Dungeon. In other words...," her voice became small. "I may have... sorta short-changed you during that transaction. I'm so very sorry!"

"Mr. Devereux?" Daisuke muttered, one eyebrow arched in question. But as he connected the dots, he remembered the flamboyant connoisseur with the magic monocle who wanted to purchase the mana crystal for one hundred gold. Of course, the transaction fell through when he was attacked by the four stooges.