NOVEL NEXT Chapter 20
Chapter 20. Android With An Empty Stomach In The Wilderness
Purple smoke clouds the evening harbor.
Alone, overlooking the bustling harbor as always, the cigarette I smoke is exceptional.
It’s a special celebration of the success of a major deal.
The negotiated amount after the long deal is 1.2 million and several prototypes.
At least, I’ll get all 5 types shown today.
Of course, there’s a promise to deliver the usual empty containers if they don’t complete, secured with a signed agreement. No room for mistakes.
By the way, this was also originally in plain Japanese.
My name was signed in Japanese. But the other party didn’t say anything.
Moreover, when I mentioned having a surname, they were slightly surprised. However, upon explaining even commoners had surnames in my homeland, they nodded in understanding.
Separately, I received a cleaning tool as a service. Extremely grateful.
According to Halogen, the more you use these tools, the more skillful you become. So, they thought giving me one might enhance its power when I use it on aerial tools or the like.
The negotiated amount of 1.2 million and the long negotiation were mostly dominated by Miss Cherina and Halogen.
I only occasionally interjected, and I mostly haggled.
But from the intense conversations between the two, I feel like I received a fair payment.
My remaining balance is ¥1,378,169.
Increased all at once.
Even surprising myself.
And my divine level has also risen.
But it’s only by one.
Despite it being a major deal… I’m not quite sure about the standards around here. I doubt it, but the next level doesn’t require negotiations in the tens of millions.
If that’s the case, it might never increase again.
My divinity level is now 6, and the container capacity has increased to 35.
With more financial flexibility, I wonder if I can produce a variety of things. I’m looking forward to trying various experiments.
I flicked the shortened cigarette towards the sea. One thing that I couldn’t do in Japan.
――――
Upon returning to the inn, there was a disgruntled, short old man—no, a dwarf named Hagg.
“Hey! Akira, you’re late! What were you up to?”
Hagg, with mitt-like hands, pounded the floor, causing the chair beside him to float.
“You’re causing a scene. Calm down. Anything happens?”
“One, you being late. I’m starving!”
True, being hungry can make you irritable. Androids would be troubled too if they didn’t eat.
“And the other?”
“Well… um…”
“If it’s hard to say, you don’t have to force it.”
“No, it’s just that I ran into someone unpleasant.”
“Ah… there are always people who don’t get along.”
In my case, I didn’t get along with colleagues, business partners, parents, relatives—none of them.
“Yeah. For some reason, I often end up in the same place as that guy.”
“Oh, really?”
Not too interested, I decided to have a regular meal.
“Oh, by the way, today’s business went well, and my divinity level went up. I’ll treat you to a tonkatsu sandwich.”
“Oh! That’s great! Bring me two. No, three!”
“Sure, sure.”
I took out 3 tonkatsu sandwiches and handed them to Hagg. I was tired of bread and rice, and with the increased divinity level, I could probably produce a variety of things. Oh, I want coffee.
“…Instant coffee, tabletop gas stove, gas canister for it, kettle, and an insulated stainless steel cup.”
Muttering, I got an easy [Approval].
‘Instant coffee = ¥100’
‘Tabletop stove = ¥2,890’
‘Gas canister = ¥170’
‘Kettle = ¥2,800’
‘Stainless steel cup (insulated) = ¥1,050’
“Oh… now I can have coffee… wait, hot water.”
-Approval granted. SHOP inventory expanded.-
Oops. I didn’t need the gas stove and kettle. Well, I haven’t bought them yet, so no problem.
‘Hot water (99°C, 1 liter) = ¥1’
It’s much more expensive than tea. Still, it’s only ¥1. Considering the fuel cost, it seems incredibly cheap. I have no idea about the market price.
I bought three tonkatsu sandwiches, instant coffee, a stainless steel cup, and hot water (discarded the excess), totaling ¥3,188.
My remaining balance is ¥1,374,981.
Unbelievable amount of money since morning.
I sprinkled coffee powder into the stainless steel cup filled with hot water. I realized I didn’t have a teaspoon and quickly bought one. It was [Approved] without any issues.
‘Teaspoon = ¥100’
Remaining balance: ¥1,374,881.
Should have put the powder in first.
“What’s that?”
“It’s a drink called coffee. Don’t you have it here? I had tea during the day.”
“Give me a sip.”
I handed him the cup, and he gulped it down. Isn’t it too hot?
“It’s quite bitter.”
“That’s how it is. Some people add sugar or milk, but I’m a black coffee enthusiast.”
“Well, this is enough for me.”
He flaunted the same ceramic sake cup as yesterday. Apparently, it’s pretty good sake around here. Oh, I promised to provide good sake.
I imagined the name of an expensive but delicious whiskey, but unfortunately, it got rejected due to ‘insufficient divinity level’.
This divinity level is still a mystery.
Watching Hagg enjoy sake and tonkatsu alternately, I suddenly felt like having a tonkatsu set meal.
It would be convenient if the set meal appeared as is. I tried ordering a ‘tonkatsu set meal’ from the SHOP. Or am I asking the god for it?
I don’t really understand.
-Under consideration… Rejected.-
Apparently, a set meal is a no-go. Then how about a ‘tonkatsu bento’?
-Approved. SHOP inventory expanded.-
Great, this one worked. Let’s eat.
‘Tonkatsu bento = ¥680’
It’s a bit pricey for a bento. But when I opened it, the crispy breaded tonkatsu was incredibly delicious.
My remaining balance is ¥1,374,201.
“Is it the same as this?”
“Hmm? Oh, yeah. It’s the same pork cutlet.”
“I want that too. But you’re charging for it, ¥680.”
“Ngh… you’re stingy… merchants are truly… well, next time then.”
“Sure thing.”
He’s my benefactor, and I have money. So I could treat him.
But since he’d probably appreciate it more, I’ll give him sake next time if it’s approved.
And so, dinner ended, and we parted ways.
But even at night, I didn’t feel very sleepy. After all, it’s been a while since the sun went down.
It’s probably not even 8 o’clock yet. There’s no way I’d be sleepy.
So, as practice for the aerial tools, I decided to do various cleanings.
I took all my clothes and even the underwear I had stored, applying magic to each one to clean them.
It’s interesting to see them becoming as clean as if they were just washed.
Moreover, if I imagine it vividly, the wrinkles also disappear. No need for dry cleaning.
As a test, I tried shoes in my carry bag and the bags I brought. I even secretly tried the corridor floor.
Once people get the hang of it, people can clean a wide area efficiently. However, it seems to require a considerable imagination to clean multiple things, so it’s probably better to categorize them clearly.
I got carried away and cleaned everywhere, but it’s not a problem since I’m not making a mess.
Satisfied, I returned to my room and took out the wooden carving symbol.
It somehow got the name ‘Merchant God Merhes,’ so maybe it’s Merhes’s symbol.
“Now, Merhes-san, things went well today. I appreciate it.”
I got into bed wearing only my underwear and covered myself with my blanket. It’s cold at night.
Good night.
……。
Now.
At that time, I was completely unaware.
The understanding of my abnormal situation of continuously using aerial tools to clean a large number of items and a wide area without any fatigue. That realization would come a little later in the story.