Free Isekai Reproduction Life with an Endangered Demi-Human Onee-san in the Forest of Certain Death ~My Mental Stat Is Pathetically Weak, But After Transferring, I’ll Live for Myself This Time~

Chapter 120: A Day’s Earnings

“Shaaru-chan, I just saw Razu-san. Did you know Dragon Sword was gonna become my disciples?”

“Ah… yes, I knew. Razu-san told me to keep quiet, but it sounds like they told you themselves. Sorry for not saying anything.”

Shaaru-chan bows her head, pekori, looking apologetic. It’s not your fault. That wolf ojisan’s the culprit.

“Nah, don’t worry about it. How’s the appraisal going?”

“Oh, yes. It’s done. Would you like the breakdown?”

Hmm. Kinda tedious, but it’s my first time, so let’s hear it. I trust Shaaru-chan, but it’s money, after all.

“Can you?”

“Of course… yoisho.”

She places the money on the desk with a cute don. There’s some unfamiliar currency. Come to think of it, I’ve never used anything below silver coins…

“Starting with the magic stones. Twenty Run Rabbit EX beast stones come to 100,000 Solun. Exactly 100 J-rank stones also total 100,000 Solun. The Orc boss beast stone is 3,000 Solun. That’s 203,000 Solun for stones.”

Whoa, Run Rabbits really are EX beasts. Impressive. I didn’t sell the meat, but the stones alone fetch this much. Goblin, Kobold, and Dungeon Wolf stones added up too, thanks to the quantity. 1,000 Solun each? So, one large copper coin.

“Now, materials. Dungeon Wolf pelts, Kobold fangs, Orc meat, and Goblin junk total 8,350 Solun. Combined with the stones, the appraisal comes to 211,350 Solun. Please confirm.”

About 210,000 Solun. Pretty good for a day’s work, right? Wait, there’s stone-like money mixed in. Is this stone coin? I’m kinda moved. I see scarlet gold coins more often.

Shaaru-chan lets out a “fuu,” her face radiant with accomplishment.

“Was this your first time appraising?”

“Y-Yes. I’ve practiced a lot, but this was my first real task. I finally feel like a proper receptionist. Ehehe, Kei-san, thank you.”

Her smile’s awkward but soft. Aww, good for you, Shaaru-chan.

“Is this amount a lot?”

“Quite a lot. For a typical J-rank adventurer, a hard day’s work nets 10,000 to 30,000 Solun. Hiring a porter might hit 50,000, but you pay them, so it’s not a huge profit. Your haul of Run Rabbits and J-rank beasts, plus carrying it all with a magic bag, made the difference.”

Makes sense. Stones and materials are bulky. I just poipoipoi-ed them into the bag, but without a porter, it’d be rough. Stones weigh like regular rocks—120 of them is heavy. Then there’s weapon and armor maintenance, potion costs. Potions are a gold coin each, right? Risk mitigation costs money. You can skimp on safety to save, but you’re betting your life. Tough choice.

“Adventuring’s a harsh gig, huh?”

“Yes. Many stay J-rank for years. Reaching I-rank changes how people see you.”

Turk-kun’s reaction makes sense now. Even village champs get overwhelmed by Goblins. Was letting Shazus-san go at Django’s a mistake? She was G-rank, right? That’s actually impressive. And Razu-san’s badassery hits home.

“Thanks. I’ll keep pushing without getting cocky.”

“Please do. I… I don’t want to process Kei-san’s Missing in Action certificate.”

Strong words for Shaaru-chan. I’ll take it to heart.

Leaving the guild, I find Bestelta lounging outside, looking bored. I apologize and join her.

“Get the cash?”

“Yup, done.”

“Hmm. Don’t you already have tons of money? This is pocket change, right? You look thrilled, though.”

Really?

I touch my face—yep, a goofy grin. Must be ‘cause I earned it myself. 200,000 in a day is wild. I mostly trailed Bestelta, but it feels more real than the Flame Bear haul.

What to do with this money? It feels tangible, so I’m tempted to save it. The Flame Bear cash felt unreal, so I spent it freely. Maybe have Karin or Silvia manage it? But keeping cash at the orphanage feels risky… Oh, can I deposit it with the Merchant’s Guild? Designate Karin and Silvia to withdraw. Silvia’s a merchant—well, more researcher now.

…

“Kei, what’s next?”

Hmm, it’s not lunch yet. Time to tackle the house estimate and design I’ve been putting off. Let’s visit the dwarf headquarters Dogon-san mentioned during the orphanage expansion. I know the spot.

“Yeah, let’s get the house estimate.”

“Finally? I was worried you forgot.”

Ugh, sorry. Too many tasks keep pushing it back. Might as well review the Demi-Human Home Plan (just named it) now. Everyone had crazy requests—perches, forests, soil—so we settled on this base plan:

Build a large, human-style house as the foundation.
Big rooms won’t cut it for individual needs. Go with private rooms.
Make the bedroom (breeding room) extra spacious.

Shurea’s solution was to use Forest of Certain Death trees, with Rinka rooting into the house. Rinka can tweak the interior to everyone’s tastes, powered by my mana. Which means I need to level up. So much to do.

In short:

Dwarves build the exterior with Forest trees.
Rinka and the trees handle the interior.
I level up to supply mana.

Alright, we’re here. Whoa, it’s huge. Let’s head in.

Pretty spartan office. Organized papers, a counter in the back with someone behind it. A clerk?

“Hm? Customer? Sorry, we’re not taking new bookings.”

A bearded dwarf greets me—and shuts me down. Seriously? Can’t give up yet. Let’s push.

“Please, hear me out. You handled the Rikkarinden Orphanage expansion, right? Dogon-san sent me here. I need a big house built. I’m counting on your skills. Oh, just a small token…”

Kotori, I place the booze I bought on the desk. Total bribe, but it’s fine, right?

[‘My booze…’]

Bestelta’s sad voice echoes in the channel.

[‘Sorry, I’ll buy more.’]

“Promise?”

Gotta buy a whole barrel.

“Young boss’s client, eh? Fine. The head’s in the back; I’ll fetch him. I’ll take this booze, too.”

The clerk dwarf pockets the liquor with minimal movement, heading back in good spirits. Dwarves and booze make things smooth. Wait, Dogon-san’s the young boss? Dwarf ages are confusing—they all look old…

Soon, an even older dwarf appears. Smaller than me but oozing authority. Total master vibe.

“You’re Rikkarinden’s Tanezu? Dogon told me about you. I’m Dolgan, the head. Who’s this fine beastman lady?”

“Nice to meet you, Dolgan-san. This is Bestelta, my party member. She’s language-impaired, so talk to me.”

“Got it.”

We shake hands and dive into business.

When I share the demi-human house plan, Dolgan’s floored.

“What’s that? Just build a giant house’s exterior? Even to cut costs, skipping the interior’s pointless. You mocking us?”

His eyes narrow. Crap, not my intent. Misstep.

“No way! It’s, uh, a gift for friends. They’re super picky about interiors and want to handle it themselves. They lack the skills to build the structure, so we’re here for your expertise.”

Not lying, but it’s a flimsy explanation. Dolgan’s eyeing me suspiciously.

“A gift? What happens to the house? You’re not dragging it around, are you?”

Ugh, saw that coming. Wanna say it fits in my magic bag, but that’d draw attention. Hmm, say I borrowed it?

“Keep this hush, but I’ve borrowed a rare magic bag that can hold a huge house.”

“…Hard to believe. That’s national treasure-level. And materials? A house that big needs timber you can’t get overnight.”

He’s super skeptical. This could get me reported. How do I convince him?

[‘Kei, I don’t get it, but show him the forest timber?’]

[‘Nice, Bestelta!’]

I’d hit the like button a hundred times for her channel assist. No such feature, though.

“I figured, so I’ve got timber in this bag. Will seeing it convince you?”

“Hmm, if it’s real, I’m sold. Follow me. I’ll lend you the back workshop.”

Dolgan leads us deeper. Phew, dodged the door slam. Now, just show the timber.