First Business

"Hah? Potions?!"

"The fuck are you gawking at! Bug off!"

"Too expensive! Can't you lower the prices..."

"Suck my dick, bitch!"

"I don't believe the effects of the potion! Let me have a free trial!"

"The only trial you'll get is of the sight of your mother sucking me off tonight! Fuck off!"

---

"I was courteous... I wonder why no customer bought anything from me," Jackal sheds crocodile tears while Maria smiles and sits on the other side of the counter while eating his bento.

"New stores take time, Jackal-san. Don't worry, be polite to every customer like you said you have. Something will turn up, I'm sure!"

Jackal looks at Maria's bento and then smiles slightly, "Yeah, I guess. I hope Miach-sama's side is doing well."

Maria raises an eyebrow, "Miach-sama?"

"Ah, you two know each other, right?" Jackal hums curiously, "If you don't mind me asking, what happened? He doesn't strike me as a man to stop helping others if possible."

"Well..." Looking at her food, Maria mutters, "I am touched by Miach-sama's kindness. But I did not want him to not care for his familia. I may have... bluntly asked him to never return..."

"Bluntly?" Jackal blinks.

"Alright, Rudely," Maria grumbles under her breath with her head hanging low like a child caught doing something already forbidden to her.

"Don't feel so down," Jackal shrugs, "I'm sure Miach-sama understands your outlook just fine and he may have needed a certain amount of 'bluntness.'"

Maria nods and looks up before breaking into a smile, "By the way... your cooking is delicious."

"Oh, I'm glad," Jackal grins, "What about the kids?"

"Afternoon nap. They are excited to visit you later. I usually teach them in the morning so I couldn't let them raise havoc."

"Anytime is fine," Jackal gestures around the empty store, "As you can see, I am busy but I will find time to entertain them."

Maria's smile brightens visibly and she looks at the potions on the shelves. Her mood placates but she... regathers herself and moves past her embarrassment, "By the way, Jackal-san... why do you have Love Potions on display..."

"For old men, of course," he huffs, "They need it and have money to spend. So, they get to disappoint whoever they like that night and I get to buy more chicken to cook for you guys... hopefully tomorrow?"

He looks at Maria who rolls her eyes a bit at the obvious shift in conversation and nods, "But... a little bit spicier for me... if possible."

"You got it," Jackal laughs.

"But aside from the Love Potions... the other potions are surprisingly... amazing. I'm no adventurer but my husband was and he never knew of a dual potion or a berserk potion..."

"Tell me about it," Jackal groans, "Half of the request I got was— let me have a free trial of the potion— and I refused them politely!"

"Do they actually work?" Maria questions skeptically.

"Want a free trial?" Jackal gives a toothy smile and gestures toward one particular potion.

Pursing her lips as the soft red on her cheeks betrays her anger, Maria scoffs, "No wonder you don't get customers. You like fooling around."

"Sometimes I do," he shrugs and sighs, "But these potions do work. All of these are tested by Miach..."

"All..."

Maria glances at the obvious potion once again.

Leaning forward, Jackal mouths— 'All.'

Settling back after that, Jackal picks away the silence, "By the way, Maria-san, isn't it a bit dangerous to open an orphanage here? Do you experience some troubles?"

"No, not here," Maria explains, "Daedalus street is like another labyrinth. If you get lost and find yourself on the wrong side then it may be problematic. You hear about these things all the time. But this is a relatively better part of the street."

Jackal nods thoughtfully.

Once Maria finishes, she smiles, "I will hand you over the bento boxes after washing them by tonight. Good luck."

"If only good luck brought good customers," Jackal sighs and then smiles, "Thanks."

Maria nods and leaves with a smile. Before she leaves, she glances at the shelf of potions once more which makes her smile noticeably sad during her exit.

'Dead husband, huh...' Jackal sighs to himself and leans back.

'Now that I think about it... I should also try not to poison Miach accidentally.'

Thinking of this, Jackal activates his trait.

"I want..."

'A magic item that allows the user to test the effects of a potion.'

Nothing came up.

'It's not... surprising. Mixers and potioneers follow recipes taught to them by their Gods and Goddesses. Even if someone creates a new recipe... they have guinea pigs to test the effects of the potions. Well, if there aren't any magic items then maybe there can be a similar magic itself?'

Jackal yawns and thinks through the possibility.

Strangely, despite the boredom, he does not feel like stopping all this and entering the dungeon!

If he just wanted to make money then with Death Eater, he can pursue that lifestyle.

But despite the excitement of adventuring, he likes this peace a tiny bit more. He could not have this in his last life.

He could not have true friends.

He could not help who he liked.

He could not do anything.

Here, he can tell customers to fuck off! What a life!

'But... are these the kinds of customers Miach needs to deal with every time? Well, not Miach... the handsome bastard is probably getting hit on by chicks without realizing it. So... Naaza's the real one in their familia...

I wonder how privileged it must feel to be hit on and consider it so normal that you don't even notice it...'

'Just call me Rose...'

Rose's wolfish appearance flickers in his mind.

'Nah, that wasn't flirting... right?' Jackal huffs.

'You like fooling around.'

Maria's voice resurfaces to his senses before he shakes his head.

'Stop thinking about it. How the hell would she get time to romance with so many kids to take care of?' Jackal yawns again.

'I might take a nap, too. Not that my body needs it... but out of the luxury of life.'

Thinking this, he cares not for the magic stones in all his security options.

Why you may ask?

Well... he just spent the last bit of his income on better-quality of magic stones...

If only he could sell things, too. Then he could sell the magic stones at the highest price possible!

He ducks his head quietly.

---

Afternoons are usually slow in Orario. Relatively.

Those who enter the dungeon in the late morning have yet to come out with any notable haul.

Those who will enter the dungeon at night are probably sleeping and regaining their strength. Regular mortals, too, enter a period of laze during this time of the day.

*Yawn~!*

Eina's mouth part opens involuntarily as she covers it with her gloved hand.

Yes, some people tend to become lazy in the afternoon.

From the corner of her eyes, Eina can see Rose's red ears folding upon the white floof coming out of her ears as her tail stiffens slightly, and then... Rose yawns, too.

See?

Everyone feels lazy at this time.

But Misha...

Is a different breed of humanity. Eina can understand why Jackal allowed Misha to visit with a condition.

"— so, I totally told him off! I don't want to come off as rude but even if you're handsome with amazing muscles, you don't just touch my butt casually! The moment I showed him my Guild identification, his legs began to tremble and with how thin his legs were, I realized I wanted to return the cucumbers I purchased!—"

'I wonder if Jackal-san is selling hordes. I said I would visit him... but I can't blow off my job either... I'll try to make time tomorrow... probably. I should also bring him a gift.'

"— and then I said to the stall owner that I DID take the cucumbers from him! Gosh! With how smug he looked, I wanted to jam one of the cucumbers into him!—"

'Although...' Glancing at Rose, Eina thinks to herself, 'Rose-san said something to Jackal-san... and before that, she also asked him to call her by her first name...'

As if sensing her gaze, Rose turns to look at Eina and then nods at her with her usual stoic look before getting through her paperwork.

'Rose-san... is kind of cool... if Jackal-san ever did date... it would be someone like Rose-san, right? A cool and mature beauty who understands herself and her wants...'

"— He finally returned the money so I went out to drinks! Eina, when I tell you I met THE one you wouldn't believe me!—"

'Isn't this Misha's 12th The One? Well, she's lucky she runs into guys she likes. All I meet are the adventurers whom I advise... I don't have anyone to like...'

'Looking nice, Eina~!' HIS teasing words resurface in her mind.

Feeling a lot less depressed now, Eina closes her eyes while keeping her head on the table.

'Whatever... I'm napping... but I should start drinking tea or coffee like Rose-san and reading interesting books during my free time... I can't be napping every time...'

The half-elf closes her eyes and sleeps soundly.

---

'How did he do it?' Naaza toys with the leaf-like tube in her hands.

'Dual-potion. I've been researching it for a year now... just what familia is he in which allows him to make something as crazy as this!'

'Something like that!' His voice still goads her as she lets out an annoyed huff and bites a piece of chicken...

And then her anger withers away.

'Tch... he's a good cook...'

*Om nom om nom*

Soft, deliberately chewing noises echo out from Naaza's mouth as she stares at the potion fiercely.

But then... she glances at something else.

Blushing, Naaza shakes her head, 'You must stop thinking of spiking Jackal's and Miach's bentos with love potion!' She admonishes herself.

Eventually, she sighs. The bento is finished.

She looks at the shelves once again, 'The berserker potions are really popular. All of them sold out. Only this dual potion is left, too... Two adrenaline potions and...'

She looks at the single love potion.

In fact, a single adventurer bought all the berserker potions while four different adventurers bought a love potion each. This did put things into perspective for Naaza.

She then glances at her own products, "Our own sale is still low... while regrettable that others don't want to buy my stuff, if it helps reduce Miach-sama's debt, I will do anything! Sigh... I don't want to do anything illegal, however... let's just hope this works."

*Ding-a-ling*

"Yo! I heard your familia got some good stuff! Ne? Sell it to me for free~!"

Naaza stares at the petite redhead dressed in a small crop top and shorts so short that they barely covered her ass.

A god... typical.

Standing up, Naaza bows gracefully, "Greetings, Loki-sama. But... most of the new potions are sold out."

"Ack?!" Loki deflates while the silent blonde behind her tilts her head curiously.

"S-so... nothing's left? I wanted my Aizu~ to try good stuff!" Loki falls to her knees exaggeratedly and gasps.

"Loki-sama," Naaza sets the dual potion, two adrenaline potions, and the singular love potion on the counter, "Only these four potions are left. This is the detailed effects that Miach-sama drew for the potion's effects." Naaza says so while extending a parchment forward which the blonde swordswoman takes and reads through it for a moment.

"But if you want to buy more... I suggest you find the creator's store."

"Huh?" Loki looks up.

"The mixer of the potion has set up his own store today," Naaza replies while sitting back down with her perpetually lazy expression noting no changes whatsoever.

"His store is in Daedalus street... near Maria's Orphanage."

Loki perks up, "Say that again!"

"Maria's... Orphanage?" Naaza repeats.

With her eyes gaining her signature hungry look, Loki bounces back to her feet!

"Fine! We'll buy whatever you have for now!"

Naaza nods and then watches Loki practically turn into a gust of wind that rushes out of the shop with the blonde swordswoman easily catching up by jogging.

'So that was... Ais Wallenstein.'

Naaza narrows her purple eyes before shrugging and closing her eyes.

'Today is a good day. The commissions should total 9500 valis. A few more days like this alongside Familia's savings should allow us to buy the potions directly!'

'Something like that.'

The annoying response continues to hound her!

---

*Snore*

*Snooorreee*

*Snooooorrrrrrrrreeeeeeee*

"Hey! I'm coming in!"

*pop*

Jackal sleepily looks up and watches two children. One redhead, one blonde.

"Huh? I thought kids from the orphanage would be here, too. Whatever," he shifts down slightly to reveal a large glass jar filled to the brim with candies!

The act... the sheer sleepiness, and the sheer casualness strike the duo speechless as he sets four candies on the table.

"Two for each per day. No more."

And with that, Jackal locks away the candy and lets his head thump the counter once more before sleeping, no, napping soundly.

---

'Huh? Huh? HUHHHHHHHHH?'

Loki stares at the sleeping boy. A part of her wants to smack the top of his head! Another part wants to concoct a plan that ruins his nap and traumatizes him so much that he never naps again!

And finally, a small curious part looks at the candies.

'Oh... my... Loki!' She gasps!

Leaning forward toward the counter, Loki observes the crystal-like candy once again.

'No doubt about it... the rare Gemlings! Watermelon flavor no less!'

Loki greedily stretches her hand out to take all four candies when a swift hand slaps her greedy palm away.

Looking sideways, Loki's red eyes are locked with her sweetest treasure's golden eyes.

"Two only... the rest are mine."

The corner of Loki's lips twitch.

Ah, how much she loves this adorable murderous munchkin!

"Of course," Loki grins. Her words are loud enough to make the boy grumble, "Stop shouting in here or no more candies..."

Loki looks at Ais once again who already has both candies in her mouth, each one pushes against either of her cheeks from the inside as she babbles adorably, "Speak softly."

Loki grins. Well, before that, she quickly pockets the candy.

"WAKE UP!"

Her actions are surprising enough that Ais accidentally swallows one of the candies and looks at Loki with a gloomy expression while the boy heaves loudly and raises his head.

For a moment, Loki feels something wrong. Behind the innocent annoyance of the boy, she feels that she sensed something greater. But... it was so quick that even she believes that she may be wrong.

Instead of raging, however, the boy blinks in surprise once he cleans the sleep out of his eyes.

"Oh? Loki? Hey. What are you doing here?"

Again... the sheer casualness is concerning. But also refreshing. Still raising an eyebrow, she leans forward on the counter and grins.

"Is that how you greet your landlord?"

---

Jackal observes his customers for a bit and feels the slightest bit regretful at wasting four candies. Sure, the girl next to Loki is technically a young teen but his candies are only for children under the age of ten.

Even if that came out wrong... Jackal stands his ground!

After all, these candies are the choicest ones! The most premium kind! He tried it and it knocked his socks off!

The one leaning 'seductively' over his counter with all the charm of an ugly, bony pelican is Loki, the Goddess of one of the top two Familias— the Loki Familia.

Also... his landlord.

Loki wears her short red hair in a ponytail held together by some dark hairband with leaf-like extensions. Her flat, sleek torso is covered by a blue strapless crop top. Around her shoulders is an article of clothing that only covers her arms and has a hood extension.

Although Jackal can't check her out fully, if the rumors are to believe, Loki is found in her natural habitat while wearing denim shorts that expose her pure excuse of an ass quite a bit. Her legs should be covered by black stockings and her feet should be encased in blue heels.

"Seen enough, boy?" She purrs huskily. Probably trying to raise a reaction?

Who knows?

Who cares?

Like Jackal said— Ugly Pelican. It would take divine wine to make him feel remotely attracted to Loki.

Instead of replying, Jackal looks at the poster girl of the Loki Familia.

And... words do her no justice.

Her golden hair seemingly reflects light ever so slightly, making her silky smooth tresses feel like a waterfall of gold. Her golden pupils are lit in silent curiosity, just like his own. For a moment, his pair of Golden-red eyes hold her steady with a gaze.

Her skin is every bit fair as an elf's. She should be 14 this year but she's got the body of a 16-year-old teen. Not that Jackal cares. Stuff like age rarely matters here when 10 and 12-year-olds eagerly throw themselves in dungeons to die.

Wearing a slightly ridiculous breastplate over her white dress lined by blue fabric, Jackal can see more of her due to her positioning, allowing him to realize that the short skirt dress reveals most of her thighs, too. A rapier hangs around her waist.

"Hey!" Loki's snappy words make Jackal looks at her once again, "Well, how should I greet my landlord?"

"By licking my boots, metaphorically!"

"I wouldn't lick anything on you even if you begged!"

Jackal's reply comes just as quickly.

Loki's glare sharpens.

"Then bow and sing my praises!"

"If I bow, who will sing your praises? Lies can't bounce off you..." His gaze lowers a bit as Loki pales slightly and hisses.

"Just give that jar of candy and you'll be a respected member of my fan community."

"Babe, cult ain't fan clubs. And you'll never get my candies!"

"Don't tempt me! I'll snatch those candies!"

"You will try! You shall fail!"

"Hmph, your candies ain't all that much!"

"Then bugger off, landlord! You're blocking business!"

Oh, this conversation was never about candies...

Hearing him say so, Ais nods and bows slightly before reaching for the door, startling both Jackal and Loki.

"Aizu-chan!" Loki whines, "The mean shop owner did not mean what he said! Stay~!"

Just as Loki creeps forward, her hand slowly but gradually reaching for Ais's shapely peach to give it a firm pat, Aiz turns away and calmly dodges her Goddess' advance.

"So? What can I do for you?" Jackal questions.

"When Gonjo came to settle the contract... he did not talk about your eyes," Loki further leans over the table in another vain attempt to get her godly charms to get a rise out of him.

Ok... Loki is a beautiful bony pelican but the point still stands!

There is something about Loki that Jackal wishes to oppose!

So, he barely flinches with her face looming a few inches away from his.

But seeing Loki's growing smirk, Jackal narrows his eyes, "I swear if you try to kiss me I will break your nose."

This makes Ais furrow her brows for a moment. Her hand is already on the handle of her sword.

"You'll be dead before you touch me~!" Loki cackles, her impossibly sweet and fresh breath hits him as she pulls back, "But point taken. No kissy for brats!"

"Nah, I make the point of not kissing brats. Now, what can I do for you, dear customers?"

"Candy... another one," Ais raises a request.

"No more than two and you're above the age of ten so none for you from now onwards."

Ais' lips hang open in surprise.

Huffing, Loki accuses, "Way to go making my Ais-tan sad! You broke her heart! Compensate!"

"No matter how you waste my time... you're not getting any more freebies. You're here for the potions, right? The price tag is already up. Tell me which one I should pack?"

Instead of replying, Loki looks around, "You've made this place a lot better. But meh, still not good enough. No wonder your familia sent you to catch dust here."

'Ah, Naaza, I love you! Thank you for letting me practice this one you!'

With an infuriatingly practiced smile, Jackal shrugs, "Something like that."

Loki smirks but damn it, she's pissed for some reason!

"I'll take your entire stock and even contract you—"

"Nah, one contract per god or goddess. We have a rental agreement, that's it!"

"Oh, you stupid, knucklehead brat, why the hell are you doing this to me?!" Loki snaps.

"Personal amusement!" So does Jackal and in the same shared wavelength at that.

One grit her teeth.

The other smirks.

And the third is still sad about the candies. The best she's ever tasted...

***

Alternate Title: Nobody Flirts With Jackal... right? *Enters Loki*; It Ain't About Candies! *Ais* Frowns in Disagreement; Personal Amusement; The Peloki-an!; Squawks of a Pelican— The Jackal's Cackles!; Wasted Candies... *Ais* Frowns in Disagreement Harder; Misha is Built Different; The Silent Rose Route; The Perfect Ice-Breaker— Love Potion; Naaza *Sees Jackal's and Miach's Bento*: Heh!

***

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***

Loki

Ais Wallenstein