IT MAY NOT BE WHAT THEY WANT, BUT IT'S WHAT THEY NEED

"Little Sage, even if he is a good monster, people will just chase him away!" said Gretel.

"No, no no! I mean, they would not know that, because if mishter Gus won't move or talk, he would look just like any other suit of armor!" said little Sage.

Everybody was dumbfounded. Although Sage was clumsy, it doesn't mean she is an idiot. Quite the contrary, Little sage is a genius when it comes to her cognitive skills.

"Way to Go little Sage!" Gretel exclaimed as she picked up her little sister and gave her the tightest of her hugs.

Gus was impressed as well. He just could not believe he has never thought about splitting himself up and disguise himself as any other junk! Well, it's not like Gus was born a monster, He was human a few hours ago. He guessed that it would take a little while to get used to his new body.

"System, why didn't you told me I can disassemble myself!" Gus thought.

"User has never asked." replied the system bluntly.

Gus proceeded with disassembling himself. Griffin wore Gus' chest armor, while Cindy wore Gus' Legs. As for his other parts, Ray equipped his arms, and finally Little Sage was holding onto his helmet as if it was her new toy.

As they were near the town's entrance, the two guards noticed that the residents from the former chapel has returned.

"It's about time you guys got back!" Said the skinny guard.

"Well, we're here now, right mister?" said Griffin.

"I'm really sorry for the trouble. I fetched the children myself since they were later than usual. If there isn't anything else, then we'll be on our way." replied Sarah to the guards. She was about to step away, the skinny guard nudged at his partner.

"Oh. right! Urm...M. Ms. Stillwater.? c...could I have a moment of your time?" asked the nervous stout Guard.

"Y. Yes?" replied Sarah nervously.

"You see, If you have time, is it okay if we both have supper? bring along the kids! I know it's been hard on the orphanage lately. let me treat the children to something nice!" said the stout guard.

"H..how kind of you sir. If it's for the children then I would gla.... ouch!" said the startled Ms. Sarah.

One of the children pinched her arm.

Sarah saw that the children were glaring at her. They were trying to tell her to reject that damn bastard! They knew Ms. Sarah was just kind enough not to reject anybody. The kids hated it the most when lustful men used them as leverage just to leave a good impression for beautiful Ms. Sarah Stillwater. It's pretty clear that the kids also wanted to protect Ms. Sarah. They thought about her happiness first before their own.

"I would have to decline kind sir. I forgot I have made a promise with them. Maybe some other time yes?" said Ms. Sarah.

"O..Of course! No problem." said the stout guard sadly.

As they were on their way back to the orphanage, the skinny guard stopped them. "Kids, where did you get those?"

"Oh, these?" Gretel said as she points her finger at the armor pieces.

"You see Mister, we found them lying around the bushes as we were picking berries. We were about to sell this tomorrow!" said Gretel.

"Wait!" Said the skinny guard. "This might've belonged to a missing person, so I think its best if I take this and report it to the Townhall. Don't worry about the money! I'm sure they would pay you a reward for finding this!" Sarah and the others were just about ready to run for it. But someone knelt down and simply cried with tears flowing non stop!

"B.bb.ut We found this first Mister! *sob* We would've made more money if we can sell it to the right buyer! *sob sob* I thought we finally would have enough money to buy medicine for my brother's broken arm. *hic hic" Cindy said as she cried.

"Huh? My arm is fi..." BOP! Little Sage bopped Griffin on the head with her book.

"Ouch! Sage Why did yo... OW!!!" said Griffin.

"Don't worry big brother! This magic book will make the pain go away" said Little Sage as she bopped away at her's big brother's idiotic head. Ray was blankly staring as usual, but he gave a hidden thumbs up towards little Sage.

"Normally we have to report this, but since nobody filed a report for any missing person, I'll let it go this time. Take care of your brother, okay?" Said the Skinny guard.

"Oh! Thank you, kind sir! You are a blessing to us poor unfortunate children. May the Gods bless and guide you!" exaggerated Cindy.

After they walked away far enough for the guards to notice, Cindy's sobbing face is immediately replaced with a devilish grin as if she managed to fool a poor soul into her to suffer in her domain.

Finally, back at the Orphanage, Gus returned to his original form while Sarah also excused herself to help the kids get ready for supper.

Gus used this opportunity to sort his status function.

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GUS LVL 03

Living Armor

HP 1500/1500

MP 150/150

VIT 7

STR 4

INT 3

DEX 6

LUK 4

PASSIVE SKILLS:

Pain Nullification LVL 01 - A fist like stone would probably feel like a pebble instead. still would hurt, but just a bit.

Armor Fortification LVL 01 - Armor is as thick as thin metal sheet. A hard swing of a sword can still pass through! Please Train harder!

Perpetual Body LVL 01: you won't die of old age!

Valued Patron: Anyone who wears the armor, will share the User's Passive Status. Active Skills Do Not Apply.

ACTIVE SKILLS:

BARTER LVL 01:

Ingredients:

Onions- 3 coppers

Butter- 5 coppers

COOKING LVL 01:

Menu:

Makeshift Rabbit Stew = + 2 STR, + 2 VIT

TERRITORY LVL 01:

2x2 meter spacial storage

Available skill points: *NEW* +1

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As Gus was still fiddling with his status function, Sarah grabbed Gus' attention to invite him for dinner."Mister Gus, We don't have much, but we would be honored if you joined us for supper." said Sarah. As Gus gladly accepted the offer, Sarah guided him to an old small dinner table. On one side sat the boys, Griffin and Ray and as for the other side, sat Cindy, Gretel, and Little Sage. Sarah Sat on one end, while Gus sat at the other, which is usually called the "Seat of Honor."

The children know that Sarah is a very good cook. That is the reason why the kids love it when it was time for them to eat! Sarah served a pottage(stew) of peas, beans, and onions which were all donated by the locals. Sarah gave Gus' portion first, which is a single slice of dark rye bread and half a small bowl of the pottage. Next, Sarah divided the pottage and bread equally among the children who have the same amount as Gus' plate and finally having a little left for herself.

Gus saw Griffin and Ray finished their bread with 2 bites and also finish the soup quickly. They gave a small sigh then smiled at Gus right after. As for the Girls, Gretel and Cindy also finished fast having just a few more bites than the boys. As for little Sage, she tried to bite as small as she can on the hard black rye bread as if she wants to savor every last crumb. she even pretended to cook and add the small crumbs in her little bowl of soup. She mixed everything together and took small sips on her spoon. After Little Sage finished her food, she got bummed and licked off the flavors that were still on her spoon.

Sarah didn't touch her bowl till everybody almost finished theirs, and proceeded to eat her portion.

She looked depressed when she looked at the children eating. Gus can see it in everybody's face. They were content, but they were not satisfied. Gus' wondered when was the last time these

kind-hearted people had a decent meal.

As everybody finished, they took their dirty dishes and lined up in the kitchen to wash their own dirty dishes. Having a heart of a cook, His heart bled seeing them eat like this. Growing kids need proper food and nutrition!

"Mister Gus, thank you for joining us. I hope the food was to your liking." said Sarah.

"The food is great, Miss Sarah! Your cooking brought the best of flavors out of each ingredient that went in that pot. Again, Thank you for inviting me to supper. You were the first humans that were kind enough to offer dinner to a monster like me." said Gus.

Gus wanted to repay them somehow for their kindness and generosity. If it wasn't for them, he couldn't have entered the town or worse, other monsters or adventurers would have killed him already.

"Miss Sarah, I guess I will be taking my leave. Again I thank you for dinner." Said Gus.

"Can Mister Gus stay over Miss Sarah? He has no place to go!" said the worried Gretel.

After thinking for a little bit, Sarah has decided to talk to ask Gus.

"Mr. Gus, if you have nowhere else to go, you are more than welcome to sleep in the Orphanage." said Sarah as she pats Gretel's head gently.

"Then I will take your offer, Ms. Sarah." said Gus willingly.

Everyone celebrated, as their Guardian Miss Sarah allowed a humanoid, friendly monster to sleep with them in their own home. "Yay! Mister Gus can stay!" shouted Gretel. Griffin and Ray high-five at each other while Cindy jumped with joy and celebrated with the boys. As for Little Sage, She ran with her cute little legs and couldn't help herself, jump at Mr. Gus and gave him a hug.

"Can you tell me an interesting story Mr. Gus?" asked little Sage.

"Of course I can! I'm the great Living Armor, that can tell thousands of stories just for you! I have so many stories that you might beg me to stop." Exclaimed Gus.

Little Sage's eyes sparkled and even got bigger after she heard that.

As Sarah was about to tell the children to stop bothering Mr. Gus, she stopped and couldn't help admire Mr. Gus. These Kids were longing to have someone as their father figure.

After an hour, Gus' finished telling the story "Snow White." The children fell asleep with a big smile on their faces. One by one, Gus and Sarah carried the kids to their single shared room and tucked them in their warm straw beds. Sarah tucked little Sage in her tiny bed, took off her round glasses and placed her favorite book under her arms for her to hug like a pillow. After that, they left the children's room.

"Mister Gus, thank you for being kind to the kids. It really means a lot to them as they do not have too many friends their age. Anyway, I will also be taking my rest. Good Evening and have a pleasant sleep."

"I am also glad to have met everyone, Miss Sarah, I am in your debt. Good night." replied Gus.

After Sarah left, Gus went back to the chapel hall to talk to his System.

"System, I would like to use my skill point now please."

"Certainly User! Please choose a skill to level-up!"

Gus already had an idea of what skill to spend on.

"I want to Use the point on my Barter skill!"

"Understood! Please select three items from the list. Which items would you like to have for sale." asked the system.

In a second, a vast selection of grocery items popped up! His eyes widened as he found 3 items he was looking for.