Unable to repay my student loans, I had no choice but to work part-time as a demon hunter.

"So you can cook," Gordon added.

This hand was used to make intricate cuts on a cultist yesterday, and today it's used to slice radishes.

Of course, both were soft and crunchy to her.

Vera looked at the pot, fragmented memories flashing through her mind.

A perfect score on all her lessons at Hunter Academy. A proud girl walking at the front of the group. An unyielding ideal.

"...I've been eating too much these past two years," Vera said. "I've slowly come to understand the secrets to making food taste better. Also, wash your hands."

"Yes, ma'am, Chef."

Gordon readily went to wash his hands, feeling a mix of emotions he couldn't quite describe; it all felt so new and exciting.

After washing, the stewed meat needs to simmer for a while longer.

Gordon took the opportunity to settle the bill at the dining table.

Harold has a large legacy.

The first category is rare materials that can be sold for money, which have already been sold, and that's cause for celebration.

The second category requires careful preservation, such as the underground hydrographic map of Lundnium, a guarantee letter signed "Olivia," rubbings of the Tideborn Ceremony, and Harold's notes. Some point to secrets, others to trouble.

The third type's purpose is currently unknown, such as that mysterious colorful scale. Its color changes with the angle, shifting from peacock blue to pearl pink... and various other unnameable hues. We can't concern ourselves with it for now.

Gordon calculated the income and expenses on a piece of paper.

Prior to the Harold incident, the cash balance at No. 9 Knight Road was:

33 gold pounds, 8 silver pounds, and 97 copper cents.

After the incident, Gordon sold the failed source material to Gray, plus sold that pile of exotic materials, for a total income of:

29 gold pounds, 9 silver pounds, and 80 copper cents.

In addition, it is necessary to purchase oral medications, medical chemical supplies, daily necessities, and food. Total expenditure:

3 gold pounds, 11 silver pounds, and 29 copper cents.

Gordon picked up his pen and solemnly calculated a math problem.

Praise yourself.

After a series of life-and-death experiences, Gordon now has 59 gold pounds, 7 silver pounds, 48 ​​bronze points, plus a partner who eats a lot, is a great fighter, and can even cook.

  

After calculating the cost, Vera also brought the stew to the table.

The thick broth coats the meat and vegetables, and the aroma is irresistible.

Gordon dipped a piece of rye bread in the sauce, then scooped a spoonful of stewed meat with his right hand.

Take a bite from the left, and drink a spoonful from the right.

As he savored the taste, Gordon's eyes widened.

"It's so delicious, we should take over the downstairs area and turn it into a family restaurant. I'm not kidding. This city can lose the Johns Hopkins Dental Clinic, but it can't live without your cooking," Gordon said.

Vera blinked, a faint joy rising in her heart. It came quickly, and it disappeared just as quickly.

"Eat your food." Vera said sternly.

Gordon wanted to say a few more compliments, but then he noticed that Vera's ears were turning red.

So he, like a mature man, focused on his work.

A real man has many ways to express care, such as scraping the bottom of the pot clean.

……

On Monday, Gordon went to school.

He bought today's and yesterday's newspapers from a newsboy whose nose was red from the cold, to see if he had appeared in the social news section.

An explosion occurred at an old pumping station late at night. The cause is suspected to be years of disrepair; fortunately, no one was injured.

It didn't mention Harold, alien monsters, cultists, or mermaids. It seems the media machine has done a good job protecting the public.

It's so bizarrely written. After reading it, I felt like the pump station owner had a mental breakdown and blew it up in the middle of the night.

A bizarre body was found on Aston Street; excessive fluid was detected in the deceased's lungs.

This caught Gordon's attention.

According to the description, the deceased had a large amount of water in his/her lungs, consistent with drowning, but the deceased was sleeping well at home at the time.

The circumstances surrounding the death are highly suspicious, and the Lundnim Police Department is conducting a further investigation into the case. This means they haven't found anything yet.

A mysterious murder case. Gordon thought to himself.

Have Tantric practitioners evolved new methods of murder?

Aston Street isn't far from the university, so hopefully the next victim won't be getting any closer to the school.

Back in the lecture hall of the Biomedical Engineering Department.

Gordon immediately noticed Charlotte.

She had her blonde hair tied up, and was wearing a light green cloak over a black school uniform and white stockings. She had her legs crossed, and one foot was barefoot.

In addition, she deliberately left a seat empty next to her, as if it had always belonged to someone.

"Good morning." Gordon went over and sat down.

His shoulder was almost touching her sleeve, and he could smell a faint fragrance.

She didn't look away, but instead carefully examined Gordon.

A face like a fool, a straight neck, and two intact hands.

Once she confirmed he wasn't injured, Charlotte put on a sullen expression, looking like she was about to interrogate him.

"You're alive! Peter told me you went on a big adventure," Charlotte said. "You might be dead next time."

"Next time is next time," Gordon said.

"What about Harold Wade?" Charlotte asked.

"You've turned into Harold-chan," Gordon said.

Charlotte closed her eyes and sighed.

No matter what bad things he did, the word "sauce" is enough to make people forgive him.

"...Anyway," she said, "it's all over now."

"It's just getting started," Gordon said. "He has an introducer, Olivia Brundell. Any leads?"

"Ah, Lady Brendel," Charlotte recalled, "she was a noble and generous lady. She ran a mansion in the north of the city."

"How could a noble lady vouch for the reputation of a fish?"

"Perhaps she was threatened," Charlotte said. "Sectists are capable of anything."

"You could check, otherwise she might write again asking you to take in a talking sponge." Gordon said, then regretted it. "...Never mind, let's not check."

"What do you mean by 'let it go'?"

"I'm afraid you'll end up drowning. Have you read the newspapers? Bad guys are making people drown on the shore these days," Gordon said.

"Are you concerned about me, Mr. Vic?" Charlotte asked.

"Of course, I have to protect this little golden head with its beautiful eyes," Gordon said.

"...What a pity," Charlotte said. "I thought you'd learned how to be a decent person."

She moved away from Gordon.

Sitting next to her was her best friend, Cecilia FitzRoy.

A very lively girl wearing a pretty hat.

She had noticed something was off between the two of them long ago.

It's been almost half a year.

The observation process progressed from "Are they interested in each other?" to "Are you two ever going to stop?"

Therefore, Cecilia had only one thought in her mind at that moment:

Stop flirting in front of me!

"I have a cold, everyone please keep social distance," Cecilia said, and without a hint of guilt, she pushed Charlotte towards Gordon.

"Ouch..." Charlotte almost fell into Gordon's arms. She hurriedly grabbed the chair, tried to regain her balance, and then sat upright, glancing at Gordon.

"..." Gordon's expression was very calm.

"...The Eid al-Fitr holiday is coming soon. What are your plans?" Charlotte asked slowly.

Starting the day after tomorrow, the university will have a two-week break.

"Sleep for 14 days straight." Gordon said sincerely.

He's been attending classes, training, and researching all day long, constantly running around, and his body is completely exhausted. Now all he wants to do is sleep until he naturally wakes up.

Charlotte chuckled.

"I'll be sending out invitations to various events to 9 Knightsway," she said. "Of course, you don't have to come."

Gordon's first thought was, "Can I take Vera with me?" But he felt that if he said it now, Charlotte would probably use her hands to attack his neck, and his neck would have no chance.