The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

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Sub Quest: Out of Cash, Out of Kebabs: We're Skewered!

Condition: Help the owner of the skewer shop.

Rewards: +2 stat points, (???)

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Staring at the quest window in front of me, my mouth hung slightly open. I couldn't say anything.

I don't even know how to react...

This quest...

'I've seen this before.'

Plenty of times, to be honest.

It's a sub quest given to the protagonist after they buy a bunch of times in this store.

But I didn't expect to see this window again...

'Heck, I didn't even know I could receive a quest in this life just like in the game!'

Did my questions earlier that made the shop owner share his story trigger the sub quest?

Then...

"Wait..."

I remembered something from the game.

Once during my gameplay, I rejected this quest.

Then later on, the shop closed.

It reopened not long after though.

I thought it was just a bug or something.

But now that I know the shop owner's story...

'It all makes sense now.'

'He probably closed the shop when money became tight... then reopened it because his mother... probably died.'

"..."

That's just tragic. I want to help him somehow.

'But how...?'

In the game, I was tasked with hunting 10 wild animals and giving their meat to the owner.

But this time...

'It's just telling me to help the shop owner.'

Of course, I could clear it just like in the game, but I don't have the ability to do that right now.

This body can't hunt shit.

"Ah..."

Then it hit me...

A way to help the young shop owner.

Immediately after figuring out a way...

"Umm, I didn't catch your name. Mind telling me?"

I asked for his name.

The young man just shook his head.

And with a smile...

"I'm Kyle... Kyle Larson."

He introduced himself.

"Nice to meet you, Kyle. I'm Raye Alvah."

I introduced back.

And he just smiled at me. He probably doesn't even know my reputation in the academy.

Which is perfect...

"Nice to meet you too, and thanks to you, I won't have to work late today, haha."

Kyle said with a laugh.

"Say, Kyle..."

I called to him.

"Hm? What is it?"

And he responded casually.

I looked at him with a smile, and the next thing that came out of my mouth...

"What do you think of me being your silent business partner?"

Was a business proposal.

"Huh...?"

...

*****

...

A silent business partner is basically just an investor, it doesn't involve a management role in the business.

But depending on the terms agreed on...

'I can earn money as long as the business runs with just a one-time investment.'

Which is what happened in the game...

After completing his quest, Kyle would feel indebted to you.

He will tell you to return next month, and after doing so...

He would give you 15 gold coins!

Saying that his business bloomed and it's all thanks to you that he could continue working on it.

After that, it will become a monthly thing! He'd give you gold coins, ranging from 15 to 30, every month you came to him!

In the game, I always did his quest quite late, so that amount wasn't really a big deal to me.

But in real life...

In this world... 18 gold coins is an average monthly income for a farmer!

And you only need 35 gold coins monthly to live comfortably while renting a place!

In other words...

'I at least wouldn't have to worry about starving or freezing to death anymore later on!'

What's more, this investment is 100% sure to succeed!

That's why there's no reason not to invest in Kyle. I'll be helping him, and it'll benefit me in the future as well!

Though, after telling Kyle about my intention...

"Erm..."

He just looked at me weirdly.

"I get what you want. I just don't know why you're so willing to help me..."

He said, and that's a fair point.

Well, I can't just say it's because of the quest and the benefits I'll reap in the future...

So I told him my other reason.

"I just really want to help you out in your situation."

"..."

He just looked at me weirdly again.

He wasn't convinced at all! Even though it's true!

'Im hurt!'

Anyway...

"Also, I'm not doing it for free... You'll need to give me 30% of your monthly profit from now on starting next month."

I added that to remind him I'm not doing a charity work.

"But what if my business fails?"

Kyle asked.

"Then that's that, you don't have to pay me anything."

And I answered while shrugging my shoulders.

Kyle was about to say something...

"Though, I'm sure your meat skewers will sell like crazy."

But I spoke first.

"How can you be sure?"

He asked while looking at me like I'm some crazy guy.

Then with a smug smile on my face...

"I know because I tasted them first-hand."

I replied confidently.

"..."

Kyle became silent, he closed his mouth and thought for himself for a while.

And after a few moments...

...

"Fine, I'll at least hear you out. I have nothing to lose anyway."

He finally started to think positively of my proposal.

'Phew, I was starting to think he might decline...'

"Great, you wouldn't regret it."

I said as I shook his hand.

As we shook hands...

"How much do you plan to invest, anyway?"

Kyle asked me that question.

Quite frankly, I don't know either...

"Hmm, tell me the situation first."

So I asked him about the flow of his money first.

"Well, okay... I earn 40 gold coins a month and use 20 gold coins to buy the meat I cook, and 18 gold coins for our monthly expenses."

Kyle explained.

"I barely make enough for us, haha."

Then he followed with a fake laugh.

I can tell how tired he is of his situation from his expression...

I took out my bag of gold coins.

"Hmm, in that case..."

Then I started counting.

Placing the gold coins on the counter of his stall, I counted past 20 gold coins.

Kyle just looked at me in surprise as I continued...

I ignored him, his face is distracting me.

...

Then, after a few moments...

"Here."

I pushed 50 gold coins in his direction.

"Wha..."

Kyle was bewildered, he was speechless.

Well, I can't blame him. With this much, he could triple his stock of meat skewers and expand his shop.

And he wouldn't have to worry about this month's expenses...

I'm giving him half of what I got from being kicked out of the Alvah Family, but it's worth it.

Given what I'll be receiving in the future.

'It's not even my money.'

Anyway...

"Are you sure?!"

Kyle still couldn't believe that in front of him is 50 gold coins for him to use.

His reaction was that of a child, fitting for his age. It made me smile...

So without saying anything, I just nodded at him to answer his question.

Seeing my response, Kyle teared up.

And soon...

"Sniff..."

He started crying.

"Thank you very much!"

He exclaimed as he bowed his head.

"I promise to work hard and repay you as soon as possible!"

And then he added.

"Yeah, do your best."

I calmly told him.

'Well, now it's sure that he agrees to be my business partner ... He's even talking like we already agreed on the terms.'

And then...

Swoosh-

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Sub Quest: Out of Cash, Out of Kebabs: We're Skewered! (Complete)

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The message of the quest's completion appeared in front of me.

"Sweet."

I mumbled as a smile crept up on my face.