A Basement-Dwelling Loser, the Inquisitor – Chapter 10

I’ve been a rice-eating bug for two days now.

I couldn’t help but marvel at my account.

“Wow.”

[JB Comprehensive Account – Savings Account]

[463,150 won]

The money I earned from a four-day gig sticking eyes onto teddy bears was 80,000 won.

And in just two days of hard work with rice-eating, I made 300,000 won.

Of course, since I sold all the materials I had saved up, it won’t be this easy to earn money going forward.

Even so, one thing is for certain: this is way more efficient than sticking eyes on teddy bears.

Well, I still can’t live solely off this, so I’ll have to keep looking for part-time jobs, but just having a cushion in my bank account brings me peace of mind.

“Yawn…”

Maybe it’s because I relaxed, but my body feels lazy.

When I feel this lazy, eating chicken is the best option.

Now that I think about it, it’s been a really long time since I ordered delivery food… or chicken.

When I first returned to Earth, I used to order delivery quite often, but ever since I bought the Reverse Capsule, I had to save money.

…Hmm. Should I order some chicken after a long while?

Of course, my wallet isn’t perfectly fine yet… but I think it’s okay to take a breather once in a while.

So just for today.

Would it be alright to treat myself to chicken today?

As a reward for all my hard work lately.

“…Alright.”

When I decide on something, I shouldn’t hesitate.

If you’re going to do it anyway, hesitating is just a waste of time.

Knowing this well, I immediately opened the delivery service app on my phone. ‘Here ya go’ and accessed the chicken category.

My absolute favorite is cheese seasoning chicken piled high with cheese powder.

Should I say it’s the unique salty and nutty flavor I love?

If I had enough money, I could eat it every day without getting tired of it.

Just as I was enjoying this happy thought, an unexpected hardship came crashing down on me.

[Delivery Info: 30 – 35 minutes]

[Delivery Fee: 4,000 won (Details)]

…Why is the delivery fee 4,000 won?

A whole chicken costs 20,000 won, so if the delivery fee is 4,000 won, that’s a fifth of the chicken’s price.

If I assume I’ll also order a cola… even a small one would bring it to 26,500 won.

Isn’t that just way too expensive?

I know I shouldn’t hesitate, yet the price makes me hesitate anyway.

And since I’m not exactly rolling in cash, it makes me even more reluctant.

But then again, chicken isn’t too cheap either.

Should I just give up…?

For a moment, that thought flickered in my mind, but I shook my head to dispel it.

I imagined myself gripping a chicken leg in my right hand, biting into it while enduring the heat.

Crispy and salty fried goodness. The hot steam rising and the tender meat inside the chicken leg.

And then to soothe the heat and greasiness, a cool cola.

“Ugh…”

I definitely can’t give up on chicken today.

Thinking about it, it’s been over a year since I had delivery food, so this should be alright, right?

But it’s also true that I feel like the delivery fee is a bit much.

In other words, there’s only one solution.

As much as I dislike it, I think it’s time for me to go out.

★

I put on a hat and sunglasses.

Not forgetting my past mistakes, I’m fully prepared; I could say I’m a pro hikikomori.

Of course, my long hair means wearing a hat doesn’t have much of an effect, but I still wanted to believe it might distract some eyes.

Isn’t it just easier and better to get a short haircut?

It’d be a lie to say I’ve never thought that.

But when my hair got so long it dragged on the floor, one of the nuns suggested I should cut it a little, but I received a divine revelation that such a thing would absolutely not be permitted.

If I even considered cutting my hair, punishment would befall the entire cult.

What a crazy woman, right?

Anyway, as I kept complaining about how uncomfortable it was to have my hair so long, I received a “blessing” that kept my hair at this length.

…I’m still not sure if that’s really a blessing though.

So I even asked for a blessing to keep my hair managed, but apparently they thought it was better for me to see myself take care of my long hair.

What an ominous and perverted goddess.

Since that day, my hair length hasn’t changed at all, and that went on even after I came to Earth.

At least they said it was okay to cut or trim my hair if I wanted to look nice, right?

But since I have no intention of looking nice, it has no meaning whatsoever.

Either way, my painfully long silver-white hair is a nuisance whenever I go out.

“Hmmm…”

After quickly getting dressed, I looked in the mirror to check for any strange parts.

I was pushing my hat down tightly, and my sunglasses were hiding my eyes.

If I throw on a mask… hmm. Would I stand out more?

With just a hat and sunglasses, it could be seen as fashion, but adding a mask would make it feel like I’m saying, “Please recognize me!”

In short, I concluded that my attire was at an optimal state for going outside.

After reaching that conclusion.

I set off toward the chicken store, a murderous distance of 1 km roundtrip.

★

“Huh…”

What should I do?

Getting the chicken without any problems and on my way back home.

A girl with thick brown hair was sobbing at the park entrance.

She definitely wasn’t there when I went to the chicken store earlier…

It’s odd that no one is passing by either.

But still, with a little girl crying like that, shouldn’t at least one person come to check on her?

…Ah. That one person is me, huh.

“Hmmm…”

In our cult, there’s a saying to care for lost sheep.

Of course, that’s a bit different from this situation, but how could I just pass by a girl who’s crying all alone?

No matter how much my official title is Inquisition Officer, fundamentally I’m still a priest.

So, this means it’s time for me as a proper priest to step up.

“Um, um….”

“Huh…?”

As I timidly approached, the girl wiped her tears and looked up at me.

“Is something wrong…?”

“Who are you…?”

“Uh, um… I live nearby….”

Seeing her arms tremble, she seems quite anxious.

But sadly, she’s mistaken.

I’m probably trembling even more than she is…

Unlike the helmet I wear in New Dimension, sunglasses hide my eye color perfectly, but they don’t completely hide the gaze of others.

But stepping back here would mean I’m not worthy of being a priest.

So, while trying to divert her attention, I continued talking to the little girl.

“I’d like to help if something’s wrong…”

“I… I got lost… sniff.”

As I suspected, she appears to be a lost child.

“What about your parents…?”

“They… went to work… We just moved in the day before yesterday, and I lost the way while looking around….”

“Hmm… Do you have your home address or your parents’ phone number?”

At my question, the girl shook her head vigorously.

Then there’s no choice but to take her to the police station.

After clearing my thoughts, I reached out my hand, and she quietly grabbed my sleeve.

And then.

Gurgle──.

A sound echoed from both our stomachs at the same time.

“…Are you hungry?”

Nodding along with her and the steaming chicken in my right hand.

…Well, I can’t help this.

“Then before we go to the police station… let’s have some chicken together at my place.”

“Is that okay?”

Given her anxious gaze, there was no option for me to shake my head.

“It’s fine. I wouldn’t be able to finish all of it anyway.”

Even if I actually ordered a whole one to last until tomorrow…

“Thank you.”

Seeing her bow and thank me, I didn’t feel any regret.

★

The girl’s name is Yubora. She’s 6 years old and in elementary school.

“My name is Selene.”

“Your last name is Sel? That’s interesting.”

“Not quite… well, it’s okay to think of it that way. Just call me Rene.”

And her personality is more energetic than I expected.

Thinking maybe we’ve become friends, she started talking casually, and as she calmed down, she smiled brightly…

“Why are you shaking so much, big sis?”

“Ah, um… it’s because it’s winter and cold….”

“It’s not that cold today, though! You’re weird!”

“Haha…”

Even with a 6-year-old chatting with me, it’s quite a burden.

No, it’s actually more unsettling because she’s a child.

They say it’s better to make eye contact with kids.

But sadly, for me, that’s impossible.

Also, with me mumbling slightly and shaking all over, it’s no wonder Bora finds it strange.

“…Uh?”

“Ah, we’ve arrived.”

“Do you live here?”

“Um, yes….”

“Our family moved here too!”

…Huh?

★

About the lost child I found being a resident of the apartment upstairs.

Well, anyway, after I coincidentally got to Bora’s home, I took her home and was ready for some delightful chicken time…

“Our home is similar to yours!”

“Because we’re in the same apartment….”

But I couldn’t indulge.

As much as I wanted to relax at home by myself, I couldn’t be that cold-hearted to leave a hungry child all alone.

And then Bora said.

“Big sis, do you live alone?”

“Yes.”

“Then don’t you clean up?”

“….”

As soon as we stepped inside, it felt like I had nailed a spike into my heart.