The aroma of freshly mixed flour and eggs filled the small apartment.
Lydia, with the sleeves of her white dress rolled up, kneaded the dough with a smile as she sprinkled a little more flour across the countertop.
"I think they’re turning out much better this time."
Liam barely looked up from the guild-issued black phone.
"They smell great."
At the table, Liam scrolled through the exclusive hunter app that came pre-installed on the guild phone. It was far more comprehensive than he’d expected.
There was a section for available dungeons, another for assistance requests, listings from parties looking for temporary members, and even advertisements from merchants seeking escorts.
’What a different world...’
Just two days ago, the only things he’d searched for on his phone were deals on camera equipment or clients looking to book a photography session.
Now he was searching for monsters to fight.
He opened the low-rank dungeon section.
Rank F Dungeon – Clearing Mission.
Rank E Dungeon – Mineral Gathering.
Rank E Dungeon – Beginner Party Requesting Support.
Liam began reading through the details of each one.
’These could be good training...’
They didn’t urgently need money anymore after the reward they’d received and the guild benefits.
What they needed now was experience.
The more they gained before the Squad Selection event, the better.
As he continued reading, another phone on the table began to vibrate.
Bzzz... Bzzz...
Liam slowly turned his head.
His old cellphone.
The screen displayed a name he knew all too well.
Mr. Banks.
Lydia stopped kneading.
"Is everything okay?"
Liam sighed.
"Yeah..."
He looked back at the screen.
The phone kept ringing.
"It’s Mr. Banks."
Lydia grimaced.
"Oh..."
There was no need to explain any further.
They both knew exactly what the call was about.
Liam picked up the phone.
"He’s probably calling about the rent."
Lydia brushed some flour from her hands.
"Are you going to answer?"
Liam thought for a few seconds.
’If I don’t, he’ll keep calling all night.’
He smiled reassuringly.
"Don’t worry. I’ll answer so he’ll stop bothering us."
He put away the guild phone.
"Besides, tomorrow, before I head to the guild, I’ll stop by his house and pay everything we owe him."
Lydia let out a relieved breath.
"That makes me feel a lot better."
"I won’t be long."
Liam stepped outside the apartment while the phone continued vibrating.
◇◆◇
The night air was cool.
The lights from nearby buildings cast a dim glow over the nearly empty street.
Leaning against the apartment building’s wall, Liam finally answered the call.
"Good evening, Mr. Banks."
The response came immediately, dripping with irritation.
"About time you answered."
Liam remained silent.
"I assume you already know why I’m calling."
"I can guess."
"It’s never good to be in debt, son."
The man paused.
"And I heard an interesting rumor."
Liam frowned slightly.
"Oh?"
"It seems your wife isn’t the only unemployed one living in my apartment anymore."
The words were filled with contempt.
Liam took a slow breath but said nothing.
Mr. Banks seemed to enjoy the silence.
"Things are pretty rough, huh?"
He chuckled mockingly.
"Although I’ve got another piece of news."
Another pause.
"Next month I’m raising the rent again."
Liam closed his eyes for a brief moment.
"I see."
"If you think you won’t be able to afford it..."
The landlord’s voice grew even more arrogant.
"...then I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you to vacate the apartment."
Liam remained silent again.
Just a few days ago, those words would have tied his stomach in knots.
But now...
Now everything was different.
He was no longer an unemployed photographer desperately searching for odd jobs.
He was a hunter with the Ace of Swords Guild.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"You don’t need to worry, Mr. Banks."
The man stopped talking.
"What?"
"I’ll stop by your house tomorrow."
Liam spoke calmly.
"I’ll bring everything I owe you."
Silence answered him.
"And I’ll pay next month’s rent in advance as well."
Mr. Banks burst into laughter, as if he’d just heard the funniest joke of the year.
"You?"
He was still laughing.
"Pay in advance?"
Liam didn’t respond.
The laughter slowly died away.
"...Wait."
Silence.
"Are you serious?"
"Yes."
Another pause.
"I’ll come by tomorrow, and we can discuss everything properly."
The landlord took several seconds to answer.
He sounded as though he was trying to decide whether Liam was lying or if he’d actually come into some money.
"...You can really pay?"
"Yes."
The simplicity of the answer left the man completely speechless.
Liam smiled.
"I’ll see you tomorrow."
He looked up at the night sky.
"Have a good evening."
Before Mr. Banks could say another word...
Liam ended the call.
He stared at the old cellphone for a few moments.
It was the same phone he’d used for years to search for work, answer clients, and receive bad news.
He sighed.
Then he held down the power button until the screen slowly went dark.
’That’s over.’
He slipped the phone back into his pocket.
He had no intention of answering another call that night.
◇◆◇
When he opened the apartment door again, a delicious aroma immediately enveloped him.
Lydia had already finished rolling out the dough.
Fresh homemade noodles rested neatly on a flour-dusted cutting board.
A pot of water was beginning to boil on the stove.
Lydia turned her head as soon as she saw him come in.
"Everything okay?"
Liam set his keys on the table and smiled.
"Everything’s fine."
She studied him for a few seconds.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
He walked over to the kitchen.
"But not nearly as good as whatever you’re making."
Lydia laughed.
"Already hungry again?"
"Always."
She crossed her arms.
"You haven’t even tasted them yet."
"I don’t need to."
Liam inhaled deeply, savoring the aroma filling the apartment.
"With a smell like that, I already know they’re going to be amazing."
Lydia shook her head, amused.
"You’re so easy to win over."
They both laughed.
Liam leaned against the counter as he watched his wife carefully slice the strips of pasta.
Now, she hummed a cheerful tune while preparing dinner.
And he couldn’t have been happier.
"What are you thinking about?"
Lydia asked without stopping her work.
Liam smiled.
"That I don’t want anyone disturbing us while we enjoy our time together."