Pretending to Be Human Is Exhausting Again Today - Chapter 44

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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Pretending to Be Human: Episode 044

I managed to handle the steady stream of customers without incident.

Those who came with no real problems, I simply fabricated suitable explanations to resolve their worries. Those afflicted by vengeful spirits or curses, I purged with my own power.

Grid seemed more astonished by how I persuaded ordinary people with mere words than by my exorcisms or curse removals.

“You’re quite skilled at this.”

“I have a sense for what words people wish to hear.”

The psychology of those seeking others to solve their problems was remarkably consistent. And throughout history, demons had always been better at listening to such troubles than deities were.

Though such counsel rarely ended in favorable outcomes.

‘Offering pleasant words rather than meaningful advice—that’s simple enough.’

Just as business was flowing smoothly, the First Customer returned.

“I found it! I finally found it!”

What he carried was a crude drawing, as though sketched by a young child.

Without being asked, he eagerly explained the matter to Grid.

“This is a family portrait my daughter drew when she was small! But because she drew so poorly, her friends mocked her for it, so she hid it somewhere. After that, the child fell ill and her hands became impaired. That’s why this is her final drawing, and I…”

“Yes, yes, I understand. So you’ve successfully recovered your daughter’s keepsake?”

Grid waved his hand dismissively, cutting through the sentimental narrative as though unmoved by the touching story. The man appeared somewhat dissatisfied, but soon cleared his throat softly and composed himself.

“Ahem! Well, at least I know you didn’t deceive me. I’ll pay your fee.”

“It’s not a fee—it’s a blessing payment.”

“Regardless! Here it is!”

He placed a large purse of money on the table. It was enough to easily purchase the Carriage that Grid had prepared.

“Then I’ll be on my way. Hmm.”

The Intruder paused thoughtfully before speaking with quiet sincerity.

“I wish you prosperity in your endeavors.”

Despite his measured tone, it was clear he possessed a warm heart.

Just then, I felt the spirit of the Merchant’s Daughter, who had lingered at his side, bow her head respectfully toward me beyond the door.

I waved my hand in blessing for their peaceful passage to the afterlife, bidding farewell to the father and daughter.

* * *

As I continued receiving customers, I realized we had already entered the third day of business. It seemed the target amount would soon be within reach.

Grid’s eyes gleamed at the profits we’d accumulated, and he muttered loud enough for me to hear.

“At this rate of earnings, even a month of work would….”

“Don’t entertain such hopes. I have no intention of continuing. This is merely a necessity to fund our travels.”

I spoke firmly, unwilling to kindle false expectations.

The last thing I needed was to become unnecessarily famous and draw the attention of the Sun God’s Priests.

“I see, what a pity. Should you ever leave your position as Princess, please contact me. I shall prepare a place for you.”

“Do you realize that’s an enormous insult to the Imperial Family?”

“I humbly beg your mercy.”

I couldn’t spit at a face that smiled so genuinely. I chuckled softly and instructed him to show in what would likely be our final customer.

“The proprietor, if you please!”

“…?”

Yet the door burst open to reveal not customers, but people dressed in the most peculiar attire. They carried robes embroidered with stars, necklaces adorned with enormous orbs, and staffs of bizarre design.

The moment I glimpsed their attire, I understood precisely who they were.

“This is that fraudulent Fortune-telling Shop operating without our permission!”

“Who gave you the right to conduct business here!”

They were Diviners and exorcists who operated on this very Street.

Even Grid hadn’t anticipated such a visit, responding to them with a bewildered tone.

“I’ve never heard of a guild for Fortune-telling Shops or exorcists.”

“There isn’t one! But the Merchant Guild exists, that’s what I’m saying!”

“I’m a member there myself….”

“Being a member doesn’t excuse this! Someone who knows how this world works shouldn’t act like this!”

The Diviner at the front launched into a lengthy explanation to the flustered Grid about why he couldn’t conduct business here.

‘In short, it’s territorial extortion.’

There was no need to waste time listening. They were simply bullying him, demanding why he’d opened a shop on their Street without seeking permission from the established operators, stealing away their customers.

And this was the Black Market—such crude rules had no business operating here.

Grid exhaled a sigh of exasperation.

“I’ve heard the Black Market’s standards have declined lately, but are you truly serious? You dare attempt to impose territorial taxes upon me?”

“We don’t care who you are! Unless you want serious trouble, decide right now! Either cease your business here! Or pay us a tribute!”

Naturally, the tribute they demanded was an absurd sum.

Grid evidently decided he could no longer brush this aside with a smile, crossing his legs and responding with a sharp edge to his voice.

“How amusing. How exactly do you intend to extort me? Did you think I’d cower simply because you’ve gathered in numbers?”

As if responding to his emotions, the Spirit accompanying him began emanating a malevolent aura. It was a desolate force potent enough to instill fear even in ordinary people without magical power, yet they seemed to have confidence in something, their voices only growing louder.

“Y-yes! Even if it’s a fraud, they seem to have enough power to invoke a deity!”

‘If you ask me, you lot look far more fraudulent than… huh?’

As I clicked my tongue at the Diviners—sensing neither spiritual nor magical energy from them—a faint aura emanated from a woman standing at the very back of the group.

It was a familiar aura indeed.

“We have a patron who’s protected this Street for ten years! A patron! Isn’t that right, sir?”

Grid muttered irritably, clearly displeased by their commotion.

“Since when does the Black Market have a patron?”

Regardless, the group continued to clamor, pointing toward the person standing at the back.

The man they’d indicated was elderly and wore a robe. Unlike the others who wouldn’t stop talking, he merely perspired and said nothing.

In fact, he was muttering excuses.

“No, no. These people dragged me here by force…”

Watching them through the doorway, I exhaled a long sigh.

‘From his reaction, it seems to be genuine.’

I’d intended to leave their expulsion to Grid, but it appeared I would need to intervene directly.

First, I used shadows to close the door.

As the door slammed shut, chaos erupted among the group.

“W-what?”

“Who closed the door?”

The panicked group—and at that very moment, every candle in the corner of the Room extinguished.

“Oh my!”

“You think we’re scared of threats like that?!”

“Boss! Hurry, get that bastard!”

And then the final object—a dagger resting on the table trembled and rose into the air. Faint magical energy coursed through it, casting a dim glow.

The dagger, now luminous, began to dance and sway frantically through the air. The grotesque display appeared as a threat, and the terrified men shrieked with tears streaming down their faces.

“Ahhh! You’re going to kill us!”

“H-help! There’s a murderer here!”

“….”

Grid regarded them with a complicated expression.

Regardless, I used the dagger’s tip to inscribe a certain phrase into the air.

It was naturally not a language humans could read.

This was terminology used by the Demonic Army.

If I were to translate it into the Empire’s tongue….

‘This place has an army too, so what was it again? I remember hearing a Soldier mention it once.’

Yes, this analogy fit perfectly.

[Rank: Corporal]

In that instant, the man called boss saluted Grid and cried out.

“S-supply corps corporal Reisi! Reisi!”

“B-boss?”

His companions, seeing this, grew flustered and tried to stop him, but unable to hear my response, he continued shouting his rank and name.

With this, it became certain.

She—Soldier Reisi—sensed that lurking in this place was a superior whom she dared not even meet eyes with.

“Sergeant Reisi!”

Her comrades’ faces drained of color as they realized they couldn’t stop him.

“The captain’s lost his mind!”

“He’s possessed by a ghost!”

“Gods really do exist after all!”

With Reisi serving as their emotional anchor, the group disintegrated in an instant. They began pounding frantically at the exit, and sensing the moment had come, I opened the door for them.

“Aaaaahhhhh!”

“Someone help us!”

Once all the fraudulent diviners had fled, only Grid and Reisi remained in the room. Reisi maintained his salute, unwavering.

‘Damn, a sergeant? He’s practically a kid.’

I hadn’t expected him to hold such a low rank, and guilt gnawed at me.

Unable to leave him standing in that rigid posture, eyes unblinking, sweat pouring down his face, I opened the door and stepped into the room.

“…Hello?”

“S-Supply Sergeant Reisi, reporting!”

He could stop now, really.

I turned away from Grid’s expression, now devoid of amusement, and laughed awkwardly.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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