Chapter 42: VIP

Two days had passed since Eden returned from the Empty Gate.

He had spent most of those two days doing something he had become surprisingly good at since his regression.

Nothing.

Well—

Not literally nothing.

He had slept.

He had eaten.

He had allowed his injuries to heal.

But compared to his usual routine, it had been close enough.

And now, he was standing outside Lucy’s apartment with his hands in his pockets.

Eden knocked.

A few seconds passed.

Then he heard hurried footsteps from inside.

The door opened.

Lucy stood there.

Her brown hair was slightly messy, and she was wearing a simple shirt and sweatpants. The moment she saw Eden, her expression brightened.

"Oh. Eden?"

"Morning."

"It’s... almost noon."

"...Then good afternoon."

Lucy stared at him.

"You really don’t care about time, do you?"

"Not particularly."

She sighed, stepping aside.

"Come in."

Eden entered.

The apartment was small but comfortable. Nothing extravagant. A couch, a small table, a television, a kitchen that looked like it was used regularly rather than merely existing for decoration.

Lucy disappeared into the kitchen.

"Coffee?"

"Sure."

She nodded and began preparing it.

Eden sat down.

He watched her for a moment.

She seemed nervous.

"You okay?"

Lucy nearly dropped the spoon.

"Yeah!"

Eden raised an eyebrow.

’Is she embarrassed because of the scene she caused last time?’

"You answered that way too quickly."

"I’m fine."

"Right."

She poured the coffee.

Then, after a moment’s hesitation, she placed the cup in front of him.

"Here."

"Thanks."

Lucy sat opposite him.

For several seconds, neither said anything.

Eden took a sip.

It wasn’t bad.

Actually, it was pretty good.

"Woah. This is some good stuff."

Lucy’s face brightened.

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"I’ve been practicing."

"I can tell."

She smiled.

Eden reached into his pocket.

"Anyway."

He placed a small, half empty pink bottle on the table.

Lucy’s eyes immediately followed it.

"What is that?"

Eden pushed it toward her.

"A gift."

"A... gift?"

"Kind of."

Lucy picked up the bottle.

She looked at the strange pink liquid inside.

Then back at Eden.

"Where did you get this?"

Eden leaned back.

"I found it."

Lucy narrowed her eyes.

"What...?"

"I found it while escaping that giant centipede."

She stared at him.

"...You found a random potion inside a place that almost killed you?"

"Pretty much."

"And you didn’t mention it until now?"

"I had more important things to think about."

Lucy continued staring.

Eden sighed.

"I already drank half of it on the way here, so you don’t have to worry about it being poisonous."

Lucy’s eyes widened.

"You drank a random potion you found inside a dungeon?"

"...You’re making it sound weird."

"It is weird!"

"Do you know what that is?"

"Kitsune Essence Potion."

Lucy’s jaw dropped.

"W‐what?"

She looked back at the bottle.

"Aren’t these incredibly expensive?"

"Very."

"And rare?"

"Extremely."

"Like..."

"Millions."

Lucy almost dropped it.

"Millions?!"

Eden nodded.

"More or less."

She stared at the bottle as though it had suddenly become radioactive.

"But why are you giving me something so expensive and rare?"

Eden shrugged.

"Because you deserve it."

"You’ve helped me plenty. You endangered yourself for me, time and time again."

"So I wanted to pay you back."

Lucy’s face flushed red, her eyes struggling to hold eye contact.

Lucy eventually looked down at the potion, her face still trapped in a pink blush.

"The potion usually gives you a Four times boost in exp for two weeks, but there’s only one week left for you since I drank half."

Lucy slowly places the potion back on the table, hands trembling and gace still flushed.

"You’re serious about this—?"

"As serious as it gets."

"..."

"..."

"...?"

She suddenly looked at him suspiciously.

"Why do I feel like you’re about to tell me something insane?"

"Dunno what you’re talking about."

Eden reached into his bag and pulled out a small pouch.

"Here’s another gift for you, though.’

He tossed it onto the table.

The pouch landed with a heavy clink.

Lucy opened it.

Her expression became increasingly confused.

There were potions inside.

Several of them.

Health potions.

Stamina recovery.

Essence recovery.

Attribute boosting potions.

Essence boosters.

And a few other bottles Lucy couldn’t immediately identify.

She looked at Eden.

"What’s all this?"

"Stuff you might need."

"Don’t you mean we?"

Eden shook his head while taking another sip from the coffee.

"While the Kitsune Essence is active, we’re splitting up."

Lucy’s expression fell.

"Oh."

Eden noticed.

He leaned back.

"You’d rather keep raiding together?"

Lucy hesitated.

"Of course."

"I figured."

She looked down.

"It’s just... we’ve been doing this together for a while now."

"I know."

"And everything is just so much easier when you’re around."

"I know that too."

Lucy sighed.

"So then why...?"

"You rely too much on me."

"You’re strong, Lucy. Incredibly so. You have great talent, and I taught you how to train and survive against Abyss creatures."

"But..."

Lucy gulped nervously.

"Your talent can’t bloom if you stay in my shadow. You have to find it for yourself. With the awakened tryouts approaching, and this potion, it’s the best opportunity for you to grow stronger independently."

Lucy nodded reluctantly.

"I guess..."

"That makes sense."

Lucy gave him a sad look.

But at least she seemed to understand the logic behind Eden’s words.

Eden smiled faintly.

"Just in case,"

"I’ll be unavailable for the whole week."

"The whole week?"

"Pretty much."

She looked at the bag again.

"How did you even afford all of this?"

Eden scratched the back of his head.

"Well..."

Lucy waited.

"I got a discount."

"How much?"

"Forty percent."

Her eyes widened.

"Forty?!"

"The Alchemists Guild registered me as a VIP."

Lucy stared.

"Why?"

"I buy a lot."

"That’s your explanation?"

"...They stopped asking after I started buying in bulk."

She rubbed her forehead.

"You’re spending an insane amount of money."

"I always make it back."

"How?"

Eden shrugged.

"Gates."

Lucy sighed.

"One more thing."

"What?"

"If Mihui contacts you..."

Lucy blinked.

"What about her?"

"Tell her I’m on a class trip."

She stared at him.

"You?"

"Yes."

"On a class trip?"

"Yes."

"Haven’t you been skipping half of your classes?"

"..."

"..."

"...Noooo..."

Lucy slowly shook her head.

"Just do me that favor, alright?"

"She’ll probably buy it."

"Probably?"

Eden reached for the door.

"If she doesn’t, I’ll deal with it when I get back."

Lucy looked down at the potion.

Then at Eden.

"Be careful."

He stopped.

"I will."

"Seriously."

Eden glanced over his shoulder.

"I know."

Lucy smiled faintly.

"Good luck."

"Thanks."

He left.

The door closed behind him.

Lucy looked down at the Kitsune potion.

Then at the absurd collection of supplies he’d left her.

"...What is he planning?"

She had a feeling she didn’t want to know.