The Servant in the Horror Game is Suspicious Chapter 72

“Ah, that thing.”

“You’re probably the only man in the world who’d use the same broom for ten years straight.”

“I’ve just gotten used to the feel of it.”

Over those ten years, Jade’s skills had also evolved. First, his Cleaning skill reached Level 3, hitting the maximum cap. While “Level 3” might sound easy, the journey there was anything but smooth.

The experience points required to jump from Level 2 to Level 3 were a staggering 200,000. Compared to the 2,000 points needed to reach Level 2, it was a hundredfold increase.

But this was Jade they were talking about. Flaunting his flair for housekeeping, he had managed to achieve that gargantuan figure.

Since cleaning only his own room limited his experience gain, he had gone around cleaning every nook and cranny of the inn. He’d felt a bit cheated, essentially tidying up someone else’s business for free, but the reward he received after hitting the max level was good enough to make him feel proud.

When he reached Level 2, “Expert Cleaner’s Movements,” the system had granted him an additional item as a reward. It was called the “Magic Dishcloth,” and it could wipe away even the most stubborn stains.

Once he hit Level 3, the skill name changed yet again. It was now “Cleaning Master’s Command.” The Level 3 perk of “Cleaning Master’s Command” was an item automation mode.

True to its name, using the skill made the items move on their own. The broom would sweep the floor by itself, gathering dust and trash into a pile, while the dishcloth wiped the tables and counters until they gleamed.

The activation time had also increased significantly. He could use item automation for about an hour, and with a cooldown of eight hours, he could use it three times a day. The process of reaching the max level had been grueling, but once he got there, it proved to be incredibly useful.

I guess sticking with it paid off.

He also made good use of his Mushroom Identification and Root Vegetable skills. Having maxed out both, he could now tell exactly what kind of root vegetables were buried underground without even having to dig. After maxing out the Mushroom skill, he was even rewarded with a mushroom recipe book.

During his travels, he would occasionally drift into secluded, quiet villages or find himself in situations where he had to camp out.

Every time that happened, Jade used these skills to forage for food. Even now, he preferred gathering mushrooms and root vegetables from the forest or mountains rather than buying them. It was a massive help in saving on food expenses.

“I don’t care how used to it you are; ten years is more than enough. Just throw it away, mate.”

“Haha…”

Jade scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. Dan, unaware of the circumstances, clicked his tongue, calling him a total cheapskate.

“And toss these hats out, too. You don’t need to hide your face anymore, do you?”

“…I guess not.”

While he was on the run, hats had been a necessity for Jade. Actually, he had just bought a new one yesterday. It was because the bread Jade made was starting to become too famous. He hadn’t even officially opened a bakery yet—he’d just started selling it from a stall—but in only a few days, he had become a local celebrity at the harbor.

Yesterday, people from the neighboring village had even come after hearing the rumors. He was happy the bread was selling well, but he was worried his face would become too well-known. However, as Dan said, there was no need for such worries anymore. His life as a fugitive was truly over.

“I should throw them away.”

Jade tossed the hat he had set out to wear today into the trash can. While he was at it, he threw away the hair dye as well. Watching the hat and the dye fall with a thud, he felt a wave of total relief.

“It’s time to head to the harbor, right?”

“Oh, right! I’m late!”

“Man, how could you forget that?!”

Checking the clock, Jade began to bustle about, hurriedly pulling out two large baskets and filling them with bread. Since he left his stall folded up near the harbor, he only needed to bring the bread.

“Should I put them in here?”

“Yeah, thanks, Dan.”

Dan began to line up the bread in the remaining basket. Since Dan’s job involved sorting medicinal herbs, his hands were quick at lining up the loaves. Thanks to him, the two baskets were filled in no time.

“Come visit again! I’m off!”

“I’ll stop by again tomorrow. Get there safe, brother.”

“Meow!”

Covering the baskets with cloth, Jade rushed out of the house and ran toward the harbor. Buster and Dan waved from the front of the house. The savory scent of bread wafted through the streets.

The salty scent of the sea mingled with the afternoon sunlight. Jade ran, taking in the harbor’s characteristic smell and the cool breeze. He could already see a crowd gathered where he usually set up his stall.

“Oh! It’s the bread guy!”

“Bread guy!”

“Bread! It’s bread!”

Even before Jade arrived, people recognized him from a distance and waved. Every single one of them had their eyes fixed on the baskets in Jade’s hands.

“Hello!”

“Ah, what are you doing coming so late? We’ve been waiting forever!”

“Can’t you come out three times a day?! I eat bread for all three meals!”

When he arrived twenty minutes later than usual, the chorus of complaints was immense. Burly sailors, showing off their bulging muscles, grumbled while jingling their coin pouches.

“I’m sorry. Let me set up the stall first, just a moment.”

Jade looked for his stall. As he did, the crowd swarmed around him like a cloud.

“Forget that, we don’t need it. Just give it here. I want ten.”

The customers wouldn’t even give him time to unfold the stall. They were frantic, demanding he just sell the bread already. One customer, who had found two wooden crates from somewhere, placed them neatly in front of Jade. It was a clear sign for him to set the baskets down.

“Get out of the way. I didn’t even spend the daily wages I got yesterday just so I could buy this bread.”

“Hey! Exactly how much are you planning to buy for yourself?!”

“Over here, me! I was here first!”

“No, I was here first! I’ve been waiting for an hour!”

The customers were fiercely fighting over their spots in line. This happened every day lately, but it left him feeling lightheaded every single time.

“Please form a line first. I can’t sell anything if you don’t line up!”

Setting the baskets down on the wooden crates for now, Jade clapped his hands clap, clap and got the people to form a line. The sailors, who looked intimidating enough to be pirates, quietly lined up at the threat of not getting any bread. Finally, the noisy corner of the harbor fell silent. Jade first began to introduce today’s bread.

“Today’s bread is…”

“Yeah, yeah, I want ten. I told you, ten.”

Before he could even finish the name of the bread, the man at the front of the line shoved money into his hand. Jade shook his head and returned the money. It seemed he would have to implement a purchase limit. More people needed to try it for him to build a larger base of regulars.

“I can’t do that. It’s two per person.”

“Man, you look so handsome, yet you’re so stingy. Consider yourself lucky it tastes so good!”

“Yes. Thank you for the compliment, sir.”

“You’ve certainly got a silver tongue.”

As Jade countered playfully, the grumbling customer let out a chuckle and took his two loaves. As soon as he paid, he stuffed the bread into his mouth.

From then on, it went fast. The customers paid and took their bread as if they were on a conveyor belt. In less than five minutes, the bread was completely sold out.

“It was my turn!”

The customer who was next in line gripped his hair in disappointment. Jade consoled him by saying he’d bring more tomorrow before sending him on his way.

I won’t even need the stall.

Since it sold so quickly, there was no real need to even set it up. From tomorrow on, it seemed better to just sell out of the baskets like he did today.

Jade returned home, shaking his heavy coin pouch instead of the bread-filled baskets. His bread was all gone, but his steps back weren’t entirely light.

Arriving in front of his house, Jade looked back. Since the house sat on a hill, he could see the harbor and the temperate scenery of the south all at once. This view was the reason he had chosen this house.

However, strangely, his heart felt empty. Sometimes, the warmth of the south made him feel more hollow than the desolation of the north.

Perhaps…

Should he try moving to another country? His original goals were two-fold: save money to open a bakery, and leave the Empire.

“I’m back.”

After standing and pondering for a long time, Jade opened the door and went inside.

“Meow?!”

“I’m back early, aren’t I?”

Buster, who had been sitting at the table with Bluey picking up bread crumbs, welcomed Jade as if asking if he was back already. The speed at which the bread sold was breaking records every day. Thanks to that, Jade’s return time was getting earlier every day too.

“……”

After tidying the baskets, Jade sat at the table and gazed at Bluey and Buster. The two were playing around with each other.

“Buster, Bluey. Should we try going to another country?”

“Meow?!”

At the sudden suggestion, Buster put a paw to his chin and tilted his head. Bluey shook his leaves as if it didn’t matter where they went, but Buster seemed reluctant.

“Don’t you think a smaller country would be better? The cost of living would be cheaper than here in the Vilheim Empire.”

“Meow…”

To be honest, it was a decision Jade had made impulsively on his way home. He didn’t need to run anymore, but he had no reason to linger in this Empire either.

Jade’s specialty was shaking things off and moving on. But until now, he hadn’t been able to leave because Ian was on his mind.

But now that he knew he was safe, it was enough. Even without his worrying, Ian would become a Duke and enjoy great power, just like the “Ian” in the game. That was enough.

“I should tell the landlord next week.”

Maybe the fact that he hadn’t signed a long-term lease right away and had decided to live here for a month first was destiny?

There were still ten days left until the day he had promised to make a decision on the contract. Ten days was more than enough time to secure forged IDs and travel passes. Thanks to the bread, he had become quite close with the sailors over the past few days. If he asked them, they would help him out.

Dan would be a little sad, but the desire to leave the Empire had been there for a long time. Having made his decision, Jade finished his day with a refreshed mind.

And a few days later, news arrived that Ian had ascended to the position of Duke.