Demonic Po*nstar System

Chapter 162: Aria’s Plan

”Kaiden...” Not being able to hold back anymore, the teenage girl began sobbing tears of gratitude, which in turn made Tessa wince. ’Was being in my guild so bad...?’ But she already knew the answer. ’Of course it was. Not only did she put her life on the line, but she must’ve also been bullied... God damn it!’

”If you do that, I’ll repay my debt by saving you guys as many times as I can, no matter the injuries I have to sustain!”

To her surprise, Kaiden shook his head. ”You won’t be doing any of that.”

”W-what do you mean?”

”Nyx already told you that a girl your age should be in school. I wouldn’t feel right dragging you to dungeons with us. I want you to enroll in high school.”

”What about her future expenses?” Luna asked.

”Can you tell us why you decided on your career path in the first place?” Aria asked in a friendly tone. All three ladies of Kaiden were in complete agreement with him on the matter.

Not knowing how to feel anymore, Elara gave up on reigning her emotions in. With muted sobs, she ventured to do as asked. ”My little brother has cancer... The government helps with the basic treatment costs, but I want him to have the best care possible, and that means extra expenses we can’t afford on our own...”

”What an admirable big sis you are,” Nyx purred with proudly gleaming eyes.

Suddenly, the girl regained the strength in her vocal cords as she fiercely stared into Kaiden’s eyes. ”... But please, take me with you to the dungeons! I can’t accept your kindness like this!”

He was firm. ”Out of the question.” However, in the next moment, a gentle expression replaced his stern one. ”But if you want to work to earn your keep, you could become our part-time employee. Though I don’t know what your job would be.”

”She could take over my social media manager position, but...”

Luna was quick to agree. ”Yeah, that’s not a job for children, considering she would have to see your hideously overgrown bazookas when making the thumbnails for some of our content.”

A very mischievous grin appeared on the pink-haired beauty’s lips as she asked, ”But it’s ok for her to see your hand grenades, bestie?”

”[Stormblad-]” Already knowing she would lunge at Nyx, Kaiden grabbed onto his Storm Valkyrie with both arms, restraining her. ”Kai, stop holding me back! I’ll murder this dumb bitch.”

”That’s exactly why I have to step between the two of you...” Kaiden replied wryly.

While the trio was busy with their little drama, Aria turned toward Elara with a warm smile. ”How about becoming our housekeeper and combat gear organizer? Once we start collecting high-end equipment and luxurious artifacts as well as furniture, I’d rather not bring in some random cleaning lady who might get... curious. With your high Strength stat, you’ll have no trouble moving gear or furniture around, and with your experience as a dungeon aide, you already know how to handle sensitive equipment much better than any of us do. You could swing by every few days, whenever school schedule allows.”

Elara blinked, clearly overwhelmed by how fast things were moving. Her lips parted once, then closed, then parted again as if she couldn’t quite find the right words. Finally, she managed to speak. Quietly at first, but with growing confidence.

”I... I think I’d really like that.” Her voice trembled with emotion, but her eyes sparkled with something brighter than just tears: gratitude. ”It sounds like something I’d be good at and would allow me to stay by my little brother’s side until the end, unlike working as a pack mule... And if it helps you all even a little, then I’d be proud to do it.”

She wiped at her face quickly, embarrassed by the moisture on her cheeks. ”Thank you. Really. I never thought... I mean, this is the first time I’ve been treated like more than just some disposable nobody.”

Nyx leaned forward with a wink, masterfully dodging Luna’s claw swipe at her face. ”You better get used to being spoiled, silly.”

Elara smiled a small but genuine one as she nodded. ”Then I’ll do my best. You won’t regret hiring me!”

Now that their business with Nova Circuit had concluded, and they had decided how to settle the debts owed, it was time for Valhalla’s Sinners to get a taste of how global stardom feels.

They got Elara’s contact information but left her with Tessa so that she could begin the process of officially withdrawing from Nova Circuit.

Afterward, Kaiden and the girls headed off to hail a taxi. However, when the vehicle arrived, an issue immediately presented itself: four seats, five people.

Kaiden blinked at the car, then turned to the others. ”I’ll just grab another one. You all go ahead-”

”No need,” Bastet purred confidently, stepping forward with a flick of her tail. ”I’ll just sit in your-”

Before the Ra-Blessed Felinid could even finish, Luna shot forward with a strong huff, firmly shoving Kaiden into the front passenger seat. Then, without missing a beat, she plopped herself right into his lap.

”I’m the smallest one here,” she explained, glancing back at Bastet with a smug smile adorning her delicate lips. ”You’re not a little cat but a big woman with some cat-like traits, so stop acting like a house pet. I’ll sacrifice my comfort and sit here so that you fatties can get a seat each.”

Kaiden didn’t argue. Instead, his hands instinctively found one of their favorite resting places: a delicious feminine belly.

Bastet hissed with great distaste for the Storm Valkyrie’s solution to the problem, and her expression twisted with territorial irritation, feeling as if she’d been challenged just now. She didn’t care about Luna or any of the others. All that mattered to her was him. Her one and only master.

Before she could make a scene, Nyx and Aria each grabbed one of her hands.

”Let’s not start hissing already,” Nyx chuckled warmly, guiding her into the backseat.

Aria gave Bastet a pointed look. ”You had your fun already. Be grateful you’re even in the car and not dead in your sandy pyramid.”

Grumbling but ultimately relenting after Kaiden sent her a stern glance, Bastet folded her arms as she was sandwiched between the two Valkyries.

By the time they returned to their apartment, the tension from the car ride had mostly faded. Spirits were high.

”We should have a big celebratory meal just like we did it at the sushi place after the filming!” Nyx chirped in excitement. ”We cleared our first major dungeon together and even tamed a monster!”

”I’m not a monster...” Bastet growled but was ignored.

”I’m down,” Kaiden said. ”I wanted to try that rare Japanese beef, Wagyu something? And-”

But just as they approached their rented apartment door, he stopped mid-step.

Someone was standing in front of it.