We'll Take This Deal (Bonus Chapter for Monthly Tickets)

I'd gained a more objective understanding of my own strength.

Maybe it was the constant danger. Maybe it was everything I'd gone through at the start of the apocalypse. Whatever the reason, I'd felt so

weak. But after everything I'd experienced,

I was strong enough now.

As for my strength... I could keep building it up gradually. But my mindset was still as strong as ever.

Well... now that I'd figured all that out, what good did it do?

I froze and looked at the old monk.

"Why are you telling me all this?"

The old monk suddenly smiled.

"Is it useful? Is it useless? That is something you will surely understand, benefactor. Also, congratulations on overcoming a mental obstacle.

"I'm sure you'll grow even stronger in the future.

"My human race... now has a hope."

"Stop trying to fob me off with all this grand talk."

I waved a hand. So what if I admitted I was strong at heart? My personality was still the same.

"Heh heh. This old monk can only talk, while you, benefactor, will take action. Today, this old monk has planted a seed in your heart. What it will yield—

"—only time will tell."

I see... This old monk really did have a broad perspective.

Still, the things he'd said felt a little abrupt. Was he after something?

Thinking that, I looked at the old monk.

"You helped me overcome my mental obstacle. What's your motive?"

"Heh heh heh. It's true, this old monk has his own reasons. Though as a monk, I shouldn't do such a thing, I have no choice but to do it."

The old monk smiled, a glint flashing in his eyes.

"I knew it... There's no such thing as a free lunch. But that's fine, too. Unmotivated kindness always