The Monster Monarch System-Chapter 247: Toast!

Rem’s eyes flickered toward the uniform she was wearing.

Now that he was paying attention, it wasn’t just a cloak — underneath, she wore simple but well-kept work attire. The kind you’d expect from someone employed at an inn.

Still, it didn’t explain everything.

"That doesn’t explain why you’re in my room," he pointed out.

She made a small gesture with her restrained hands. "Part of my job. Cleaning. You were sleeping like a corpse, figured I’d be in and out before you even noticed."

Rem narrowed his eyes.

She sighed again, this time more exasperated than nervous. "Look, I’ll admit last night wasn’t my best moment. But I’m not here to rob you. If I was, trust me, you wouldn’t have woken up in time to stop me."

Rem let that statement hang in the air for a second.

Then, slowly, he loosened his grip.

She rolled her shoulders slightly as he stepped back, turning to face him properly.

There was no fear in her expression, no guilt — just mild irritation, like he had disrupted her morning routine.

He crossed his arms. "So, a thief by night, a worker by day?"

She smirked. "I prefer the term ’opportunist.’"

Rem gave her a blank stare.

She shrugged. "Alright, fine. Maybe I borrow things that don’t belong to me every once in a while. But can you blame me? Life in Sorin isn’t exactly forgiving."

Rem didn’t respond immediately. He understood all too well what she meant. The slums, the hunger, the desperation — he had lived through it himself.

But still —

"You still owe me," he said.

She raised an eyebrow. "For what?"

"For stealing my coins. Twice."

She pursed her lips as if considering something. Then, after a beat, she sighed dramatically. "Fine. You’ll get your money back."

Rem narrowed his eyes slightly, waiting.

She reached into a hidden pocket and pulled out a small handful of coins, dropping them into his palm with a reluctant sigh.

"See?" she said. "Honest work."

Rem glanced at the coins. A few were missing.

He looked back at her.

She smiled innocently.

He sighed. "What’s your name?"

The woman tilted her head slightly. "Why? Planning to report me?"

"No," he said simply.

She studied him for a moment before responding.

"...Selene."

Rem tucked the name away in his mind.

Selene.

A thief. A worker. A mystery.

And, apparently, someone he’d be seeing again.

Selene leaned against the wall, arms crossed, as she watched Rem slip the coins into his pocket. Her golden eyes flickered with something between curiosity and amusement as she studied him. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"So," she drawled, tilting her head slightly. "What’s a guy like you doing here, anyway? You don’t exactly look like your typical traveler."

Rem shrugged, not particularly interested in giving a long-winded answer. "Helped the innkeeper out in the forest. He let me and the others stay here for a while."

Selene raised an eyebrow. "That’s it? You do a favor, and now you get free room and board?"

"Pretty much."

She scoffed. "Damn. Wish I had that kind of luck."

Rem didn’t respond.

Instead, he grabbed the hem of his shirt and pulled it over his head in one smooth motion, revealing a toned, battle-worn physique.

Selene reacted immediately.

"Hey, hey, hey — watch it!" She threw her hands up in front of her face, fingers spread just enough for her to peek through the gaps.

Despite her attempt at nonchalance, a dusting of pink colored her cheeks.

Rem barely spared her a glance as he tossed his shirt onto the bed. "You’re the one still standing here."

Selene cleared her throat, dropping her hands back to her sides. "It’s my job to clean the rooms, alright? Not my fault you suddenly decided to strip in the middle of it."

Rem smirked slightly but didn’t say anything.

He grabbed a fresh towel and headed toward the bathroom, leaving Selene standing in the middle of the room with her arms crossed, muttering something under her breath.

She finished tidying up quickly, dusting off the last of the furniture and making sure nothing was out of place.

By the time Rem emerged from the bathroom, she was gone, leaving behind only the faint scent of soap and fresh linen.

Dressed in a clean set of clothes, Rem made his way downstairs, following the aroma of warm food and the murmur of voices drifting up from the main hall.

The inn’s common room was lively. A handful of adventurers sat at the long wooden tables, chatting over plates of roasted meat and fresh bread.

The scent of butter and ale filled the air, mingling with the faint smokiness of the fireplace.

Rem barely had time to take it all in before a deep, familiar voice called out.

"There he is!"

The innkeeper, a broad-shouldered man with graying hair and a warm smile, raised his tankard in Rem’s direction.

His eyes gleamed with gratitude as he gestured for Rem to join him at the bar.

Rem approached, sliding onto a stool as the innkeeper placed a steaming plate of food in front of him.

"You sleep well?" the older man asked, pouring a drink into a wooden mug.

"Well enough," Rem replied.

The innkeeper grinned. "Good. You deserve it." He lifted his drink again. "To the man who saved my brother!"

A few nearby patrons turned at the toast, nodding in acknowledgment. Some even raised their own drinks in silent appreciation.

Rem merely picked up his mug and took a sip. The ale was rich and slightly bitter, but it went down smoothly.

"You don’t have to keep thanking me," he said, setting the mug down.

"Like hell I don’t," the innkeeper scoffed. "You have no idea what he means to me." His expression softened for a moment, his usual easygoing demeanor giving way to something more serious. "I thought I lost him, you know? When he didn’t come back..."

He trailed off, shaking his head before letting out a deep breath. "But then you showed up, dragging him back in one piece. I owe you more than just a free stay."

Rem didn’t say anything. He wasn’t particularly good with gratitude — he never had been.

Instead, he nodded once and took another bite of his meal.

The innkeeper let the silence settle for a moment before clapping a hand on the counter. "Anyway, eat up. If you need anything while you’re in Sorin, you just let me know."

Rem gave a slight nod in response, finishing his meal in comfortable silence.

As he sat there, listening to the hum of conversation around him, he realized something.

For the first time in a long while...

He felt a little less like a wanderer.