Chapter 43
Chapter 43
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: The Imported Milk Cow Wants to Seduce Her Master
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Time really flew by in the blink of an eye.
A week?
It wasn't so much that I was busy myself. The outside world was in complete chaos over the 10th-floor clear, so while I hunkered down in the guild home training with my comrades, nothing else even registered.
In the meantime, all the guild members who'd been staying at the Brass Tower had moved over. The air in our new guild home was lively and bustling.
-Especially here in the lounge where I was standing.
It was like a constant meeting square, with people always milling about, and right now goods were being carted back and forth nonstop, footsteps echoing without pause.
"Heh, so you spent that time alone with the guild master and vice guild master, huh?"
"Chang-gi sure is lucky~! We can't even hang out with the guild master even if we want to~!"
-It wasn't play. They really worked me to the bone.
"Looks that way. You can tell from all those little cuts."
"Her aura output looks insane too, right?"
"Yeah... How's this even D-rank?"
"How hard did they train to end up with burns like that..."
-Those were already there.
"Heh heh. Just kidding. Congrats on clearing the 10th floor."
"Info was restricted, so the rumors didn't reach the Brass Tower, but the skilled hunters already seemed to know!"
"Hunters at that level all have their own info brokers anyway."
"No wonder there were sketchy guys hanging around the guild home entrance!"
"Obvious. They were after Chang-gi's info for sure."
-Sorry for the trouble.
"Trouble? Nah~! It boosted our guild's rep, and we've got tons of people grateful now~!"
"Right. Someone even gave out free food just for mentioning Chomok Guild?"
"They said not to eat random stuff from strangers, though..."
"But it was takoyaki! Made with ingredients airlifted from a tower in England! It was so good~!"
"Wasn't that place called [Cthulhu Takoyaki] or something...?"
"So what?"
"Never mind."
Everyone praised me and bantered nonsense, bursting into laughter.
It wasn't something I sought praise for—I'd only done it because Seong-yeon pushed me—but to others, results were all that mattered.
'Blending into a community like this feels nice and relaxing.'
Hunter forums were full of posts like "[Don't guild kids acting all high and mighty piss you off?]", but reality was this.
Humans were social animals. Being part of a community, especially a strong one, naturally swelled your pride.
Solo play had always felt stifling before, but now my heart felt secure.
"Um, seniors. Sorry to interrupt your chat."
"What's up all of a sudden? Interrupt what?"
"I heard from the vice guild master. That guy on suspension... he died climbing the tower because of me..."
"Oh, him? Yeah..."
"I went to his funeral last time."
"But why bring it up now?"
"Given the circumstances, it feels like it's my fault he died. And since there might be comrades here, I wanted to apologize."
"Nah, don't do that."
"How's it your fault?"
"We're sorry for the dead guy, but everyone agreed it was his own damn fault."
"He even brought it up first without us saying a word. Who's gonna blame Chang-gi for that?"
They patted my back and brushed it off, saying it was fine.
I'd thrown it out there just in case, but there was no lingering resentment in the air.
They chattered a bit more, then erupted in another round of big laughs. By the time the talk wrapped up, they dispersed, saying they'd finish the move.
'My comrades will end up climbing that damn tower too. Hope no one becomes a victim.'
Our guild especially had a lot of guys who'd been active in the Brass Tower.
It was Seong-yeon's guild, so plenty had Golden Tower experience, but about half didn't—which was the problem.
Tsk... What if they get PTSD on the 1st floor? That place was seriously scary.
"What're you brooding over?"
"Huh? Oh, uh...?"
"...Why the jump?"
Right then, a androgynous handsome guy appeared out of nowhere.
The human weapon guild master who'd spent the past week beating me up with a smile.
She was leaning forward now with a big grin, but just yesterday she'd hurled me into the guild home wall under the guise of training—like a gorilla.
"Wha...? Why're you backing away? You're hurting my feelings!?"
"After pounding me mercilessly yesterday, what're you on about?"
"Merciless? You were too tough, so I had to put in that much effort! I was pretty serious too!"
"Bullshit. Using skills against a D-rank. You sneaky bastard."
"You're the sneaky one! A beam shot out of your hand outta nowhere! You have any idea how startled I was!?"
"I blocked it and countered, you moron."
"You suddenly pulling some comic-book move like 'I think I can do this!' was way weirder! I was just responding fairly!"
That damn argu...!
The bastard who'd blocked my desperate ultimate attack—my brand-new finisher—and repaid it with a gut punch.
I turned my head away with a huff and asked.
"Aren't you busy?"
"As you can see, things are mostly sorted. Interior work and renovations are done. Now we just wait for everyone to arrive."
"What about the old home?"
"The tower didn't collapse, so we'll use it in parallel."
"The Brass one specifically?"
"Yeah. Not for profit, though. It's for gathering talent. Newbies dip their toes in Brass every year for skill checks, so I'm targeting them."
"Snag ones with decent skills, good aura control, or potential while they're still sprouts and raise 'em up?"
"Exactly."
As expected of the guild master.
131 regressions must've built up her know-how on recruiting newbies.
"Makes sense. Brass is perfect for testing skills. Since you cleared it, respawns are slow, difficulty's way lower, and it's safe."
"Right~! In that sense, Korea's got great geography. Brass, Silver, Golden—all difficulties available!"
"What about overseas?"
"Some places only have Silver without Brass, or just Golden. Newbies who don't know their own strength die on floor 1 all the time."
That sounded horrific.
Hearing it like this, the Brass Tower wasn't something to dismiss.
'The move's going smoothly, which is good, but...'
I stood in the center of the lounge and looked around.
Seong-yeon had wandered off somewhere after someone called "Guild master~!" mid-conversation, and Ceres was busy with work too.
I was the only idle one.
'It's been a week. I figured she'd make contact soon, but no sign of it.'
We were even chatting normally with Seong-yeon.
Despite her declaration of stealing my girlfriend, she was acting like our usual master-servant dynamic.
'Why am I the anxious one?'
I'd pocketed a full week, so I was ahead, but...
Maybe some kind of strategy?
Playing hard to get with me?
Waiting out the time on purpose?
Why?
"Ughhh..."
I had no clue.
"...Is the move finished?"
"Ah, yeah. This side wrapped up yesterday."
"And meals?"
"Had those with Seong-yeon too."
"I see."
............
...Whoa.
While I pondered, she appeared right beside me this time.
Hands clasped behind her back, torso thrust forward, with a slight cutesy vibe.
For someone so stoic, her slutty figure was way too eye-catching.
...Was she mimicking how Seong-yeon fawns over her "benefactor"?
"Why?"
"If you have time, care to step out together?"
"Whoa, vice guild master. What's gotten into you all of a sudden?"
"Nothing much. The move's done, so I feel like getting some fresh air."
"With me specifically?"
No way I'd refuse.
I was secretly looking forward to how this stoic lesbian would seduce me.
"There's a nice café just ahead. How about a quick tea there?"
"You and Seong-yeon really love your tea."
"I'm just influenced by Seong-yeon-nim. Hate the idea?"
"Nah. Fresh air sounds good."
No reason to say no.
I agreed and called for Seong-yeon before heading out.
"Going out?"
"Yeah. Ceres wants to grab tea."
"...Okay."
She picked up on what my words implied and nodded understandingly.
Ceres added,
"Don't worry. Today, it'll really just be talk."
"Hope so."
They exchanged loaded words, then we set off.
The destination was a nearby café just one block from the guild home.
Great location, great vibe, popular even in the mornings. We grabbed the most secluded corner seat without sunlight.
"How's the aroma?"
"No clue. I only ever drink Americano. Or maybe Java Chip? But the desserts are good."
"Surprisingly light on sugar, then."
"Why think that?"
"From watching you this past week—burdock tea and all—it seems like you manage your diet."
Ugh. Stalker much?
That's what was really creepy about her.
"........."
"Fuu..."
Whether I grimaced or not, Ceres sipped contentedly.
Unlike me forcing it down, she genuinely seemed to enjoy her tea.
Her refined manners stood out—she was surprisingly well-mannered for someone with such a rough past.
'Her only flaw is the rough actions.'
-Especially when pissed.
Considering her hardships, it was probably ingrained.
"...Why stare so openly?"
"Just wanna see your face."
"Guess I do have the looks."
"Heh, self-aware, huh?"
"Of course. I could crush those half-baked sluts strutting around outside the tower."
Cocky.
But true.
Ponytail, male-disguise butler vibe—her element, looks, and figure were all flawless.
"Fine, you're the best. Pretty as hell."
"Don't sarcasm me. After making a beauty like me eat shit. You were totally into it, right?"
-Guh!
Shit, almost spat it out again.
Lately, I kept nearly spilling drinks.
"Scared ya."
"Not scared—pissed? You ain't even trying to hide it?"
"If I wanted to hide, I wouldn't have told Seong-yeon-nim. Never thought a mere face mask could conceal this body anyway."
True, that figure wouldn't hide behind a mask.
"Coming on strong, and this is the topic?"
"Yes. Cleared it with Seong-yeon-nim, so now I want to talk with you."
"No contact till now?"
"Busy with work. Now that I have time, time to persuade starting from the basics."
"Gonna play it step-by-step after jumping me?"
"That was persuasion too."
"What kind?"
"You'll see."
Ceres undid the front of her top.
Revealing those massive tits and the black, ornate bra hidden beneath.
"How much this vulgar body of mine can help with your sexual frustrations... Let me persuade you starting now."
I swallowed hard.
Despite her usual stoicism, her face betrayed excitement when aroused, I realized anew.