Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: The Eight-Foot Widow (4)
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#024
1.
The last remnants of humanity have no oceans.
Black powder from the sky stole away all five great seas.
Let alone here in Necropolis, a city surrounded by the moat of the human barrier wall.
By all logic, there shouldn't be any sea at all.
"Hoo...."
But ta-da, "impossible" doesn't exist.
Naked, with a cigarette dangling from my lips, I gazed down at the waves crashing against the pier.
This pier was a rift that had fully surfaced into reality.
The oysters I'd eaten at the casino came from rifts that surfaced like this.
The winter sea always stirred the same feelings in me, no matter when I visited.
"Fucking cold. Should've thrown something on before coming out."
As I cooled my body's heat and savored the free-flowing qi, I sensed someone behind me.
It was Ceres, her bare body loosely draped in a coat.
Her usually neat updo was a total mess, her cheeks flushed a healthy peach color.
Even her normally steady gait was wobbly.
Tall women like Ceres had been a first for me in the initial playthrough, so I'd been pretty clumsy back then....
This time, I'd racked up some experience points.
"You were acting all cocky, weren't you?"
She stood beside me, lit her cigarette, and grumbled.
"Lady Ceres told me to keep going."
"...I did? Really?"
"Yeah, three times."
"......"
After a dazed moment tracing her memory, Ceres slammed a thunderbolt of a flick right on top of my head.
"Don't get cocky."
Her slightly reddened ears seemed embarrassed.
Now, if this strikes you as cute, pay close attention here for a second.
::: Challenge (NEW!) :::
- Become a mage's attendant. +1pt
When did this notification pop up?
Around the end of the suspension test.
This crazy woman had poked at my eyeballs with a fork and still suspected me of being a fraud.
I was genuinely hurt.
And I learned a lesson.
Today's lesson: all mages are honorary Kyotoites.
Anyway.
We smoked together while gazing at the night sea, then got back into the limousine.
"Hah, I don't usually do this sort of thing. Especially not with a subordinate."
She rustled as she dressed properly in the back seat, piece by piece.
Each time she moved, a subtle lemon scent wafted through the air.
"I don't usually do this either."
"You seemed pretty skilled for someone who doesn't."
She smirked, buttoned up her coat, fixed her hair, and was back to her usual self.
From scorching hot widow to Ceres Cassian, director of Twilight Resource Development.
"Don't read too much into it. It's better for you that way."
With those words, three gold coins dropped onto the passenger seat.
100,000-bios coins, three of them—300,000 bios total.
"This is...?"
"Take it. It's your going rate."
The cleanest declaration: don't swallow air and know your place.
The midnight drive.
The steamy night and the kiss.
All just a one-night mistake—you're nothing but a gigolo.
Faced with this insulting charity, I thought:
Jackpot!!!!!
Thanks for the donation covering 1.5 weeks of Arbel's treatment!!!!
Director, you're the best—such generosity!!!!
300,000 bios—300,000 bios!
No wonder women who've dipped into the pleasure trade can't go back to normal life.
Turn this down and go scrape rice with shady backroom gigs and mushroom factory grunt work?
Why, when I could just cuddle up to Lady Ceres and go "Mama, Sedric wants allowance"?
No way in hell.
"...Yes."
"You catch on quick."
I forced down my twitching lips and the corners of my eyes, pretending to look glum.
I had some confidence in this.
Crossing the line is hardest the first time anyway.
I'd memorized Ceres's reactions perfectly.
Like craving chapagetti on a hungry Sunday.
From now on, Ceres would think of her lonely nights and crave her devilish chauffeur.
She has to.
Please!!!!
2.
'Arbel, listen well.'
Sometimes I think about it.
'Take good care of your little brother even without me. He's family now.'
If only I'd said something different to Mom back then.
'Don't forget the count's grace.'
A little sooner.
If only I'd become a proper mage sooner.
'Don't cry. Mom's fine. Arbel, remember....'
Could I.
"...Sedric...."
Have avoided hating Sedric?
.
.
.
The moment I opened the door, I caught Arbel as she collapsed and held her still for a while.
I'd left after a hot kiss at the start of this playthrough too....
But it felt like ages since I'd last seen her.
I knew I'd see her again soon, but actually facing her made me nearly crumple and sob.
I missed Arbel this much because I loved that bunny girl outfit just as fiercely.
"So small."
She felt so fragile.
Short height, petite build.
She's definitely an adult, but with her eyes closed in my arms like this, she feels less like an older sister and more like a little one.
Gives me that emotional stability boost.
If they mass-produced Arbel models in Necropolis, crime rates would plummet.
Of course, I'd hoard them all anyway.
"......"
Suddenly.
Every scene of her dying so pointlessly flashed vividly through my mind.
Not this time.
I don't like bad endings.
Only masochistic authors obsessed with tragedy do.
They never brought me fun or.
"Arbel, this time, I'll definitely get you into that bunny girl outfit."
I whispered my firm resolve into Arbel's ear.
A bunny girl costume is the kind of popular outfit that has abysmal pull rates even in gacha games.
"Mmm...."
Arbel's eyelashes fluttered—probably happy about it.
3.
I scooped up Arbel, who was on the verge of spoiling, and headed straight to Isis Clinic on Aquarium Street.
A bit pricey, but the skill was top-notch.
Honestly, wouldn't a mage moonlighting as a doctor outclass most real docs?
Money wasn't an issue either.
I had a whopping 800,000 bios on hand.
This playthrough's strategy was set up brilliantly.
"Working at Twilight Resource Development, my era of success begins~ Working at Twilight Resource Development changed my life~"
Humming my gratitude in song, I arrived at the clinic in no time.
"Closed for the day."
"Emergency patient. Dies in three days."
"...Show me the patient and the money."
After a quick peek through the peephole, the iron door slid open.
"Come in."
Man, it's been forever with this quack doc sis.
Dark green hair, green eyes, a subtly eerie yet intellectual vibe.
Plus the huge chest, white coat, sweater, lady doctor—slap some glasses on her, and she'd have overwhelming support from guys with specific tastes. Bunny girl material for sure.
Isis, Arbel...
Are all mages this pretty?
"A mage, huh. 1st Rank, even. How the hell did her mana circuits get wrecked like this?"
I explained the whole story.
She was bound by 'rules' anyway.
And proper treatment required laying out the current situation.
"Too long. Anyway, injured in combat?"
"Yes. And... mind if I watch the treatment?"
Isis nodded dryly, expressionless.
"Just don't interfere."
Isis paced in front of the examination table where Arbel lay, surrounded by tanks.
Inside swam carp, goldfish, tropical fish with vibrant fins, gliding leisurely.
What the...? She treats with those?
She eyed them carefully, like picking sashimi at Noryangjin Market, then stopped at one tank and closed her eyes.
"Cold depths of water, like a winter carp breathing, let the pain cease."
With her incantation, a carp in the tank glowed.
The white light aura from the carp floated up and seeped into Arbel.
"...Wow."
I'm a modern guy who's watched turtle mating vids on YouTube while eating, but...
I couldn't even guess the principle behind that.
Magic is fucking awesome! Cool incantation! I wanna use it too!
By the time the steady stream of light trickled to a stop, Arbel's condition had visibly improved.
"Done. I'll prescribe meds. Pay up."
"What's the principle here?"
"Magic."
"That's why I asked...."
Felt it last time too—no affinity at all. Money-grubbing as hell.
Isis rattled off her piece without a word back.
"This is emergency care. For a real fix, need mana circuit reconstruction. Bring one Universal Currency plus 500,000 for surgery... or pay 12.5 million bios to use one of mine."
The bill she handed matched the previous amount.
Still a head-spinning sum, but same as last playthrough.
Her setup was way sharper now, yet same price—guess she's legit.
Huh?
Come to think of it, last time she was in clown makeup.
Maybe this time...?
"How about this instead of treatment fees?"
I undid my shirt buttons to show off my sexy Adam's apple.
Born a guy, gotta see things through once started!
This playthrough, time to turn Necropolis into a village bus!
Wanted to advertise it as "certified tasty by Twilight Resource Development's director Ceres."
But that'd probably get me killed, so I held back.
"Human experimentation? Fine by me."
"Changed my mind."
"What, were you just hitting on me?"
"Your imagination."
Hah, no dice. Stubborn as braised codfish.
Isis crossed her arms and sneered mockingly.
"Figured you looked too slick. Gigolo, huh?"
"Gotta sell body parts to save sis in this shithole."
I shot back at Isis, who showed disgust and contempt.
She flinched at the sight of Arbel lying there silently, then quietly looked away.
"......Ahem, treatment's done. Take her and go."
"Ah, wait a sec."
Normally I'd leave, but today I had another goal.
In this world, power is everything.
Can't keep living as 9th-grade fixer Guts forever, right?
So, what I came up with.
"Think you could do an augmentation procedure too?"
Augmentation procedure.
As the name implies, it strengthens the body's mana circuits to boost stats.
Augmentations range from levels 1-5, split into magic augmentation for spell specialization or physical augmentation for superhuman body capabilities.
From what I'd heard, even physical augmentation level 1 transcends human limits.
Level 2 lets you pull off stuff like Sunming's anti-tank grenades.
You might wonder why not everyone does it—well, there's reasons.
Money aside, mana circuits are generally innate, tied to bloodlines.
Most augmentations weave artificial circuits first.
Here's the issue.
Natural is always better—artificial ones are less stable than natural circuits.
Augmentations have severe side effects, and high levels bring massive aftereffects.
But who am I?
Sedric Montraven.
Born with noble bloodline, I already have excellent mana circuits primed.
Way less worry about side effects.
"You're nobility and you want augmentation?"
Isis furrowed her brow.
"You know the principle? Forced potential unlock—overclocking. Even the best procedure eats lifespan and wrecks the body."
True enough.
Magic or physical augmentation—both fake-outs mimicking true 'mages.'
Pale imitations of perfect superiors: 'magic' and 'engraving.'
No need to bother.
"Plus, augmentation clashes with later engravings or proper magic learning...."
I cut Isis off.
"Urgent situation. Gotta do something."
I know. I get it.
But augmentation's overwhelming perks.
With money and constitution, fast gains possible.
Just pump drugs and enhancers into nerves and circuits for stimulation.
I desperately need power right now.
And Sedric here is a total talentless hack.
When would I leisurely meditate and master triple-disaster swordsmanship?
Better crank it with magic.
"...Whatever, not my problem. Circuits completely unawakened, right? No engraving?"
"Yes. How much?"
"......"
Tense moment.
I focused on Isis's lips.
Assuming circuits exist, average level 1 procedure runs 500,000 bios—like double dates with trimming.
But that's for average quacks; Isis Clinic charges premium.
I had 600,000 left.
If short here....
I'd tearfully.
For my future.
Dash to the majiang parlor and scrape up the rest!
"How much you got?"
"Why ask that suddenly?"
"Just say."
Why's she curious? Procedure scales to my wallet?
Wary, I lowballed a bit.
"400,000."
"Got at least 500,000 minimum. I saw."
"No way, when? Saving lives and all you care about is money?"
"Why be a doctor without the money?"
"......!"
Speechless.
High education—scary logic.
Can't win with words.
"610,000."
Isis glanced at Arbel, then said.
"41." Wait, 410,000?
"41." That's 410,000?
No: "41." 410,000 bios.
"Yes? For real?"
Eh? Discount off list?
Caught off guard by the windfall, my sparkling eyes made Isis avert hers and mumble.
"...Yours are pure natural circuits anyway—less work, you'll bring money regularly, and it's just level 1."
Oh ho, that her character?
A mage in Necropolis with pity and sympathy? Must have vaults overflowing.
"Thanks!!!"
"G-get up. What're you doing."
"Gratitude for the discount!"
"I-it's list price?"
I groveled dogeza-style in thanks, and she flailed awkwardly.
This sis has hidden charms!
Thanks to her, I could hit majiang worry-free!
Or so I thought—plans dashed.
"Arrrgh!!! Aaaargh!!!!!"
"Stuff a handkerchief in your mouth? Looks like you'll bite your tongue."
"Wait wait! Time-out! Time! No anesthesia? Anesthesia? General or sleep induction?"
"Have it. 200,000 extra."
"Fuck!"
"Want it?"
"Like hell!"
"Then shut up at least. Why's a guy such a wuss."
"Wuss? This looks like wussing out to you? Arrrgh!!!!!"
"Still, your circuits are super pure. Taking the augmentation well. Six more hours."
That augmentation procedure.
Fucking hurts like hell.
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::: Challenge (NEW!) :::
- Reach Augmentation Level 1. +1pt
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