Chapter 14: I Picked Up a Vibrator

While the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠devotees fetched Geum Hwa-bin and her group, I sat idly at the inn with the Left Protector, watching passersby.

It's so lifeless here. Maybe because it's a gathering spot for outlaws? Sure, there are ordinary folks too, but without any local specialties or being a transportation hub, it just feels dead. Every now and then, skinny kids like Cheong-a dart around, eyeing things suspiciously—probably scavenging or pickpocketing... Seeing these rundown areas straight out of some TV documentary hits different in person.

"What a shame..."

"Pardon?"

"Ah, nothing, my dear."

As I chatted with the Left Protector, two men entered the inn.

"Bring us something simple to eat. And some Jukyeopcheong liquor."

"Why not just grab noodles over there?"

They sat a bit away, but their booming voices carried right over. With nothing better to do, I eavesdropped while ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠people-watching.

"Check this out—pretty neat, right?"

What the hell is that? He pulls out something that looks like... a rock? Yeah, definitely a small stone.

"Neat my ass! You think I wouldn't recognize a Vibration Qi Stone?"

"Tch, I went to all the trouble of getting Ah-sam to charge it with qi for you."

The other guy's dismissive tone made the man plunk the stone on the table.

Bzzzzt Huh? What's that? Up close, the stone was trembling faintly with a vibration hum.

"Hey, what’s that thing?"

They turned at my question. Truth be told, they'd been sneaking glances at us—or rather, the Left Protector sitting in front of me. Good eye for beauty. Anyway, since I spoke first, they could stare openly now. The guy addressed me, but his eyes were glued to her. Probably pulled out the stone to get our attention.

"Ah, sir, this is..."

The stone guy started to explain, but his buddy cut in.

"Yes, sir. It's a rare item called a Vibration Qi Stone."

Now that I'm interested, suddenly it's "rare" after acting like it was worthless lol.

"I overheard your little chat earlier."

They scratched their heads, realizing their slip-up.

"Ugh... Truth is, it's a rock found near the mines lately..."

According to them, these stones started turning up near the mines recently. The first finder thought its smooth shape might fetch a good price, but it was worthless... Except anyone with internal energy could infuse it with qi, making it vibrate faintly for a while. Neat gimmick, but no real use.

!!
A lightbulb went off. Holy shit, repurpose that right and it's a goldmine!

Tian Shan’s Demonic Cult territory. Whatever, small amounts available here—no need to go far. I don’t need a ton anyway. For now...

"Hey, I'm interested. Sell it to me."

"Oh, great eye, sir! Just 2 nyang."

I've said it before: 4 nyang feeds a family for a month. They're ripping me off hard. Do I look like a sucker?

"You called it worthless yourselves, and now 2 nyang? Nah~"

"1 nyang..."

"15 jeon."

"Sir, I paid 25 jeon and even had it infused with qi!!"

Bzzzzzt... zzt... stop.

The stone went still as he spoke, qi spent. We all stared at it.

"Qi... what?"

"...15 jeon it is."

After the Left Protector paid, I fiddled with the stone.

"Infuse it with a bit of qi, would you?"

She placed it in her palm and focused. Hmm? No movement.

"Ah, sir. You have to grip it tight in your hand for it to work."

The disappointed guys chimed in. Just qi isn't enough—needs pressure? Heat maybe?

"Left Protector, let me try."

Bzzzzt. Sure enough, gripping it started the vibes. Infinite uses as long as you've got qi, huh.

"But Leader, what do you plan to use it for...?"

I grinned at her.

"I'll show you first, later."

She looked puzzled but didn't pry. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠This vibrating stone—worthless per Chat XPT—would be priceless to me. As a vibrator, obviously.

"Hey, got more Vibration Qi Stones? Bring 'em. I'll buy, say 10?"

They exchanged looks, abandoned their food, and bolted. Soon they returned with a sack of various sizes.

"Nine, sir."

"Hm. Here's 1 nyang. Keep the change."

They bowed profusely, thrilled at the windfall, and scarfed their cold grub.

"To them, I must look like some rich kid blowing daddy's money, eh?"

The Left Protector covered her smile at my dumb joke. So different from last night writhing in my arms—the gap's gonna make me hard again.

...Down, boy.

"Leader, we're back."

While I spaced out, the devotees arrived with Geum Hwa-bin and crew. Less luggage than expected. Cheong-a plops right beside me. Warming up after yesterday, huh.

"Ready to go?"

I stroked her head.

"Cheong-a, over here. Mind your manners;;"

She eyes her sister, then me.

"It's fine. Bet you're hungry—eat first. Hey!"

I called the server for food and packed lunches for the waiting devotees.

"Tastier stuff at the cult, so make do today."

Cheong-a nods. Cute. Healing.

At Ghost Fall Village's entrance, Cheong-a gawks at the carriage in awe, while Geum Hwa-bin and Eun Mirang glance back sadly.

"Having second thoughts now that it's time?"

"No. Let's go."

They walked lighter, like shedding a burden. The carriage was roomy enough for them and Cheong-a. Devotees, being martial artists, could hoof it no problem. I tried walking here yesterday like a boss, but the weird rub on my soles killed it quick—like pre-blister marches in the army. Crappy roads and these thin shoes don't help. Still a weak-ass body... Frustrating.

On the ride back, we talked. Geum Hwa-bin's dad was a skilled blacksmith, but war forced iron requisitions, income tanked, taxes unpaid—they fled to Ghost Fall. He scraped by here smithing, but his wife died birthing Cheong-a, and he passed from illness 8 years ago. Hwa-bin, handy since childhood, lost the forge to fire 2 months back, got sick, borrowed from loan sharks.

Eun Mirang's story was similar. Her mom, famed seamstress and beauty, caught a powerful son's eye—he sent her dad to die in battle. Mom fled here with her, but grief and frailty killed her months later. Hwa-bin's dad helped; they bonded. After he died, no cash to help with debts. Enter me—their savior?

"What exactly is the Bliss Cult? Like the rumors...?"

Eun Mirang asks; Hwa-bin eyes my reaction worriedly.

"No worries. Unlike outsiders think, we're not weirdos."

"As long as you don't eat people."

...That rumor too? Cult vibes, wild rep;; Technically true in another sense...

"Haha, good one."

Cheong-a twitches in her sister's lap. Whoops, almost woke the kid;;

"As I said yesterday, we'll do proper contracts at the cult."

"Thank you."

Just past noon, we arrived.

"Home~!!"

Ah;; Too excited.

"Ahem... ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Come in."

Back to stern mode.

"Left Protector, prep housing and necessities for them."

"Yes, Leader. What about these stones?"

She nods coldly at the 1-nyang rocks. Wife nagging wasteful spending...

"Stash 'em in storage. Help them first."

"Yes, Leader."

She rallied devotees and got busy.

"Oppa... thank you."

*Bow.* I smile back at Cheong-a.

"Rest and recover, Hwa-bin. Mirang, I'll bring the contract later—relax. Left Protector'll help; ask for anything."

They knelt on the cold floor, kowtowing.

"We thank you for your benevolence."

Cheong-a follows suit.

"Floor's cold—up you go. See you later."

I headed to the office. Ugh, chair feels good. Day's not over, but once she's done, more schedule shoving? Wanna rest today...

"Leader, Anar Nippli requests an audience."

Anar? Right on my heels?

"Enter."

She approaches, curves as killer as ever. But her face is dark?

"What’s up?"

"...Leader... this mole..."

"Mole?"

"...Yes... an impure one... there..."

Why the suspense?

"Speak freely."

"I have an impure mole on my anus!!"

Huh? Anus? Anal time!!

#?#? Service meme #?#?