Chapter 149
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 149
Chapter Title: Martial Arts (No Hero)
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Days of training and torment passed like that. I tried to empty my mind while swinging my sword, building muscle to become a macho man. But even after all that fulfilling time, my heart still wasn't sorted out.
This wasn't puberty—what the hell was this disgraceful behavior?
This was misery beyond misery.
As Karin said, it seemed like smashing something was the only way to vent this stifling impulse. Sure enough, during Karin's intense guild training sessions, we used up the whole day from morning to afternoon, so there was no time for hunting.
There had been no bloodshed.
Right now, I wanted to split or slice something apart.
So today, after finishing training, I wandered around near the arena looking for Durban. At this moment, he was the only one I could legally beat up.
I wanted Durban more intensely than ever.
My burning desire for him felt like it would explode.
"Hey, barbarian hunk. What are you doing here?"
"What? Kobson?"
"Who else? The arena's star, the primitive man famous for his incomplete evolution, has appeared in this humble spot."
I was hiding in an alley, watching the arena, when who shows up? Not Durban, but Kobson. He swaggered over with exaggerated loose-legged steps, hands shoved deep in his pockets.
Arena star? That was old news.
Now I was a retired gladiator.
"That match with the one-eyed orc was really something. Never imagined you'd win by throwing a rock. Unprecedented. Anyway, what's next? You beat an orc, so maybe a troll? Haha."
Troll my ass.
Even Berberja was a fucking pain to take down.
Come to think of it, this was the first time seeing Kobson since then.
"I quit the arena."
"What? Why so sudden?"
His eyes went wide at that.
"Durban backstabbed me. Fuck, right. Do you know where Durban is? I need to go kill that bastard. You two are friends."
"What do you mean Durban backstabbed you? Explain."
I explained Durban's treachery to Kobson.
Durban should have told me I'd face the veteran orc executioner Berberja. But to amp up the thrill of the final match, he didn't warn me and ran off. I nearly died. If I'd known it was an orc, I would've just said fuck it and bolted.
If it hadn't been pebbles, I'd probably have lost with 50-60% odds.
Durban was half-intending to kill me.
Practically accessory to murder.
"It looked like an easy win, but there was that backstory. Too bad, I don't know where Durban is. Just drinking buddies. I came to the arena to invite him for drinks myself... but couldn't find him. Then I spotted you."
Kobson had been looking for Durban too. We synced up on something weird. Well, long time no see. I walked with Kobson toward the nearby plaza.
ㅡswoosh.
It was a plaza with a fountain. The white stone pavement gave it a clean feel overall. We grabbed a bench and sat down.
"So. Why do you look so down today? Because your new friend Durban backstabbed you? Want me to join the lynching? Heh heh. That bastard once stiffed me on drinks. Actually, I was planning to get him wasted and stick him with the bill today."
Kobson, sitting beside me, looked at my face and added, "Of course, we'll split the swindled cash." Seeing that glimpse of his twisted view on friendship gave me chills.
"Nah, it's not that. Just... girl problems. Got a lot on my mind."
"What?"
"Two girls say they like me. What the fuck do I do?"
"You fucking kidding me right now?"
Same reaction as Karin.
"Worried for nothing! I'm deeply offended...! Get lost, barbarian!"
Kobson spat it out and stormed off.
This fucker was that simple? I blankly watched him go. Like that, what felt like a serious dilemma to me was utter bullshit to others.
I sat a bit longer, then stood up.
Time to head back to the inn.
I walked the streets again. Lunchtime, so food smells wafted from everywhere. Hungry... maybe grab something? Nah. Just eat with Cloudy back home. Too bad I couldn't find Durban.
I arrived at the inn and quietly opened the door. She was sleeping when I left, probably still out. She was. As I approached, she noticed me—her ears twitched.
"Mm...? Back?"
"Yeah."
Cloudy rubbed her eyes and sat up.
Her naked body looked incredibly toned. Overflowing with healthy allure. One Cloudy was enough for me... "Yawn." She stretched, looked at my face, and said,
"You look tired? Want me to touch your dick?"
"Nah, I'm good now."
"...Still feeling off?"
"No way. Already shook it off."
I told the worried her it was fine. Lately, it was always like this. Still, Cloudy comforted this pathetic me. I was so grateful.
"Doesn't look fine to me."
"I'm good. Told you, no biggie."
"Hmm... It's lasting a while. Katt. Lies won't work on me."
"..."
She got off the bed and put on underwear.
"Wait here. Don't undress."
Then she went into the bathroom. Soon after, she came out freshly washed and dressed. Going out?
"Hungry? Let's go out."
"...Sure."
And so we went out together. Usually, if we stayed in, it'd be nonstop sex all day— so going out together felt fresh.
"Katt. Honestly, I can't understand your thinking. I get what you're pondering, but it doesn't make sense why you're agonizing this much."
"Me neither."
Cloudy hooked her arm in mine as she spoke.
"What do you mean? No need to agonize. Just accept things as they are, right? Of course, I respect your thoughts. Can't understand, but I get that it's possible."
"..."
"I just don't want to see you suffer. Katt, you're... a bit dumb sometimes, but a reliable warrior. If I say it's trivial, will you get mad? But say it: it's just a small issue. A true warrior overcomes his own thoughts."
Her gentle tone showed care, mindful of my mood while sharing hers. I felt so sorry for making her worry.
"You're right. Just my stubborn personality... Thanks. For saying that. And sorry for worrying you."
"It's fine."
Cloudy smiled brightly.
"But if you're suffering that much, sure. I'll make it so you can't even glance at other girls... Not exactly my style, but I can do it. But you've already taken responsibility, right? For that mage girl."
"How do you know my heart better than I do?"
"Because I love you?"
"Ugh..."
Saying it like that out of nowhere was too powerful.
"Hard-on?"
"Yes."
"Hee hee. Not outside, though. Ah, in there."
We chatted like that as we entered a nearby restaurant and ate. Despite being famished, food didn't go down well. Why am I like this? Am I not macho material, but some fucking princess? Yeah, kid me loved dressing dolls.
Dad's influence.
Even peak puberty girls don't agonize over romance like this.
"Here, ahh."
"Ahh."
"Seriously, this won't do."
Lost in worry, Cloudy basically fed me to finish the meal.
"This is serious. Need to resolve it quick."
"Time will sort it..."
"It's been long enough. Should've resolved by now. Ugh, what to do. Even wanting to resolve, the person involved..."
Out of the restaurant, Cloudy grabbed my wrist and pulled. Asked if she had a destination—yep. I followed her lead. We ended up at the Adventurer's Guild.
"There she is. Knew it."
"Huh? Who... oh."
Winia stood where she nodded.
As always, Winia had been waiting for me in front of the guild. Since she didn't know where I lived, this was her only way—endless waiting.
Seeing that tugged at my heart.
"Go talk to her. She's been waiting for you, Katt."
Cloudy said.
I nodded, swallowed my guilt, and approached Winia.
She turned at my footsteps.
"Winia."
Seeing my face, Winia beamed.
"Darky's here?"
"...Waiting?"
"Yeah. Yesterday. Day before. And before that. Thought I'd meet you here. Finally. Didn't wanna see Darky?"
"..."
"I missed you a ton."
Waiting every day since we parted? My heart grew heavy. As heavy as embezzling gang funds, getting caught, and dumped in the Pacific.
Fuck, spare me, boss!
I didn't mean to skim the organization's cash!
"So you waited."
After parting with Winia, I'd trained at the sword guild, no visits to the adventurer's guild. Maybe she'd waited the whole time.
"Can't you... tell me?"
"Sigh. Missed you too."
"Good."
Uncertain and shrunken Winia perked up at my words. No curses since we met—seemed gentler since then.
"Darky. Hug?"
She spread her arms. Acting like I'd never refuse. I turned back to check Cloudy. Winia looked too, realizing she was there.
"...!"
Frozen, Winia squinted and glared at me. Even if she glares... Cloudy approached and greeted Winia.
"Hi? Long time no see? Mage girl."
"..."
Her glare shifted to Cloudy. Hostile, but Cloudy's face was all smiles.
"Was on a date with Katt and bumped into you?"
"...Really don't like you. Sounds like picking a fight. Bragging about dating Darky in front of me?"
"No way. Overreacting a bit."
Atmosphere turned tense. Winia's fists trembled. Should I intervene? But Cloudy spoke first.
"Wanna talk, us girls?"
"Talk? Sorry, don't wanna talk to you."
"Oh? After seducing my man?"
"What? S-seduce? I didn't!"
"Calm down. That's what I wanna discuss."
Unlike trembling Winia, Cloudy was utterly relaxed. She told me,
"Katt. I'll talk and come back. Head to the inn first."
"...Didn't you say last time we all needed to talk?"
"Mm... Yeah? But go anyway. Seems like girl talk."
I nodded.
"D-Darky, where..."
Turning, Winia called anxiously. I waved once. Cloudy said she'd talk, so it'd conclude somehow.
I headed straight back to the inn.
Anxious, heart heavy.
Stripped, entered the shower, turned on cold water. It poured, but didn't cool my head. Washed emptily, sprawled starfish on the bed.
Then closed my eyes.