Chapter 169
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 169
Chapter Title: [Interlude] Witch
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Lisha, returned to her childlike form, sat on the bed in a delicate pose. I sat in the chair, gazing at her directly from the front.
Under the faint red light, with her face flushed and eyes glistening with tears, she looked that way. The specific words I'd planned to say wouldn't come out of my mouth.
Damn it!
Why couldn't I play it cool!
Had I still not become a real man...!
Was I still stuck in my chuunibyou phase...!
I finally managed to open my mouth.
"...Lady Witch. To be honest, I thought you were a really good person. No matter what people outside say about you being a monster, you were always kind to me."
"..."
"But to do something this awful to me...! You betrayed me, Lady Witch!"
An overwhelming betrayal!
I'd been raped by someone I trusted!
I tore at my hair as I scolded Lisha. I'd thought she was a good person. As good as she was beautiful. But she'd betrayed me!
"I'm sorry... I just thought you'd like it. I was too reckless. I complain that kids these days have no manners, but then I go and do something without manners myself..."
Lisha said, lowering her gaze.
"This is the first time a man's ever scolded me like this... It's embarrassing..."
Seeing her so deeply dejected, my rage—which had boiled like lava—subsided. Unfortunately, she looked pitiful like that. If she'd yelled back, 'What's the big deal?', I could've cursed her out as a 'fucking bitch' and stormed off. But she admitted her mistake and apologized. What could I even say to that?
If I hadn't come here today, I wouldn't have felt this painful emotion. What a stroke of bad luck.
"It's my first time with something like this, so... I thought boys would just like it no matter what. I'm sorry. What should I do?"
"You don't need to do anything... Tch. Let's just pretend this never happened."
"You're forgiving me?"
Forgiveness, huh.
"I don't know. Even so... I don't think I can forgive you. You're apologizing so sincerely, so I'm telling you my honest feelings. This will probably leave some unforgettable scar on me."
I stood up. It was about time to head back and see Claudy's face. I couldn't talk about what happened today until I died, but I wanted some comfort.
Damn it!
Claudy!
"Are you leaving?"
"...Yeah."
"Will you come again?"
Lisha spoke to me as I turned to go.
I hesitated over what to say, then made up my mind.
"Sigh. I'll come again, so don't make that sad face."
"...You're a good boy."
"If I'm good, fuck, then everyone's good in this world. This isn't Teletubby Land... I'll come see you again later. But next time, please don't... drug me or anything."
This was why getting physical with women was a problem.
Justice's chain-killing maniac Kim Katt had become this soft.
In truth, I had felt sexual pleasure. Lisha in her adult form was a goddess-level beauty on par with Claudy, and her experience-born skills had given me extreme ecstasy.
But no matter how ideal the beauty, I didn't want that at all. Even if a feast was laid out right in front of me, devouring it indiscriminately was something only scoundrels did.
I only had Claudy.
And Winia as a bonus.
Honestly, if I told Claudy I'd been raped, she'd probably just go, 'I see.' She might even say, 'Let's go together,' holding my hand. But our values differed.
I didn't want a sexual relationship with any woman but Claudy. Of course, Winia was the exception... Winia, well. If she knew, she'd throw a fit. She was pretty jealous. Winia was.
"I won't do it again... And before you go. Didn't you bring a crown earlier?"
"Oh."
No, shit.
Come to think of it, there was that.
"Wait a sec?"
"..."
Lisha stood and passed by me, heading out the door. I heard footsteps going down the stairs. Was this the second floor? I awkwardly sat back down and waited for Lisha.
...I'd gotten tripped up by something I never expected.
I'd planned to just leave, but here we were.
Soon, Lisha returned with the crown, restraints, and wand.
"Stay there."
She sat across from me and placed the crown and restraints on the desk. She'd enthusiastically explained these items earlier. Back then, I had no idea things would turn out like this.
"Right, you came to sell these in the first place. I'm really sorry it turned out this way. But since you came to me, I should do what needs to be done, right?"
"...Yeah."
It was a bit awkward, but it was business anyway...
Suddenly, this place felt like sitting on pins and needles.
No, why was I the uncomfortable one?
"This crown is quite a good item. It has several interesting curses on it. Even the restraints do. The wand doesn't seem to have much value, though."
Lisha continued her explanation.
The crown turned out better than expected. Unfortunately—or fortunately—hearing about its value brought money to mind, and my mood rapidly improved. As expected, the charm of boss fights was the unique drop items.
What was with these mood swings...!
"So, for this set... I think I can buy it for about 40 silver. The wands at 2 silver each, making 44 silver total. How's that?"
"Tha, that's great!"
44 silver!
I nearly bounced up like a spring, cheering! I held back because my self-control was stronger than I thought.
"You look happy. That's a relief."
Still, I couldn't stop my lips from curling up.
Seeing that, Lisha smiled.
"Yeah, well..."
"Hehe. Come closer for a sec?"
Lisha stood briefly and perched on the bed, beckoning me.
Even after what just happened, her behavior showed she was quite adept. I glanced around cautiously and sat beside her.
Lisha in a sheer black negligee that didn't reveal much.
She was in her child form now. This bed still bore traces of the intense lovemaking from moments ago. Traces with this Lisha right beside me.
Even recalling that didn't stir any lust.
The current Lisha was beautiful, but in her child form. You could admire a beautifully made doll, but feeling sexual desire for it would make you an irredeemable pervert.
"You're angry at me... but also pitying me for being sad."
Lisha said wistfully, taking my hand.
"...Can you read my mind?"
"To some extent."
"Don't read too much."
Having someone read your thoughts was deeply unpleasant. It was like someone knowing every file on your personal PC or your entire browser history.
"It just comes to me. I can't help it."
"So you read my thoughts and raped me anyway?"
Lisha paused while rubbing my intertwined hand.
"That's... I told you. I thought you'd like it once it happened. I thought all boys were like that."
Apparently, this lady had devoured countless men and finally extended her claws to me. Surely no man would refuse such a beauty... Was I the weird one? Nah?
"N-No, that's not it. Of course, direct intercourse with reason like this is my first time... but..."
"You read my mind again. And nothing's more awkward than hearing about someone else's sex life."
"...I'm sorry."
"Stop with that too."
"..."
Dejected Lisha looked just like a kid her apparent age, stirring my sympathy. Sitting on the bed, her feet didn't touch the floor. She hung her head and swung her legs like splashing in water.
That was it—kids weren't objects for dark sexual tastes; they were beings to protect and guide properly.
"...Are you leaving now?"
Lisha looked up at me.
Her anxious face reminded me of Winia back then.
"Yeah, gotta go. It's late."
"I see... That's a shame."
As I tried to stand,
"..."
She placed my hand on her chest.
"It's mortifying to say this, but just now... it felt really good. The first time in my life it was that intense... And the familiar thing was just a joke. It's been so long... I lost control. I'm sorry again. Truly sorry for hurting you."
I felt her heart pulsing through my hand.
Come to think of it, unlike her cool impression, her body was hot.
"It's fine, whatever... Sigh. Damn. It's just... complicated. I can't say it's okay, but let's call it okay, so relax."
This might not even count as comfort.
I had no reason to comfort her anyway.
"Thanks for saying that."
"Then I'll be going. Your hand... let go now."
"Wait just a bit longer?"
"...Tch."
And so, at Lisha's request, I continued the half-criminal heart-touch skinship. This contact... I started feeling more embarrassed than she did. It felt hotter than during sex, somehow. Not that blood rushed downstairs or anything.
"Okay now... You can go. Take the pouch on the desk."
"Alright... Yeah. Goodbye."
"Come again."
Lisha waved with a smile.
Leaving her behind, I went down to the first floor.
"Huh."
I thought I'd reached the first floor, but suddenly I was outside. Familiar magic. I turned back. The witch's black magic shop looked as black as the darkened night sky.
...
I, Kim Katt, had been raped today.
"Ahh."
The stars twinkled.
It must be late night.
"I was raped."
It was too late. I had no idea what to tell the two women waiting for me.
"But... carrying this wound."
I headed straight for the inn.
"I live on."
Thud, thud. My steps lacked strength.
Light yet heavy, I walked the back alleys. Night was thief time. Feeling down, I drew my sword. Holding it cleared my stray thoughts.
Here and there, bare-chested men in the darkness eyed me with gleaming eyes, even at night.
Please... someone attack me!
I had to wash away this unease with blood!
"..."
But contrary to my wish, no thugs came at me. Leaving me to sulk alone at a time like this—what bastards... The back-alley thugs felt cruelly heartless.
I sang.
Sulun's Compass.
Singing it, I headed to the inn. The deeper the night, the fewer signs of life. What excuse to make? Got caught up talking with the witch and lost track of time?
No. She gave me tea, and I passed out?
Something vague like that?
—Swoosh.
I stood before the door.
I slowly inserted the key and opened it. The room was pitch black. What? Were they both asleep? They'd been tired, so maybe they sold the items and went to bed.
"What? They're gone? Not back yet?"
But looking around, they weren't there.
I lit the lamp.
They must've gone out, but for dinner maybe? Though it was pretty late for that.
Anyway, good that I got back first. No need for excuses. I stripped off my clothes. Thought about crashing like this, but I'd sweated from sex with Lisha, so better wash up.
I grabbed the shower room door and opened it.
—Creak.
Then.
"Kyaaaaaaa!!"
Claudy and Winia were tangled together, collapsed in the shower!
What, what! Did they slip while washing and...!
"H-Hang on! Claudy!!! Winiaaaa!!!!!"
I rushed in hysterically and scooped up Claudy!
Damn it all! What the hell had I...!
"U-Ung? Katt?"
"Huh? Yeah?"
Claudy in my arms opened her eyes.
"What the..."
"Huu... Guess I fell asleep washing with Winia. Cold. Yeah. You're warm, Katt. Stay like this."
...What.
No need for excuses after all.
What the heck were they doing in this tiny space to pass out exhausted in the shower...
I carried Claudy and Winia to the bed just like that.