Chapter 18
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Caravan Escort
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We ended up hauling all the luggage into Winia's room just like that.
How convenient is this baggage handler? I was basically the world's biggest pushover, doing whatever she ordered. I hated my pathetic situation so much.
But what could I do? She was a ridiculously powerful mage, and I was just worthless trash. If Winia seriously tried to kill me, she'd probably do it in three seconds flat. That's how dangerous and violent skilled mages are.
"Mm, good enough!"
Once I'd finished sorting everything, Winia patted my head like she was satisfied.
"Can I go now?"
"Of course, of course. Good job, darkie! Such a good boy!"
My knees hurt like hell from crawling around on the stone floor like a dog.
It hurt so bad they'd scraped raw and were bleeding profusely. If I'd at least worn proper clothes, but no—I was in the thin sleepwear I usually crashed in, zero protection. No bullshit, they were completely fucked.
Seeing my only pair of casual shorts torn to shit at the knees made me want to kill Winia. Whether she was pretty or had huge tits didn't matter. Murderous rage doesn't care about that.
The knee parts were already soaked in blood.
No way regular washing would get that out.
Unbelievable. I'd gone through recent kobold and cockatrice hunts without spilling a drop, and now I was bleeding out in a non-combat zone like this. Fuck.
Luckily, I still had some ointment left from the Alchemist's Guild after wiping out that gremlin nest last time. That fucking two-silver stuff. I'd slap it on. Was saving it for something big, but here I was using it because of this bitch.
"Darkie, you're free to go! Had fun today. See ya next time?"
The blood had crusted, gluing my knees to my shorts. I gritted my teeth and carefully peeled it off like a scab, while Winia beamed and waved goodbye.
—BAM!
Then she slammed the door shut.
Wait, what? Hey, hold on!
"Wha—what? Hey! Hold on!"
I pounded on the door in panic. But Winia didn't budge. No response from the other side. She'd used me up and tossed me aside at light speed...!
And left me all alone in this place!
"Aigoo, fuck!"
In this brutal situation, I quickly made a cold assessment!
I looked like an intruder in the women's dorm—no excuse would fly. Sweat poured down my back. This couldn't be happening. No way.
A loser like me, left alone in the women's mage dorm? I couldn't handle this reality.
My knocking stopped. Calling her would do nothing; she was ignoring me right now.
She was probably enjoying this.
"What is it? Who's that filthy guy?"
"Oh my, what the...?"
"Should we call security?"
I was debating just brazening it out when more female mages gathered. Their stares weren't friendly. No joke—no excited curiosity about a guy in the dorm, just pure intruder vibes.
And they were monsters who could kill an intruder anytime.
If this were Korea, I'd ignore and leave. But in the Sevnael Women's Mage Dormitory, that could get me fucked for real. Mages were all stronger than me. One wrong move, and I'd die screaming.
So, I opted for peaceful talk.
"This is a misunderstanding."
That's what makes us human—communication. Sure, these psychos lived with Winia, but thinking of Besty, maybe they'd listen.
"Who are you?"
"Well, you see... that bitch Winia—no, Winia who lives in this room. I'm her friend. She dragged me here."
"Winia's friend? You?"
"Yeah, friends. Even if she's a psycho, Winia's human—she's gotta have a couple friends, right? I know the sign says no men allowed; who the hell would crawl into a mage den like this on purpose? But that bitch beat me up and dragged me here to move her stuff. What choice did I have? It was coercion."
I explained logically, spilling words smoothly. They seemed convinced—or almost. They stroked their chins thoughtfully.
"But men are forbidden in this dorm."
No, fuck.
What the hell was this bitch on?
"But Winia dragged me here! It was blackmail. So, can I go now? Yeah, I'm leaving. Thanks."
No need for more talk. Convinced or not, I had to bail. Without Winia, I was free. Call security if you want, bitch.
I turned casually while pretending to chat.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"I'm busy."
The woman grabbed my shoulder. Starting shit? I scowled back, and she flinched. My face has that effect.
—Fwoosh!
I bolted down the stairs. Not running away—I explained properly, so they wouldn't chase hard. Probably convincing themselves right now.
"Wait a sec—"
And who stops me when I'm leaving?
Nothing in this world could force me except Winia's violence.
I finally escaped the dorm amid stares, but this was Magic Tower turf. And I still looked like a bum.
"Agh... fuck. Winia, you fucking bitch..."
Just walking this fancy street made sweat pour down my back. Clothes make the man, and mine made me miserable.
"Fuck my life."
I fled the Magic Tower district. After sprinting, I saw the gate and guards from earlier. Their gear said hired help, not city guard—no arrest authority.
"Halt!"
The guard saw me, drew his club, and yelled. I didn't slow—full sprint.
"Irresistible impulse attack!!"
"Wha—hey!"
I blew past like a sprinter and out the gate. He yelled, but no pursuit.
I hadn't committed any crime; no reason to catch me.
Back on familiar ground, the day was ending. Sun dipping low—such emptiness. No home, inn fees draining me daily, and I'd wasted money without rest. Heartbreaking. And starving.
Should've worked instead of slacking. That's why disasters hit.
Chilled to the bone with regret, I headed straight to the Adventurer's Guild. Sky darkening signaled the day was done. Bye-bye, sweet holiday.
—Murmur murmur.
The night guild buzzed. Opening the door brought warm orange light and lively noise. I peeked, then hit a counter.
"Evening. E-rank here—any work?"
"Hm, one moment."
Receptionist Girl was gone—probably off. A dwarf guy manned the desk.
"E-rank, eh... Name?"
"Katt."
"Hm... Lots of failures."
He flipped documents, eyeing me like trash. One eye cocked—pretty funny.
"Yeah, guilty. Anything at all? I'm game."
"If anything goes, perfect—one here."
"Ooh, what's that?"
"Day after tomorrow, caravan to Isbrandt next city over needs escorts. E-rank pays 12 copper/day—60 total for 5 days. Guild takes 10 upfront."
Isbrandt was right next to Krasheim.
Heard of it, never been. Perfect timing—I'd pondered a trip. Never escorted, but seemed easy—just follow the wagons.
50 copper net for 5 days? Decent average. But 10 copper fee? Bandit guild. Blood vessels burst with rage, but I hid it.
"To Isbrandt? Never been, but 5 days sounds right?"
"Usually. Take it? Spots left."
"Tch, sure. I'll do it."
Had to grab work when available.
Rebuild credit? Work harder.
And settling in Isbrandt? No more Winia. Kim Katt could start fresh anywhere.
"Alright, accepted. Let me see..."
The dwarf pulled out a small wooden plaque with a symbol and handed it over.
"Take it."
"This?"
"Day after tomorrow, before sunrise, west gate—find Abnel Merchant Guild, give that. They'll hire you. Proof since they outsourced to us."
Outsourcing, got it.
Merchants pay guild advance and plaque: "Find decent folks, give 'em this."
Admiring the carving, he extended his thick dwarven hand. What? Palm reading? No fortune for you.
"Huh? What?"
"10 copper. Upfront."
"Ah, shit. Right."
I pulled 10 from my shoe insole—emergency stash. Dragged out by Winia without wallet; no stash, I'd be screwed.
"Don't forget—I gave the plaque. Miss time, lose it, no-show for personal reasons? No refund on 10 copper. Pay on arrival in Isbrandt."
"They won't stiff me?"
"If you don't slack or bail. That's 'shitty behavior'."
Accepted the quest, back to inn—turns out today was book return day. Suddenly fucked.
Library closed at night. Late fee: 1 copper—gut punch.
If caravan was tomorrow? 11 copper late fees certain. 5 days there, 5 back. Chills.
Tomorrow: return book, prep for departure.
"Innkeep, food please."
"..."
Ate stale soup in empty first floor. Owner looked exhausted as always; soup tasteless as ever.
Then slept.