Chapter 184
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 184
Chapter Title: Mana Man Kim Katt
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The place I arrived at, with my awkward gait, was the slums.
Lisha's shop was here.
It wasn't even noon yet, but the back alley—created from "shabbiness" itself—was dim and chilly, without a ray of sunlight. The impoverished folks scattered around, shirtless with drug-addled, wretched faces, only added to the gloom.
Living conditions don't reflect personality, but every last one of these bastards here had personalities as ragged as a maggot's shed skin. I drew my sword. Just in case something kicked off again.
But nothing happened. My gear had become too outrageous. The black-haired, black-clad swordsman Kim Katt overwhelmed the alley's vermin with his presence alone. Unlike before, no one picked a fight with me.
"This must be what 'strength' is."
And so I arrived in front of Lisha's shop. A sinister building standing at the peak of dimness, chill, and gloom. I'd entered this place once before and lost my chastity—something like my very soul. It was far more heinous than just having my stuff stolen.
Lisha Roengrin was a witch.
A rape witch, no less.
"Damn it...!"
I'd awakened my mana, but I was still a man who couldn't escape woman problems. Had I not become macho enough yet...? With a troubled heart, I knocked on the door.
Creak.
The door opened as if she'd been waiting. "Are you in?" I called out to Lisha, forcing my somewhat stiff lips apart. The inside was unusually bright with sunlight filtering in.
"You've come?"
There, Lisha appeared.
Her outfit was a monotone short dress of black and white adorned with frills. Daringly bold, it exposed nearly all of her legs, as if her panties might peek out at any moment.
Black thigh-highs contrasted sharply with her pale skin, emphasizing a decadent allure, while black high heels added maturity. Well, even so, she currently looked like your standard young girl.
"Yes. I hope you've been well. I came because I have a few questions."
"About mana?"
"Did you read my mind?"
"I did... Sorry about that. Still, I'm truly glad you came to see me. Sit down for now. I'll bring some tea."
Tea? Of all things?
I flinched for a moment, but she wouldn't spike it or anything. She'd sworn never to do that again. It wasn't exactly rock-solid credibility, but I just trusted her.
This is why first impressions matter.
Even if I saw her as a rapist, Lisha was practically my benefactor—a good person. The memory of her not scamming me and paying that huge sum after my dungeon run was still a happy one.
So she wouldn't pull that on me again.
"Thank you for understanding."
"Stop reading my mind."
The sofa was as plush as ever.
Lisha brought the tea and sat across from me. More modest than that see-through negligee, but with a skirt that short, I worried about glimpses. As if sensing my thoughts, she didn't cross her legs teasingly like last time.
"I sense some unusual mana."
Lisha started the conversation after sipping her tea.
Unusual mana? My mouth felt parched too, so I drank mine. Black tea, oddly cold. I downed it like barley tea from the fridge.
"Unusual mana?"
"...It's a foreign energy, but it feels like mana. That's why you're here, right? Looking for a tool that might help?"
Having my thoughts read was annoying.
But if it came naturally, what could I do?
Just meant the conversation sped up.
"Yes, exactly. To train my mana, it's best to recall the sensation of handling it before... Karin said there's a magic tool that helps recall past memories or aids meditation. So I came to ask about it."
Just as I said.
I wanted to grow the mana I now had, to gain greater power. Having finally obtained it, of course I'd develop it. No telling how long I'd live in this world—training was essential.
I wouldn't miss this chance. Tool or whatever, if it helped training, I'd gladly pay. This was an investment. One that would surely pay off big.
"...By entering a deep meditation to reach your inner world, you can steady your mind there. It's one of the most common methods mana trainees use. Mana is closely tied to the spirit, after all."
Come to think of it, Lisha was the most skilled expert I knew, her limits unknown. I listened intently.
"Recalling the past works on a similar principle. Dive into the past via meditation, retrace events from then, and you can fill memory gaps or relive those sensations."
Relive the sensation of using mana through meditation... I thought of the orc battle. That trashed inner world, reality warping. I couldn't grasp it now.
"There's a tool for that."
"R-Really?"
"Hmm... Meditation, past... illusions too... Yeah, this should do."
At some point, a sinister black circlet had appeared on the glass desk. Spikes jutted out like a malevolent star, reminiscent of the queen's crown I'd gotten last time.
"What's this?"
"A cursed circlet."
"Pardon?"
A curse?
I froze, and Lisha smiled faintly.
"Hehe, no need to worry. I removed all the bad parts. Research is done too—it's not dangerous."
Lisha gently picked up the circlet and offered it to me. I took it carefully. Pitch-black, slightly cool, incredibly light. Not armor for head protection, but a true accessory.
"Wearing it should make reaching your inner world easier... It's a tool to aid meditation. It had spirit-curse effects for illusions too, which might help you."
"I see."
A bit crude. Remove the spikes for shape, and it was fairly subdued. Unknown runes were engraved, but they didn't add aesthetic appeal.
"Price is 15 silver."
Magic tools were pricey, huh.
15 silver was steep.
If it helped my training, I'd buy it no problem, but no guarantees yet. Buy it and see no effect? Just dead weight.
I hesitated a bit.
Lisha spoke calmly to me.
"If you're wary of buying a sketchy item, how about renting it first? Return it later, and it's 1 silver per month."
"Uh... I'd love that, but isn't that too generous?"
She lived off business—such a discount felt off. Goodwill now seemed suspicious, unlike before. I wavered.
"I'm giving a discount because I feel bad. It's my way of apologizing. The item's fine. I know it's weird to say, but trust me. It'll definitely help."
She kept apologizing like that—what could I say? Forgiveness? Not fully yet. But the anger faded with each apology... This must be how princesses feel.
"...I appreciate the kindness. And no more apologies needed. I've buried it in my heart."
In the end, I rented it for 1 silver.
If it's good, I'll buy. If not, return it. 1 silver to test? Bargain. Even no effect, loss I could bear.
"Looks like you're accepting my apology now."
"...Yeah. Sort of. Truth is, I owed you too, and honestly, though unwanted, asking if it was good... it's complicated. You keep apologizing, can't even retort... Wish it never happened, but tsch. Whatever."
"Hearing you agonize like that just makes me grateful... Here."
Clink.
Lisha set down her teacup.
"But is this body type really that unappealing?"
"Huh? What?"
Suddenly, she brought up her allure.
What allure... Sure, Lisha was cute and beautiful, but like a doll—nothing to stir an adult man's lust.
Excitement back then was from her shifting to a mature, Cloudy-like big-sis style.
"No. I think you're plenty beautiful, Witch. Just taste difference. World has all kinds."
Lisha smiled sweetly at my answer and stood.
"What?"
"Stay there."
She walked over and sat beside me.
No, this woman again... But I couldn't coldly tell her to leave. Knowing that, she took my hand.
"Just... I'm just happy. That you came back."
"What, am I that special... Why like this?"
"Pure, earnest boys like you are rare... That's why I took a liking. Loved hearing your stories. That's what it was."
Her body already had two owners.
"Fine, if this body isn't your taste..."
Lisha murmured ominously, looking up at my face. Shifting again? That form rivaled Cloudy's beauty, but no desire to see it again.
"Gonna shift again? Don't."
"Hehe."
Swish.
The world darkened for a split second.
It brightened again, and Lisha had changed.
"Th-This...!"
My jaw dropped.
Lisha's appearance had changed. Or had it? Height, face, vibe—all the same. Still a girl, petite.
But.
The key part had changed.
Breasts.
Her breasts were huge... Busty enough for "giant tits"! Nothing else altered—just her original form, but chest massively swollen! Cleavage peeked from the stretched dress front.
Big.
Not matching Winia's goddess-level abundance, but rivaling Cloudy's at least.
"How about this?"
Lisha, with only her chest enlarged, smiled sweetly.
"..."
Uh... Huh?
Wha?
Whaaaat???!!!
W-Wait! No! Calm down, Kim Katt! Different from Winia! Winia's petite frame bore overwhelming jugs for perfect beauty, but now Lisha...
.
Was it?
Breasts were key for me after all.
Just enlarging the chest on a girl's body made Lisha look entirely different... Cute. And beautiful. Doll-like charm before, but now dark thoughts coiled in my inner world just from that...!
Yes!
This was loli big tits!
Different breed from Winia!
"Your reaction says I nailed it."
Lisha grabbed my arm, resting her head on my shoulder. Her legs swayed playfully, like splashing water. She looked thrilled.
"Damn it!"
I shot up.
Can't accept this!
"Hmm... Still no?"
"I-I'll be going! Take care!"
I bolted to the door. Damn...! Stirring virgin pity with kid form, then crit with tits...! So vile, cowardly!
Hitler!
"Hehe. Be careful."
Lisha waved.
"Goddamn it...!"
Anyway, circlet in hand, I trudged back to the inn.
1 silver for a month—next Lisha visit in a month. Uneventful trip back, but lunch hour scents from eateries teased my empty stomach.
Bought bread and sausage, arrived at inn—empty.
"Out?"
Seemed Cloudy and Winia went together.
Huh, good?
Wanted to test the circlet, but with them? I'd be milked till dawn.
"Time to test it."
Stripped, washed. Sweaty. Clean body for meditation to focus mind. Cold water cleared my head.
Toweled off in underwear, climbed bed, awkwardly crossed legs. Heard self-suggestion needed for meditation. Posture part of it.
Lifted the circlet,
Gulp.
Placed it on my head.
"Hmm, no special feel... Huh? Wha? Ooh?! Oooh...?!!"
Vision blacked out—something yanked me!
"Kiiiiieeeeeeeeeeek!!!!!"