Chapter 198
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 198
Chapter Title: Lawless
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I sipped my tea and chatted lightly with Lisha. Nothing major—just talk about current events, recent goings-on in the slums, and an update on my situation, along with congratulations for awakening my mana.
"By the way... there's something that's been bothering me lately."
"Bothering you?"
—Clack.
Lisha set down her cup and gazed toward the window.
Sunlight touched her snow-white skin. The monotone Gothic dress fashion clashed with the dim room, and the sunlight illuminating her created an oddly decadent atmosphere.
"Something suspicious, I suppose. You've brought me those items infused with black mana before, right?"
"Black mana?"
Hmm... Oh.
Was she referring to the sinister items I'd collected from the heretics? Wands and orbs. The Kobold Queen's crown... And a bit further back, the skeleton mage's staff.
All of them tied to necromancers.
"Yes, those."
She'd read my mind.
"Beings with a similar aura have been lurking around lately. I didn't pay much attention at first, but now it's impossible to ignore... If you have time, could you look into it for me?"
Lisha's eyes narrowed as she spoke. Irritation? Anger? She seemed genuinely pissed. Her crimson eyes gleamed ominously.
"...Investigate?"
From what I could piece together, entities with black mana were prowling the slums.
That could mean heretics had infiltrated the city. It wouldn't be strange if the ones who'd nested in the sewers were now running a cult in the slums.
It piqued my interest a little, but an investigation...
"I'm not forcing you. It's just a request. If you could snag some of their items, uncover the truth you've witnessed, or maybe bring back a head or two... Think you could manage it?"
"Let me think about it."
Investigating wouldn't be easy, and the difficulty level wouldn't be low. This seemed like something to report to the church.
No matter how much of a black mage Lisha was, she was still just a shopkeeper. The church wouldn't dismiss her outright.
"That might be a problem. I can't investigate myself, so I'd have to hire someone... and you're the only one I trust."
"Hmm..."
"Too much of a burden?"
Lisha tilted her head.
It wasn't a burden, really.
"...No."
I made up my mind.
"Well. If the reward's good enough, I don't mind. So, suspicious types are swarming the slums around here?"
Lisha was generous with rewards. I could take it on, and if it got too hairy, bail with that as a condition.
"You'll do it for me?"
"It's not impossible, so sure. I owe you for the circlet anyway... Though investigations are unpredictable, so if it goes south, I might have to drop it."
"Hehe, that's fine."
Lisha smiled brightly and picked up her teacup again.
"Speaking of... you don't seem hung up on that incident anymore."
"No point dwelling on it forever."
After confronting my true inner self and becoming a total bastard, I'd decided to forget it all. No more thinking or worrying about it. Things with Lisha had gone back to normal.
"I just decided to take it easy. No one else knows but us anyway."
I felt bad for Claudy and Winia, but it really wasn't my fault. I could just think of it as comforting a lonely old lady once.
Old lady.
How old was Lisha, anyway? Older than Claudy?
Judging by that domineering big-sis mode from before, probably. With those long ears, she had to be an elf. So age wouldn't be an issue.
Lost in those thoughts, I noticed Lisha staring at me intently.
"Ah."
"..."
"...You didn't just read that too, did you?"
Her eyes narrowed as she stood up. —Swish. My vision went dark... No way! Shocked, I clutched my head in horror!
When the lights came back on!
"Isn't it rude to guess a woman's age right in front of her?"
"Eek!"
Long legs. Plump, heaving breasts. An overwhelmingly mature figure and aura. Lisha had switched back to big-sis mode!
She struck a haughty pose, stretching one long leg to plant a foot on the desk, leaning in close. Black high heels!
"Stop calling me 'old lady.' It's bothersome. You might end up getting eaten. Knowing your thoughts get read means you should always be on guard."
Gravity pulled her breasts into a deep cleavage.
Even the monotone girlish Gothic dress had transformed into an adult version! An extremely short skirt and a plunging neckline exposing her upper chest! Lisha had gone from girl to woman!
With hands on her hips, she said that. Her breasts jiggled with every word, messing with my vision.
"Th-that... It's just a natural thought that popped up..."
"Control yourself. If you know your thoughts are read, you ought to be careful. It'll do you good."
No, you can't blame me for that!
Even amid the distraction, her shaking breasts and deep cleavage tempted me. At the edge, was that a nipple or the frill of her strap...?
"Hmm, so you do like breasts. I like your polite side, but this lowly gaze glued to my body isn't bad either. Want another look? I can do it again if you want."
Lisha placed a hand on her chest as she spoke...
"Ah! Enough! Stop teasing! I'm out!"
I shot to my feet. Would the battle-hardened Heavenly Demon Kim Katt waver over something like this? I bid Lisha goodbye and headed for the door.
"Wait."
The door wouldn't open.
"Why act so cold when you clearly prefer this form? You're so kind to my childish, unappealing girl mode that draws no male interest. I just don't get it."
"..."
"Don't tell me you actually prefer lolis?"
I'd stake Kim Geun-tae and my inner self on this—no way. Sure, big-sis mode was my type, but when she pushed despite my protests, it just repulsed me.
"Absolutely not. You're just ignoring me when I say stop. And your personality changes too. Hurry back to normal."
"You set me up, and now you complain well. Fine. But this is payback for calling me 'old lady' first. You started the teasing."
Is that how it works?
"Of course."
"Quick switch."
Lisha reverted to girl mode.
She really toyed with my heart every transformation.
"Anyway, expect a good reward. I'll be waiting, so see you soon."
I stepped out.
Once outside, I scanned the alley.
Investigating here... Not super appealing, but better than wandering the wilds. Not today—maybe tomorrow.
Heretics hiding in the city...
But their facial tattoos are so damn vicious, they'd stand out like sore thumbs.
I left the slums for now.
Had to tell Karin about my achievement. She's my true master, after all. Swing by the Adventurer's Guild too, find Kobson, and brag my ass off if he's there.
Would be nice to see Elise too.
Grabbed a quick bite nearby and headed to the swordsmanship guild.
"Oh, you're here quick? Extending another month?"
Found her in the office reading the paper. No bold outfit today—just practical clothes. She'd been subtly flaunting sexy stuff lately, but now that my lessons ended, back to normal.
"No. Just something to tell you."
"What?"
I circulated mana on the spot and showed Karin my progress. Wanted to demo the secret technique Siljangbi too since she's my master, but it'd tire me out, so skipped it.
"You little shit... I knew you had talent, but already? Thought it'd take way longer."
Sensing the mana churning in me, Karin stroked her chin and eyed me steadily.
"My talent's insane, right?"
"Your cockiness is annoying, but it's true, so whatever. Good job. From now on, whenever you kill someone, mention I taught you. You've earned it."
Karin looked satisfied, her face relaxed. She cracked a joke laced with her killer vibe, then suddenly grabbed my wrist.
"Come upstairs quick."
"Huh? Why?"
What?
"Ah, just follow."
"Bullshit! You planning something weird!"
"I'm not!"
She dragged me to the second floor.
The room where Karin and I had jerked off together last time. No traces left, but the memory remained. Unchanged furniture heightened the realism.
She shoved me in and locked the door.
"Ah, I'm not doing anything weird. What, you think I'm a rapist? I'm a virgin, virgin. Virgin... spinster! Fuck! Spinster! Single at this age with no man!"
"Whoa whoa! Sis, what's wrong all of a sudden! Calm down! Calm down!"
Karin snapped into a hysterical fit. She screamed, stomped, and thrashed until I barely calmed her.
She collapsed exhausted on the sofa.
"Hoo... Sorry. Lately, those thoughts hit hard. Wondering if I'll miss my chance completely. Never felt this urgency even in the knights."
"I... see. That's rough."
"So, I want your help."
"Huh? With what?"
"Kinda embarrassing, but you're the only one I can ask. Especially since... we've already seen each other like that. Sit there for now."
Karin blushed as she mentioned the 'request.' No clue what it was. She headed behind the room's partition. —Rustle rustle. Sounds came from there.
Her silhouette showed—she was undressing, it seemed.
Good.
Time to bolt.
"Where you going?"
"Wh-what?! You can see?!"
Karin called from behind the partition.
Her breast silhouette...
"Obviously. Don't go anywhere, sit tight."
"..."
Escape impossible. I sat on the sofa and waited. Soon, she emerged. Completely renewed.
"...How's this?"
"Whoa."
It was Karin, yet not Karin—a woman transformed.
A frilly dress with floral embroidery fluttering. Her huge breasts made the chest protrude, but the non-seductive design hid cleavage.
Floral pattern's kinda tacky, right?
But it suited her beauty anyway.
Gives a pure vibe.
"What about the outfit? Picked something more feminine."
So the request was fashion critique.
"Better than your usual slutty stuff. More like..."
Housewife-ish.
"Proper lady vibe. No sword, perfect."
"Really...? Yeah? Thought so! Hey, hey! I'll show more! Wait!"
No need to...
"How's this!"
Her energy spiked into a fashion show. I sat critiquing as she changed outfits one by one. Did she blow all her cash on clothes?
"This one?!"
Now striking poses too.
"This! Ah, your critiques are half-assed! Do it right!"
Sexy in her mind, murderously off to others.
"Ooh~♡"
Winking and blowing a kiss.
A bolder outfit.
"Ah, this one's total trash."
"Fuck."
After eyeing a few outfits, we headed out. Karin's mood visibly skyrocketed. This praise should've boosted her confidence plenty.
You got this!
With a lighter heart, I headed back to my lodging.
"..."
I stopped dead, my grin fading.
What stood before me was...
—In training garb.
Familiar, laced with some dark emotion.
That existence.
—A woman with orange hair.
Walking ahead in neat attire: a woman with long orange hair in a dobok. A word flashed in my mind... Promotion match.
Promotion match.
Her identity: Serka, who'd dragged our party through hell in the promotion match.
—Flash.
Before I knew it, I bolted full speed, as if possessed. My body felt light, yet heavy power surged in my legs.
"Serrrrkaaaaaaa—!!!!!!!!"
A roar not of this world erupted.
"Eh? What... Kyaaaaah!!!"
No hesitation,
no reluctance.
I unleashed the unstoppable impulse, shooting like a meteor.
"Kim Katt Dropkiiiick!!!"
The hefty dropkick landed true.
—Crack!