Chapter 363
Chapter 363
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 363
Chapter Title: Collection
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Turning around, I saw Mariel standing there with a flustered look on her face.
"You bastard."
She was dressed in her usual white cheongsam-like martial arts uniform. This low-rank instructor with her impressively bulging thighs was nothing more than fuckbait, and this was just a chance encounter.
"What the hell are you doing wandering around instead of working?"
Come to think of it, we kept bumping into each other like this whenever I was out and about. Being an instructor at the Martial Arts Guild seemed like a surprisingly laid-back job.
That's why she got her ass handed to her by me—she was slacking on her training.
The guild master Liztina was an absolute powerhouse on par with Karin, but even Lizette, a senior instructor by name, could barely keep up with me toe-to-toe. For a junior instructor like Mariel to blow off training and wander around like this was downright absurd.
"I didn't hear that from you! I was just out on an errand!"
Mariel shrieked in response to my words.
"I don't give a shit."
I took a step forward as if to shake hands, but suddenly she stepped back with one leg and assumed some kind of stance. What, she wanna fight?
This aggressive bitch.
"What's your deal? Why are you picking a fight with me?"
"Th-that's not it. I'm just bracing for a sneak attack."
"Why the hell would I sneak attack you?"
"Think about what you've done, Heavenly Demon. It's because of you that I've developed this habit."
"You're no fun. I won't sneak attack you, so relax. Our grudge is pretty much settled by now anyway."
Like I said last time, I'd mostly forgotten about my grudge against the Martial Arts Guild.
"...I see. Got it."
Even if Serka showed up right in front of me now, I wouldn't lay a hand on her.
Well, the kidnapping thing got squared away when the ringleader Liztina bared her pussy to clear the air, and I'd beaten the crap out of all the other instructors too, so that was fine.
Lizette was the only loose end, but even that didn't matter anymore.
We're comrades now, after all.
"Oh, right. Speaking of, what the hell's Lizette up to?"
"Instructor Lizette? Probably at the guild."
"Yeah? Then let's go call him over."
It suddenly hit me—I'd promised Lizette back when I was stuck in the monastery as a butterflykin that we'd go collect compensation from the slums together.
Since I'd run into Mariel, might as well have her fetch him.
"You got business with Instructor Lizette?"
"Yeah."
"Then... N-no! Why should I go get him for you? I'm in the middle of an errand for the guild master! I don't have time for that!"
"Come on, just swing by and grab him since we're here. It's not like I can just call out for him myself."
Showing up at the Martial Arts Guild alone would just get me shit-talked. Better to bring Mariel along since we're kinda friendly and have her call him out.
I had nothing else going on today anyway. Heading to the slums with Lizette for some revenge on those beggar scum and killing time sounded perfect.
My gear was already fully kitted out, so there'd be no hitches.
"I refuse!"
But Mariel seemed to think differently.
"This fucking Mariel bitch."
Daring to refuse my request?
I immediately unleashed the opening form of the Murderous Fist and Leg Technique.
Pa-pa-pat!
Conversation isn't hard. Persuasion isn't hard. Asking for favors or goodwill isn't hard either.
Bung-tzu bung-tzu!
As long as you have fists honed to the extreme and kicks loaded with lethal strikes, you can persuade anyone without breaking a sweat.
"You wanna taste the Murderous Fist and Leg Technique?"
"Eek!"
Mariel clutched her head in horror as I demonstrated it.
"A-alright! I'll go with you, so stop right now! My bad! Don't attack me!"
"Heh heh heh, what kind of friends beat on each other? It was just a joke, relax. Even I'm scared of your guild master."
I relaxed my stance, cracked a joke, and patted Mariel's shoulder. She flinched and squeezed her eyes shut for a moment before slowly opening them and speaking.
"Friends... you say?"
"Yeah. We're basically buddies now. Anyway, lead the way."
"A-alright."
I walked side by side with Mariel toward the Martial Arts Guild, chatting idly.
"How's Serka doing these days?"
"She's doing okay, I guess. Training's done, so no need to worry."
"Good to hear. And how's the guild master?"
"She's doing fine as usual."
Glad to hear she's well.
Before long, we arrived at the Martial Arts Guild.
"Alright, do me the favor."
"...Got it. I'll bring him out soon."
No reason for me to go in, so I just waited outside.
Standing at the entrance, the robed martial artists coming and going spotted me and seemed to give me a wide berth. To be considerate, I moved a bit away from the door and waited there.
Guess it's about lunchtime now.
After a short wait, Mariel came out. She emerged alone and looked around as if searching for me.
"Mariel? Where's Lizette?"
"Ah... there you are."
"He said no?"
"No, Instructor Lizette's inside. It's just..."
"What? Did he tell me to come in?"
"Well... when I went to tell Instructor Lizette, the guild master was there..."
Mariel hemmed and hawed before finally spilling it.
So what if the guild master's there?
"The guild master said to bring you in, Heavenly Demon."
"What? Why?!"
"No idea. I was talking to Instructor Lizette when she overheard and told me. Come on, let's go in. I'll show you."
"No fucking way! Why the hell would I go in there?!"
Is she calling me in to beat the shit out of me?
Lizette I could handle casually since we could scrap evenly, but Liztina? No way in hell. Getting summoned by a vicious thug boss like her could mean anything.
Well, looking back, she never directly harmed me back then.
She just ordered the guild to lynch me to protect their honor.
She seemed to have some sense of decency, but better not stick my neck out. Even if the odds of her attacking were low after that thing with Karin.
Why pick at a scab?
"Why are you yelling all of a sudden?! I was just following orders!"
"I don't care! See ya! I'm not going!"
"N-no! The guild master will chew me out!"
"Figure it out yourself, bitch!"
"You can't be that irresponsible! I even ditched my errand to come here with you because of this! And that errand was from the guild master too! I just got scolded for it, and now this—what am I supposed to do?!"
What a twisted little shit.
But I wasn't going in.
"Don't know, don't care. See ya. Tell Lizette we'll catch up later."
"Don't go!"
"Come on, she's not gonna chew you out over something this small. Relax."
Guess today ain't my day.
I could always do the slum revenge with Lizette another time. Swing by the Adventurer's Guild, check the quest board, say hi to Lisha, and head home.
Winia's at the Magic Tower with her own stuff anyway.
Claudy's out for a bit too.
Should have time till dinner.
Pa-chut!
I shook off Mariel and headed for the Adventurer's Guild when—
Suddenly, I felt a ferocious aura. Looking over, someone stood at the Martial Arts Guild's main gate.
This presence...!
And that sky-blue long straight hair, the deep cleavage in her cheongsam, and the white fur stole around her neck!
It was Martial Arts Guild Master Liztina!
Kkadak, kkadak.
She crooked her finger at me silently, a faint smile on her lips.
What the—?! When did she get here?! She sent Mariel and then came out herself? Doesn't trust her that much? Some guild master.
I never expected her to come out personally.
"H-hey! Mariel, that's...!"
"I'm not falling for—Gasp?! G-Guild Master!"
"Swift retreat!"
Panicking, I unleashed my movement technique and bolted at full speed. I heard Mariel yelling something behind me. Honestly, nothing good awaited, so running was best.
Stop right there!
"Ack!"
I'd gone maybe ten meters when an explosive roar battered my ears. That shrill, piercing voice...! The Martial Arts Guild Master's!
Escape was impossible.
Turning back, Liztina stood there with arms crossed, glaring at me. Mariel finally caught up, panting, and dragged me along.
"Come on, Heavenly Demon. It'll be fine. Like you said, our grudge is settled, right?"
"Fuck."
In the end, I got hauled back to the Martial Arts Guild gate.
Goddamn it.
Standing before her, Liztina narrowed her eyes and scanned me up and down before speaking.
"Didn't I tell you to come? Why run?"
Of course I'd run, you bitch.
"Ah, well... I remembered something I left behind. Think I dropped my wallet at the inn. Gotta go before someone swipes it. Sorry I couldn't greet you properly after so long. You still look stunning."
"Heh, smooth talker. Anyway, follow me. I have something to discuss."
I bullshitted my way through, and Liztina just said her piece before turning away.
No, my wallet...
"No, really, my wallet..."
Jjit.
I insisted, and she shot me a sharp glare.
"No more excuses. Follow."
"..."
Damn it, I need to find my wallet, fuck!
Never saw this coming.
I gave up and trailed after Liztina. Mariel walked beside me. Martial artists we passed shot me weird looks.
What the hell does she want?
"Um, Guild Master... about last time, that whole thing."
She stopped walking at my words.
Then, standing still, she quietly said,
"...We'll talk about that inside."
Inside where, exactly?
In the end, we entered the massive Martial Arts Guild building. Looked like the gym repairs were done.
Ttakak ttakak.
We climbed the stairs in silence. The only sound was Liztina's red high heels clicking.
Up to the second floor. Third floor.
Finally, the fourth.
Several doors lined the fourth floor. Liztina grabbed one doorknob and said,
"...Mariel."
"Y-yes, Guild Master!"
"Quietly."
"Y-yes... Understood."
"Go on down. Or finish that errand I gave you."
At her order, Mariel headed back down the stairs. I started to follow, but she said,
"Where do you think you're going again?"
"To help Mariel."
"No need. Just come in."
Kkiiik.
Liztina glared at me and opened the door.
"Shit."
No choice—I stepped inside. The room felt like a serene reception office. An antique desk by the window, probably her personal seat, plus a wardrobe and bookshelf.
Chil-kuk.
As I entered, she closed and locked the door.
Wh-what the fuck... what is this?
"What are you doing? Sit. You gonna stand there gawking?"
"G-Guild Master. Everything's fine, but why lock the door?"
"It's a private matter no one else should hear... Sit."
"Guild Master, I'm sorry. Forgive me just this once. It wasn't on purpose."
I groveled with some vague apology. No clue what for, but locking the door screamed interrogation over last time.
So fucking unfair.
"My bad! I really feel guilty!"
I even dropped to my knees, but her eyes turned ice-cold as she said in a merciless tone,
"Sit."
"Y-yes."
No choice but to obey.
I pulled up a chair and sat. She went to the desk, drew the curtains, dimming the room. In the shadows, she pulled out her chair and sat.
She looked like some CEO like that.
Gulp.
I swallowed hard in the tension.
What the hell is this about...
"How have you been?"
"P-pardon? Oh, fine. Doing well."
Suddenly, she beamed and asked how I was. I reflexively answered.
"Mm, last time there was that unpleasant business between us."