Chapter 381
Chapter 381
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 381
Chapter Title: Colors from the Universe
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The villagers we ran into all looked like total scumbags, but just because someone looks weird doesn't mean they're up to no good. That's just prejudice.
Maybe I was just overreacting.
"Travelers from afar, eh?"
The middle-aged guy with most of his teeth missing looked exactly like someone who'd only be fit for the cruelest, sleaziest jobs. Hell, could a normal person even look like that?
People who look that fucked up are always up to something shady.
"Heh heh heh, yeah. Out sightseeing the world. But we got lost in this damn fog."
I greeted him while keeping an eye out for any sudden knife pull. With faces like theirs, it wouldn't be weird if they spat out some inhuman murder tadpole from their mouths and swung it at us.
"Kekeke, this Misty Plains is a bizarre place shrouded in fog year-round. Getting lost is par for the course."
No one but the fog village locals could navigate without getting lost here.
"Heard there've been quite a few travelers like us?"
"There were some... but none lately. You thinking of staying the night? Monsters everywhere outside. Better crash here."
"Oh yeah, of course. How much?"
I'd heard it was pricey, but in a remote backwater like this, prices skyrocket. As long as they're not ripping us off completely, I'd pay.
They hadn't done anything suspicious yet, after all.
"Just you and those two ladies, right?"
"Yep."
"Three people... plus that bird makes four. 35 copper for the night."
"Heh heh heh, that's steep."
"That's the price out here... Prices fluctuate by region and situation, don't they? We live in this village; gotta make a living somehow."
"Fair enough."
Fucking bastards, highway robbery.
What can you do? A madhouse village in the middle of this insane fog. Seems like this area's pretty out in the sticks.
I pulled out my pouch and handed over seven 5-copper coins. The innkeeper grinned wide, flashing his missing teeth again.
"Room at the end of the second floor... Meals? It's been a while since we had guests, so I'm thinking of boiling extra stew. It'll cost a bit more, but I guarantee it's good food."
"How much for that?"
"15 copper for three servings."
"Heh heh heh, isn't that a bit much of a gouge?"
Hearing the price made me laugh. One night plus a meal was gonna cost 50 copper.
"Still a fair price, though. Don't worry—taste is guaranteed."
No one but this prick would call that fair.
"Eh, whatever. Bring it on. Not in a position to be picky. Any other menu besides stew?"
"Stew first. I'll send it up to your room shortly."
"Sounds good... Oh, where's the well? Wanna wash up."
"Behind the building. It's communal, though... No other guests, so tell me when you wanna use it, and I'll steer clear. Kekeke."
"Oh, thanks. Appreciate the thoughtfulness."
"Taking your money, aren't I?"
"Boss, you've got the heart of an angel."
At least he's providing service worth the coin.
I took the key and headed upstairs. Every step on the creaky stairs made it feel like ominous laughter echoed from downstairs... What the hell is this place?
I opened the door quietly, and Winia spoke up in a curt tone.
"What the hell's with this village? Doesn't feel right. Those guys just now, too."
"I was on edge too, fucking suspicious as shit."
I replied while sorting my pack. Winia had picked up on the shady vibe too. No way people living in a dump like this are normal.
Cloudy flopped onto the bed like she couldn't care less.
"Ahh, so fluffy. What's gonna happen? Let's rest first. Deal with problems when they come."
"Yeah, that'll do. Let's crash. Coming in from outside, my body's all limp."
The room looked decent enough. One bed—tight for three, but better than a lumpy tent floor.
There was a toilet, but no running water, obviously.
Well, then.
Big cities have good sewer systems, but no way a backwater village like this does.
Anyway, I stripped off my gear and lay next to Cloudy. Her hand immediately climbed onto me.
"Whoa, fuck, feels good. No, Cloudy—walls aren't soundproof."
"Does it matter?"
"It does, sis."
Winia squeezed in beside me and lay down. After days on cold tent floors, she looked pretty pleased with the bed.
We'd just settled in for a short rest when—
Knock knock knock.
Someone at the door. Smelled good—must be the stew.
"..."
I got up silently and opened the door.
A bearded fucker who looked like an animal abuser stood there.
"Enough for three, won't run short. You must be hungry—dig in."
He grinned and handed over an iron pot of stew.
Damn, it smelled rich. Worth the price—meats, potatoes, steam rising nicely.
"Whoa, looks tastier than I thought. Thanks. We'll enjoy it."
"Sure. Have a pleasant stay..."
Creeeak.
Polite farewell as he left.
Click.
I locked the door, set the pot on the table. Winia, squinting at me, spoke up.
"Blackie, you gonna eat that? Seems suspicious."
"Hell no. Bought it so refusing wouldn't look weird."
Not super paranoid, but in remote spots, chopped-up travelers are everyday shit.
Better stick to our own rations.
"Yeah, Katt. Always smart to be cautious with food. Even tough warriors drop from unexpected poison."
"Sis is right. Eat random shit from strangers, you're dead."
Cloudy was strict about this stuff too.
"I know. Gotta dump this."
I poured the 15-copper stew down the toilet. Poison or not, don't eat food from a lawless backwater.
And their overly friendly, normal act was suspicious... People that nice living here? Yeah, right.
Even without that, caution's the rule away from home.
We've got plenty of our own food anyway.
Jerky, hardtack, and dried fruit for a simple meal, then brushed teeth.
"Alright, let's sleep. Washing here's iffy."
Winia yawned.
"Yeah. Bathing here feels off. You two take the bed first."
"What about you, Katt?"
"Blanket on the floor for me. Extra one's here."
"You sure? Want the bed? I'll take the floor."
"Nah, not crashing right away. You first."
"Okay then... Love you, Katt?"
"Heh heh heh, you too."
Cloudy beckoned; I leaned in for a cheek kiss. That'd do.
"Night, Winia."
"Yeah, Blackie... If you're planning watch, wake me later."
"Still deciding."
I kissed her forehead; she smiled and closed her eyes.
"Fuck it."
Time to amp up security a bit.
Inn or not, can't just sleep soundly in a shady joint in the middle of nowhere. Not a tourist spot.
Everyone here looks born criminal; can't relax.
Ironic, though—better than that freezing tent. Fog chills to the bone. Night cold's scarier than criminals.
I searched the room quick.
Nothing but door and window. Moved my pack in front of the door. Locked, but trust needs more.
Spread blanket on floor and lay down.
Debating watch, but sleep wouldn't come.
Just rest lying down.
Shing.
Drew my sword, placed it within reach. Cloudy and Winia breathed evenly, asleep.
About an hour later—
Rustle rustle.
Whisper whisper.
"..."
Sounds outside. Eyes closed, ears sharp—something moving in the second-floor hall.
No other guests, they said.
Knock knock knock.
Door knocks.
...Bad thoughts crept up like smoke, but maybe just retrieving the pot.
Yeah, the pot.
Knock knock knock.
Knock knock knock.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Knocks getting aggressive.
What the fuck? Guests sleeping, shitty manners.
Suspicious. I ignored it.
Waiting to see their move—rattle.
Creak.
Door handle turning.
Click.
Creeeak.
Locked door opens.
"Guests. You asleep...?"
Door slowly pushes the pack aside. I honed my rising killing intent and irritation.
These fuckers broke in.
"Hm? What's with this pack?"
"Heh heh heh, looks like they propped it to block the door? Happens sometimes. Anyway, they're out cold, boss."
Two of them.
They shoved the pack aside quietly.
"Quiet. Might wake 'em."
"No worries. Loaded the stew with plenty of dope. Stockpiled since no guests. Time to clear inventory, kekeke."
Fuck, knew it.
My gut feelings never miss on bad shit.
Our guide and the animal-abuser beard. Eyes shut, I eavesdropped, feigning sleep.
"See? All sprawled out. Holy shit, they ate the whole stew? Tasted good, huh? Chef masked the poison well. Puhehe, that much? Out for half a day at least."
"Looks like. Heh heh, you handle shit smooth, bro."
"Years at this gig."
Never eat stranger food in remote areas.
These fucks had been pulling this murder-inn crap for years.
"Kekeke, great haul today, boss. Two chicks? One's got massive tits. Brown girl's stacked too. Ugh, dick's throbbing. Gonna blow already."
They approached us slowly.
"Fuck, those tits. Urgh. Like always, do the work, then rotate. We feast first, pass around the village."
"Hell yeah, kekeke... Worth knocking 'em up. Wait, this one's on the floor?"
I cracked my eyes, gripped the hilt.
"Knocking up?"
"Huh?"
These pricks all learn to talk like total dog-cocks somewhere.
I snatched my sword and sprang up fast.
"Get pregnant with my sword, you fuck."
Squelch.
Plunged it into his gut. Not trained—slid in like a sheath.
"Wh-what?"
"Boss...?"
They stared, baffled, like seeing a ghost.
Schlurp.
Pulled out; blood sprayed. "Boss"—our guide—kneeled and collapsed.
"A-ah?"
Thud.
"Whoa, already popped one out? Healthy black iron longsword."
"Wh-what...! Fuck! Boss!"
"Too late, asshole."
Beard finally snapped to, horrified, going for his sword—but I was faster.
Slash!
Sliced his forearm clean off.
"Gaaaaahhh!!!"
Fucking life.
"You filthy fucks. Cloudy, Winia—up."
This isekai shithole.
"Already up. Ugh, these assholes talk so dirty. Blackie, kill all the shady fucks."
"Hng, wanted a full day's rest."
Tell me about it.