Chapter 438
Chapter 438
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 438
Chapter Title: Devilish Bastards
-----------------------------------------------------------------
It's a bit concerning, sure.
I've spotted imps here and there in the forest, but I've never heard of them showing up in droves. If the numbers of those wicked-looking monsters have really spiked, there has to be some cause behind it.
I took a moment to picture what an imp looked like.
They resemble grotesque newborns whose bodies have bloated to three times their size from some demonic force, with arms and legs that are freakishly long and thin compared to their torsos, making them even more horrifying. They scuttle around on all fours, to boot.
And they've even got horns sprouting from their foreheads.
Their skin is pitch-black, and they always have their eyes shut, giving off this utterly profane vibe. Some of them have tiny wings on their backs, I think.
Anyway, they're some seriously repulsive little shits.
They look exactly like twisted demons.
That's why rumors swirl that they come from hell or the demon realm. Of course, no one knows the truth. Some folks even believe they're the souls of stillborn children corrupted by curses.
To me, though, they're just pint-sized monsters that drop magic ingredient horns.
"So, has anything actually gone down because of these imps?"
"Nah, not really. It's just that the sightings have picked up. You know how adventurers are the first to spread rumors like wildfire? Even minor stuff gets blown out of proportion."
Adventurers are a chatty, boastful bunch by nature, so yeah, they tend to hype up even the smallest things.
"This is damn good."
Kobson was chugging his drink and gnawing on jerky like it was going out of style. I sipped mine slowly, and he added,
"Oh, but it is true that imps have been popping up more often lately."
"I haven't seen any."
Come to think of it, I haven't spotted one recently while running jobs around other villages. It's been a while since I last saw one, actually.
If they're really swarming, I'd expect to have stumbled on at least one, given how much I roam around for work. Weird.
"Hmm, I've seen 'em a few times nearby. But you might've just missed 'em... Wait, no. Have you headed out the east gate lately? Word is they're thick around there. That's where I spotted mine."
"Ah, yeah, I haven't gone east recently."
Isvant has major gates in all four directions. Haven't passed through the east one lately. For reference, head east and you'll hit Krasheim eventually. North takes you to Baron Todens' territory.
"Anyway, mind if I grab another round?"
"Go for it."
Taking a day to check out these rumors sounds like a plan.
Something about this reeks of shady money.
The old mansion, the imps... A seasoned adventurer is someone who sniffs out cash—and danger—like a bloodhound.
Maybe a quick investigation?
"So, where'd you hear this rundown mansion is?"
"Out the east gate, three days into the forest. Don't ask me for directions—I'd have gone myself if I knew."
East again?
Is there some connection between the imps and the mansion?
Who knows.
"Ahh, this beer's hitting the spot. Anyway, seems like a few guys got lost in the woods, stumbled on it, came back to town, and started blabbing. Probably rounded up a crew and headed back by now."
"Yeah, well, anyone who knows the way would've beaten them to it."
If some idiots lost their way, found the place, and returned to recruit, that explains how the rumor spread.
"That's probably it. Honestly, it's not the most reliable tale."
"Heh heh, yeah. High chance, though."
I wrapped up dinner and drinks with Kobson, then stepped outside. Since he was paying, he was already buzzed enough to stumble home solo and waved me off.
"Heh heh heh... Good seeing you after so long. Take care."
"You too. Oh, you hitting the guild tomorrow?"
"Probably... Ugh, head's spinning... Anyway, see ya."
He looked pretty wasted.
He'll be fine.
On the way home, I mulled over the imps and the mansion.
The mansion sounds like bullshit, but the imp surge is worth checking out. There has to be a reason those evil little fucks are multiplying.
Crucially, imps are one of those monsters whose reproduction is a total mystery—do they lay eggs after fucking, or give live birth?
That's why some say they're like spirits.
Kobolds, goblins, orcs—we've got their life cycles pretty much figured out. Adventurers comb the forests daily; it'd be weirder if we didn't. Plus, there are mages who study this shit.
Imps, though? Total enigma.
Like deep-sea eels hoarding their secrets, these slimy, inhuman nightmare fish keep their lives so shrouded that their ecology's still a blank slate.
—Heretics.
Thinking about imps brought that keyword to mind.
They look straight-up evil. And back when I tracked heretic traces to that ossuary, I ran into imps there too.
Anything involving those heretic bastards is a guaranteed payday.
And it happening right near the city? Super suspicious.
They've infiltrated Isvant twice already—sewers and slums. Got pulverized by my blade both times, of course.
I figure they're still lurking in the shadows, scheming toward whatever fucked-up goal they've got.
An organization with the pull to sneak priests into a major city like this...
They've gotta be plotting something somewhere.
Hell, I even crossed paths with them in the Mist Plains recently. What the hell are those imperialists, those Nazi-wannabe fucks, after...?
The more I thought, the clearer it got.
These imp shits are tied to the heretics, no doubt.
Which means I have to investigate.
Investigator Kim Katt never lets the seeds of evil take root.
—Creak.
Lost in those thoughts, I got home.
"Home early, darky? Find any work?"
"Nah, met up with Kobson. Heard some interesting stuff."
"Interesting how?"
Winia was glued to a magic tome on the sofa. She perked up, closed it, and crossed her legs.
I relayed what Kobson told me.
No commission fee, self-initiated, unclear rewards—but worth pursuing.
"Doesn't sound lucrative. Better to just take guild quests in that time. No clear plan, vague goal. And imps? Why bother hunting those worthless pricks? I say pass, darky."
Classic Winia—efficient brainiac, stone-cold analysis.
"Fair point. Still, suspicious shit like this? Might as well poke around. First come, first served on these things. Real adventurers seize opportunities."
"Not cool. No dick, no feast. Skip the bullshit and rest proper—come play on my tits at home."
"Nooo!!! Winiaaa!!!"
Anyway, she's not keen on going.
I shrugged off my coat to pillow on her lap, but she shoved my head away.
"Not now. Busy studying—can't you see?"
"Pleeease."
That's when Claudy shuffled down the stairs.
"Katt... going somewhere?"
"Oh, you up, Claudy?"
"...Sleepy. Wanna sleep more. Let's sleep together."
She grabbed my hand and tugged me upstairs.
Claudy's such a sleepyhead. We hit the bed, and she burrowed into my arms. Not tired myself, but might as well chill.
"What was the talk about?"
"Nothing big—imps showing up nearby, wanna check it out. Winia's skeptical, though."
"Hmm... Not guild work? But if you wanna go... better do it. Come back safe."
"Heh heh, sure."
Kobson said he'd hit the guild tomorrow morning, so I'll pitch the investigation then.
I'm already convinced the imps and heretics are linked somehow.
* * *
Next day, I decided to go investigate.
"Hmm... Won't stop you if you really wanna... Ugh, hate sending you off, but it's not dangerous, so... fine. Come back safe."
"Katt, gotta be home early?"
"Obviously. What's the problem?"
Winia's magic research hit a key phase—she wants to grind on it for days. Claudy's into cooking now, gonna practice today after seeing Lisha's meals.
Karin and Lisha don't know adventurer life in detail, so they see this as just another job.
"This is 100% heretic-related."
"Heretic bullshit again. Keep yapping and you're making me nervous... Sigh, just scouting near town, right? Should be fine. Investigate enough and get back quick."
"Don't worry. I'll be early."
Off to the Adventurer's Guild.
Winia didn't buy it, but I couldn't shake the heretic angle. Lisha doesn't know the imp deal but finds it intriguing if true—asked me to look into it.
Lisha's requests are non-negotiable.
Condition peak, gear perfect, prepped to roll. Grab Kobson or some rando and scout imps today.
—Thud thud.
Arrived at the guild, about to enter—something familiar by the building. Red hair, blue nun habit.
Not many possibilities.
Elise
"—El!"
I spotted her face and nearly bellowed from sheer impulse. But no shout escaped.
—Plop!
Elise had clapped her hand over my mouth. A small, gloved hand sealed my yell.
Elise!!!!
"Hee hee, too late, Saint."
"Mmph, mmph...!"
After ages apart, Elise smirked confidently, hand firm over my mouth.
"Knew you'd do this, so I waited. I saw you first—you can't yell now. Good call waiting outside, hee hee hee."
Goddamn it! No way!
So how the hell do I express this joy...!
"E-Elise...! What the fuck?! Get your hand off...! Gah!"
"Promise no yelling, and I'll let go!"
I begged, but she wouldn't budge. This can't be real! How could she do this to me!!!
"Gah...! Hurts, it huuurts...!"
"No crying your way out! You always yell! Promise me—no yelling!"
"Sniff...! Sniff! No yelling..."
"No yelling!"
"At all...!"
"Good! That's it!"
But you're the one yelling!