Chapter 455
Chapter 455
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 455
Chapter Title: Kim Katt and the Ghost House
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I first calmed down Kobson, who was staring at me in shock.
There's no way in hell I have a daughter like that. For me to have a kid her age, I'd have had to knock someone up back in middle school. What kind of bullshit story is this?
I've only been in this world for about four years, tops.
Even if I'd gotten someone pregnant the second I arrived, no crazy genetically engineered super-child could grow up like this in four years. If a kid shot up that fast, it'd be a demon, not a kid. Lina's no demon.
"Looks like you got the wrong idea from the shock. Yeah, no way a barbarian like me has a daughter that age. I just mistook her for one because of the black hair. She's more like a little sister, really."
"Kinda. Half my little sister, anyway."
"From the same tribe?"
"Nah, total stranger."
As I explained Lina to Kobson like that, she awkwardly shuffled over and hid behind me, fidgeting.
Perfect timing. I needed a porter anyway.
Let's ask her.
"Hey, Lina. You free today?"
"Y-Yeah? Free? I don't have any work right now..."
She answered in a tiny voice when I asked.
Her clothes were decent now, but she still lacked confidence?
Showing that attitude in the adventurer business would attract every creep out there. That's why everyone puts on a front. Adventurers and bravado go hand in hand—you can't have one without the other.
"If you're free, wanna come with me? Heading out for a job and need a porter."
"With you, big bro?"
"Takes a few days. Five coppers a day. If you do it, I'll pay today's upfront."
"Y-Yes! Sounds good! Thanks, big bro!"
Her face lit up the second I mentioned money, and she grinned wide. Kids really do live best with a smile.
Luckily, Lina was at loose ends right now.
Better her than some no-credit F-rank newbie adventurer. Most F-ranks are bums or human trash. No way I'd team up with those losers for days.
Lina, on the other hand? Her skills and reliability were proven when she risked her life stealing pagan relics. I could trust her.
"Hold on. Lemme check with my friends first."
I quickly filled in Kobson and Meria.
"We've worked together a few times. Solid. Best porter around—listens well, too."
"She's awfully young, though. Not sure she can handle the heavy lifting."
"Strength's not her strong suit, but she's trustworthy. Barbarian stock means decent stamina and muscle anyway. We've done jobs together before, and she's been fine every time."
"Hmm, trustworthy, eh? If a barbarian vouches that hard, I trust it. Good stamina from the tribe, too. Sounds good."
Kobson seemed convinced.
In his mind, all barbarians were built for hard labor, no matter the age.
"Hi, kiddo. I'm Meria."
"M-My name's Lina."
"Know Katt here?"
"Yeah. He's helped me out a few times. Used me as a porter, too..."
"Gotcha."
Meria bent down to Lina's level for a greeting. After a short chat, she looked up at me.
"Long as she can carry the gear, I'm good. Ready to head out?"
"Yeah, let's roll."
I went straight to the desk and registered Lina with the party. No warrants on any F-rank adventurers, so we set off with her included.
Four-person party formed.
"Kobson. Meria. Need anything before we go? Stock up now."
"Hmm, could use more rations."
"Oil, maybe?"
Inventory check showed a few shortages, so we hit the general store. Bought what we needed, and Lina got rations with her advance.
Prep done. Time to move out for real.
"Big bro, put the gear in my pack."
"You got it."
I stuffed a few items into Lina's backpack.
Having a porter makes marching easier. Hand off supplies at the start, loot on the way back.
"Heh heh, kid's a natural."
"Yeah? I didn't have it this rough when I was her age."
Kobson and Meria loaded their stuff into her pack too. She didn't even flinch. Her stamina was proven, after all.
"So, big bro. Where we headed today?"
Lina asked as we passed the gates, walking beside me.
"Oh. Heard there's some creepy old mansion way out there. Going to poke around it. Probably under a week, don't sweat it. I pay on time."
"...A mansion?"
"Yeah."
She looked up at me, face pale as a ghost.
"Rumors say people are vanishing there..."
"That's what we're checking out. Scared? Relax, kid. Who do you think I am?"
"R-Right. No one's scarier than you, big bro..."
"You little punk."
She seemed terrified of me but stuck close anyway. Come to think of it, she was always like this. Tiny, timid barbarian girl.
Eh, if we strike gold, I can toss her a cut.
"You two look like siblings. Same tribe after all? Uh, what was it? Korea? Tribe name's Korea, right?"
"Good memory, asshole. Not same tribe—just met her here."
"Hmm, met here, huh? Ah, got it. Looking out for a fellow 'countryman'? Barbarians got hearts after all."
Stressing 'countryman' like that—he was dead set on his barbarian views.
"Heh heh, you crazy bastard."
We chatted as we walked. Recent gossip, old stories. Turns out Meria was grinding hard. Dreamed of opening a clothing shop—doable if she stuck at D-rank long enough.
She joked about bashing rude customers with her shield, stripping them, and selling the clothes—laughing her ass off.
That a joke?
"What've you been up to since, Lina?"
"Well... Living off the money you gave me. Sleeping in inns, no more starving... Bought clothes and gear, so gigs are easier to snag."
"Nice. Glad you're doing well."
Lina looked way cleaner now.
Her huge backpack was beat-up, but clothes and boots were solid. Shortsword and handaxe at her belt.
After we trashed the slums together, she'd quit that life.
Seeing her thriving felt good.
She survived on porter jobs, sewer cleaning, dumping trash—enough for inn beds and meals.
Level up to E-rank, grow a bit, and she could end up like Meria. Diligence and luck would carry her.
"Barbarian. Meria. Check the map. Which way from here?"
"Santa Pass—faster route, right?"
"Agreed."
We debated nonstop as we marched.
From route choices to tasks on site, unexpected threats, contingencies. All vets, solid skills, flexible, quick thinkers.
"What do you think's causing the adventurer disappearances?"
"Strong monster, probably."
Kobson shrugged it off, but Meria put on a grave tone.
"Something in the mansion? Secret trap in the basement... Step on it and—bam!—spikes everywhere!"
"Fuck!!! That's too brutal!!!"
"Meria, no scary talk!"
Opinions on the mansion varied, but we boiled it down to four rules.
Viable monster? Kill and loot. Too tough? Run. Searchable? Careful sweep. No dice? Grab corpses' gear and bail.
Stick to that, no big risks.
Evening hit. We set up camp.
"Need light?"
ㅡPaht!
I pulled out the Ratras necklace and gripped it tight. Bright light spilled out. Kobson and Meria freaked.
"What the hell, barbarian?! What's that glowing necklace?!"
"Can I touch it?!"
"Heh heh, fairy loot from a scrap."
"Fairy?!"
I spun a jazzed-up tale of that fight while building shelter. Three D-ranks made quick work. Cloaks, branches, cord—cozy hideout done.
Fire up, eat, set watches, crash.
* * *
Two days of hard marching later, we reached the presumed mansion area.
Real remote.
Forest and mountains all around. Mansion? More like a rundown hunting lodge. Adventurer hype probably inflated the rumors.
"Gotta hunt around from here. Let's go."
"Yeah."
Kobson pored over the map; we scanned everywhere.
"Hey, maybe."
Meria chimed in.
"No mansion at all. Searchers get lost in the forest maze instead. That's the vanishings. Or fairies snatched 'em."
"Meria, why you love creepy shit."
"Heard stories back home. Forest mazes, mountain spirits. Lost hikers kidnapped to fairyland—common lore. Just hit me."
That's just monsters eating people, dressed up fancy. Legends are always like that.
Fairy kidnapping? More like bandits.
But bandits are forest fairies to humans anyway. Hostile either way.
"B-Big bro, that won't happen, right?"
"Heh heh, could!"
"Eek... But you could kill anything."
"Damn right."
Whatever shows, blade solves it. Sharp steel cuts real threats.
"Break here. Hmm, definitely around here, but no exact spot. Mountains all look the same."
"Tell me about it."
Makes sense why it's abandoned—too out of the way. Prime spot? Long gone.
Still, mansion's a mystery.
What kind? How old? Nearest village a full day out. Monster- and criminal-infested mountains. No reason to build here unless you're nuts. Maybe an old village remnant?
Creepier now.
"Hmm?"
Noon rolled around after hours of trekking.
Just about to lunch when lead Kobson froze and pointed ahead. Our eyes followed.
"B-Barbarian. Meria. Look over there."
"...Seeing it."
"Oh my."
Far off: edge of man-made structure. Deep woods, brush and trees hiding it—a building stood.
Fuck yeah, found it.
The infamous mystery mansion.
"Jackpot. Let's check it out!"
We beelined there.
Closer we got, clearer it became. Picked up pace to a jog—finally, full view.
"Whoa, fuck."