Chapter 565
Chapter 565
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 565
Chapter Title: A Good Friend to Meet
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Since there was nothing in particular to do, I spent the winter thoroughly resting up at home. Of course, winter's a long bitch. It's so damn tedious that snow's still falling. Weather's chilly as fuck, too.
But weirdly enough, this winter hasn't seen all that much snow.
The white shit hasn't piled up past knee height. We'd gotten plenty of those brutal dumps that could bury your head if you slacked off.
So roads weren't blocked or anything, and even today, the gate was bustling with carriages and pedestrians coming and going. Winter or not, plenty of folks would starve if they didn't work.
That's all of them heading out to earn a living.
—Clink.
I fiddled with the coin pouch the Cardia Saintess had given me as I crossed the street. The reward was 80 silver. Amount you'd have to grind four decent adventurer quests to earn.
This was legit jackpot territory, so my lips curled up on their own.
Just a few days ago, the paladins finished scouting the heretic secret research facility we'd marked on the map. Faster than expected. Well, it was just a matter of following the path on the map.
Unlike us, spinning our wheels, they didn't waste time.
Clear evidence turned up, so payout was immediate. I asked the saintess if there was anything else she needed, but she said nothing for the time being. Even the heretics and demons had quieted down for winter.
Paladins weren't launching any long-range ops in this weather anyway, so intel was thin too.
I'll take it easy until she heads back to the capital.
—Crunch crunch.
Still, snow was knee-deep in spots, so the streets overflowed with slum dwellers clearing it. I looked for Lina but didn't spot her.
Anyway, before heading home, I swung by the Adventurer's Guild.
I'm resting, but I can't just hole up forever. Gotta know how the world's turning, so I make it a point to drop by and gather info.
"Barbariaaan shiiiit...!"
The moment I stepped in, a familiar voice rang out.
"You fucker...!"
Kobson, the D-rank adventurer with that unbelievably jiggly blonde hair, pointed at me, his whole body shaking in rage.
For a second, I felt a rush of fondness.
"It's been fucking ages, shithead!!"
This guy's been gone forever.
"No idea how long it's been!! But... been a while, and your gear's changed? What's with that fancy-ass armor, barbarian?"
"Oh, this?"
Kobson came right up, asking about the armor. Come to think of it, I hadn't seen his dumb mug in ages, so no chance to tell him.
"Tavern first. Fuckin' A, my treat."
"Whoa!"
Grinning at the promise of free booze, Kobson hustled after me. We hit a nearby dive, grabbed seats, and when he asked, "So what's the deal with that armor?" I laid it out.
"I became an apprentice priest."
"Wh-what?!"
I flashed my certification, and Kobson clawed at his hair, bugging his eyes out.
"You, you savage—finally accepting a civilized god?! Verde's grace reaching even you? This is a miracle!!!!!!"
"Heh heh heh, you little shit-stain."
Of course, I hadn't converted or anything.
Anyway, we pounded drinks from morning on. Plenty of cash, cheap snacks, nothing else to do.
"Heh heh heh, I'd noticed you'd gotten way stronger, barbarian. As expected of savage stock—totally different breed from us civilized folk. Hidden power's insane."
Kobson squinted one eye at me while chomping jerky.
"Where the fuck does that prejudice come from?"
"Ain't prejudice. It's truth."
"You little fuck."
Chatting, I gathered he'd been knocking out odd jobs here and there. Picked up some solid D-rank buddies, doing pretty well.
Taking it easy in winter.
"Anyway, thinking of moving soon. Can't stay in Isvant forever."
"Hmm, but with your rank, ain't it a waste heading to another city? I thought about relocating once, but hit D-rank and got stuck. No reason to go to Krasheim anymore."
Settled adventurers don't stray far. New cities mean no rep, ranks half-recognized or ignored.
Kobson's probably gonna die here. All his connections and trust are local—ain't running from crime, no point starting over.
Unless you level up to real pro status, then anywhere works.
"Apprentice priest? Instant trust anywhere. Beats adventurer."
"True... but if you leave, barbarian, it'll suck."
"Wha...? You little shit, don't tell me!"
"No more booze money."
"Heh heh heh. You fucker."
Even in the capital, work'll bring me back to Isvant or Krasheim plenty. We'll cross paths again.
Anyway, booze kept flowing, and soon drunk-as-fuck Kobson bellowed.
"Time for the casino!!!!"
"What the fuck? Didn't you quit?"
"Nah! New dealer's a total babe! Just showing my face again!"
Female dealer?
"Come on, barbarian! You bought booze, so tonight I treat big after winning! Celebrate your priest gig!!"
"You insane fuck?"
Shouting, Kobson demanded casino. He looked ready to collapse en route and freeze.
Can't let that happen.
"Fuck, where's this casino?"
"That's my barbarian! You get it!"
So off to the casino with Kobson. I give zero shits about gambling, but couldn't leave him raging alone.
Casino was a ways off.
Fancy building, crowds everywhere. Winter got folks blowing cash or chasing wins. Either way, idiots.
Kobson strode in like he owned it.
"Oh, Kobson! You're here?"
"I'm here, Rosina dear! How've you been?!"
Busty woman in cleavage-revealing dress greeted him warmly. The new dealer?
Not my type.
Standards too high now.
"Hoho, I'm great always. Who's your friend?"
"Barbarian from savage lands! My best buddy!"
Kobson was smitten. Drunk high, he hyped me up.
"Ooh, you look strong."
I nodded curtly and followed. He plopped at a dice game in full swing.
"Kobson's here!"
"He's wasted!"
"Hahaha! Who the fuck shows up drunk?!"
Gamblers laughed greetings.
"Good to see ya, pals!"
Kobson grinned back.
Wonder how much he's lost for everyone to greet him nice. Kinda scary.
"Barbariaaan shiiit! Check this! Luck's golden today! Watch me rake it in!"
No clue what to watch or why he thought luck was good. Gamblers see twisted reality, guess it's true.
"Hope so, you fuck."
I stood back to watch his doom.
Gamblers eyeing Kobson favorably glanced warily at me. Dealers too.
Ignored 'em. Not playing, just spectating.
"Dealer! Let's go!"
"Right away, Kobson sir."
Male dealer politely set out dice and cup.
"Watch, barbarian! Rules: Bet on dice. Odd or even wins double! But 5 loses, 6 redo. Basically odd 1/3, even 2/4."
He explained like spilling secrets, eyes sharp.
5 bust, 6 roll again? Same shit everywhere.
Kobson flicked a silver to the dealer.
"1 silver on odd!"
"Got 1 silver, odd! Dice in!"
Dealer jammed dice in cup, shook wildly, slammed down, spun like a blender. —Rattle rattle!
"Open it!"
Dealer lifted.
"5! Bust!"
"Aaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!"
20 seconds, 1 silver gone. Kobson wailed.
This guy's nuts.
"E-even! Even this time!"
Grabbed another silver, yelled. Same process. Dealer opened.
"6! Redo!"
Redo.
"Redo... even again."
Suddenly deadpan wizard face, declared calmly.
"1! Odd!"
Fucked, obviously.
"Fwaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Scream like a demon cultist echoed.
More rounds, and in under 5 minutes, down 10 silver.
Couldn't watch anymore.
"Hey, you fuck. Cut the shit, go home!"
"Barbariaaan...! Don't stop me! 3 silver even!"
When he bet 3 silver, delirious.
"2! Even!"
"Wooooooooh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"6 silver, Kobson sir!"
"Yaaaaaaaaoooooooooh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
First win, 6 silver. Looked thrilled.
Net -4 though, dumbass.
Mad gambling looped.
Explains why he always loses at this shit.
"Mr. Barbarian not playing?"
The lady dealer approached, spectating crowd huge.
Kobson's the casino mascot, huh.
Good reactions.
"Heh heh, no thanks. Don't egg him on too much. Kid's gonna die."
"Hoho, got it. Kobson, hang in there. Win big and head home."
"O-of course, Rosina dear!!!!"
Fired up, bet 2 silver, lost again. Pussy-whipped.
She sweet-talked every punter. Drove 'em nuts.
In one hour, Kobson up and down to -20 silver total.
"Kyaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!! Fucked up baaaad, shiiiiit!!!!!!!"
"This ain't working."
Hoisted Kobson over my shoulder. Fun watching ruin, but felt gross.
"Dealer! We're done! Taking Kobson!"
Dealer tried blocking.
"S-sir. Gambling's personal freed—"
This fucker?
"He told me he can't go on!! Got a tab?!"
"N-no..."
"Then we're out. Move."
"..."
One roar, path cleared. Dragged thrashing Kobson out.
"Barbariaaaaaan...!!! Odds streak, so 20 silver even wins 40!!! Put me down NOW!!!!"
"Heh heh, shut it, retard. Odds again."
Then -40, fucker.
"Aaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!"
—Like jingle bells announcing Christmas,
> Kobson's pathetic wail rang through the streets.
Seemed like he was living it up, in his way. Anyway, tossed his increasingly loony ass at the inn and headed home.
Surprisingly, still morning.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A few days later, while hitting the Adventurer's Guild every morning for intel.
—A red-haired nun appeared.
"Elise!!!!!!!!"