Chapter 93
Chapter 93
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: Monolith Polishing (4)
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Seoran, enjoying the feast, asked.
“Totoseo, come to think of it, the journalists were calling you Investigation Captain? Looks like you got promoted.”
Totoseo, who had been eating shaved ice for dessert, replied.
“Yeah, that’s right. It’s been a while since the promotion. Between the heroes who vanquished the Black Scale Reverse Flow Blood Snake, we two were the least conspicuous. You’re a human cultivator, and I’m a former officer. Honestly, it was a bit of an undeserved rise.”
“What’s undeserved about it? You were the one who planned the operation back then and commanded the other Labyrinthians. You even solved the string of disappearances. Have some confidence, Totoseo.”
Totoseo gave a wry smile as he answered.
“Well, the thing is... purely on merit, there were a few investigators more outstanding than me. The reason I got to be Investigation Captain over them wasn’t just skill—politics played a big part. I got caught up in factional infighting.”
“Factional infighting?”
Totoseo began to explain.
Currently, the Republic had two political factions.
The Vertical Shaft Faction and the Horizontal Shaft Faction.
They clashed fiercely over a single issue.
The question of whether the subterranean world should risk danger to engage with the alien races of the surface world.
The Vertical Shaft Faction strongly supported an open-door policy.
In contrast, the Horizontal Shaft Faction advocated isolationism.
The battle between the two factions hadn’t paused for a moment since the Black Bamboo Sect allied with the subterranean world a thousand years ago.
The Vertical Shaft Faction called their rivals fearmongering agitators who wielded hatred and terror for power.
Meaning all they knew was fear marketing.
The Horizontal Shaft Faction hurled insults right back.
Traitors cozying up to alien races for power.
Meaning they were stirring trouble by clinging to mighty foreign powers.
Their poll numbers were neck-and-neck, and the fight showed no sign of ending.
Still, the Vertical Shaft Faction held a slight edge.
Thanks to the abundant food from trade.
Then one day, the Black Scale Reverse Flow Blood Snake appeared.
Citizens terrified by the ongoing disappearances.
Their natural predator, thought extinct, and the emergence of heroes.
Humans and Labyrinthians cooperating to drive off the Black Scale Reverse Flow Blood Snake.
Twenty years ago, after that incident, Labyrinthians grew much more favorable toward交流 with the surface world.
The shift in public sentiment affected the elections.
The Vertical Shaft Faction’s support surged dramatically.
The subterranean world was abuzz for a few years.
The Horizontal Shaft Faction highlighted the exploits of Totoseo, a former officer, shouting thus:
Even without the human cultivator’s help, the subterranean world could have defeated the Black Scale Reverse Flow Blood Snake.
It was around then that Totoseo became Investigation Captain.
Having finished his explanation, Totoseo sighed.
“Now you get it? Why I’m like this. That’s why I deliberately left out the promotion in the letter.”
Seoran stammered some comfort.
“Uh, that’s... Hang in there, Totoseo.”
She handed over her own serving of shaved ice.
Totoseo gulped down two portions.
Then, in a deliberately cheerful tone, he said.
“Well, it’s not so bad! I just have to work harder! The mood’s gotten a bit gloomy. If we’re done eating, let’s head out. I’ll guide you to the Mining Bureau.”
The group left the restaurant and headed toward the central district.
In the middle of a plaza lined with government offices, one massive object caught the eye.
A bronze statue depicting Seoran and the Labyrinthians gang-beating the Black Scale Reverse Flow Blood Snake.
Fortunately, they were clothed.
Yi Agum, walking beside her, asked.
“Sister, is that the incident from twenty years ago you mentioned?”
“Yeah, the snake getting pummeled is the Black Scale Reverse Flow Blood Snake.”
“I see.”
The brief conversation ended.
Yi Agum shut her mouth again.
She somehow seemed listless.
Seoran thought for a moment before realizing.
Yi Agum had never seen a Labyrinthian in her life.
That’s why she was so withdrawn.
No matter how sociable, there was nothing for it when meeting an alien race for the first time.
Seoran gently took Yi Agum’s hand.
Yi Agum looked flustered as she asked.
“Sister?”
Seoran just smiled without a word.
But her intent seemed to get across.
Yi Agum’s expression relaxed noticeably.
As the two walked amiably, Totoseo, ahead, spoke up.
“That building is the Investigation Bureau where I work. We’re almost there. The Mining Bureau is just a bit farther.”
Yi Agum asked Totoseo.
“What are those Labyrinthians doing?”
In front of the Investigation Bureau, four similar-looking female Labyrinthians stood in a row, shouting.
“Don’t block our love!”
“Don’t block it! Don’t block it!”
“Give us back our husband!”
“Give him back! Give him back!”
Totoseo said nonchalantly.
“Oh, those women? They’re protesting to free a criminal. No need to mind them. They’ve been at it for twenty years already. It’s pointless anyway.”
“Ah, I see.”
Suddenly curious, Seoran asked.
“What crime did he commit to get twenty years?”
“Better not to know. Their whole family petitioned, turning it into fifty years instead of life imprisonment. I arrested them, so I know all about it.”
Yi Agum, listening, asked.
“What’s the average lifespan of Labyrinthians?”
“They don’t live that long. Even the longest-lived only make it to about five hundred years. Short for a yokai. Ah, we’re here! That’s the Mining Bureau!”
The group entered the imposing building.
*****
Totoseo called a friend from the first floor of the building.
Moments later, a mole came dashing up in a fluster.
Spotting Totoseo from afar, the Labyrinthian abruptly halted, then carefully straightened her appearance.
Seoran happened to witness it.
The Labyrinthian approached calmly and greeted him.
“Long time no see, Totoseo.”
Totoseo, looking at his notebook, looked up.
“Ji-am-seo, looks like you’re still doing great!”
The female Labyrinthian, Ji-am-seo, replied.
“No matter how great, can it compare to the youngest Investigation Captain ever? What brings you here today? You always said you were busy when I suggested meeting up, but now you come in person?”
“I’ve got a favor to ask. Got time?”
Ji-am-seo answered immediately.
“Plenty. Yeah, I’ve got lots of time.”
“Great. First, introductions. These are humans from the surface. My friend Investigator Ryu, and her friend’s little sister Investigator Yi. Say hi to Ji-am-seo.”
Seoran and Yi Agum spread their arms in greeting.
“Hello, I’m Seoran Ryu.”
“Hello, I’m Yi Agum.”
Ji-am-seo greeted them with a lukewarm expression.
“Yeah, I’m Ji-am-seo. Researcher at the Mining Bureau.”
Totoseo added an explanation from the side.
“The Mining Bureau research lab is where the smartest Labyrinthians in the subterranean world gather. Ji-am-seo was my classmate—we were in school together—and she was always top of the class.”
Seoran asked.
“Did Totoseo do well in studies?”
“Me? Just enough to get into the officer academy.”
Meaning he’d done exceptionally well.
Ji-am-seo, watching, urged him gruffly.
“I’m busy. Get to the point.”
“Didn’t you just say you had time?”
“Thought about it, and I’ve got an appointment this afternoon.”
Hearing about the appointment, Totoseo scratched his head.
“Oh? I was going to ask you to show these two around the Mining Bureau repository... This friend’s looking for top-grade minerals, and since the Bureau stores every mineral from the subterranean world, I figured it’d be perfect. If it’s afternoon, a quick tour should be fine, right?”
“Come to think of it, didn’t I have a morning slot too?”
“You’ve gotten pretty busy lately? Well, no helping it. Feels awkward asking for a favor with you so swamped—just buying a meal wouldn’t cut it. Sorry for bothering you, Ji-am-seo. Investigator Ryu, looks like we’ll have to check a few other storage spots.”
Seoran replied.
“I’m fine with that.”
“Then let’s head out right away. Might take a few days, but don’t worry. I’ll stick with you till we find the mineral you want.”
Ji-am-seo hurriedly intervened.
“W-wait, Totoseo! Um, you know... Argh, my memory! The morning slot’s tomorrow! I’ll help these two. I need to head to the repository anyway.”
Totoseo breathed a sigh of relief.
“Really? Thank goodness—I thought we’d be wandering for days. I’ll treat you to a meal later for sure.”
“Sure, sounds good. Specific date and time?”
“You’re thorough—researcher thing? Hmm, three days from now, evening’s free. How’s that?”
“Perfect.”
“Then I’m counting on you? Explain things if they have questions—you know a ton. I’ll head out now?”
With that, Totoseo left.
Seoran, Yi Agum, and Ji-am-seo entered the repository.
It held every mineral discovered in the subterranean world.
Likely collected for research purposes.
Seoran pointed to a nearby mineral and asked.
“Ji-am-seo, what’s this?”
“Dunno.”
“You’re a researcher and you don’t know?”
“Yeah, I definitely knew it once, but I forgot.”
Seoran thought for a moment, then said.
“Do you know about human aesthetic standards? For starters, big hands and feet and lush fur aren’t it.”
Ji-am-seo turned to look at Seoran.
“Hmm, a truly intriguing fact.”
“Then, do you know this? Sometimes it helps to be honest about your feelings. Like when you have a crush on someone.”
“You know a lot about romance?”
“There are few experts like me in the world.”
Ji-am-seo nodded and said.
“Got it. Though of course, I’m not nursing any crush.”
Then she explained the minerals in detail.
Yi Agum, watching from the side, whispered.
“Sister’s no romance expert! She’s never even dated! What if you get caught lying?!”
But Seoran was unfazed.
“You haven’t dated either. And I am a romance expert.”
“On what basis?”
“Insights you’ll never comprehend.”
“Have you no shame?”
Seoran’s conscience was perfectly fine, thank you.
She was indeed a romance expert.
Because she’d dated both men and women.
On top of that, as a romance movie buff, she’d consumed countless audiovisual resources.
More than enough to claim authority.
With Ji-am-seo’s cooperation, Seoran enjoyed a pleasant shopping trip.