Chapter 309: Reputation
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 309: Reputation
“So it really was because of Belmorak’s authority.”
“Yes.”
The reason the Hollow Breeze weakened after they overcame it once was that the fear surrounding it had diminished.
Whenever a new Orichalcum-grade explorer is born, it weakens further; if someone retires, the next one grows stronger.
Packaging the Necro Species into ridiculous forms and enjoying them as part of a festival had unintentionally contributed to reducing that fear.
“The fact that the next Hollow Breeze won’t happen hasn’t been made public yet. Maybe it’s better if we keep it that way.”
“It probably doesn’t matter.”
“But if fear decreases, won’t the power weaken?”
Iris shook her head.
“The object of fear has simply shifted to you. You are now the one to be feared.”
“I’m not exactly thrilled about that…”
It wasn’t like I fought in that form because I enjoyed it. My combat form was a state optimized for battle—a structure that minimized internal organs that could serve as weaknesses and filled the space with functional organs instead.
Now that I could wrap my entire body in an Aura Blade, I wondered if I even needed to change my appearance anymore. Then again, a human face with hundreds of eyeballs embedded in it would surely be even more of a horror show.
I also stuffed three or four pairs of lungs into my abdominal cavity and removed most other internal organs. Watching my stomach violently swell and contract during a fight must look incredibly grotesque.
“In the end, keeping that form separate from my identity was the right call.”
“Yes. Your face isn't scary.”
“That sounds backhanded.”
Regardless, the biggest problem was that if people realized that grotesque combat entity was actually just a man with an ordinary face, the fear factor would drop.
And more importantly, there was the matter of daily life. Every other Orichalcum-grade explorer was the head of a massive clan. The only exception was Marilli Marionette, who was something like a local power in Wispales, but still.
They all shared the common trait of being impossible to meet just by walking up to them. In contrast, I showed my face quite often at the inn. My reputation could end up causing trouble for the business.
“Still, I can’t hide my face forever. Maybe I should buy something like an Illusion Cloak.”
I remembered seeing Delbaheim wearing one before. It was an item that made your face difficult to remember. I’d heard that wearing it made you feel a bit like an extra in a movie.
“Hah? A low-quality artifact like that? That’s a basic function for a Succubus, you know.”
“Who gave you permission to speak?”
Lilith Astaroth, who was currently face-down on the floor of Iris’s magic item shop in a plank position, suddenly piped up. I’m certain I told her to keep her mouth shut.
“Right hand behind your back.”
“...Sorry.”
“Left hand behind your back, too.”
“That’s physically impossible!”
“I did it. Frequently. Back in Gunsan... no, was it Ansan? Whichever bombing drill it was. Anyway.”
I didn't take issue with her speaking informally to me. It would probably feel weirder if she started using honorifics now. Thinking back to her days as Mystery Antoinette just made me want to smack her.
“Now, this is how you do it.”
“My—my head’s gonna crack! It hurts!”
“Reflect on your mistakes while savoring the pain in your skull.”
I felt like I’d used that line before.
“Ugh...”
“Wait, why is this person masturbating again?”
“Seeing her being treated so roughly... it’s a turn-on.”
Seriously. These Monarchs were a mess.
“Iris, hands up.”
* * *
“Daddy!”
“Hey there, sweetie.”
“You were so cool.”
“Uh... yeah, thanks.”
I had been worried that Yura might find my combat form scary and start to dislike me, but according to Sera, she had tried her best to stay awake until I appeared, only to fall fast asleep immediately after my entrance.
Yura was still a child, so it made sense she’d be exhausted at that hour.
“Yoo Eon... you’ve truly become a monster...”
“Ravi, would you like to take a trip inside my stomach?”
“I will politely decline!!”
Ravi shook her head in horror. I rarely had a reason to check my skills anymore, but Ravi was working hard as the skill appraiser for the Mounted Goat Inn. She was seeing five or six times more customers than she ever did back at the Sateria Appraisal Office.
She was definitely having a positive impact on the inn’s revenue.
“When we first met, you were definitely just an ordinary swordsman.”
“They say ten years can change the face of the earth.”
“It’s been nine months. Not even ten...”
“Nine months is plenty of time for the earth to change its face.”
Tresha seemed to be reminiscing about my ordinary days, but there was no going back to that.
“Yoo Eon... that pink-haired woman who appeared when you were fighting... who is she?”
“A subordinate. She committed a crime, so I’m putting her to work.”
“Oh, I see...?”
Sera, who had never met Mystery Antoinette in person, didn't know much about her. She must have been worried seeing a woman I didn't know.
“I... I can rest easy, right?”
“Of course. Look into my eyes.”
When I held Sera’s cheeks and locked eyes with her for a few seconds, her pupils started darting back and forth. I’m sure she used to be better at eye contact when we first met. Had something changed in her heart?
“O-Okay! That’s enough!”
“Haha.”
* * *
About three weeks had passed since October 31st.
Labyrinth cities across the surface had been buzzing for a while. Aside from the fact that the floating population of Calax had nearly doubled for a month following the Hollow Breeze, there wasn't much of an impact on the inn.
I was able to move around comfortably by wearing the Living Illusion Hood I’d plundered from Lilith. No one would likely take issue with it, either. It wasn't brainwashing anyone; it was simply concealing my appearance.
Besides, it was a common function found in commercial artifacts. If there were a problem with it, people would have been arrested long ago. Aside from the somewhat questionable source of the ability, it should be fine.
So, after hiding my identity, what had I been up to?
“This is a nice city.”
Mascena, a small city with a 32-floor labyrinth. It had a population of about 3,000, with maybe 200 explorers.
Built inside a basin surrounded by mountains, it didn't have much through-traffic, and the surrounding area was overflowing with food. It seemed like a very peaceful and livable place.
I had come here partly because I had business in the labyrinth, but lately, I’d been traveling around various labyrinth cities with a slightly different purpose.
“The residential areas are clean, too.”
I thought that if I ever left Calax in the future, it wouldn't be bad to spend my retirement in a quiet, pleasant city like this.
Calax always felt a bit cutthroat. I hadn't noticed it before, but spending time peacefully in these smaller cities made me realize it.
I guess a vacation really does make a person soft.
“Of course the White Star is the strongest!”
“What are you talking about?! That’s only because you haven’t seen the Red Star!”
Another good thing was that the town was full of kids. A high number of children meant the infrastructure for them was well-established. It meant it was a good environment to raise a family.
Considering there weren't many outsiders and most people knew each other, settling in might be a bit difficult, but no one seemed particularly prickly.
“Phew, nice.”
As I leaned back on a bench in the town square, I could hear the local kids shouting and arguing nearby.
“Then have you seen the White Star?!”
“I have! He’s way cooler in person!”
Listening to their conversation, it seemed they were arguing over which explorer was stronger. There were two towers in the town that stood out—one with a red roof and one with a white roof.
They were talking about the two most powerful Cobalt-grade explorers in the city. I wondered how a Cobalt Grade could be the top dog of a city, but then I remembered.
Out of roughly 40,000 explorers in total, there were only about 600 high-level personnel like them. Having two Cobalt Grades in a town with only 200 explorers was actually quite high compared to the average.
The Cobalt Grade living under the white roof was called the White Star, and the one under the red roof was the Red Star.
I can’t believe my father-in-law would be the absolute strongest if he came here.
A world where a gender-swapped elementary schooler could be the strongest explorer in the province really did exist.
“Enough sightseeing. Should I head into the labyrinth?”
Hunting strong monsters was good, but I also liked lower-floor monsters with unique mana circuits to help me devise new magic formulas. Even though I was on vacation, I was laying the groundwork to properly control Belmorak, whom I had devoured.
I’d heard rumors that there was a unique Spirit Species on the final floor of this labyrinth.
I had a Gold-grade Explorer’s Plate that I’d pressured the Guild Headquarters into giving me, so I wouldn't cause a stir no matter which labyrinth I entered. I’d originally thought about getting a Cobalt Grade one, but a Cobalt Grade appearing in a tiny village with only 30 explorers would be treated like a natural disaster.
Since most places had at least one Gold Grade, it felt like the right level of inconspicuous.
Is it a bit weird for an outsider to suddenly go on a dive?
Entering a labyrinth for a quest was less suspicious than a full dive to the bottom. I was currently looking over the quest board in front of the tiny Explorer’s Guild building to see if there was anything worth taking.
Perhaps because the sun was setting, the board was quite crowded with explorers planning to enter the labyrinth tomorrow.
“I can’t see anything like this.”
As I stood back and watched the crowded board from a distance...
“E-Excuse me!”
“Hmm? Me?”
A small girl squeezed through the burly men and approached me, holding a request form in her hand.
“A-Are you an explorer from another city...?”
“I am. Why?”
“If it’s okay with you... would you like to go do this with me tomorrow morning at 10:00?!”
The girl thrust the request form she had just struggled to grab from the board toward me.
“Grace Bush Petals... Ah, the ones with the analgesic effect.”
I remembered Ravi mentioning that plant. But I wanted to go in alone. What should I do?
“Hmm.”
“I-I’m sorry if you don’t want to...! But! I’ll work hard so I’m not a burden! I’ll do the gathering! And I know exactly where they grow! I’m an Iron Grade, believe it or not...”
I didn't have the heart to say, "Yeah, I don't want to. I want to go alone." I guess this part of my personality was never going to change.
I’ll just finish it quickly and then go in by myself.
“Then shall we meet here tomorrow at 10:00?”
“T-Thank you! But... what’s your grade, by any chance...?”
“I’m Gold Grade.”
“Whoa...! I-I see... Thank you! I’ll be going now, then...!”
I wondered if she’d be able to find me tomorrow. With the perception inhibition magic active, I’d be hard to spot.
“Well, I can just find her.”
Zzt...
A cute, bee-shaped synthetic monster the size of a dust mote emerged from my fingertip. It flapped its wings busily and attached itself to the girl’s collar.
I should probably turn off the vision sharing, just in case. I wasn't looking to commit any crimes.