Chapter 63: I Drank Too Much
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 63: I Drank Too Much
“Kaaa, this is the stuff! Why doesn't the booze in the Labyrinth ever taste like this?”
Short, reddish-purple hair tied back loosely. Light green eyes that triggered a sense of déjà vu. As it turned out, this was Sera’s father, and those light green eyes had been passed down directly to her.
Her hair came from her mother, and her eyes from her father. It was fascinating how I could see glimpses of Sera in his face. It might be a bit rude to say, but since he looked like a younger version of Sera, he was objectively quite beautiful...
“Young man! Have a drink! You don't turn down a glass offered by your elders!”
“Ah, yes...”
“Dad, what on earth happened? Why are you suddenly in that body...?”
“I picked up a skill on the 47th Floor. Next thing I knew, I’d turned into a kid! Thanks to that, my back hurts a lot less!”
“I-I see...”
“Because of this, I had to turn back without even seeing the 50th Floor Boss’s face. Talk about lucky! If it weren't for this skill, I would’ve gone in there and sliced him right up! Burp—that’s good.”
He let out a massive belch and shoved his glass toward Tresha. His behavior was that of a boisterous middle-aged man, but in that body... what exactly does the Labyrinth want? Who is the target demographic for this?
“So, young lady, your name is Tresha? Pour me a drink!”
“Ah, yes!”
In terms of appearance, it was a middle schooler asking an elementary schooler to pour her a drink. It was a rare sight you wouldn't find anywhere else.
Glug, glug, glug—
With beer foam smeared all over his mouth, he scratched his belly—the image of a middle-aged man through and through.
“Heh, this is great. A young body is nice! I get drunk after just a few drinks!”
“Dad... are you sure you should be drinking in that body...?”
“I asked the Guild! They said it’s fine!”
“No... I mean, it’s going to cause health problems...”
His face flushed red, Sera’s father rummaged through his pockets and slammed a leather pouch onto the desk.
“There’s 80 gold in there. I had more, but I lost it at the gambling den! Those thugs, they were definitely cheating...!”
“Dad! You went to the gambling den again?! Mom told you not to go!”
“N-No, she didn't! Marta told me not to lie about going to the gambling den! She never said I couldn't go! She said she’d let it slide if I told the truth!”
What a family. More importantly, he still had 80 gold coins left even after losing some at a gambling den. There was a reason the Mounted Goat Inn was so clean and affordable. It seemed his explorer grade was quite impressive.
“Oho, this one’s cute. Haven't seen a baby owl in a while.”
He reached out to pet Walter, who was perched on the desk, then took another swig of beer before popping a piece of meat Sera had grilled into his mouth. It was only after ten minutes of being back at the inn that he finally started looking for his wife.
“By the way, where’s Marta? Is she out grocery shopping and gossiping with the vegetable lady again? She should be here saying, ‘Welcome home, dear,’ and setting a feast—”
WHACK!
Speak of the devil. A large carrot, held in the hand of a woman who had clearly mastered professional mace techniques, came crashing down onto his tiny head. She hit him so hard that the carrot shattered, sending fragments flying everywhere.
“Gah! My head! I’m bleeding! I’m bleeding!”
“You really go out of your way to ask for a beating. Roland, what took you so long to crawl back home?”
“Kaaa, Marta! Can’t you see this small, fragile body? I’ve turned into a kid! You’re too much!!”
He whined, rubbing his crown with his tiny hands. Auntie Marta handed the groceries over to Tresha and Sera and sat down at the desk across from him.
“You really are something else. When did you get that skill?”
“About two weeks ago. I headed back up as soon as I got it.”
For now, I retreated to the kitchen where Tresha and Sera were. Watching a little girl and a middle-aged woman talk as equals was doing things to my sanity. I had to get away.
Creeeeak—
I stepped into the kitchen and called Sera over. We needed to talk.
“Sera, let’s have a word.”
“Aven...”
* * *
We went up to the second floor and into my room. I sat on the chair while Sera sat on the edge of the bed. I didn't intend for it to feel like an interrogation, but the atmosphere was heavy. Tresha stayed behind to finish organizing the vegetables.
“What happened, Sera? Why is your father a woman... and why is he so young?”
“Ah, well, you see...”
Sera’s father—his name was Roland Otmarie.
Apparently, even during his last visit four months ago, he had already acquired a Gender Reversal skill. Sera had seen him like that before, so the fact that her dad was a woman wasn't particularly shocking to her. Still, if my dad suddenly turned into a woman, I think I’d be in shock for at least five years. Maybe people just adapt faster in this world.
I was starting to wonder just how far this crazy Labyrinth could go. No wonder I’d been startled when Ravi suggested going inside. The thought of Ravi suddenly turning into a hairy middle-aged man made me lose all desire to enter the Labyrinth.
It was hard to believe, but a sturdy middle-aged man had acquired a Gender Reversal skill followed by an Age Regression skill, turning him into a young girl. It was a story I couldn't believe, wouldn't believe, and didn't want to believe.
“So, it’s not a case of two women meeting and giving birth to you... or anything like that.”
“Dad used to be a normal man... but now he’s like that...”
“Why does he say he won't delete the skills?”
“I’m not sure... He spends so much time in the Labyrinth, and even when he comes to the surface, he’s often in the East...”
I heard he was a renowned Cobalt-grade explorer. Once he entered the Labyrinth, he wouldn't be seen for at least three months. Come to think of it, why hadn't I found it strange that Sera’s father wasn't around?
It might have been rude, but I think I’d just vaguely assumed he had passed away.
“Hmm...”
Click—
The door swung open, and Sera’s father, now thoroughly intoxicated, walked in with a beer mug in hand.
“Young man! Come here!”
“Ye-Yes... What is it, sir?”
“Puhaha! Why so stiff? Just call me Roland! Or 'kid' is fine too!”
“No, well... I’m sorry. I just thought you were a child...”
His tiny hand landed lightly on my back as I bowed ninety degrees. Damn, even my thoughts were getting weird. 'His tiny hand'... this was the most dizzying situation I’d ever experienced in my life.
Pat, pat—
“It’s fine! This body is a kid’s body!”
“Haha...”
“Right, what did you say your name was?”
“I-It’s Aven. It’s a pseudonym your daughter gave me...”
“Aven? I see. What’s your real name? Why use a pseudonym?”
“My real name is Yoo Eon. My surname is Yoo, and my given name is Eon. I use a pseudonym because it sounds a bit unusual.”
“Yoo Eon? That’s an interesting name! I like it!”
What was I supposed to do? How was I supposed to navigate this physically and mentally uncomfortable situation?
“Well, you’ve got a handsome face, so you pass!”
“Yes... thank you. But what exactly am I passing...?”
“Eh? Aren't you planning on marrying my Sera? Or are you going to marry Tresha?”
“Dad?!”
“Uwahaha! I get it! I won't rush you, so take your time picking a date!”
A hand far too light to carry the weight of a patriarch patted my back. I knew he was my elder, but how should I put it? It seems humans really do rely heavily on what they see.
“Anyway, it looks like you’ve been dipping your toes into the Labyrinth. Having any fun? Picked up any skills?”
“Can you tell just by looking?”
“Of course! I’ve been going into the Labyrinth for twenty years now! With that much experience, I can tell at a glance!”
A girl who looked barely in her teens talking about twenty years of experience. Regardless of his appearance, he was undoubtedly a powerful Cobalt-grade explorer.
Sigh... but the visuals were just...
“Yes, I’ve... acquired some decent skills. I’m currently Gold Grade.”
“Oho, a young lad with such a high grade? This won't do! Come outside! Let’s see what you’ve got!”
“Dad, Aven just got back from the Labyrinth, he’s tired...”
At those words, he tilted his head back to look up at me. It felt wrong to look down on an elder, but given the circumstances, I had no choice.
“Eh? Is that so? But I want to see the strength of the man I’m entrusting my daughter to.”
“W-What are you talking about?!”
“It’s okay, Sera.”
I reached out and gently pressed on Sera’s shoulder as she tried to intervene, guiding her back down onto the bed. I could guess about thirty percent of what he was thinking...
And I was curious too. Just how strong was a Cobalt-grade explorer? How far could I reach right now? Honestly, I wondered how strong someone could be while completely drunk and burdened with a curse skill.
“Aven...”
“Sir, are you sure you’ll be alright? With that skill, your body might not be able to keep up.”
“Uwahaha! It’s fine! I adapted to this tiny body while climbing back up the Labyrinth.”
“In that case.”
Right. Even with the help of a party, he had a record of returning from as deep as the 5th Stratum. It didn't seem like he was completely unable to move his body.
“Let’s see, the backyard is too cramped. I know a place I usually go, let’s head there.”
“Yes, I’ll follow you.”
As I followed him down to the first floor, he stopped by the kitchen and grabbed two kitchen knives.
“Sir, why are you taking kitchen knives? Madam Marta won't like that.”
“I put my weapons up as collateral at the gambling den...”
“Ah.”
Kitchen knives are sharp and can be lethal, but the blades are too thin and the durability is low.
“Wait, let me take a leak first.”
“Ah, yes.”
“It’s hard to hold it in this body. I’ve already ruined a few pairs of pants because of it.”
“Um...”
That was definitely more information than I needed.
“Hmm.”
“Sir?”
He had been walking ahead but suddenly came to a dead stop in the hallway. Was something wrong?
“Young man. Go tell Sera to bring me a pair of pants.”
“Ah.”
“I had a bit too much to drink... it’s been a while since I had beer.”