Chapter 114 Promotion
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Translator: JayM
Chapter: 114
Chapter Title: Promotion
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The atmosphere in the inn was heavy.
Geremu, a dog beast-person who made a living selling belts in the Southern District, struggled to calm his racing heart.
As a dog beast-person, his sense of smell was exceptional. But at this moment, he wanted to plug his nose.
An overwhelming scent emanated from the barbarian.
‘K-Karin…’
He didn’t know the details…
But the scent of Karin’s humiliation, tears, and pleas, a pheromonal cocktail, clung to the man.
‘How…?’
Lovemaking between a man and a woman was the natural order.
But…
How could this man, after tormenting the proud and dignified Karin all night long, utter the word “chaste”?
It was absurd.
If his wife hadn’t been saved by this barbarian, he wouldn’t have come here, the scent was so overwhelming.
No.
Perhaps it was fortunate.
If his wife had smelled this, her innocent and virtuous nature would have been shattered.
Several beast-person guards also looked flustered as they panted and blushed.
Geremu pondered.
‘Would Ingrid stand idly by after Karin was treated like this?’
Even if explorers were equals, Ingrid wasn’t the type to tolerate such humiliation.
Geremu’s thoughts were interrupted.
Jeong Yoo-shin cleared his throat.
He realized his joke hadn’t landed well.
“It was a joke. The atmosphere was so gloomy, so I tried to lighten the mood.”
“Ahahaha…!”
“Cough… Choke!!! Th-That’s… so funny! Oh, my sides!”
People forced out laughter with awkward expressions.
“Ahem. Let’s get down to business.”
A male lion beast-person cleared his throat.
He was wearing plate armor and had dark circles under his eyes.
“Ricky Coleman, Captain of the Southern District Guard. I’ve heard about you from my subordinates. I’m finally meeting you now. You’re even more impressive than I imagined.”
“I see. I’m Skar. Out of curiosity, what did your subordinates tell you?”
“Some of my men were on night duty at the labyrinth. I heard that you were at the forefront of the fight when that high-ranking explorer Hans transformed into a monster.”
Jeong Yoo-shin scratched his head.
‘Word travels fast.’
The guard captain continued.
“Many people were injured in the recent monster attack, but many also survived thanks to your efforts.”
“Is that so?”
Thump!!!
The guard captain placed a pouch on the table. The clinking sound filled the inn.
“Many people are indebted to you. So the city guard, the Merchants Guild, and several individuals have pooled together a reward.”
Jeong Yoo-shin smiled at the guard captain’s words.
“That’s great. Thank you.”
He reached for the pouch and was about to put it away when he stopped.
“How many people died in the Southern District during the attack?”
“Quite a few.”
“I want to give half of this money to the bereaved families.”
“…Were you close to them?”
“No. But I want to offer them some comfort. We’re all neighbors in the same district.”
“…Is that so? Thank you. We won’t forget your kindness.”
The guard captain bowed his head in gratitude.
Regardless of this barbarian’s sexual exploits, he had saved many lives.
Everyone had their own private preferences, so he decided to be understanding. Besides, Karin was an adult and had the right to choose whomever she wanted.
The guard captain reached out to take the pouch Jeong Yoo-shin offered.
Just then…
Their hands brushed against each other.
“Gasp!!!”
The guard captain shuddered and dropped the pouch.
“…What’s wrong?”
“N-Nothing. Don’t worry about it.”
The guard captain swallowed hard.
‘It’s no use. This devastating scent… I can’t understand it.’
The guard captain racked his brain.
‘Karin is already involved. It would be a problem to speak about this openly. I’ll have to keep my mouth shut for now.’
Of course, he couldn't keep it a secret forever.
Still, he decided to repay the debt he owed to this black-haired barbarian by being discreet.
He wasn’t afraid of this barbarian with his monstrous sexual appetite.
It was simply…
To repay his debt.
The guard captain decided to turn a blind eye.
“Ugh!!! I… I liked her first!!!”
Several young beast-people among the merchants and residents stood up abruptly, with tears streaming down their faces, and ran out of the inn.
Jeong Yoo-shin tilted his head.
“What’s wrong with them?”
“They’re probably heartbroken that the person they like has crossed a point of no return. Be understanding.”
“Alright.”
Jeong Yoo-shin replied while scratching his head.
He had a question.
“May I ask something?”
“Go ahead.”
“Do you know who was behind the monster attack?”
“It seems that some monster-people from the Eastern District were dissatisfied and caused the incident. The details are confidential. The higher-ups will probably discuss it and resolve the issue.”
“Does this happen often?”
“I’ve heard that it happened occasionally in the past.”
While Jeong Yoo-shin and the guard captain were talking…
The beast-people began to leave.
“W-We’ll be going now. Skar, take care of yourself, and we’ll see you later.”
Jeong Yoo-shin looked up.
“Are you leaving already? Stay a little longer.”
“Gasp…! N-No. I have to get back to work.”
“My wife is alone, and I’ll get in trouble if I’m out too late!”
“I’ve been busy lately. You understand.”
The beast-people gave mechanical replies.
Even those who couldn’t smell the pheromones sensed the strange atmosphere and quietly stood up, bowed their heads slightly, and left the inn.
Jeong Yoo-shin saw each of them off politely.
“Please visit the inn often and help boost our sales.”
“O-Of course! You don’t have to ask! We’ll come often!”
“Th-Thank you… We won’t forget your kindness!”
The people left the inn with stiff expressions.
Jeong Yoo-shin watched them leave and scratched his head.
‘Are they that upset? Well, I guess they wouldn’t be happy after so many people were injured and killed.’
He decided to be understanding.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
A day after the townspeople visited…
The atmosphere in Labyrinth City was strangely tense after the festival ended.
Amidst this tension…
Jeong Yoo-shin, Tarman, and Anne sat around a table in the inn.
They were counting the money they had earned during the festival.
“We made a profit of about 30 gold coins. Excluding the baker’s share.”
Tarman said.
Jeong Yoo-shin’s eyes widened in surprise.
“That’s a lot.”
They had made a profit of about 300 silver coins in just five days. Considering the low profit margins in the food service industry, it was a tremendous amount.
“The Cream Slime Bread sold like hotcakes. It’s all the rage among merchants and tourists.”
“That much?”
“Yes. We believe the fresh cream, the crispy, savory bread, and the cute shape contributed to its popularity.”
“Really?”
It seemed like the refrigeration magic tool he had bought had paid off.
“So, what should we do with this much money?”
“Let’s keep 10 gold coins for the inn’s operating expenses and split the rest.”
Tarman and Anne’s eyes widened in surprise.
“But… didn’t you buy the refrigeration magic tool? We’re fine, but wouldn’t you be losing money?”
“Not at all. I bought it for the inn’s benefit. We can always earn more money. And you all worked hard. Besides, I received some money from the guard captain and the people of the Southern District.”
“Still…”
Despite their objections, Jeong Yoo-shin decided to distribute four gold coins to each of them.
He also decided to give some to Karin and Luna, the fox beast-person, as well.
After the meeting, Jeong Yoo-shin pondered.
He had received six gold coins from the townspeople.
And four gold coins from selling Cream Slime Bread.
A total of 10 gold coins.
He planned to replenish the supplies he had used up during his last labyrinth trip, repair his armor, and buy new weapons, so he decided to take a stroll through the city.
He invited Karin to go shopping with him, but she refused. She seemed unwell, so she stayed in bed.
“Sorry, I’m not feeling well.”
“What’s wrong? Should I buy you some medicine?”
Karin’s face flushed slightly.
“I-It’s not like that. I just need some rest.”
“Alright.”
Although Karin said that, she looked like she needed medicine. Seeing her lying in bed while groaning made him worry.
He had heard that the first time was usually painful.
‘I should visit Edel.’
Luna’s mother. She ran a small pharmacy in the Southern District.
He decided to visit her to give Luna her share of the money and buy medicine for Karin.
He left the inn and walked slowly towards the pharmacy.
Jingle.
He entered the pharmacy. Edel was at the counter with her back turned while rearranging potions.
“Edel, it’s been a while.”
“Ah! Skar, it’s been a whi…?”
Edel turned around to face Jeong Yoo-shin and suddenly started bleeding from her nose.
Jeong Yoo-shin’s eyes widened.
“Oh! Edel, are you alright? Is your illness acting up again?”
“N-No.”
As Jeong Yoo-shin approached, Edel covered her nose and stepped back slightly.
“Wh-What can I get for you?”
“Karin isn’t feeling well. I think she needs some painkillers or fever reducers.”
“I-I see.”
“Huh?”
Edel muttered something, but Jeong Yoo-shin didn’t hear her clearly and asked again.
“N-Nothing.”
Edel hurriedly prepared the medicine.
Her hands trembled as she placed the bottles of medicine on the counter, unlike her usually calm demeanor.
“Th-This should do. It’ll be three silver coins.”
“I see.”
Jeong Yoo-shin took out a gold coin and handed it to Edel.
Their hands brushed against each other.
“Eek!!!”
Edel recoiled, startled.
???
Jeong Yoo-shin also stepped back in surprise.
“Wh-What’s wrong?”
“N-Nothing. Actually, I’m not feeling well myself. I’m sorry, Skar.”
“I see. By the way, Luna worked very hard. It’s not much, but I’ve included her in the split for her efforts.”
“Oh…! Thank you. You didn’t have to…”
“No. Luna worked hard. We wouldn’t have made this much profit without her help.”
Jeong Yoo-shin said his piece and left the shop.
He had gotten the medicine for Karin and given Luna her share of the money.
Seeing that Edel wasn’t feeling well, he decided it would be rude for him to stay and chat any longer.
Jingle.
After Jeong Yoo-shin left and the shop door closed, Edel looked at her hand.
That scent was definitely Karin’s pheromones.
As someone who could distinguish between various medicinal herbs, Edel couldn't help but recognize it, even more so than other beast-people.
“How…?”
She couldn’t believe that Skar, who was always so calm and altruistic, would engage in such destructive mating.
The shocking revelation made her head spin and her heart pound.
Edel fanned herself with her hand.
“Sigh.”
She imagined Karin’s face, flushed and melting beneath Skar’s strong body.
It wasn’t the face of a brave warrior who protected people alongside her comrades on the eastern border.
It wasn’t the face of the idol of the Beast-person Alliance renowned for her beauty.
Karin had pleaded and cried like a sow, a sight unimaginable for a respectable woman.
Her secret place, meant for conceiving lovely children, was stretched wide open, spewing fluids with reckless abandon.
She had never seen or heard of such mating in her life.
How potent were those pheromones?
Edel couldn’t help but imagine herself in Karin’s place, being ravished by Skar.
“Oh! No!!!”
Edel shook her head, her yellow tail standing on end, as if trying to snap herself out of it.
That was a path she couldn’t take. A path of ruin, as a woman and as a mother.
“Skar… what happened?”
Edel muttered with a sigh.
Edel didn’t realize that her underwear was now damp.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Jeong Yoo-shin returned to the inn. Iron Mask, who was sitting at the counter, waved to him.
“Skar, I heard you made a killing.”
There was a hint of amusement in Iron Mask’s voice.
“I almost died. It wasn’t easy.”
Jeong Yoo-shin grumbled as he sat down at the counter.
“Did you hear the news?”
“What news?”
“The brothel in the Eastern District was half-destroyed. I heard that a white-haired warrior showed up and beat up the barbarians. Labyrinth City is buzzing about this, even more so than the monster attack.”
Jeong Yoo-shin crossed his arms.
He wasn’t interested. He didn’t care what happened to those crazy barbarians.
“There’s one more piece of news. Actually, this is why I came here.”
Iron Mask’s voice was filled with excitement.
“What is it?”
“The Explorer’s Guild contacted me. Your promotion has been finalized. They told me to tell you to come and collect your silver card.”
Jeong Yoo-shin grinned.
“That’s great. When did they say I could go?”
Iron Mask replied.
“As soon as possible.”
Jeong Yoo-shin stood up.
“Let’s go now.”
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T/N - Holy shit! It’s worse than I thought. By walking around right now, the MC is basically committing social death without even knowing it. It would be hilarious once he realizes it later on.