Chapter 188 Who Are You !
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Translator: JayM
Chapter: 188
Chapter Title: Who Are You?!
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"..."
An awkward silence hung over the inn due to Bryn's strange joke.
It was already an awkward meal, as Bryn and Karin didn't know each other.
Jeong Yoo-shin was about to say something, but then he just closed his mouth.
Sow.
How did a pig squeal again?
Whether by his own will or not, he had embraced two women.
Back then, he hadn't heard the delicate moans that would come from an erotic video, but the panting that seemed to boil up from under their stomachs.
Huoooot.
Igggeugeut.
He found himself glancing at Karin without realizing it.
Karin, noticing Jeong Yoo-shin's gaze, straightened her red tail.
"Wh-What?!"
"I-I'm sorry!"
Bryn, who at least had the sense to know that she had said something wrong, quickly bowed her head and apologized.
"It's alright."
Jeong Yoo-shin answered with a casual smile.
'Bryn is sharp. Isn't that right? The Female Virgin Corruption imprint and the Incubus imprint. Let's stop making innocent women cry and live with some conscience, Yoo-shin.'
'Destiny calls for you, Swine Master.'
The devil had taken hold of him.
Had his heart also been stained by the darkness of the labyrinth?
The angel and the devil in his head were saying similar things.
Jeong Yoo-shin shook his head to clear his mind of such thoughts and changed the subject.
"Bryn, but what brings you to Labyrinth City?"
He had heard that she had already graduated from the academy safely.
Was there any reason for her to stay in such a dangerous place?
"Um... I'm short on living expenses."
Bryn smiled shyly and scratched her head.
Is that so?
"Skar-ssi, did you by any chance stop by the library?"
Lena asked.
"Yes. I've been going there for the past week."
"I see. The receptionist there is a friend of mine. She said that a handsome barbarian man was looking for some decent books. I was wondering if it was you, Skar-ssi. It would have been nice if we had gone together."
To Lena, who was disappointed, he answered.
"That's right. Let's go together next time."
By the way, Lena was also surprisingly well-connected. Did she know a lot of people in the city?
She seemed quiet, but her social skills seemed to be considerable.
"Ah!"
A thought flashed through his mind.
Lena was a mage.
Could it be that she also knew about the outer gods?
"Lena."
"Yes."
"Do you know anything about the outer gods?"
Lena closed her mouth and stared at Jeong Yoo-shin for a long time.
"...Why do you ask?"
"I'm curious. I met a strange monster in the passage to the other world last time. There's no harm in knowing more about them."
"...I see. Generally, the gods of other worlds aren’t interested in humans. They treat them as less than dust. But some gods are different. They are 'obsessed' with human emotions."
"I understand."
"Then I'll ask you this. In this continent, where is the region where human joys and sorrows have raged the strongest, and for several decades at that?"
At Lena's question, a chill ran down his spine.
"Don't tell me...?"
"Yes. It's Labyrinth City. The joy of obtaining a good imprint, the sense of accomplishment from breaking through a blocked level, the death of a comrade, the betrayal of a comrade, those who despair after obtaining a negative imprint, those who are killed by monsters, and those who seek revenge. And in the midst of all that, those who fall in love with someone."
Lena paused for a moment, then she spoke again.
"The place where countless emotions overflow like a wave is right here."
"I see. Then, what is the passage to the other world?"
Lena picked up a wooden cup.
"Let's assume this water cup is the labyrinth."
Lena tapped the middle of the wooden cup with her finger.
"The gods of other worlds are constantly knocking on the dimensional boundary to project their influence into the labyrinth. It's because they want to feel human emotions more closely."
"Does that mean the passage to the other world is a 'hole'?"
"Yes. It's safe to say that a 'hole' has formed in the labyrinth."
Damn it.
To think the mystery was finally solved just like that.
He felt relieved.
"Ah! For your reference, the Western Empire also serves a god from another world. Lux Aeterna, shall we say, the eternal light of humanity? I heard that the emperor is its representative."
Lux Aeterna.
Eternal Light.
Karin's ears perked up, and she growled.
"How can only humans be people? What nonsense!"
Jeong Yoo-shin was startled and closed his mouth. It was because Karin's reaction was so strong.
Lena nodded.
"That's right. That's true. Light should shine on everyone."
"She must have had a lot of conflict with the elemental orders."
"Yes. The empire, with this ideology, naturally had many conflicts with the other races. To put it simply, the Western Empire is a hell for other races."
"..."
And that empire was currently gathering its forces at the border of the Eastern Alliance?
'Isn't that dangerous?'
Up until now, he had been indifferent to outside news.
It was because he wasn't very curious about how the outside world was turning out.
But after hearing Lena's explanation and seeing Karin's reaction, he realized that the situation outside wasn’t going well.
"I-I think it'll probably be alright."
Bryn's words came out.
"What will?"
"The war."
"Do you have any basis for that?"
"N-No. I just have a feeling. Ehehe."
Bryn scratched the back of her head and laughed.
"..."
The people were at a loss for words and just stared blankly at Bryn.
At that moment…
Creeak.
The inn door opened, and Ingrid entered.
"Ingrid-nim?!"
Lena and Bryn quickly stood up and bowed.
Ingrid saw Lena and Bryn and crossed her arms.
"Who are you?"
Jeong Yoo-shin stepped forward instead.
"They are my friends."
"Is that so? Please be comfortable."
Ingrid gave Lena and Bryn a glance, and then she went up the stairs and disappeared to the second floor.
Lena, since she was already up, bowed to Jeong Yoo-shin and Karin.
"It's gotten very late. Then we'll be on our way."
"It was good to see you after a long time."
At Jeong Yoo-shin's answer, Lena poked Bryn in the side.
"That's right. Bryn, did you hear that? It's important to get some fresh air."
"Y-Yeah."
Bryn answered with an awkward smile.
Jeong Yoo-shin and Karin stood up and saw the two off.
He stood at the door for a moment while watching their retreating backs, and when he returned to the inn, Ingrid was sitting at the table.
Eru wasn’t there. The sound of clattering dishes was heard from the kitchen, as if someone was washing the dishes.
Ingrid was sitting at the table in comfortable clothes while sipping a drink.
The same dolphin shorts and loose tunic as last time.
But there was one difference. The tunic was white, so her black lace bra was faintly visible.
Karin sat down and frowned slightly.
No matter how comfortable her mother wanted to be, to be dressed so scantily in front of her prospective boyfriend(?)...
There was a limit to being defenseless.
She remembered her mother's strangely excited expression when they had stopped by the Arachne Tailoring Guild's directly-managed store together a long time ago.
No way, right?
"Karin, do you want to enter the labyrinth?"
Her mother's sudden question. Karin immediately nodded.
"Yes, of course."
"There is one way."
"What is it?"
"A baby."
"A baby?"
"It would be me having a baby."
Karin's lips trembled.
"M-Mom! What do you mean by that? Dad has been gone for a long time—!"
She stopped mid-sentence.
Her mother crossed her legs and ran her finger along the rim of her glass.
'Strange.'
Up until now, she had always shown a proud appearance, but to suddenly show such a feminine action…
Karin spoke again.
"Wouldn't remarriage be difficult? Mom, you're the representative of the Beast-person Alliance. How many people would target you just for your position?"
"Hoo. My position... Karin, you're right. Is there anyone who would see me as a 'woman'?"
A languid sigh escaped her mother's small lips.
Her mother turned her head and looked at Skar.
"Skar."
"Yes."
"Am I that unattractive? Purely as a 'woman', without my position?"
Karin quickly gave Skar a look.
'Tell the truth!'
But Skar, oblivious, smiled faintly and shook his head.
"I think I've said this before, but you're still very attractive, Ingrid-nim. You look like sisters when you're with Karin."
"Is that so?"
As Ingrid’s lips formed a smile, her heart pounded.
She wagged her red tail like a 'bitch' who had heard a great compliment.
"I'll have to receive a healthy and strong baby-seed. For Karin's sake too."
Ingrid, who had always maintained an expressionless face, smiled slightly and placed her large breasts on the table as if to show them off.
Karin was at a loss for words from the shock.
Was it because her mother had drunk strong alcohol?
Or was it because she was lonely from being alone for a long time?
Whatever the case, her mother's appearance right now was very different from what she had known so far.
Her mother had been a great general who had drawn the loyalty and respect of many because of her always proud and cool appearance.
But now, she was showing a coquettish behavior in front of Skar.
'Why?'
Skar, who didn't know Karin’s heart, was just glancing at her mother's breasts on the table with a flushed face.
"I-I see."
When Karin, who couldn't watch any longer, was about to say a word to maintain her dignity.
"The dishes are done."
Eru came out of the kitchen and cautiously approached the table.
Skar quickly stood up.
"I-I'll go up first."
"Go ahead."
Ingrid coolly sent him off.
Eru also immediately followed Skar and scurried up.
Only Karin and Ingrid were left in the inn hall.
"Mom."
"What is it?"
"Why did you suddenly mention a b-baby? And in front of Skar!"
"It's for you. Didn't you say you wanted to enter the labyrinth?"
"What does that have to do with a baby...?"
"The issue of succession is important."
"..."
Ingrid reached out and stroked Karin's hair.
Karin's tension eased a little at the feel of her mother's touch, which she hadn't felt in a long time.
"I raised you strictly because I love you. And even more so because you have a high goal. But, tragedy can come at any time. You could have a terrible accident in the labyrinth or change your mind, right? I'm telling you in advance, I don't want you to die. I just want to give your future self a choice."
"Ugh!"
Karin was at a loss for words. Her mother had always been strict and had rarely shown her inner thoughts.
"Karin, my jewel. I want to be a mother who respects whatever choice you make."
"Mom!"
Karin hugged Ingrid.
Her heart became calm at the smell of her mother's skin, which she hadn't smelled in a long time.
Karin, who had been swimming in a wave of emotion for a while, suddenly came to her senses.
Karin pulled her face away from Ingrid's bosom and looked up.
"Mom."
"What is it?"
"...It's not Skar, is it?"
After a moment of silence, Ingrid spoke.
"...I wonder."
Karin's face hardened frighteningly.
Ingrid gently stroked Karin's head again.
"I'm kidding."
"Ahaha."
Karin ended up laughing awkwardly in the arms of a potential 'female rival'.
But she didn't see Ingrid's tongue licking her lips like a snake.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Jeong Yoo-shin pillowed his head with his arm as he lay on the bed.
The conversation with Lena and Bryn…
The conversation with the one-eyed barbarian…
The scattered pieces of information gathered in his head.
He had gotten a rough outline from this meeting.
The most important information was…
The outer god.
He had received a light in the face of death in the passage to the other world.
In the intense light, the 'Death Reprieve' imprint and the 'Revenger' imprint had been connected.
That moment was still in his memory, wandering in a corner of his head.
It had been a brilliance so bright, it could blind anyone.
And when he returned from the labyrinth, Mion had confirmed it. It was the divinity of an outer god.
What in the world kind of outer god had blessed him?
He didn't remember doing anything to deserve it.
Lux Aeterna.
'No way, right?'
He had to drink kimchi soup in moderation. This was a delusion.
Jeong Yoo-shin slapped his own cheek and let out a deep sigh.
Although several truths had been revealed, it wasn’t enough.
He would find out more as he went in and out of the labyrinth and made various connections.
He calmed his impatient heart and closed his eyes.
Thump, thump!!!
Jeong Yoo-shin's eyes shot open, and he stared at the door.
"Who is it?"
"..."
There was no answer.
What?
Thump, thump!!!
The sound of glass being hit was heard.
The window side.
Jeong Yoo-shin quickly turned his head and looked at the window.
'Who is it?!'
He gathered mana in his hand and focused his gaze on the window.
In the darkness…
Outside the window…
Something with red eyes was flapping its wings.
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T/N - Damn, Mommy Ingrid is thirsty as fuck. And she’s so smooth with her excuses too. She even fooled her own daughter. Still, oyakodon is possible. Let’s go!
Also, who wants to bet that the outer god who blessed the MC was Lux Aeterna? God of Light when the MC got blessed with a brilliant light. Then there’s the fact that the MC is a human from another world, something the God of humanity might take interest in.