Chapter 248 The Barbarian's Secret
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Translator: JayM
Chapter: 248
Chapter Title: The Barbarian's Secret
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Evening.
Dalmong's Inn.
Jeong Yoo-shin sat perched on a bar stool, sipping his drink.
Eru stood inside the counter, wiping a glass with a cotton cloth, and Armin sat in the seat next to Jeong Yoo-shin.
"Is that good?"
"I don't know."
"Could you give me just one sip?"
Jeong Yoo-shin looked at Armin and then gave him a flick on the forehead.
Thunk.
"Guek!"
"Not yet. When you're a little older."
"Ugh. You could have just said so."
At that moment.
Creeeeak.
The inn door opened.
And the Spirit Teacher Luke, the Mage Tower Elder Mathias, and Granny of the Grandma Love Clan came in.
Mathias had a complicated expression as he looked at Armin, who was hopping over. A human head on a puppy's body. It was strangely cute, but it wasn’t the form he had hoped for the boy.
"Armin."
"Elder-nim!"
"Are you having any trouble?"
"No! I'm doing well!"
"Hoo. Then that's fine."
Jeong Yoo-shin brought a bottle of alcohol and some glasses with him and sat at a table.
"You shouldn't do that."
A question appeared on Mathias's face.
"Skar, what do you mean by that?"
"First, please sit."
The people sat at the table.
"Armin, go over there."
"I understand!"
Armin scurried over to Eru.
Jeong Yoo-shin tilted the bottle, filled the glasses, and then handed them to Luke, Mathias, and Granny.
"Let's stop meeting like this. I've revealed my whereabouts to the hero."
"Why did you reveal it to the hero?"
"Because it's information that can be easily found if one puts their mind to it."
"That... is true."
"The hero or other party members could come at any time. If we have to meet, a more secret place would be better."
"I see for now. I'll look into it."
Granny scratched his head.
"By the way, why did you bring the hero to the inn?"
"The hero received a Muscle Stiffness imprint. I called her to the inn to loosen up her tight spots with a massage."
"..."
People stared blankly at Jeong Yoo-shin.
"Why’re you all looking at me like that?"
"You're already making a move on the hero...?"
"Hah."
"Isn't that too fast?"
Jeong Yoo-shin had a dumbfounded expression.
"I just gave her a massage. I haven't done anything else."
Luke cleared his throat and opened his mouth.
"Ahem! The priest came and asked about your imprint."
"Did you tell him?"
"No."
Jeong Yoo-shin crossed his arms and was lost in thought.
Luther asked about him?
It was safe to say that the priest probably felt a sense of unease about him.
The man’s perception must have changed because of the imprint the hero acquired.
Granny scratched his head.
"That priest named Luther has been walking around the shops and streets from lunch until evening today asking about Skar-nim's imprint and rumors."
"So did he find anything out?"
Granny shook his head.
"He's from the Empire, isn't he? He's also a priest who serves the Outer God Lux Aeterna. So no one told him anything."
"What about the other party members?"
"The mage spends most of his time in the library, and the middle-aged man named Gibson is currently wandering the gambling dens and bars of the Eastern District."
Jeong Yoo-shin swept his forehead.
Mathias's expression hardened.
"Right now, only the priest suspects you, but it might not be long before the other party members of the hero figure out your true form."
Jeong Yoo-shin's head tilted to the side.
"What’s my true form?"
"..."
Luke, Mathias, and Granny all shut their mouths at the same time.
"Speak freely. I asked what my true form is."
"...Sorry."
"Elder-nim, don't apologize. Explain."
"I-I misspoke. Please accept my apology."
Luke quickly interjected.
"Anyway, let's get back to the story. Skar, are you planning to bring the hero to our side?"
Jeong Yoo-shin scratched his head.
"How could I possibly persuade the hero?"
Luke tilted his head.
"Wasn't it through a honey trap?"
"...?"
"I thought you were trying to seduce the hero with your handsome face. By melting the hero's hard body and mind with a massage... Ahem. I'll stop here."
Jeong Yoo-shin had a dumbfounded expression.
Listening to what Luke was saying, he was sometimes confused as to whether this old man was actually a high priest who served a Spirit God.
"I am handsome. But if I were trying to seduce her with my face, I wouldn't have grown my hair this long and covered it. Let's think before we live."
At Jeong Yoo-shin's rebuke, Luke scratched his white hair as if embarrassed.
"I-Is that so?"
Mathias cleared his throat and got to the point.
"Ahem! Shouldn't we make it clear now? What’re you going to do with the hero's party? Are you really going to kill them?"
"It's certain that they're not very good people, but that's no reason to kill them."
"Then?"
Jeong Yoo-shin rested his chin on his hand and tapped his cup.
"I think I said this last time. Since it's a relationship that could potentially become hostile, I should at least be the one to hold the leash."
Just standing by and watching didn't suit his personality.
And getting stabbed in the back was even more out of the question.
Jeong Yoo-shin waved his hand.
"Let's stop here. It doesn't seem like there's any new information."
After the people left, only Jeong Yoo-shin and Eru remained.
The latter came over and cleared the table.
"Where's Armin?"
"He went to bed. By the way, Skar-nim."
"What?"
"Are you really planning to seduce the hero?"
"Can I do it?"
"If you continue to train your lustful energy, it might be possible."
"Is there a technique to ultimately seduce a woman?"
"There’s an incubus's secret art. Although no one believes it because it's such a legendary story."
"What is it?"
"They say that you can use your lustful energy to transform into the other woman's ideal type."
Jeong Yoo-shin looked at Eru, and then he chuckled and stroked the boy’s head.
"You're very tired, aren't you? Go to bed."
"I-It's true!"
"Who said it wasn't?"
Jeong Yoo-shin sent Eru away and stared blankly at the ceiling.
Seducing the hero…
'That's absurd.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
At the same time.
In a gambling den in the entertainment district of the Eastern District.
Gibson frowned and threw down the cards in his hand.
"Damn it!!!"
The men sitting around the table smiled slyly.
"Hehe. You're unlucky, pal."
Gibson staggered to his feet.
"Tsk. You're right. It doesn't seem to be my day today, I'll come back next time."
"Take care."
Gibson gave a half-hearted wave and left the gambling den.
He slowly walked out of the Eastern District and returned to the inn in the central area.
The mage and the priest were standing in the hallway.
Gibson's expression turned reluctant.
"Priest-nim? The mage-nim is also here. What is it?"
"Gibson-nim, where have you been?"
At Luther's question, Gibson shrugged.
"I was looking around the city and had a drink."
Sebastian, with his arms crossed, sent the ranger a gaze full of annoyance.
"All day?"
Gibson inwardly clicked his tongue.
'What a troublesome friend.'
As long as the exploration was done properly, that was it. The way this mage was trying to control his private life was annoying. It was also annoying that the man was sending him such a wary gaze just because he had gambled a few times on the way here.
What he hated even more…
Was the fact that this mage friend was managing the party's funds.
Gibson smacked his lips.
He had heard that they had received quite a large reward for helping the dwarves. He didn't know the amount. Because they hadn't told him.
"Hehe. I'll be careful. I'm tired today, so I'll rest first."
Gibson gave a half-hearted reply and went into his room.
Sebastian and Luther were left alone in the hallway.
"That ahjussi doesn't seem to be in a situation to talk. Priest-nim, what did you want to say that you were trying to gather people in the middle of the night?"
"It's about the barbarian Skar, isn't it?"
At Luther's words, Sebastian's face turned reluctant.
That barbarian?
"Yes?"
"I think he's hiding something."
Sebastian scoffed.
"Hmph. What in the world could that stupid guy be hiding?"
"It's just my guess, but I think he might be hiding some evil imprint."
"..."
"Isn't it strange? That such a confident man didn't brag about his imprint?"
Sebastian tilted his head.
The priest's words had a point.
However…
According to the information he had obtained from the library, imprints weren’t something that could be easily obtained.
"Skar might be much stronger than we think. How about being careful with your words and actions?"
Sebastian, who had been silent, turned his body.
"I don't think it's to that extent. But I understand."
"Thank you. Have a good night."
Sebastian grabbed the doorknob and twisted his lips.
'That priest had another fit.'
Luther's paranoid personality had shown itself once again. How much of a headache had it caused on their way to Labyrinth City?
He had thought that it had gotten a little better after coming to the city, but it hadn't after all.
"Hoo."
Sebastian let out a deep sigh.
One person was a gambling addict.
The other had a paranoid personality disorder.
The only normal people were himself and Cian.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
A few days later.
Cian looked down at the underwear spread out on the bed.
A plain gray sports bra and panties.
'Arachne Sewing Guild.'
She had heard that it was underwear made by half-human, half-spider monsters.
Perhaps that was why its elasticity and durability were on a different level from normal clothes.
Cian gulped.
She had been surprised when she had visited the Arachne Sewing Guild branch in the central area.
'To think that there were so many outrageous underwear.'
She had thought she was going to faint when she saw the crotchless panties.
Fortunately, there were plain and normal underwear, so she had chosen them instead.
Twitch.
Cian's eyebrows furrowed slightly.
"Mmm."
Her calf and thigh muscles let out a small scream. It seemed like the Muscle Stiffness imprint had activated again.
"..."
She found herself imagining Skar's firm palms gently pressing her calves and thighs.
"Eek."
Cian quickly shook her head.
No matter how good Skar was at massaging, she didn't want him to touch her calves and thighs again.
Because it was embarrassing and lewd.
'I'll have to do this myself.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
A few days later.
Cian went to the inn in person.
Jeong Yoo-shin shot up from his seat.
"Cian? What is it?!"
"I'm thinking of entering the labyrinth again in two days. Want to come with me?"
"Of course! How many floors are you thinking of going to?"
"Up to the 10th floor."
"Is that so?! Are there any sore spots?"
At Jeong Yoo-shin's question, Cian smiled gently and shook her head.
"There are no tight muscles. You don't have to worry."
"Alright! If you need a massage, just say the word!"
"I will."
Two days after the hero’s visit, in the evening.
Jeong Yoo-shin packed his things again and ran to the central area.
"Cian!!!"
He saw the hero's party waiting.
Cian waved her hand.
The rest of the party members quietly looked at Jeong Yoo-shin.
Sebastian, who would have said something about him being noisy, just gave him a silent nod.
Luther was smiling, but his eyes were the same as before.
The only one who was grinning was the middle-aged man, Gibson.
"Oh! Our Skar’s here! Good to see you!"
"Hahaha!!! Good to see you too, Gibson!"
Jeong Yoo-shin laughed loudly, hugged Gibson, and patted his back.
Thwack!!! Thwack!!!
Gibson's face turned white, and then he made an expression as if he was about to throw up.
"Kuhuk!!! T-Too strong."
Cian, who saw that, smiled, turned her back, and walked away.
Jeong Yoo-shin walked and followed Cian while inwardly tilting his head.
'This is strange.'
It was too quiet. Especially Sebastian and Luther.
Luther was one thing, but Sebastian's gaze was still condescending.
And yet, he hadn't said a single word.
Jeong Yoo-shin slapped Sebastian's back.
Thwack!!!
"Kuhut!!!"
Sebastian screamed and staggered as if he were about to fall forward.
"Four-eyes!!! Why’s your expression so grim?! Don't tell me a woman dumped you?!"
"B-Barbarian! What is this?!"
"Cheer up! The world is wide!"
Gibson smiled slyly and nodded.
"Skar’s right. Mage-nim, how about you cheer up a bit?"
"It's fine. Please don't mind me. Especially you, barbarian, don't hit people carelessly."
"Alright!"
Sebastian's insides were boiling.
'What in the world is he hiding?!'
He had heeded Luther's words for now, but in his eyes, this man was just a barbarian.
On their way to the labyrinth…
Luther's eyes shone slightly.
'Skar, I don't know what kind of secret you're hiding, but I’ll definitely uncover it.'
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T/N - Lol, what a problematic party. The ranger’s an addict, the priest is paranoid, and the mage is condescending and arrogant. Only the hero is the normal one. And she’s already falling for the MC, so that probably won’t last long either.
Honestly, Luther’s guess is pretty close, but the MC never really publicized his corruption and incubus imprints, and from the background, we already know that the half-incubus imprint hasn’t shown up for over a century. Coupled with the city’s residents being cold to him, and it’s highly unlikely that he’ll be able to guess correctly.