Chapter 251 Honey Trap
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Translator: JayM
Chapter: 251
Chapter Title: Honey Trap
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Late evening.
The temple that served the Wind Spirit God.
The jaw of the hero's party's mage, Sebastian, dropped.
"Pardon?!"
The Spirit Teacher, Luke Wiseman, repeated what he had just said.
"It's an imprint that allows you to see the number of times someone has had sex."
Sebastian's body trembled.
'What a crazy imprint!'
Did that even make sense?
He was on the verge of losing his mind because of an imprint ability he had never even imagined before.
"I-Is that true? Can you really see the number of times someone has had sex?!"
"Why would I lie? What would I gain from it?"
"Don't you hate people from the Empire?!"
"It's true that I'm wary of people from the Empire. But it's not to the point of lying before my god. And if I really hated you, I wouldn't have accepted you into our temple in the first place."
Luke patted Sebastian’s back, sat in a chair, and continued.
"Do you know why I told that priest to wait outside?"
"..."
Sebastian silently nodded.
"This kind of negative imprint is difficult to reveal to others. In fact, I didn't want to tell you guys back when the hero came to have her negative imprint checked, but I just gave up after seeing your gazes. Sometimes, a single experience gives a greater realization than many words."
Sebastian bit his lip hard.
The hero had revealed her negative imprint without hesitation.
But in his case?
'What should I do?'
If he removed it, he had no idea what kind of imprint he would get in the future.
And if he told the others about this imprint?
He didn't know what kind of looks he would get from them. He might even grow distant from the hero.
'I have to hide it.'
Sebastian, who had made up his mind, gave a slight nod.
"I understand for now."
"Are you planning to reveal it to your other party members?"
"That... I'll take care of it myself. Please keep it a secret for the time being."
"I'll always keep my mouth shut. Do as you please."
Sebastian left the room while thinking that it was fortunate that the old priest of the Spirit Order had sent Luther outside.
Creeeeak.
Thud.
He closed the door and went outside, and he saw Priest Luther was standing there.
"Sebastian-nim, what kind of imprint did you get?"
"..."
Sebastian rubbed his forehead and then bowed his head.
"This is... well. It's an embarrassing imprint to talk about, Priest-nim."
Bewilderment appeared on Luther's face.
"What in the world kind of imprint did you get?"
'Shit.'
Sebastian's anger flared up.
The priest's insensitive attitude of continuing to pry even after he had just said that it was difficult for him to reveal got on his nerves.
"...One thing’s certain. It's definitely not an imprint that’ll harm this party."
At Sebastian's words, the flustered Luther soon nodded.
"I-Is that so?"
"Yes. I'll tell you quietly later, Priest-nim. For now, please give me some time to sort out my thoughts."
"...I understand."
Luther and Sebastian left the temple and walked down the street.
Luther, who had been walking quietly for a while, opened his mouth.
"By the way, speaking of imprints…"
"Yes."
"I have a feeling that that barbarian might have another negative imprint besides the Horse Cock imprint."
Sebastian's expression immediately hardened.
"...No, Priest-nim."
"Yes?"
"What is it about him that bothers you so much that you're so persistent about it?!"
"..."
"Do I have to see that bastard's cock with my own eyes again? Who knows what else will come out?! Won't he take care of it himself?!"
Sebastian's voice grew rougher toward the end.
"S-Sebastian-nim?"
"Haa. I'm sorry. I was on edge for a moment and said something I shouldn't have."
"Ah... Yes."
The two walked down the street with an awkward atmosphere and arrived at the inn in the central area.
Just then, they saw Cian standing in the hallway.
She was still wearing her plate armor. A red flush was on her face, perhaps because of the cold.
Seeing that she was holding her toiletries, it seemed like she was about to go and wash up.
Sebastian immediately raised his head.
'0.'
The number floating above Cian's head was 0.
Sebastian was inwardly relieved.
"Hero-nim, are you back now?"
"I was just walking around the streets because I had a few things to buy. By the way, Sebastian, did you check your imprint?"
Sebastian gave a troubled smile.
"Yes. It's a negative imprint, but it's really not easy to talk about. But what's certain is that it's not an imprint that’ll harm the party."
"Is that so? Tell me when you're ready."
Cian coolly passed it off and walked past Sebastian.
'As expected.'
Should he say that it was befitting of a hero? She was a person who was considerate when she had to be.
Sebastian parted ways with the group and entered his room.
Although it had a lot of luxurious furniture and it was spacious, it was empty because there was nothing to call luggage from him.
Sebastian immediately opened the closet door and took out a money pouch.
It was the gold coins and jewels he had received for helping the dwarves.
He was in charge of managing the party's common funds.
"Damn it...!"
Sebastian, who had taken out the pouch and was counting the coins, spat out a curse.
As expected.
The number of gold coins had decreased even more than he had thought.
About 10 gold coins.
He already knew that Gibson was addicted to alcohol and gambling. Because he had seen him enjoying the nightlife every time they passed through a city in the Eastern District.
His skill with the bow and the sword was outstanding. His ability to navigate through forests and mountains as if they were his own home without batting an eye was also excellent.
But…
If he was so obsessed with gambling and alcohol that he would touch the party's funds, it could only be seen as a big problem.
It was a mistake to have trusted Gibson and asked him to bring the money for the imprint check.
Sebastian immediately shot up from his seat and went to Luther's room.
A questioning look appeared on Luther's tired face.
"Sebastian-nim?"
"I have something to talk about regarding Gibson."
"Yes?"
"That ahjussi has embezzled the party's funds."
"...How much did he take?"
"About 10 gold coins."
Luther's eyebrows furrowed.
"I understand for now. I've heard that Gibson-nim often goes to the entertainment district in the Eastern District, so I was planning to go and check it out myself tomorrow. I'll talk to him then."
"Will you be alright on your own? I heard that the Eastern District’s dangerous."
Luther smiled faintly.
"Lux Aeterna-nim will protect me, so I'm not too worried."
"...I understand."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The next evening.
Luther put on his robe and left the inn.
'This isn't easy.'
Cracks were beginning to show in the party.
There hadn't been this level of division when they were hunting the kin of an Outer God.
As if they were all possessed by something in the city, they had started to hide their true feelings.
Since when?
Since that barbarian had joined them.
He had asked around about Skar in the central area, but he hadn't gotten any information.
Although the barbarian had a strong presence….
The rumors about him were like an insubstantial ghost.
All Luther had heard was the rumor that the man was half-mad.
And the story that he was on bad terms with the Eastern District.
'There's no other way.'
Luther steeled his heart and set foot in the Eastern District.
"ID."
The guard standing at the Eastern District gate held out his hand.
Luther took out his explorer's plaque from his pocket and handed it over.
The guard looked at the plaque and then opened his mouth.
"Luther, what's your business in the Eastern District?"
"I came to look for a comrade."
"What's your comrade's name?"
"..."
Luther's eyebrows furrowed. Why was he asking so many detailed questions?
"I have a guide comrade named Gibson."
"Do you know exactly where that friend is?"
"I don't."
"Tsk. It's almost curfew. Once you go in, you usually can't come out until dawn the next day, so make sure you know that before you go in."
"I understand."
Luther nodded and stepped inside the gate.
"Huh!"
Luther's jaw dropped.
As he passed the gate, a horrific scene unfolded before his eyes.
The monster explorers he had occasionally seen in the central area were only a part of it, it seemed.
Monsters he had never heard of or seen before were walking the streets of the Eastern District.
How could he ask around about Skar among them?
Luther shook his head.
'No.'
He had to. It wasn't an easy task, but it was difficult for him to just turn a blind eye to the barbarian.
Luther walked around the streets and asked about Skar.
"A barbarian? Why are you asking about that person? Who are you?!"
"G-Get lost!"
"Y-You mustn't say that bastard's name!"
"Oh... Almighty Spirit God, protect me with light and truth and lead me to the bright path! Begone!"
'No, what the...?'
Luther was flustered. The reactions of the Eastern District guys were much more varied and intense than the people in the other districts.
Some of them even had a fit, repeatedly chanting prayers and making the sign of the cross.
'Is it true?'
Luther was convinced that the story of Skar having a conflict with the Eastern District guys was true.
And one more question arose.
Could it be that that barbarian had an even darker secret hidden?
Luther, as if possessed, advanced down the street.
How much time had passed?
When he came to his senses, he had set foot in a deeper area than he had thought.
The brilliant lights were so disgusting and dizzying that he went into an alley for a moment to steady his heart.
"Hoo."
Luther let out a deep sigh.
His eyes and ears were already tired.
As expected, this wasn't an easy task. It seemed like he would have to keep doing this until dawn.
The dark alley was littered with people who were passed out, drunk on drugs and alcohol. He also saw some women who were selling their bodies.
At that moment, someone suddenly appeared before him.
"Huk?!"
Luther was startled and pressed himself against the alley wall. Because the mysterious person had fallen from the sky.
"What? Why’re you so surprised?"
Pink hair.
Deceptively shining eyes.
A pointed tail.
"A-A succubus?"
At Luther's muttering, the succubus woman smiled faintly.
"Correct."
"W-What is it?! Why did you seek me out?"
"I heard that you were asking around about the half-barbarian Skar."
"That's right."
"Are you that curious about that man?"
When Luther silently nodded, the succubus let out a seductive hum.
"Hmm...?"
"What is it?"
"No. It's just… I'm curious why a priest of the hero's party wants to know about Skar."
"..."
"By the way, I can give you information about him."
At the succubus's words, Luther's eyes widened.
"Really?!"
The succubus raised her finger and wagged it from side to side.
"But, I have a demand too."
"Is it money?"
"No."
"Then?"
The succubus licked her lips seductively.
"Essence."
Luther's expression hardened.
"T-This lowly and lewd succubus monster!"
Did she dare to test his faith?!
The succubus chuckled and stepped back.
"Priest-nim, I think you're mistaken about something. If you just remove the succubus imprint, I'm also human."
"...!"
Luther's body trembled with shock.
"Don't you understand? Or do you not want to understand? All the monsters you've seen so far are actually people. It seems that people who come to Labyrinth City for the first time tend to forget that."
Luther waved his hand.
"S-Stop! A dirty monster like you shouldn't speak so carelessly!"
The succubus smiled brightly and went closer to Luther again.
"Priest-nim, you're so naive. It's cute. I wonder how you'd react if you got a monster imprint? I'm so curious."
"Shut up! A servant of Lux Aeterna-nim like me getting a monster imprint?! What absurd bullshit!!!"
When Luther shouted, the succubus smiled wryly and stepped back again.
"The Priest-nim is so cute. If you want to know about Skar, contact me. You know what you have to give in return, right?"
"..."
Luther glared at the succubus.
The succubus woman was wearing a dress with a deep cleavage, revealing her voluptuous figure without reservation.
Her tail and bat wings swayed deceptively.
The succubus, who had noticed Luther's gaze, gathered her breasts with both hands.
"Priest-niiim, your gaze is lewd."
"Kuk!!!"
Luther immediately looked away.
Thump.
The succubus took a card from between her breasts and placed it in Luther's hand.
"My name is Jebella. If you're willing to make a deal, come to the address written on this card."
"W-Wait!"
The succubus Jebella, as if her business was finished, flew up into the sky despite Luther's exclamation.
"See you later! Cute Priest-nim!"
"H-Hah. T-What the…?"
Luther leaned against the alley wall with a dazed expression.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Late evening.
Dalmong's Inn.
Jeong Yoo-shin was sitting at the counter, sharpening his axe.
Snout roughly threw open the door and entered the inn.
"S-Skar-nim!"
"What?"
"The priest of the hero's party was said to have headed to the Eastern District! I heard that he made contact with a succubus there!"
"Yeah?"
A questioning look arose on Snout's face at Jeong Yoo-shin's nonchalant expression.
"Aren't you worried that your identity will be revealed, Skar-nim?"
Jeong Yoo-shin placed his axe on the counter and shrugged.
"That priest bastard has willingly stepped into the mouths of bastards worse than me. Why should I worry about my identity? I'm more worried about that priest."
"T-That's... Come to think of it, you're right."
"Go and sleep soundly."
"Ah! You too rest well, Skar-nim."
Snout bowed his head deeply and left the inn.
Jeong Yoo-shin scratched his head.
Luther met a succubus in the Eastern District?
'There's a person who throws themselves into a honey trap?'
No way.
Would he have a reason to act so stupidly?
Jeong Yoo-shin chuckled and picked up his axe again.
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T/N - Yes, the hero’s party is breaking apart. Unravel further so that the MC can seduce the hero away easier. 😈
Also, lol at the reactions of the Eastern District people. The MC really traumatized them, huh? I wonder what’s Jebella’s angle? It feels like she’s helping the MC entrap Luther here. Do they know that the MC is a half-incubus? Or maybe it’s related to him sheltering Eru?