Chapter 253 Hero Recruitment Plan
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Translator: JayM
Chapter: 253
Chapter Title: Hero Recruitment Plan
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The Explorer's Headquarters was filled with people.
Jeong Yoo-shin and Cian pushed their way through the crowd that was packed from the headquarters entrance.
"Cian, I'll clear a path."
Unable to bear it any longer, Skar took the lead. Cian was about to say something, but the barbarian didn't listen and put Cian behind him as he advanced.
Every time they were shoulder-checked, the explorers' eyes would widen as they turned around, but upon seeing Skar, they would silently lower their eyes and step back.
"Skar-nim!"
Nelia waved her hand from the reception desk.
Jeong Yoo-shin approached the reception desk.
"You can come up to the 4th floor."
"Alright!"
Jeong Yoo-shin and Cian followed Nelia's guidance and entered the 4th-floor room.
A room full of luxurious decorations.
Sebastian, Luther, and Gibson of the hero's party were already sitting there.
The atmosphere among the three was strange.
Sebastian was glaring at Gibson.
And Luther was lost in deep thought while staring blankly into the air.
"You're here?"
Astaroth waved her hand with a mischievous smile. Her orange ponytail swayed back and forth.
"What is it?!"
"Mhmm."
At Jeong Yoo-shin's question, a strange laugh came out of Astaroth's mouth.
"..."
The hero's party looked at Astaroth with questioning eyes.
Why had she burst out laughing?
Regardless, Astaroth leaned back in her chair.
"I'm a little tired, so my tongue got twisted. Shall we get to the point?"
Astaroth took a sip of warm tea and continued.
"Ezdras' second seal on the 20th floor is broken."
Luther interjected.
"A seal? What is that?"
"Think of it as a net that filters the magic coming up from the abyss."
"What happens if the seal breaks?"
"The monsters get stronger. Skar, it doesn't sound like someone else's problem, does it?"
Jeong Yoo-shin's eyebrows furrowed slightly.
'This woman…'
Why did she keep bringing him up?
Especially in a situation where his disguise was already unstable.
"I don't know! Skar’s hungry!"
Astaroth's lips twitched.
"Skar single-handedly subjugated a strengthened ogre on the 17th floor."
Sebastian crossed his arms and chuckled.
"What's so great about that?"
"Hmph...?"
Astaroth's eyes narrowed.
"Even though he fought with his eyes closed?"
"...!"
The hero's party looked at Jeong Yoo-shin with surprised eyes.
Especially Cian's eyes widened.
She didn't know how much stronger the ogre had become, but these were words that had come out of the mouth of a Labyrinth Council member.
'It must not have been an ordinary ogre.'
He was a brave warrior after all.
On the other hand…
The mage Sebastian glared at the barbarian.
'You ignorant bastard!'
Priest Luther's gaze grew even narrower.
"Why in the world did you fight with your eyes closed?"
At Luther's question, the barbarian opened his mouth.
"Because of the 'law' of the labyrinth!"
"A law? What in the world kind of law is it that..."
Astaroth chuckled and explained.
"Ah. You guys wouldn't know yet. From the 16th to the 19th floor is the Mountain area. For a certain period of time, a 'hideous thing' appears in the sky, and if you look at it, you go mad."
"Then what do you do when it appears?"
"You have to hide in a shelter with a roof."
"Why didn't you do that?"
"Why bother? Isn't it enough not to look?!"
At Sebastian's question, the barbarian asked back with a genuinely uncomprehending expression.
"Uh..."
Sebastian was at a loss for words.
'He's right, but…'
Wasn't that too ignorant of a method?
Seeing the barbarian's words and actions, the seed of suspicion that had been faintly growing in him disappeared at once. This Labyrinth Council member must have also laughed because she was dumbfounded.
Gibson also had a dumbfounded expression and shook his head.
On the other hand, Luther's face changed subtly.
"Hmm."
He was utterly confused.
Had he finished his precise calculations and fought with his eyes closed?
Or had he just charged in headfirst?
This man was difficult to get a grasp of.
Astaroth raised her finger.
"Let's get back to the original story. With the seal weakened, various problems will arise. One of them is the invasion of otherworldly beings through the labyrinth."
"..."
Cian's gaze changed.
Astaroth's expression also became serious.
"You're Cian, right? What do you think? The Empire sent you to protect the peace of the labyrinth, and I want to hear your opinion."
"His Highness the Crown Prince sent a messenger and told me… To protect the labyrinth and block the otherworldly beings. I act according to that will."
"Then, can I ask your party for a favor?"
Cian's eyes were calm and filled with determination.
"Of course."
On the contrary…
Sebastian, Gibson, and Luther's faces didn’t relax.
Especially Luther, who looked to have many complaints.
"Aren't you sending us to a dangerous place too quickly? Are you telling us to go to the 20th floor in this situation?"
"It's not to that extent. Look at this."
The dark elf standing next to Astaroth placed a small box down.
Click.
The box opened, and they saw the red jewel fragments inside.
Cian's expression immediately hardened.
An unusual aura was emanating from the fragments.
"These fragments are pieces of a red orb. The red orb is used to open a passage to another world."
Luther's expression contorted.
"Such an ominous object...!"
"Listen to the end. There are one or two red orbs on each floor of the labyrinth. I'd like you guys to get rid of them."
"What's the reason you're so sure we can get rid of them?"
At Luther's question, Astaroth shrugged.
"Didn't you subjugate a kin of an Outer God? I thought that you must have a way."
Cian strode over and grabbed a red orb fragment.
In a moment…
The mighty divinity of Lux Aeterna emanated from her body and raged through the room.
And…
The red fragment held in Cian's hand turned into a gray fragment and then crumbled.
Cian raised her head and looked at Astaroth.
"I'll do it."
"Good. We'll make this request in the form of a commission. How should we give you the reward?"
"We'll discuss that among ourselves first and then let you know."
"Do as you please. And you guys are still 'novice' explorers, right?"
The faces of the hero's party hardened.
"Take this opportunity to do some Labyrinth City requests and raise your rank. Since you're going to be living in the city anyway, you should interact and learn how things around here work, right?"
"It doesn't seem like that great of a city."
Sebastian muttered softly.
Astaroth's gaze shone coldly, but she pretended not to hear him.
"That's all for today. I'll organize the locations of the red orbs and give them to you separately. You can go now."
The hero's party, except for Cian and Jeong Yoo-shin, left the room with sour expressions.
Sebastian waved his hand.
"Barbarian, we'll talk about the reward separately, so let's part ways here."
"Why?! I like rewards too!"
Gibson stepped forward with a serious expression.
"Barbarian friend, won't we figure it out ourselves? Don't be so impatient and wait calmly. You don't like complicated calculations, do you?"
At Gibson's words, the barbarian stepped back in disgust.
"That's right! I hate boring and pedantic words! I'd rather die."
"Then we'll be on our way. You go about your business too."
Cian was about to stop them, but Luther grabbed her arm and shook his head.
‘We have something to discuss.'
Cian, who had read Luther's lips, had no choice but to nod.
"Skar, see you later. I'll go first."
The barbarian smiled from ear to ear and waved his hand.
"Goodbye! You have to give me a lot for my reward!"
The hero's party members pushed through the crowd and left the Explorer's Headquarters.
Creeeeak.
The door opened a crack, and the dark elf came out.
"Skar-nim, please come in."
"What is it?!"
"Astaroth-nim has something to say."
"Alright!"
Jeong Yoo-shin entered the room where the meeting had just finished again.
Astaroth was grinning and patting the chair next to her.
"Sit."
Jeong Yoo-shin swept his long hair over his forehead.
"What is it?"
The man who had been speaking in a booming voice just a moment ago was gone.
Only a man with a chillingly cold gaze remained.
A temperature difference that was absurd.
How could a person, born as a human, change their expression so naturally?
Even Astaroth, who had been through a lot, felt goosebumps all over her body.
Thump. Thump.
Jeong Yoo-shin slowly approached her and collapsed into the seat next to her.
"I asked what it is."
Astaroth had tried to show a relaxed appearance, but as she was receiving Skar's cold gaze.
Her body trembled, and her lower abdomen throbbed.
"Y-You've worked hard."
"Why did you laugh during the meeting just now? I almost got caught."
"You didn't get caught, did you? Then it's fine."
'Agh.'
Looking at her playful eyes, he wanted to make her lie on his lap and spank her butt a few times.
'I'll hold back because she's a Labyrinth Council member.'
"How are the other hero's party members?"
"They don't seem like very good people."
Astaroth nodded.
"I thought so too. The hero's purpose seemed pure enough, but her party members seemed to have other intentions. Especially that guy named Gibson. Do you know he's been wandering the Eastern District gambling dens these days?"
"Yes."
"Assuming the worst-case scenario, can we recruit the hero?"
Jeong Yoo-shin scratched his head.
What was the worst-case scenario?
The hero's party going astray?
Or it could be that one of the hero's party members would leak all the weaknesses of Labyrinth City to the Empire.
He had no idea.
'This is complicated.'
Putting aside the assumption of the worst-case scenario.
"How about you watch for a bit and then decide?"
"It'll be too late when the time comes. Recruitment’s done in advance."
"How can I possibly recruit the hero?"
"Skar, you have your own weapon, don't you? Wouldn't it be fine to use that?"
Jeong Yoo-shin tilted his head.
"Poison? Or sowing discord?"
"N-No, not that."
Astaroth stopped talking and then suddenly started to tuck her hair behind her ear.
"W-With your face."
"..."
Jeong Yoo-shin looked down at Astaroth without a word.
Astaroth blushed slightly and looked away.
"I-I heard 'that' is big too... I-If you conquer the hero with your night skills..."
Astaroth, who was speaking, was also embarrassed and fiddled with her small fingers.
Jeong Yoo-shin rubbed his face with a tired expression.
To think that he'd be sexually harassed by a demonic brat of a girl in his lifetime.
'I've seen it all in this other world.'
There was nothing more for him to see.
"C-Conquer the hero with your vicious cock!"
Astaroth, who had been hesitating, closed her eyes and shouted.
Jeong Yoo-shin raised his hand and gave Astaroth a flick on the forehead.
Thunk!
"Eek!"
"Ah, I'm sorry. I just thought that you crossed the line too much."
Jeong Yoo-shin stood up and bowed.
"First, I will build a friendly relationship with the hero. I've been giving her massages these days. Please don't worry too much."
Astaroth, who was fiddling with the top of her head, glared at Jeong Yoo-shin.
"You've already crossed it!"
"Didn't you see that gaze? The hero’s a strong-willed person. I don't think she's a woman who would be recruited just by being swayed with a face."
"..."
"Then I'll see you later. Uahahaha!!!"
Jeong Yoo-shin said goodbye to Astaroth and left the room while laughing loudly.
On the way back to the inn…
Jeong Yoo-shin slowly organized his thoughts.
He had to recruit the hero?
That was right.
At the very least, it should be to the extent of her hesitating when the Empire gave an order that crossed the line.
'But how is that easy?'
To think that he had to attract the hero with his face and cock.
It was no different from being told to use a honey trap.
'Cut off your cock and die, you bastard. You have no confidence. Were you really born a man?! You have to try fucking the hero's pussy, you bastard!'
The darkness of the labyrinth was giving a passionate speech in his head.
"Skar?"
Jeong Yoo-shin, who had been shaking his head, looked up quickly.
"Hmm?!"
Cian was standing in front of him. Still in her plate armor.
Had he already returned to the inn?
"Why the dazed expression?"
"I was thinking of you!"
Sweet words immediately came out of Jeong Yoo-shin's mouth.
Cian chuckled.
"I've roughly finished discussing how to divide the reward. I came here to let you know."
"Oh?! Is that so?!"
Cian's face turned slightly red.
"A-And I also came to get a m-massage."
Her last words were as quiet as a mosquito.
"Uahahaha!!! Alright! Come in!"
On a midwinter day…
The two entered the inn, their shoulders touching.
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T/N - So you guys must have noticed that I started a sale since yesterday. It's a Holy Week Sale that will last until Easter Sunday 6pm GMT +8. So what are you guys waiting for? Go ahead and read! Enjoy ♥️ (4/03/26)
Lol, Astaroth really knows the MC well. With that last scene, the hero’s already in the pot. The only thing the MC needs to do is to boil her. Both of them just don't know it yet.