Chapter 298 Skar's Taste
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Translator: JayM
Chapter: 298
Chapter Title: Skar's Taste
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A questioning look appeared on the host's face.
In fact…
Not only the host, but the expressions of the explorers and merchants sitting in the auction seats were also similar.
Faces that couldn't understand Jeong Yoo-shin at all.
"..."
The auction house was filled with silence.
The host thought that it was a relief on one hand. Because the completely angry auctioneers had quieted down.
Still, he couldn't figure out why this barbarian suddenly made a strange choice.
'Tsk.'
The host clicked his tongue inwardly.
There were many explorers on the auctioneer list, and since the name of Skar, who was famous in Labyrinth City these days, was written on it, he brought him up to liven up the atmosphere.
How big had his head become that he would suddenly make such a nonsensical choice?
'It's probably a lack of information.'
Since it was his first time at the auction house, it would be hard for him to properly know what was valuable among the auction items.
The host couldn't just sell the Tear of the Abyss in this state.
Because that barbarian might get completely angry later and grab him by the collar.
'I have to finish this quickly.'
The reason the people came here to the auction house was obvious.
The Greatsword of Physical Strength.
It was because of the greatsword, also known as the Muscle Sword.
According to the Mage Tower's appraisal…
He had heard that a person holding that greatsword could exert almost twice their strength without consuming any mana.
A simple greatsword with no complicated conditions or mana consumption at all.
There was another reason why this greatsword was famous.
'Armor Destruction.'
It has an ability similar to the Siege Destroyer imprint of Rex, who was famous in the upper-mid ranks.
This also didn't consume any mana.
In effect, it was like having two permanent magic infusions.
It was also the reason why there were so many vanguards in the auction seats today.
And it was the reason why there was a fierce reaction when the Tear of the Abyss came out.
The host carefully opened his mouth. Anyway, he made up his mind to at least explain it to the barbarian who was insensitive to the ways of the world.
"Skar-nim, how about you reconsider?"
"I’ll buy it."
"Hmm."
It was popular as an accessory.
Because it was a beautifully shining black crystal in the shape of a tear.
Should he explain it a little more?
The host attempted to persuade the barbarian again.
"Skar-nim, I hate to admit it too, but it's not a very good item. It's true that the Tear of the Abyss is a rare magic tool, but it's not cost effective."
The barbarian crossed his arms as if telling him to talk more.
"Ahem! Strictly speaking, the Tear of the Abyss is a synthesis magic tool. Its operating principle is simple. If you pour your mana into the Tear of the Abyss to the limit, it becomes ready for synthesis. However, only your own mana is possible. If someone else's mana enters it in the middle, the wavelength becomes different, so you’ll have to start over from the beginning. The mana of a magic stone doesn't work for it either."
Moreover…
Because that Tear of the Abyss was supposedly a rare magic tool, the amount of mana it consumed was no joke. Even a decent Mage Tower elder would have to dedicate themselves and only pour mana into it for 5 years just to barely 'bloom' it to the point where synthesis was possible.
The host observed the barbarian's complexion.
Was it his delusion?
The barbarian's smile had become a little deeper.
"I'll buy it."
A simple answer.
The host had nothing more to say, so his mouth dropped open.
He knew from hearing rumors…
That this man often acted illogically.
The saying that the madness this barbarian got from the labyrinth had seeped deep into his bone marrow might be true.
'It probably isn't to that extent. He might be trying to gift it to a woman. Because it's a pretty-looking gem.'
The host hoped that this would pass quickly.
Sneers began to form on the people's faces. Mostly from the outsider merchants who didn't know the barbarian well.
If time passed like this for just a little longer, it felt like a mishap would occur.
"A-I understand! Th-Then I will sell it for 5 gold coins!"
The barbarian grinned.
"Good."
The people sitting in the auction seats began to murmur.
"N… No way, did it have a special ability we didn't know about?"
"No. It's a magic tool that the Mage Tower finished analyzing a long time ago. I think it's just because of his competitive spirit."
"Hah. Strange."
"He might just be trying to gift it to a woman."
The explorers shared their respective opinions in low voices.
The host finally brought out the Greatsword of Physical Strength.
"Now!!! Next!!! The item you've all been waiting for has come out!!! The Greatsword of Physical Strength!!!"
The people's heads turned in an instant.
It quickly surpassed 100 gold coins and went up to 200.
The man who won the fierce price war was a merchant from the Lionel Kingdom.
"Ahem! I'm lucky this spring!"
The merchant smiled brightly.
The explorers grumbled with annoyed faces.
"Items like that should be used in the labyrinth..."
"This is why you shouldn't come to the auction house in spring. The price jumps enormously. Because all sorts of riffraff join in, a bubble forms."
The auction ended.
Jeong Yoo-shin and the middle-aged Skar left the auction house, stopped by the reception desk, paid the money, and received the Tear of the Abyss.
The gem in the shape of a black tear sparkled prettily.
Jeong Yoo-shin had obtained a better item than what he originally planned.
"We should check it."
The middle-aged Skar held the black gem and closed his eyes for a moment.
"Hmm. It's your turn."
Jeong Yoo-shin received the gem and poured his mana into it.
He felt mana of the exact same wavelength already inside the gem.
Woooooooong.
The abyssal gem naturally accepted Jeong Yoo-shin's mana.
A smile appeared on Jeong Yoo-shin's face.
"Did it work?"
"Of course. We're the same 'Skar'."
No matter how much he thought about it, this was a profit.
If the Skars took turns pouring mana into it, the Tear of the Abyss would bloom quickly.
He had also drunk the Mage's Tear that old man Ragna had given him, which increased mana upon leveling up.
Damage increased proportional to mana infused.
Later, its peak would be much higher than the damage increase provided by the Greatsword of Physical Strength right now.
"We can just have that ugly guy charge the gem."
"Kuhuhu."
The middle-aged Skar burst into a rare laugh.
Not a smile out of courtesy.
A genuinely joyful laugh.
"..."
Jeong Yoo-shin stared blankly at the middle-aged Skar.
"I'm sorry. I look a bit fierce, but still, objectively speaking, isn't this a pretty decent face?"
"You're the ugliest guy among 'us', aren't you?"
"His atmosphere’s dark. My eyes are just a bit fiercer."
"I can hear everything."
When Jeong Yoo-shin turned his body to the voice coming from behind him, the ugly guy was standing there.
Seeing his pale face and the dark circles under his eyes, it seemed like he had stayed up all night at the Mage Tower branch.
The robe Skar guy slowly approached them with his hands behind his back and looked at Jeong Yoo-shin's hand.
"Tear of the Abyss? What is it? A present for me?"
"No."
At Jeong Yoo-shin's reply, the robe guy made a blank face.
"Then?"
"I bought it for myself. This is great. Try charging this."
The robe guy's face rotted.
"I just came from working while stuck in a small room until a moment ago."
"You're charging it while you're at it. Don't think of it as work, consider it as playing with a toy."
"This is ridiculous. Isn't it an item impossible to 'bloom' with a normal amount of mana? Yet you're saying this to me so easily? Is this right?"
"Second brother, help him out a bit."
The middle-aged Skar said with a smile.
The robe guy's eyes widened.
"Second brother all of a sudden? What does this mean?"
"We decided to explain ourselves as family to people who don't know our circumstances. I'm the first. While you're at it, think of a name to use in this city too."
The guy scratched his head.
"Then what about the third?"
"It would be the wolf beast-person guy or the TS guy."
"What about the mouse guy? Is that guy the youngest?"
The middle-aged Skar looked at Jeong Yoo-shin.
"The youngest is here."
"Kuhuhu."
The robe guy looked at Jeong Yoo-shin and snickered.
"Yeah? Okay. Our youngest says he wants to make a good weapon, so this older brother will help him out a bit."
Jeong Yoo-shin, who was suddenly treated as the youngest, frowned.
"Just take it and drain your mana. Think of it as donating blood."
"Look at your tone. Is that the attitude you show to your older brother? Your parent's education is completely…"
The robe guy stopped talking and closed his mouth.
"What's with the sudden self-parental insult?"
"Now that you mention it, it is. My mind has been going back and forth these days, so give me a bit of understanding, handsome Skar."
"Hahahaha!!!"
The middle-aged Skar suddenly burst into laughter out of nowhere.
The robe guy looked at the middle-aged Skar and clicked his tongue.
"Tsk tsk. Our first brother also has madness, I see."
"..."
The robe guy had a staring contest with the middle-aged Skar for a moment and then turned his head.
"Handsome guy, you’ve bought an item at the auction house. Where are we going next?"
"Are you going to tag along too? Aren't you working?"
"The Mage Tower elders have all fallen fast asleep. Me doing all the work alone? I absolutely can't do that."
"I'm going to the smithy street. I'm going to order new equipment there."
The robe guy grinned.
"Shall I go with you to take a walk? I need to see what kind of equipment our youngest wants."
"Suit yourself. But there's a place I need to drop by first."
"Where?"
"I have to meet my friend."
The three of them stopped by a street vendor, bought candies, put them in their mouths, and headed to the smithy street.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Boron, who was sitting at the smithy counter, stood up in surprise.
"What?!"
Because three barbarians suddenly appeared right in front of his eyes.
The handsome middle-aged man exuding a quiet atmosphere had a face handsome enough to have made quite a few married women cry.
The guy wearing the robe also had a face just as heartwarming, but his eyes were red, and he exuded an atmosphere that made one somewhat reluctant to go near him.
Last was a familiar face.
Skar was standing with them.
"Boron, I came to request equipment production."
"Uh, uh."
Boron couldn't speak properly.
Because he saw two unusual figures next to Skar, it was hard to treat him informally like before.
The robe guy slowly approached the dwarf with a candy in his mouth.
"Dwarf, did our youngest cause you a lot of trouble? Why are you trembling so much?"
"N-No!"
"If not, then it’s fine."
"Second brother, take it easy."
The robe guy grinned and stepped back.
"Yes, brother."
Jeong Yoo-shin stared blankly at the middle-aged Skar and the robe guy, dumbfounded.
They seemed deeply immersed in acting as his brothers.
Indeed.
He understood them. Because he was an only child. Sometimes he thought it would be nice to have siblings.
Creeeeak.
The smithy door opened, and Einhorfer walked out.
"Hmm...?"
Einhorfer silently examined the 'Skars', and then he looked at Jeong Yoo-shin.
"Skar, are they your brothers?"
"Something like that."
Einhorfer approached the robe guy and held out his hand.
"Is that so? Nice to meet you."
The robe guy stared blankly at Einhorfer's hand and then took it.
"I'm the second."
"I see."
"Your hand is trembling, are you afraid of me?"
"No. You're Skar's brother, there's no reason for me to be afraid of you. I have the Hand Tremor imprint and the Stamina Decrease imprint."
The robe guy stepped back with a bored expression.
The middle-aged Skar approached Einhorfer next and took his hand.
"Our handsome youngest owes you a lot."
Einhorfer smiled faintly.
"Don't say that. I survived thanks to Skar."
The robe guy suddenly felt displeased and turned his gaze elsewhere.
Einhorfer looked at Jeong Yoo-shin again.
"Skar, you came to order armor? It's embarrassing to say this, but couldn't you just go to the western underground workshop to get your equipment made?"
"Ahem! My disciple’s saying useless things! Skar, my disciple goes to the Damascene workshop sometimes to learn the trade! His skills are absolutely not lacking!"
Boron, who smelled money, came to his senses and quickly intervened.
Jeong Yoo-shin gave them a bright smile.
"Really?! That's great! As expected of Einhorfer!"
Einhorfer quietly shook his head.
"I'm still learning, so I still have a long way to go."
The middle-aged Skar stepped forward.
"If you're a friend our youngest is proud of, then we can trust you. We don't want to go too far, so we'll request our equipment production here."
"That's good."
Jeong Yoo-shin, the middle-aged Skar, and Einhorfer gathered, put their heads together, and discussed the equipment in detail.
Mostly a half-plate like before. But instead, they decided to construct each part with high-quality materials.
"It'll cost at least 50 gold coins. I think we'll have to get some of the equipment materials from the auction house."
"You'll have to use it all the way to the upper-mid ranks, so you should spend at least that much. Don't worry too much about the materials. We'll get them somehow. If we have a little more to spare, I'd like to add some magic infusion too. What do you think, youngest?"
"I'll follow your lead, brother."
At the middle-aged Skar's question, Jeong Yoo-shin immediately replied.
50 gold coins.
It was an expenditure that made his insides ache, but he decided to trust his first brother's insight.
Boron, who had been watching with bated breath, smiled brightly and raised both his arms.
"Hehehe. Skar! Thank you!"
The robe guy quickly turned around.
"Then we're done here. Let's go."
Jeong Yoo-shin looked at the back of the robe guy who had gone out first, then he turned his head and looked at Einhorfer.
"I'll drop by from time to time."
Einhorfer nodded.
"Skar, I'll be working at the Damascene workshop, so if there's any equipment you want to add, come find me there."
"Alright."
Jeong Yoo-shin, who finished his farewell, left the smithy with the middle-aged Skar.
"You seemed really close."
The robe guy, who had been walking in silence for a while, suddenly said so.
"Right. He's the person who helped me keep my madness in check."
The 'Skars' silently looked at Jeong Yoo-shin.
Faces wanting to hear the story.
Jeong Yoo-shin slowly opened his mouth and told them the story of the reject party incident.
And his first murder as well as the sword fight in the Eastern District.
"That dwarf helped you suppress your 'madness'?"
"At least he helped me steel my resolve."
At Jeong Yoo-shin's calm reply…
The robe guy glared at Jeong Yoo-shin with a strange expression. It was unclear whether he was angry or annoyed.
'What's with the sudden staring contest?'
The robe guy, who had been glaring at Jeong Yoo-shin for a long time, opened his mouth.
"You said you needed materials for equipment production, right? I'll go to the auction house and get them for you."
"You don't have money, do you?"
"I can just earn money."
"Einhorfer’s my close friend. Don't treat him carelessly."
The second brother nodded obediently.
"I understand."
'That's strange.'
Jeong Yoo-shin tilted his head for a moment and looked at the robe guy.
"Do you have a Dwarf Lover imprint or something?"
"I don't!"
"If you don't, just say you don't. Why’re you even getting angry?"
"Sigh! I'm going back to the Mage Tower branch!"
The robe guy shook his head and turned around.
"Come by for dinner sometimes."
The robe guy stopped in his tracks for a moment, just waved his hand, and continued walking.
'There's something…'
Jeong Yoo-shin had a strong premonition while looking at his second brother's back.
That there was a hidden story to his other self.
No.
'Is it a wound?'
Perhaps.
Could there be hidden wounds in the other Skars who had transferred to this other world too?
Jeong Yoo-shin stared blankly at his first brother's face.
The middle-aged Skar gave him a bitter smile.
"Youngest, let's get to know them slowly."
"Let's do that."
Come to think of it…
What kind of past does the big-breasted Skar have?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
At the same time.
Eastern District.
All the women gathered and sat in Vivian's shop.
The TS Skar was no exception. She was sitting in the middle of the round table with her face red.
On the wide table…
Dozens of embarrassing clothes were laid out.
Was that all?
There were also adult toys whose use was completely unknown.
'Wh-What in the world is this?!'
After finishing their shopping happily, they stopped by Vivian's shop in the Eastern District to rest for a bit.
Then…
Suddenly, Cian cleared her throat with a red face, took out a small bag, and poured some things out.
"These are the 'items' we received from the Outer God Eros when I was transferred to the other world's space with Skar."
Karin touched this and that with sparkling eyes, then she picked up the cow tail anal plug, her nose twitching.
"Ugh?! What is this? Skar? Do you know what this is?"
The big-breasted Skar's face turned bright red.
"Ah... Th-that is."
"Sniff sniff. I faintly smell Cian's scent on this?"
Cian's face burned up.
"K-Karin! S-Stop it!"
"What’s this for?"
Karin tilted her head while holding the trembling slime tail.
Mion and Vivian blushed, perhaps having guessed something.
The TS Skar looked around at the women sitting around the round table.
"W-Why in the world did you call me?!"
Mion glanced at the TS Skar with a red face.
"Um. I'm curious. B-By any chance, what are Skar's sexual preferences? P-Please tell me honestly."
The women blushed, their eyes sparkling, and glanced at the TS Skar.
A drop of sweat pooled under the TS Skar's heavy underboob and rolled down.
"Ah... That? Ah... Um. How should I explain this? Ahaha!"
The TS Skar screamed inwardly.
'I don't know anything either?!'
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T/N - Lol, TS Skar’s in a pickle.
Also, I like that they’re treating each other as siblings. As an only child myself, I can relate to wondering what it's like to have siblings.
Robe Skat seems to have quite the story. I wonder what happened to him?
Lastly, I knew it would be like that. Since they're all Skars, they’ll have the same mana signature. I wonder how their mana stacks up to the MC? The robe guy is probably 1st place, but what about the others?