Chapter 84 The Imprint Suppression Ring
--------------------------------------
Translator: JayM
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: The Imprint Suppression Ring
------------------------------------
A chill.
A dagger piercing his heart.
The threat to his reputation had returned. The expressions of the customers, who had recently become comfortable around him, were starting to change.
Gulp.
Jeong Yoo-shin swallowed hard.
His mind raced, generating various hypotheses.
Perhaps she was just hungry. Or maybe the juice she drank had gone bad. It was also possible that her abdominal muscles had contracted from vigorous movement.
However…
'Could it be the Female Virgin Corruption imprint?'
He considered the worst-case scenario.
He put Luna down and shouted towards the kitchen.
"Anne!"
"Yes!"
Anne quickly emerged from the kitchen.
"Take Luna to the kitchen and examine her stomach!"
"Yes!"
Anne looked puzzled, but she didn't argue and just took Luna into the kitchen.
As Luna disappeared, people started murmuring.
"...What's going on?"
"Is Luna's stomach hurting?"
"Innkeeper, explain yourself."
A few people approached Jeong Yoo-shin and asked him directly.
"It seems Luna is tired from dancing so much today. Please leave now."
"...Is that so? Alright. Give Luna my best."
"I thought it was strange that she's been coming so often lately. She needs to take care of herself."
The customers said with concern in their voices.
Jeong Yoo-shin ignored the departing customers and went to the kitchen.
"Anne? Luna?"
"Ah! Skar."
Anne stood up after checking Luna's stomach.
Jeong Yoo-shin's face was etched with worry.
"Was there any kind of mark on her stomach?"
"No. There wasn't anything."
Nothing?
What was going on?
Jeong Yoo-shin knelt on one knee and looked at Luna.
"Luna, will you hold my finger?"
"Is something wrong?"
Luna's eyes flickered with anxiety.
"No. Luna, you trust me, right? It's nothing serious. I just need to check something."
"A-Alright."
Luna raised her small hand and grasped Jeong Yoo-shin's pinky finger.
Squeeze.
"How do you feel?"
"It feels fluffy."
Jeong Yoo-shin stood up. An uneasy feeling crept up his spine.
'I have to consider the worst-case scenario.'
The possibility that the Female Virgin Corruption imprint had activated.
"Tarman."
"Yes, Skar!"
Tarman entered the kitchen.
"Take Luna home immediately. Luna's mother is knowledgeable about herbs, so she's not completely ignorant of medicine. Tell her to examine Luna."
"Yes."
"I have somewhere to go. You can close up shop early today."
"Yes, I understand."
Jeong Yoo-shin reached out to stroke Luna's head, but then he hesitated.
'The worst-case scenario.'
He gritted his teeth.
He sent Luna off and ran out of the inn.
He reached the central district and went to the magic tool shop.
The same place where he had bought the imprint suppression ring.
Fortunately, the shop's lights were still on.
He rushed to the shop and threw open the door.
Bang!
The sound of the door crashing open echoed throughout the shop. The one-eyed dwarf looked up abruptly.
"Shopkeeper!!!"
Jeong Yoo-shin shouted.
"Wh-What is it?"
The one-eyed dwarf stammered, his eyes wide with surprise.
"Is there something wrong with this ring?!"
Jeong Yoo-shin pulled the ring off his finger and showed it to the dwarf.
"It's the half-blood barbarian. Why are you shouting? You startled me."
"Shopkeeper, I'm in a hurry. Check it quickly."
The dwarf took the ring and examined it closely.
After less than ten minutes, the dwarf looked up.
"The mana in the magic stone is almost depleted."
"What do you mean?"
"Look closely."
The dwarf held the ring in front of Jeong Yoo-shin and explained.
He could see a small gem embedded in the ring.
"This gem-like thing is the magic stone. Imprint suppression works using the mana from the magic stone. Actually, all magic tools work this way. In short, the mana suppressing your imprint has run out."
"Why didn't you explain this beforehand?"
Jeong Yoo-shin growled, and the dwarf looked at him in disbelief.
"I-I thought you would know that much. Magic stones aren't exclusive to Labyrinth City, you know?"
Jeong Yoo-shin clutched his head.
Now that he thought about it, there had been a few warning signs.
The fact that he recently hadn't experienced much of an increase in libido that was supposed to be caused by the imprint suppression's side effect.
He had also learned something while treating Edel.
That mana drained from magic stones.
It was something he could have easily deduced with a little thought, but he hadn't had the time due to the incident with the Fifth Prince.
'Huh.'
Jeong Yoo-shin scratched his head.
The dwarf pushed up his glasses.
"There's still a tiny bit of mana left. With this amount, the other person might have felt some pleasure, but the corruption should have been suppressed. We just need to replace the magic stone."
"So, we can recharge the mana?"
"That's right. You need a magic stone for that. You can replace it anytime, as long as you pay the fee."
A magic stone.
He had one.
The intermediate-grade magic stone Ahiman had given him.
'So there's always a way.'
"I have an intermediate-grade magic stone. Wait here. I'll go get it."
"It's almost closing time..."
The dwarf muttered with a disgruntled expression.
"So?"
"N-Nothing."
Jeong Yoo-shin left the dwarf, returned to the inn, grabbed the magic stone and some silver coins, and then went back to the shop.
"Here it is."
"Hoo. This is a Blood Mosquito magic stone from the labyrinth's swamp."
"Is it a good one?"
"It's decent. Where did you get it? I'd like to buy it."
"Just replace the stone in the ring."
"Tsk. It's a bit of a waste, but fine."
The dwarf stood up and spoke.
"I almost forgot. Different magic stones have different side effects. Since it's a Blood Mosquito magic stone, you'll likely move your hands unconsciously."
Different magic stones had different side effects for imprint suppression?
That was new information.
From increased libido to unconsciously moving his hands.
"That sounds dangerous."
"Just stay focused. In my opinion, it's much better than the increased libido side effect."
"I'm a man who controls his libido well."
Jeong Yoo-shin replied nonchalantly.
The dwarf stared at Jeong Yoo-shin silently.
"What?"
Jeong Yoo-shin frowned and asked.
"N-Nothing. Just wait a moment. I'll replace the magic stone."
The dwarf took the ring and the magic stone and went into his workshop behind the counter. After a short while of clanging and banging, the dwarf returned.
"It's done. Two silver coins, please."
"Two silver coins just to replace a magic stone?"
"This is skilled labor. I gave you a discount because you're Maya's acquaintance. Be grateful."
"Alright."
He handed over the silver coins and received the ring, putting it on his finger. The red magic stone embedded in the ring sparkled.
He didn't feel dizzy or anything like before.
He had a question. It was something he needed to know.
"How do I know when the magic stone's mana is completely depleted?"
"You have to come to a magic tool shop for a precise measurement. The mana will probably run out in about two months. Come back then."
"Alright."
Jeong Yoo-shin stroked his chin while lost in thought.
'So magic stones can be used for this kind of thing.'
As expected, considering the worst-case scenario helped him avoid a disaster.
He had also gained knowledge about magic stones. And he now had a visceral understanding of their importance.
He now had another reason to enter the labyrinth.
"H-Hey, stop it!"
The dwarf's urgent voice snapped Jeong Yoo-shin out of his thoughts.
"What?!"
His hand was stroking the dwarf's beard.
He had thought he was unconsciously stroking his own chin.
'This crazy side effect.'
Jeong Yoo-shin quickly withdrew his hand from the dwarf's beard.
"Why did you put your beard in my hand?"
"Y-You reached out and grabbed my beard! I was just standing here!"
The dwarf protested, a wronged expression on his face.
"Really? I'm sorry."
"Barbarian, please get a grip! This happened last time too."
"What did I do last time?"
"Uh... um. Never mind. Just go. It's closing time."
The dwarf waved his hand dismissively and shooed Jeong Yoo-shin away.
Jeong Yoo-shin, having no choice, clasped his hands behind his back and walked down the night street.
When he returned to the inn, Tarman approached him.
"Skar, Edel examined Luna. She said there's nothing wrong, so you don't have to worry about her."
"Alright. Tarman, thank you for your hard work."
Jeong Yoo-shin nodded.
It was a relief. If Luna had been corrupted by his imprint, he would have had to live in the city jail, whether he wanted to or not.
"S-Skar?"
Tarman called out.
"What?"
"...Why are you stroking my stomach?"
Jeong Yoo-shin was startled and quickly withdrew his hand from Tarman's stomach.
'This crazy side effect!'
"It's... the new side effect of the imprint suppression. Sorry."
"Ah... I see."
Jeong Yoo-shin sighed while looking at his hand.
'This isn't easy.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The next morning, Jeong Yoo-shin went to the Earth Mother Goddess’ Temple.
He finished his class around lunchtime and started his tutoring session with Mion after eating.
Jeong Yoo-shin was honest with her. He told her that he had suppressed the Female Virgin Corruption imprint with a new magic stone last night.
He explained that it had a new side effect that made his hands move unconsciously, so she should be careful.
Mion smiled faintly.
"Skar, it doesn't seem like a serious side effect. Alright, I'll trust you."
"Thank you."
After lunch, Jeong Yoo-shin and Mion sat in the empty classroom and began their lesson.
"...You should write this part like this."
Mion sat close to Jeong Yoo-shin as she taught him.
The textbook was a literature book, a step up from the children's storybook, but the vocabulary was similar.
Thanks to Mion's clear and concise explanations, Jeong Yoo-shin was able to focus.
Scratch. Scratch.
In the afternoon.
The only sounds in the quiet classroom were Mion's breathing and the scratching of Jeong Yoo-shin's pen.
"S-Skar!"
Mion's sudden, urgent voice startled him.
He looked up and saw…
Mion was looking down. Her ears, visible between her platinum blonde hair, were as red as apples.
"Yes. Gasp...!"
Her breasts, like fresh mozzarella cheese, were spilling onto the desk.
And…
Squish.
His hand was firmly gripping Mion's large breast.
He was squeezing so hard that his fingers were buried in her flesh, out of sight.
His strong grip couldn't be stopped by the thin black lace bra she was wearing.
It wasn't the gentle touch of a loving couple.
It was the barbaric grasp of a villain in a pornographic NTR story who was violating the fallen heroine.
A possessive touch meant to thoroughly subdue the heroine and remind her of her submissive role.
Mion turned her head away as if she was embarrassed to face Jeong Yoo-shin.
A tiny voice, like a mosquito's buzz, escaped her lips.
"S-Skar, please let go."
"I-I'm so sorry!"
Jeong Yoo-shin quickly withdrew his hand and apologized.
Mion covered her chest and shook her head.
"N-No. I was too close. I'm sorry."
Jeong Yoo-shin bit his lip.
"Priestess Mion, I apologize. It's difficult to control the side effect, so perhaps we should end the lesson here?"
"S-Should we?"
Mion turned her head and looked at Jeong Yoo-shin.
"Yes. I'll be more thoroughly prepared next time."
"T-Thoroughly?!"
Mion's voice rose sharply.
Jeong Yoo-shin calmly spoke.
"Priestess Mion, I'll find a way to mitigate the side effect. I apologize."
"Ah. Y-Yes."
Mion replied while fidgeting with her fingers.
Jeong Yoo-shin gathered his things and stood up.
"Then I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yes. Take care, Skar."
"Yes."
Jeong Yoo-shin left the empty classroom and walked down the hallway alone.
He left the temple and looked up at the sky.
'So soft.'
The sensation still lingered on his fingers.
A woman's breast, the first he had ever touched in this world. He felt both moved and guilty.
'How many months has it been since I last...'
He couldn't remember anything past six months. Had it been about eight months?
Jeong Yoo-shin shook his head.
The side effect was too severe. If he let his guard down, his hands would move on their own, and he had no way of knowing why. It didn't seem like simple lust, as there was no consistency in the movements.
Even so…
Wasn't there a way to control it?
Training had helped him suppress his frenzy before.
Couldn't training help him with this as well?
'I need to go to the Swordsman’s Guild.'
He felt it instinctively.
Jeong Yoo-shin slung his teddy bear bag over his shoulder and started running towards the Swordsman’s Guild.
His black hair fluttered in the wind as he ran through the southern district streets.
--------------------------------------
T/N - Oh wow. What an interesting system, having different side effects for magic stones depending on which monster they came from. I can tell this side effect will definitely be fun.
Also, I kinda wonder if Mion intentionally let that happen. The MC warned her and everything, yet she still stayed close to him. Also, the comparison to the NTR villain made me laugh.