Chapter 88 Night Visitor
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Translator: JayM
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: Night Visitor
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The bustling inn.
Jeong Yoo-shin frowned as he looked at the trembling rat beast-person whose arm he had grasp.
"What do you mean?"
"...Exactly what I said. I have the Kleptomaniac imprint. I didn't pickpocket you intentionally."
Jeong Yoo-shin's grip tightened.
"You expect me to believe that?"
The rat beast-person's face became desperate.
"Ugh! It's true! It's an irresistible urge! I'm sorry!"
"Really? What did you take? Show me your hands."
"H-Here."
The rat beast-person opened his palms.
There, he held the honey candy the teddy bear had given him and the storybook he was going to give to Luna.
"Hmm... I don't think that's all."
"N-No, that's everything! You grabbed my hand right away, didn't you? I swear on my mother's life!"
He was even swearing on his mother?
"If I recall correctly, there were silver coins in my pocket, not a storybook."
"Wh-What?!"
All the color drained from the rat beast-person's face.
Just then…
He smelled the scent of medicine from behind him.
"Skar, there you are. Mars, you're here too."
He turned around and saw Iron Mask standing there.
Mars?
Was he talking about this rat beast-person?
"Do you know this guy?"
Jeong Yoo-shin asked Iron Mask.
"His name is Mars. As you can see, he's a rat beast-person. And he's our party's guide."
Iron Mask replied.
Jeong Yoo-shin looked at the rat beast-person for a moment, then back at Iron Mask.
"This guy pickpocketed me."
"He obtained the Kleptomaniac imprint on our last labyrinth expedition. It's an imprint that makes him involuntarily steal from treasure chests and pockets. Be understanding."
"Why didn't he remove it?"
"You'll have to ask Mars that."
Feeling Jeong Yoo-shin's gaze, the rat beast-person cleared his throat.
"Ahem. I'm keeping it for now because I don't know what imprint I'll get next. It's a precaution, in case I get a worse one."
So everyone thought alike once they gained experience?
"Judging by the fact that he hasn't been caught by the guards yet, he seems to be quite skilled."
Jeong Yoo-shin said as he released the rat beast-person's arm.
The rat beast-person rubbed his arm and sat down on a chair.
"Barbarian, didn't I just say? I only recently obtained the imprint."
Jeong Yoo-shin nodded.
So that was it. He was just lucky.
How many people in Labyrinth City would be brave enough to pickpocket a black-haired barbarian?
They were more likely to receive a beating than a fortune.
"I see. Mars, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"Hey..."
"What?"
"Get your hand off my ass."
He realized he was groping the rat beast-person's backside.
"Shit! Get your ass away from me!"
Jeong Yoo-shin shouted angrily.
"No, wait..."
The rat beast-person made the most wronged expression in the world.
"Barbarian, is that your kind of thing?"
Iron Mask asked while stepping back.
"No. There's a reason for this."
"Do you need to explain?"
"I'll do it later. Where's the priest?"
Iron Mask looked at Jeong Yoo-shin for a moment, then spoke.
"...Wait a minute."
Clatter!
The door opened, and someone entered the inn.
All eyes in the inn turned to the newcomer.
An almost naked body.
A dwarf wearing only briefs looked around.
Jeong Yoo-shin's jaw dropped.
What?
How morally depraved had this city become that someone would walk around in such a shameless and indecent outfit?
If he just sat there and did nothing, his honor and righteousness as the acting innkeeper would be tarnished.
He couldn't just ignore it.
He immediately stood up.
"You!"
Jeong Yoo-shin shouted while pointing at the dwarf.
Just then…
"Oh! You're here?!"
Iron Mask waved at the naked dwarf.
Jeong Yoo-shin's head whipped around to face Iron Mask.
What?
That naked dwarf was a party member?
He felt like he had been hit on the back of the head with a baseball bat.
He thought he wouldn't be surprised by anything anymore, but he was wrong. The darkness of the labyrinth was far deeper than he had imagined.
"Yo. Iron Mask, you got here fast."
The dwarf waved back and approached them, his bushy chest hair swaying.
With each step the dwarf took, the murmurs of the crowd grew louder.
"How can such a perverted dwarf exist? Does he have no family or relatives?"
"...Is that the innkeeper's preference?"
"It was customary to gather here and discuss plans for the Blue Moon Festival, but I'll have to reconsider. I heard he was a kind, half-blood barbarian, but he's finally showing his true colors."
All sorts of speculation and slander filled the inn's dining hall.
But the dwarf confidently walked up to Jeong Yoo-shin.
"Nice to meet you, Barbarian! I'm Kubo Heavyhand. A priest of the Fire Spirit God."
The dwarf in briefs looked up at him and extended his hand.
Jeong Yoo-shin quickly turned his head and shouted.
"...Tarman!!!"
"Yes!"
Tarman, who had been carrying food from the kitchen, exclaimed with wide eyes.
"Bring a wheat sack! An empty one!"
"...Yes!"
Tarman practically threw the food onto the counter and rushed back into the kitchen.
"...W-Why are you doing this?"
The dwarf stammered, backing away.
"Why am I doing this? Are you crazy? Why are you walking around naked?"
"Skar, calm down. Kubo is dressed like this because of his imprint."
Iron Mask intervened.
"What imprint?"
"The Naturalist imprint."
"What's that?"
Kubo, the dwarf priest, proudly spread his arms.
"It's an imprint that increases my defense when I'm not wearing clothes or armor!"
"..."
"Here's the wheat sack!"
Jeong Yoo-shin took the wheat sack and handed it to the dwarf.
"Put it on."
"Didn't I just explain why I’m like this?"
"This isn't the labyrinth. Or has your heart been consumed by the darkness of the labyrinth?"
"A-Alright."
Iron Mask's party gathered at a table in the corner.
Kubo, the naturalist dwarf priest, covered in a wheat sack.
Mars, the thieving rat beast-person guide.
The former heir to the throne, Iron Mask.
And Jeong Yoo-shin, the kind barbarian.
Sitting together in the corner of the inn.
His heart sank.
'This won't be easy.'
No.
You can't judge a book by its cover. He had to look at their inner selves.
"Ahem! Then let's get down to business."
"Skar, don't you think you should explain why you were groping Mars's ass a few hours ago?"
Iron Mask interrupted.
"There are too many ears listening. Not now."
At Jeong Yoo-shin's reply, the dwarf priest frowned.
"Barbarian, speak plainly. Aren't we comrades who will be watching each other's backs in the labyrinth?"
"I'm sorry. It's an imprint I can't talk about in a crowded place. Please wait a little longer."
"...Really?"
"Is it that dangerous of an imprint?"
His party members' expressions turned serious.
If he revealed it here, it would be suicide. He wouldn't even be able to complain about dying of natural causes.
"It's not that serious, so relax. I'm wearing equipment that suppresses the imprint."
"Alright. If you say so, I'll believe you."
Of all his party members who were looking at him with faint suspicion, only Iron Mask seemed to trust him.
Anyway…
It seemed like their first meeting had been a bit awkward.
His party members were sulking.
There was only one way to resolve this awkwardness.
He stood up, rummaged through the cabinet, and brought out a bottle of liquor.
"Let's have a drink."
"Oh!"
His party members' expressions brightened.
The dwarf wrapped in a sack grinned.
"50-year-old dwarven fire liquor? You're being generous!"
"I brought the wrong one. I'll get another."
"..."
Despite the sharp gazes of his party members, he resolutely brought out the 10-year-old dwarven fire liquor instead.
"Tsk. 10 years old? It's not even properly aged yet, is it?"
The dwarf, a connoisseur of alcohol, complained.
Jeong Yoo-shin opened the bottle, poured some into a glass, and took a sip.
It went down smoothly, then burned warmly in his stomach.
"It's aged just fine. Don't drink it if you don't like it."
"No, no. Who would complain about free drinks? I'll drink it gratefully."
The bottle went around the table. Even the grumbling dwarf seemed satisfied as he tapped the table.
"I thought it would be unripe, but the fresh aroma is quite pleasant."
"It's good."
The conversation was drifting off-topic, so Jeong Yoo-shin spoke up.
"Let's get back to the party discussion."
Jeong Yoo-shin and his party started talking about compensation.
The conversation continued.
They discussed various topics, including the weapons and equipment they used, party formation, and their imprints.
"It's all good, but I'm worried about not having a vanguard focused on defense."
Mars, the rat beast-person, pointed out.
"Iron Mask, don't you use a greatsword?"
"That's right. Skar, I saw you handling a sword before. Can you use a one-handed sword?"
At Iron Mask's question, Jeong Yoo-shin stroked his chin.
"I can. I'll take the defensive vanguard role. Will a round shield and an arming sword suffice? I'll also bring a longsword as a secondary weapon."
Iron Mask nodded.
"That should be enough."
"Let's end the meeting here."
The inn was now empty, as the long conversation had stretched late into the night.
Iron Mask crossed his arms and looked at Jeong Yoo-shin.
"Then, will you explain now?"
Jeong Yoo-shin immediately understood what Iron Mask was talking about.
"It's the Female Virgin Corruption imprint."
"..."
A chilling silence fell over the party members.
"Don't worry. As I said before, I'm wearing an imprint suppression magic tool. The side effect is that my hands move involuntarily, but I'm managing it well."
Mars, the rat beast-person, gaped.
"Barbarian, didn't you grope my ass a few hours ago?"
"You stuck your ass out. Let's be clear about that. And did you put something on your ass to attract my hand? Tsk."
"..."
The rat beast-person, speechless at Jeong Yoo-shin's logical rebuttal, lifted his glass and downed its contents.
"Isn't that typical barbarian talk?"
The dwarf priest wrapped in a sack said so while scratching his head.
Now that he mentioned it, it was.
"I apologize. It seems we've both had unpleasant experiences, so how about we just let it go?"
"...Alright. Since I was at fault first, I'll let it slide this time."
Mars nodded.
Iron Mask stood up.
"Let's end the meeting here. Let's meet again in two days, in the morning, here."
"Alright."
The party members also stood up and left the inn.
Jeong Yoo-shin saw them off and sat back down at the counter.
Tarman, who had been keeping watch, bowed his head.
"Skar, then I'll be going."
"Alright. You didn't have to wait for us to finish, but thank you."
"It's nothing. With Snout gone, I have to keep watch."
Jeong Yoo-shin smiled at Tarman, then his expression hardened.
"Tarman, you look a little pale."
"Uh... I guess it's because I've been working hard lately."
Tarman rubbed his bald head and made an excuse.
"Just wait a little longer. I'll try to find another worker."
"...Thank you."
Jeong Yoo-shin watched Tarman's drooping shoulders as he left and thought.
'I should give him a raise.'
Jeong Yoo-shin tidied up and opened a book. He had almost finished preparing for the labyrinth.
He had two days left, so he planned to review the Forest monster encyclopedia Mion had lent him.
You could never be too prepared.
Rustle. Rustle.
The sound of turning pages echoed throughout the quiet inn.
Creak.
The inn door opened.
Jeong Yoo-shin looked up.
It was late at night. No one should be visiting at this hour.
"...Huh?!"
A surprised gasp escaped Jeong Yoo-shin's lips.
Red ears and tail.
Karin Redtail.
"Hi. Were you waiting for me?"
Click-clack. Click-clack.
She wore a white see-through tank top, a leopard-print bra that barely contained her ample breasts, tight leather pants, and walker boots.
"...Karin?"
Jeong Yoo-shin stared blankly at the approaching Karin and muttered.
Strangely, she was wearing a choker.
"Skar, it's been a while."
"Uh... Huh?"
Jeong Yoo-shin stammered, momentarily losing his train of thought due to the leopard-print bra clearly visible through her tank top.
"Skar, I have a favor to ask."
"Uh-huh?"
"Can I sleep with you?"
Karin smiled seductively and stroked Jeong Yoo-shin's face with her tail.
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T/N - Is this finally it? Is this novel finally going to justify its mature tag? Is the MC finally about to get laid? Honestly, I doubt it, but a man can hope.
Also, the MC’s party is always weird. This time it’s a dying diseased prince, a naked dwarf, and a kleptomaniac rat beast-person. Honestly, the rat beast-person is the most normal one in this party. I wonder if the dwarf’s defense will increase further if he also removes his briefs?