Chapter 102
Chapter 102
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: Eve of the Storm (4)
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This guy was suddenly spouting something interesting.
"By any chance, don't you want to wipe out a lawless clan completely?"
This was him admitting he had critical information while also implying he might hand it over to me.
"Hey! You bastard...!"
Gourmimi, locked up with him, flipped out, and considering Rayhem's background, it was most likely info on the Blaz Clan.
A mid-sized clan of criminals specializing in slave trading and all sorts of dirty, underhanded dealings.
'The place where Kakchi lived as a slave, too.'
One wanted lawless member on the bounty list netted 2 contribution points.
Given the clan's size, there had to be at least dozens of them, and catching a big shot could mean a reward too.
My mouth started watering.
But I couldn't show I was too eager.
It could be a trap, or this guy—who'd been keeping his head down—might try to wield the info against me.
His eyes trembled with tension, making it seem like pointless worrying, but caution never hurt.
"Couldn't you just spill it to those guards? Why drag me aside to make the offer?"
"If it was just about spilling info to reduce my sentence, sure, I could do that. But I want to give this info to you."
After a bit more talk, I got the gist.
This guy was scared.
Scared that once his sentence was up and he got out, I might come after him for revenge.
So he was handing over info that'd earn me favors, hoping it'd keep him out of my crosshairs more than just shortening his sentence.
'You've got worries stacked to the sky, huh.'
Honestly, I hadn't given him a second thought after the job was done, but now that things had turned out this way, it was a different story.
"Aren't you afraid of the clan retaliating? You out of your mind?!"
"Heh. You think that clan can last another 10 years in this Labyrinth City? It's great for a big score, sure, but not a place to stick around for a decade."
"Th-that..."
Gourmimi and Rayhem bickered back and forth, but even Gourmimi—who'd climbed to an executive spot—couldn't easily refute him.
She didn't have full confidence the group would last another 10 years either.
"Forget those lawless clans. Better to start lining up with someone else now."
Rayhem said that and looked my way.
To her, I apparently looked like that 'someone else'.
"Before you spill, promise me one thing."
"Promise?"
"It's not a big ask. Just... when I finally get out of this prison someday... don't crush me flat."
It was like watching a convict begging for mercy, promising to reform and self-improve over 10 years in jail so he could live right if shown leniency.
With him groveling on his own, there was no reason not to exploit the situation.
"I'll decide after hearing your story."
Spill it first. If it's useful, I'll do as you ask. If not, I'll think it over.
Rayhem caught my meaning, hesitated a moment, then spoke.
"The Blaz Clan makes slave trading its main business. But things haven't been going well lately."
Slave trading with poor results?
In a world where fists ruled over law, what methods would they use to boost sales?
"That's why they mass-produced idiot slaves with hobgoblin shaman staves."
Risky, sure, but there were plenty of ways to make slaves without legal hoops.
I shot a glance at Gourmimi beside me.
Her trembling eyes darted away from mine in a panic.
Bullseye reaction. Rayhem's confession was legit.
"But we got nabbed quick, the staves confiscated... so for the top brass—Boss Vesta—it's gotta be a real headache."
Yeah, makes sense. Business on the rocks like that? She'd be desperate.
"And... do you know the Academy's graduation ceremony is coming up soon?"
"Of course."
I'd even gotten my suit tailored for it just yesterday.
But why drag out the slave talk only to pivot to the Academy?
"...Wait. No way?"
"Yes. Exactly."
Rayhem fell silent a moment before continuing.
"The Blaz Clan might raid the Academy on graduation day."
Academy.
This word must be cursed.
What was with all the incidents dragging me in?
"...So that prisoner really said that?"
"Yes."
"Hah... those crazy, insane bastards..."
When I shared the intel I'd pried from Rayhem, the guard squad leader clutched his head in shock.
I'd planned to hoard info on some lawless clan secret for myself, but this was too hot to hold alone.
It tied directly to Ellie's safety at the ceremony—and could mean student casualties.
"Are they nuts? Lawless scum targeting Academy students? At graduation, no less...? That's straight-up suicide..."
The Academy was one of the top powers in Labyrinth City. No single lawless clan could touch it.
"Heard they're in dire straits too. Success means jackpot; failure means wipeout. Might be worth the gamble."
"...Might, huh..."
The squad leader muttered quietly.
Might. Meaning, they might not.
For all the buildup, Rayhem's intel was heavy on personal hunch.
She seemed 100% sure, but who knew how it'd look to others.
"Got it. Better notify the Academy just in case."
"Yeah, should."
Any potential casualties meant prepping was always smart.
The squad leader ordered a guard to fetch a communication artifact.
Intel handed off—they'd handle Academy comms and response.
"You did great work. That tight-lipped bitch spilling like that? What magic did you work?"
"Magic? Too fancy."
"No way! If those thugs really crash graduation... you've done a huge service."
The squad leader praised my efforts while subtly eyeing me up.
It might look shady—like I was colluding with lawless types—but he knew I worked at Diana's inn.
"Say that, and I still won't get a beer out of it."
"Haha. We owe you one. Here's your contribution slip."
"Oh...!"
I took the 1-point contribution slip from the squad leader.
Figured it'd just be pocket change, not actual points.
A few hours' chat for points? Profitable.
I bantered lightly with the squad leader before leaving the guards.
One month till next Labyrinth run.
Time to focus on training.
Naturally, I headed to the Explorer's Union.
Training time.
...After some errands.
Balkan visited the ever-bustling Explorer's Union as usual.
"Saw that saintess earlier?"
"Yeah. Smiled so kindly. Hard to believe she's the same species? Felt like a different race."
"Gotta stay virgin forever with that face? I'd off myself."
"Bet the Wisdom Goddess overlooks anal?"
"You idiots! Shut your traps before you're hauled off as heretics?!"
'Seriph dropped by, huh?'
The explorers were chattering excitedly about her.
'Speaking of temples... gotta claim that damage comp from Seriph.'
Temple keyword sparked the reminder.
Planned to knock out all the miscellaneous today.
Headed to the Junior Explorer floor to register contribution slips as merits and queued up.
The clerk welcomed Balkan warmly.
"What brings you?"
"Settling contribution slips."
"Ah! Right away!"
The clerk's weary face—bogged by Junior Explorers—brightened.
Contribution bearers weren't the whining trash Juniors who griped endlessly.
They were serious types building toward Intermediate Explorer, pioneering Labyrinths properly.
At least not troublemakers.
'Plus, this guy...'
The clerk's eyes flicked to Balkan's helmet.
Muscled giant in a helm.
The man lately whispered about among Union staff and some explorers.
'No wonder. The Union Leader's disciple.'
"Hand the slips here!"
Balkan pulled the slips from his bosom and passed them over at the friendly response.
Two 5-pointers. Two 2-pointers. One 1-pointer.
"C-Contribution total—15 points."
The clerk's voice spiked before clamping shut.
Glance.
Nearby clerks eyed her.
Shared shock.
15 points wasn't wild in the whole explorer pool—plenty busted ass for promotion.
But add one prefix, and it shifted.
'Less than half a year as explorer, already stacking 15 points...?'
That growth curve was rare.
"Insane talent. No wonder the Union Leader took him on. What blessing'd he snag?"
"15 already? Intermediate by year's end?"
"Dunno. Flash-in-pan rookies fizzle quick. Heard that Lizard Girl quit recently."
"Still, two 5-pointers..."
"Tsk. He ditching his party?"
"Someone saw him in the Labyrinth lately? With that crazy milkmaid or whatever."
"Ugh, gross. Then pass..."
Talented, no he'll flop, recruit him? etc.
Veteran Union explorers sized him up variously.
"S-sorry..."
"Nah. Nothing to apologize for."
Balkan waved off the bowing clerk.
'The more they notice me, the more I size them up too.'
No plans to linger as Junior forever. Nor settle for Intermediate.
Aim higher, farther.
Grow more, gain experience, meet parties, build connections—it'd pay off.
Their interest sped and multiplied chances.
Sure, Gallon-types might envy and spite, but trash like that? Axe to the face.
As Balkan pondered, the clerk processed slips and spotted a familiar emblem.
"T-Temple issued...?"
She muttered blankly, then clapped a hand over her mouth in startle.
Among Balkan's slips was one from the Wisdom Goddess Church.
Explorers gawked at him in awe.
"The temple issued contribution slips? First I've heard."
"Your newbie status. I barely caught wind years back they did once..."
Balkan, basking in Seriph's attention, hadn't noticed, but temples were love-hate for average explorers.
Priests, blessings, curse checks—essential, but they knew their worth too well.
Especially curse removal fees that skyrocketed.
Temples handing out 5-point slips? Rare.
For Juniors? Almost never.
'What debt did he pull at the temple...?'
But no one could've guessed "paladins beat and stabbed him, got comp."
"All done?"
"Y-yes! Contributions settled. 15 points to Intermediate Explorer."
The clerk bowed deeply.
Business wrapped, Balkan flowed smoothly into the Union Leader's private elevator.
"Worlds apart from my Junior days..."
"...Still a Junior. Hit floor 10, reality bites."
"Pfft, guy took down variant Minotaur. What're you judging."
Explorers watching the lobby-to-top elevator felt oddly deflated.
Silence filled with envy, jealousy, and...
"...Next Labyrinth run, try recruiting him?"
Desire.
The elevator doors parted, revealing Edelbert's private training facility at once.
'Technically mine too now.'
Heading to the training room where Edelbert should be working out as usual.
"Signs of unsealing on floor 5... and 20..."
"5 was handled by his disciple... 20..."
"...Wait. Disciple? You mean Balkan—"
Usually dead quiet till I arrived, but voices echoed from the training room today.
'...Seriph?'
Heard "Balkan-nim." Only one called me that.
'Knock or nah?'
Decided to knock.
Knock knock.
"Who is it."
Edelbert's icy voice answered immediately.
Chills ran down my spine.
Similar tone to usual, but sharper somehow.
"Your disciple, Master. May I enter?"
"Hm. Yes. Come in."
Identity confirmed, his tone softened.
Door open, two figures came into view.
Black and white.
Black cat beastkin and snow-white cat beastkin.
Black cat: no ears, but black tail. White cat: ears and tail.
Cool-headed black cat beastkin with plush, ample, firm build: Edelbert Adeline.
White cat beastkin whose body screamed "hornier saintess" more than "saintess": Seriph Adeline.
Sister cat beastwomen—contrasting from color to curves to aura—filled my sight.
"Ah...! B-Balkan-nim?!"
Seriph's blank face bloomed into a smile just before the door opened fully.
"Wh-what a coincidence...!"
Then, as she neared me, her smile cracked faintly.
Sniff sniff.
Her sharp nose caught a faint, hazy scent in the air.
"...Breast milk? No, coffee? Huh?"
"Heh."
A chuckle from behind made her tilt her head and turn.
Edelbert smirked sultrily with narrowed eyes, murmuring.
"You've really done everything but the deed now."