Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Catch That Bastard (4)
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The dark pre-dawn hours before the sun had even risen.
I woke up even earlier than the early-rising birds and began preparing for the day.
I gave my joints and muscles, which would suffer for the next few weeks, a thorough stretch. I wiped down my body with lukewarm water and washed my face.
It was a luxury I wouldn't dream of for a while.
After finishing my simple routine, I did a final check on my gear. No matter how many times I went over it, it was never enough—this was crucial.
The mouth opening on the helmet Zirnier had worked on opened and closed smoothly without a creak.
Now I could eat even with the helmet on. Very positive news indeed.
The eye slits were widened a bit more, making my field of vision much more comfortable.
Beyond that, every worn, scratched, rusted, or grimy spot from years of rough use had been meticulously cleaned up.
Zirnier lived up to his reputation as one of the top craftsmen in Labyrinth City. He didn't miss even the tiniest details.
'And above all... this axe.'
Shing—
Kya. The grip feels different class, molding perfectly to my hand. The leather wrapping the handle is top-quality, and the finish is impeccable.
The blade, reforged from relic alloy, gleamed with a brilliant blue sheen. It looked like it could slice right through a Minotaur's tough hide.
'Plus, it's an artifact infused with magic from the soulstone of a greater Minotaur...'
No need to belabor the performance. I'd scored an incredible weapon that could hold its own even in the mid-layers.
Only the design wasn't as sleek as the axe Edelbert had gifted me.
It was blatantly crude. A raw, iron-scented axe straight from the forge.
'His tastes are consistent, alright.'
—It's one of my masterpieces, you know. Had a blast making a weapon after so long.
I recalled Zirnier chuckling as he left, arms full of the dwarf-made liquor flask I'd bought for Diana.
"I'll make good use of it."
I strapped the twin axes to my waist. Checking in the mirror, even I had to admit it looked badass.
Next, I geared up with greaves and arm guards added to the leather armor Diana had given me.
The makeshift stuff I'd scavenged during the last Minotaur fight had all broken, so this time I got sleek new ones.
Cost me about 80 silver coins. The best a junior explorer could afford. Gear ties directly to survival, after all.
'Used to head out with just the helmet when I couldn't afford proper gear, but not anymore.'
Every glance at my money pouch brought peace of mind and body.
I stashed the remaining coins under the bed, slung on my backpack stuffed with rations and supplies, and left the room.
Bubble bubble—
Heading downstairs, drawn by the savory aroma wafting from the kitchen, Diana poked her head out as if she'd heard my footsteps.
"Good morning, Balkan."
"Good morning, Diana."
I'd thought I'd woken up ridiculously early, but Diana was up way before me, as usual.
We chatted over breakfast prep like always, putting together an early meal.
This Labyrinth run started so early, I planned to fill my stomach properly.
"Carrot stew today, huh."
"Yeah. Thought I'd try something new... Do you not like carrots?"
"I don't picky eat."
Carrot soup, potato soup—what did it matter?
The key was that Diana had put her heart into making it bright and early.
Diana ladled the soup into bowls and set out utensils.
"Go eat upstairs first."
She always said that since I usually ate in my room.
I grinned and worked the mouth slit on my helmet open and shut.
"No need to go upstairs anymore. Let's eat together at the table."
Diana's eyes widened in surprise, then she smiled softly.
"R-Really...?"
"Of course. I wanted my first meal with someone else to be with you, Diana."
Memories surfaced of me eating alone like a total loner.
Farewell to that era. With my upgraded new helmet, the new me wouldn't dine solo anymore.
Diana stared blankly at me for a moment, then swallowed hard.
She hurriedly ladled soup into another bowl, looking desperate lest I change my mind.
"Dig in."
"Enjoy."
In the dark pre-dawn, Diana and I sat across from each other at the table, sharing an early breakfast.
Warm cream of carrot soup and moist, soft bread.
The soup was nutritious and warming, soothing my insides, while the bread I slathered with butter or dipped in soup.
Snap—
Diana barely touched her food, just kept staring at me.
Even with my eyes closed, it felt like she was boring holes into my mouth.
The adjustable mouth slit was sized just right—not too big, not too small—for shoving food in.
'To others, it probably just looks like chomping lips.'
That aside, why the nonstop staring...?
"Did I get soup on my helmet?"
"Huh? No... Ah... Yeah, you did. Hold on, I'll wipe it off."
Diana backpedaled from "no" to "yes," grabbed a few tissues, stood from the table, and leaned in close, bending slightly at the waist.
'Whoa.'
My vision filled with her baby bottle dispensers, precariously wrapped in that gray dress.
Good call widening the helmet's eye slits. Among everything I'd done lately, no regrets on that one.
The stimulating view imprinted first thing in the morning pumped me up in all sorts of ways.
"There, all clean."
Her chest finally receded.
Diana carefully pocketed the used tissue. Planning to toss it in the kitchen trash later?
Such thoughts in mind, I slurped up the last of the soup. So good I could've licked the bowl clean.
A visually and tastefully satisfying meal came to an end.
Felt like I'd gained the drive to power through the day.
"I'll help with the dishes."
"No. You need to head out early. Go on. Be careful in the Labyrinth—always stay alert."
I offered to help with dishes at least since I'd been mooching too much, but Diana waved her arms in refusal.
And instead fretted over me.
My chest tightened with emotion.
Every time I saw this side of Diana, waves of感动 washed over me.
An orphan like me had never felt this, but it must be what it's like for a son receiving a loving mother's worry.
As my heart settled warmly, an inexplicable urge bubbled up.
On reflex, I spread my arms wide and looked at Diana.
Uwae. Diana-mom. Hug me.
I hadn't said a word, just stared, but as if reading my mind, Diana's eyes twitched.
The dark pre-dawn air enveloped us in solitude.
Diana hesitated, glancing around as if embarrassed, swallowed, then softly nestled into my arms.
"Hngh..."
Over my thin, light leather armor, I felt her breasts squish softly. Intensely stimulating, ecstatic.
A bit embarrassing, sure, but the massive surge of motivation overshadowed it.
Monstrous outlaws, you sons of bitches—today you're all done for.
We stayed like that, hugging wordlessly for a good while, until I snapped back to reality and gently pulled away from Diana.
"Huuu..."
Diana exhaled dreamily as she slowly drew back.
Her usual composed expression, but with flushed ears and cheeks—adorable.
"I'll be back, Diana."
"...Yeah. Come back safe... Balkan."
I didn't want to let go, but I had work to do.
Feeling the leather armor warmed by Diana's body heat, I headed for the Labyrinth entrance.
Diana watched Balkan recede into the distance, sinking into self-loathing.
She hadn't been able to say it today either.
About his relationship with Zirnier, with Edelbert, with Ellie.
Zirnier had explained it was just blacksmith and client.
Edelbert dismissed it as mere mentor and disciple.
But Diana, knowing Edelbert bore the Curse of Rejecting Inferior Intrusions, couldn't see her intentions as pure.
And lately, Balkan came back from training with faint lip marks scattered on his body.
Very faint, but not enough to escape Diana's notice.
'Those weren't from sparring.'
Sticky, intimate contact was required to leave lewd lip prints like that.
And above all, his relationship with her own daughter, Ellie.
'Spanking her butt till it hurts...'
Utterly unacceptable by Diana's standards—an impure bond.
The knight captain's words about Ellie having a boyfriend kept swirling in her head.
Along with Ellie gazing at Balkan with happy eyes.
"......Haa..."
An inexplicable stuffiness drew out a sigh.
Diana suppressed the stifling, sticky emotion she'd never felt before.
She wanted to ask about his ties to them.
And ask him what she meant to him.
But fear was growing in her heart.
'What if, to Balkan, I'm just the woman who always cooks for him?'
The thought made a corner of her heart ache like it was crumbling.
She reflexively pressed her chest, feeling something warm.
It wasn't hers. It was Balkan's body heat, from their recent embrace.
Recalling that eased the stuffiness a bit, bringing an involuntary smile.
Realizing she was the one who'd just shared that moment with him made her foolishly relieved.
But only for a moment.
Plop—
As Diana rose from the table, a wad of tissue fell to the floor.
The one she'd used to quickly wipe Balkan's mouth—too fast for him to notice—along with his helmet.
Thud.
Diana's body froze in massive shock.
Thump, thump.
Her lower belly twitched, her body heat rising bit by bit.
Come to think of it, she'd failed to resolve the precursors of her Lewd Frail Degeneration Tattoo Curse lately, while stress had piled up plenty.
Meaning her lust had built to insane levels.
And right on cue, Balkan had given her a sincere hug... and left this behind.
Diana picked up the tissue like she was entranced and glanced upstairs.
'...Balkan's room.'
She swallowed.
Then shook her head.
She couldn't do that. If she slipped again, there'd be no forgiveness. It'd just lead to post-nut clarity and regret later. Her reason was still intact now. She had to endure.
...Had to endure.
...So he could come back from the Labyrinth to a clean, fluffy bed.
And she needed to clean too...
Click.
With those thoughts, Diana opened the door.
Lots of time until Balkan returned.