Chapter 16
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Back Alley Arena (1)
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*
It had been a while since I'd returned to the adventurer's city, and it felt strangely unfamiliar. It was like I hadn't handled the stares properly. A bit awkward.
─I thought you were dead since we hadn't seen you for a while.
─You were probably banging that dog. Kick.
Listening to the constant trash talk eventually made it feel familiar.
I wasn't sure if getting used to the hatred was a good thing.
The men—should I call them that? Those guys always mumbled like they were chewing gum whenever they saw me.
A youthful face and a scrawny body. Far too little experience to be an adventurer. Were they envious of me, or spitting curses at my recklessness? Heading out to the monster-filled plains with a body like this was downright arrogant.
Suddenly, I glanced expressionlessly at the men lining the streets. They were tall and burly. With a body like mine, I wouldn't even be able to meet their eyes without trembling. Their faces... well, most had been scraped against asphalt, but there were plenty of handsome ones too.
But what can I say—no interest whatsoever sparked. It wasn't about me being originally a guy or anything like that. It was just that I felt none of the emotions a person should feel toward another person.
Riding on Bori, I rested my chin in my hand and thought.
'Masculinity or hormones... doesn't seem to be the issue.'
Never once had I felt any lewd thoughts toward men.
That didn't mean I got excited over women either.
So does that mean I'm just a pure bestiality freak?
Is this seriously the only conclusion I can reach?
'Shit.'
I shook my head to clear the stray thoughts and called up the status window.
'Status Window.'
Agility had gone up by 2 in the meantime.
'If only my stats rose like that.'
Lately, just breathing seemed to raise Submissiveness.
'Status Window.'
Submissiveness was right on the verge of 400. I didn't feel any particular change, but his behavior had gotten more obedient. At least in front of Bori, anyway.
At this point, I was actually glad. Sure, it felt a bit like defeat, but higher Submissiveness boosted skill effects, right?
▶ Tender Care: Once per day, tends to 'Master'. [Wound healing, Strength +35, Agility +35 / Usable 3 times / Lasts 5 hours]
My main skill, Tender Care, had seen a huge boost. Duration extended from 3 to 5 hours, and uses increased to 3.
Three times a day, 5 hours each.
I'd been saving it as Bori's only healing method, but now I could use it as a buff without worry.
"Heh heh..."
I covered my mouth and flashed a sensual smile.
Oh, and the fact that behaving obediently had raised my Charm was a bonus.
Charm: 30 (130) ▶ Receives bonus against [Species: Animal].
▶ Current bonus applied: 80
It had only gone up by 10, though.
'My breasts feel bigger than before too.'
They were just a tiny bit more perky. If they were going to raise it anyway, they could have made me taller too. Bori was growing bit by bit, and riding him was starting to feel burdensome.
*
Remilia's butcher shop. I hadn't come for a while, but nothing seemed to have changed—it was as quiet as ever.
'Is business even happening here?'
- Ding-a-ling.
Harboring a small doubt, I stepped inside. The bald owner was still nowhere to be seen, and through the window, Remilia was reading the newspaper with bored eyes.
"Who... Ah."
"Hehe..."
I giggled and trotted over.
"Oh my. Raon."
"Yes. I'm here. Hee hee."
"What can I say... Your complexion looks much better. Did you take some tonic?"
"Ah, well..."
They say if you stay alone too long, you forget how to talk to people. After rambling incoherently for a bit, I cleared my throat and said,
"Training made me lose track of time. Go figure."
"I'm glad you look fine. Did Bori come too?"
"Of course."
I chuckled and called Bori.
"Bori!"
"Keng!"
"...Oh my."
Bori's Strength had surpassed 160, and his presence had changed entirely. The aura he exuded, the composure—it was more like something you'd see from a knight in a fairy tale than a Gray Wolf.
"He's grown even more. What on earth did you do...?"
"Love and affection?"
Remilia's eyes narrowed. It was the look you give a pervert. She quickly composed herself, but I'd caught that split-second glance.
Realizing there was something wrong with my words and expression, I calmed my excitement.
"...Just kidding. Ahem. Well, nonstop hunting and syncing up, that's all."
"That's a good attitude. The client will surely be pleased."
The client.
Who they were was a secret, and asking was off-limits.
But my curiosity wouldn't fade. Why target the arena's grand prize specifically?
"What kind of person is this client?"
"It's a secret."
"I'm not asking who—just what they do."
Remilia's expressionless face flicked her eyes away, and she tapped the table firmly. It looked like she was sorting what she could say from what she couldn't.
"Fine, just a snippet then. This is against the rules originally, but I think you can maintain a good relationship with the client."
Then, with an expression that said she trusted me, she continued.
"The client is a Tamer, just like you. That's all the info I can give."
"A Tamer!"
Ho.
That piqued my interest. Every Tamer I'd met so far either commanded lame monsters or got wiped out by guards before even entering.
A Tamer wealthy enough to commission something like this? Must be a real powerhouse.
Now I was intrigued.
I'd always wondered what a proper Tamer looked like.
Remilia spoke to me, noting the excitement on my face.
"Who knows? You might meet them someday. Sharing the same hobby can be fate in itself."
"Ahem... For me, it's not a hobby—it's my life."
When I corrected her, Remilia smiled faintly.
Her eyes curved like crescent moons—a smile straight out of an animated film. Seeing it in real life felt novel. This otherworld was truly full of beauties and superhumans.
"A few weeks ago, I thought it was just a possibility, but now I'm certain. You've gotten stronger. Bori."
"Right?! Look how strong Bori's gotten!"
It was praise for Bori, but I got all excited like it was for me.
Remilia's eyes were like those watching a child's antics. Far from embarrassed, I just felt joy well up.
She smiled quietly for a moment, then spoke with a hint of concern.
"Oh, and Raon. I know you love animals, but don't show pity to the ones in the arena. They're already ruined beyond repair, soaked in drugs."
I'd already given my pity to Bori.
Kidding, of course.
I could feel sad, but I knew right from wrong.
"Focus on condition management from now on. The tournament spans three days. Defeat means Bori's death, so proceed with caution."
Defeat means death.
Hearing that drove home what kind of request I'd taken.
I felt like a total novice adventurer in every way. I'd made excuses, but ultimately, I wouldn't have accepted without those two gold coins. A rookie, and at heart, an adventurer. One who lives and dies by money.
"We have time, so shall I explain properly again? About the request."
Remilia pulled out a small paper from the counter and started jotting notes.
"The arena's in Back Alley 17. Even those clueless about back alley life know the name. It's a landmark of the adventurer's city."
Adventurer's city...
The irresponsible byproduct of the empire's voracious expansion, a demonic realm born from unstable border security.
Slapped together haphazardly, the city's framework was off-kilter, and decades of development left too many blind spots.
The back alleys were the result.
From narrow alleys barely passable to areas as wide as sports fields. The common thread? Sunlight rarely reached them. The backside of the city, where shadows gathered.
"District 17 is one of the larger back alleys, with huge money flowing through. Plenty tied to the lord too... So security's oddly decent. By back alley standards, that is."
But in the end, where people gather, money flows.
That was the key.
"Where money flows, rules follow. Just remember this one thing: Everyone working in District 17 has an employer."
And just as people have different personalities, back alleys have different ecosystems.
District 17's vibe, per Remilia, was 'employment relations'.
Everything seen or heard there was under strict employment contracts. Apparently so tight even top thugs couldn't act out.
"If someone treats you roughly, just say their employer will be displeased. You're a precious participant as a fighter."
Remilia pulled out a gold-embossed envelope.
"This is your entry ticket for the tournament. It was hard to get. With this, you won't be ignored. Probably."
Probably? You bastard.
Remilia's eyes clouded as she trailed off.
"If they still mess with you despite that..."
- Swish.
I glanced at Bori.
"Kill them. Better with no evidence. Show that much sincerity, and District 17's employers will let it slide."
The back alley ecosystem was bizarre and subtle.
It felt like listening to tales from another world—I got immersed.
I asked just in case.
"This might be a bit off-topic, but..."
"Ask away."
"What if the opponent does the same? I mean, I'm not the only one with an employer... What if someone got hired to take me out?"
Remilia answered nonchalantly.
"Then it depends on the employer's rank. But hit jobs including murder rarely go through unless the other employer is way down the ladder. Retaliation's a risk."
"To avoid retaliation?"
"Kill their employer too—no loose ends. Problem is, it doesn't stay in back alley bounds."
Ha.
"...So in the end, the one with more money and power wins."
"Don't worry. The one who hired you isn't low-rank. Keep that in mind."
She grinned.
"Employers have tiers too. And luckily, you've got a top-tier one."