Chapter 28
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Trap
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Several days passed.
The area I was in charge of was in the Outer City, the part closest to the walls.
It was common knowledge that the closer you got to the walls, the worse the public order became, but the section I handled was surprisingly much more peaceful than expected.
The first reason was probably that I'd made a solid example out of someone.
And the second was that even when the guy I'd made an example of gathered his friends the next day to attack me, he ended up as another example.
I might be weak in a straight-up fight compared to trained martial artists, but that was only relative to them.
Against ordinary people who hadn't learned any martial arts, even if there were several of them, I could win—it might be a bit tough, but doable.
Once I doubled the number of broken arm bones among the guys charging at me while spilling blood everywhere, everyone started fearing me.
"Fear really is the most efficient way to rule, huh."
"...Usually, that ends with a revolution chopping your head off."
"That's only if you're ruling long-term. I'm just doing this for two months before I leave—what's the big deal?"
Shan and I sat across from each other, chugging beer and trading pointless banter.
We often met up like this after shifts at the restaurants in the Inner City.
Most of the meals were on Shan.
In return—or maybe as payment—he had me doing all sorts of incomprehensible things.
Like, walk around with a sword, run, hold something other than a sword, turn around, sometimes even walk on my hands. All kinds of bizarre demands.
To others, Shan probably looked like a pervert making a girl in revealing clothes do weird stuff, but he didn't seem to care about the stares.
I didn't either.
There was no need to worry about other people's gazes.
In a city I'd be leaving in two months anyway, why bother with what others thought?
Besides, I got tasty, expensive food and late-night sword lessons, and whenever I asked something, answers came flying out.
Moving however he wanted was no big deal in exchange.
Especially since it wasn't some sexual thing—he was genuinely curious about my traits and making me do freaky stuff for research.
"...Running or standing still makes noise, but just walking doesn't. It defies all common sense."
"You say that every time?"
Traits themselves weren't something that made sense in the first place.
And it wasn't just Silent Steps.
Gloomy Aura was the same—impossible to explain.
Sure, some people just give off bad vibes.
But inducing murderous rage just from eye contact? That's a whole different level.
No explanation for it.
Not even something trivial like "ugly" or whatever.
And rightly so.
"Shan."
"What?"
"Don't you think I'm pretty cute?"
"...Did you hit your head?"
His serious, concerned tone made me want to smack him, but the massive skill gap meant I'd be the one left picking up my bones, so I sighed and held back my anger.
Objectively, I thought my looks weren't bad.
Hated to admit it, but Rie's sense of aesthetics was pretty sharp.
The body and face she'd painstakingly groomed for hours had no flaws except being too young.
"...If we're just talking pretty or not, yeah, you're on the pretty side."
The way he spat it out like it pained him, then gulped down his beer, was oddly amusing.
"Anyway, how's the Inner City?"
"Always peaceful. They didn't take much damage from this mess to begin with."
"I wanna work in the Inner City..."
"Then get at least the same rank."
"I think my record's solid?"
"The thief subjugation, sure. But hunting a goblin leader? No matter how many times I hear it, it sounds like a lie."
"...You think I'm lying?"
"The easiest way to tell is eye contact, but you said there's a curse, right?"
Meaning he couldn't tell truth from lie without looking into my eyes.
I'd thought we'd gotten a bit closer while moving here and chatting over the past few days, so it stung a little.
"More importantly, there's nothing like it here, but later buy some sunglasses and try wearing them."
"Huh?"
"Have you tested if it's direct eye contact that's the issue, or if looking through something works?"
"...No."
No time for that, and it felt too risky—like I'd get killed mid-experiment.
"If you don't wanna stare at the ground forever, find a temporary fix. Sure, lift the curse, but who knows when that'll happen."
"Yeah..."
He had a point. I did have some leeway now.
The capital's prices were high, but the commissions from the capital's Adventurer's Guild came with fat rewards.
With that breathing room, I could try other approaches.
"I've seen all kinds of curses, but yours is so unique I can't give better advice."
"Really?"
"Most curses torment the target. Flesh rotting endlessly, losing emotional control, hair falling out, craving blood."
Curses usually tormented the afflicted.
"But yours doesn't affect you unless you look in a mirror. Instead, people who look into your eyes turn violent, like they've been cursed."
I'd never thought of it that way.
"Ban the adventurer called it a curse, and you seem to think so too, so I've been calling it that. But I see it differently."
"...Differently?"
"Maybe your eyes aren't a curse. Maybe it's just a power you can't control properly."
Not a curse, but an ability.
In a way, spot on.
It was proudly listed under traits in my status window.
But as Shan said, since I couldn't control it, it was no different from a curse—just semantics.
"Shan, wanna order one more dessert?"
"...Where does it all go in that tiny stomach?"
"It's free, so I'm eating as much as I can."
"You're hopeless."
Shan shook his head at my foolishness but pulled out the menu and ordered a milk ice cream anyway.
Shan was treating me way better than I expected.
He was serious about studying my traits, but that alone didn't explain how nicely he treated me.
Even though I was in a position where I'd have to obey if he got forceful.
He'd called himself a gentleman once, which cooled things a bit, but...
He really was one.
"Eat moderately and rest."
"No sword lesson today?"
"I've got things to do."
"Okay."
Guess I'd have to swing alone diligently.
The difference between having a teacher and not was huge. With Shan's help, a few nagging issues cleared up instantly, and he even spotted one of my bad habits.
My swordsmanship rank hadn't changed, but the sense of accomplishment was huge. If past me fought current me, I'd win seven or eight out of ten times now.
Shan stood first, paid, and left. I finished my ice cream and headed out too.
The Inner City was so clean without any stench.
Why was the Outer City always littered with shit and trash everywhere?
Difference in education? Or wealth?
Didn't know, but as I slipped out just before the Inner City gates closed, feeling a tipsy buzz and wanting to work there someday, I stepped into the empty lot in my assigned Outer City area.
I drew Grandpa's sword.
Recalling what Shan and Grandpa taught me, I swung it while drunk.
There was one reason I came here specifically to train.
To show off to others.
I looked small and weak on the outside, so I'd made an example.
That bought fear and outward obedience.
But I knew fear faded, and when it did, it'd turn and bite me.
If I showed weakness, they'd attack anytime.
So I blatantly showed them my training.
Not like I was practicing some amazing secret art.
"A-Adventurer!"
"...Yes?"
I paused at the urgent voice calling me, sheathed my sword, and looked over.
It was a woman I'd never seen before.
Never seen meant she wasn't from my patrol area.
"M-My son's missing!"
"...Not my area, is it?"
"The adventurers in our area won't listen no matter how I explain...! I heard rumors about you! You're scary, but you listen well...!"
I'd made a terrifying example, but I was as polite as possible unless attacked first, so it rang true—yet felt off somehow.
Come to me, of all people?
And someone praising me?
I knew everyone badmouthed me. Who would praise me?
"A-Adventurer! Please find my son... I'll pay, I swear!"
She stuttered badly.
Like she was lying.
Her legs trembled.
Like she was scared.
Could be worry for her son making her shake, but my gut screamed bad news.
"...Where should I start looking?"
"Back alley in sector 11... Th-That's suspicious...!"
Her son vanishes, and she has a rough location?
Then comes to an apprentice adventurer like me, not even same rank?
No matter how I sliced it, she had ulterior motives.
Sector 11 was notoriously bad for security, just like my area.
I should refuse.
That's what I thought.
But what if she was telling the truth?
That thought grabbed my ankle, making me click my tongue.
I'd decided to be cruel and loathsome, so why did this bother me?
Maybe the alcohol.
I shook my head to clear it, grabbed the sharp sword leaning against the wall, and tucked it into my belt.
"...Let's go."
Even if it was a trap.
I might not win a fight, but escaping should be fine.