Chapter 23
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Unfair Contract (2)
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#23
"Huh? Why'd you call me?"
Ilrak growled.
She looked ready to chomp down on Bran at any moment.
A red warning message popped up in front of his eyes.
Warning! The dragon's intimidation crushes you!
Physical abilities partially reduced.
This wasn't going to be easy. Just making eye contact had him in this state.
Kael and Leodorn were frozen like statues, their mouths flapping uselessly.
"B-Bran... ugh!"
"Y-You said he was your friend...?"
Kael in particular was already sniffling like he'd seen Bran's corpse.
But Bran wasn't standing there dazed out of fear.
Having sized Ilrak up and down, he let out a low murmur of admiration.
'Now that's killer. Good enough to make my goal.'
What a magnificent body.
Her muscles and bones, specialized for destruction, were beautiful to behold.
A high-performance sports car, a tunnel boring machine punching through mountains, a rocket blasting toward the stars.
Ilrak's frame gave off the impression of equipment built for one sole purpose.
Suddenly, she strode forward.
"Could it be... ugh, your throat's blocked and you can't speak?"
Ilrak stopped in front of Bran and casually lifted her top.
Splash!
The beer pooled between her breasts poured down onto Bran's head.
"Ugh."
"Gasp."
Leodorn sucked in a sharp breath. Bran grimaced.
Never mind the volume—it was hot.
Thanks to Ilrak's high body temperature, the beer was steaming warm.
"Damn. That's hot."
His senses sharpened instantly.
It was the kind of play some pervert would absolutely love.
Bran looked up to meet her gaze.
High mental strength overcomes the intimidation!
Reduced physical abilities restored to normal.
Her head was so high up that he had to crane his neck quite a bit.
Ilrak gazed down at him with a mix of fury and mischief.
"Sorry. Your body's so impressive, I had to take a look."
"Oh ho? There's a guy around here with eyes in the right place... ugh, isn't it killer?"
Ilrak pounded her abs and laughed.
Just as expected.
No one knew Ilrak better than he did.
Muttering that to himself, Bran swept back his beer-soaked bangs.
"But I don't like the rude way you spit out that informal crap, you lizard."
"What?"
"Whatever. Screw formalities myself."
Ptoo! Bran spat on the ground.
Ilrak's brow furrowed sharply.
Honestly, it was scary, but he couldn't back down here.
Ilrak—especially drunk-mode Ilrak—had to be met with strength against strength.
"Unemployed bum Ilrak. I'm here to line up a job for you."
"Un, unemployed bum?"
"Hit a nerve, huh? Hurts, doesn't it? You need money anyway. It's a good gig, so hear me out."
"...Ha. Haha!"
Ilrak burst into hollow laughter.
Leodorn squeezed his eyes shut, envisioning Bran's face turning into a cereal bowl.
But thankfully, nothing like that happened.
After chuckling for a while, Ilrak dropped her hands from her face.
"...You're fun. Spill it."
"Good."
Yes! Bran cheered inwardly.
Getting this far was half the victory.
"The job I'm handing you is guarding the old man behind me for a fortnight. Assassins might come swarming, and you're the only one I can fully trust with it."
Bran jerked his thumb back at Leodorn.
Ilrak raised an eyebrow.
"You came to the right place... hic, pay me and it's not impossible."
"H-How much?"
"One gold coin a day. No haggling."
Ilrak held up her index finger.
Leodorn's face went pale.
"Th-That's! Too expensive!"
"Heh heh... I'm always pricey... hic, don't like it? Tough luck."
Ilrak grinned sloppily.
Considering her skills, it was fair pay, but Leodorn's reaction was understandable.
A decent mercenary's guard contract averaged three silver coins a day.
One gold coin was high-end adventurer rates, reserved for nobles.
Leodorn let out a groan before nodding.
"Mm... fine. That price. But half payment after the job's done."
"I don't do deferred payments."
"But...!"
Leodorn panicked. Just as Bran had predicted.
Bran cut into their conversation.
"Ilrak. How about a game with me instead?"
"Hmm? Game?"
"Yeah. If I win, you sign a 100% deferred payment guard contract."
"And if you lose?"
"Double the money. Upfront, obviously."
Bran raised his hand in a V-sign.
"My lord! You!"
"And I'll run naked through Yeoncheol Street three times."
"B-Bran?!"
Leodorn and Kael gasped in unison.
Ilrak eyed the three of them back and forth before narrowing her gaze.
"...That old fart isn't stripping, right?"
"I'd hate to see that too. Obviously, it's me."
"Hot-blooded... hic, been a while since I had a treat for the eyes."
Kael clamped both hands over his mouth, saying nothing. His small face was flushed apple-red.
This kid's not actually into that, is he?
Ilrak spoke up.
"Fine. You're on."
"But I pick the event. Drinking contest sound good?"
"Krah! Drinking contest? You serious?!"
Ilrak bared her teeth in a grin.
By size or anything, it was no contest.
Instead of answering, Bran headed into the tavern Ilrak had wrecked.
"Table for two."
"Eek! C-Customers! We're closed for the day...!"
"We'll buy plenty, so let us in just this once. Sit here, Ilrak."
Bran ignored the trembling owner and sat at the bar table.
He tapped the seat next to him. Ilrak's face twisted.
"Hah, fine. Let's do this."
Thud! Ilrak sat beside Bran.
Her massive tail dangled under the chair.
Kael and Leodorn scurried in after them and took spots behind.
Ilrak turned to Bran with a sinister smirk.
"Heh heh... you're cute. Won't help even if you cry and beg not to strip."
"You're pretty decent-looking yourself."
"Hah, think sweet-talking will save you?"
Ilrak snorted.
It wasn't flattery.
Up close, her face was surprisingly pretty, so he was just stating facts.
Bran spoke.
"Hold up. Before we start, let's write a contract."
"Huh? Contract?"
"Can't have you claiming no memory after sobering up."
"What do you take me for... fine, whatever. I'll sign."
Ilrak's tail thwacked the floor irritably.
Bam! The whole shop shook for a moment.
The two scribbled the contract on the parchment Leodorn had brought.
Bran wrote the clauses carefully; Ilrak just scrawled her signature.
"Th-This is... ."
"Shh."
Leodorn's eyes widened at the contract.
Bran feigned ignorance and turned back to Ilrak.
"Alright. Let's start."
"Liquor? Beer?"
"End it with beer? Boss, two bottles of Cactus Adultery here."
"What? Cactus Adultery? Are you insane...?"
"Cactus Adultery! Two bottles!!"
Bran ignored Ilrak and shouted.
Ilrak's face showed bewilderment for the first time.
The owner shakily brought two bottles.
"H-Here you go... please drink quietly this time."
True to its name, the label showed two cacti crossed in an embrace.
Behind the adulterous cactus couple, the husband cactus peeked out, tears streaming.
Pop!
Bran yanked the cork and grabbed his bottle.
"Cheers."
"...This guy's totally nuts."
Ilrak twisted her lips.
The mirth had vanished from her face.
Understandable.
Cactus Adultery was one of the empire's top five poisons.
In the game, it was treated as straight 'poison,' inflicting status ailments and damage alongside intoxication.
"Losing confidence? I'll go first then."
"Hey, wait...!"
Before Ilrak could speak—
Bran gripped the bottleneck and chugged.
Gulp! Gulp! Gulp!
The clear liquid rapidly dwindled.
"My god. Delpha... ."
Leodorn clutched his forehead with a sigh.
It felt less painful than watching a dog get run over by a carriage.
Memories surfaced of downing one shot in his youth and being out for three days.
A new type of poison has entered your body. Tenacity of the Weed activates!
Heart of Harmeno activates. Harmful plant effects halved!
Mental strength growth rate slightly increased.
High mental strength overcomes intoxication!
Of course, it wasn't easy for Bran either.
New messages flashed every time his throat bobbed.
Without Heart of Harmeno or his high mental strength, he'd have pissed himself and passed out on the spot.
But he had both, right?
This was the booze he picked for exactly this.
Clank!
Having downed it in one go, Bran slammed the empty bottle down.
"Phew. Your turn."
"...Ah."
Ilrak flinched.
She'd been so stunned her reaction lagged.
Bran's one-shot had a hypnotic dragonblood-level pull.
"If it's too much, no need to push. Lady Ilrak."
"La, Lady?! You punk, who do you think I—!"
Ilrak's face flushed beet red.
Her rising body heat was palpable even from there.
She snatched the bottle and shot up.
"Damn it, just drink, right? Drink!"
"Hiiiik! Miss! C-Calm down!"
Crack! Ilrak snapped the bottleneck with her thumb and bit the rim.
Great start.
Her throat worked rapidly, draining the booze.
She emptied it faster than Bran and pulled away.
"Phew!"
"Ooh. Impressive as expected."
Bran clapped.
One corner of Ilrak's mouth quirked up smugly.
"Pff, see that? Piece of cake... ."
"Then keep going. Two more bottles here."
"Hey, wait...!"
But fresh bottles arrived before she could protest.
Bran downed the second without changing expression.
Ilrak covered her mouth at the sight of the full bottle.
"Urp."
"Wanna call it?"
"...Shut up! I was gonna chug it, don't rush me!"
Ilrak snarled.
After hesitating, she took the second bottle in her teeth.
Gulp. Gulp. Gulp.
Slower now, but steadily emptying.
"Th-Those maniacs. They're insane."
"Isn't that Ilrak? Who the hell bets drinks with that monster?"
"Surprisingly, the little one's ahead. Neither's quite human."
Onlookers had gathered to watch the bet.
Some were even opening a betting pool.
As Ilrak's second bottle neared empty, Bran quietly raised a hand.
"Two more."
"Guhk."
Ilrak's body jerked.
Choking like she'd gone down the wrong pipe, she spat out the bottle.
Clang!
The dropped bottle shattered with a crystalline ring.
"...Haa."
Ilrak looked up, swaying.
No one spoke. Silence blanketed the tavern.
The owner froze mid-step with fresh bottles.
She stood stock-still, breathing hard, then shifted her gaze to Bran.
"Hey."
Bran met her eyes.
Her sharp gaze was fully glazed.
Drool—or booze?—dribbled from her thick lips.
She blinked slowly a few times, then twitched one corner of her mouth up.
"You've got some guts."
Bran silently gave a thumbs-up.
Ilrak's eyes rolled back. Her massive frame tilted backward.
Thud!
The heavy crash shook the shop again.
"Groooan... ugh... hm?"
Ilrak groaned from headache as she woke.
Blue sky and the noonday sun filled her view.
"...Where am I?"
She clutched her forehead and sat up.
Her head spun.
Memories after entering the feast street were fragmented.
'Drinking appetizers at my favorite spot. Then some octopus-head picks a fight. Smacked him lightly... uh, then what? Drank more with someone.'
It wouldn't clarify.
But it had been a damn fun party.
Oh, and one more thing.
"Lady."
What her drinking buddy called her.
That much she remembered crystal clear.
Ilrak's ear tips flushed red.
"Crazy bastard. There's limits even when drunk."
First time anyone ever called her that.
The scales on her nape prickled.
Lady? How hammered do you have to be to say that to me?
As Ilrak shivered at the bizarre feeling—
"You're up. Lady Ilrak."
"What."
Ilrak's pupils narrowed to slits.
Her temperature spiked; her body primed for battle.
Bam! She leaped up, whirling toward the voice.
"Hey. You'll wreck the carriage."
"Who're you?"
"Bran. We drank together this morning."
Bran raised both hands like calming a wild beast.
Ilrak was a true warrior. Her crouched stance evoked a predator ready to pounce.
Her vertically slit pupils slowly rounded out.
"Ah...!"
"Memory jogging?"
Ilrak nodded.
Her drinking buddy's hazy face sharpened into Bran's.
Cute human boy.
Fragmented memories began sticking together.
Ilrak relaxed with a sigh of relief.
"Haa... it was you. Honestly, it's not all clear. What happened?"
"Come down from the cart first? If it breaks, Leodorn's got nothing left but grit."
"Cart...? Oh."
Only then did Ilrak realize she was atop a wagon roof.
Seemed like Yeoncheol District's vacant lot.
They brought me here? God.
Looking around, two others were there.
A pale old man and a... boy? Girl? Gender ambiguous one.
Thud! Ilrak jumped down and landed before them.
"Sorry for the trouble."
She apologized politely.
Leodorn and Kael's faces stiffened like stone.
Hard to believe it was the same rampaging maniac from hours ago.
Bran sidled up and patted Ilrak's back.
"Told you? Good friend. She's had a kind heart since way back."
"...Way back? You know me?"
"What's with you, Ilrak? We were together in the western sandworm subjugation op."
"I remember that op... but not seeing a kid like you."
Ilrak tilted her head.
Of course not. He wasn't there.
Just info from playing her in the past.
Bran bluffed smoothly.
"Makes sense. I was on recon. Light kids like me were better suited."
"Ah...!"
"Your feats were epic. Tore apart twenty sandworms solo and bathed in their blood. Man, dragonblood lives up to the hype."
"Ahem, hem. Was it that much? No big deal."
Ilrak cleared her throat awkwardly.
Playing it cool, but her swishing tail betrayed her excitement.
She swept her face and grinned.
"Must've been too busy to notice. Nice to meet you, Bran."
"You too. So our contract's good?"
"...Contract?"
"Knew it. Look at this."
Bran handed the stunned Ilrak the parchment.
The contract from the tavern.
...That Bran had filled out.
Ilrak's eyes bugged out reading it.
Hereinafter, Leodorn Velmaier shall be referred to as 'Party A', Ilrak Zarnak as 'Party B'.
In the event 'Party B' loses the bet against 'Bran'—
1. 'Party B' shall guard 'Party A' for a fortnight. 'Party A' shall pay full wages to 'Party B' upon completion.
2. Upon completion of guard duty, 'Party B' is obligated to assist 'Bran' and 'Kael Astreia' once.
3. Failure to faithfully fulfill or unilateral breach by 'Party B' shall tarnish the honor of Fire Dragon 'Zarheim', notifying blood-kin 'Alto Zarheim' of the fact.
More or less.
Blatantly unfair contract, but the signature in the consent section was brutally familiar.
Holding the paper to her face, blinking, Ilrak muttered in disbelief.
"...My handwriting."
"Can you honor it?"
"Haaa... what were you thinking betting like that. How'd Dad and big bro's names sneak in... ."
Ilrak sighed. Her thick tail drooped limply.
She hadn't mentioned her family, but that didn't matter.
After checking the contract several more times, she nodded.
"Gotta. It's a contract. Not like you're stiffing me on pay."
"Straight shooter."
"But this second clause—what exactly is the 'support'?"
"Oh, nothing big. Easy stuff, so focus on the guard job."
"Mm... got it for now."
"Good."
It really was nothing big.
Bran suppressed the urge to pump his fist.
The first button of Project Velkeros was fastened.
"Perfect."
Bran smiled.
This damn city had plenty to smash with her.
For example, the evil organization plotting Velkeros's downfall.
The End