Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Vengeful Ghost and Beastification
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The branch chief stared at me intently, his eyes scanning me as if appraising every detail.
Then, as if something didn't sit right with him, he furrowed his brow.
I thought he was reacting to me, but upon closer inspection, he was looking at the spot right next to me.
The bespectacled girl with the spinning glasses had sidled up close beside me at some point and was grinning like an idiot.
Come to think of it, this girl and that guy—they're father and daughter, right?
Hell, if I were him, I'd be eyeing some shady bastard who's supposedly betrayed everyone under the sun hanging around with my one and only daughter. I'd scrutinize the hell out of that.
Soon enough, he spoke in a solemn tone.
"Think about your situation, your connections, and your position before you act."
The girl, who had tilted her head like a baby bird, seemed utterly clueless, but she soon chirped out a bright "Yesss~!"
The branch chief sighed wearily and took a seat across from me.
He stared at me for a moment, then nodded as if he'd figured something out, and reached his hand into thin air.
Whoosh. What emerged from the void was a menu.
A sub-space pocket, huh.
I was watching with wide-eyed fascination when he handed the menu over to me.
"What would you like to drink?"
......?
Wasn't he talking casually to me earlier? Why the sudden formal speech?
Maybe seeing his daughter cozying up to a punk like me pissed him off so much he slipped into informal without thinking.
"No, I'm good."
"Alright then. Let's get down to business."
Straight shooter, this guy.
"You said you'd hand over the Red Rat corpse to us. That's correct?"
"Yes."
"In exchange, what our branch wants is to bend the rules for your quests, along with any information or support that might aid your goals. That about right?"
"Spot on. And I'd like my infamy points to clear up fast, too."
"Right... All that's within my discretion."
The branch chief cracked his neck with a sigh, then locked eyes with me directly.
"To cut to the chase: is your goal tied to the Hart Clan?"
"......"
I pondered for a moment.
How much does this guy know? Does he know Yulis lied to screw me over? If so, it means he let it slide despite the report, so no way in hell I'd ally with them.
But his tone lacked certainty.
And there was no malice in the way he looked at me.
My guess? He bought Yulis's story at first but sensed something off in her report... something like that.
After a brief think, I answered.
"Couldn't say."
"......"
In times like these, vague and slippery is the way to go.
I was plenty set on revenge, but no need to tip my hand like an idiot.
"But I promise to do my utmost not to cause the guild any harm."
"Utmost, not absolute?"
I paused a beat.
Deliberately let out a sigh, stretched out my arms, and stared straight into the branch chief's eyes.
"A friend of mine once said you shouldn't throw around words like 'absolute.' Who knows what the future holds? It's too irresponsible."
"Hmm."
"With who knows what freak accidents ahead, anyone casually slinging around 'absolute' just seems untrustworthy to me."
"...I see."
What do you mean 'I see'? I was just bullshitting a half-remembered line from some buddy.
Truth was, neither of us had any real soul in our words.
We both knew this deal was happening no matter what.
This was just a formality check.
Otherwise, why would he meet one-on-one with a notorious punk who's on bad terms with the almighty Hart Clan—famous to every Tom, Dick, and Harry in this world?
"Ahh, Daddy, are you stumped~?"
The bespectacled girl giggled, but the branch chief ignored her.
"Very well. I am Apiz Leisia. I swear to aid you to the best of my ability. I'll have the pledge document ready by tomorrow."
"Yes. See you then. As for the Red Rat..."
"Of course, you can keep it on you."
"Nah, I'll leave it here."
"You sure?"
His eyes asked if he could trust me. I gave him a warm smile.
"Yeah. And I can hunt down monsters like that anytime anyway."
"......"
The branch chief's face stiffened a bit.
"...From our side, we're truly grateful for your generosity. We promise even better treatment going forward."
"Thanks. But if I may say... are you really okay doing business with me?"
I was basically asking if he was fine pissing off the Hart Clan. His face didn't twitch as he replied.
"I trust my eyes and my wits. And turning a growing Outsider into an enemy? That's a loss I won't take. Especially..."
"Especially?"
"No, nothing. Also, we'll settle the Little Rumrat bounty at above market rate. Pick it up downstairs."
"Yes. See you tomorrow."
I stood slowly, and Apiz rose to match me.
"Since our deal's a secret, forgive me for not seeing you out myself. And for the adventurers on the first floor who spotted the Red Rat, we'll spread rumors that don't link back to you, Dre. That alright?"
"The Red Rat's already yours, branch chief."
"Much appreciated."
"Ahh, Daddy, then I'll see him out instead~!"
Why the hell would his daughter see me out?
I stared in disbelief, and Apiz sighed before saying,
"Fine. Don't screw it up."
"Yesss~"
"Uh..."
The most hated guy in the village hanging with your daughter— you cool with that?
"Don't worry. Whatever that girl's actual skills, her rep in town is 'cute but ditzy girl.' That's how people see her. They'll just shrug off whatever."
.....
Damn, harsh on his own daughter.
And she didn't even bat an eye at that, just grabbed my hand giggling and led me out.
We left the room and headed down the stairs.
Halfway down, I tried to halt the girl pulling me by digging in my heels... but failed.
If anything, I nearly stumbled forward.
This girl... she's got some sneaky strength, huh?
Or am I just weak?
The girl who'd almost sent me tumbling down the stairs looked up with a "Huh?" expression.
Where'd she learn to be such a rascal.
She was kinda cute, though.
Like the branch chief said, cute but ditzy.
Looking down from above, I could make out the contours of her face under those spinning glasses... yeah, bare-faced, she'd probably qualify as a beauty.
I glanced at her and asked,
"About that contract earlier. What do you want to do?"
"Ahh! You mean partying up with me?! You'll do it?!"
"Got paid for it, after all. But heads up: I'll leave this place someday, and when I do..."
"Yup yup! With an Outsider like you, it's all stuff you can wrap up quick! We'll quest together and investigate and stuff~!"
She's hyped as hell...
I could almost see a puppy tail helicoptering out from under her skirt.
"Tomorrow right away~?!"
"Tomorrow I've got the pledge to sign and wanna take it easy. Day after?"
"Yup yup! Totally~!"
"Then, time and place... Whoa!"
She went in for a hug, so I instinctively grabbed her forehead and pushed her back.
Pretty rude move, but she just went "Eek..." and backed off without complaint.
What the hell's with this girl? First time meeting today, and she's acting like we're besties?
Anyway, we set the appointment, I told her no need to see me out, and left the guild.
The bespectacled girl kept wistfully asking if I wouldn't stay at the guild dorms till the end, but I refused.
Down on the first floor, the stares from all those 'adventurers' burned into me, but I ignored them and headed straight for the payout counter.
Waiting there, my heart was pounding with excitement.
Soon I got the payout, feeling the heavy pouch fill my palm.
And my shoulders squared up too.
Ahh, yeah. Money talks everywhere, huh?
Today's plan: crash at the fanciest inn in town. Blow cash like water.
The thought of finally cleaning this stinky-ass outfit and sticky body, plus leisurely checking my skills, had my heart thumping.
Then, with some breathing room in my brain now, stuff I'd shoved aside came bubbling up.
...Wait, those skills. Wasn't there something weird mixed in?
Nah, probably nothing.
Bathed in the adventurers' glares, I strode out of the guild with my head high.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Fuck.
Fuck fuck.
Fuck fuck fuck!!
No words capture my feelings better.
"Scram!"
Splash!
This was already the third time I'd leaped out of the way of some shitty water barrage.
And every time, it was the innkeepers dousing me.
No fucking way—I've got money, and I can't even get a room? Huh? Does that make sense??
Three splashes, seven ejections.
I even stooped to the shittiest dump that looked ready to collapse, and still got booted.
Figured they were worried about me dirtying the place with my ragged look, so I offered multiples of the rate, promised to pay for any mess. Even flashed the cash.
They perked up at the sight of money, but I still got the boot every time.
Hart Clan's got more pull than I thought.
Now what.
Town's decent-sized, but no way it has infinite inns like back home.
Not many left... If I get kicked from those too, back to the stable?
Even public baths might boot me at this rate...
Trudging along in gloom, I spotted another inn.
...Ah, here.
My eighth stop was the inn I'd crashed at my first night in town.
The one with the shota elf who looked at me like a bug, and his wife who flirted while leaving him hanging.
Facilities were pretty nice now that I looked...
"Ha... fuck."
I don't wanna go in.
The shota elf husband who'd called me a filthy race creeped me out, odds of rejection were sky-high, and even the wife who'd been kinda into me would probably treat me like vermin now that rumors spread. Just soured my mood.
I didn't think super highly of her either, but still—getting hated sucks.
People's hearts are so damn fickle.
...Skip this one.
I turned to walk away.
"Oh my, Mr. Outsider?"
"!"
Familiar voice.
Turning, the inn's lady owner stared at me with wide eyes.
She held what looked like a trash bag—food scraps?
...She gonna chuck that at me?
Bracing for her face to twist ugly...
"...Hmm?"
For a split second, her eyes gleamed slyly.
That lewd glint made me flinch involuntarily.
She softened into a warm smile and approached.
"I heard the rumors."
"Figured. So..."
I tried to bolt, but her voice pinned me from behind.
"No one's taking guests right now, right?"
"......"
"Stay here. No extra charge~?"
I stared at her beaming face. What ulterior motive?
Did she hear I was loaded? Or... after the Red Rat?
Nah, overthinking.
No way an innkeeper like her was mixed up in crime.
Besides, she seemed to have other aims.
Probably that kind of aim...
Gulp!
No fuck, why's it standing up, you dumb kid.
Whatever. Tired. Wanna sleep. Wanna wash.
If she straight-up asks for sex, I'll lock the door and crash.
"Then, sorry to impose, but I'll take you up on that."
A bit later.
"Haa..."
Fluffy clean body, clothes. And bed!
When's the last time I felt this fresh!
Cost a pretty penny.
Even without much conscience, paying base rate to launder those rags and scrub this filth felt wrong.
Paid nearly double.
Still worth it.
Hunted all day, scarfed some snacks, yet my mind was weirdly sharp.
Time to check skills.
I gripped the emblem on my sword hilt without hesitation and channeled the unknown power drifting through this world.
Moments later, an interface window popped up before my eyes.
And there: my rough current specs, with + and - buttons to the right.
⚔ STATUS ⚔ [Current Specs Visible] [+/- Buttons] Got it.
Stats are for me to allocate as I see fit, huh.
Not auto-distributed on level-up—grow to your taste. Could spec pure strength or speed like a freak build.
I dig lopsided builds, but this ain't a game—it's real life.
Better keep it balanced.
Don't know much about this world yet, so maybe hold off on stats and just tap essentials for now...
What can I raise? Mess up and I'll regret it hard.
Mulled it over, then decided to check skills first.
Match stats to skills for best gains.
Skills scrolled into view. And I spotted something I'd missed earlier in the joy: most were grayed out.
Top right: tabs for [All], [Available], [Unavailable], [Future].
Clicked [Available], and only glowing ones remained.
These must be the ones I can use now.
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ Severing Sword SP[01] Active.
Severs anything and sharply reduces regeneration. Power increases if used passively.
"...Active?"
Isn't this just a technique I swing to use? What's active skill mean here? And it's from some old game—why's it in my skill tree legit...
Test it tomorrow. Next skill.
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ Quick Sword SP[???] Passive
Sword power determined by user's proficiency.
...What the hell is this.
No clue, no matter how I squint.
Next, next.
I got lost checking out what skills I had for a good while.
And then...
"...!"
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ NTR, Netori, Plunder Love. SP[01] That insane skill name peeked out.
I swallowed hard and scrolled down.
...Oh Lord. What is this?
⚠️ SKILL DETAILS ⚠️ EXP gained skyrockets under certain conditions. 1. Sex with someone who has a spouse, lover, or object of affection.
2. Make the stolen woman's partner taste defeat.
3. Bonus EXP per stolen count.
4. Strong desire to steal regardless of hurt to you, target, or third parties.
5.??
6.??
"No fuck, what is this shit."
Why does this skill even exist?? Outsider passive maybe?
No plans for that crap.
Gonna live clean.
Knock knock knock.
Ah fuck, startled me.
As I jumped, a voice came from beyond the door.
"Mr. Outsider, laundry's done~"
"Uh, uh yeah. Thanks!"
Regretted answering. Shoulda played asleep.
"Brought some light snacks. Want some?"
"No... uh..."
I had a bad feeling.
Open this door... and I'll probably get freaky with her.
Not sure if it'd go all the way, but banging a married woman? Total no-go as a human... but damn exciting too.
'Filthy race anyway.'
.....
But it popped into my head.
That bug-eyed glare. Those shitty words.
Once they did, my body moved like magic, opening the door.
"Ah, um..."
"Ufufu."
Tray with sandwiches—light eats.
What, was I overthinking?
"Thanks, I'll... Mmph..."
......?
......?!
Soft sensation on my lips. Sweet scent.
...Innkeeper kissing me, tongue in.
"Churp smooch. Heut..."
After the sweet kiss, she pushed me inside and click—door shut.
"Wait, um..."
As I pulled away to speak, she hiked up her skirt.
Drip drip.
Saw her soaked panties, words failed me.
And I thought: fuck, wanna lick that bad.
"Mr. Outsider. Asked you last time too..."
"......"
"Won't you buy me?"
My head swirled with thoughts.
And the biggest? Weirdly, Yulis.
Not that I liked the bitch or anything. Just: how many levels to crush that high-level, well-connected cunt...
Curiosity on how much that shitty plunder skill levels me up.
And raw lust.
All meshed, and my mouth opened.
"I'll decide after seeing your skills first."
...What kinda virgin bullshit is that.
Lemme redo.
But she smiled, approached, and knelt. What now?
Next instant, I knew.
Pants down.
Pffft!
"Hah...!"
Innkeeper startled.
What sprang out: long, thick, rock-hard.
Way above average.
...And it ain't even fully grown yet.
Pride swelling at my junior, she blushed beet red.
"Wow! Mr. Outsider, impressive...!"
"Uh... yeah..."
"Then, let me show my skills. Nom."
She engulfed my dick at the end there.
"...?!"
What... is this?!
Unfamiliar... but pure bliss.
Soft warm sensation set my lower half ablaze.
"Gah...!"
Just in her mouth, nothing more... if she moves now?
She looked up at me and smiled sweetly.
...Then her head started moving.