Chapter 158
Chapter 158
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 158
Chapter Title: Annoying Attention
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"Ah, right there."
"Oh. Is this it?"
"Yes, yes. There. There. Ahaha. Feels good."
"......"
"Hehehe. You're clumsy, Mr. Dre, but you sure get the hang of it quick."
"Is that so."
"Yes. My husband could never get this good no matter how much I taught him."
"Is that so."
"Hehehe. You remind me of Pepperoca, Mr. Dre."
What the hell is that?
Whatever. Doesn't matter.
No matter what Claire was saying, I focused on the situation at hand.
I was determined to make this cheeky woman cry, no matter what it took.
That thought was deeply etched in my mind.
Why hide it?
Right now, we were...
"I found the gold mine first. Hehe. I'll take good care of the residential district, Mr. Dre."
"......!!!"
...playing a game.
Her words about having fun were literal.
Of course. What would a woman with a husband who had physique rivaling even the blackest athletes need from some Monopoly knockoff?
And I was getting absolutely wrecked.
This fucking sucks.
No matter how much I dislike strategy games or Monopoly-likes, this was ridiculous. She was on another level.
The flirtatious vibe from the start had flown off to Andromeda.
This was about gamer pride now.
I have to win!
"Then I'll use all the hidden properties I have on hand."
"Oh my."
"With this, I'll buy back the rights to the gold mine and residential district..."
Before I could finish my bold declaration, I saw the smirk curling on Claire's lips and knew something was wrong.
"Then I'll use the fraudulent contract I have on hand too. That makes your move invalid, Mr. Dre. Hehe."
"...!"
To swallow the rising frustration, I grabbed the cup beside me and chugged it down.
It tasted like honey mixed with something—super sweet and delicious.
The tea from the Hart family was tasty and top-grade, no doubt, but this... how to put it? It felt like junk food?
Comparing it like that might be rude to the Harts or Claire, but that junk food, homey vibe was irresistibly good.
Snapping out of it, I realized she was right—I was enjoying the game.
"You really love games, Mr. Dre."
"Yeah. It's my only hobby."
I'd sunk countless hours into them.
"Oh? But looking at you, you don't seem like the type. Don't you have active hobbies too?"
"I exercised just enough to stay healthy without overdoing it."
I loved games, but I had clear goals, so I managed my body properly too.
That was back in my original world, though.
Now in this foreign body, it didn't matter anymore.
"I see. You're a hard worker. Hehe."
A satisfied sigh.
Wondering why she wasn't taking her next turn, I looked up to see Claire with a benevolent yet seductive expression.
"..."
Is she doing that because she's in the lead?
Claire's actually a queen-type S, huh?
Why, though.
She's usually so pure and innocent, but seeing her like this with my insolent body unaware—it's turning me on for no reason.
"Then I'll order mining and end my turn."
"Hmmm...!"
Good.
Let's think about which district to target, where to hit for the big bucks.
......No. I'm already hooked.
Can't win with normal plays now!
One-shot reversal.
Risky, but the thrill of victory would be insane.
Feels like no other way at this point.
Mining's essential early for buying items, but now mid-to-late game.
I figured when the gap widens this much, they switch to mining to lock in the lead, thinking no straight comeback possible.
Like hell I'll let her win like this.
The game's simple.
Mine resources each turn, buy properties with them.
Every few turns, get a random item to equip in the 'Foresight' slot for counterplays.
This is pretty fun.
Needs real brainpower, and since you don't know what items they have, even deep thinking leads to traps often.
Claire watched me deep in thought, then asked with a laugh in her voice.
"Did you have a girlfriend, Mr. Dre?"
"No."
"Oh? Why not?"
"Well..."
Because I'm ugly.
.....
.....
No, scratch that.
I'm not ugly at all.
Everyone said I was handsome if you ignored my eyes.
Lately, with all these women scheming behind my back, I wonder if they were lying.
Even if my face was decent, my communication skills were rock-bottom—no girlfriends, not even friends.
Did I even want one?
In my old world, I was too busy surviving to think about it.
Now, with everything going on and life threats, even less time.
Yet, thoughts of Ashita, Mayal, El, or Clarier flashed by.
?
You're insane.
Leave sweet, untouchable Mayal aside.
Same for El and Ashita with their boyfriends.
But thinking of that engaged bitch Clarier?
Her personality's not bad, but...
Come to think of it, has her face healed up?
"Surprising. I figured women wouldn't leave you alone."
"Wish that were the case."
They didn't leave me alone, in other ways.
Me included.
"Hmmm. Must've been nice."
Her meaningful tone made me look up.
Before I could check her face, Claire stood to fetch more drinks.
Time gained.
Use it to plan strategy...
.....
But why hasn't Mangsin popped up?
I figured he'd freak out over pussy.
[You must keep the line.]
Oh. There he is.
Line? You know about lines?
[Insolent brat.]
Didn't even sound grumpy, and he vanished quick.
Dunno why, but Mangsin seems uninterested in Claire.
Why? Less appealing than other women?
No way.
As I said before, her voluptuous figure. Especially those full breasts straining against the thick knit—begging to be squeezed.
Her hips, hidden by the long skirt, match proportionally: firm, birthing-ready curves that delight the eyes just looking.
And glimpses of white skin through minimal exposure turn me on more than full nudity.
Beautiful face with that usual relaxed, unreadable vibe, but occasional glimpses of sultry womanhood. The gap amps excitement weirdly.
Plus that dizzying scent.
I swear, if not me, someone would've made moves on her ages ago. She's that stunning.
I'd called some women maturely alluring before, but Claire had an upgraded version.
That ripe, womanly allure only fully matured ones exude.
Not sure if she's in the kingdom's top 12 beauties, but she belongs there.
What the fuck am I doing, appraising another's wife?
Focus: one-shot reversal chance.
Got it. Strategy set.
Go with this.
Then.
Creeeak. Thud.
Door opened and closed.
Guiltless, yet cold sweat.
"...Huh?"
She sensed it too, puzzled voice.
For some reason, heading back out.
"Blan!"
I shouted loud; footsteps paused, then thudded back.
Elter hugged in his single arm.
Her near-blank face swung legs; spotting me, eyes blinked, face lit up.
"Big bro!"
"Hello."
"Yay!"
Thud. She kicked off Blan, toddled over, and smooshed my face.
This tiny girl radiated feminine scent no boy could match, hitting my nose.
Twintails again, but styled different.
Curled 'em?
Cute's what matters.
"Bigbrobrobrobro."
"Urk. Gah."
She rubbed her face all over mine.
Dunno why she likes me so much, but not bad.
Like a big dog licking your face.
Thinking it over, pretty nice.
Last time, cat-like; now dog vibes too.
Same innocence as before.
Older than she looks or acts, though.
Body takes after mom, so not really.
.....
Self-control, trash.
Truly, heaven earth and games witness: no dirty thoughts.
Just saying what's on mind.
I pried Elter off my face, smiled big at Blan.
"Blan! Long time."
"Uh, yeah. Hey, man. Long time."
But Blan's expression was odd.
Subtly complex.
"?"
"Heard about the floating island, man. Whew, you're the real deal."
Soon back to his hearty grin, plopping beside me with a thud.
"Floating island hero just a month after arriving in the capital? Damn. Knowing the top celeb makes my shoulders tense up."
"Hahaha."
"Oh my. Dear."
Claire back already...
Huh.
What.
Outfit changed.
Was full long sleeves; now elbow-baring short, skirt shorter too.
...Why swap to higher exposure?
"I'm back!"
"Yes. Welcome home."
Claire beamed, chin on hand.
Eh, probably nothing.
This is it.
"Claire."
Tap. Tap.
I tapped the board; Elter beside me went "O?", mimicked. Cute.
"Ufufu."
Grinning evilly at Claire as she sat opposite as hoped.
Your smiles end now.
"I'll spend my resources to use a new item."
It was 'Fair Trade Commission'.
Devastating against most dirty items.
"This nullifies the fraudulent contract..."
"Then I'll use the item I had in Foresight~"
Hers: 'Bribery'.
Figured. Bribed the Commission, huh.
But!! Think I didn't predict that?
"I use my Foresight item too! 'Whistleblower!' Ignores bribes or whatever—exposes it all!"
First win in sight; voice rose. Blan and Elter cheered "Woo!"
This item's power scales with opponent's dirty items used.
'Bribery' and 'Fraudulent Contract' scored high dirty points.
With this, Claire hands everything over, locked in my pace...
"Spending resources for another Foresight item."
"Huh?"
'Journalist Hire' and 'Honey Trap Policy'. Truth-spreaders join me, crowds' anger settles."
"......"
Silence in living room; Blan scratched head awkwardly.
"Uh, not a game for kids..."
"Oh dear. Elter's not a kid."
"She's always a kid to me."
He grumbled, hugging puzzled Elter.
My defeat sealed.
"...Hah, one more!"
"Ufufu. If you're satisfied, I'll play as many as you want."
Her narrowed eyes gleamed wickedly.
"Any number."
And about three hours.
Got wrecked the whole time.
Sob sob.
Should've practiced Monopoly-likes...
"......"
"Ahahaha! Weak! Big bro weak!"
"Kuhuk. Gah."
Elter jumped on my sprawled gut, bouncing.
Groans escaped, but heart hurt more.
"Claire's never lost a game. Beat a pro gamer once."
"Pros here too?"
"Yeah. Hard to go pro, though."
Makes sense.
Magic makes games hyper-realistic.
"So why're you here, man?"
"Ah."
You idiot.
Game distracted me from purpose.
"Did Claire call you..."
"How's the prosthetic? Heard there was trouble."
Blan eyes widened, then chuckled.
"Yeah, that's you alright..."
"Huh?"
"Nah. Family stuff. I'm pathetic."
"You? Pathetic?"
Blan smiled faintly, spoke.
"Prosthetic's available anytime."
Straight to point.
I listened.
"But quality's low."
"Quality."
"Prosthetics are dwarves' specialty."
Dwarves.
Fantasy race appears.
"Humans improved a lot, but still lag dwarves. Then dwarves strike."
"Strike? Pay dispute?"
"Not pay. Religious issue... Their god commanded something. Hard to believe, but heteroraces take religion seriously—no arguing."
"Aha."
Having seen gods, can't argue.
"I said human-made's fine, but Hart family... pride stung."
"Pride?"
"They gave dwarves work, commissions, contracts. Now ignored when needed—pissed. Power play."
"Whoa... Gold?"
"No. Gold intervened in trade, but head decides direction."
Gold, huh.
"So I'm the connection."
"Tug-of-war rope?"
"Kinda. Gold offered regeneration if prosthetic fails. Searching specialists now."
"Issue?"
"Can't find talent. Arm lost long—regeneration harder. Experts rare. Regen healing's foreigner specialty, but floating island backlash soured capital on them. Foreigners struck back—'Why us for murderers?'"
Backlash and counter...
World bullying Blan...?
"Found a regen specialist eventually. Real pro."
"Oho."
"One healer in capital—floating island—with insane skills. But she refuses. Gold negotiating, no dice."
She. Woman confirmed.
"Priestess?"
Healing screams priestess.
Blan nodded.
"Yeah. Divine healing's clergy domain."
Dwarves no connection, but healers? Same folk, maybe talk.
"Name?"
"Eh? Meeting her?"
"Yeah. Gotta negotiate."
Harts failed; unlikely I succeed, but need her terms.
Blan scratched head oddly.
"Why?"
"Uh... You probably met. See daily?"
"?"
"Pryunar Academy instructor."
"??"
Instructor? Who?
"Saintess candidate Instructor Mullin."
"...Ah."
Remembered: floating island, Almiraj duel—backed me, arm on shoulder. Nun with lewd body.
Always booze around.
Her, regen expert?
"Got it."
"Huh? Going now? Uh..."
Blan glanced at Claire.
"Eat first."
"No. Urgency matters. Back with good news."
"Oh. Then Mr. Dre, tomorrow—earlier than today?"
"Yeah. Possible."
"Aha."
?
What.
Licked lips?
"Waiting prepared. Right, dear?"
"Uh, yeah..."
Blan coughed, awkward.
"Thanks for helping, but don't overdo."
"Haha. No strain. Asking colleague."
"Worry anyway. Colleague or not, that mad nun Mullin."
"?"
"?"
"...Mad nun?"
Blan eyed me like I didn't know.
"The mad nun Mullin who crucified thousands of criminals and monsters...?"
.....
Is that a nun?