Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: What Now?
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What should I do from now on?
It's over.
I was sitting blankly on the sofa inside the guild when the word "over" suddenly popped into my head.
The aftermath after things had finally settled down, I suppose.
Yulis had been carted off, and the crowd had dispersed...
In any case, I made an effort to ensure there wouldn't be any lingering gossip.
To be honest, I didn't witness it with my own eyes.
More precisely, I heard about how the Hart Clan handled the cleanup from someone else.
I wanted to watch what happened to Yulis firsthand, but circumstances made it impossible, so I gave up.
Still in a daze without any sense of reality, I left the scene and buried myself deep into the guild sofa.
The guild staff, adventurers, and everyone else...
They all avoided me.
How many hours had I been sitting there like that?
A hand rested on my shoulder with a tap. It was Blan sitting down next to me.
"It was handled well."
"Well...?"
"Yeah. It got sorted out nicely."
They said Yulis needed treatment first.
Once her body recovered, she'd be escorted to the capital, where the Hart Clan's main house was, to receive her punishment according to the judgment.
The Hart Clan members had decided to stay in Milf Village until Yulis recovered.
And the Hart Clan had moved quickly to clear me of all suspicions, spreading the truth so people would know.
It probably wasn't widely known outside the guild anyway.
They handle things thoroughly.
"Brother."
"Yes?"
Blan cleared his throat with a cough and spoke.
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For saving Lady Yuli."
I thought for a moment before replying.
"I was just scared of the consequences."
"Didn't look that way to me. Anyway, you look like you need some rest."
Blan laughed heartily, patted my shoulder, and left.
There were things I wanted to ask and say, but he's such a considerate guy.
That day, I stayed sitting blankly and ended up sleeping at the guild. I could hear whispers from people around me glancing my way, but I didn't have the energy to pay attention.
I felt numb.
It wasn't like revenge felt empty...
On the contrary, revenge was exhilarating.
It felt just like before.
Crushing a villain who firmly believes they won't suffer the consequences is pure ecstasy.
But it was true that something still felt off.
Probably because of Gold's attitude at the end.
I knew sleep was the answer in times like this.
I rented a room at the guild and lay down on the bed.
I think someone knocked midway, but I ignored it.
I slept deeply.
"......"
When I opened my eyes, the sun was already high in the sky.
The clock on the wall pointed to 1 PM.
There wasn't much to do today either.
More precisely, I planned to ask around to figure out what to do next, but the people I wanted to ask had probably had enough of me.
Asita.
That was the name of the ponytail glasses girl, right?
She must be scared of me for sure.
After showing her that blood fountain show right in front of her eyes, even a tough guy would shy away, let alone a woman.
Yesterday's moment flashed back again.
The revenge had resolved faster and smoother than expected.
I don't think it was just luck.
If it had truly been luck, none of this would have happened in the first place.
...What should I do from now on?
With the revenge suddenly complete, plans like getting stronger or using Revenge to unlock special routes... all went up in smoke.
There's plenty to do.
My ultimate goal is still returning to the original world, I suppose. Since there's unfinished business.
I think returning will be incredibly difficult.
There was no time to just sit around blankly like this.
"Hoo."
Still, no motivation rose up. This state would probably last a while.
...Time for a change of pace.
It's a festival outside, so there must be something fun.
That was the thought while washing my hair, but as I dried it, cheers from outside made me not want to go.
Being alone in a noisy place felt like it'd make me even more depressed.
I wanted to find somewhere quiet to get some fresh air, but I didn't know the village spots or geography well.
In the end, by process of elimination, the place I knew best with good wind.
I decided to head to the guild rooftop, slung my sword on my back, and went.
Surprisingly, the rooftop was properly set up as a rest area, with a cool breeze blowing.
As I stared blankly at the sky, I sensed two powerful presences rising from below.
I stayed alert but kept my gaze on the sky. Soon, two people climbed up.
"You really were here."
A voice I'd heard yesterday. Repelt, that was her name, right?
Only then did I turn my head to see a blonde female knight in a mask-like helmet and a man in armor that evoked a mage.
Repelt waved in greeting, but the man glared at me like he wasn't pleased.
Not wanting to deal with it, I turned away, and he let out a startled "Ah" while glancing nervously, then glared even sharper. Whatever.
"Oh man~ Looks like there's still some bad blood."
Repelt approached with heavy thuds.
Not on purpose, probably just the weight of her armor and shield.
She stood beside me, set her shield down with a thud, leaned on the railing, and offered something. A cup with orange liquid sloshing inside. A drink.
"I'm fine."
"No poison or anything."
"...Thank you."
I accepted the drink out of courtesy. Didn't drink it, just held it. Repelt cheekily struck up a conversation.
"How long have you been in Milf Village?"
"A little over a week."
"Oh..."
Repelt gave an ambiguous reaction and cautiously asked.
"Did you come from another country by any chance? Not the Outsider continent, but another country on this continent."
Outsider continent.
I mulled over the meaning and shook my head.
"No. This is my first time here."
Repelt's mouth dropped open.
"No way. A beginner with that skill? Do you know what my shield is?"
"Sorry. I don't have money for compensation right now, so please wait..."
"I'm not saying pay up! That shield is amazing, right? Not only did you slice it clean, but when we showed it to our blacksmith, guess what he said?"
I just glanced, and Repelt continued.
"He said it can't be fixed for at least a few months! With an attack infused with those properties!"
"Is that so."
"And you, that wasn't even your special ability, right?"
"Who knows."
"It wasn't. If it was a special ability, we'd have some counter, but it didn't work at all... Rare skill? Or..."
Repelt pondered deeply, then went "Ah" and clapped.
She touched her helmet and pressed something.
Click. The temple ornament detached with a clank, and she removed the helmet.
She shook her head, and golden hair cascaded with a fragrant scent tickling my nose.
Repelt was a beauty hard to imagine from her lively speech.
"Ta-da. What do you think? Pretty, right?"
"Yes."
Honest answer, but maybe too curt. She grumbled, thinking it polite flattery.
Definitely a beauty.
Like a Hollywood actress from internet photos back home.
Surprisingly mature impression, unlike her cute speech suggesting a merchant.
Suddenly, she bowed her head.
"About what Yuli did this time. Sorry again. Really."
I was tired of bickering over it now.
"Apologies and forgiveness ended yesterday. Please lift your head."
Repelt looked sheepish and raised her head.
"Still, I wanted to apologize once more. It's our responsibility we couldn't stop Yulis's rampage."
"No way. It wasn't about stopping or not. The one causing the problem intended to cause it—that's all."
Don't drag others into a criminal's actions.
Repelt shrugged.
"Mm... You probably don't want to hear it, but I want to defend Yuli... Yulis a bit."
"Is there a defense?"
"No words for what she did to you. What I mean is... Yulis is a really good person to us."
"......"
What do you want me to do?
"She seems cold but takes care of everything behind the scenes. That... what do you Outsiders call it... Ah! Tsundere?"
Yeah. I figured.
Blan is righteous.
For him to cover Yulis despite her vile acts meant their usual relationship was that good.
In fact, Yulis fought Yuna to save Blan in that crisis and looked after all her subordinates.
Without popularity, she couldn't be direct subordinate to an upright guy like Gold.
But everyone has hidden sides, and she just exposed her ugly one nakedly.
"I can't forgive Yuli, but please don't think about killing her going forward."
"As I said, things with her ended yesterday. Also, unless Yulis attacks me first, I won't strike first. No grudge against the Hart Clan either. Quite the opposite—I'm grateful for the fair handling."
Repelt gave a wry smile at my mechanical recitation.
But midway, a dark emotion surged from deep in my chest.
"However..."
"Hm?"
"If I hadn't had power, I couldn't have escaped that female slime or gotten an apology from the Hart Clan. This place is the same as where I lived—might makes right."
Ah.
I realized only after saying it.
Why I felt so down and shitty.
I was disappointed this world I thought cool was no different from mine.
This fantasy world ruled by survival of the fittest where the weak get devoured, lacking the beauty and joy of a game, filled with absurdity and irrationality.
The injustice happening here, not much different from my world, pissed me off.
Such a childish, vague reason made me chuckle bitterly.
"Sorry..."
Repelt apologized again. Wasn't my intent.
The mage knight who'd been glaring silently from behind looked away awkwardly.
But it felt refreshing.
Spitting out thoughts really clears the mind.
At the same time, I set a goal.
Getting stronger is top priority.
Strength means higher survival odds and a shortcut back home.
"It's fine. By the way, Repelt. Any quick ways to get stronger, like efficient leveling? Outsider-exclusive maybe?"
"Wha-, how much stronger and faster? You beat Yulis in a week?"
Her cute panicked voice contrasting her cool look was charming.
"That was matchup advantage. And slicing your shield was easy because you only defended to avoid hurting me."
"My shield isn't something you can just slice even if you try."
She'd been holding that shield grudge subtly.
I smiled and said,
"You didn't use skills either. My sword strikes use floating runes or ki manipulation, so at your level, staying alert would've let you block the ki easily."
"I don't think so~"
She seemed pleased with the praise, scratching her head with a weird "Uhaha" laugh.
Suddenly, the watching mage knight interjected.
"Right! Just luck! Yulis specializes in mid-range, not close combat anyway!"
I shrugged and replied,
"Yes. Seemed that way. Yulis underestimated me too much. But may I have your name...?"
"Hmph! Not knowing me proves you're really new here. I'm Thunder Fire!"
"......?"
Joke? I glanced at Repelt, who was holding back laughter, as I was about to ask.
"That's his self-made nickname. Real name's Kaisir."
The real name's cooler...? Wait, that was English?
Come to think, I speak Korean, how do they understand?
System auto-translates maybe?
"Hey! What's wrong with it! Cool name!!"
"Two of the Ten Heroes, ancestors of the former Ten Great Families, had Thunder and Fire in their names. That's where he got it."
"Ah."
I recalled now. One was just Thunder, Fire was Firey Grazerst or something?
"A name any man would envy."
"Right! You get it... Ahem."
Kaisir enthusiastically agreed, then coughed.
"As you say, I was just lucky. Against you, I have no win condition now."
"Hm? You talk like you know my fighting style."
"Probably standard magic, but infusing sword with magic so you don't lag in close range."
I had a few guesses, but that seemed right.
Bluntly, magic swordsman, but different feel.
Mainly magic but strong in melee? Power mage?
"Uh, y-yeah."
"Wow, sharp eyes."
Spot on, apparently. Kaisir fidgeted, then snorted.
Still rude, but much softer now.
But his mouth kept flapping.
"You talk well. Yesterday, you acted like turning us all enemies was fine."
I was the victim, why keep picking fights?
Easy to get mad, but better to praise.
"That was rage more than resolve to die... Regret almost dying like a dog. Really, no way to beat current you."
"R-really? Not quite... Hm... You have unlimited potential. Soon comparable to me. Hm hm."
Wow, simple guy.
Hostile before, now friendly.
Praise is king.
Then Repelt smiled and said,
"See? Good we talked. Nice guy, Dre."
...So pretty.
"Yes. Conversation is key."
"Oh right. You asked about getting stronger. Don't know much, but Outsiders get massive EXP sleeping with much higher level opponents."
"......"
Spectacular.
"Mm... If you really can't forgive Yulis later, tell me? I'll offer my body as apology~"
"Hey. Hey. Hey."
Kaisir gestured like she was crazy. Obviously a joke.
"Why? Don't like? Still young and fresh, y'know?"
"Grateful for the words alone."
"Reaally~? Tell me anytime if interested?"
Her playful naughty expression lacked persuasion.
Ding!
Huh? Notification sound?
📜 ERO QUEST 📜 [Ero Quest Activated!]
The woman before you knows you're not a lecher and is joking.
Turn this cheeky woman into a bitch in heat.
🎁 Success Reward: EXP + Skill Points
......?
What the hell?
I stared through the alert window when Repelt's voice crept in.
"Th-that... Staring like that is kinda..."
"Ah. Sorry."
Beyond the alert was Repelt's chest.
From her view, I'd been ogling her breasts intently.
And now I noticed... Huge tits. Busty.
Made me want to bury my face impulsively.
"Uh... S-so, not just apologizing... Our lord will say tomorrow too, but let me ask first."
"What?"
"Wanna join the Hart Clan? Great support."
"Uh..."
Too unexpected.
As I was about to reply,
"Nooo! Don't!!"
A familiar voice. I turned to see empty air.
But soon, it peeled away, and the ponytail glasses girl popped out.
"You promised me first!"
.....Did I miss her presence?
The other two were shocked too.
They knew Asita, calling her name and bowing.
"Asita? Promised?"
"Why pretend not to knowww!! You promised me first, Outsider nii-san~"
What. Wasn't she scared of me?
"Too much too much too muuuch~"
Damn loud.
As I plugged ears to quiet her by pushing her head,
Presence from behind.
"Here you are."
Annoyed at another arrival, but I brightened.
Muscle dad Blan.
"Hm?"
He saw us and Asita rolling on the floor throwing a tantrum, groaned "Hm...", then laughed "Uhaha."
"Let's eat first! My treat!"
Social butterfly charisma.
As I moved to follow, awed by his overwhelming personality,
Ding!
📜 ERO QUEST 📜 [Ero Quest Triggered]
The woman rolling before you is the pinnacle of womanhood...
Fuck.
I force-closed the alert.
Whatever, check later. Food first.
Good call coming to the rooftop.
My mind felt quite relieved.