Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: What to Do Next?
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What should we do from now on?
In a pitch-black space filled with jagged rocks everywhere, a single beam of light shone down like a divine revelation.
The spot barely visible without that light resembled an altar.
Three shadowy figures were visible in the space.
Among them, a girl sitting cross-legged on a suitable rock giggled.
"Yulis? Isn't she just a small fry?"
The man's head shook at her mocking tone, thick with disdain.
"No, she's pretty strong. I took her down in one hit. No harm in staying cautious. Besides, Outsiders are a nightmare to deal with without a way to seal their privileges."
"Hah? What're you saying?"
The man frowned at her displeased tone.
The girl and the hulking man stared each other down for a moment.
"She's strong compared to you, maybe~?"
"......"
The man could crush her with barely any effort, but she remained nonchalant, relaxed, and arrogant.
What enabled that cocky attitude was the presence of the final figure.
The man glanced at that shadow.
Sensing the gaze, the bizarre shadow that didn't look human at all spoke.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Hey. What happened with the lightning, light, and ice stuff?] This entity, hidden by the shadow with only a noisy, distorted voice audible.
The man felt uneasy around it.
'I can't even guess what's inside.'
All he knew was that monsters around Milf Village had become ridiculously powerful because of this thing.
Both the female slime and the Red Rat had been drawn to the village as if compelled by something.
A being that summoned disasters just by existing—like a 'god.'
The girl, backed by that god, spoke with her lips still curled in a smirk.
"Don't worry too much. Whether some unexpected guy shows up or not, as long as things go according to my plan, I can definitely tie down the heirs of the Ten Great Families."
The girl smirked, saying she was lucky.
"Who would've thought the successor of that famous Graize Family was on the run?"
The bizarre entity responded to the girl's giggling with a bored, noisy voice.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [In this form, I can't distinguish human faces well. Bring her close enough for me to recognize.] The girl furrowed her brow for a moment before chuckling happily instead of answering.
The hulking man spoke to the girl, who seemed far too relaxed.
"The Ten Great Families influence the entire world. They're on par with nations. Kidnapping their heirs will cause a massive backlash."
It was a question about countermeasures, but the girl just sneered again.
"What? Scared?"
"...Don't poke at my pride needlessly. I don't know your endgame, but our goal is survival. Big risks need equally big safety nets."
The bob-cut girl snorted and continued.
"Just hold out for a month."
"What happens after a month?"
"Can't tell you that. But I guarantee the world will change in a month."
The man fell silent for a moment before speaking.
"Even so, you think we can last a month against the Ten Great Families?"
"Yep. That's why I've laid the groundwork everywhere."
"......"
Honestly, it was absurd.
Could they really hold them off with just some bribes of money or women here and there?
...Did this woman even have proper countermeasures?
The bob-cut girl narrowed her eyes and glared at the hulking man, who eyed her suspiciously.
The staring contest didn't last. She shrugged.
"Plus, there's the perfect guy to pin the crime of kidnapping a Ten Great Family heir on."
"?"
"An Outsider people hate, and until recently, he was basically a criminal, so his image isn't fully cleaned up yet. Not just someone you can ignore—he's someone you need to eliminate."
The hulking man's mouth fell slightly open.
Indeed. That man had bad blood with the Hart Clan, one of the Ten Great Families.
At least, to the public, he'd look like a plausible suspect with a motive for kidnapping the heir.
"Let me see... name was... Yedre? What a filthy weird name."
The giggling bob-cut girl spoke as if it just came to her.
"To make it solid, I should tell Ramnert to poke at Apiz a bit."
The hulking man's jaw dropped.
"...Provoking that Apiz carelessly."
"Shut up. I told you not to worry, Jag?"
"You got some ace up your sleeve?"
Thinking she wouldn't answer, the bob-cut girl grinned and replied.
"Read any fairy tales?"
"...What?"
"Heard of the Six Monster Kings?"
"Monster Kings? From myths, right? Weren't there four?"
The girl just chuckled instead of answering.
A vivid dragon tattoo on the nape of her neck glowed bright red.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Gulp.
My throat swallowed involuntarily at the heavenly aroma of the freshly made dishes.
Oven-roasted chicken. Chunky lamb legs perfect for tearing into. Pork neatly sliced like trotters, colorful foods steeped in unique spices. And finally, a grape-colored drink.
Just yesterday, these five—hostile or tangled in unknown interests—sat awkwardly together... but the sight of those greasy delights filled my head with appetite.
Come to think of it, I hadn't properly enjoyed food since coming to this world.
What would this world's cuisine taste like?
But damn, it looks expensive.
I looked at Blan with an apologetic expression.
"Mr. Blan. This must cost a fortune, right?"
"Don't worry. How much did I make from that subjugation? Lord Gold is generous—gave hefty rewards to me and a bunch of others."
"......"
That made it even harder to eat.
Mr. Blan's right arm was still gone.
He lost that arm and got money instead. Eating off that money stirred guilt.
"Whoa, don't give me that look, bro. I got the cash, and they promised a proper arm too."
"Is arm recovery possible?"
"Can't reattach what's gone completely, but regeneration's possible with enough money. But I'm going for a mechanical arm."
Arm regeneration is possible, huh.
Fantasy world indeed. Way better than my original one.
Even mechanical arms are commercialized.
But...
"Why a mechanical arm? Isn't regeneration worth more?"
"Money-wise, regeneration's cheaper."
Repelt, downing his drink, answered.
"Then why?"
"That's just monetary cost. Experts like that are rare."
Kaishir chimed in.
"There are plenty of ways to restore your own body, though hard to master. With enough effort, anyone can learn eventually. That's why treatment costs less than a Metal Arm."
Kaishir crossed his arms and continued.
"But regenerating someone else's lost limb? Only powerful Outsiders or high-ranking Holy Kingdom priests can do it. And what's their trait?"
"...They're swimming in cash?"
Kaishir's eyes widened under his helmet.
"Oho..."
"See? Told ya, bro's sharp."
I'd guessed among a few possibilities.
"They're not hurting for money. Building ties with the Hart Clan ain't bad, and their wealth and connections are tempting... but for a family like that, they'll want something other than cash."
"Items, abilities, manpower?"
"Quick on the uptake. Good."
I see.
Of course, the Hart Clan might've helped regardless, but Mr. Blan didn't want to burden them that much.
What a good guy.
"Hey, don't look at me like I'm some noble saint."
For some reason, Mr. Blan glanced at Repelt and Kaishir.
They shrugged, and Blan burst into laughter, chugging his drink, slamming it down with a thud, and wiping his mouth.
"Truth is, I didn't want to owe the Hart Family a huge debt."
"We'd welcome it~"
Blan shrugged at Repelt's words.
"Welcoming a geezer like me? Thanks anyway. Alright..."
Blan scratched his cheek after setting down his drink.
"Slipped my mind. Holy Kingdom high priests are notoriously picky and verbose. High-level Outsiders are wild cards—you never know what they'll demand."
Kaishir and Repelt opened their mouths, but Blan waved them off and continued.
"Didn't want the Hart Family dealing with those types. Not out of pity—if I pay that price, they could demand anything from me later."
"C'mon, don't paint us like shady merchants~"
Repelt and Blan laughed together.
A conversation that didn't cross lines.
Tricky balance.
"If I were Hart Clan, they'd fix my arm for free as employee welfare. Anyway, it's a burden."
Outsiders.
Like me, the ones who came to this world are often unruly. The Holy Kingdom seems like fantasy trash—big name, no substance.
Memo'd that in my head.
I chugged the drink in front of me... then discreetly spat out the last sip.
But I couldn't fool the ears of seasoned warriors and knights.
"Gross~"
"Bad table manners, bro. My girl'd throw a fit if she saw."
Repelt and Blan chuckled. I wiped my mouth and said,
"No... this is booze?"
"Huh? So? Can't hold your liquor?"
"I can... but it's bitter."
Blan blinked, then burst out laughing.
"Hahahahahaha!"
Repelt chuckled softly, and Kaishir seemed to relax.
"Thought you were someone to watch out for... turns out you're kinda airheaded?"
"Am I?"
Embarrassing as hell, but I played it cool.
"Yup~ I can chug booze like this too!"
The spinning-glasses girl, who'd been quietly devouring sides, slurred while swaying.
This girl's already drunk?
Blan fussed at her.
"Miss Asita. If you get wasted, the branch chief chews me out~."
"Hehe, as long as we don't get caught~."
Fitting for well-connected Blan—they seemed close.
Anyway, the thuggish vibe eased as we ate and chatted, turning lively.
Then Blan asked,
"What're you gonna do now, bro?"
"Haven't decided specifics, but first, head back to my original home."
"Back? Shame... With your skills, wouldn't staying here be better? Heard Outsiders' home worlds beyond are boring."
This country.
Not this world—he said country.
They think I came from a distant land, not another world.
What do these people think Outsiders are from?
The setting guide I read before coming was vast but skipped details like this.
World Tree beyond... but unclear what that means.
Maybe probe subtly.
"You know my home's boring without knowing where it is?"
The spinning-glasses girl answered my playful tone.
"Beyond the World Tree, right~? All Outsiders say that~."
Asked more, but seems that's their full perception: from beyond the World Tree.
"Returning's a bit cliché, though~."
"Cliché?"
"Goal of a minority of Outsiders~. The Return Seekers. They're the most famous~."
"Return Seekers...?"
Everyone looked clueless when I glanced around.
"Y'know~ Han Aekyung. The group she leads~."
"Ah, Han Aekyung."
Kaishir finally nodded.
Han Aekyung.
Korean name.
All who come here Korean?
...No.
Just from Earth, my world?
With other worlds possible, aliens too.
But locals wouldn't know.
Kaishir admired,
"As expected, Miss Asita knows her Outsiders."
"It's my research topic~ Hehehe."
Research topic?
This girl, my age, a scholar?
No prejudice against young scholars. My world had young ones too.
But they were nearing 30...
Fantasy ages mature fast?
Blan laughed,
"Dunno what you're thinking, but it's school research."
"School?"
Kaishir, now softer toward me, explained.
"Don't underestimate schools. Highest prestige and honor anywhere. Outsider research is hot there... could lead to success."
"Ahem! It will~!"
Spinning-glasses girl hid no greed.
Seems dumb but tenacious.
"Dre, you've just arrived, so you wouldn't know~. Ask anything about Outsiders~."
She said ask anything, so I fired off questions.
"How many Outsider groups? What're they called?"
"Outsiders are too unique for major groups~. Mostly solo by personality, band together occasionally by goal. Heard of clans—small gatherings~. Return Seekers most famous~."
Setting guide silent on groups.
Reason: no real groups.
Don't they feel insecure?
Foreign realm—shouldn't they band together?
Maybe secret channels locals don't know.
Racking memory, nothing.
Major settings I recalled:
Ten Great Heroes.
Four Demon Kings.
Where Gods Sleep.
Three Gods War.
Abyssal Demon Palace.
Celestial Holy Palace.
Eight Monster Kings.
Five Divine Beasts.
Forest of Magical Mirror.
Dragon Sanctuary.
More minor ones, but story revolved around those.
Outsiders: few transcendentals from other realms. That's it.
I'm sorely lacking world knowledge.
Time to learn basics I'd pondered.
First, Eight Monster Kings.
Odd reaction.
"Huh...? Monster Kings like Askatrolf? But eight? Weren't there six?"
"Divine Beasts two? Phoenix and Holy Dragon."
Blan and Kaishir questioned. They hadn't heard of Dragon Sanctuary or Where Gods Sleep.
Strange.
Other Outsiders saw the guide.
Key terms—locals should know.
But clueless.
Did others skip it? Or demerit to sharing?
Stopped asking—no good answers.
Drunken Blan leaned in.
"Whoops. We went off-track, bro. What's your goal now?"
"As I said..."
"Nah, that's endgame. Immediate tasks."
"Huh?"
Immediate tasks?
"First saw you, eyes sparkling. Now? Like duty-bound. I ain't lived long, but too rigid, you burn out."
Blan laughed: enjoy moderately best.
True.
Recently, game-flooded head would've thrilled at visiting those keywords. Now? Apathetic info-gathering.
Enjoyment supreme.
Heard that before.
No rush anyway.
Revenge done. Until home clues, enjoy max.
"Immediate? Dungeon with Miss Asita, if she's still free..."
"Great~! Let's go today~!"
She grabbed my hand before I finished, leaning in.
"Research! Tasks piled up!. Turned down Sorune's invite for this~."
"Yep..."
Overwhelmed. Who's Sorune? Blan quick:
"Nearby Miap Academy girl. Rules her grade and beyond. Friends with Asita... but... hm."
But?
Blan drank instead. Attitude said bad news. Sparing her friend.
Sorune no good.
"Oh! Close with Kiss Merchant Group too~! Hang with me, I'll intro you~!"
What's that?
Too close, I nodded vaguely.
Repelt, watching, hummed.
"You a guy after all~ Gotta be, Asita's cute~."
"?"
"C'mon, play dumb. You'll do anything for Asita, right??"
"What????"
Irritated reply, suspicious glare at her—Repelt flinched.
"Uh... never seen Asita's bare face?"
"No."
Pretty?
"Looks average."
She shrieked in rage.
"What~! I'm super pretty~! Top capital beauty~! Hero-level popularity~!"
Saying it herself. Ballsy mentality.
"No, Asita seems pretty, sure..."
"Don't believe?! Glasses seal my beauty~!"
"No, don't. Plenty attention now—more's bad."
Serious Repelt confirming: must be true beauty.
I knew. Eyes alone screamed beauty.
High-level like Repelt hyping?
"Hmph. Won't show face casually~. Dad said no. BF too~!"
"Fine by me."
She paused, then haughty:
"Hmph~ Want bare face? Help with my tasks~."
"No need."
"Eek... hurts~..."
Deflated, ignored.
Beauty what? Post-arrival beauties backstabbed/insulted nonstop.
Dark old dudes helped most—might as well go homo.
.....
No. Bad slip. Not that. Ever.
Stopped inner rant, to Blan:
"Anyway, goal: get stronger."
"Good! Post-Asita date, do mine!"
"Not date~!"
Don't deny so vehemently, bitch.
Critical to nerds.
"Oh. Level, Dre?"
Repelt sparkled.
"Min 40. Lowball."
Kaishir's words sparked Yulis curiosity. 79, he said.
Real world, game levels normalized—weird.
Max level?
Asked Repelt.
She tilted head, puzzled.
"Max level...?"
"Outsiders call level cap that~."
"Got it. Thanks. No cap. Normals lifetime under 10."
Lifetime Lv10.
Yulis impressive then.
"Your level, Repelt?"
"Hmm~ Fair: show levels together?"
No reason not.
Don't know how.
"Way to show levels?"
"ID card. Will it if you want. Falsifiable, but pros spot~."
"ID..."
"Adventurer ID for you."
Pulled ID, fumbled display. Kaishir mana-infused it. Image shifted.
Oooh. Cool.
Why no guild explanation?
"Outsiders know basics. Weird you don't~."
Blan read my mind.
All know? Why not me?
Ero quests too—off vibe.
Like detached from others...
Loveheart, how derelict?
Kaishir stiffened.
"Cancel airhead."
"Huh?"
Disbelieving stare.
"You're caution-worthy. Even otherworldly transcendents not this level."
Kaishir placed ID down, exasperated. Blan, Repelt, glasses girl speechless.
18 engraved there.
"...Never tell Yulis."
Repelt monster-gazed.
"No privileges, this level. This is..."
Kaishir pondered seriously. Blan sighed in awe, drank. Glasses girl grabbed hand.
"Besties forever~."
Yeah.
Starting respect you.
Meal done, reconvene evening. Parted.
Guild nap? Innkeeper/stable crossed mind.
They helped tough times—greet proper.
Especially stable: huge debt, repay properly.
Inn first. Afternoon—no lewdness... calculated.
Honestly, Nila hot—wanna do everything. But married, time draw line.
Walked quietly.
Ero quests, who gives? Daydreamed—arrived quick.
Opened inn door.
Nila at counter.
Didn't expect immediate face.
"Welco... Ah."
Shocked Nila flushed, then sulked. What shift?
"Um..."
"Outsider sir... am I... unattractive?"
"Huh? What?"
She stepped out, gripped my hand to chest.
Wtf, yes please but why?
Heavenly feel, loins tremble. She pleaded sadly.
"Outsider sir, please."
"W-What..."
"Please... hold me now.... Creampie ok.... Won't demand responsibility, hide from husband... please...."
Moist eyes, pleading voice, red cheeks—gorgeous.
Why so hot?
Not in heat...
Then.
📜 ERO QUEST! 📜 The Bitch You Trained Craves Your Cock
Her husband's cheating, leaving her with a sense of loss.
Console this lonely, pitiful wife with your brutal meat rod.
...Huh? Cheating?
That word shifted my heart. As if waiting...
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ [Beastification (Weak Activation)] [Partial feral instincts awaken]
Fuck.
Not me, but me—something awakened, dyeing my thoughts.
Grabbed Nila's arms, shoved her.
Bang!
"Kyaa!"
Loud but not hard—pinned to wall, shoved face in, tongue deep.
"Mmph. Chuup. Chuu... haat. Ah? Haaang!"
Startled, she soon closed eyes in pleasure, kissing back eagerly.
Lips parted—thin strand connected.
"Want me to impregnate you?"
"Ahn. Ah."
Grinned, tone she'd regret later.
"Fine. You slut."