Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Unconscious Flag Planting
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If the main heroine is here, does that mean the protagonist is nearby too?
But if he were the protagonist, you'd expect something corresponding to that... like extraordinary power or an aura you could sense. Nothing like that at all.
Since when could you sense stuff like that?
Ah, fuck. Ever since Yuna bashed me in the head, I've been freakishly good at picking up on auras and shit.
Anyway, both this main heroine called Clarit and El gave off something special.
A special something different from the baseline everyone else carries.
While ordinary people just have their energy scattered evenly, those two had it compressed, with a core—like a dense nucleus—settled right in the center.
No doubt about it; their output had to be overwhelmingly superior to a normal person's.
Even if not, their vibe, their looks—everything about their appearance screamed "chosen ones." You couldn't deny it.
The usual delinquent girls from this world, who strutted around like they owned the place, were too intimidated by these two women's fight to even step in.
.....
But what the hell is with her?
This spinning-glasses girl still clinging to my arm, tilting her head with that puppy-dog look while staring up at me, was yanking me along like the fight next to us was none of her business.
"You sure have some guts."
"No, not really. I've seen scenes like this a lot, but honestly, it makes me uncomfortable too. Let's get outta here."
Now that I looked, her tugging on my sleeve wasn't her asking me to stop it—it was more like, Get me out of here!
Honestly, I agreed.
No point getting involved; I'd just lose out.
"I'll go write up the oath first. Then we can talk about the schedule after?"
"Nooo~ You always say that and then go do something else~"
When did I...?
...Come to think of it, yeah. It happened when I reunited with Yulis, and again when I went to see Nila.
"But delaying the oath any longer would leave me too ashamed to face Apiz."
"You've already put it off for days~ Your dad's probably thinking you're a lost cause already~!"
This damn brat. Don't hit me with facts like that.
Her spot-on impression of her dad made it sting even more.
"So shouldn't we fix it now?"
"Fine then, I'll stick right by your side~ So you can't run away~"
"Yes. Since I haven't earned your trust yet, that makes sense."
I wasn't planning to run anyway.
Today was for reconfirming my specs and skills' power with the spinning-glasses girl, plus studying more about being an Outsider.
And so we headed to the guild.
Perfect. Now that mess has nothing to do with me.
Right then. A refreshingly upbeat male voice rang out.
"Ah, Dre?"
"......"
Fuck.
Why the hell is this pretty boy mediator of fighting beauties calling out to me all of a sudden?
A quick glance showed Flat, the culprit, swallowing hard.
He must've said it without thinking too, because he was covering his mouth, eyes darting around in panic.
Sigh. Fine. What fault is it of yours?
God gave you the looks but skimped on the street smarts.
...On second thought, that pisses me off. Fuck, give me some of that notice and half your face.
Whether Flat slipped up or was actually a sneaky bastard who did it on purpose, all the girls' eyes—even El and Clarit's—were now on me.
"Huh? You're..."
El furrowed her pretty brows.
What the fuck. Didn't my misunderstanding get cleared up? Or has she not heard?
Then again, why would she wish me well? We've known each other a while.
Whether cleared or not, odds are she still sees me as a piece of shit.
But why was Clarit giving me that feral glare?
She'd only seen my face once in that play—what was with that look, like I was some friend from the old world staring down a bully?
Whew.
Time to deploy my improv skills.
I strode past the delinquent girls and the two charisma queens straight to Flat.
As he panicked, I reached into my pocket and pulled out a fat pouch.
"Here's the money I borrowed last time. I meant to return it right away, but so much has happened. Sorry."
"Huh? Uh, no..."
Flat took the pouch, his face blank at first, then he frantically shook his head.
"I-I can't accept this! That money was...!"
"Is this your atonement?"
Flat shut his mouth.
Truth is, this guy hadn't actually helped me in the end.
The money he gave me became useless once I started handling my own funds.
Not that Flat knew that.
But he'd shown me goodwill, that much was true.
I fed him some slick words as he hung his head in guilt-ridden shame.
Then slip away in the warm, fuzzy atmosphere.
"No need for that. In that moment when everyone condemned and doubted me, this pouch wasn't just money—it was salvation."
"Th-that...!"
As Flat looked up to argue again, I figured it was time to wrap it up.
"So I want to be equals with you—like friends, say. Will you accept this?"
"Dr-Dre!!"
Flat's eyes now sparkled like he was gazing at a saint.
Ehehehehehe.
That's more like it.
My quick thinking, honed by endless choice-heavy RPGs and pornos, works even in this world.
I gave Flat a gentle smile as he reluctantly took the pouch, then turned to make my cool exit.
Damn, even I think it was stylish.
"You... something's off about you."
El raised one eyebrow.
Super suspicious tone.
No matter how perfect my acting, her affinity for me started low...
"I hate to agree with El, but your words lack sincerity. It feels unpleasant."
"......"
Clarit's words left me stunned for a sec.
This fucking bitch—we've never even talked—and she's bitching already?
El pulled the same shit at first meeting. Is it a trait of the Ten Great Families?
The delinquents didn't look outright pissed, but they all had that What the hell is this guy? face.
Guess only Flat was moved.
"Outsider sir...! That was surprisingly cool~!"
Even the spinning-glasses girl chimed in.
But drop the "surprisingly," please.
"Greetings, everyone."
Too late to back out silently, so I gave a nod.
Now, bye-bye time.
"Well then, if you'll excuse m—"
"Dre! Could you maybe talk some sense into them?"
"......"
Flat with those sparkling eyes again.
No, fuck, read the room, Flat, you clueless birdbrain.
Does calling you a friend make you think we're bros now? Asking favors already?
Friendship fee, asshole.
Couldn't say that out loud, so I schooled my face to neutral and spoke.
"Not sure if I can help, but if it's within my power, I'll do what I can. What's the issue?"
Judging by those two bitches who hated my guts earlier, if I acted all superior trying to "help," they'd tell me to fuck off in annoyance.
Even I think my dialogue prediction game's on point.
Honed by all those choice games and pornos...
"I heard you beat Lady Yulis."
Huh?
Why bring up Yulis here?
Clarit stared at my dumbfounded face for two seconds, silent.
"No matter how I look at it, it has to be hype."
She muttered it, but I heard loud and clear.
Dunno what part was hype, but it pissed me off anyway.
"Pardon my rudeness, but I'd like your opinion. Whether luck, dirty tricks, or whatever—beating Lady Yulis means..."
"It's no hype."
Clarit flinched at my suddenly lowered voice.
"Even if Yulis walked in here right now, I could take her head in three seconds. Don't taint my victory with your subjective bullshit."
"...You're right. My apologies for the rudeness."
...?
Thought she'd bitch more, but she apologized quick?
"No, no. Yulis put me through hell mentally, so I snapped. Sorry."
"Understood."
Understood what, you bitch?
I gaped, flabbergasted.
How are all the pretty girls in this world such assholes?
For Clarit, this little hiccup was already forgotten; she picked up where she left off.
"Your win over Lady Yulis tells me you have a solid grasp of combat basics. So I have a question—if that's alright?"
"I see. No guarantees on accuracy, but I'll answer honestly."
Games? Sure. But this is real life, so keep it vague no matter what she asks.
Clarit glanced at El and said,
"She ran away from home."
"Hey!! Clarit!!"
El flushed red and shrieked.
Cute.
"And now she's saying she'll do some pointless quest to earn the family's approval. A pretty tough one, too."
"Hold on, Clarit. Why tell this guy about that?"
This guy? Sorry, fang-toothed shorty.
...Wait. Perfect nickname just hit me.
Songgot-ni (fang) Ttandwalbo (shortstack) Yeoja (girl).
Short for Songttan-nyeo.
That's you from now on.
Anyway, Songttan-nyeo El wants to rack up achievements, and it sounds like it involves combat.
Clarit expects me to logically persuade her.
.....
Why the fuck should I care?
Taking either side sounds like a hassle.
I glanced at Flat and said,
"Flat probably knows combat better than I do."
"No way! Beating Lady Yulis...? I'm nowhere near Dre!"
Yeah, I get you're hyping me up. But please, shut up now.
This called for the spinning-glasses girl.
If she bails me out here, I'll call her Asita in my head from now on.
I turned back and shot her a pleading look.
.....
...Where the hell did she go?
She'd been watching excitedly just a moment ago, but now she was gone.
Sold me out and bounced solo.
Truly, in this world, you can only trust yourself.
I barely held back a sigh and asked,
"So, what's the tough quest? And what family is Lady El from?"
If it's a big org, I'm out.
"Ugh..."
Songttan-nyeo hesitated, looking stung, then turned her head defiantly.
"No reason to tell you."
Yes! I'm outta here!!
I was about to beam and say I respect your choice when—
"Bandit extermination."
Clarit, sensing my escape like a ghost, blurted it out.
"Bandits..."
I muttered gravely while pondering a nickname for Clarit.
...Why does Clarit feel so familiar?
Not from the character sheet—like I've seen her somewhere.
I stared at her face and asked,
"Wait, that bandit group Gold was gonna take down...?"
El flipped out the second the words left my mouth.
"Don't make me laugh! You think I'd hand it to Gold?!"
Why yell at me?
"You might have to, El. Gold's mobilizing his retainers and clan forces. It's an issue that warrants that scale. But you? Just apprentice knights, a decent mage or two, and yourself."
Clarit's eyes narrowed, her glare turning icy—like midwinter chill.
"Most of your power's sealed, no family artifacts—what do you plan to do?"
The delinquents yelped at Clarit's fury, but for Songttan-nyeo, it just fueled her rage more.
"I've told you a million times, it's none of your business, Clarit."
"It is. We're both from Ten Great Families."
Ten Great Families.
Descendants of the ten heroes who repelled the ancient demon invasion.
Figured, since neither hesitated to trash Gold. Clans that don't bow to the Harts.
That big? Story's coming together.
I could guess why this immature blonde miss ran away.
"Lady El. Don't tell me..."
"What? Spit it out. This isn't your place to—"
"You ran because your family opposes your love with Flat?"
"......!"
Nailed it—she winced. Clarit looked mildly surprised.
Yup, called it.
Ten Great Families mean political betrothals and such. But fuck that; Songttan-nyeo loves Flat.
Family's gotta be fuming, so she's out to earn merits and shut them up.
My headcanon, but probably spot-on.
.....
Time to tell her to give up on love.
"Lady El."
"Wh-what?"
As I opened my mouth, a powerful aura hit my senses.
I whipped around. There stood a man with an unforgettable vibe—one I'd met once. The guild branch chief.
El and Clarit paled and bowed politely.
Next to him, the spinning-glasses girl—no, Asita—was grinning and throwing up a V-sign.
She didn't bail—she brought backup...!
Goddess! I knew you had me.
"Lady Clarit, Lady El, and Dre. Lots of eyes here—could you move to the reception room?"
Why me?? Tough to refuse.
Soft tone, but undeniable force.
"No."
...Guess I wasn't alone; El spat it venomously.
Clarit sighed and shook her head.
For once, I agreed with Clarit.
"This'll be different from the boring persuasions we've had since you arrived. Please, I beg you."
Why drag me into this?
I ventured carefully,
"Um..."
"As I said, I'd like Dre there too. This ties into the request I was gonna ask him for."
"......"
I think I said this last time too, but I can't hold back.
This feels like shit.