Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Unconscious Flag Planting
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Eventually, I ended up heading to the reception room with this awkward crew.
Clearly, I'd only come to sign the pledge, so what the hell was this situation...?
I dazedly pondered my shitty fate as I climbed the stairs.
The guild staff didn't even dare glance our way.
Even if Clarit and that flat-chested bitch El had personalities that were fucking dogshit-level awful, they were drop-dead gorgeous.
Rough adventurer guys should've stolen at least a couple peeks.
But no one could even lift their heads.
Come to think of it, even in the subjugation squad that tried to catch Yuna, no one but his direct subordinate Blan had properly looked at Gold.
Was the prestige of one of the Ten Great Families really that immense?
And here I was, walking shoulder-to-shoulder with kids from such families.
But I felt zero urge to strut.
These bitches clearly fucking hated my guts, so of course I was sitting on pins and needles.
"Hold up, you go first!"
The flat-chested bitch ahead pointed at the stairs as she spoke.
Her hand gripped her skirt hem.
That skirt length probably wouldn't flash panties unless you were way below, but I nodded obediently anyway.
"Alright, I'll head up first then. El."
"Flat's fine!"
Fucking bitch.
"I'm not fine, El. Has even my one redeeming quality of consideration vanished now?"
Clarit sighed heavily, and El shot her a ferocious tiger-like glare in response.
"I don't wanna hear that from someone infamous for her arrogant rudeness."
"......"
Hmm~ Maybe 'cause they're beautiful girls, but their glaring match felt fucking intense.
Fuck, it gave me chills. Was this what a catfight was like?
Unable to intervene, Flat grabbed my arm, his eyes welling with gratitude.
"You, could you not touch Flat so casually?"
Am I some germ?
I clicked my tongue inwardly but replied, "Sorry, my mistake." I considered myself maxed out in social skills.
Unemployed or not.
I released Flat's hand and said,
"Please go ahead."
"Th-thank you, Yedre-nim."
......But why was he acting like this?
Why was his face red?
...No way?!
A chill ran down my spine along with goosebumps.
I didn't have that kind of taste!
......Thankfully, Flat wasn't looking at me.
He was staring at the woman right behind Apiz.
The twintail glasses girl clutching her skirt, with eyes full of admiration.
I was floored.
His girlfriend was right there, and he pulls this shit???
Well, rumors said he might be dating both her and that priestess buddy, so maybe this was par for the course...
Speaking of, where'd that priestess Remi go? Did we split up briefly?
I glanced at the flat-chested bitch; her cheeks puffed out, glaring daggers at Flat with a pouty face.
Even dense Flat sensed something off from her sudden silence after bickering with Clarit, so he whipped his head back and hurriedly reset.
He cleared his throat awkwardly, composing his expression.
A gorgeous girlfriend like the flat-chested bitch, yet he blushes at a twintail glasses girl...
Come to think of it, she'd bragged about being super pretty, and Blan called her a village legend.
Was she actually hot?
Her behavior so far made me doubt it.
"?"
Did she sense my gaze?
She paused mid-climb, turning her head down the stairs.
Big eyes peeked through her twintails and glasses.
Like last time, she seemed pretty without them... but on par with flat-chested bitch El or Clarit?
Our eyes met, and she grinned, mouthing something.
Looking closely...
Per~vert
.....
Still, after dealing with all these shitty personalities, this felt kinda cute.
This world seemed to inversely scale personality and looks, so a relatively even-tempered twintail glasses girl was probably no slouch in appearance either.
Lost in trivial thoughts, we arrived at the reception room.
Second time seeing it, but my jaw still dropped at the sheer size.
I wasn't the only one shocked, though.
"Please, have a seat."
Branch Chief Apiz gestured for us all to sit, then quietly observed us.
The pressure was intense.
"Apiz-nim. What is it you wish to say?"
Clarit broke the ice first. Nice one, ice bitch!
"It's regarding the bandit group. May I first explain about them?"
Clarit furrowed her brows in thought at the chief's words, glancing my way.
No way she read my mind and heard "ice bitch," right?
"Of course."
"Thank you. The bandit group first appeared around half a year ago."
Half a year?
Not as long as I thought.
They talked like it was some ancient issue.
"No, more precisely, we grasped their outline half a year ago. They've been committing crimes for years, but we only recently uncovered it and launched a reinvestigation."
The chief scanned us before continuing.
"Various crimes, but the biggest are murder, drug trafficking, and human trafficking."
Human trafficking? Brutal.
"Drug trafficking and human trafficking are common even among crime syndicates, varying in scale... but these guys went overboard."
The chief recited flatly.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Murders: 67 Drug addicts discovered: 16 Missing persons: ...10,000 I was dumbfounded.
Ten thousand?
Wasn't that about Korea's annual missing persons number?
Milf Village was decent-sized, but even so, over a few years?
Half a year for ten thousand. Definitely too serious.
"And that's just confirmed cases from branches under my jurisdiction... Victims are likely several times more."
Apiz continued flatly, explaining the low murder/drug counts relative to missings were due to unconfirmed cases.
"That's the real issue. Despite interviews and scouring records, we can't nab them."
Precisely, low-level grunts were caught.
But they were just bottom feeders. The group seemed pyramid-structured.
Pyramid organization.
Meaning operatives outside the commander's direct line didn't even know each other.
Then why call it a bandit group?
Sounded more like a covert crime syndicate.
"Recently, we identified their core members. They hit Kiss Merchant Group's cargo in Slime Forest; at the time, they were transporting slaves."
Raiding mid-transport.
Dedicated bastards.
"One Kiss merchant recognized a slave by chance."
Matching a missing woman's identity.
Alone, not conclusive for our bandits.
But mounting circumstantial evidence confirmed them as the elusive core.
"Their crimes are vile, but more dangerous is their firepower."
The hit Kiss Group dominated Milf Village and several cities.
They had top-tier talent accordingly.
No way a mere bandit crew outmatched them.
Yet they all died.
By that mere bandit crew.
"Equivalent to Rank 5 adventurers, or Silver-grade knights—at least three."
I got adventurer ranks roughly, but Silver knight? Similar to Rank 5, probably.
More minor details followed, but core was:
A heinous crime syndicate shocking even by my modern world or this one's standards.
Elusive pyramid structure, core vanished after that raid.
Phantom-like, crushing mid-tier experts.
Obviously backed by big players.
Unbacked mega-org would be weirder.
Probably the bandits the flat-chested bitch aimed to subjugate.
Apiz's nuance suggested he'd talked her down multiple times.
She was nuts.
If not for Ten Great Family status and advisors, she'd be dead already.
"So, since they're that dangerous, you're telling me to back off?"
The flat-chested bitch whined childishly again.
Chief kept eyes down, speaking steadily.
"Normally, Lady El wouldn't need to. Your family's power... or the legacy of your great ancestors is immense, overwhelming."
No mere backed bandits could match.
"But you're alone now, without artifacts."
"I'm not alone."
She beamed affectionate eyes at Flat.
"To me, you might as well be."
El's eyes sharpened at the Flat dismissal.
Chief remained unfazed.
This guy was even more impressive than I thought.
Ten Great Family heirs were powerhouses, yet he didn't bow.
Maybe El was a second daughter with no succession shot, weaker pull.
Duh, handing heirship to that bitch would be insane.
"Lady El, consider your position. As Graize Family's only daughter."
She was an only child???
Auto-heir then?
"...I understand. But I can't stop now."
That was understanding...?
Clarit sighed at her unwavering tone.
"If they catch you instead, it stains the Ten Great Families' name. El."
"Won't get caught. You know the situation, so why say that?"
Current situation?
Intriguing, but no explanation.
"At least the you I knew wasn't this reckless. What happened?"
"Shut up with your 'what happened' crap."
Crackle crackle.
Sparks flew again.
Pins and needles.
But Apiz's quiet gaze stopped their staredown.
Hail Chief!
Apiz alternated glances before speaking.
"But such words won't sway Lady El's will."
Atmosphere flipped at his low remark.
El's eyes widened; Clarit gasped, urgently interjecting.
"Chief-nim, don't belittle yourself. We know no one in the Adventurer's Guild matches you."
Chief thanked the overpraise.
But she wasn't just flattering.
"So, Chief-nim, live up to your prowess and prestige—refrain from rash words. Detain El immediately."
"Oh? Detain? Not just stopping me, but detain? Wanna brawl after ages? Ten Great Families war?"
"......"
Sneering flat-chested bitch. Ice bitch glaring fiercely.
“......”
......?
Fuck. Staring at me again.
Really reading minds?
...Like that guy.
But what confidence her family would back her?
Wasn't she runaway?
Graize probably wanted her back, supporting detention.
But the threat worked; ice bitch clammed up.
Chief waited out the spat before speaking.
"I can't stop you. So, I'll assign an expert."
"Expert?"
Flat-chested bitch echoed; Clarit jumped in.
“If Elisia's in danger and helpers involved, Graize Patriarch won't stay idle.”
“Shut it, Clarit. I won't endanger others, and even if I team up, how'd they know I'm Graize?”
El growled; Clarit sighed deeply.
“Subjugating that massive bandit group means huge risk—no randos take it. Pros will, and they'd easily learn you're Ten Great Family."
“Your leak, huh?”
“Yes.”
“.....!”
“......”
Nonstop bickering.
“It's fine.”
Apiz's calm words drew their eyes.
"The expert I mean has no rank due to circumstances, new to the country so unknown, and verified victor over Gold-grade knight in one blow."
"...Ah."
Flat-chested bitch realized, staring at me.
...Huh?
Eh?
......Me?
All eyes on me; I spoke.
"M-me... you mean?"
"Yes. Yedre-nim. Bluntly: can you protect people from the bandits, or win?"
I answered instantly.
"No idea."
Just "bandits"—numbers? Skills? How should I know?
Impossible to judge.
Ice bitch exhaled in relief.
Flat-chested bitch turned away disinterested; Flat clasped hands pleadingly.
"Then, this: foes half Yulis's strength. Surrounded by five Little Rumrats like you hunted. Victory?"
Specific scenario; I pondered.
"Seems possible."
"What?"
"Huh?"
Clarit eyed me betrayed; flat-chested bitch expectant.
"What, contradicts earlier? You hesitated on mere bandits, how..."
Chief quelled her, eyed me.
"Victory possible. Then, can you reliably protect Lady El and Flat-nim from such foes?"
"...Tough, but possible."
Apiz nodded, pressed.
"If numbers grow? Up to how many?"
"Two-plus like Yulis. Five-plus Little Rumrats—trouble."
"Understood."
Clarit gawked incredulous.
Unfair.
Earlier vague; now visualized specifics.
"Two Rank 5s. Fifty bandits—covered."
Huh? Fifty?
One Rumrat = five bandits ratio?
Ridiculous.
But others bought it wholesale; gazes shifted.
But wait.
Why should I do it?
"What do I gain?"
Guard spoiled miss against mega-traffickers doing insane yearly numbers?
Flat-chested bitch targeted subjugation; escorting her recklessness multiplies risk.
"Guarding Ten Great Family lady, yet bargaining gains? Outsider dream gig."
Earlier "capable" = grumpy; now reluctant = bitching. Which tune?
Are you my girlfriend?
Rebelled, blurted.
"Definitely not like Gold-nim."
"What?"
I stared at querying Clarit.
"He gave honor for honor, profit for profit. Not barking orders like you. Difference in caliber?"
"Wha...! You...!"
I met her icy glare head-on.
"A figure from my world said: don't work for free if you're good."
"You..."
Tension spiked; chief intervened.
"Of course, commensurate reward prepared. We'll discuss at pledge signing. Decide then."
Hard to air publicly, huh.
And subtly, drop pledge reminder.
I knew delaying for personal reasons was my fault.
Clarit rebelled again.
"Qualified? Graize Patriarch won't approve."
"Not announced, but misunderstanding cleared, misconduct points removed. Cumulative score qualifies for Rank 5."
"......!"
"Plus, my strategy insight. Confident convincing Patriarch."
Confident, huh.
Glanced at flat-chested bitch El.
She eyed me and chief sparkling expectant.
That into Flat?
Heroine material, yet world's protag pitiable.
...Nah, Entiel the fucker?
Per setting, Flat gets cucked?
Protagonist, you prick.
Anyway, all awaited my word.
I closed eyes, calculated losses. Then...
"I'll hear the rest and decide, Chief-nim."
Gotta hear rewards first.
But this chief would pinpoint my wants—basically acceptance.
"Of course."
His tone presumed yes; confident in prep.
Clarit frowned; El bolted up beaming.
"Then, strategy briefing."
That instant, presence outside.
Unhidden, it bang! slammed door open.
"You can't just barge...!"
Ignoring staff plea, in strode a woman in whore-like garb.
Seductress vibe, soon assassin with poison—black widow danger.
Heavy eye makeup amplified decadence.
"Hello? Chief-nim."
"Lamnett-ssi. What brings you?"
She smiled at his frosty query.
...Wait.
Lamnett?
"Some misunderstanding with Hart heir Gold-nim. Requesting cooperation... oh."
Scanning room, her face flushed panic.
Last, on me—fleeting naked hostility.
Definitely.
This was the shota-elf rapist bitch.
.....
Why's shit twisting like this?
Arrogant intruder Lamnett suddenly bowed politely, refined not servile.
"Greetings. I'm Lamnett Bicia, Kiss Merchant Group accountant."
Kiss Merchant Group...?
The ones dominating Milf Village et al., raided by bandits, lost talent—same name.
Nila said too.
Lamnett's group gripped the village.
"First time since that unfortunate incident, Lamnett-ssi."
"Ufufu. Owe you then, Apiz-ssi."
"Chief, please."
"Oh my. Chief? Might be overseer soon."
"......"
Got their dynamic.
Chief disliked her but couldn't rough-handle.
"And this gentleman?"
Politician-level acting.
Hide that split-second hate glare, perfect.
"Yedre-nim."
"Oh? The Outsider who beat Knight Yulis in duel?"
My name alone pulled recent deeds—thorough intel.
Exaggerated awe, sauntered over clack-clack.
Thick perfume assaulted nose.
Decent scent, but from her? Nauseating.
Not ugly, not beautiful.
Outfit/atmosphere-boosted type.
After weeks of stunners like Clarit/El, her seductress face flopped.
"Mid-important talk, Lamnett-ssi."
"Aw, hurtful."
As she cooed "secret between us..."
"Busy now. Come later."
Clarit's icy line froze air.
Even Lamnett stiffened, turning rigidly.
"Aha. You're..."
"Drop the transparent act."
"......"
Lamnett speechless.
Nice! Ice bitch!
Everything has use—even dogshit personalities shine here!
But she glares at me again.
...Third time. Really hearing thoughts?
Timing suspiciously like "that bitch" moment.
But feigned boldness, held gaze.
Clarit exhaled, eyed Lamnett.
"Important discussion."
"Oh dear. I'm key in Milf Village too. If village-related, I can hel—"
"Dragging more here?"
Oof, informal smackdown.
Lamnett froze solid.
Fuming justified, but Clarit's chill too vicious.
Even I, not direct target, felt gut-chill.
"...Ahahaha. Sorry. One thing, then out."
Gutsy.
"Chief-nim. Clear Gold-nim heir's misunderstanding. We can compromise. And 'she' has words."
Eyed me.
Compromise aimed at me, not chief.
Knew I asked Gold to crush her.
Gold was busy morning, delayed.
Opportunity knock, huh.
Me-Gold talk leaked...
Village-grip group—ears everywhere.
Stared long; Clarit's chill deepened, she bowed hastily out.
Even this bitch has redeeming moments?
I grinned at Clarit; she smiled back.
"Threats around, so drop suspicious stares?"
"......"
Fuck.
"Annoying."
"Pardon?"
Chief muttered at me, lifted head.
"Strategy briefing."
"Yes."
No grilling needed; let slide.
Briefing proceeded.
Summed one word:
Bait.
El, Flat, me, plus twintail glasses as bait to lure bandits.
.....
.....
Sloppy as fuck for a plan...?
Recalled details.
El moving sans family guards secret; locals unaware Ten Great.
But her noble aura obvious—bandit spies know, prime target.
Won't touch if Ten Great known; now just fancy noble.
Not sole bait.
Miark Academy kids from wealthy/noble in multiple villages volunteering bait.
Chief claimed scatter low-end pyramid on them, focus main force on El.
Doubtful, but he insisted.
Noble heirs rare sight, high trade value.
Low-end can't nab; pyramid forces main force.
Crude.
All luck-based?
Hard to believe from cool-headed chief.
Hiding something.
Untellable to us.
"...I'll join the op."
Clarit blurted post-brief.
"What? You heard? Bricia forces you brought ruin it!"
"Just me, El."
Expected "you alone?" retort; El shut up.
But soon griped.
"Your looks too conspicuous?"
"Same for you? If disguise fools eyes, I can too."
Huh. Flat-chested bitch El disguised?
Clarit pierced chief sharply.
"Don't know what you're hiding... but no intent to blemish Ten Great name."
She sniffed it too.
But... hated her joining.
I raised hand.
"Prefer escort at three max."
"No worry. Won't owe you."
Oof. Ice-cold eyes.
Truth, probably strong.
No need protect.
Just burdensome together.
Decision not mine.
Chief met emotionless eyes with hers, nodded.
"If you insist, insist. Your skill suits protector over protectee. As you wish."
"Thanks for praise."
Face said otherwise.
"Then... clear room briefly?"
Clarit paused, furrowed brows.
"Secrets to him you won't tell us? Quite trusting."
"Not trust—promise. Must sign pledge."
Pledge word jolted her; shrugged out.
Flat-chested bitch rose chest-proud.
Proud, yet zero bust—amazing.
"Hmph. Don't dawdle."
Snarky to end, hair-flip exit grabbing Flat.
Good scent wafted.
Seemed she assumed I'd accept, escort her.
Kimchi soup much?
Lame reward? Hard pass.
Twintail glasses, straw till now, mouthed "wait for you" outgoing. Yeah, sure.
...Honestly, private mouth-talk thrilled a bit.
Siren maybe.
Room: just chief, me.
"...So, real plan?"
Awkward silence; I opened.
"Protect heir El from danger till Graize reinforcements arrive."
"!"
Straight answer?
As expected.
"Knew it."
"Yes. Even with you, subjugation... unknown risks."
Possible, but huge liability.
Not for highborn solo-ish.
"All prior talk lies?"
"No. Miark aid, bait real. Main force chance real."
Just chance.
"Why leave El till now? Contact Graize sooner."
"El's mana sealed by Graize Patriarch."
Huh? Bullshit?
"She partially self-broke seal for love elopement. Detects subordinates? Self-destructs."
"...Impressive."
Genuine awe.
Self-destruct?
Mad for love, flat-chested bitch El.
Flat nice, but eyes for priestess/glasses; that lovable?
Explained no fetch despite heir-track, indulging stubbornness.
Her "family backs me" tone baffling amid chaos.
"Graize on alert. Sought high-tiers to block her suicide magic."
"High-tiers..."
Long-sought en route to Milf Village.
"Not mere high-tiers. El excels. Love-blind but situation-aware, decisive."
Detection insane.
Senses family kilometers out.
Influenced allies too. Principle unknown—even to chief.
Family secret probably.
Hence me: outsider powerhouse, no Graize ties.
"Got it."
"No worry. El's subjugation talk—protest to Patriarch: 'dangerous, still stubborn?'"
"Pardon?"
Protest...?
"Patriarch dotes. Keeping Flat, seeking new—not rejecting their bond."
"...Huh."
El banking on that, rampaging.
"You just shoo bugs till Graize main arrives. Flat unreliable combat-wise."
"Understood."
"Thanks. Now terms..."
"Before."
I cut; chief stared blankly. Held gaze.
"Graize main arrives—Flat safe? Truly approved? Or whim-kill post-approval?"
"......"
Silence answered.
Won't die, but no good end.
My answer obvious.
"Then..."
"Lamnett claims accountant, but real power player."
“...?”
Random?
"Her hostility. Gold's move. You wished Kiss takedown on him—'any wish' pledge."
"......"
"You outsiders lack details; wish for others? Correct?"
"Yes."
Easy check; no hide.
Silent chief spoke.
"Saintly."
"......"
Knew.
Not praise—sarcasm.
Thus, firm reply.
"No. I just..."
"Just?"
Live kindly.
Recalled old words.
"Do as I please."
Eyes locked mid-air; chief averted first.
I declared.
"Flat helped when framed. Harm him? No help."
"I'll endeavor."
Not enough.
"Effort solves all? Lovely."
"My view: as-is, Flat safe."
"Basis?"
"El's obsession fierce. Patriarch yields—like sending main now, breaking stubbornness."
"......"
Feels emotional sans basis, but truthful.
I'd trust.
"Got it. Trust you."
"Thanks. Rewards..."
Chief detailed completion pay: cash, skill, his research tech.
Heard out; instant.
"Accept."
Research secondary; his skill priceless, myriad gold.
"Thanks. Personal biz—Red Rat/this pledge afternoon ok?"
"Fine."
Chief sank into sofa, relieved sigh.
"Why tell Asita this?"
Not secret?
"She's insisting tag-along; left as-is."
...?
Sudden informal?
“She'll follow on mission. Block? Sneaks anyway.”
Burdensome.
Apiz apologetic eyes.
“Flies swarm; handle her. Seems selfish, but her reasons—hard to scold.”
"Yes. Got it."
Switched formal/informal before. Reason?
Not worth noting.
I accepted gladly; he slight bow.
"Curious my promised tech? Preview reward."
"Grateful."
"Theory: perfectly assimilate foe's attack, unrecognize as attack."
"?"
Bullshit.
...No, akin skill I knew.
Absolute defense I urgently needed: 'Know Thyself and Know Thy Enemy'—similar principle.
OP to boredom.
God-possessed combat in 'War of the Gods'—had to be broken.
Hard implement; unused till now.
"See quicker. Attack?"
"Yes."
Schwing!
Lightning slash at chief's leg. Then...
???
Stopped?
Sensation off.
Skin not hard; just halted.
"No hesitation. Like it."
"Thanks... this?"
"My research. This world's unique force: Prynar. Transform body to power. I'll teach knack—memorize."
"...Prynar?"
"Act ignorant. World's basic mana."
Hand on shoulder.
"Feel, remember Prynar flow now."
Most focus since arrival.
Even vs Yuna, less.
If right, master this—no loss even unbeatable foes.
Lesson mere minutes, felt hours.
Whoosh.
Blaze raced body.
I grasped new world.
This: Prynar.
Mysterious force I unconsciously used.
Recognized—incompletely mastered 'Know Thyself and Know Thy Enemy'.
Huge leap from clueless.
Closed eyes, honed sense.
Long passed? Chief waited silent.
Sense full, opened eyes—convinced.
Won't lose unless final boss-tier.
Then, chief attacked.
Blade halted mid-air same.
“What was that?”
“Fast learner.”
“No, not...”
Chief sheathed, pierced gaze.
“Listen well from now.”
Brief private chat.
Chief had biz; casual goodbye, out.
Down stairs, presence felt.
Frown natural.
"Can't fix that habit? Asita-nim."
"Whoa~ amazing! How'd you know~?"
Shh. Twintail glasses materialized from stealth.
Always flawless. Nearly missed.
"What is it?"
"Hehe. Outsider-nim hunting with me confirmed~ my reward~"
"Reward... from you?"
Doubtful eyes; hand to glasses.
"Show bare face~ special~"
Slowly removed.
...Joking?
Your face worth...
.....
.....
Speechless.
Half-off glasses.
Yet...
Beautiful.
No, stunning.
Vivid near-pink hair flair, twintail cuteness—unique allure.
...Text fails; in-person breathtaking.
Yulis outshone; El/Clarit paled.
Comparable? Goddess Loveheart... no, surpassing.
Loveheart sculpted beauty; this cute with subtle eros—heart-pounding.
✨ ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED! ✨ Beheld supreme beauty! You lucky bastard! Making you happier! HP +1! Alarm barely registered; mesmerized.
Then.
📜 ERO QUEST! 📜 Supreme Cute Beauty Conquest! (She Has a BF? Steal Her! Punish with Your Massive Cock! Fell Her!)
⏰ Accept?
🎁 Conquest Reward: All Stats +10
Eh? What?
Why this quest pushing Netori on me?
But reward sight—gasp inevitable.
[Conquest Reward: All Stats +10]