Chapter 105
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 105
Chapter Title: Tournament
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"P-Please... take care on your way out, sir."
The server guided me out, staring at me like I was some kind of monster, though a hint of respect flickered in his eyes. Clutching my trembling legs, I barely managed to step outside the brothel.
'Hah... huff... I really overdid it.'
Thanks to the effects of my [Regeneration] skill, even my dick had recovered quickly, but even I had been through an intense orgy that left my mind reeling.
Of course, the payoff had been sweet.
-[Magic Detection lv. 3], [Body Technique lv. 3], [Leap lv. 3], [Sprint lv. 3], [Flexibility lv. 3], [Trap Installation lv. 3]...
All the skills I'd acquired but rarely used in real combat due to their mediocre performance—stuck at level 1 or 2—had risen to level 3. And that wasn't all.
-[High-Speed Thinking lv. 1], [Sixth Sense lv. 1]
I'd even picked up new skills. Apparently, [High-Speed Thinking] came from that woman who'd once been at the Magic Tower, and [Sixth Sense] from the beastkin girl.
'I did blow through more than 20 gold coins, though...'
Honestly, I wanted to chug potions and endure, holding even more whores, but I'd run out of money. Well, I had a little left...
'The efficiency drops off.'
The skills leveled up by banging whores all stopped at level 3. And my existing skills above level 4 didn't budge at all.
As if level 3 was the limit for experience gained from them.
'Still, it was a good haul.'
It wasn't just skill levels rising and new skills gained—I'd also gotten info on the [Lust Absorption] skill itself.
'Adventurer.'
Inside the brothel, besides former adventurers who'd delved the Labyrinth, there were plenty of women who'd drifted in from outside the city. From them, I only got dust-level experience, same as before.
On the other hand, women who'd been adventurers gave meaningful amounts.
'Adventurers. Especially those who've gone deeper into the Labyrinth. And recent retirees are even more efficient.'
I'd slept with two who'd only reached the 10th floor. The one retired for 2 years gave less experience than the one retired for just 1 year. I really wanted to call for an adventurer who'd hit the 20th floor, but sadly, she wasn't available right now.
'It has to be connected to the Labyrinth somehow.'
A long time ago, during beginner training with Alensia, I'd heard adventurers get more experience in the Labyrinth. That made me wonder if the Labyrinth and [Lust Absorption] had something in common.
I'd dismissed it as random nonsense, but now...
'No clue. I'll have to save up more and try other brothels later.'
The sample size was too small to judge now, so I dragged my shaky legs back to the mansion. Whew, not setting foot in a brothel for a while...
'Gotta earn some money in the meantime.'
...Not really. I'm just short on cash.
"...Ian. Aren't you pushing yourself too hard lately?"
As usual, sparring with Alensia in the morning, she spoke up with a worried look.
"Pushing myself?"
"You've been diving into the Labyrinth nonstop without proper rest lately. Normally, you'd take 2-3 days off after a run. But now you're heading back in without even a full day."
Is that so?
I scratched my head at Alensia's question, reviewing my recent routine.
The day I got good results from [Lust Absorption] at the brothel, I blew most of my cash. So lately, instead of pushing deeper, I'd focused on farming money...
'About 15 gold coins saved up?'
Going solo without a party actually let me save faster than expected. Alensia's healing cycle had lengthened, so no healing fees lately, yet I'd still built up a decent pile.
"Well, I need to save up for something."
"Hm? Short on money? If so, I can—"
"No, no. I'm good."
Of course, as her healer, I'm already getting plenty from Alensia... but saving for the brothel and taking her money feels kinda off...
'I'll save what I can, and if it doesn't cut it, then I'll ask.'
Not like I won't take any at all. I'll earn what I can on my own first, and beg if I must.
...Am I sounding like a total sugar baby?
"Something you need money for... Does that mean you're planning to enter the tournament?"
"Tournament? Oh, yeah, everyone's been talking about it lately."
Tournament.
An event where Labyrinth City's adventurers fight in an arena protected by barrier magic.
Held every 5 years, a tradition unique to the city, right?
"I haven't paid much attention... Think I should join?"
"It'd be good experience. A safe chance to gain combat experience against other adventurers."
Honestly, it didn't appeal much... From what I'd heard, poison's banned, so no [Poison Arts]. Crowds mean sealing [Sensory Block].
Masks or aliases are allowed, at least...
"The grand prize is substantial too, so I recommend entering."
"Huh, do you know what it is? They said it's secret until the finals."
The prize hadn't been revealed, so I hadn't been motivated.
"Not exactly. But judging by past tournaments, it'll be impressive."
"What were the past prizes?"
"Hm, for example: solid mithril armor, an elixir from the World Tree's fruit, or even a skill stone once."
...Insane. Solid mithril armor's worth several platinum coins. World Tree elixir's rare even for the rich. A skill stone? That's next-level crazy.
Just look how useful [Regeneration] from my skill stone has been...
"What do you think? Feeling up for it now?"
"Tsk..."
Honestly, it tempts me a ton. Lately, just doing quests isn't cutting it for saving. High-paying ones fill up fast, and Labyrinth runs burn through consumables...
Prize money's on the line too, so yeah, it's tempting... Hm?
-Vmmm. Vmmm.
"Hold on. Got a message."
While mulling over the tournament, a purple crystal orb popped out of my inventory on its own, glowing.
I'm ready for the next lesson.
'...?'
Oh, right. I'm technically this woman's disciple.
For now, nominally, I'm Vivian's disciple. I'd agreed to her teachings on 'mana' and all.
But actual teaching? Just enduring on that weird magic circle last time. Sure, my mana-related skills grew overall...
"I told you: [Mana Breathing] must never falter, no matter the stance."
"Guh... kuh..."
Right now, weighed down by some bizarre contraption, I'm 'sparring' with a wooden puppet Vivian summoned... or rather, getting one-sidedly beaten.
-Whoosh!
The puppet swings its club at me. My trained body could react, dodge, or parry it easily. But...
-Clank!
"Ngh..."
-Crack!
The moment I try to move, magitech restraints all over my body tighten in unison, hindering me. Desperately juggling [Mana Breathing] and [Mana Manipulation], I circulate mana through my body and infuse it everywhere. The restraints accept the mana and loosen, freeing my body—but too late. The club already crashes onto my head.
"Reacting after seeing it is too slow. Always keep mana infused in your body."
"But that's easier said... guh!"
-Crack!
When Vivian called me for 'training,' I expected something like last time on the magic circle, or maybe seated meditation teaching mana control.
-Crack!
"Argh, damn it!"
I fail to release the restraints in time again, and the club slams down on my head.
No idea what it's made of, but even with [Physical Resistance] making my body tough, it hurts like hell—and blood streams from my forehead.
'Whew... one more time.'
Using [Mana Breathing] to draw in mana, guiding it with [Mana Manipulation], I maintain breathing to keep pulling in ambient mana, sustaining body reinforcement.
Using ambient mana itself, not internal reserves, to maintain without depleting my own...
Focusing on mana flow, spreading it evenly through my body—a brain-melting task, but...
[High-Speed Thinking lv. 1]
Increases the speed of thought.
My new skill assists my thinking. Tuning the mana flow gets easier, and the restraints start releasing one by one...
"Planning to enter the tournament by any chance?"
"Still thinking ab—guh!"
-Crack!
Mid-focus, Vivian's question makes me answer absentmindedly. [Mana Breathing] falters, and the club crashes down again.
"Even when speaking, [Mana Breathing] mustn't falter."
"Gahhh..."
Pain in my head makes me groan, disrupting [Mana Breathing] again. Restraints tighten, and the club pummeling resumes.
I was so close... damn it.
In the end, covered in ugly bruises, I take a short break, waiting for [Regeneration] to heal me, finally able to talk properly with Vivian.
"Anyway... what was that earlier? Tournament?"
"Yes. You're an adventurer, so aren't you interested?"
Alensia brought it up too, and now Vivian? Didn't expect that.
"Well, I'm mulling it over... but the prize is unknown... Oh, as my master, don't you know what it is?"
"Can't tell you that."
Figures. Fairness aside, Vivian's personality wouldn't allow it.
"Still, personally, I recommend entering."
"Really?"
Alensia said it'd be good too... That big a deal?
Hm... gotta think it over.
Heard you get 50 gold just for quarterfinals. Winning's tough, but quarters? Manageable maybe. Need cash anyway—if I hit quarterfinals or better...
"In your opinion, how far could I go if I entered?"
"I think you could reach the finals."
...That far?
Tsk... now it's really tempting. Vivian with her [Magic Eye] gauges my strength best. If she says that...
"Well, if you put it like that... I'll probably enter."
"Good thinking."
Break's ending, so I strap the restraints back on myself. Tournament's for later.
For now, keep training [Mana Breathing].
"Right. If you win the tournament, I'll grant you one request."
"Pardon? What do you mean by—"
-Crack!
"Guh!"
"Focus only on the lesson during class."
She brought it up first!