Chapter 24
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: The Foxkin Who Hates Men (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Was I being too optimistic?
From the very first day I formed a party and explored the Labyrinth, I never imagined I'd clash with other humans and end up killing them with my own hands. Now I understood why Alensia had emphasized techniques for dealing with hostile adventurers during our training.
"We've confirmed the details. The perpetrators will be investigated and punished accordingly. Your actions have been deemed self-defense."
Were those guys planning to kill us? Or were they just after our money and gear? No way to know now. They're dead.
The important part was that even a simple shakedown attempt inside the Labyrinth qualified as justifiable homicide under self-defense.
"Quest item confirmed. Due to beginner training fees, you'll receive only half the reward."
I got five silver coins. It wasn't much for monsters from just the third floor, but since few adventurers hunted them due to the poison, the price was decent enough.
I said goodbye to my temporary party members. The other two took it in stride, but Katie seemed to like me and proposed joining her fixed party.
"A warrior as skilled as you would be welcome."
"Sorry, but I'm planning to go solo or stick with temporary parties for a while..."
Katie's skills were undoubtedly top-notch, and her fury at those thieves made her seem trustworthy. But as a full party member? Not quite.
There was something off about the way she looked at me—a hint of desire that made me refuse in a hurry. Katie licked her lips as she left, looking almost disappointed.
The sun had already set, so I headed straight back to the mansion without stopping elsewhere. It was empty as usual—Alensia must have gone to the Temple again today.
"...Maybe I should grab a drink."
Suddenly, I craved alcohol. Back at the clinic, I'd only had it once a year or so, but tonight, it just felt right.
I changed into casual clothes, pocketed some money, and headed to the commercial district.
Now, where to go? Honestly, I'd never been to a proper tavern since arriving in Labyrinth City. Dwarves probably know the best spots. It was late, but maybe I could ask Miranda.
"Oh? Isn't that Ian?"
"?"
What? Not many people in Labyrinth City know my name.
I turned toward the woman's voice calling my name and saw a familiar face.
Hiss Gray—the catkin I'd met at the clinic. Someone I kind of owed a favor to. She was dressed casually, unlike last time, accompanied by another woman who looked like her companion.
"Who's this?"
"The guy I told you about from the clinic."
"This is him?"
They'd already talked about me? Hiss introduced me to her companion, who seemed to recognize me too.
"............."
So why's she glaring like that?
"I stopped by the clinic after that. Priest Jeffrey said you'd gone off to become an adventurer. Fancy meeting you here."
"Yeah. Just came back from the Labyrinth today."
"Solo?!"
"No, temporary party."
Her tone was as casual and unguarded as ever, chatting me up like we were old friends.
"What brings you here?"
"Ah... I wanted a drink, but I don't know any good places, so I was wandering around."
"Come with us! The spot we're headed to is pretty great!"
Wow, I knew she was friendly and trusting, but this was next level. Inviting a guy to drinks with her friend right there? Her companion looked uncomfortable.
"N-No, it's fine. You have company..."
"It's okay! Right, Lena?"
"..........Yeah."
She didn't look okay at all. Anyone could tell that was just polite refusal.
But that was enough for Hiss. She dragged me off insistently to a place called the Black Anvil. Wait, isn't that a forge? The sign even has an anvil on it!
"Isn't this a blacksmith shop?"
"The owner's a dwarf. That's why everyone says the drinks are good."
I'd assumed from the name it was a smithy, but inside it was a normal tavern. More like an inn? There were stairs to the second floor for lodging.
The dwarf behind the counter spotted us and called out.
"Huh? What's this, you two bringing a customer?"
He seemed on friendly terms with Hiss and the other woman. His casual tone confirmed he was the owner.
"Just an acquaintance. He didn't know any spots, so I brought him."
"Good call. We might not have much else, but our beer is something to brag about."
I never expected one of Labyrinth City's rare dwarves to run a tavern. I'd heard they loved booze, though. It fit the image, I guess—though blacksmith was the first thing that came to mind.
"Mind if I ask something?"
"Shoot."
"Why's the place called the Black Anvil? I thought it was a forge at first."
"Huh? Hammer on the sign means smithy, anvil means tavern. Common sense, right?"
Is that dwarf common sense?
He sighed, like he'd explained it a thousand times.
"Everyone new says the same thing. Had some idiot barge in demanding I forge a sword. Think every dwarf wields a hammer?"
The other dwarf I'd met today was a mage but still carried a hammer. Guess some branch out.
I ordered some meat dishes and beer, then took a corner seat. I was thrown off at first, but dwarf-brewed beer? Worth a shot.
barely sat down when Hiss started peppering me with questions.
How'd I become an adventurer? How far had I gone? What weapon did I use? And so on.
She seemed genuinely excited, so I asked why.
"You're like my junior, right?"
So positive. I gave vague answers—nothing I wanted Hiss stabbing me over—and sipped the beer when it arrived. Damn, this is good. Doesn't lose to anything back on Earth.
"This is my friend Lena. We met when I first came to Labyrinth City, hit it off, and we've partied up for the Labyrinth sometimes since."
The woman who'd been side-eyeing me was named Lena. She was a beastkin too, with animal ears on her head. I'd glimpsed a tail earlier, despite her clothes. Foxkin? Her pupils were slit too.
"I told her about the massage you gave me last time, and she really wanted to meet you!"
"Cough!"
Now I get the glare! I'd glare too if some random guy massaged my friend. And yeah, I had something to hide.
Her story mentioned, Lena—who'd been quietly listening—spoke up in a chilling tone.
"I heard you... massaged Hiss last time?"
"Y-Yeah."
"Hm. Even if it was at a clinic, a man suggesting and touching a woman's body first doesn't sound great. Hiss said nothing unpleasant happened, but... weren't there ulterior motives?"
Of course Lena suspected me. Fine. I hadn't expected anyone but Hiss to hear about it, but I had my excuse ready.
"I get your concern, but it was absolutely not impure intentions."
Lie. Nothing but impure intentions.
"No impure intentions?"
"Right. Before working at the clinic, I was a masseur."
"...A masseur?"
"Yes. I did it professionally once, and that professional spirit kicked in. I even have the Massage skill. With it, I figured I could treat Hiss's symptoms. You know massage is effective post-petrification release, right?"
I didn't have the skill before massaging Hiss—I got it after. Order reversed.
But so what? My Massage is max level with advanced skills. Saying I was a pro masseur first sounds more natural. What're they gonna do, argue with a clinic worker's diagnosis?
Even Alensia assumed I was an ex-masseur when we contracted, since I hid how I got the skill. I just didn't comment.
"That massage felt amazing! High-level masseurs charge a fortune, I hear."
There were masseurs in Labyrinth City—even high adventurers like Alensia used them. For curses like [Curse of Petrification], even after lifting, the body stays stiff, so people went to massage parlors. I learned that later and was shocked. Great excuse if I ran into Hiss again.
"........"
No real counter, so Lena just pouted and kept staring.
Hiss had met the man who massaged her last time. Ian, was it?
Hiss often got cursed, so I'd told her minor ones like lowest-tier could be handled at a clinic instead of the Temple. She'd come back curse-free from one for the tickle curse, sure enough.
Then days later, Hiss got lowest-tier petrification, went to the clinic, and suddenly claimed some guy massaged her?
"What kind of... what kind of guy?"
And he wasn't even a clinic priest—just some employee.
I blew up, of course. Hiss was so trusting, sketchy guys always hit on her. Had to be some perv pulling tricks.
So I went with her next time to check him out, but he'd quit to become an adventurer.
My cute friend said the massage felt good and he didn't grope anywhere weird (she hid the part about getting wet down there), but how could I not worry about a stranger touching her?
I stewed in unease for a week until, heading to eat with Hiss, we ran into him.
Ian? He'd really become an adventurer—cleaned up, but the Labyrinth stench clung, plus a faint whiff of blood. Human blood.
Overheard him say he'd caught thieves... Labyrinth Guild records would confirm later. Harsh world for adventurers—monster or human blood, it stuck. No point grilling him when I'd have it too.
Seizing the chance, I grilled him at drinks. He claimed no lewd intent toward Hiss.
"Before the clinic, I was a masseur."
He said he'd been a pro masseur offering it to treat petrification aftereffects. Fair—people did go to parlors for stiffened bodies post-curse.
Of course, "ex-masseur, no bad intentions" was flimsy. But we had no proof, just suspicion. Nothing to say if he denied it, and Hiss wasn't harmed.
Maybe I was overreacting... but aren't all men the same? Freaking out over touching legs is silly, but he was probably just a perv getting off on women's thighs.
"You said you were a masseur?"
"Yes."
"Then massage me too?"
"...Me, you?"
"I'll pay. You did it for a strange woman at the clinic—won't refuse me?"
I pushed a bit stubbornly.
Could verify if he was really ex-pro and skilled. As a mid-tier adventurer, I'd spot any funny business mid-massage.
Hiss kept wanting another from him. I'd test first. Trustworthy or scumbag?
Obviously the latter.