Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Return
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Return.
After collecting all of Arachne's rewards, I searched for the luggage of those bastards who tried to sic Arachne on us, just in case.
'…If I went through all that trouble, there has to be a reward.'
A few plump bags and some expensive-looking gear.
My body felt heavy, but my steps were light. It felt just like getting off work from school or the office.
'Haven't felt this in ages.'
Before starting this game, I'd been stuck at the company, eating, sleeping, and washing there while obsessing over a project. I couldn't even go home.
Coming home after so long had made me so happy.
"…."
Suddenly, a wave of melancholy hit me.
What if I just hunkered down in this world for good?
As I pondered that, Rosenta sidled up to me.
"…You saw it, didn't you?"
"Saw what?"
"…You definitely saw it."
"I didn't see anything. I don't want to remember anything."
"Urgh…!"
Rosenta's face turned beet red.
But I wasn't going to say a word.
The moment I opened my mouth, suspicion would turn into certainty.
'It's not certainty yet.'
Because I'd pretended to look away right then.
'No need to dig up dirt on someone I like.'
The whole party suited me just fine already.
Not the best of my life, but no one's perfect.
They made quick decisions and stuck by their trust once given.
Ambitious, but not greedy for money—just driven to climb higher.
So.
I didn't want to break up this party.
'Still, no matter how I think about it…'
After that intense fight, no matter how you slice it.
'Self-consolation is a bit…'
I wondered if she wasn't a saintess in the holy sense, but in the "woman" sense.
'No, that's rude.'
Even if Rosenta was the target they tried to toss at it, and even if it happened after the duel ended.
Such thoughts were rude.
Lost in those musings, we'd already reached the path to the second floor.
"What now?"
"Quick march to the inn for a rest day and regroup. Or slow march—which one…?"
"Quick."
"The sticky smell is killing me."
Teresa and Rosenta voted for fast.
Glasses and I didn't care much.
"…We already did some laundry with magic, didn't we?"
"Some. The spiders' blood is still sticky inside."
Rosenta grumbled. Glasses shrugged like there was no helping it and agreed.
I agreed too.
It was a bit gross right now.
"Oh, and about those bastards who tried to toss Arachne at us."
"They had luggage, weapons, armor."
"Anyone need anything?"
"Nothing great."
"I'll take greaves. Mine got smashed fighting Arachne."
"Then take the greaves. This stuff's hard to offload, so grab what you want now."
"That's why we don't want it. Fencing stolen goods is a pain."
"Hmm… Mind if I handle the stolen goods and take a 30% cut?"
Ermé made a money gesture with her fingers.
"Go ahead. Sorry to trouble you. Fees on top of the hassle."
"No biggie."
"Needing cash means you're gearing up for it soon?"
"Of course. That's why I've been grinding hard lately."
Glasses and Ermé shared wicked grins.
What the hell were they up to?
'Don't really want to know.'
Whatever it was, it wouldn't hurt me.
And so we exited the Labyrinth.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "You brought quite the haul."
The first thing we saw outside was Volkan.
As Volkan said, we were loaded down with stuff.
Magic stones spat out by the Arachnes.
Weapons and stones from the Poison Arachnes and the Poison Arachne Queen.
Plus the luggage of those who tried to sic monsters on us.
'Swept it all up nice and clean.'
A strange sense of pride welled up.
"So who'd you fleece this time?"
"Nothing much. Some guys tried gifting our party an Arachne squad."
"Ah, that's why you're all banged up."
"Still usable, though."
"You… no, you especially have the worst luck. Never come back from a Labyrinth run unscathed."
"You remember all that?"
Volkan snorted at my words.
"Can't be your official disciple, but I keep a close eye on you."
A bit touching.
"What about the iron rings I gave you? You were wearing them into the Labyrinth, right?"
"…."
The touching moment vanished.
"Well, your runs always blow up, so you use them to fix it."
"No choice."
"Wipe that smug grin first."
Was I grinning?
I touched my mouth—no grin.
Volkan was smirking.
"…."
"Yeah, yeah, you fell for my tease."
What to do with this childish old man?
They say people get childish with age, and Volkan made it seem true.
"Why are you here?"
"Had something to ask you lot, but looks like your party girls demanded inn baths and beds, so here I am a day later."
"…How do you know that?"
"Heh, you don't get it, but I'm a high-level adventurer. Even the Empire wanted to ennoble me as a duke— that's Volkan for you."
"Huh?"
"What's with the disbelief?"
"Knew it if you're the Sword King."
"You're so transparent."
Volkan laughed at my dumbfounded look.
"Let's go. Got business with you."
Volkan led us. What should've taken ages passed in a blink.
"Hee…."
Ermé beamed brightly.
"Should we make sure Volkan has business with us next time?"
"…."
"This normally takes half a day."
"…Sorry for leaving it to you till now."
"No, if you're that sorry, how about lifetime servitude?"
"That's a bit…."
Ermé looked shocked at my words.
That shocking?
"Enough couple talk. Process your loot and go."
"C-c-c-couple? Too soon, isn't it?"
Ermé spazzed oddly.
Do I disgust her that much?
A little hurtful.
"So, what's up?"
"Well…."
As Volkan opened his mouth, an unpleasant presence hit. A blond man spewing negativity at me.
"You, you lot! What's with those bags?"
"Bags?"
"The ones you just handed to the clerk!"
"What's wrong with these bags?"
"That's the emblem of our Third Light Clan!"
"Oh, this emblem?"
I checked a bag.
Sure enough, three twinkling lights.
"Those bags are our clan's! What did you do to our clanmates?!"
The blond youth bellowed arrogantly. Hostile stares gathered.
If we said we killed them.
'Which we did.'
Hard to say straight.
Some backlash instinct.
"If it's your clan, we're the ones wanting an apology."
"What?"
"They tried siccing monsters on us. Blameworthy in the Labyrinth. They did it casually, so you know without seeing."
"Don't spout nonsense! They wouldn't!"
"Oh, don't worry about that."
"Huh?"
Volkan cut into the sudden argument.
He asked me.
"Did you kill them on purpose?"
"They tried tossing monsters at us."
"They wouldn't!"
"Yeah? Then we're good. Let's get along from now on."
"…Huh? Y-yes, sir."
I scratched my head.
What the hell?
Who'd believe he just took my word?
"V-Vulkan, what do you mean?!"
"He said they tossed monsters."
"That's a lie…!"
"Ho? Lying to me and the guild master?"
"He is. That blond right there."
The guild hall went quiet. A woman appeared.
Golden eyes looking arrogantly at all creation, long red hair.
Like Lucia, but different. If Lucia felt dangerous, this woman was.
'A being that scorns everything.'
That was her aura.
"Sigh."
The guild master sighed long into her pipe.
Volkan quipped from the side.
"Hey, no smoking in the guild."
"…Oh, right. Sorry."
She snuffed it with her fingers.
"…."
Some dumb exchange.
"Anyway, arrest him. He's lying. Shake down the rest."
"…As expected of eyes that discern truth from lies."
Ermé praised. Volkan and the guild master chuckled.
"So it is?"
"Not that great. Made mistakes. These idiots tripped it."
The guild master laughed.
"Anyway, follow me. Got business with you this time."
I followed Volkan. Then the guild master said offhand.
"Pulling this much attention okay?"
"He'll handle it."
"…Heard something weird."
"You heard right. Hogging attention from a woman even the Empire treads lightly around and a man they wanted to duke."
"…."
Figured.
The more I thrashed to survive, the more unnecessary attention from all sides.
Feeling down for no reason.
-Why the gloom? This is an honor.
'Don't want that honor.'
Honestly, no clue how great they were.
Barely heard of them.
Just told they're amazing.
'…Their presence alone is no joke.'
Even with Sword Master watching them.
No blue lines like usual.
And as my level rose and I grew stronger.
'Red lines on me increase.'
Ridiculous.
I'm not weak, but this treatment.
"Not much to ask. Just probing your soul-handling Gift a bit."
"…You told them?"
"Prefer certainty. You're not that type, but our guild master saw you touch souls."
"That dangerous?"
"Yep. 300 years ago, a dangerous guy had a soul-related Gift."
"…Set that aside. Do you have a Gift with 'soul' in the name? Yes or no."
"No. None."
Plunder steals stuff, not souls.
"Well?"
"…Surprisingly true. Seems soul-handling is a side ability."
"Heh, similar to that guy's, but secondary?"
"His was pure soul Gift. This is different. Relieved for now."
"Can I go then?"
"Want to say yes, but probably not."
"Huh?"
"No big deal. You exceeded expectations. Want to reward you."
"Reward?"
"Look at his eyes sparkle."
"Appealing. If gold coins snag him, convenient for us."
The guild master lounged in her chair.
"How much?"
Today, I joined the guild master's side.
"About 10 platinum coins."
Platinum coin = 100 gold.
Ten =
'1,000 gold. About 100 billion won!'
Insane sum.
Could live off it forever.
"…Hmm."
But she frowned, troubled.
Did I ask too much?
As favor dipped.
"Too little for your feats. Five times that to satisfy me."
"My utmost loyalty. Shine your shoes?"
"You little…?"
From today, the guild master's enemies are mine.