Chapter 73
Chapter 73
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: The Polite Beastkin
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Beastkin.
The beastkin race.
When it came to that race, everyone had different opinions.
"Wild creatures. Put it nicely, and that's it; put it harshly, and they're just barbarians. Kind of like orcs."
That was Ermé's take.
"We value bravery, honor, and camaraderie. But those guys? Selfish to the core. If humans hadn't been around, they'd still be scattered tribes with no unity."
That was Volkan's opinion.
I hadn't looked into the beastkin for any special reason.
I'd encountered every other race at least once, but not them.
Anyway, that was the general consensus from others.
Barbaric. Feral.
Other races followed their instincts too, but beastkin took it to another level.
So even if they came off as rude, it might actually be their idea of politeness.
'...But.'
Why is this one so polite?
I stared at the beastkin woman who'd introduced herself as Cheong Yurang.
Her tail had been wagging nonstop since we met, her ears perked straight up.
Her face flushed red as she listened intently to every word I said.
"...So why exactly did you come here?"
"She says she wants to entrust you with a commission..."
Volkan eyed me and Cheong Yurang back and forth, his tone dripping with annoyance.
"No way this is the same kid."
"This humble one wouldn't know, sire."
"You don't talk like that."
Volkan's face hardened at her words, his voice trembling with irritation.
But Cheong Yurang just blinked innocently and turned to me.
"So, what brings you here?"
"Hee hee, well, that is..."
Cheong Yurang stammered at my question, sweat beading on her forehead.
"Why can't you just spit it out?"
"I-it's just..."
"This fool was supposed to take the commission herself, but it's dangerous, so now she's panicking. What a sight."
"Wh-what are you talking about?!"
Cheong Yurang panicked at Volkan's words.
Was it really that dangerous?
Maybe she was trying to drag me into some trap.
I gave her a cold look, and she frantically shook her head.
"It's not like that. Not dangerous at all."
"Not dangerous, huh? Then why call in a hero candidate?"
"Mind your own business, would you?"
"If it wasn't about chasing tail, maybe."
Volkan grinned wickedly.
Cheong Yurang shot him a murderous glare, then softened as she turned back to me with warm eyes.
"A-anyway, the commission I have is nothing special."
"Liar, liar~ You're staking Dragon Vein Crystal Water, which only grows in the beastkin holy land of the Dragon Veins?"
They say people get childish with age, and seeing Volkan tease Cheong Yurang—who looked about my age—proved it.
'I won't end up like that.'
I resolved firmly, only for Volkan to shoot me a sour glance.
"What're you thinking to make a face like that?"
"Nothing much. Just that I don't want to grow old like you, Volkan."
"..."
He knew he'd been acting petty, so Volkan looked sheepish.
"If my behavior bugs you, get stronger yourself."
"..."
Cheong Yurang, who'd been watching our banter, suddenly chimed in.
"To think you're chatting like that with the Sword King... You two must be close."
"Don't say creepy stuff like that..."
"This punk?"
"Ahem, is that so? N-no, indeed, sire?"
"Speak casually. You look about my age anyway."
"R-really? Ahem, if that's more comfortable for you, then no choice."
Cheong Yurang cleared her throat, visibly delighted.
I hadn't said anything like that.
'But still.'
She didn't match the image I'd had.
I'd pictured someone rougher, more selfish, more... something.
'She's way easier to talk to than expected?'
She was accommodating me, sure.
But even setting that aside, weren't beastkin just more honest about their instincts?
"That's the look of someone thinking that."
"Why assume what I'm thinking?"
"To correct you before you get the wrong idea. Beastkin are usually..."
Cheong Yurang swiftly clamped a hand over Volkan's mouth and turned to me.
"Let's talk about your commission."
"So, what's the job?"
"I'd like you to come with me to the Labyrinth."
"The Labyrinth?"
"Yes. No worries about party members. We're cleared to dive to the 15th floor."
"The party's solid this time."
"Then why me?"
That puzzled me.
Beastkin were a sensory specialist race.
Great at spotting enemies, stealth, treasure hunting, finding hidden rooms—not to mention top-tier combat, flexible for front or back line.
'Do they really need to squeeze in an extra party member?'
Clans ran multiple parties together, sure.
'Deeper floors make every person count.'
And targeting the lower levels of a human-populated Labyrinth? Suspicious.
"Well, beastkin don't usually need a rogue, but you're a different story, aren't you?"
"How am I different...?"
That's when I remembered the Green Bone Horse. And the Dark Knight.
'...Soul-related monsters.'
Logically, there had to be more.
That explained why they wanted me.
'Other people might struggle.'
I stole their souls and crushed them outright.
Could others do that?
The guild master and Volkan had freaked out when souls came up.
When the Adventurer's Guild wielded peak power, the darkest chapter in its history was born from soul-related entities.
'...With humans in the Labyrinth, soul stuff showing up...'
It wasn't a stretch for other races to take interest.
"Looks like you've guessed it."
"...If that's it, sure."
"You're the exception. Those things aren't easy to kill normally."
"Just like he says... We've killed them over and over, but they keep devouring other souls to revive."
"We should've banned the Labyrinth and urged caution, but..."
Volkan trailed off with an unspoken: With you here, it's different.
I pondered for a moment.
With clan setup keeping me busy, Labyrinth dives were on hold anyway.
'I could squeeze in minor runs.'
But scouting lower floors now wasn't a bad idea.
"Hee hee, no need to worry. Even if something happens, this humble one can support you for life."
Cheong Yurang gazed at me dreamily.
"Nah, with him? He might end up supporting you."
"Wh-what?!"
"Not quite. Spent a chunk on a house and gear recently."
"Oh yeah, you dabbled in alchemy too, right?"
Volkan eyed me curiously, his face saying: Where'd this guy come from?
'I'm scamming a bit.'
Unlike others, I gained gifts and skills on level-up.
Plus quest rewards.
Sheer count? I might outnumber even Volkan.
'Definitely.'
Anyway.
I turned to Cheong Yurang.
The moment I did, her ears perked up, eyes anxious.
"The reward?"
"Dragon Vein Crystal Water. Plus ten platinum coins. Or an equivalent spirit elixir."
"I'll take the latter."
"...!"
Perfect. My Lightning Duke circuit was starving for mana anyway.
"When do we leave?"
"Right now."
"Isn't that too rushed? Tomorrow's fine."
"..."
Volkan gave Cheong Yurang an incredulous look.
"Weren't you the one rushing like it was urgent...?"
"Haste makes waste."
"When I said that, you claimed it wasn't just urgent...?"
"Ahem."
Cheong Yurang coughed awkwardly at Volkan's jab.
I quickly cut in before he actually folded her in half.
'Can't lose my reward over that.'
"Let's get going, then."
And so, I headed to the beastkin homeland.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Dangerous.
Cheong Yurang thought. She'd come to meet the man herself for the commission, but he was even more...
'Dangerous.'
Not in a bad way.
Literally her type, to a fault.
'Of all the...'
She'd even roasted Volkan on the way, burning through resources and souring her mood.
She'd planned to assert dominance from the start, flash her lineage to make him bow.
"..."
But the moment she saw him, words failed her.
She intended to be polite—at least. He was the Sword King's disciple, after all.
Her own mentor wouldn't bend easily, so a little power play, like always.
All those plans vanished.
"...?"
Han Yuseong looked at her curiously. Every glance made her shiver.
"Feeling unwell?"
"N-no, I'm fine."
Being this close was too much.
Way too dangerous.
As that thought crossed her mind, another followed.
'It's not time for that yet.'
The beastkin mating season.
It wasn't due, but just having him nearby felt more intense than that.
She'd never been with a male. Top beastkin rarely did.
Males died each time, so females had to restrain themselves.
"So, where are we headed?"
"Th-the Dragon Veins. The beastkin holy land—and near the Labyrinth."
"Got it."
"A-and when addressing me, call me Yurang."
"Yurang? Sure, whatever."
Cheong Yurang trembled with delight at her name on his lips.
'What do I do, what do I do.'
And with that, a new thought bloomed.
"What sword styles do beastkin use?"
"Th-this humble one wields orthodox beastkin swordsmanship. You couldn't learn it, of course, but I could teach you..."
"Oh, thanks. Maybe later."
"Rumors can't be trusted. So enthusiastic. A-any hobbies?"
"Hobbies? No attendants around here?"
"Need one? Don't worry, this humble one can handle that... even night duties if required."
"Haha, no need for that."
"R-right? You're so diligent!"
The conversation never lagged.
What should've been a boring trip flew by in bliss for Cheong Yurang.
'...With this man.'
She thought.
No male had ever caught her eye before.
But this one.
This existence.
'I'd bear his children.'
Meanwhile, Han Yuseong reflected.
'Ermé got one wrong for once.'
Her intel was usually spot-on, but not perfect.
'Where's the barbaric part?'
You had to meet people to really know them.