Chapter 56
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Monstrosity (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A ring.
Yeah. There had been a ring.
The gold ring we'd sold off at the pawnshop the moment we arrived in Nahark.
The thing Baekrin had ripped off that corpse's wrist.
"A ring, huh..."
Kain opened his mouth heavily.
He stroked his chin beard and asked back with a serious expression.
"Think back carefully. Was there anything on that ring like this epaulet? Some kind of pattern... or letters engraved on it?"
"Well..."
Baekrin furrowed her brow and stared into space.
"I think it was just a plain gold ring."
"You sure?"
"Probably. I fiddled with it pretty often for a few days."
Yeah, that's right.
I remembered her squatting at the bow of the boat, splitting it apart under the sunlight all day long.
She'd done that for days, so if there was anything distinctive, she'd remember.
Only then did Kain let out a sigh of relief.
"Well, if that's the case... we can only hope there's no issue for now."
He said it as if trying to comfort us—and himself.
"If it's just some ordinary accessory, even the Empire wouldn't track down every single one. There are tons of gold rings in the world, and pinpointing whose it was would be damn near impossible."
"True. Unless it had a name tag on it."
I chimed in.
How the hell would we know if it was the princess's, some noble's, or a rich merchant's?
And it was already sold. What now?
Going back to retrieve it would just cause more problems.
With all these ominous rumors swirling, it was best not to leave any traces or records of buying or selling.
"Anyway, it's gone. Forget about it."
Kain cut it off decisively and pulled another item from his pocket.
Thud.
Next to the epaulet lay a sleek dagger wrapped in fine leather.
This was another thing Baekrin had fished up back then.
"The problem is these things we still have."
Kain tapped the dagger.
"Honestly, I was tempted myself. With us barely scraping by, selling this could give us some real coin."
"Did you... get it appraised or something?"
Kain chuckled and shook his head.
"Lucky the rumors reached us quick. I held off 'cause it felt like stepping in a massive pile of shit for a few coppers."
"...Old man, you've still got good instincts."
I gave him a genuine thumbs-up.
If this old coot had shown it to a fence or sold it?
We'd have been packing up for another mass exodus before we knew it.
"Fuck, talk about dodging a bullet."
"Yeah. So these are sealed away—permanently."
Kain bundled up the epaulet and dagger, stuffing them deep into his pack.
"Never show them to anyone. Ever."
Situation sorted.
The ship carrying the Empire's princess vanished, and the Empire's pissed.
We've got what might be relics from that ship.
One sold, two hidden. If we're caught, it'll be a nightmare.
We didn't do shit wrong, but we might get treated like culprits.
Conclusion's simple.
Shut up and play dead.
Live as low-key as possible.
Going out in ragged cloaks, hoods, or masks would just look suspicious.
Better to strut around boldly like we belong here.
Though our crew—me and Baekrin's black hair, the one-armed old geezer, and the regressed brat—does stand out a bit.
"Alright, that's settled."
I clapped my hands and changed the subject.
Princess croaks or Empire invades? That's for the bigwigs to handle.
What really matters is our livelihood going forward.
"So, jobs? Merc registration sorted?"
Kain nodded at my question.
But his face was anything but pleased. Like he'd wiped his ass halfway.
"Checked it out. You or Baekrin registering as mercs? Easy. Prove your skills, use the fake IDs we made."
"But? What's the snag?"
"You're the snag, kid."
Kain's thick finger jabbed at my chest—right over the tightly wrapped bandages.
"Real merc work means heading outside the walls. Hunting monsters, escorts, dungeons."
"Yeah. That's where the jobs are."
Find my lost housecat?
Help clean a filthy shop?
That shit won't cut it in this overpriced hellhole.
To make real money, you gotta go out and see blood.
"But slaves can't leave the city."
"...What?"
What fresh bullshit is this?
Owner takes 'em out, why's the state throwing a fit?
"Too many runaways. They bolt during fights or backstab owners in camp out of spite."
"So? I babysit at home?"
Not even a home.
A stinking, rundown corner room like a whore's gash.
In a rip-off inn where breathing costs 25 silvers a day.
"Nah. There's a way."
Kain scratched his chin.
"Gotta get trained."
"...?"
"Training to prove the slave won't betray the master and obeys perfectly outdoors. Get certified, then you pass the gates."
This shithole kingdom gets dumber the more you peel it back.
Train loyalty? Prove it how?
Brainwashing? Hypnosis? Conditioning?
Any way you slice it, sounds nauseating.
"How long?"
"...A month."
I couldn't believe my ears.
Fuck, basic training or what?
"What kinda bullshit is that?"
"Law's the law."
Kain shrugged.
Paused, then added seriously.
"Point is, I can't decide this alone. Affects all our bread and butter. We discuss—"
"No."
Baekrin's voice cut in sharp before he finished.
"My slave. No training."
She gripped her curved sword.
"Just watch the brat here. Me and old man earn the coin."
Her eyes narrowed coldly.
"..."
I shut up.
Kain scratched his beard awkwardly, glancing at me.
"Baekrin says no. Your take?"
"My take..."
Calculations raced in my head.
Objectively, I'm dead weight in a fight.
Worse physicals than them, no aura.
If we're facing aura-level monsters, what do I do?
Lure? Meat shield? Porter? Odd jobs?
Fits a slave runt like me.
Telling her the retard kid's baggage too? Waste of breath.
And waste a precious month on mystery training?
Time sink, and safety? Dubious.
They won't treat us like flies—owners feel bad if loaned slaves die—but slaves ain't getting VIP treatment.
Might as well stay safe, play househusband.
But money's the issue.
Most problems come from empty pockets.
Merc jobs ain't nine-to-five. Weeks, months depending on gig and distance.
Me and Noy rotting in this dump, breathing 25 silvers a day?
Month's over 7 gold. Plus food? Massive drain.
Better I tag along as baggage, cut costs camping or whatever.
Extra hands mean something, even if worthless.
"My thoughts..."
As I opened my mouth—
"Don't need slave's thoughts."
My owner sliced my words.
"I decide. You follow."
She stared straight at me.
Unyielding stubbornness in those black eyes.
"...Jesus."
Unbelievable.
Barbarian bitch doesn't know democracy.
Dictator through and through.
Kain read the tension, chuckling old-man style to mediate.
"No rush. Think it over. Your back's still messed up anyway."
Perfect timing—Noy whined from my leg.
"Daddy... hungry."
"Always starving, eh? Old man didn't feed ya?"
Kain stood.
"Just in time for grub. I'll grab something downstairs."
He scooped up Noy naturally.
"Huh? Daddy?"
Noy looked at me.
Kain answered.
"Daddy's got stuff to talk about with the pretty big sis here."
Creepy old bastard, timing's impeccable.
"And scout rooms. Can't all cram in this shoebox."
"Another room? Money to burn?"
"Spend when needed. Big room for me, Noy, you. Small one for Baekrin."
Sweet old fifty, looking out for the adult woman.
"Be back."
"Daddy, food!"
Creak, thud.
Kain and Noy left. Door shut.
.....
Silence filled the room again.
Just me and Baekrin.
"......"
"......"
Our gazes tangled in the air.
She looked like she had words,
And I had a mountain to grill her on.
I spoke first, slouched awkwardly.
"You really that against splitting up?"
Baekrin's brow twitched.
"...What bullshit?"
"Just... it's only a month of training."
The vibe I'd felt from her.
"Opposing it like your life depends on it.
Like you'd die without me for even a bit."
"......"
Baekrin didn't deny it.
After a silence,
"You said it yourself."
She spat it cold.
"What?"
"Forever."
She rose from the bed, approaching slowly.
"You said it. Gave yourself whole. Mine. Forever."
"......"
Couldn't argue.
I'd sold my eternal time with my own mouth.
"I know. I remember."
I nodded.
"But we can't be glued 24/7. Reality check. We rich? Money overflowing?"
"......"
"Nah. Scraping for tomorrow's meal.
You do merc work. Gone days, maybe months.
What about me? Rot here burning 25 silvers daily?"
She listened to my rapid-fire logic barrage, lips tight.
She's no fool. Especially on money.
Knows it's brutally practical.
Still, her eyes grumbled.
"So here's the thing."
I met her gaze dead-on.
"Better do the shitty month training,
Then stick to you the rest of the time?"
"......"
"Like I'll die there? Or get sold off.
Your name's branded on my back. Owner: Baekrin."
And,
"Truth? I wanna be by you too."
Straight, no frills.
"Got blue balls, y'know. You only rode once, but fuck it was good.
Wanna stay close, bang whenever."
Dead serious.
I love sex.
No going back to fapping solo.
"Straight up: You're priority one. Got it?"
Her eyes flickered.
But stubborn face held.
"Don't believe you."
"Fuckin' paranoid bitch. What do I gotta do?"
"...Then if I said,"
Baekrin stepped closer.
Her face inches from mine.
"Ditch the brat and old man?"
"...Even Kain?"
"Yeah. Just you and me. Would you?"
Crazy. Yandere?
What's with her sudden?
"Why so childish? Kid stuff?"
"Answer."
"Sigh..."
I ran fingers through hair, sighed.
And,
"If master orders, yeah. I'm a slave."
"......"
"But."
If so,
"I'd lose all drive. Night duties flop,
Food won't go down, I'd waste away. I'm sentimental, soft-hearted guy."
"...Soft my ass."
She snorted.
Good sign.
Face softened a tad.
Momentum time.
"And, don't hate Noy so much. Like her a bit."
"...Why should I?"
"You can't have kids."
Reverse scale hit; her brow twitched.
Didn't stop.
"Adopt her vibe. Like my daughter."
"Why?"
She scowled.
"Didn't birth her."
"My kid."
"...What?"
"Not from my spunk, but still.
If that bugs you, think of her as my minor flaw."
Going full shameless.
"I'm handsome. Big dick."
"......"
"Prime as man or sex slave.
One or two blemishes on a gem? Fine."
No returns, btw.
She stared blankly at my cheeky sophistry.
Then,
"Pfft... Handsome? You're a monstrosity."
Burst laughing,
Ice face shattered.
"Hey bitch, sensitive on that word."
"Fits perfect. What's to be sensitive about?"
Salt in wounds she knows hurt.
Utter bitch.
She shook her head, sighed deep.
"...Do what you want."
"Sweet. Decided."
Deal sealed.
Best persuasion: Skip bullshit, leverage pretty face, whine openly.
Truth and heart always win.
"Yeah. Even if you miss me crazy, endure one month.
I'll serve till you're sick of it after."
I grinned, stood.
Thud.
Her hand pinned my shoulder hard.
"...?"
Forced back to bed.
"What now?"
"...One month."
Baekrin murmured low.
"Can't see you that long."
"Yeah, just one."
"Not 'just'. A whole month."
Shoved me hard, flipped me back.
Head hit sheets.
"Can't do it then."
"Do what?"
No answer.
Hand to my pant waist.
...Huh?
Horny? Sudden?
"Bitch, wasn't in the mood earlier."
"...Am now."
"What if old man walks in—"
"Shut up."
Straddled me,
Sealed my mouth with hers.
What the hell is she?
Begs off ironclad, then flips feral.
Slipping.
Pants half-off already.
Women’s moods a mystery.
Summer shower fickle?
Or bipolar bitch.
Whatever. I'm good.
Ah, sex.
.....