Chapter 75
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Women's World, Round 1
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"Ugh..."
I rubbed my eyes and slowly sat up. Where am I? Who am I?
As my foggy mind cleared, the surroundings came into view.
'This is...'
A lavish Oriental space straight out of some historical drama.
Round tables lined a grand hall, with groups of people here and there enjoying drinks and meals.
The room was adorned with vibrant red silk and stone carvings resembling mythical guardian beasts.
Through the wide-open windows stretched a stunning view of a serene lake. It looked like a high-end inn.
But one thing set it apart from a typical martial world: there seemed to be an unusually high number of female martial artists.
No, almost everyone wearing combat robes with swords at their waists was a woman.
I'd always thought martial artists were mostly men... but in this parallel world called Women's World, that wasn't so strange.
Leaning against the stair railing, I checked myself out.
No mirror, so I couldn't see the full picture, but I was dressed in neatly fitted clothes, holding a tray in one hand.
A tray? Wait, am I a waiter—an errand boy—at this inn? This was a first.
As I scanned the room, gathering info on this new world—
"Hey! Snap out of it! Orders are waiting!"
Thwack—
A gruff voice rang out from somewhere, followed by a sharp smack on my back.
A rough-looking man, probably the innkeeper or manager.
I jolted to attention and bowed my head in apology.
"S-sorry."
"Go take the order, now!"
"Yes, sir!"
At his command, I hurried toward the table where a customer was waving me over.
'Damn. Suddenly an errand boy.'
Well... better than starting chained in a prisoner cart to the Demon King's castle, or wandering a cyberpunk city like a beggar.
The issue was whether I could adapt to this waiter gig.
"Ready for your orders."
At the table sat three female martial artists.
Even through their light armor, their figures were striking, and their faces were beautiful. Sword-trained tough big sisters. For some reason, it reminded me of Joo-young.
One of them waved at me and placed her order.
"The usual."
"!"
The toughest order for me. How was I supposed to know their usual?
No choice but to ask.
"Uh... what exactly is that? Could you tell me?"
"What? You don't remember us, kid?"
Damn. It came to this. I scratched my head, scrambling for an excuse.
"Sorry. I... hit my head a couple days ago. Memory's fuzzy."
"...Lame excuse."
"I-It's true. Please believe me."
I clasped my hands and begged. With a reluctant sigh, she gave in with a cold tone.
"...Three bottles of Bamboo Leaf Liquor, spiced pork skewers, two plates of dumplings."
"Y-yes, got it."
I bowed quickly and bolted from the table.
What now? Feels like I've rubbed them the wrong way. I can feel their glares from afar.
Regular customers, pissed that I forgot. But what can I do? I really don't know.
'But... where's the kitchen? The counter? Where do I relay the order?'
Clutching the order, I wandered aimlessly.
Then, suddenly, my head spun.
'Whoa...'
I staggered, leaning against the wall.
The hall buzzed with rowdy chatter. Gaudy decorations assaulted the senses. Orders boomed from everywhere.
In the chaos, a panic attack hit—like everything closed in. My hands and feet went cold, my body shivering uncontrollably.
"Hoo... hoo..."
Body feels off... and why's it so cold all of a sudden?
As I stood there, steadying my breath—
"Hey, what's your deal today? Wanna die?"
That scary voice snapped me alert, followed by a stinging slap on my cheek.
Dazed, I clutched my burning face and looked up.
The same rough-faced man glared at me, eyes bulging.
"S-sorry."
"I picked your starving ass off the street. Fuck. You wanna croak?"
"..."
The burly guy barked in my face.
But his words barely registered.
Everything but me faded into the distance, my mind sinking into a haze.
My head felt empty, body trembling all over.
I... think I'm sick.
Then—
"Heeey, boss. That's enough~ People'll hear."
A playful voice cut in, and warm hands wrapped around my shoulders. I snapped back to reality.
The boss toned it down a bit toward the girl holding me.
"Seoyul... where've you been?"
"Where else~? To the butcher. Meat was low. Got a ton, so relax."
"...Tch. Fine. Anyway, manage these little shits better."
"Sure sure~ Don't worry. I'll handle it."
The woman called Seoyul placed her hands on both my shoulders and gently pushed me forward, leading me somewhere.
"Wanna step away and chat?"
We slipped out of the crowded hall into a quieter corridor—staff only, it seemed.
"Haa... haa..."
Escaping the bustle brought some calm.
Seoyul stopped in the hall, squatting to meet my eyes.
"You okay? Hurt anywhere?"
She gently touched my swollen red cheek. I took in the woman before me.
Sparkling red eyes. Playful yet cute face. Brown twin tails tied with a red ribbon, hanging down—oshage style.
A cheerful, bright girl. She worked at the inn too, but higher up. Even the boss treaded lightly.
"Y-yeah..."
I averted her gaze slightly as I answered.
Her slightly parted clothes revealed tantalizing thighs.
Though... something between her legs? Maybe a dagger in her pocket.
Even as I ogled rudely, Seoyul comforted me.
"Don't sweat the slap. Boss is a prick, always has been. But what happened?"
"W-well..."
I gave a rough rundown: the recent fiasco, my memory loss.
Best to be honest in these spots. Any lame lie would backfire.
Plus, this Seoyul sis seemed like she'd listen.
After hearing me out, she narrowed her eyes.
"...Not faking it, right?"
"N-no... really. Body feels bad too."
"Got it. Head back and rest. I'll check on you after shift."
"Thanks... Seoyul sis."
"Know where your room is?"
"N-no."
"Guess I'll show you. Follow me."
"Th-thanks."
I trailed her to a dingy, cramped room—errand boys' quarters.
"Rest here. Got it?"
"Yeah."
Click—
Seoyul left, and I lay on the hard pallet.
Not just my imagination—condition was crap, body numb.
Dropped into a martial world and suffering like this.
On top of feeling sick, that ugly boss slapped me. In my real body, I'd drop him in a second. Getting smacked by trash like that? More infuriating than painful—my own powerlessness.
But what could I do? This body's strength was near zero. Only good for seducing women.
'Dangerous.'
Murim was survival of the fittest.
Weak civilians like me had it rough. Only way to survive: seduce a strong woman for protection.
'But... not sure it'll be that easy.'
Erzebet's favor in the Demon King's castle? Pure luck. Cyberpunk lab protection? Same.
I didn't hustle or prove shit. Just went with the flow and scored somehow.
'Maybe just chill.'
Won't die anyway. App and traits auto-recall me from lethal threats.
Humiliation, shame, pain—sure. Death? No.
As long as I don't die, whatever. Back to my real body in the real world regardless.
I curled up on the unfamiliar pallet, thoughts swirling, and closed my eyes.
Anxious and conflicted, but slow breaths brought gradual peace.
I drifted off.
*
How much time passed?
In my drowsy haze, someone opened the door.
I rubbed my eyes and sat up.
"Sis... you here?"
Figured Seoyul finished work.
But it wasn't her.
"This the one?"
No soft playfulness—instead, a sharp, icy voice dripping cold.
"Yes, Alliance Leader."
I slowly looked up at the voice's owner. A woman in pristine white robes. Face veiled in silk, but her silhouette screamed beauty.
Click—
She lifted my chin with a fan-like object.
"Eek."
She turned my face every which way, inspecting closely.
Then snatched my wrist, checking my pulse.
Thump—
Her delicate jade hand probed my meridians briefly before releasing.
"Indeed. Extreme Yin Body."
She gestured, and her guard pulled a pouch from his robes.
Jingle—
The innkeeper—that ugly slapper—took the heavy pouch, bowing deeply.
"Thank you, thank you."
"Keep this buried forever."
"Of course, Alliance Leader. Heh."
"!"
From the looks, that bastard sold me out.
"Pack him up."
"Yes, Alliance Leader."
"W-wait!"
Before I could react, the guard bundled me in the blanket like a sack and slung me over his shoulder, heading out.
Yeah. Kidnapped again.