Chapter 12. Escape (2)
After an awkward dinner, I headed back to my room.
As soon as I laid my head on the modest pillow, I passed out like the dead.
I'd been through so much in such a short time that the fatigue had really piled up.
"Ugh. Sleep really is the best medicine."
Had I slept so deeply I didn't even dream?
I felt refreshed all over my body.
Sitting on the edge of the bed in a daze, an alarm rang from the ceiling.
Who invented magical devices like that?
The urgent signal to get ready had me dragging my heavy feet.
"Oh right. You caused that mess last time, so help me out a bit."
As I stepped out, the mild-mannered guy I'd run into greeted me like he'd been waiting.
It came out of nowhere, but his uneasy expression made me nod slightly.
It had been my fault from the start, after all.
"Ah. Sure."
"Do a good job and you'll make a ton. Building a reputation is key anyway."
He puffed up like he was sharing some grand secret.
Why help me when I might screw up like last time?
It felt off, but I decided to take it as kindness.
"Hurry. Come on, let's go."
"Is it okay to head out like this right now?"
"Yeah. Everyone's heading to work."
He seemed rushed, but he wasn't wrong.
Men all dolled up were heading to the brothel through the underground exit.
"Hey. Where are you two off to?"
The prickly guy who'd spotted us came over.
I was inwardly surprised.
"Ah. Bro, we're heading to work."
"Oh~ Yeah?"
The mild-mannered guy grinned sheepishly.
The prickly guy, sipping juice with a sour look, smirked like he'd expected it.
"Yeah. Good to see you working hard. Gotta make that money. Money."
"Of course. You look amazing today too."
After the flattery, the mild-mannered guy muttered softly.
He probably didn't mean for me to hear, but I did.
"I hate that bastard and this one too."
Am I one of those bastards?
We headed straight to the brothel.
Normally, they used scheduled carriages for commuting at set times.
"I hate traveling in crowds. And I'm not even that high-level."
But it surprised me that he paid extra to go separately.
He dragged me quickly inside and shoved me into a room.
"Good luck."
His voice grated on my nerves.
I turned slowly.
The room was narrower and sleazier than the last one.
A human figure lay on the small attached bed.
On the border between auntie and grandma.
Her worn dress looked ragged.
Was she really a customer here?
It felt rude, but she looked like a homeless person they'd dragged in.
This was the most popular brothel around, so I doubted it.
She didn't look like a noble lady or matron.
But I had no time for such thoughts.
"You're the new Hyun, huh? Hiya~. So handsome. Why didn't they call someone like you sooner?"
"…Ah. Yeah."
"Why so stiff? I'm not that old."
"…Ah. Yeah."
She's around my mom's age.
That's generous. Honestly, older.
"Hmm."
No wonder the mild-mannered guy's face kept twisting.
Maybe that's why he frowned yesterday and threw me to the wolves.
"Haa. I like you so much. Yeah. After all the money I've spent here. Lost my house, husband ran off. I deserve this treatment."
Ah.
She came closer.
No booze smell, but her face and neck wrinkles were now in detail.
A sour sweat stench stabbed my nose.
Like fishy body odor. Had she not bathed for months, not days?
"Hehe."
Every flare of her nostrils smelled like fermented soybean paste.
No. It did.
Did they not brush teeth here? No way.
She opened her mouth wide, demanding a kiss.
I could peer inside like a cave, seeing her tongue.
Covered in plaque. No. Impossible.
"Um, did you brush your teeth?"
"I did. Why? Smell?"
Yeah.
She chugged the liquor from the mini table.
One-shot, then beamed.
"There~ Disinfected. Good now? Let's go."
"……."
I'd learned my lesson. No more mistakes.
Even as boss, no one hires a worker after two major screw-ups.
I had to prove my worth here.
How did she interpret my stillness?
Her rough tongue invaded my mouth.
I had to endure.
After a few seconds, I finally pulled my head back.
Why did I suddenly respect those adult film actors I'd seen?
Her coarse fingers headed for my pants.
No. Not that.
"Ah. Not that yet."
"Shy? Cute. Women have to lead in these things."
No need at all.
Her dress jiggled, caught on her belly fat.
My stomach churned too.
That Ortini princess was a fairy goddess. I almost felt sorry for her.
Suddenly excited, she let out a grotesque moan.
She even tried to lift her skirt hem.
No. Stop!!
A stench hit my nose instantly.
Like rotting food waste or vinegar. Indescribable.
If air purifiers existed here, it'd be going haywire.
No vent window in this room. To prevent escapes.
"Ugh."
"Yeah?"
Sorry to the one gazing lovingly at my face.
"Urk—"
I vomited.
The dim cave was damp and unsettlingly humid.
"Hey~. Is Her Highness the Crown Princess doing okay?"
"Mind your own business."
Eili's teasing drew a bored reply from Elina.
But their empty banter didn't last.
"Kreek?! Kreuk!!"
A green monster charged.
Child-sized, scrawny build. Ugly humanoid looks, but savage actions.
Green Imp.
Goblin.
"Haat!"
Yu Inna charged with a kiai, swinging her sword.
True to the Holy Sword, it flashed bright, splattering red blood.
"Ignite, flames. Red light that annihilates foes! foes!"
Sienna's fireball shot straight ahead.
The intense blaze would pursue until they were ash.
Boom—!!
Goblins burst into flames amid the explosion.
Their eerie shrieks chilled the air.
"Kreek. Kreuk!"
"Kreek!!!"
Survivors leaped out everywhere, furious at lost comrades, swinging daggers and spears.
"Kyaa!!"
A trap's metal grazed Yu Inna's forearm.
The burning pain made her scream unwittingly.
As a goblin lunged.
"Where's your focus, Hero."
Elina shielded her with a large shield.
Yu Inna gritted her teeth at the unexpected aid.
"Radiant light. God's grace. Show us a miracle!"
Lyla's spell neatly healed Yu Inna's wound.
The surrounding goblins were swiftly exterminated.
The Hero's Party pressed deeper into the cave.
The deeper they went, the more uneasy the vibe and smell grew.
"…What is this?"
"No way. Unbelievable. They're alive?"
"…Not unexpected, but horrific."
"……."
The party stared in horror.
Yu Inna especially couldn't believe it.
Goblins mounted naked men.
Floor littered with torn rags unfit even for rags.
Dried mystery fluids as bonus.
"Pl-please. Kill me."
"…Please. Please."
"No more. I can't."
"Someone. Anyone."
Even lewd-joking Eili grimaced.
The gruesome scene froze their bodies.
Thud. Thud.
Elina approached.
The lust-mad goblin kept thrusting, oblivious.
Slash—!
Elina squeezed her eyes shut.
The goblin's body went limp.
"Thank you for saving our village's men. How can we repay this grace."
"Hero and party, truly grateful. It's a miracle to us."
The village chief teared up, mumbling thanks.
Village women bowed as one.
Without the village's plight, they wouldn't have taken the quest.
But food and lodging made it worthwhile.
"No need. It was our duty."
Sienna answered for the frozen Elina and Yu Inna.
Ironically, noble-born Elina was more shocked than Yu Inna.
It tormented her psychologically.
She'd witnessed the brutal reality her subjects endured.
Yu Inna slowly turned.
Robed village men's eyes revealed nothing.
Their unfocused pupils shook.
Recovery would take time.
One woman stood out, sobbing as she clutched a rescued man.
"Hic. Darling. My love. Sorry. Couldn't protect you. I'm the sinner. Me."
Yu Inna thought watching her.
Ahh. Good thing that man isn't Seonghyun. If it was. I—
A strange relief welled up.
Selfish, but unavoidable.
"Then we'll be off."
"Hero!!"
The embracing woman suddenly screamed for the Hero and charged.
Yu Inna turned to face her.
The woman's eyes burned with rage and grief.
Her teeth chattered. The village maiden was covered in scars too.
"Are all the goblins dead?"
"…Every last one."
The woman forced a smile through tears.
"Really. Thank you so much."
She smiled.
The Hero's Party moved on.
Just a rest. Just resting now.
They had to advance to subjugate the Demon King.