Level Up (2)
Level Up (2)
The Saintess's request was an absurd one.
Find the black-haired man?
Considering how many humans, beastkin, elves, dwarves, and other races flock to this land, it was as hard as finding a needle in a desert or Charles in the capital.
However, with the Church's intelligence network bolstered by the Lord's help—which was better than average—and the distinctive appearance the Saintess described, they somehow managed to track him down.
"Is this the guy?"
"Uh—yeah! That's him!"
When they showed her Dojin's face captured via the Recording Crystal Ball, the Saintess broke into a huge grin, as if wondering how they'd found him, and started rejoicing.
Charlotte let out a sigh and asked why she'd requested they find this person.
"He was an ordinary adventurer. He's been in the city for about two months, they say. He's partying up with two people from the East."
"That's the one."
"—? Yes, I heard that earlier."
"The one from the oracle is this guy."
"......Pardon?"
A dumb noise burst from Charlotte's mouth for a moment. But she shook her head to regain her senses.
"Are you serious? Saintess-nim?"
"Probably? No proof. But I'm certain."
"In your view as the Saintess, this man is the 'star' that came down via the oracle?"
"Yep. That's the star right there."
Charlotte lifted the Recording Crystal Ball and scrutinized Dojin's face inch by inch. Distinctive looks. Rumors said people like this lived in some far-off eastern land, but she hadn't confirmed if that was true.
Still, Dojin's appearance looked like it belonged on some continent across the vast ocean.
"I don't really get it."
"Right? I'm not totally sure myself, honestly."
"......Are you messing with me?"
"So, from now on, Lotte, you figure it out."
"Pardon? How am I supposed to..."
"That's for Lotte to handle from here, right?"
The kind of comment from a boss that pissed you off the most.
Hearing the number one offender, Charlotte barely held back a scowl and nodded.
"Understood...... ma'am."
In Charlotte's mind, the key to learning about someone was getting close first.
Fortunately, Dojin's group had been staying and eating at the same inn for months. It was a classic trait of outsider adventurers.
'Guess I can get a job here.'
Charlotte headed straight for the innkeeper.
"I'd like to work here."
"Huh, we don't need any staff."
"Just give me meals and a place to sleep."
"Well...... if that's it."
After eyeing Charlotte's face and chest for a bit, the innkeeper figured the revenue she'd generate would far exceed her room and board, and nodded easily.
"Then change into this."
Charlotte grimaced at the clothes the innkeeper handed her. They were far too provocative for a cleric to wear.
The kind of outfit window prostitutes might don— a deeply plunging top that emphasized the chest, and a skirt that didn't even cover half the thigh......
A maid outfit redesigned to stoke male lust.
'Saintess-nim, if this is wrong, I'm seriously killing you.'
Vowing that inwardly, Charlotte entered the changing room and swapped outfits. Thus began her humiliating day.
When we got back to the inn, the restaurant on the first floor was unusually packed to the brim.
"Over here! Another round!"
"Refills here too!"
"Snacks with that!"
This inn doubled as a tavern, making up for cheap lodging with pricey food and booze.
So usually, cash-strapped adventurers would grab a drink at some dive bar and crash here...... but today, it was weirdly crowded.
'What's going on?'
The problem was, with all these people, there were no seats left for us to eat. This gave me yet another reason why we needed our own mansion.
'What kind of house doesn't let you eat when it's full of people?'
Vowing to hire a cook if we bought a place, I headed up to the inn's second floor.
I went straight to my room, stripped off my sweat- and dust-soaked clothes, and changed into casuals. Now used to the simple fabric, I pocketed some dae-dong-hwa and silver coins before heading back down.
Seoyun and Eunha soon followed after a quick wash-up. No sign of the other kids—who knew what they were up to.
"Today...... looking at the inn, doesn't seem like we can eat here."
"Let's go out."
"Eunha, you okay eating out?"
"......Doesn't matter."
With their opinions aligned, I slowly left the inn. I heard an "Ah..." from behind, but it wasn't anyone I knew, so I ignored it and stepped outside.
The city sparkled with Magic Stone lamps.
On Earth, this era would light the night with torches or lanterns—barely, since oil was precious and they couldn't burn long.
But this was a fantasy world with magic, plus Magic Stones as an energy source.
These stones, boasting energy rivaling electricity, had given early humanity the power to banish the night.
"Where to?"
"Too much hassle...... anywhere."
"Me too."
Both girls said just pick anywhere. On Earth, that might translate to "I'm too lazy to think, so you handle everything." But here—and from them—it was pure, unadulterated sincerity, no hidden agenda.
"Then how about the place next door."
"Sure."
"Yeah......"
We ducked into the neighboring spot, grabbed seats, and ordered food. Luckily, it wasn't bad.
"Today...... you gonna train?"
"Hm?"
Eunha asked mid-bite. I pondered. Was training right after leveling up even a thing?
Or more precisely, did training even matter anymore?
'My strength went up.'
Just from killing monsters—like a game— all my stats rose. Stamina, muscle power, reflexes, agility.
Which also meant training held little meaning in this world.
'That's why everyone's just swinging weapons like maniacs...... and the tracks are always empty.'
Training is painfully static. Grueling, nothing but agony.
The rewards? Not even that sweet.
You suffer daily without quitting, and barely taste a sliver of fruit.
But leveling up? Insanely stimulating. Effortless, lightning-fast. Hands you sweet fruit on a platter.
"No training."
"......That okay?"
"Rest day today. Looks like stamina training's pointless anyway......"
I'd have to rethink how to teach Eunha. Skip stamina entirely, focus on technique......
"Not sure what to teach you either, so wait till then."
"......Got it."
Leaving bittersweet Eunha, I savored the food.
'Oh no.'
Spotting Dojin and his crew, Charlotte tried approaching. Impossible. Dozens calling out to her.
Gazes that bred hatred for humanity, blatant groping hands—they blocked her path.
'Should I just kill them all......?'
Only after such utterly un-cleric-like thoughts did she regain composure.
'Taking the job was a mistake from the start......'
Working at the inn had seemed smart. A way to get close without blowing her cover.
But the work was nonstop—she couldn't reach them.
A paradox. Took the job to approach them, but too busy to do it.
Scowling, she pondered how to get near them. Ditch this godawful maid outfit and the job first.
"Boss."
"Oh, Charlotte. What's up?"
"I'm done......"
About to quit, she spotted Dojin re-entering the inn and switched gears.
"Done...... wanna rest."
"Yeah, you should! Gotta. You're boosting our sales!"
Grinning at the overnight revenue spike, the innkeeper handed her a room key and told her to rest.
Key in hand, she trailed Dojin straight to the second floor. Their rooms were the eight at the hall's end.
Confirming that, Charlotte entered her own room and changed. This pervert maid getup humiliated her just wearing it.
In casual clothes, she "accidentally" tried Dojin's door. Locked.
Click click—after a few tries, Dojin opened up and peeked out.
"Who......"
"Oh, sorry. Thought it was my room......"
Eyes meeting, Dojin froze and looked her up and down. Feeling his gaze, Charlotte subtly thrust out her chest.
She was confident in her figure. If it hooked him, she'd seduce with it.
"......Where's your room?"
"Th-the key says this......"
Playing dumb, she showed the key. The number was upside down, mimicking his door's marking.
"This is the opposite end. Over there."
"Oh, thanks."
As Dojin leaned out a bit, she seized the chance and leaned in too.
"Fate brought us here—how about a drink?"
"Pardon?"
"You...... don't like booze?"
"No, it's not that......"
After agonizing, Dojin stepped out.
"......Sure, whatever. I like drinks."
"I'll buy."
Her charms worked again, she thought, smiling as they headed to the first-floor restaurant.
Dojin eyed the woman who'd suddenly approached, breaking a slight sweat.
'What the hell's she doing here?'
Blonde, green eyes, huge chest. Normals would be dazzled by her beauty and miss the details......
But even her outwardly toned build screamed it. She was strong. Absurdly so.
'That's her. The one guarding the Saintess......'
And in this otherworld, he'd only seen someone as strong as her once: the Saintess and her Holy Knights.
"The drinks...... not to your taste?"
"No, delicious. Yes."
Was she doing it on purpose, or was that her schtick? Her stiff speech was suspiciously formal.
Intimidated by her domineering tone, he downed the booze. Straight shots without snacks—bitter as hell.
"You're Dojin-ssi, right."
"......Pardon? Oh, yeah."
He'd never told her his name.
"And you're not from this city."
"Right......?"
Never mentioned his origins either.
"Hm...... Ah."
She clocked it too, eyes widening as she stared.
Suddenly, the vibe turned icy.