Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Nemea's Cat
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“You dare to commit such an act, mortal.”
An unnatural chill permeated this cramped inn room.
And then there was the haughty voice of Luna emanating from beneath the blankets. Unless someone was utterly dim-witted, they’d instantly realize something extraordinary was unfolding.
“…What the fuck?”
Breath fogged from my mouth, making it feel like I’d stepped into a freezer. What the hell was going on here?
As I trembled in bewilderment, Luna’s voice rang out again from under the covers.
“The solemn laws of the exalted lower ones are not so soft that a mere mortal can violate them at will. You’ve broken the precepts, so you must be prepared to pay the price, yes?”
“Y-Yes? Uh-huh?”
Her imperious tone carried an overwhelming pressure that forced honorifics from my mouth. Was that idiot Luna really huddled under there?
No, it might not even be Luna. My instincts screamed as much. Until I checked, she was in a true Schrödinger’s Luna state.
Still, I couldn’t muster the nerve to flip back the blankets.
In any case, I chose to prostrate myself flat on the floor, feeling like a blade was pressed to my throat.
“I-I’m sorry! Please forgive me just this once!”
I had no clue what I’d done wrong or how this had happened, but groveling first seemed like the safest bet.
My nape prickled as my survival instincts blared alarms. It felt like I could freeze to the bone in this freakish cold any second.
“Very well, you recognize your wrongdoing. Acknowledging one’s faults is of utmost importance. For a mortal, your attitude is quite pleasing.”
“…So, you’ll forgive me?”
“No. To enforce the law based on mercy would sow great chaos and disorder in the world. Thus, I cannot simply let it slide. The most I can offer is to sever your head without pain.”
“W-Wait, that’s unfair! What the hell did I even do!?”
Fuck this—at least let me know what I did wrong before I die. I spat out the words in desperation. Then, an icy voice continued from beneath the blankets.
“Mortal, the domain of healing arts you possess holds the potential to disrupt the laws of the underworld and heavens, much like Asclepius.”
“What does that even….”
“Asclepius revived the dead and was struck by lightning for it. The illegal acts he created have plunged the world into chaos. Such tragedies must not repeat. Therefore, mortal, I shall claim your life today.”
Her voice from under the covers jogged my memory of something I’d long questioned.
It was the reason Finri the healer had given for why healers shouldn’t perform personal treatments on the roadside.
I’d figured at worst some inspectors might show up, but this was way over the line, damn it!
“Be grateful for a death without suffering. In light of your remorseful attitude, I shall personally grant you this honor—”
*Whiffnus—*
*Fwooooosh—*
A bizarre pink gas began seeping from beneath the blankets where Luna crouched.
“Eek!”
As a healthy Korean guy who’d completed his mandatory service in Gangwon Province, I prided myself on knowing the horrors of chemical warfare better than most.
Inhaling that gas—or smoke, whatever it was—would spell disaster. I held my breath. Fuck, I had to get out of here! Gas, gas!
I bolted upright and dashed for the inn room door.
*Crack—*
But it was sealed shut with this shitty ice, refusing to budge. Fuck, such inhumane ice prison!
“You’ll drift off to sleep. No pain. Accept it. Pay the price for laying hands on my daughter. You can’t hold your breath forever.”
“Cough, ughhh—”
Finally, the pink mist infiltrated my nose and mouth. It felt like my chest was being violated, driving me half-mad as I thrashed about.
No way—after escaping slavery, I couldn’t die like this in some dump!
“Innkeeper, open the door!! Open up! Open the damn door!!”
*Bang, bang-bang, bang.*
I pounded the frozen door like I meant to shatter it. My hands ached from how solid it was, so I tried the window—same story.
Fuck, a sealed room!
As I tore at my hair in agony, a small laugh echoed from behind me, followed by Luna’s voice.
“You’re holding out impressively. Most mortals would’ve perished after a single breath.”
“Innkeeper, shit’s hitting the fan here! Open the door!”
“Indeed, for a human child, you’re remarkably sturdy. Such a pity.”
“I’m dying! Save me! Innkeeper, open up! Open the door!”
“…You’re rather noisy. When will you finally give in? Hmm…. Upon closer inspection, I sense a familiar man’s karma within you. Mortal, have you received any graces?”
I’d been freaking out for a while, but her puzzled tone made me freeze.
The hostility in her voice had softened considerably, and the bone-chilling cold—reminiscent of Gangwon’s winters—had eased slightly.
“G-Graces? Y-Yes. From the Sun God….”
“…Impossible. This feels entirely different from that sly Sun God’s…. Ah, I see. How intriguing. To think such a thing is possible. Child, what is your name?”
The voice, muttering to itself before posing the question, now asked for my name. No idea what was happening, but maybe she’d spare me?
Snot dripping and shivering from the cold, I barely managed to speak.
“H-Hassan, ma’am….”
“Hassan. Yes, Hassan. Your execution is hereby stayed until the primordial night. And I shall bless your future journeys. With my grace, you can deceive the eyes of the riffraff.”
*Ding—*
『A blessing descends from the primordial night, Nyx.』
『You have obtained the reward: Veil of Night.』
One moment she was out for my blood, the next she’s blessing me? Her judgment flipped 180 degrees like a pancake, leaving me dazed. Still, it looked like I’d survived.
“Th-Thank you.”
“What manners. I am the primordial night. And the mother of superstition, Nyx. The power I bestow shall become a dark veil, fooling the gaze of other watchers.”
“Uh…, m-may I ask what that means?”
“Exactly as stated. It hides your identity from the gods’ eyes. But in these times of waning faith, my power is but a shadow of its former might. Thus, excessive… use of healing arts… is forbidden….”
The woman who named herself Nyx spoke with a voice that crackled like a radio with bad reception.
“Behold, even granting a minor grace… strains my manifestation…. I must withdraw now…. And regarding my daughter’s matter—”
She said something more after that. But it was like whispers lost in a fresh blizzard—indecipherable.
**
“Hassan, wake up. It’s morning.”
“I’m up! Lady Elfriede!”
“Who’s Elfriede? It’s me, Luna. Y-Your, uh, p-party member… right? We’re in a party, yeah?”
“Oh, Luna. Got it.”
I’d only blinked, and morning was here. Damn, time flies when you’re sleeping. Was it just me?
Anyway, even after sleeping, I didn’t feel rested. Hell if I knew when I’d even dozed off. What happened?
At least I was grateful to wake to Luna’s cheerful voice instead of Elfriede’s nagging.
The relief of being free again washed over me.
“Good morning! I feel amazing! Like I’ve been reborn! Is this the refreshing morning adventurers in fixed parties feel? Like this.”
Luna shouted brightly. Her flushed cheeks gleamed like spring buds kissed by morning sun, radiating freshness.
Those curses I’d cast must’ve worked. Still, some things needed clarifying.
“Nowhere else hurting? Last night, Nyx got into your body….”
“Huh? What happened last night?”
Luna tilted her head innocently. I was left speechless.
“You don’t remember?”
“I remember washing up and flopping onto the bed…. Weird. I didn’t drink much. Barely any barley wine, no way I’d get drunk. Anyway, I feel great!”
“Y-Yeah. As long as you’re good.”
Did she not recall that ice age last night?
Truth be told, it felt like a dream to me too. Maybe I’d fallen asleep and dreamed it—
“…Chaos Eternal.”
*Ding—*
『Name: Hassan Lv. 9
Strength: 4
Agility: 2
Vitality: 3
Karma: 177
Graces: Chaos’s Blessing > Amateur Handywork > Veil of Night』
The new grace, Veil of Night, boldly added to the floating text before my eyes. Clear proof that last night’s madness was real.
“Hey, just curious—do you know your mom’s name by any chance?”
“Hm? Mom? Didn’t I tell you? I don’t have one. Orphan. Lived with the island elders.”
“Oh, right. My bad.”
“It’s fine! Never had one, so it doesn’t bother me. Anyway, I feel so light, like I ditched a heavy pack. So, Hassan, what’s the plan today? First day of our party!”
“What else—”
As I sat up in bed, a bizarre sensation hit: muscle aches everywhere, strength draining from my body.
“Urghhh—”
How to describe it? Like all my yang energy had been sucked out, leaving me limp. Invisible hands from the ground gripped my shoulders and legs, dragging me down. Maybe the death’s door I’d brushed last night was hitting back as backlash.
I just wanted to lie there and sleep more. But recalling that pink mist filled me with dread—drift off now, and I might never wake.
“Hassan, you okay? You look rough. Resting today?”
“Rest? Gotta make money.”
So I dragged my sagging body to the guild hall.
Even I had to admit it was superhuman willpower. No choice—starve or hustle.
“Back again, Mr. Hassan? Looking somewhat respectable since last time.”
Daphne the receptionist at Mars Guild flicked her eyes over me.
Her gaze blatantly scanned the protective gear I’d bought for 5 silvers and the triple rods I’d fleeced from other adventurers.
With narrowed eyes, she quirked her lips silently.
“Heard some interesting rumors too. Fought with fellow Mars Guild members?”
Ah, shit. Rumors spread this fast? Were guild fights banned? Penalties? Girly worries like that filled my head when—
“You definitely crushed them, right?”
“Y-Yes, of course.”
“Truly thanks to Lord Mars’s grace. The iron-rankers Ska, Uter, and Corin who lost the duel were expelled from the guild.”
“Uh, does losing a duel get you kicked out?”
“Losers don’t suit the God of Valor, Mars. Lucky you took on three, Mr. Hassan. They were on the cusp of bronze promotion—solid prospects.”
“I helped too!”
As Daphne finished, Luna—who’d been quietly listening—piped up from beside me.
“Oh, Ms. Luna? If it’s not rude, are the two of you here together…?”
“W-Well….”
“We’re forming a fixed party starting today! Came to report it!”
Luna beat me to it, yelling at the top of her lungs. Why so loud? My ears hurt, damn it.
“A fixed party? You and Mr. Hassan?”
“Yeah! And take this.”
Luna rummaged in her backpack and pulled something out. My handmade Korean totem, the dol hareubang.
“What’s this? How to put it—looks like total shit. Handing me something so indecent and lewd, are you sexually harassing me!?”
Huh? I thought we’d warmed up after that cheek-slap peace treaty, but no. Luna and I both flustered, mouths agape, no words coming.
“Kidding.”
Daphne smirked faintly. But her eyes stayed cold—no hint of a joke. Anyway—
“Uh, any jobs today?”
“Perfect timing. I had a request for you specifically, Mr. Hassan. It’s party-scale, but now you’ve got a fixed one—ideal.”
A specific request? Already?