Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Nemea's Cat
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As soon as we stepped out of the shop, the street was still blazing with sunlight.
I couldn’t check the time, but judging by the sun’s position, it was probably around two in the afternoon. Or something like that.
“May Mars’s blessing be with you, friend—and the little one too.”
The witch Nemea waved at Luna and me as we left the shop. Then, without giving us a chance to reply, she shut the door behind her.
It felt like I’d just pulled my hand out of a lion’s mouth unscathed, so I was swallowing a sigh of relief inwardly when—
“Hassan, you can’t trust that woman.”
Luna, who’d been sulking hard ever since Nemea teased her relentlessly, finally spoke up after a long silence.
Her lips were pursed in a pout, her face scrunched up. Clearly, her first encounter with the witch had left a bad taste.
I asked,
“Why not?”
“That woman’s too suspicious. She’s no ordinary person. She could be some terrifying monster in disguise!”
What the hell? Where’d that come from?
“Why do you think that?”
“Her boobs are as big as a person’s head! Even back in Ideophe, no one had tits that huge. So she’s definitely a bad guy.”
I had no idea what kind of logic turned “big boobs” into “bad guy,” but with Luna’s slight Asperger’s vibes, it probably made perfect sense to her.
“Hey, she’s paying us right now, so no need to badmouth her that much.”
We’d put some distance between us and the shop, but I still got chills thinking she might overhear. Calling herself a witch meant she could have some weird spell letting her eavesdrop on us.
“Anyway, I’ve got a bad feeling. Can’t we just ditch this job and find something else?”
“Hey, is two silver your buddy? That easy to come by? You haven’t starved enough yet.”
“But...”
“You just don’t like her, don’t you?”
“...”
When I scolded her, Luna clamped her mouth shut completely.
She probably had plenty to say but couldn’t put it into words—or maybe she was so pissed she didn’t even want to talk.
My little sister back home would clam up like that when she got mad too.
Like a turtle retreating into its shell, hiding her tongue—it was a total wall. Any words would just bounce right off.
From experience, the best thing was to leave her alone.
So I stopped talking and just kept walking in silence.
The awkwardness was a bit uncomfortable, but if I kept coaxing and sweet-talking her, she’d get into the habit of sulking at every little thing. Gotta toughen her up, I guess. Something like that.
Anyway, our destination was set. The witch said her cat or whatever was down in the underground sewers.
I was somewhat familiar with sewers from my slave days in Calcuta, sneaking in and out. I’d even slept there sometimes to save on inn fees, in those dank tunnels.
Sure, that was Calcuta, but Sodomora’s sewers couldn’t be much different.
Damp and stinking, lepers in rags and vagrants with scabby eyes flashing creepy grins. Searching a place like that meant gearing up properly.
“Hey, how many months did you say you’ve been in this city? You know any general stores around here?”
“...”
I tried talking to her, hoping the sulk had worn off, but Luna just glanced at me without a word.
If she were my sister, I’d have flicked her forehead hard. It was kinda infuriating in that annoying little-sister way. Starting to feel awkward when—
“Th-there’s one over there.”
Reading my discomfort, Luna muttered reluctantly in a tiny voice.
*
Lutt’s General Store, the sign read.
Ding-a-ling—.
The bell above the door jingled as I opened it, announcing our arrival. First thing I noticed was the hazy dust in the air. Beyond it, shelves crammed with all sorts of junk. Yeah, total general store vibe.
If I had to compare, it was like those hole-in-the-wall shops from my childhood neighborhood or the stationery store by my elementary school.
“Who’s there?”
A burly middle-aged man thudded out from the back, asking. Around his neck hung a square plate with a faint blue tint.
A Bronze-tier adventurer tag from the guild.
Shop owner or clerk doubling as an adventurer?
Luna had led us to a solid spot. Places like this often recommended stuff you wouldn’t even think of.
“What do you need?”
“Heading into the underground sewers. Got any torches or preserved rations I can look at?”
“Ah—got it. Sewers, huh. Lots of folks heading down there lately. So I’ve got this ready.”
The Bronze-tier guy held out a hefty bundle about the size of a rucksack. It was bulky and heavy—packed with all sorts of things.
“Torches, firewood for a campfire, rations, water, bandages, bug-repellent herbs... you name it. Nothing useless in there. I swear on Lord Mercury’s name.”
“Can I open it up?”
“Go ahead, but pack it back yourself.”
“Alright, just a sec—.”
Rustle-rustle-rustle—.
With his okay, I unpacked it, and sure enough, it was full of practical stuff just like he said.
Back in Calcuta, they’d sell bundled crap with worthless rocks thrown in, so you could never let your guard down. But Sodomora seemed straight.
“How much?”
I repacked it neatly and asked.
“Fifty copper.”
Fifty copper? Steeper than I thought.
“You’re thinking it’s pricey, right? But there’s a reason. Add ten more copper, and I’ll throw in a rain cape.”
“A rain cape?”
“Yeah, Sodomora’s sewers are poorly maintained—water and muck dripping everywhere. You’ll be soaked to the bone like that. Especially the pink-haired missy—”
The shopkeeper eyed Luna up and down.
“Can’t go in there barefoot either. Buy sandals too, and I’ll do two rain capes plus sandals for fifty copper total—bundle and all for one silver.”
Fuck, one silver? We’re getting two silver for this job, and prep’s eating half? For real?
Felt like a scam, so I hesitated when the owner drove the nail in.
“Don’t regret it later—listen to me. You’re with Mars Guild, right? Only they take in Samaritans. I’m an alum too. That’s why the discount. Normally I charge ten copper more to outsiders. Guildmate perks.”
“Hmm—”
Still waffling when Luna whispered super quietly from the side.
“Hassan, I don’t need sandals. I like going barefoot.”
Was she thinking of my wallet, or did she really prefer bare feet? Either way, I agreed she needed them.
No city’s sewers were hygienic enough for barefoot strolling.
And feet are your second heart—gotta take care of ‘em.
“Fine. One silver it is.”
“Good call. Don’t know why you’re going down there, but bring back anything useful. I’ll buy it off you.”
And so I shelled out a precious silver for the sewer exploration bundle, two rain capes, and Luna’s sandals.
The “capes” were basically hooded sacks or straw mats—nothing fancy.
Clothes under a silver were always this crude, so complaining was a luxury.
“How’s it look?”
I slipped on my patched-rag cape and asked Luna. She squinted a bit, then shrugged it off casually.
“Like a murderer.”
Fuck.
“Hassan, how do I look? A bit long—but I don’t look dumb, right?”
My slightly small cape dragged to her ankles on Luna, like a kid stuffed into adult clothes. Hilarious, but kinda disappointing since it covered her usual skin show—yet reassuring too.
Her normal outfit drew way too many eyes. Perfect recipe for trouble or fights. Better to cover up.
“Looks fine on you. Sandals fit okay?”
They were just thick leather slabs with straps, but even that beat barefoot by miles.
Luna looked down at her feet.
“A little stuffy, but I like ‘em. You didn’t have to buy mine too. Th-thanks, Hassan—”
Her thanks caught me off guard.
I still didn’t know what face to make when praised or thanked, after half a lifetime.
“Pay me back later.”
I mumbled that, awkwardly smacking my lips, when—
“Cute kids. Reminds me of my young days adventuring with the wife. Here—Sodomora clerk-issued sewer map. Sells for five copper, but on the house.”
Service? Fuck, never thought I’d live to see free favors. This guy’s business is booming.
Gotta remember the name.
*
“Look at this, Hassan! A puddle! Sandals make it so easy.”
Splash-splash—.
Luna splashed through mud puddles and stagnant water, soaking her new sandals. With that long cape flapping as she frolicked like a little kid.
“Hey, then what’s the point of buying shoes?”
“R-really? You’re smarter than you look, Hassan.”
Was this about smarts? Felt more like teasing than praise.
Anyway, after a ton of romping, she finally settled down and walked quietly beside me.
Her sulk from the witch’s place was ancient history—she was bubbling with joy, not knowing what to do with herself.
My take? Asperger’s plus ADHD maybe. Would slapping her cheek fix it like Daphne’s?
I was seriously debating slapping Luna’s cheek—wondering if that freaky Knox would pop out again—when—
“Look here, Hassan—come check this out.”
Luna, bounding through the alley, suddenly went dead quiet and mumbled.
She was staring at a round hole smack in the middle of the road, gaping black and oozing damp gloom.
The shopkeeper mentioned one entrance to the sewers around here.
Whoooosh—.
A weird wind howled from inside, like wailing from deep underground. Strain your ears, and it almost sounded like beast roars or human screams.
Calcuta’s sewers were filthy, but never this creepy. Fuck, really gotta go in?
Luna stared blankly into the black pit and murmured low.
“...Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.”
“What’s that?”
“From Pluto’s underground ruins. They say sewers connect to Pluto’s labyrinths sometimes. M-maybe this one too?”
She took a deep breath—huff—acting like we were stepping into hell’s gates over some stupid sewers. Made me tense up too.
“Cat’s name is Whitey, right? Maybe call it and it’ll come out?”
“Hey, even if you hate going in that bad, that’s stretching it.”
“You never know. Whitey! Whitey! You in there? Say something if you are!”
Luna yelled into the hole and listened. No reply, obviously.
“W-weird. Why isn’t it coming?”
“As if yelling like that would work. Gotta speak cat, dummy.”
“Really? Meow! Meooow!”
Fuck, can I disband the party?