Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: It's Fine If It's You
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I had brought Dang Ayoung all the way into the carriage and was rummaging through the luggage inside.
It was only natural to bring medicine when heading out to fight.
"Young master, do you happen to know where the medicine is?"
"Ah, it's in the bundle I brought... Just a moment. I'll find it."
"You're injured, aren't you? Just tell me where it is, and I'll get it for..."
"No!!"
Dang Ayoung pushed me away with a desperate look on her face, so I figured there must be something precious in there.
Even with close friends, there are always things you can't show others.
Once she found the medicine, I stepped out of the carriage so she could apply it comfortably.
The most prominent wound was on her arm, but in close combat, she must have sustained all sorts of large and small injuries across her body.
In fact, the holes torn in her clothes made for quite an embarrassing sight from the front in several places.
She must have packed spare clothes, so I'd just wait until she applied the medicine and changed, then go back in.
Standing outside the carriage, I watched the man who had the bloodsucker restrained—its face practically pulverized. That's when the awkward guy who had lost his sword to the bloodsucker earlier and gotten kicked away joined him sheepishly.
'Come to think of it, that guy was here too.'
Given my own situation, I'd completely forgotten about him.
The man who had been pierced through by the bloodsucker's claws...
'May he rest in peace.'
I offered a brief moment of silence.
Watching the men busy with the cleanup, complicated thoughts filled my mind.
I'd joined this time because the alcohol and money blinded me, but once this was over, I needed to rethink things a bit.
Why had I even fled to the outside world, risking everything?
To have fun, right?
More pleasures, more enjoyments.
That's why I'd joined the subjugation squad, risking my life.
'10 gold nyang...'
A substantial sum.
More than enough—overflowing, even. By my earnings, it was about a month's worth saved up without spending. For most commoners, it was an amount they'd never accumulate in a lifetime.
I could convert it to points in the shop window, but once deposited, it couldn't be withdrawn, so I'd have to think carefully.
So, what to do with this money?
'Obviously, spend it on fun.'
Money earned staking my life on the line deserved to be blown on pleasure.
So, what exactly?
Wasting it all on booze and gambling like the past six months would be too regrettable, wouldn't it?
Money earned risking my neck?
'...Two to two and a half years ahead.'
That's how much time I had left.
And that was the maximum estimate—since Master could pop up anytime, I had to account for returning even sooner.
As I pondered the entertainments I'd been eyeing, my thoughts settled on one in particular.
'Travel.'
I'd had my fill of fun in Shaanxi over the past half-year.
It was great for business with its high foot traffic and good security, but making a living through trade wasn't my goal.
To maximize worldly pleasures in my limited time before returning to Master.
It seemed about time to leave Shaanxi.
My reputation had spread to other regions, so I could probably set up anywhere and do decent business. With 10 gold nyang as travel funds, I'd have plenty to enjoy.
I spent money like water usually, but cutting back on gambling would slash expenses.
Couldn't skimp on booze, though.
Save elsewhere if needed—booze got no cuts.
'Oh, just in case, I should hire an escort.'
I planned to stick to safe areas, but the world was unpredictable.
Third- or second-rate warriors could be hired easily enough with money. First-rate might be trickier.
'Can't leave right away, though... Preparations will take time.'
I resolved to plan the trip properly once I got back.
That's when Dang Ayoung's voice came from inside the carriage.
"...Hey."
"What is it?"
"Help me a bit."
'Can't reach her back?'
Figuring she was having trouble applying the medicine, I pulled aside the curtain and entered.
"What the hell is with that getup?!"
"..."
Dang Ayoung's face was beet red as she struck a provocative pose.
Her top was off, and the only thing covering her upper body was the bandage wrapped around her chest.
Her stomach, armpits, arms—everything else was bare skin. Even the bandage was barely holding, on the verge of slipping off.
"Q-quick, put some clothes on first. This happened because I called you in, so don't go blaming me later or..."
"W-wait! I really need help!"
"Don't reach out! The bandage is slipping!"
I covered my eyes for now and listened to her explanation(?).
She'd applied it everywhere else but couldn't reach her back alone.
With no other women in the group, she'd tried managing solo, but the bandage tore in the process.
To top it off, she was so drained she lacked the strength to rewrap it.
"Still, calling in some random guy..."
"It's fine if it's you."
"...Miss. Saying that leads to misunderstandings for most people."
It was an offhand remark, but Dang Ayoung looked utterly incredulous.
"Wow, who did I have to hear that from..."
"...What did I say normally?"
"...Aaaah!!!"
She'd said she had no strength, but that exasperated yell made her seem full of vigor.
"Haa... haa... Seriously..."
But clutching her head like that soon after, she really must be exhausted.
"You'd better keep your promise to show your face. I'll show you what happens when a Tang woman holds a grudge."
"...I'll show you someday. And cover up with clothes at least, not just the bandage."
I averted my eyes from her bare skin with effort and picked up her scattered clothes.
"Seriously... I'll make you regret being born a man..."
"What was that? Your voice was too soft; I didn't hear."
"Hmph, just mumbling to myself. Ignore it."
Probably nothing important.
"So... I just apply the medicine for you?"
"And wrap the bandage too."
Bandage, huh.
Come to think of it, this world didn't have bras.
Early after meeting Master, I'd suggested one because she looked uncomfortable, and she'd made and worn it herself—I'd forgotten about it.
Wrapping with a bandage wouldn't hurt, would it...
'...Were they always this big?'
Dang Ayoung's chest, freed from the bandage's compression, was incredible.
Master still had a slight edge, but it was nearly a match.
No way one hand could cup it.
Even just looking, the weight was palpable.
"...Wasn't it tight?"
I blurted it out without thinking.
The compression ratio(?) was that impressive.
"Of course it is. But what can I do? It's so uncomfortable unbound. Training, fighting—it's a hassle in so many ways... Especially sleeping face-down; it chokes you..."
Come to think of it, I'd never heard Master complain about that.
That person when sleeping...
'...'
That person never slept face-down, so it didn't apply.
Her breath was fine; mine was the one catching.
Dang Ayoung giggled while watching him grunt and wrap the bandage around her back.
'I thought he was such a mysterious guy...'
Turns out, he was just shy too.
I'd seen him casually dropping bombs into people's hearts without a care and thought he was no ordinary fellow.
Maybe he was just pretending to be innocent, but really a sly fox inside.
With that small, slender, sexy body—had he already sampled every pleasure out there?
I'd thought that once.
But...
"Ow."
"Ah, does it hurt?"
"No. It's fine."
His awkward reactions like this made it clear: he was genuinely innocent.
'Doesn't seem to have any experience with women.'
Subtle seductions had gotten zero response before, fueling my suspicions, but now I got it.
Definite virgin.
Now that things had heated up, he was reacting instantly—his prior obliviousness was just that: obliviousness.
Excluding women from the initial group wasn't aimed at this, but I'd scored an unexpected bonus.
'If I keep this up...'
It wouldn't take long.
Plenty of time.
Staying in Shaanxi meant we'd cross paths often, and slowly escalating contact(?) like this would bring him down...
*lick*
I'd have him in hand soon enough.
The key was his face.
How insanely hand... no, handsome must it be for him to hide it like that?
He claimed it was hideously ugly, but with a body that sexy, an ugly face wouldn't match.
Actually, if it really was ugly, that might be his luck.
If he unveiled himself and revealed a face matching that sexy body,
I wouldn't be able to hold myself back.