Chapter 63
Chapter 63
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Relationship
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Chapter 5 - Relationship
-Crack
Right when things were getting good, just before I could savor the finest fruit, I was interrupted. My mood was utterly ruined.
"...What do you think you're doing, sir?"
"What was that you just did?"
"Heh heh... What did I do? I was merely serving you as the shop manager."
My mood was soured, but resorting to violence or profanity here would be the act of an amateur.
A true master always maintains composure.
"Is that so? To my eyes, it seemed to go beyond mere 'service.' Ah, perhaps you've done this kind of 'service' so many times it's become routine for you? If that's the case, my apologies."
'This damned bitch...?'
It was as good as calling me a whore, a slut, a rag. Being treated like one of those lowly types was utterly repulsive.
What they did was sell their bodies for money or lose themselves to pleasure, unable to discern right from wrong. What I did was pure predation.
"Hah... ha ha... As if."
I consciously smoothed my furrowed brow and forced a relaxed expression.
-Sizzle
If glares could inflict physical harm, we would've both been wounded somewhere by now. The air between us crackled with lethal tension.
In that atmosphere thick with impending disaster, a cute voice piped up.
"S-scary..."
-Shiver
Perhaps sensing the icy vibe between us, his body trembled faintly.
Seeing that snapped me back to focus.
Stay calm, Roselia.
Since they'd drawn their sword first, the advantage was mine now.
I did try to pounce first(?) just moments ago, after all.
"Oh dear! Sir, are you hurt anywhere?!"
I started patting him down as if startled.
"Wh-what?!"
"Sir! You can't just draw your sword recklessly inside the shop! You must have been so shocked!"
"N-no... it was you who..."
Savoring his flustered reaction, I naturally pulled the man into my embrace like before.
To prevent another escape, I tangled our legs this time, locking him in place.
From the opposite table, the angle wouldn't reveal much.
"Sir, are you alright? I'm scared of people who draw swords so carelessly... Aren't you scared?"
"I'm scared..."
"Hee hee. You too, huh?"
-Grind
A teeth-grinding sound came from across the table.
-Squeeze
Pressing his face into my chest to hide my own expression, I wore a look of leisure.
In that position, I pulled the sword from the wall and handed it over.
"Please be more careful from now on."
-Grind grind
"Th-thank... you..."
She tried to look composed, but to my eyes, her face was on the verge of cracking.
Like a cup overflowing, one more drop and it would all spill.
-Tight squeeze
"Sir, aren't you cold? I feel a chill from somewhere..."
I taunted, hugging him even tighter.
At that moment, I saw it.
Her hand rising.
-Smirk
Just as I thought this petty battle was reaching its end—
-Gulp gulp
-Thud
"...How about a little proposition."
She chugged straight from the bottle and made an odd suggestion.
"What kind of proposition?"
"We're in a tavern, so let's settle it with drinks. First to pass out loses."
"...Hmm."
A desperate last resort: a drinking contest.
She must think her martial prowess gives her an edge with alcohol.
'Foolish.'
Challenging me to a drinking duel was beyond foolish.
Even if mana or internal energy could dispel the booze, humans had limits based on their realm.
And this woman's realm was barely Sword User level.
For a vampire who could manipulate blood, the Night Clan, she was a century too early.
"Hee hee. You're on."
Better to crush her thoroughly now, so she can't pull any tricks later.
She might cling without pride afterward, but I could use that as an excuse to ruin her reputation in front of him.
-Clink
"But are you sure you're okay? You seem to have drunk quite a bit before I arrived."
"In the martial world, the strong yield a few moves to the weak. Think of it like that."
"Oh...?"
An arrogant remark, utterly presumptuous.
Who was yielding to whom?
My pride itched to hurl insults right then, but I held back.
.
.
.
'She's persistent...'
I manipulated my blood flow to suppress the alcohol and pressed on, but she was no pushover.
-Clink
"...What, already at your limit?"
Her face was flushed, but her eyes remained sharp.
"Hee hee, my face isn't even red yet."
"Is that so? Anyway, your turn. Drink up."
My vision swam slightly.
It had been ages since I faced such a tough opponent.
'She had reason to bet on booze...!'
-Gulp
I grimaced and forced it down my throat.
The sharp burn of alcohol stabbed my esophagus.
"Heh heh... Your turn, sir..."
-Gulp
"Your turn again."
'Damn...'
Something was off.
Last time I did this with a Sword Expert, it wasn't this bad.
Was she cheating somehow?
I could just use magic if needed, but it wasn't time for fouls yet.
This uncivilized world without magic might still suspect sudden changes.
Even without magic, they had sorcery and weird stuff.
-Grind
'Guess I need to shake her mentally a bit...'
I couldn't lose this fight.
For my pride, if nothing else.
For a taste of that incubus-like man, I absolutely couldn't lose.
"By the way, sir, what exactly is your relationship with her?"
"...Relationship?"
"Yes... Your reaction seems like a jealous lover, you know."
Her pupils wavered slightly at my words.
Just as expected.
Types like her crumbled when confronted directly.
"Are you two... lovers, by any chance?"
"N-no! N-not exactly that kind of..."
"Oh my... That's even stranger, then."
I smirked inwardly.
She was hooked perfectly.
"On what authority are you interfering with me, sir?"
"..."
"What's wrong with two consenting adults sharing love? Unless you're her lover, a total stranger has no right to interfere, right?"
"Urghhh..."
Her face flushed crimson, her lips twitching.
She wanted to retort but couldn't muster the words.
'This is how women fight, kiddo.'
Come back after gaining a decade more experience.
She seemed to have me on the ropes, but that was her limit.
Strike the weak spot, and she floundered.
A little more prodding, and she'd self-destruct, bet or no bet.
-Slurp
'What play to try first...'
I hadn't even undressed him yet, but instinctively, I knew he'd accommodate most kinks with his包容力.
What kind of body emitted such a sweet scent?
I wanted to strip him right now.
"...Lovers."
"Pardon?"
As I pondered, she opened her mouth—perhaps her final struggle.
I could predict the clichés: destined lovers, childhood friends, endless sappy tales.
Curious how long-winded her excuse would be, just as she paused dramatically—
"We've shared our bodies."
"...Pardon?"
"We were each other's first."
This fight... I might not win so easily.
-Step step
"Are we still far?"
"Just a bit further, ahead."
The sun had set, so the stinging sunlight was gone, but I still pulled my Bloodstained Cloak low to hide my face.
Asking directions to the Golden Orchid Tavern, I met a guy who claimed to know a shortcut and offered to guide me. Now I followed him.
"Feels like we're going deeper into the alleys..."
"Heh heh, shortcuts always dive into the backstreets."
"...Then hurry up."
I shoved the creep with his sleazy laugh and kept after him.
Finally, he stopped at a dead end.
"...What? Dead end."
"Heh heh heh, you fell for it completely."
The man turned sinister, cackling vilely.
"Hah..."
I'd expected it, but a trap nonetheless.
"Change your mind and guide me properly now, and I might spare you."
"That'd be a problem for us."
Four more men emerged from the dark alley shadows.
"So, miss? We'll take your offer. Come quietly and—"
-Slash
No need to draw my sword on these fools.
My hand blade alone severed the neck of the man who'd led me here.
"Wh-what?!"
A hulking brute charged right at me.
Perfect chance to test my body since reviving—it felt off.
Power surged abnormally.
-Whoosh
Not my forte like swordsmanship, but prepping a kick technique I'd learned briefly, I launched it into the brute's gut as he closed in.
-Boom!
"Gahk!"
He flew straight into the wall, cratering it.
'Without even channeling energy.'
Pure physical prowess did this?
Not trained in external arts, yet definitely abnormal.
"..."
"H-heek!"
I alternated glances between the terrified men and the pooling blood on the ground.
For some reason, I felt like I could control that blood.
'How...?'
Like a baby taking its first steps—
I sensed I could move it, yet didn't know how.
-Churn
Imitating my master's Sword of Ego, I focused intently, and the blood puddle began to stir.
Just as I thought I could lift it soon—
-Spurt!
"Gaaaaahhh!!!!"
"H-heek!"
Turning to the scream, a blood-red blade protruded from one man's arm.
Curious, but no time for leisure.
-Slash
I beheaded the bladed man and eyed the trembling, collapsed one.
"Golden Orchid Tavern."
"Y-yes?!"
"Guide me."
Top priority: meet Yuseong.
No time to waste.
I'll kill him after he guides me, anyway.