Chapter 80
Chapter 80
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: The Long Night
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Sunlight streamed in through the window in the morning.
The slightly reddish rays illuminated the three women sprawled naked across the bed, a sight that looked like a work of art in Hwan-in's eyes.
"Soul Shaman, your clothes..."
Mera, who had endured Hwan-in's torment all night long—not just her, but alongside three other women from the village—had managed to conserve some energy. She brought his clothes over.
"Thank you."
As Mera tended to Hwan-in's garments, a wistful look crossed her face at the memory of last night's passionate frenzy.
Her pale skin was dotted with countless kiss marks that still stung as if they were freshly imprinted.
Her buttocks, reddened from repeated spankings, still burned hot, and her breasts, squeezed countless times, felt as though gripped by his firm hands even now.
And the illusion that his thick pillar was still buried deep inside her aching core.
Sensations she'd never feel again in her lifetime, ones that must now be buried as mere memories.
Once fully dressed, Hwan-in admired the captivating tableau of the three entwined female forms, like a single painting, before fiddling with the blood-red stone hanging around his neck.
The final night in Etbrook. Hwan-in had performed the feat of bedding no fewer than four women at once.
'All thanks to this bloodstone.'
The blood-red stone, strung like a necklace around his neck, gradually restored fatigue and vitality upon contact with his skin, while also faintly boosting wound regeneration.
This effect drew on calories from the body, but the key was that vitality recovery included stamina as well.
In other words, as long as he could replenish the calories burned restoring his stamina, he could make love all day without issue.
He had tested this thoroughly back in Yukam, keeping high-calorie foods nearby and immersing himself in pleasure through the night.
Of course, relying solely on stamina recovery could lead to nutritional imbalances over time.
It wasn't something he could use every day, as overuse would wear down his body, but for Hwan-in—who needed to absorb warmth through intercourse with women—the bloodstone was a priceless treasure beyond compare.
Mera, who looked five years younger after just three days, brimmed with vitality. She caressed her breast, marked with handprints, then nestled against Hwan-in's chest and spoke with sad eyes.
"You'll miss me a lot..."
Hwan-in stroked her white hair without replying, studying her features.
'She really has gotten younger. The faint wrinkles under her eyes are gone, and the sagging around her mouth too.'
The firmness of her breasts felt like it had returned to her youth, pressing heavily against him where they touched.
Hwan-in held her lightly and whispered in her ear.
"The world is vast, and I have many places to go. I'm sorry."
"...Please don't say that. If anything, what right do I have to speak out of turn to someone like you, destined for great things..."
The past three days had felt like a dream to Mera.
By day, a courteous gentleman. By night, a beastly savage.
Under him like an animal, she realized she was merely a female vessel for receiving a man. By day, his gentle, refined speech made her realize she was a fine woman capable of raising children and supporting a man from behind.
After experiencing a man like this, no ordinary guy would ever seem like a man again.
Feeling both satisfaction from the passionate memories with the wonderful man named Hwan-in and regret at never seeing him again, Mera handed over most of the village's operating funds to her.
It wasn't her decision alone. It had been discussed and decided upon with the villagers the evening before.
A bribe to etch a favorable impression of Etbrook village in his mind— no different from the decision made by Yukam's chief.
Riding in the cargo wagon out of Etbrook, Hwan-in opened the pouch Mera had given her.
Inside sparkled five gold coins. Equivalent to fifty silver coins—a fortune worth fifty million won.
"Oh, looks like Chief Mera gave you a gift too."
"I'm only human, so it feels nice... but at the same time, I'm a bit burdened, wondering if this trip might turn into one driven by money."
"I figured you'd say that. It's practically a bribe to make you remember our village. But... I can understand their feelings."
She would have made the same call if she'd been chief.
'Who would've thought we'd get to face souls directly.'
It hadn't been long since leaving Yukam, yet the Soul Shaman had achieved remarkable growth in just over ten days.
That alone made him worthy of awe.
If even she, weathered by life's hardships, felt this way, what about those who'd spent their lives confined to the village?
'It wouldn't be strange if they became followers.'
Lately, Ssa had been thinking this while watching Hwan-in.
Maybe the Soul Shaman hadn't been teleported into that forested labyrinth by accident from afar, but was a heavenly being descended from the skies?
That would explain emerging from an impenetrable labyrinth on foot, his genius, his dignity.
'Even the Awk fox tribe warriors invited him to their clan.'
As Ssa pondered this, Hwan-in meditated absentmindedly, clutching a pearl-colored stone. Isilite rode Que alongside the wagon, stealing glances at her with faint dark circles under her eyes.
Isilite had stayed in the room next to Hwan-in's on the second floor of the chief's house, serving as her bodyguard and attendant.
And every night, the sounds from the next room had stirred unspeakable emotions in her.
Does Master have no interest in my body? He loves women so much—how did he hold back all this time? Don't men usually tire after two or three rounds? How does Master go all night? That woman might die at this rate. What time is it... Eek, dawn already!
Wondering if her knowledge was wrong, Isilite circled the wagon on Que to the opposite side and pressed close to Brillit as they rode, asking,
"Brillit. Men usually collapse after two rounds, right?"
"..."
Isilite bristled at Brillit's look, as if she were questioning her sanity.
"What!"
"Get your head straight. Running around saying crap like that tarnishes your master's reputation."
"I don't say this to just anyone! I'm asking you."
"Are we that close?"
"Your lover and my master aren't just going to end up as a fling, right? Can't we get a little friendly too?"
"..."
Ssa was indeed putting her all into building a relationship with Hwan-in. Even she, who knew little of human connections, could see he was an extraordinary Soul Shaman. How did he appear in Ssa's eyes?
"Even if that's true, you don't blab private matters. You need to study propriety and dignity more."
"Ugh..."
"You've lived as a vulgar thief too long; your senses are all twisted. Once we reach the city, I'll ask if you can get formal maid training at a high-class talent academy."
"Th-that bad?"
"Your speech and thoughts scream pretty whore. Does that help?"
"..."
"Right now, it's like there's shit smeared on the Soul Shaman's body."
"You mean me, right?"
Brillit shut her mouth, as the question needed no answer, and Isilite sulked.
Glancing at her, Brillit sighed silently.
Just as awakened professionals tended to be handsome and beautiful, Isilite was a striking beauty blending innocence and a hint of wildness when she kept her mouth shut and composed her expression.
A bit taller than average women, but her figure was proportionally stunning, so it didn't look awkward.
Her long reach was advantageous in combat—something Brillit, of average female height, envied a great deal.
Moreover, she'd started tying her hair up a few days ago, which suited her vibe perfectly. If she just acted with more poise, she could easily become a second wife or concubine to nobility, even if not quite fox tribe caliber.
'That's what they mean by a diamond in the rough.'
A raw gem that could become beautiful with a little polishing.
"...Why'd you ask that?"
"Huh? About how many times men..."
"Don't explain."
"..."
Can I say this? Isn't it a propriety issue? How do I explain without explaining?
Grunting and racking her brain, Isilite suddenly realized she should just ask what was really bothering her and blurted it out without hesitation.
"I thought Master was... y'know, not into women."
"Not into women?"
"Like, into men... that stuff."
"Oh, that... Ridiculous misunderstanding."
The Soul Shaman being gay? How could she have such an absurd notion? By Brillit's knowledge, he'd bedded over sixty women in Yukam alone—a man among men.
As usual, Brillit had believed the exaggerated rumors and shared what she knew with Isilite, who gaped in shock.
"That possible? Sixty women in twenty-one days? That's not human!"
"That's how manly he is."
"..."
Thinking about it, yeah. Four on the last day alone—sixty over twenty-one days was totally doable.
After simple math, Isilite deflated again.
"Then why reject me?"
"...When did he?"
"At the Rehil inn..."
"When you were being rude."
"No! I'd already fully submitted to Master by then..."
A memory surfaced in Brillit's mind. Pondering if it was true, she had no choice but to nod.
"Seems like it's because of what you said."
"What I said? What'd I say?"
"When you ambushed us, didn't you go on about chastity or whatever? You said it yourself, so he's respecting that and not touching you."
"..."
Yeah, she had said that... Oh. Come to think of it, Master had looked really troubled back then. Was that why?
What now? Ignore what I said back then and just hold me? ...No way could she say that herself!
Seeing her agonize, Brillit wore a complex expression.
'Ssa was right.'
Brillit had doubted the claim that the wildcat-like Isilite by the pillow had turned girlish, but the evidence before her eyes was undeniable.
No, it made perfect sense.
If she didn't have Ssa as a lover, even she might have fallen for the Soul Shaman and followed him—he was that attractive.
Honestly, she felt a twinge of jealousy toward Isilite. Word was her throwing skill had improved dramatically already.
Brillit wanted to see Isilite's throwing practice too, but since she did it secretly alone, it just caused inner turmoil.
She understood the importance of techniques.
Advanced martial secrets or sacred arts of rank-8+ fox tribe clans were passed down one-to-one, and leaking them could spark wars.
History recorded several high-clan wars over stolen sacred arts or murdered heirs.
Even simple civilian skills required hefty payments to learn properly, so Isilite's secrecy was natural, but disappointing nonetheless.
'If she learned even part of defensive arts, Isilite would get way stronger. Stronger than me...'
Afraid her jealousy would grow if she dwelled on it, Brillit spurred Que and said,
"Going on scout."
As the group receded, her stifled chest eased. The slight sway of Que's saddle and the rushing wind blew away the budding envy in her heart.
Feeling her stiff face relax, she scanned sharply with keen eyes. Reaching the hill's peak, Brillit spotted traces below that shouldn't be there and froze.
Turning Que around sharply, she raced back to the wagon and reported to Ssa.
"Cargo wagon ambushed on the road. No survivors apparent. From the wreckage, it looks like a massive monster attack."
Ssa halted the wagon immediately, face grim.
"Monster numbers or type?"
"Too far to confirm. But..."
"Brillit, I trust your judgment. Speak if something bothers you."
"...Possibility of Evil Faction Urgers too."
"What, really?"
"Yes. Battle traces match, and the cargo's totally smashed. No signs of eating or looting."
"Urgh...!!"
Hwan-in furrowed his brow slightly at Ssa's grave expression as she scratched her head in frustration.
Evil Faction. Literally a faction of evil. But in context...
'Evil-aligned races. So this world's divided between two alignments.'
Good-aligned would be the four major races: Lukrang, Plroe, Proud, Flavius, probably.
Hwan-in asked Isilite beside her.
"What evil-aligned races are there?"
"Huh? Well, Ohm, Hob, Sanak, Urger, Shadowr, Sea Proud, Lizardnote, Hellplum. And more, but those are minorities treated as monsters or non-human."
"You know your stuff."
"Mercs gotta know the northern Evil Faction."
"Oh, right. Master, know the seven sub-races?"
"First time hearing it."
"Savi, Habi, Gipla, Amdruk, Notien, Jilliant, Adsect. Especially Adsect—since you're from elsewhere, Master, you might mistake 'em for monsters and attack, but never do."
"What do they look like to warrant that warning?"
"Those bugs you feed Emergency Ration? Imagine 'em human-sized."
"...I see."
First sight outside a village, and it'd look attackable.
"Soul Shaman, sorry to interrupt."
"No issue. Decided?"
"Yes. Head to the scene to confirm. If Urgers and they're nearby, escape is impossible. Prepare for battle."
"..."
Brillit and the guards looked tense, faces set against death's fear.
Ssa's wagon could hit 70 kph. Yet escape impossible? Hwan-in felt curiosity surging uncontrollably.
Giant-type monster. Urger. Running over 70 kph.
How strong could it be?
As the wagon moved, guards and Isilite activated surveillance. Hwan-in sent Emergency Ration to scout and asked Ssa,
"What kind of race are Urgers?"
"Hm, full-grown ones are about 5m tall... Know Ohms?"
"No."
"Pound a pig face bloody, kinda like that. Build like Imprints, but picture an Ohm supersized fourfold. Strength incomparable, hide tougher than most blades, agility downright horrifying."
'Ohm. The gray monsters from the labyrinth.'
Hwan-in asked after a moment,
"Compared to Bardum?"
"...You've only seen one Bardum, huh, Soul Shaman."
"Many types?"
"They're our Lukrang's antithesis, so varieties galore. Ranks from 1 to 9, super diverse."
"Wolf-like male humanoid. About 3m, aura-clad. Led a pack of dozens of spotted wolves."
Ssa gasped at the description.
"Whoa, that sounds like rank 5 easy. Brillit, your take?"
"Regular Urger, that Bardum wins. Urger hero? No way even five Bardums beat it."
"Hope it's not a hero then."
"...?"
"...?"
"Heh...?"
The implication that non-hero Urgers were winnable twisted Ssa, Brillit, Isilite, and even the wagon crew's faces bizarrely.