Chapter 150
Chapter 150
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 150
Chapter Title: Chilling Mansion - Dizzy Team Gathering
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Finally, the long-awaited... Monday had arrived.
Monday was here, but there were no updates. Not even minor patches—the week began quietly.
"Oppa~."
"Yeah? What's up?"
"Hehe... Nothing... I just like Oppa-ya's scent..."
"You... such a goof. Is Eun-ha still asleep?"
"Just a bit longer... Be quiet... It's so nice and warm..."
"Uh... alright."
Today, I slept sandwiched between Sora and Eun-ha. Since they were the youngest, always getting picked on by the older sisters, I decided to pamper them a little the night before leaving. Plus, Sora, being Japanese, struggled with smooth conversation and often felt frustrated, so we'd talked a lot yesterday.
That's why I agreed to call her Sora-chan from now on... It was cringey, but she was thrilled, so that was good.
"Hehehe..."
Sora, who was always pushed to the back, grinned ear to ear now that she had me all to herself. She'd gotten pretty good at Korean lately, and her obedient demeanor was winning me over. Talking to her, I learned she harbored deep resentment toward her stepbrother and a strong fear of men. But she liked that I was kind.
As for Eun-ha, it felt like she followed me just because her sister Ju-ha did. It was hard to sense any deep affection or love from her yet. She was just content that life here was way better than in North Korea.
What could I say? She treated me more like a concubine than a wife. Even sharp-tongued Ha-rin and nagging A-reum had eventually fallen for me, so I held out hope Eun-ha would come around someday.
Even if not, with the Slave Brand skill, I couldn't ask for more. No real regrets there.
Sometimes, Eun-ha would gaze up at the sky, thinking of the family she left in North Korea. Whenever that happened, Ju-ha and Eun-ji would swarm her with thorough re-education, so now she just spat venom about how her remaining family up north were stuck in patriarchal misogyny.
"All three of you, get up! The sun's up! And Joon-ah, the jewelry merchant's coming. Rise and shine—we need to wash up and get ready."
"Ah, Noona. Just a sec."
Hee-sun Noona burst into the room to wake us. I scratched my messy hair and sat up. Hee-sun Noona, Ju-ha, and Merhere were early risers without much morning grogginess.
In contrast, me, A-reum, Eun-ji, and Ha-rin were heavy sleepers. Hwa-young, being a vampire, spent most days dozing, and A-ram was perpetually sleepy day and night.
Ye-won-i, though... she was almost always awake. I remembered her curled in my arms more than asleep.
'Maybe a touch of separation anxiety—she can't sleep easily without me nearby.'
Lately, though, caring for her baby dragon Helgen had kept her busy, easing her sensitivity a bit. Having a child to look after seemed to soften her obsessions and mental quirks, like becoming a parent.
"Noona... did you talk to the pixie?"
"Yeah. No big reaction changes. She's hesitant, doesn't want to talk right now. So I'm giving her time to tame her down."
"Gotcha... Yawn. Hope we can tame her soon."
Even with Hee-sun Noona, the druid, trying to communicate, the pixie showed no special response. Hellas had said her high intelligence made normal taming methods ineffective... and he was right.
Well, for me, sprinkling fairy dust would do the trick. Unlike my instant irritation or Hellas's approach, she at least hemmed and hawed with Hee-sun Noona—progress soon, probably.
I left the bedding to the slaves and prepared to greet the jewelry merchant.
"Been waiting?"
"No, perfect timing."
Instead of the hellish Monday updates, the prettied-up jewelry merchant arrived. She wore a flashier gothic dress than usual, adorned with jewelry, and carried a parasol in her right hand as she entered the base.
Her left hand held a vintage trunk as big as her torso—heavy, so I grabbed it quick. Packed assuming I'd have the seal ring, she said. We stashed her bag in the principal's office for now.
"We won't head straight to the mansion entrance."
"Oh?"
"First, we'll meet our teammates at the reception area."
"Teammates... random, right?"
"Yeah. Enter the assigned room, and early arrivals greet you or vice versa. First in is team leader."
"Leader... any perks?"
"Nope. Worst job. Gotta keep as many alive to the end as possible. Hope you don't get it."
"Please... not me..."
But I knew myself. Luck 666 wouldn't pass up this chance. I'd be leader for sure.
Yeah, no hopes meant no shocks or hurts. Assume the worst. I'd be leader. Thinking that way actually calmed me. If inevitable, might as well wear the hat and boss the team around.
"Alright, let's go."
"Yeah! Girls! I'm off! Guard the house! Kill anything weird on sight—double-tap! If fight goes south, run! Everyone stay alive!"
"Got it! Be careful, Oppa!"
"Come back safe...!"
I hugged the women staying behind, then took the jewelry merchant's hand. With Merhere, Hellas, and even Pallas there—solid adults—I wasn't worried. Tasks assigned, Ha Jin-seong would handle the rest.
He's shifted from combat to personnel management lately. Trust him to manage.
"Let's go."
"Yeah..."
Now, to the pre-mansion reception midpoint. Teams form randomly there, rules explained, then enter... Kinda tense. Felt like solo backpacking abroad.
'Whew... nothing forgotten... good.'
For today, I'd packed my high-capacity magic bag: merchant buys, chocobars, emergency rations, sleeping bag.
Even the couple's necklace in case separated from teammates. Prep perfect.
Soon, light enveloped us, teleporting to the reception.
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"Ugh... fuck... where..."
We materialized in a huge building corridor. Nothing but humanoid-like folks bustling with papers. Ugly dwarves and odd-looking near-humans scurried about.
Dizzy?
"Kinda... woozy..."
"Long distance teleport— that'll do it."
"Ahem. Better now... but where..."
"Welcome. This is the Merchant Guild building interior. Sorry, can't show the outside."
No windows, as she said—like underground. Just endless walls and halls.
"Let's head in. Teammates might be waiting."
"Yeah..."
She led to Conference Room 3. Bare ten-pyeong space: sofa, table. That's it.
"Damn..."
"As expected."
No one, as I figured. I was leader for sure. Instant proof: something flew and wrapped my arm like a captain's band.
She swept her face sadly—leader's tougher. I accepted stoically; expected it.
"Wait a bit... they'll come."
"Yeah... where you going?"
"Ah, I'm only allowed this far... got elsewhere to be. Probably CCTV room watching you."
"We're... watched?"
"Seems so... cheering hard. Good luck, Joon."
"Yes. Success means you come to our base."
"Of course. Saw the bag. Definitely coming—no worries."
She left me alone. I sat, waiting. Five minutes later, first teammate entered.
"Oh... hello?"
Bald white guy, classic American accent. Buff as me, swords galore: longsword, shortsword, katana at waist. Fingerless gloves, cargo pants. Oddly kind face. How's a bald brute look so nice?
'No way... this guy's the hero...?'
Sudden gut feeling: Luck 777 owner. No reason—just vibe. Tried mind-calling Indicron or Kashnax to confirm... muffled response only. Blocked? Place effect or his doing?
Tensed, debating skill use.
'Nah... don't overreact. Might be wrong... can't ruin on hunch.'
Maybe too paranoid from rival warnings.
Yeah, I was tense. Loosened up—over-taut made me awkward, full of openings.
As I pondered, he casually sat opposite, munched a high-cal chocobar from his bag, extended hand for shake.
Super outgoing, social vibe. Hated it more.
"I'm Nick. I think we're a team."
"Uh... I'm Joon. Yes. I agree. We're team."
Native accent assumed I'd get English—minus 100. World-language arrogance.
Annoying, but simple, so I nodded naturally. No handshake—could trigger skill.
He awkwardly withdrew. Friendly team gesture... couldn't kill or enslave or tithe. Sigh. Play nice.
Introduced as Joon—no full name needed. He said Nick only. Same boat.
Three minutes staring, cold sweat, itchy. How to vibe with non-slave human?
Honestly, couldn't. Then he offered another chocobar.
"Do you want one?"
"No. Thanks."
No eating stranger food—everyone knows. Pallas got drunk on my booze gift, turned woman.
His bar could be cursed. TS chocobar? I'd packed memory-wipe booze and TS whiskey just in case.
"Yeah. If you don't like it."
Cool nod, ate it himself. Like innocent kindness.
Made me seem paranoid as he chomped. I was, so stared back unfazed. Awkward silence till last teammate.
-Creak...
Door opened. Filthy beggar in wide hat. Murderous aura, beggar-king vibe.
'Psycho? Atmosphere king... begging to die...'
Could tentacle-bind and kill easy...
Then he eyed us appraisingly, low voice:
"? .. ?? . ??? . (Hm... pleased. I'm Baiyu.)"
Fuck... Chinese!
One cocky alpha American in-crowd. Other stubborn beggar Chinese.
Shit... started fucked. Language barriers huge... I knew zilch beyond nihao. Worse: they glared, aura clashing!
'Why these fucks!!!'
Pre-apoc US-China relations? No clue—zero geopolitics interest. Fact: Nick and Baiyu death-staring.
'Me... leader here...?'
Damn... sandwiched between empires... couldn't kill either... head spinning, near faint. Incommunicado into mansion? Day one, slaughtering them.
'No... can't...!'
Dizzy, timely announcement:
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
Aa. Seems all participants gathered. Briefing on Chilling Mansion exploration rules. For team communication, please equip provided items.
-Clatter.
Ceiling parted, three bracelets dropped.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
Wearing enables flawless communication with teammates.
I slapped one on. Done with Chinese and English hell.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
Next: First in room is leader. Cannot change arbitrarily.
Damn. Confirmed leader. No escape.
Group project nightmares flooded back.
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