Chapter 161
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 161
Chapter Title: Lekarux (4)
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As Ha Yu-ri moved along, thoughts of that man naturally surfaced in her mind.
'...Lee Yun-seong.'
The first time she saw him at the Training Facility, she had dismissed him upon realizing he lacked talent—severely so.
No talent, and his job was Dark Sorcerer.
Of course, her dislike for Dark Sorcerers stemmed from influences beyond her control, but that didn't justify her discrimination against him.
Honestly, she thought he'd die in Eras before even six months were up.
That was what people without talent who still chose combat jobs usually faced.
'My eye for people doesn't even compare to Yoon Yeon's...'
Compared to Yoon Yeon, who had spotted his potential and extended an offer, Ha Yu-ri wondered if she even had what it took to be clan master.
'A slave...'
When she was falsely accused and ended up as Lee Yun-seong's slave, it felt like she'd plummeted into the abyss.
She had no idea what that man might do to her.
Back at the Training Facility, she had humiliated and insulted him.
And right in front of his comrades, no less.
With karma like that, she was terrified he'd resort to violence against her—or worse, toy with her body.
A slave bound by the slave magic couldn't defy their master. They had to obey even degrading commands that trampled their dignity.
And since sensations could be manipulated, he could even reshape her into a completely different personality if he wished.
He could turn Ha Yu-ri into a madwoman—or even a whore.
If he'd wanted to.
'...But he didn't do a thing.'
Surprisingly, he just needed her strength. He hadn't harmed her at all.
Sure, he'd toyed with her a bit by treating her like a dog... but deep down, she knew.
Compared to what she'd done to him, it was a light punishment.
On the contrary, he'd helped her recover her memories and was even aiding her revenge against her mortal enemy.
A wry chuckle escaped her inwardly.
'Ha Yu-ri... you're such an ungrateful wretch.'
She felt utter disgust toward her past self for loathing and tormenting such a man.
'...What the hell have I done?'
She envied Yoon Yeon.
What used to be petty jealousy toward Yoon Yeon had transformed into pure envy of their budding positive relationship.
'If I'd treated him well back at the Training Facility, would things be different for me too?'
Just comparing how he treated her versus Yoon Yeon made it obvious—his expressions were worlds apart.
The irritation and annoyance he directed at her were visibly different from whatever he felt for Yoon Yeon.
She couldn't pin it down in one word. But it didn't seem like love.
They weren't developing romantically—at least not to her eyes. It looked more like admiration or respect.
But feelings like that could evolve into love.
'What am I even thinking?'
She couldn't precisely identify her own emotions.
Did she like him? Or was it just gratitude?
It wasn't love. Yet seeing him chat and laugh with other women inexplicably irritated her.
'I'm so damn ambiguous.'
Her snappish attitude toward him stemmed from not knowing how else to respond—she always reacted on reflex.
'...And I always regret it afterward.'
But right now, she needed to shove those thoughts aside.
Her lifelong mortal enemy was up ahead. Soon...
'I'll kill him.'
She'd capture that old monster and tear him apart slowly.
Torture him until he begged for a quick, merciful death.
As she ground her teeth, the woman he'd introduced—Ruska—spoke up beside her.
"Ha Yu-ri."
"Yes, what is it?"
'What the hell is this woman to him?'
Honestly, she'd caught her attention from the start.
Not just that—her appearance was unreal.
'I'm no slouch myself...'
Ha Yu-ri's looks were exceptionally striking.
It felt odd saying it herself, but she was always among the players whose beauty was the talk of Eras.
As a novice adventurer, her appearance had even been a curse at times.
She remembered the trouble from a famous clan master who tried to have his way with her.
'This woman... she's different. Beyond the looks, there's something...'
It might sound crude, but her allure and vibe oozed sensuality.
The kind that would drive any man mad and make him pounce. Like she was born to enchant men.
'And... she's his slave.'
Even Sharis was essentially a subordinate he could control at will.
"Ha Yu-ri, you should tone down the killing intent. I get the situation, but keeping your emotions in check will serve you better in combat."
"...Got it."
Her response seemed to displease Ruska, who spoke again.
"And... a warning. If you act insolent toward the master again, I won't forgive you."
Ha Yu-ri's mood soured instantly.
It grated on her—Ruska talking like she was his proxy. It was infuriating.
"...What exactly is your relationship with him, Ms. Ruska?"
"It's not 'him.' Call him Master. You're in no position to do otherwise."
'Ugh... seriously...'
"What relationship? The master is everything to me. The reason I live, the driving force that keeps me going."
Those words scratched at her nerves.
She blurted it out before she could stop herself.
"Everything? Really? Then are you everything to him too?"
"You..."
Ruska started to retort but fell silent.
"...Even if not, it's fine. He's the master, I'm the slave. As long as this relationship endures, that's enough."
"Ha... impressive."
"As long as the master doesn't leave my side, I'm content. Better this relationship than nothing at all."
Ha Yu-ri felt repulsed. She couldn't grasp the depth of Ruska's feelings for him.
"Truth be told, I don't want to help you. Your insolence toward the master rubs me the wrong way."
"...Then why are you?"
"Because it's the master's command."
A simple, clear answer.
"....."
"He might call it a request, but every word from him is a command to me. I do anything he asks—even helping you."
"Loyalty like yours is something else. You hate helping me that much, but you obey because it's his order... Would you even give your life if your master demanded it?"
Ruska laughed at her words.
"Yes. My life is one I discarded long ago anyway. And one more thing, just in case."
"...What?"
"Don't ever think of coveting the master. Ha Yu-ri, you don't suit him."
Irritation flared. The whole situation—the woman's words, actions, everything.
"Ha Yu-ri, I'm saying this because I see signs of it in you. Don't take my words lightly."
"...What gives you the right to say that?"
"Just keeping harmful women away from the master in advance."
"What..."
"That's enough talk. We'll catch up soon."
Ha Yu-ri bit her lip. She could feel it too.
The ominous, sticky dark mana.
Kwaaang—!
The clash of the two chimeras resembled a monster showdown.
'No, it is a monster showdown.'
Lekarux clearly cherished this chimera—it was evenly matched with the one I'd made.
From my perspective, it was a bit underwhelming. I'd confidently unleashed mine, only for it to be on par.
"...You made that?"
The silver lining was Sharis's reaction.
She looked incredulous that I'd created it.
"What, you think I outsourced it?"
"...I just can't believe it. You made that monster? Something that can go toe-to-toe with that old coot's masterpiece?"
"What's so special?"
Sharis stared at me like I was an idiot.
"You... you look dissatisfied, but matching that chimera one-on-one is incredible. Don't you get how much of a big deal Lekarux is?"
"Eh... no idea? I've never met the geezer myself."
"...You really don't know. On this continent, Lekarux is the top authority on chimera synthesis. Remember that idiot Barhn?"
'Ah, the bastard who got inside me.'
The phrasing felt off, but anyway.
"Comparing him to that hack Barhn is an insult. Your chimera's holding its own against one made by a supposed legend."
I got what Sharis was driving at.
'She's saying it's more than enough.'
But I had my reasons for feeling unsatisfied.
'It's incomplete.'
Not unfinished in crafting.
'Can't control it. The longer it's out, the more it slips from my grasp.'
Tests showed that after a while, it loses friend-foe distinction entirely.
So unless I could one-shot enemies solo, I couldn't deploy it without risking my own life.
'Well, I could, but it'd mean mutual destruction prep.'
I'd only brought it out now because Sharis was with me. Alone, I wouldn't have.
Mid-battle, Lekarux's chimera glitched.
As if its senses had failed, its massive body swung wildly at nothing.
'...The effect kicked in. Lucky. No clue which sense it stole, but perfect timing.'
White Devour stole memories; Black Devour took senses.
I couldn't fully transplant both, but I'd partially succeeded with Black Devour.
My chimera deprived the foe of one sense temporarily per wound inflicted.
Sharis seemed to notice too.
"Ha... how the hell?"
"Just got inspired."
"......"
The issue was Lekarux's chimera not taking it lying down.
Mouths across its body gaped open in unison.
"This is..."
Liquid spewed from the mouths toward Sharis in an instant.
But Legiratus blocked us, sprouting branches from its black sections en masse.
Tudududuk—
Chiiik—
"Acid of some kind, huh."
"Looks like. More importantly, Sharis."
"What?"
"Why aren't you joining the fight?"
"...Just wanted to see how your chimera performs."
"Figure that out later and jump in. This isn't the time to hold back."
"Hmph..."
"Plus, stick around longer and my chimera'll turn on you."
Sharis blinked in confusion.
"What're you talking about?"
"It's unstable. Loses control over time."
Her reaction screamed "That figures."
"Yeah, no way you'd make something proper. It was acting weird."
'This bitch...'
I desperately wanted to smack her upside the head but held back.
"Whatever. Let's finish this quick. We gotta catch up."