Chapter 48
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Suspicious Request (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
With most of the members off on the expedition, the clan's house felt eerily empty.
Lee Jae-hyo was temporarily acting as clan master proxy, but honestly, there wasn't much they could do with so few people left.
It looked like Lee Jae-hyo had been scouting out dungeons where we could gain some experience lately. With most of the three major clans away on expeditions, he was probably planning to buy up normal- or rare-grade dungeons from the other clans.
And soon enough, I learned that our clan had gone all out on promotion right after our party cleared that rare-grade dungeon.
"...Those are the guys from that party?"
"Yeah, they're newbies, but they don't act like it. Especially Seo Yu-ju—they say she's a monster..."
"Heard they cleared a rare-grade dungeon right after finishing training camp. And not just tagging along—they were the stars of the show."
"Fuck, some people start from the bottom, others join Eternity Clan and walk the flower path... Damn it all..."
"Shh, quiet down."
Now, whenever our party went out, people were starting to recognize us.
Our party had always been known as a promising group with growth potential, but hardly anyone knew our faces before.
But once the promotions kicked in, people began recognizing us more and more.
'They want to groom us as the clan's heavy hitters.'
Not that I could blame them. If I were clan master, I'd probably plan to raise us up as key executives too.
And there was one other big piece of news: a city in the kingdom of Taios—not the neutral nation—had been raided by outlaws.
Until now, outlaws had stuck to operating outside cities, but this was the first time they'd hit an entire city as a group.
That was why Lund was buzzing. I figured everywhere else was the same.
"Heard about it? Branca in Taios got totally wiped out..."
"They say the clan managing that city got annihilated."
"No way... The Thorn Clan?"
"The world's ending, man."
"That's why Taios is recruiting people to retake the city."
'...A city raided by outlaws.'
Since it happened in a kingdom, not the neutral nation, it didn't concern me much, but outlaws were clearly a cancer on this world.
I glanced at Seo Yu-ju, and she didn't look happy. As a regressor, she must've clashed with those outlaws in her first timeline.
"...Yu-ju, you okay?"
"Ah... Yeah. It's nothing, Yun-seong."
We were outside alone for the moment, so I was worried about her.
"A city raided by outlaws... At least it's not the neutral nation, but Taios must be in an uproar."
"Yeah. They'll probably launch a full-scale operation to retake it. Taios can't just sit idly by..."
Honestly, I wondered if a city reclamation op would even make much difference.
'...The outlaws could just wreck the place, grab what they want, ditch the city, and run. End of story.'
They'd flee first, so yeah, the city could be retaken easily enough.
'But it wouldn't be in one piece.'
Curious, I asked Seo Yu-ju,
"Do outlaws have any hierarchy?"
"Hmm... It varies. Some operate solo, others band together in clan-like groups."
"..."
"I've heard the clan types have ranks among them. They even have a leader... but no one knows who."
"I see."
Suddenly, Seo Yu-ju leaned in close, looking worried.
"If you ever run into outlaws on your own, run—no matter what. They're not human. Stick by me, got it?"
"Haha... Got it. Don't worry. With you and the party around, what's there to fear?"
"Still, you never know."
"I understand. Anyway, Yu-ju, is there an auction house in Lund?"
"Yeah, there is. Looking to buy something?"
"Mm... My experiments are stalled, so I wanted to check for useful materials."
"We've got time. Want me to show you?"
"...I'd appreciate that."
We headed to the auction house and browsed, but nothing useful turned up for me. Most auction items were gear, weapons, or luxuries.
Catalysts and materials popped up occasionally, but nothing worthwhile.
'Sigh... Should I look into the black market?'
From what I knew, there were secret black markets in this world dealing everything—including slaves of other races and humans.
'Problem is finding where they are...'
Locating them was one issue; getting in was another. They wouldn't let just anyone through.
No progress on the experiments meant frustration building, and I let out a sigh.
"Hoo..."
Seo Yu-ju, sitting with me at the auction house, noticed and hesitantly spoke up.
"Um... Didn't find what you were looking for...?"
Lost in thoughts of experiments, I'd forgotten she was there.
"Ah... Sorry, I didn't mean to worry you. My bad, Yu-ju."
"N-No... You just seem really frustrated..."
"The experiments are a bit stalled, but it's not a big deal. I'm fine."
"...Really? What kind of experiments, if you don't mind me asking?"
'...Can't tell her everything.'
She wouldn't blab, but my goal was surveillance chimeras, not combat ones. Awkward to share.
"Mm... Trying to make a chimera, but as a dark sorcerer, anything I make gets seen as evil, which is causing issues."
"Oh... Can't it just be evil?"
"No. Goal is to strip out all malevolence—not necessarily good, but neutral at worst."
"...What if you mix in good-aligned catalysts or materials?"
She was trying hard to help, throwing out ideas.
"Already thought of that. That's why I came to the auction house, but nothing good here."
"Want me to look into materials or catalysts for you?"
"...Sorry, but could you?"
I felt bad asking her, but I was desperate enough to accept.
"Of course! Don't worry about it. It's no big deal."
"...Thanks, Yu-ju."
As a regressor, she probably had her ways.
"Hehe, no problem. Just say the word if you need help!"
"Next time... let me treat you to a meal. Seriously, thank you."
Her eyes lit up at the offer.
"Whoa! For real? No take-backs, Yun-seong!"
'She's way too excited...'
She was grinning to herself, clearly thrilled at the idea of me buying her dinner.
"Of course."
"Ack! Better note it down before you change your mind!"
She whipped out a notepad and jotted it down.
I stared at her in disbelief over something so minor.
"Hehe... No backsies now."
"...You don't need to write it down..."
"Eh, better safe. Anyway, let's head back!"
Back at the clan house with Seo Yu-ju, a woman was pacing out front.
'...Who is she?'
She looked like a noble house maid from her attire: a black bob-cut in her early twenties, and local-born by her features.
I approached her. Since she was openly loitering, she probably wasn't trouble. Seemed like she had business with our clan.
"...Excuse me, do you have business with our clan?"
"Ah... Ack!"
She spun around in surprise at my voice from behind. Without thinking, I pulled up her status window.
Name: Sharis
Age: 21
Job:Judge of Darkness (Legendary Grade)
Title: Maid of the Silverstein Count Family, Second Finger of Citri
Unique Traits:
Judge of Darkness (Legendary Grade) - Deploys Judge of Darkness over a wide area. All stats of everyone except yourself within the area decrease by 5. Also continuously applies mental attacks to everyone except yourself.
Citri's Favor (Hero Grade) - You receive the favor of Demon World Legion Commander Citri.
Traits:
Grand Sorcerer (Legendary Grade) - Tremendously increased understanding of magic.
Good Hatred (Hero Grade) - When facing good-aligned beings, all stats increase by 3 for a short time.
I froze solid staring at her status. My mouth locked up; no words came out.
'...What the hell? Judge of Darkness? Demon World Legion Commander...?'
The sudden silence made things awkward.
'......Fuck, say something—anything.'
Standing there mute would tip her off. I glanced at Seo Yu-ju; she didn't recognize the woman. Just puzzled by my stiffness.
"...Um..."
As I fumbled for words, she spoke first.
"Ahh...! Sorry! Um, are you with Eternity Clan?"
Her speech and demeanor screamed innocent noble maid.
'Sh, shit... Crazy bitch!'
Realizing it was all an act sent chills down my spine, hairs standing on end.
"Haha... Yes, that's right. Eternity Clan member. Do you have business with our clan...?"
"Ahh...! Yes...! I want to entrust a request to Eternity Clan..."
'A request?'
I knew players and locals sometimes commissioned big clans, but it was rare for natives to do so.
More than that, this psycho wanting to hire us made me want to scream. No way it was legit.
'Reject it, whatever it takes.'
I didn't know what she wanted, but we absolutely could not accept.
Others couldn't see her status, so I had to block it here.
"Haha, well... Unfortunately, our clan isn't taking requests right now..."
As I tried to politely decline, Lee Jae-hyo emerged from the clan house.
"Hm...? Yun-seong, Yu-ju. Who's this...?"
'Goddamn it.'
"Nothing, Jae-hyo. She must've mistaken us for—"
"Ah, Jae-hyo! She says she wants to give our clan a request..."
'You crazy bitch!'
I cursed inwardly. Good thing it stayed inside.
For once, I wanted to smack Seo Yu-ju upside the head. For real.