Chapter 87
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 87
Chapter Title: Sillan (1)
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“Aigoo! Thank you, sir!”
I handed the coachman a bit more than the original fare before stepping down from the carriage.
“...This is Sillan.”
My first impression of the city of Sillan was that it definitely had a different vibe from Lund. Geographically, Lund was close to Baronia’s capital, while Sillan was on the outskirts, so it made sense that the atmosphere would differ.
“Alright, for now, we’ll stay long-term at an inn. The investigation probably won’t wrap up quickly anyway.”
There was no clan house here to begin with, so the inn was our only option. The lodging fees were easily covered by the clan’s funds, and since we weren’t planning to stay for years, money wasn’t an issue.
Uncle Ho-won spoke to Seo Yu-ju.
“Hmm... Do you have a place in mind, by any chance?”
Even though Uncle Ho-won was older, he used polite speech out of respect for her position as clan master.
“Yes. I’ve got one in mind. I’ve never been to Sillan before either, so I don’t know the streets that well... but I’ll guide you there.”
Seo Yu-ju must have looked into a place for us to stay in advance.
As we followed her, various sights came into view. What particularly caught my eye were the women hawking their wares.
‘...Nowhere safe to look.’
They wore provocative outfits that exposed their shoulders as a baseline, with bare midriffs or deep cleavage on full display, flaunting their figures like it was nothing.
“...Yun-seong.”
“Ah...”
I couldn’t resist glancing for a moment out of curiosity, and Seo Yu-ju had caught that brief lapse.
She suddenly stopped walking and fixed me with a cold stare.
“No, I mean... the vibe here is so different from Lund. Haha...”
‘Hang on, what the hell... Why do I have to watch myself for something like this?’
Everyone was turning to look at stuff like that. What did she expect me to do?
Even Wi Ho-yeon, a woman herself, had turned bright red at the sight of the soliciting women, looking utterly lost in the city’s atmosphere.
Anyway, as I was explaining myself to Seo Yu-ju, one of the soliciting women sidled up, hooked her arm through mine, and started talking.
“Oh my, brother. New face in town? Stay the night. I’ll give you all kinds of service, okay?”
‘Sh, shit, why is this happening?’
I was utterly flustered. I hadn’t done anything.
In my panic, I glanced desperately at Seo Yu-ju, but all I saw was her head bowed, trembling with anger.
‘Damn it...!’
“Ah, sorry, but could you let go of my arm first...”
Smack!
Just as I was trying to politely refuse, Seo Yu-ju yanked the woman’s arm off mine.
“Sorry. We’re in a bit of a rush.”
‘That expression...’
Seo Yu-ju was smiling as she spoke to the woman, but there was nothing soft about her demeanor.
“Ah, y-yes, of course...!”
The woman must have sensed something off about Seo Yu-ju, because she scurried away immediately.
The problem was that now I had to face Seo Yu-ju’s wrath alone.
“...Does Yun-seong have some kind of charm that attracts women or something?”
“Pardon?”
‘What are you talking about...’
If I seriously had a talent like that, I wouldn’t be living like this. I wouldn’t have struggled so much back on Earth either.
“Ha... Just surprised, that’s all.”
Me and the other clan members could all tell Seo Yu-ju was in a foul mood, so we were all treading carefully around her.
“It was just her hawking her business. I just happened to be the target. Haha...”
As I spoke, I shot desperate glances at the others, and that must have gotten through to Lee Jae-hyo, who cleared his throat and spoke up.
“...Ahem! So... how much farther to our destination?”
“...Just a little more, I think.”
True to her word, we soon spotted an inn.
‘Blind Bard...’
The inn’s sign had an oddly intriguing name.
“...This the place?”
“Yes. Shouldn’t be any major inconveniences while staying here.”
‘...Looks like she stayed here during her first run.’
Judging by her reaction, Seo Yu-ju had stayed here before in her first timeline. Coming back to it suggested it was pretty decent.
Ding-a-ling—
“...Welcome.”
The interior looked clean as soon as we stepped inside.
‘...Unexpected. For an inn in a red-light district or slums, the vibe’s different.’
Given the city, I’d expected rowdy chaos and raw energy, but it was quiet and tidy.
‘That’s why she picked this place.’
The first floor seemed set up for dining, with a few patrons eating quietly.
Seo Yu-ju approached the counter and asked the man who looked like the owner.
“Hello. We’d like to stay here. How much for long-term lodging?”
“...For long-term, pay weekly. Meals are separate. Private rooms are 21 gold per person per week. And don’t haggle—it’s already cheap compared to others.”
The owner had a gruff personality. I sneaked a peek at his status window; his stats were impressive.
Probably a retired adventurer.
‘That explains the quiet.’
I could easily picture him cracking skulls if anyone caused trouble.
“Got it. Here’s a week’s pay upfront, then.”
“...Rooms are on the third floor. Keys here. Dinner plans? If you’re eating out...”
“No, we’ll eat here. Is it possible now?”
“Eat first, then. Pick from the menu, tell the server, and wait a bit for your food.”
“Thanks.”
We paid up and took our seats.
Uncle Ho-won glanced around before speaking.
“Hmm... The atmosphere’s different from what I expected. First inn stay in this world aside from Earth, but... it doesn’t match the city’s vibe.”
“Yeah. I looked into it before coming. The other inns here are... pretty rowdy. Given our goals, a quiet spot seemed better.”
“Good call, Yu-ju.”
Our group’s personalities didn’t mesh with noisy places anyway.
Maybe if Hyun-jin or Kang I-seo were here, but as is, quiet suited us better.
We ordered from the menu and scanned the room, feeling a few stares.
‘What? Why are they looking?’
For a moment, I couldn’t figure out why they were glancing our way, but then it clicked.
‘They’re staring at Seo Yu-ju and Wi Ho-yeon.’
Their looks were drawing attention, naturally. But...
‘...The stares are sleazy. Guess that’s what living in a pleasure district does.’
Seemed gamblers and pleasure-seekers were the same everywhere, Earth or here.
“So... what’s the plan now, Yu-ju?”
All eyes turned to me, then her. Our purpose here was investigating drug trafficking, after all.
The issue was no one knew where to start.
I could peek at status windows to investigate, but the others had no such edge—it must feel daunting.
‘Seo Yu-ju probably has a solution anyway, so I’m not worried.’
“I’m thinking we split up. Wandering around as a group of five would look suspicious, right?”
Fair point. Snooping on drug ops as a pack would scream “we’re digging.”
Splitting up for discreet work was smart.
‘Safety’s the concern, though...’
Less chance of detection, but harder to guarantee safety if trouble hit.
“Yun-seong with Ho-yeon, Jae-hyo with Uncle Ho-won, and me solo.”
‘...Thought she’d stick with me, but separate?’
I’d assumed she’d pair with me—for my protection, mostly.
‘...She’s investigating separately? Ho-yeon as my safety net?’
Wi Ho-yeon was top-tier on this continent; with her, I’d be fine.
Seo Yu-ju essentially admitting she’d go solo made Lee Jae-hyo voice his concern.
“...Clan Master. No disrespect, but as a newbie, isn’t solo investigating too risky...?”
Those unaware of her regressor status naturally worried, despite her skills outshining a rookie’s.
Dungeons together was one thing; solo street work felt different, so everyone fretted.
“...Don’t worry about me. I can handle myself.”
“Mm... Alright, then. Just call if things get dicey.”
“Of course. Thanks for worrying, Jae-hyo.”
As we chatted, our food arrived, served by a female server.
“Here’s your food~ Enjoy!”
“Thanks.”
Chatting with the owner afterward, she seemed like his daughter.
“Anyway, let’s eat. And Yun-seong, just to be safe—I mean it this time, no reckless stuff. Got it...?”
“Haha... Understood.”
I’d just taken a few bites when a man from the next table approached us.
“Um... ladies?”
He was clearly after Wi Ho-yeon and Seo Yu-ju.
‘...Here comes the fly.’
Their looks, plus our Eternity crests for the investigation, were magnets.
“...What is it?”
“Ahem... First time in the city? Me and my buddy know it inside out. If you ladies are cool with it, wanna hang with us today?”
He acted like Uncle Ho-won, Jae-hyo, and I were invisible. Or their beauty blinded him.
‘...He’s decent-looking, though.’
Probably boosted his confidence.
Seo Yu-ju’s face soured at his words. Wi Ho-yeon looked unfazed—used to this.
“...No thanks. I’m talking with my group.”
“Aw, c’mon, join us...”
As he reached for Seo Yu-ju’s shoulder despite her refusal, I sighed and opened my mouth—but she grabbed his wrist and twisted it back.
“Aaaargh!”
Whoosh!
His friend at their table shot up, yelling.
“You bitch...!”
He drew his weapon and charged, but froze pale as a chill hit his throat.
“...Move again and I bite.”
Wi Ho-yeon had instantly drawn her sword to his neck.
Invisible blade, but the sensation was real—his pallor made sense.
Realizing they’d poked a hornet’s nest, the guys stiffened. The wrist guy was okay; Yu-ju had gone easy.
“F-fuck, breaking a guy’s wrist is too much, isn’t it?!”
I admired his guts speaking up anyway.
“Ha... I said no, and you touched me.”
“Even so...!”
As he started protesting, the owner laid a hand on his shoulder.
“Told you no disturbances. You two—no refunds. Out.”
“Dam, damn it...”
They grabbed their stuff and left without a peep.
I thanked him.
“Thanks for the help, owner.”
“No big deal... Just tossing troublemakers from my inn. Finish your meals.”