Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: A Small Disturbance in Bachran (5)
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"Can I sleep at your place tonight, big bro?"
-Cough! Cough...!
Seris looked back and forth between me and Kara with an expression of utter disbelief.
"Kara! Suddenly wanting to sleep at Yuseong's house?! Are you out of your mind?!"
"Why are you yelling, sis?"
"You think I can stay quiet right now?! How can a girl just say something like that so casually..."
"Seris, you're getting too worked up. Calm down."
Seris had stood up from the table in her excitement, gripping it tightly. I guided her back down and helped her settle.
"Anyway, Kara, you want to stay at my place? Mind if I ask why?"
"I'm not saving any money..."
Kara's face darkened unusually.
"Not saving money?"
"The daily wage here is 7 copper, right? After 2 copper for lodging and 2 for food, only 3 copper left per day. How long will it take to become an adventurer like this? So I thought I'd cut back on lodging costs at least... Can't I?"
"No!!"
"I didn't ask you, sis! Big bro, can't I?"
"No way!!"
"Well, it's not impossible... but my place is pretty rundown. You okay with that?"
"Yuseong?!"
"Yeah, sure! It's free lodging—what's a little rundown about it!"
"Kara! Do you take my words for..."
"Got it. No complaints later."
"What do you take my words..."
"Don't worry. We can just sleep, really. Hehe."
"What..."
"No bed?"
"Huh..."
"Eek... that's kinda..."
"Mmm..."
"If you don't like it, no choice. I'll just pay 2 copper and stay at the inn."
"..."
"Ugh... fine. A bed's no big deal anyway!"
"..."
Kara and I exchanged smiles as we chatted. Seris just sat there, dazed.
"...Sis, you're really coming along?"
"Yeah! Why? Can't sis come?"
"That's not it..."
Kara looked somewhat dissatisfied. I chuckled softly and handed her a cloth.
"What's this for?"
"You need to cover your face too. My place is in a rough neighborhood."
"...Huh?"
Seris's voice turned anxious.
"I-Is that... okay...?"
"Just listen to me, and you'll be fine. Don't do anything I tell you not to. You could get kidnapped if you wander off into trouble."
"...You're joking, right?"
I silently wrapped the cloth around Kara's face. Seris grabbed my sleeve, shaking it urgently for an answer.
"You're joking, right? Right?"
"Sis, cut it out. Why are you like this?"
"Kara, he said kidnapped! Kidnapped! Who knows what could happen...!"
"You can tell he's messing around. Otherwise, how's he living there fine?"
"Ah..."
"If you're that scared, stay at the inn. Problem solved?"
"No, I can't."
Her tone was firm, like a father refusing his daughter's weekend trip with her boyfriend.
"Tch..."
Kara clicked her tongue. I smiled lightly and led them toward the hut.
As we neared the slums, the streetlights grew scarcer, casting less light on the dark roads. Soon, only the moonlight illuminated our path.
"...We stayed at the inn too long."
I should've made them leave earlier with some chit-chat.
As the streets darkened and the mood chilled, even Kara grew tense, not just Seris.
I tried to lighten the mood with a joke.
"Hand over anything valuable if you don't want a knife in the gut."
But a thug who appeared before us ruined it. His face was cloth-covered, and he approached with a small dagger drawn.
"Eek..!"
Seris yelped in fright. Kara swallowed hard enough for the gulp to echo.
"Oh? Girls too, huh. Looks like fun times ahead."
The thug cackled. As I pondered my response, a trembling hand grabbed mine.
It was Seris.
Tears glistened in her eyes, visible even through the cloth.
Maybe jokes weren't the way.
"Kalrix, cut the crap and put the knife away."
"Huh? Who's Kalrix?"
"Put it away, I said."
"...Man, you're no fun."
Kalrix, who'd been playing thug, sheathed his knife.
"Can't you play along a bit?"
"I'd have if you did it right. But you looked like a total idiot."
"Harsh. So, who's the girls behind you? Girlfriends?"
Kalrix eyed Seris and Kara. I stepped in front, blocking their view.
"None of your business. What do you want?"
With the Masked Gang gone, Kalrix had no reason to seek me out. His visit meant business.
"It's between us..."
"Cut the crap, I said?"
"Fine, got it. You've gotten pricklier. Let's talk privately for a sec."
Kalrix nodded toward an alley, signaling secrecy.
I shook my head. Heading into an alley late at night in the slums—especially with Kara and Seris—was a bad idea.
"Meet me at the plaza at noon tomorrow. We'll talk then."
"Mm... sure, whatever. See you then. Have fun with your ladies."
Kalrix clapped my shoulder and left.
"A friend of yours, Yuseong?"
"Not a friend. Just someone I know."
"I see... Still, good thing it was a prank from your acquaintance. I was so scared..."
"I was shocked too—couldn't even speak. Why's that guy like that?"
Kara asked, baffled.
But Kalrix wasn't playing; he'd been out mugging for real and spotted me.
I couldn't say that, so I brushed it off.
"He's just a bad seed. And didn't I say not to talk here? Told you it's dangerous."
"Oh, right... sorry."
"Almost there, hang in... Seris, mind letting go of my hand?"
Seris still clutched my hand tightly. She jolted and pulled away. Kara narrowed her eyes at her.
"Ahh..! Sorry!"
"Sis..."
"Kara, it's just..."
"Quiet, both of you."
"Okay..."
"Yes..."
Kara's reaction to the hut wasn't good.
"You live in a place like this..?"
Kara scanned the interior, shocked.
The hut was about the size of a one-room, with gaps everywhere letting wind whistle through. It was understandable.
"Kara, that's rude."
Seris, surprisingly, took it in stride. She crouched and lit a fire.
"Must've hated wasting money on lodging."
"Huh?"
"Never mind. It's late—let's sleep. You have work tomorrow, Kara."
We lay down in order: me, Seris, Kara. Seris had wedged herself between us. Kara pouted but dozed off soon after hitting the floor.
'Feels cramped in here for once.'
Memories of my runaway family days surfaced. Back then, five or six of us crammed into a single room.
As I smiled at the recollections, a murmur came from beside me.
'Sorry... sorry...'
I propped up on my elbows and turned toward the sound. Kara muttered in her sleep, face pained.
"She's been like this since we left the village."
Seris stroked Kara's hair as she spoke.
"Guess leaving the village behind weighs on her."
"...She seemed fine, all cheery."
"Yeah."
Seris kept stroking until Kara's expression softened.
"Wish she'd just say if she's struggling."
As Kara's murmurs faded, Seris tucked her blanket back in. She gazed at her sister worriedly.
"You okay? Leaving the village."
I'd lured the goblins there. No thought given to the sisters' feelings—just what needed doing.
But seeing upbeat Kara secretly tormented by guilt left a sour taste.
I wondered if Seris felt the same.
She gave an awkward smile at my question.
"Might sound cold, but honestly, I'm fine. Never liked that village much anyway..."
Good. I'd asked out of curiosity, but even if she did feel guilt, there was nothing I could do. Only time would heal it.
"More than that, I want to hear about you, Yuseong."
Seris beamed.
That smile stabbed my chest sharply. I ignored it.
"My story? Why suddenly?"
"It's unfair. You know my past, but I know nothing about you."
"Unfair?"
"Yes! Totally!"
Seris nodded vigorously, her slender jaw moving, silver-blue hair swaying with it.
"Yuseong?"
Damn, I'd zoned out staring. Should've snapped to when she uncovered her face. My mistake.
I answered casually.
"My story? It'll be boring."
Not boring—impossible to tell.
It was a whole other world's tale.
Seeing me hesitate, Seris insisted it didn't matter if boring; she just wanted to hear.
I considered fabricating something but just lay back down.
"Yuseong?"
"Sleep. It's late."
"Aw, come on. Unfair! Unfair!"
"Quiet. You'll wake Kara."
"Ugh... meanie."
Seris pouted and lay down, grumbling loud enough for me to hear before drifting off.
"Mm..."
Kara stirred. Seris had pulled her close. I chuckled at the sleeping sisters, closed my eyes.
The fire felt warmer tonight; sleep came easy.
And the next day.
I met Kalrix at the plaza.
"Lend me some money."
"What?"