The Strongest Baggage (2)
After entering the inn with Master, I immediately prostrated myself flat on the floor.
"Master! I'm sorry!! Please forgive me!!!"
I pressed my forehead to the ground, striking the most servile pose imaginable. Dogeza, full bow, five-body throw-down. This was no time for pride.
Sure, it had been an emergency, but I'd committed a massive breach of etiquette, hadn't I? The reality of it sank in more with every passing second. And so, the best posture I could manage was this one.
"Child, I'm not angry, so rise."
"Still, I'm sorry."
"How can a man so easily bow his head like this? If it must be done, you must have the resolve to push forward without hesitation. You did well, in fact."
Still on my knees, I glanced up at Master to gauge her mood. Just when I thought she was taking it better than expected...
"From now on, tell this lady first. It's true that I've been out of touch with the world for so long and am ignorant of its ways..."
Her hand gently stroked my head.
"This lady is no fool, you know. Pretending to kiss is a simple act... I'd like you to trust me from now on."
"Master...! I was short-sighted!"
"There, there, come here, child."
Tia Master, whose heart was as vast as the sea! Emotion welled up like a tidal wave at her boundless benevolence.
She spread her arms with a smile, and I threw myself into her embrace.
Sniff sniff...
"Master... would you like to wash up first?"
"...!!"
The quick-witted Tia Master swiftly put some distance between us.
"I shall."
"Uh. Um...! I'll be downstairs, so come down when you're ready and we'll eat together."
"Very well..."
Damn it...! I'm such an idiot.
It hadn't even been long since my last blunder, and I'd already screwed up again.
Of course, Master never sweated at all normally. Not even when I'd strained myself challenging that "trial."
It was a familiar yet mystical scent that soothed the mind.
- Blackberry, laurel, cedarwood.
The moment I'd buried my face in her chest, an essence transcending human body odor tickled my nose. I'd inhaled it like a man possessed.
No... I never imagined it could be sweat!
No excuse would help now—I'd already made a fool of myself. Regret wouldn't change a thing.
I trudged downstairs and started tearing at my hair.
"Huuuuh..."
I couldn't even think about ordering food, just sighing heavily over and over.
"Order... uh..."
Even the server was giving me space, respecting my time of torment.
As I tried to collect my thoughts, someone clueless tapped my shoulder.
"Hey... who are you?"
"Got a nice body on ya?"
A woman with piercings in her face was hitting on me. Tsk... total bitch.
Even in a fantasy world, this outfit crossed the line. Bikini armor...? Outdated garbage that only fashion-blind trash would wear. Utterly impractical in combat—pure trash! A horrific display that screamed zero regard for the beauty of modesty or personal chastity.
Her appearance made me grimace involuntarily.
"Hey... beat it. I'm not in the mood."
Maternal Love [B]
Target's protective instincts and favorability increase.
It had been ages since I'd seen a status window. But seriously, Status Window... you reading the room right now?
Even after I'd coldly brushed her off, the scantily clad woman cozied up even more.
"Ooh? What's wrong? Bad mood...? Want me to cheer you up...?"
She plopped down right next to me.
"Dunno why, but... I really like ya. So manly yet cute... what's this feeling?"
"I said I'm not interested."
"Don't play hard to get... I usually charge, but today... special service...!"
"You little...!"
Sure enough, she was a hooker. And at the table behind, some burly thugs were eyeing us.
My boiling rage cooled to ice. This was a setup. They'd pegged me as an easy mark—alone and male.
Those damn bastards...
I shoved away the still-flirting exposure queen.
"Ow...!"
The bikini armor bitch hit the floor. Right on cue, two thugs rose from their table.
I stood straight, locking eyes with them as I rose too. Turns out I was taller. Heh heh... didn't see that coming, huh?
The thugs flinched but spat out their rehearsed lines anyway.
"Hey... that's harsh to our friend."
"Don't be a buzzkill—just leave."
"Hey now... you hurt her... shouldn't you make it up to us?"
Haa... these psycho gangsters.
Part of me wanted to beat them senseless, but causing a scene right after entering the city wouldn't help. Master and I were incognito.
I forced a relaxed expression. "Let's end this nicely. You know how it is... Tell your lady friend to get up."
I extended a hand to the still-sprawled exposure queen.
Maternal Love [B]
Target's protective instincts and favorability increase.
"Oh my."
Come on, Status Window! Please!! Unwanted favorability is worse than none. Just disappear already...!
She blinked in surprise, then blushed and took my hand, standing up. Still full of goodwill, she added sweetly,
"Aww! Such a gentleman, hee hee... C'mon, boys, let's go."
"Ptooey..."
The two men grumbled but complied, slinking back to their table. The server behind flashed a thumbs-up and a big grin.
Disaster averted—no wrecked tavern. Good call holding back.
I sat back down with a sense of accomplishment. Just then, Master came down after a quick wash.
"Child, shall we eat first, then wash?"
"Sure, Master. You must be hungry."
"Hee hee, suppressing the mark while moving about is no small feat."
Her gaze was as kindly as ever. Seeing Master melted away my lingering irritation like it had been rinsed clean.
I raised my hand to call the server. That's when a nasal voice chimed in.
"Oh? So that's your type...?"
"You little... sigh..."
I nearly cursed, but held back in front of Master. I'd never sworn in her presence before—and I never wanted to. Getting scolded was one thing, but hurting her feelings? No way.
"Didn't we settle this?"
"Ooh? What're you talking about...?"
Maternal Love [B]
Target's protective instincts and favorability increase.
Undeterred, the exposure queen slid into the seat beside me again. She glanced at Master, like she had a new routine prepared. Or maybe she thought I was easy since I'd backed off before.
Either way, it pissed me off. She tickled my arm, flirting anew.
Across from us, Master furrowed her brow and spoke. "How can you act so improperly? Begone."
"Aww... don't be like that~."
The exposure queen reached for Master without hesitation. Naturally, I grabbed her wrist and blocked her.
"Go back. Last warning."
"I just wanna be friends... Can't I touch your cheek once? So cute."
Master's brow furrowed deeper.
"Child, actions have their proper measure. Cease this unseemly behavior and be on your way. Fleeting encounters will only diminish your dignity."
How could she always speak such perfect words...? Master truly was a mature adult of impeccable character. Even my rising anger subsided.
But there's always one who doesn't get it.
"Ooh~ That kinda play? When you say 'stop,' you mean go harder...? Master! Disciple! Like that? Haha!"
"Don't cross the line. Get lost. Please."
"I could do it too... Or do you like 'em small?"
This fucking bitch!!
Some people just don't listen—and she was exhibit A. If Master weren't here, I'd have wrecked her regardless of consequences.
Huuu... Patience is a virtue; three times and you save a life. Last... really the last time, I held back and gently pushed her away.
"Hey, thugs... take her away, please!"
My face burned as I calmed myself. A mirror would probably show it beet red.
The now surlier duo approached our table again.
"Don't yap...!"
Stung by being called thugs? Pride hurt, one kicked our table hard.
Master had seen it coming and dodged, hunching down. Relief flooded me amid the shock. Then fury surged.
We'd crossed the threshold—no more talk. I punched the one with his hand in his pocket.
Mana coursed through my arm, pumping my muscles. A sharp jab. Crunch—his philtrum shattered.
As my fist withdrew, teeth rained down. The moment the fragments hit the floor, so did his consciousness and knees.
Huuu... finally, some relief.
"Take her and scram."
"...Yessir."
Street punks are classic bullies—strong against weak, weak against strong. One solid hit knocking out his teeth, and the rest bowed their heads meekly.
Even the giggling exposure queen finally clocked the situation, slinking away wordlessly after them.
Master had calmly moved to the empty table beside us. As I sat across, she smiled faintly.
"Well done, child."
"Uh... really?"
I'd braced for a scolding, but got praise instead.
"Sometimes, action speaks louder than words."
"Yeah, true. Heh heh."
Thinking back... hadn't Master once sliced through those Shadows in one go? Were humanoid monsters an exception? Hmm...
Master continued, "However, force must be known not only when extended, but when retracted. Master your rising emotions more finely... Dodo, make it your own."
She always offered not just praise, but paths to growth. That's why Tia Master was a true educator.
Is this what having a mom feels like?
I grinned sheepishly. "Did I disappoint you a little?"
"This lady was not disappointed at all. Quite the opposite—I worried. Isn't your heart unusually kind?"
"Me...?"
"Indeed. Dodo, you are this lady's pride. Act with more confidence."
As always, she stroked my head. Food arrived soon after, and we started on some drinks.
[In this lady's current state, alcohol is too much.]
Too bad—our first drinks together ended with me solo. It'd been forever since I'd had any. Even as a side chaser, the booze made my body sway.
Mood lifted, I grinned idiotically at Master's face alone.
"Child, best stop now."
"Ah! Yeah...! Was thinking the same. Heh heh."
"Let's head up and prepare for tomorrow."
Every word rang true. Time to regroup before more mistakes.
…
Suddenly, curiosity struck. Master's cheek. What would that soft pouch feel like?
The exposure queen's taunt echoed in my booze-addled head.
"Master! Your disciple has one request!"
"Child, you're drunk. What is it?"
"Cheek! Let me touch your cheek once!"
"So sudden?"
Master's eyes widened in surprise. She sighed softly, then leaned forward with a resigned expression.
"Wooow!"
Buzzed and bold, I reached out without hesitation. Squish. It sank in like mochi, soft and stretchy.
"…"
"Heh heh…"
Master said nothing, just gazing at me with an exasperated look. In her beautiful golden eyes, my reflection grinned like a fool, unbeknownst to me.