Master's Gentle Concern: The Mark of Pain and Cannibal's Madness
Ah.
Master's single word snapped me back to reality. This wasn't the time to wallow in some petty issue.
I pulled myself together, steeling my melted heart, and faced reality head-on.
"Not at all. More importantly, shouldn't we deal with this... thing first?"
"Well said."
The homeowner groaned, stifling his moans. One arm severed, his leg impaled into the ground like a stake. Tough willpower. I'd give him credit for not bawling like a baby.
If only he hadn't eaten people, that is.
"Guh... hngh... Master? This one? What the hell... are you talking about?!"
"Exactly as I said, you wicked spawn."
She undid her cute twintails, reverting to her original style. Expressionless face, mystical speech. Add a dash of loathing in her gaze, and Master's inscrutable allure was complete. Her previous look had been violent enough, but familiarity wins out. I nearly smiled in contentment.
Then—
"You deceived me...! You filthy witch! How dare you... trap me like this?!"
"Huh?"
"Disgusting rot fills my nostrils! I won't... ever...!"
My heart pounded wildly. A flash of memory—girls' corpses. Chunks of meat. Dizziness hit again.
What needed doing was obvious.
I ripped out the man's jaw.
"Gak... urk...!"
This bastard wasn't just any lunatic. Scheming with human butchers one minute, then devouring little girls without a second thought. Only his own deception pissed him off. Peak hypocrisy!
Master said to me, "Child, I had questions for him..."
"Ah, sorry! I just... lost it..."
I shoved his jaw back in.
"Guh... grrrraaah!!"
"Now, one more word of bullshit, and it'll come off again?"
He glared at me with hatred. Too scared of payback to spew more curses. Fucking punk... why even try?
Master stared into the cannibal killer's eyes.
"Worse than a beast. Answer me. Were these atrocities your own choice?"
"Grrrh... You wouldn't understand... how sweet it is... keh heh heh..."
"Answer."
She nudged the sword pinning him like a stake with her foot as he babbled.
"Gyyyaaah...! Yes...! Yes, that's right! No other way... to endure it!!"
"..."
Master stared coldly, silently urging him on.
"Everything else made me sick...! Forced it down, but... past a certain point... it felt like my guts were ripping apart!!"
"Master... no way."
She nodded quietly.
"Heh heh heh... One day, it hit me like lightning... Don't suppress it... kehk... just follow my desires!"
"Hoo..."
A mark. Sure enough, black sludge oozed from his blood-soaked calf.
"Wicked spawn, where did you get that mark?"
"Mark...? What're you on about?"
He hadn't even realized...
Master sighed and asked again. "Then, when did your depravity begin?"
"Keh heh heh... About three years ago...?"
"Too late."
She sighed again and turned away. Too much time had passed to track it down. No point listening further.
As Master turned, did he think he'd won? The cannibal perked up and started blabbing.
"Ahh... pure ecstasy! Not like those rotting graveyard corpses... so sweet and rich...!"
"Conversation over!"
I yanked his jaw out again. Revolting. And I felt the same disgust at myself for not flinching at the brutality.
Still, I forced a grin.
"Gak! Urk...!"
"Got something to say?"
"Urk!! Gak!!"
"What...? Can't hear you!"
Heh heh, you pathetic fuck. All hyped up, now look at you. Nabbing a horrific criminal felt damn good. Mood: excellent!
Opening the front door brought a waft of stench.
"Tsk..."
"Let's go, child."
I took Master's hand and headed to the nearest guard post.
In our case? Perfect self-defense. A bit excessive, maybe.
But justified! Law's too primitive here.
Master seemed puzzled by the swift handling.
"Truly... no trial? No thorough investigation?"
"Huh? Nah, you're good to go."
Emotion and authority over reason and systems. Master looked shell-shocked by the culture clash.
"This is... truly the current state...?"
"Umm... disappointed?"
"In the past... in the past..."
I could feel her turmoil.
"No matter. What's the point of old tales."
"I'd love to hear your stories from back then, Master."
She let out a light pfft of laughter.
"Enough. How you've grown more sly with each passing day."
Words aside, she roughly ruffled my hair with both hands. After a while, she beamed brightly. A magical smile that made me grin back instinctively.
Our Master. Her expressions were growing richer by the day. Recalling our first meeting hit different now.
Back at the info guild for the report...
"No way!! Incredible!! You pulled off something huge!"
"Paam pa ka boom!"
The whole crew swarmed us with a welcome party. These guys... how long were they watching? Unwittingly under surveillance, huh. I get it, but it didn't sit right.
Master, slightly annoyed, gave them a gentle yet sharp word.
"We'll accept the welcome, but preparing this ambush... quite displeasing."
Her tone shifted again—haughty and cutting. A sidelong glance, and they all bowed flat. Smiles turned to grimaces. Bipolar much?
"Aigoo, our fault!! Won't happen again."
"Hngh... forgive us just once... we'll reflect!"
What could we do? Folks earning a living off this stuff. Some were sobbing hysterically, so I forgave lightly.
Then came the 'fair' reward. A hefty sum appeared before us. Heavy coin pouch.
"Wait, did we even take a commission?"
"No, but this is our due gratitude...!"
TL;DR: Bribe under the guise of "light against injustice." Officially "activity support funds."
I tried refusing, but...
"Aigoo!! Take it or you can't leave!! Please!! Pretty please!!"
"Wha— hey!"
Refusing twice is rude, they say. I eased off the pushback, opened my belt pouch wide, and added a troubled sigh.
"Sheesh!"
In went the pouch snugly! Our wallets fattened, but they looked happier.
"Safe travels...! No more tailing, promise."
"Yeah, take care."
I didn't fully trust it. I'd tail us too in their shoes. Not like I'm an inquisitor policing guilds.
If their misunderstanding made everyone happy, good result, right?
As we headed out, the info broker urgently added,
"Uh... interrogation—er, adventurer! We passed your story to a certain noble...!"
Guilt tripping solo? He spilled unasked.
"That noble took great interest... heh heh. It's our job...! Just a smidge of understanding, please!"
"Nothing weird, right?"
"Of course! Kept your warnings secret! Added a tiny flourish to your feats, you could say... heh heh..."
Hmm... hope no hassle. Never impersonated anyone, so fine for now.
After, we hit the food trail. Master, a great cook herself, was a total foodie. Most spots were street stalls. She bought single servings to share.
Her stomach was small, so my help was key for variety.
She savored, mixing nonverbal cues into passionate reviews.
"Cloves... nutmeg... pepper, slow-roasted to perfection. Excellent!"
If pleased? Tiny hands clapping, followed by improvement tips.
Owners might bristle at a glance, but...
"Heh heh... thanks!"
120% satisfaction, beaming faces. 'Cause Master's adorable. Even her smugness perfect—they're enchanted.
Watching her... whoa! Emotion surged.
But not all got praise. She spat out another dish.
"Ptooey..."
Way below par? Harsh critique.
"Selling this trash for money? Are you sane?"
"What...? You little brat...!"
Some snapped back, naturally. But only briefly—me glaring full force behind her.
Daring to assault Master's precious tongue? Backtalk on legit criticism?
Hands on both sheaths, flash the gleaming blades. Sunlight sparkling off them.
Vendor glances, softens.
"Ah...! Not to your taste...! Happens! Sorry..."
"Reflect. Never again. Or... close shop, study more."
"Gulp..."
Eh? Good idea, right? Lips trembling? Draw blades further.
"Yes! Right! Next time, it'll blow your mind!"
If mental fatigue hits? Check your power level. Real strength brings confidence.
Two days of eating and playing conquered all stalls. How much did we rake? Pouch still same shape.
About to hit proper restaurants—crowd parts left and right mid-street.
Enter: a noble. Flowing dress trailing ankles, maids shielding hem from filth.
"Got business?"
"Huh? Don't you know who I am?"
Nope.
"Who might you be?"
"Ha! As rumored, sturdy... but cocky...!"
Noble lady's brow furrowed.
"Oh..."
"That's why I like it! Totally my type!"
Maternal Love [B]
Target's protective instincts and favorability increase.
The message popped up as expected. She really liked me? Her grin nearly ear-to-ear.
"Dodo, right?"
"Yeah. Uh... who are you?"
"Be mine!"
[Gasp...!]
[Oh my... what now!]
Nearby aunties gasped, hands over mouths, stomping feet. Straight out of a morning soap opera. No entertainment, so they dove into this absurd drama.
"Hmm..."
As I pondered refusal, Master spoke up.
"You lack manners. This one's disciple is no object."
"Oh my! Little sis? Adorable! Wanna come with me too?"
Master's words in one ear, out the other—she just yapped her wants. Her mannerisms screamed spoiled kid. Master frowned, then blinked in surprise. Her eyes pure, mind clear. She's lenient with well-behaved children.
Hmm... but is she really a kid?
"How old are you, by chance?"
"Me? Twenty-one this year."
Right. Forgot the Maternal Love skill trigger. Obviously older... but her bratty vibe caused cognitive dissonance!
The immature noble pressed on. "Be my exclusive! I'll ensure you never worry about food or shelter!"
"No thanks. Pass."
"No way! You have to!"
Rejecting my rejection? I tsked, scratched my head; she glared sharply.
"You'll regret it...?"
Ridiculous, but trouble's a drag. Best play nice in a local lord's turf. Wanna smack her. But I held back, polite words.
"Uh... how exactly?"
"I'll bawl my eyes out! How 'bout that? Heart changing yet?"
"Huh...?"
What... the actual... fresh brand of crazy is this bitch?