episode_0071

Whoosh.

The sweltering summer breeze swirled around the garden, brushing past the two men.

Jeong Yushin opened his mouth.

“Uh… hello.”

“I’m not doing well.”

Cain swept back his shimmering blond hair as he replied.

Judging by his casual shirt, he seemed to be on vacation.

Cain’s expensive-looking longsword was casually leaning against the table.

Cain scanned Jeong Yushin up and down.

“What did you come for?”

“I came to confirm the imprint.”

“Then why come all the way to the garden when you could go confirm it?”

“Usually, it’s done by Priestess Mion. I also have a favor to ask today.”

Cain shook his head at Jeong Yushin’s reply.

“Not today.”

“Why not?”

“I’m on vacation. I need to go to a nice restaurant with Mion for dinner and such.”

“Isn’t it lunchtime now? There’s still plenty of time until dinner, isn’t there?”

“Before dinner, I have to go on a date, strolling through the shopping district in the central area. Lately, merchants have been flocking in from the Lionel Kingdom, bringing in a lot of good stuff. There are many interesting things to see.”

‘This crazy sister-loving bastard.’

Jeong Yushin nodded and turned around.

“Where are you going?”

“I think I’m making you uncomfortable, so I’m going somewhere else.”

“Me? You’re being overly self-conscious.”

“Understood.”

Jeong Yushin faced Cain and sat down.

“…”

Both men had nothing to say and just stared at each other blankly.

Jeong Yushin felt awkward in this setting.

You could say it felt like formally meeting his girlfriend’s older brother for the first time.

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t the first time, though.

Cain opened his mouth.

“Were you the one who broke Hans’ barrier?”

“···Yes.”

Cain clicked his tongue at Jeong Yushin’s answer.

“Tsk. Imprint confirmation is only this once. Mion is busy, you hear?”

“Understood.”

“…”

Once again, an awkward silence passed between the two men.

Jeong Yushin turned his head to admire the flowers blooming in the garden.

Cain crossed his arms.

“···Thanks.”

“Pardon?”

“Thanks to you stepping in and breaking Hans’ barrier, the city didn’t suffer much damage.”

“It was a barrier that was already full of cracks and would have broken with a single touch anyway.”

“I give you a compliment, and you talk nonsense. Never mind.”

‘Does this guy have a bit of a tsundere side?’

Jeong Yushin scratched his head.

“Yes. But there’s one thing I’m curious about.”

“What is it?”

“Does Priestess Mion know? That you are collecting Priestess Mion’s underwear?”

“What crazy nonsense? When did I ever collect underwear? This guy is completely nuts, isn’t he?”

“Yes, yes.”

“Mion doesn’t know.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Just in case, don’t tell Mion.”

“Wouldn’t it have been better if you hadn’t told me in the first place?”

“I must have been out of my mind from drinking too much back then. Forget about it.”

“Yes.”

“No, now that I think about it, something’s strange. Lately, Mion’s underwear…”

Jeong Yushin’s ears perked up.

“Yes, yes.”

Mion’s underwear is what?

Jeong Yushin leaned a little closer to Cain.

“Haa… you could say they’ve gotten a bit thinner. Or the area has gotten smaller. It used to be cute animal pictures, you know. Bears, rabbits, cats. But lately… tsk. Anyway, yeah. Besides…”

‘Bear, rabbit, cat? Confirmed.’

Besides?

Cain’s face turned fierce.

Snap.

The sound of gnashing teeth echoed through the quiet garden.

“Some nobody’s underwear was in Mion’s closet. Does that make any sense? What kind of crazy bastard puts his underwear in my sister’s closet? I’m going to catch him right now and chop him into pieces!”

Jeong Yushin’s expression also became serious.

What kind of psychopath would commit such an act?

Indeed, the Labyrinth City.

There are too many crazy bastards.

“What kind of crazy bastard is it? Shouldn’t we call the guards and throw him in jail?”

“That’s right. So, I brought the evidence with me for now.”

‘What a guy.’

I don’t know when he went into his sister’s room.

And I don’t know how he brought it either.

Right.

To be called a sister-lover, you have to go that far.

Jeong Yushin inwardly nodded in agreement.

Cain took out a cloth bundle from his chest, placed it on the table, and untied it.

“Look. It looks like this. This is that bastard’s underwear.”

“This is?!”

Jeong Yushin’s eyes widened as big as lanterns.

Black, rectangular spandex underwear. A very familiar shape.

‘Uh… isn’t this mine?’

His head was spinning as if he had been hit in the back of the head with a mace.

Oblivious to Jeong Yushin’s feelings, Cain said with a serious expression.

“The material is unique. I’d guess it’s underwear made by the Arachne Altar Association in the eastern district.”

“The front part here is severely stretched out. He’s packing. A huge one at that. A very malicious and disgusting guy.”

As a knight commander, his discernment was sharp.

But.

“Why… why is being packing malicious?”

“Isn’t he showing off how big he is? Toying with innocent women like this, it’s unprecedented.”

“I… I see.”

Jeong Yushin lowered his head again to observe the underwear.

He was sure. There was no denying it.

The stretched and torn parts from rolling around were familiar.

I definitely put it in the laundry basket.

‘Why is it here of all places?’

Could it be.

Mion?

No way. Mion wouldn’t do that.

The Earth Mother priestess sneaks in, sucks on his balls, and steals the underwear he put in the laundry basket?

‘Is this right?’

The devil whispered.

‘If this isn’t a green light, what is? Kraa! Just bang her already!!!’

‘No. Mion might have a special imprint that she can’t tell others about. It’s certain that she has feelings, but what kind of feelings are they? Are you really sure? What if you make Mion cry again?’

The angel retorted.

The devil offered a compromise.

‘Let’s just hold hands for now. And only have 3 kids.’

‘No. You have to get stronger and get rid of Cain first. That’s the right thing to do.’

Now I don’t know who’s the angel and who’s the devil.

Is this the Qi Deviation that appears in martial arts novels?

Jeong Yushin closed his eyes tightly and suppressed the inner conflict.

“What are you thinking so deeply about?”

Jeong Yushin opened his eyes at Cain’s question.

“It’s nothing. I was thinking about how to get rid of the owner of that underwear. Are you thinking of telling Priestess Mion about the underwear?”

“No. I can’t. How can I tell the innocent Mion about such a dirty and sinister scheme?”

“Understood.”

Shuffle. Shuffle.

Someone was approaching Jeong Yushin and Cain. Cain quickly retrieved the underwear.

It was a temple receptionist.

“Mr. Sca, you can come now.”

Jeong Yushin got up from his seat.

Cain pointed at himself with his finger.

“What about me?”

“Mr. Cain, they say to come a little later.”

“I don’t want to. I’m going too.”

“Haa, understood.”

The temple receptionist sighed and allowed Cain to accompany them.

Jeong Yushin and Cain walked down the hallway to a door deep inside the temple.

“This matter is confidential until the investigation is over. Got it?”

Cain said, standing in front of the door.

“Yes.”

Jeong Yushin nodded.

Knock knock.

“Priestess Mion, Mr. Sca and Mr. Cain have arrived.”

“Tell them to come in.”

“Yes. You two, you may enter.”

Jeong Yushin and Cain opened the door and entered the room.

Shimmering blond hair.

A straight nose and kindly closed eyes.

Mion, wearing a white priestess robe, stood there with a benevolent smile.

“Mion!”

Cain pushed Jeong Yushin aside and rushed towards Mion.

“O- Older brother.”

A flustered Mion stepped back slightly.

“Why are you so busy? This older brother has found a good restaurant today, let’s go together. Let’s go on a date in the central area too. Sound good?”

Jeong Yushin was dumbfounded and just stared blankly at Cain.

Just a moment ago, he was acting all solemn and serious, but now he was completely changing his face and fawning over Mion.

“Older brother, Mr. Sca’s imprint confirmation comes first.”

Mion cut off Cain’s words.

Indeed, she knew how to distinguish the order of things.

Jeong Yushin approached Mion and greeted her.

“It’s been a while, Priestess Mion.”

“Yes. You came to confirm your imprint, right?”

“Yes.”

Jeong Yushin immediately knelt down in front of Mion and lowered his head.

What kind of imprint will it be?

I hope it’s a good imprint.

No.

I don’t even wish for a cheat imprint.

I just hope it’s not a strange imprint.

Mion’s incantation filled the room.

Jeong Yushin closed his eyes and prayed earnestly.

‘Please, just don’t let it be a negative imprint. Heavens.’

About 5 minutes passed.

Mion opened her mouth.

“I’ve confirmed it. Mr. Sca’s imprint is ‘Venom Protection’.”

Venom Protection.

Jeong Yushin raised his head abruptly.

“Is it good?”

Just from the name, it sounds like a good imprint.

A troubled expression flashed across Mion’s face.

“Yes… it’s not a bad imprint.”

Cain chuckled from the side.

“Too bad. It would have been nice if you got an imprint that made snails come out of your mouth or something.”

Jeong Yushin ignored Cain’s words.

“What’s the effect?”

“It’s an imprint that provides a certain degree of defense against poison. It’s an activation-type imprint, not a continuous-type. The duration varies from person to person. The average is said to be 12 hours. Ah! And it also gives you some resistance to diseases.”

“Oh! Isn’t that a good imprint?”

It’s a modestly good imprint. I can save on antidote costs. And I won’t catch colds easily either.

Jeong Yushin grinned.

It wasn’t an imprint that would kill him in 3 weeks if he didn’t touch his chest either.

It’s not an erectile dysfunction imprint either.

It was definitely not a child-loving imprint.

You could say that he was extremely lucky with this.

Cain sneered at Jeong Yushin’s appearance.

“It’ll work to some extent in the lower levels, but it’s useless if you go down to the depths. The monsters that come out in the depths all use bizarre mixed-attribute poisons, and it’s hard to withstand them with this kind of imprint.”

‘Look at his personality.’

Jeong Yushin’s face frowned.

There’s always someone who throws a wet blanket on things.

Can’t you just congratulate me a little?

Mion wore a stern expression.

“Older brother, Mr. Sca is still a novice explorer.”

“Tsk. I understand.”

Jeong Yushin got up from his seat and faced Mion.

“Priestess Mion, I have a favor to ask.”

“Yes. What is it?”

“Hey! I told you I had an appointment!”

“Ah, please listen to me just once. A person’s life is at stake, that’s why.”

Seeing Jeong Yushin’s sincere eyes, Cain shut his mouth.

Jeong Yushin began to tell the story.

The fox demi-human family.

He explained Edel’s current situation and Luna’s efforts.

He added his honest feelings of wanting to help.

About 30 minutes passed, and the story ended.

“…”

Silence fell in the room.

Suddenly, Cain opened his mouth.

“···I understand the situation, but let me ask just one thing.”

“Yes.”

“Why are you helping them so much? Putting aside where you got those magic stones, that money would cost dozens of gold coins. You could have good equipment, good magic tools, and a comfortable life, but you’re giving so much for someone you’ve only seen once?”

Cain pointed at Jeong Yushin with his finger and continued.

“Are you out of your mind? Don’t tell me you’re just smitten with that Edel woman’s beauty, and you’re half out of your mind with lust, trying to get a piece of her?”

‘This bastard.’

Anger rose to the top of his head.

Jeong Yushin glared at Cain and opened his mouth.

“Cain Landishier, don’t cross the line.”

“···What did you say?”

Cain’s mouth dropped open at the sudden use of informal language.

“I know you’re the knight commander of the Labyrinth City, but there are things you should say and things you shouldn’t say. Don’t insult me.”

“You’re wondering why I’m helping? The good equipment, expensive magic tools, and comfortable housing that you mentioned are things that will naturally follow if I get stronger. And I like money. But what I like even more is the peace of mind of the people around me. If you don’t understand, then don’t. It’s my heart.”

It was also Darmong’s heart.

It was also Einhofer’s stubbornness.

He is not a saint.

Everything is.

‘To protect my heart.’

“…”

Cain and Jeong Yushin stared at each other for a long time.

Cain lowered his hand as if he had lost and shook his head.

“···Haa. I understand. And don’t use informal language. You rude bastard. I’ll let it slide just this once. Tsk.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I’ll go! I’ll help!”

Mion shouted.

“···Really? There’s not much I can give you.”

“No. Mr. Sca has given me plenty, hasn’t he?”

Jeong Yushin tilted his head.

What did I give her?

Cain frowned.

“Then what about my date?”

“Older brother, it doesn’t seem like it will take long. Please wait just a little longer.”

“Really? Then I’ll go too.”

“You don’t have to go with us.”

Jeong Yushin refused indirectly.

A vein popped out on Cain’s forehead.

“What makes you think I’d entrust my sister to you? You could drag her to a dark alleyway and do bad things!”

“O- Older brother!”

Mion’s face turned bright red.

Jeong Yushin scratched his head.

He had a lot to say, but he held back.

“Let’s go.”

Jeong Yushin and the Mion siblings left the temple.

Snub-Nose was standing in the temple courtyard.

He was carrying a small backpack, but his face was not very bright.

“Who is he?”

Cain asked.

“He’s my subordinate.”

‘He’s scheduled to be my subordinate.’

Cain, unaware of Jeong Yushin’s feelings, let out a hollow laugh.

“Oh my. You had a subordinate too?”

“Yes. He’s a friend who shares my feelings.”

Jeong Yushin approached Snub-Nose.

“Your face doesn’t look good, is something wrong?”

“M- Mr. Sca.”

“Why?”

“The magic stones, well…”

Snub-Nose hesitated.

“Tell me clearly.”

At Jeong Yushin’s urging, Snub-Nose finally opened his mouth.

“It seems I’ve been scammed.”

“What…!”

Jeong Yushin’s mouth dropped open.