episode_0204

Quiet inn hall.

Assistant Manager Nelia stopped walking as she approached the counter.

‘Strange.’

The expression on the half-breed Barbaroi’s face was eerily calm.

He didn’t seem like someone who had experienced a terrible ordeal in the swamp area.

There is something common among seekers who have gone through several crises.

They have difficulty controlling their emotions, are full of paranoia, and act violently.

Of course, the degree varies from person to person.

However, since seekers are also people, they inevitably become unstable when faced with shocking crises several times.

There were also side effects from using excessive narcotic painkillers and antipsychotic drugs to prevent the invasion of madness.

However, the half-breed Barbaroi in front of her was the same as usual.

Rumors about Scar spread, centered around a bar in the southern district.

Nelia herself had heard them.

When she heard the news that he was wandering the stratum alone with a ghoul to prevent the swamp’s law of ‘solitude,’ it sent shivers down her spine.

Because it was a method that no one could have come up with unless they were crazy.

How could he survive breaking through the swamp with an evil monster by his side and still be sane?

She’s already feeling uncomfortable from having to face employees she doesn’t even want to see at work.

Is Scar someone who is used to receiving malice?

Perhaps that was the case.

The half-breed Barbaroi must have been treated harshly before settling in the southern district.

Nelia abandoned her intention to engage in a rough negotiation.

‘It won’t be easy.’

The first reason was that Scar’s mind was still intact.

The second reason was.

Ingrid was standing next to the half-breed Barbaroi.

It was difficult to play tricks in front of someone who was part of the Labyrinth City Committee.

Frankly, it was surprising.

Ingrid, with her slender figure and always icy expression.

Emotions were visible on the face of the woman called the Iron Empress among the beastmen.

Anger.

Moreover, her face was slightly flushed, perhaps because of the inn hall’s lighting.

Was she holding back her anger?

Nelia opened her mouth. It was no longer possible to remain silent.

“Mr. Scar, the association’s management of magical tools was poor, causing serious damage. I am sorry.”

Nelia bowed deeply.

Whatever the behind-the-scenes circumstances, it happened at headquarters. Because of this incident, the already precarious trust in the seeker association plummeted.

“It’s okay.”

Jeong Yushin replied calmly.

“Pardon?!”

Nelia hurriedly raised her head and looked up at Jeong Yushin.

Why was he forgiving so readily?

“Cough…ahem!”

Suddenly, Ingrid coughed dryly. Her eyebrows were furrowed as if she was very angry.

Nelia’s heart sank.

[Eye of Truth]

She immediately used her imprinted ability.

The ability that had led her to the position of assistant manager.

It was the ability to determine whether the other person was telling the truth or not.

“Ms. Ingrid, are you okay?”

“I, I’m fine. Don’t worry about it and continue the conversation.”

Ingrid turned her head and answered Nelia’s question.

Nelia immediately realized.

Ingrid was not okay.

‘I messed with the wrong person.’

The half-breed Barbaroi had no intention of coming to the negotiation table.

He just wanted to use Ingrid to extract the maximum profit.

To try to profit in this way without lifting a finger.

She thought he was just an ordinary warrior, but she was mistaken.

“Ahem!!! Then, what can we do to make Mr. Scar feel better?”

“What can you do for me?”

At that moment.

Ingrid whispered in Jeong Yushin’s ear.

“S…Scar, stop it. How far are you going to make a fool of me in front of the assistant manager?”

What Karin had said flashed through Jeong Yushin’s mind.

‘I agreed not to object when my mother finds her mate.’

One fact can be derived from this.

Ingrid is looking for her second mate.

Ingrid’s ‘desire’ is correct.

Just like his own ‘desire’.

He tilted his head and brought his mouth close to Ingrid’s ear.

“A mockery? I am helping Ms. Ingrid.”

“Helping?”

“I heard you are looking for a mate. To do that, you need to know about the current popular dating culture, but you don’t know much about it, do you?”

“That’s ridiculous. Where in the world is it called dating to make fun of a woman’s body?”

“It’s not a mockery. Have you ever heard of a story where a warrior and a female magician fall in love at first sight in a bar and go into a room to share love? Love blossoms when bodies match. That’s how it is these days.”

“…”

Ingrid’s eyes fluttered for a moment.

Bullshit.

It was a lie without any logic.

She knew that the culture of the Labyrinth City was particularly progressive, unlike other places.

From food to clothing.

There were many amazing things that could not be seen in the outside world.

Even so, it wasn’t this extreme when she was active as a seeker.

“What does that have to do with touching my butt?”

“It’s finishing school. I think Ms. Ingrid will find a good match.”

“…”

The finger that entered the dolphin pants grabbed Ingrid’s panty string and lifted it slightly.

“These are small panties. The strings are also thin.”

Ingrid lowered her head at Scar’s whisper.

She was overwhelmed with anger at the excessive harassment. But the anger quickly subsided, leaving only shame.

Ingrid regretted it.

She was wearing thong panties, which are popular among female seekers these days.

It was uncomfortable, but once she got used to it, there was no underwear as comfortable as this. And then this mishap happened.

‘What is this?’

Nelia was surprised.

The distance between the two was very close. To the point where one of Ms. Ingrid’s breasts was pressed against Scar’s chest.

She suspected that the two were acquainted.

If they weren’t, Ms. Ingrid wouldn’t be in this southern district.

But.

‘Were they this close?’

The two were whispering, so she couldn’t know the contents.

What are they talking about?

She doesn’t know.

But it wouldn’t be a story that would be favorable to her.

Nelia quickly turned her head.

“Assistant Manager, I have a question to ask.”

Nelia snapped out of it at Scar’s question.

“Yes. Mr. Scar, please speak.”

“What happened to the association member who handed over the broken Bracelet of Union?”

“He died.”

“What was the cause of death?”

“Suicide. He hanged himself in his room.”

“Was there a special reason?”

“No. A large number of liquor bottles were found, but there was no suicide note.”

“…”

Scar looked down at the table.

Nelia spoke again. For some reason, she felt like the negotiation was going around in circles.

“Our association will compensate you. As much as you need.”

Scar shook his head, cutting off Nelia’s words.

“I heard that giving a defective Bracelet of Union by bribing an association employee is the work of the Eastern District guys?”

“…”

Nelia closed her mouth.

A chill ran down her spine.

This man.

How much does he know?

It was information that could barely be known at the level of assistant manager or higher.

‘Could it be Ms. Ingrid?’

Ms. Ingrid’s face was redder than before, as if she was very angry.

Nelia didn’t notice, but Jeong Yushin was fondling Ingrid’s butt behind the counter.

He raised his fingers and gently scratched Ingrid’s butt.

Fingernails gently stroking the butt.

A thrilling chill that made the hair on her body stand on end.

Ingrid’s body involuntarily lost strength. It was sweeter than the massage she had received last time.

Jeong Yushin read Nelia’s expression.

It wasn’t as good as his ghoul friend Johnson, but it wasn’t difficult to read Nelia’s troubled expression.

“The assistant manager already knew.”

“…”

Jeong Yushin’s tone was full of confidence.

Nelia was silent before opening her mouth.

“…It’s just an expectation. We can’t have friction with the Eastern District without any evidence.”

‘I knew it wasn’t a trustworthy group.’

Jeong Yushin decided not to push Nelia any further.

Since Labyrinth City is also a place where people live, many mistakes can happen.

Even in modern society, countless accidents and murders occur frequently, and this other world was no exception.

But he couldn’t just let it go.

‘If I get screwed, it’s common sense to return the favor.’

Jeong Yushin made a plan in his mind.

If the higher-ups are reluctant, he can work with the people below.

“I understand. Then I’ll take a simple apology in money. 500 gold coins would bring peace of mind.”

“Pardon?! 500 gold, gold coins?!”

Nelia said with wide eyes. It was too much compensation for one person.

“Why?”

Jeong Yushin asked, tilting his head.

He had squeezed 1000 gold coins from Saul, so there was no reason why the association couldn’t give it.

However, there was a fact that Jeong Yushin overlooked.

The wealth of 1000 gold coins was an investment asset that Saul had built up by saving every penny since he was an elf.

“Sudd, suddenly 500 gold coins…”

“Ahem!”

Ingrid suddenly coughed dryly and twisted her body.

Jeong Yushin immediately came in as Nelia flinched and stopped talking.

“No. A person almost died, but you’re saying you can’t give 500 gold coins?”

“Jus, just a moment. Still, 500 gold coins is too…”

“600 gold coins.”

“Ah.”

“Ah? 700 gold coins.”

Nelia quickly looked at Ingrid, sending a look of pleading for help, but Ingrid lowered her head and trembled.

“Okay, I understand. 700 gold coins! I will pay it.”

“Now that I think about it, 800 gold coins would make my worries disappear.”

Nelia bit her lip tightly.

She messed with the wrong person.

She thought she could resolve it well because he had been quiet without coming to the association to complain even though a huge accident had happened.

Not at all.

He was making unreasonable demands with the Labyrinth City Committee behind him.

Even more than she expected.

And she had to listen to this man’s demands in order to restore even a little bit of the association’s trust.

Bang!!!

“Th, that’s enough! That’s enough.”

Ingrid slammed the table. Nelia’s heart was terrified at the sight of Ingrid grinding her teeth while lowering her head.

It was also true when viewed with the Eye of Truth.

“I understand. Then I will step back first. I will send the compensation separately later.”

Nelia bowed deeply again and stepped back.

Creak.

Bang.

The inn door closed, leaving Jeong Yushin and Ingrid.

“Take your hand off.”

Ingrid growled.

Jeong Yushin let go of his hand.

“I will ask you about the crime of harassing my butt later. What are you thinking? What are you going to use so much money for?”

Jeong Yushin smiled at Ingrid’s question.

“The Labyrinth City wasn’t like this originally.”

“…”

“It’s abnormal no matter who looks at it. How can I consider it right when each dark alley harbors its own tragedy? That tragedy even blocked my path to the labyrinth. I can’t stand by and watch.”

“So?”

“I have a few friends I know. They’re friends I met at a small-scale clan meeting, and they seem okay. I’m thinking of borrowing their strength.”

‘I should talk to Aldein too.’

Jeong Yushin’s eyes, filled with yin energy, glowed eerily.

I will definitely find it for you.