episode_0251

Late evening.

A temple that enshrines the spirit god of wind.

Sebastian, the magician of the hero’s party, gaped.

“Pardon?!”

The spirit instructor, Luke Wiseman, repeated what he had just said.

“It’s an engraving where the number of sexual encounters is visible.”

Sebastian trembled.

‘What kind of crazy engraving is this!’

How could this make sense?

He was losing his mind because of an engraving ability he couldn’t even imagine.

“I-Is that really the case? Is the actual number of sexual encounters visible?!”

“Why would I lie? What benefit would I gain?”

“Don’t you hate people from the Empire?!”

“It is true that I dislike people from the Empire. But I wouldn’t lie before the gods. And if I really hated you, I wouldn’t have accepted you into our temple.”

Luke patted his waist and sat on a chair, continuing to speak.

“Do you know why I told that priest to go outside?”

“…”

Sebastian nodded silently.

“It’s difficult to reveal this type of negative engraving to others carelessly. To be honest, I didn’t want to talk about it even when the hero came to confirm the negative engraving, but I gave up after seeing your eyes. Sometimes, one experience gives greater enlightenment than numerous words.”

Sebastian bit his lip tightly.

The hero revealed the negative engraving without hesitation.

But what about his case?

‘What should I do?’

If he erased it, he wouldn’t even have a clue what kind of engraving he would get in the future.

But if he told others about this engraving?

He didn’t know what kind of looks he would receive. He might even grow distant from the hero.

‘I have to hide it.’

Having come to a conclusion in his mind, Sebastian nodded.

“I understand for now.”

“Are you thinking of revealing it to the other party members?”

“That… I’ll take care of it myself. Please keep it a secret for the time being.”

“I always keep my mouth shut. Do as you please.”

Sebastian stepped out of the room, thinking it was fortunate that he had sent the old priest of the spirit order, Luther, outside.

Creak.

Thud.

As he closed the door and went outside, Priest Luther was standing there.

“Sebastian, what kind of engraving did you get?”

“…”

Sebastian stroked his forehead and bowed his head.

“This is… well. It’s an engraving that’s embarrassing to talk about, Priest.”

A question mark appeared on Luther’s face.

“What kind of engraving did you get, exactly?”

‘Damn it.’

Sebastian’s anger suddenly surged.

He was annoyed by the priest’s insensitive attitude, as he kept asking even after he had said it was difficult to reveal.

“···One thing is certain. It’s definitely not an engraving that would harm this party.”

Luther, who was taken aback by Sebastian’s words, soon nodded.

“I-Is that so?”

“Yes. I’ll quietly tell you later, Priest. Please give me some time to sort out my thoughts for now.”

“···I understand.”

Luther and Sebastian left the temple and walked down the street.

Luther walked silently for a while before opening his mouth.

“By the way, since the topic of engravings came up.”

“Yes.”

“I have a feeling that Barbareoi might have another negative engraving besides the ‘big dick’ engraving.”

Sebastian’s expression immediately hardened.

“···Priest.”

“Yes.”

“What is it about that guy that bothers you so much that you keep nagging him?!”

“…”

“Do I have to see that guy’s junk again? Who knows what else might come out?! Wouldn’t he manage it well on his own?!”

Sebastian’s voice became rougher towards the end.

“S-Sebastian?”

“Haa. I’m sorry. I was a bit on edge for a moment and said things I shouldn’t have.”

“Ah… yes.”

The two walked down the street in an awkward atmosphere and arrived at an inn in the central district.

Cyan happened to be standing in the hallway.

He was still wearing his plate armor. His face was flushed, perhaps because of the cold.

Judging from the toiletries he was holding, it seemed he was about to go wash up.

Sebastian immediately looked up.

‘0.’

The number floating above Cyan’s head was 0.

Sebastian was relieved inwardly.

“Hero, have you arrived?”

“I had some things to buy, so I was walking around the streets. By the way, Sebastian, did you confirm your engraving?”

Sebastian gave a troubled smile.

“Yes. It’s a negative engraving, but it’s not easy to talk about. But what’s certain is that it’s not an engraving that would harm the party.”

“Is that so? Tell me when you’re ready.”

Cyan casually brushed past Sebastian.

‘As expected.’

Should he call it befitting of a hero? He was someone who was considerate when he needed to be.

Sebastian parted ways with the others and entered his room.

There were many luxurious pieces of furniture and it was spacious, but it was desolate because he didn’t have much luggage.

Sebastian immediately opened the closet door and took out a money pouch.

Gold coins and jewels he had received for helping the dwarves.

He was in charge of managing the party’s common funds.

“Damn it…!”

Sebastian cursed as he took out the pouch and counted the coins.

As expected.

There were fewer gold coins than he had thought.

About 10 gold coins or so.

He already knew that Gibson was addicted to alcohol and gambling. He had been seeing him enjoy entertainment every time they passed through cities in the eastern district.

His skills in handling bows and swords were excellent. His ability to traverse forests and mountains without blinking an eye was also outstanding.

But.

If he was so consumed by gambling and alcohol that he was dipping into the party funds, it was a serious problem.

It was a mistake to trust Gibson and have him bring the money to confirm the engraving.

Sebastian immediately jumped up and went to Luther’s room.

Luther’s tired expression showed a hint of confusion.

“Sebastian?”

“I have something to say about Gibson.”

“Yes.”

“That old man embezzled the party funds.”

“···How much did he take?”

“About 10 gold coins.”

Luther’s eyebrows furrowed.

“I understand for now. I’ve heard that Gibson often goes to the entertainment district in the eastern district, so I’m thinking of going there tomorrow. I’ll talk to him then.”

“Are you sure you’ll be okay alone? I’ve heard the eastern district is dangerous.”

Luther smiled.

“Lux Aeterna will protect me, so there’s no need to worry.”

“···I understand.”

* * *

The next evening.

Luther put on his robe and left the inn.

‘This isn’t easy.’

Signs that the party was starting to creak were slowly appearing.

They didn’t have this much disunity even when they were hunting the outer god’s kin.

It was as if everyone was bewitched by something in the city, and they were starting to hide their feelings.

Since when?

Since that Barbareoi got involved.

He asked around about Sca in the central district, but he didn’t get any useful information.

Barbareoi, who showed a strong presence.

The rumors about that Barbareoi were like a shapeless ghost.

All Luther heard was that the man was half-crazy.

And that he didn’t have a good relationship with the eastern district.

‘There’s no other way.’

Luther steeled his resolve and set foot in the eastern district.

“Identification.”

The guard standing at the gate of the eastern district held out his hand.

Luther took out his explorer’s badge from his pocket and handed it over.

The guard looked at the badge and opened his mouth.

“Luther, what’s going on in the eastern district?”

“I heard there’s a colleague here, so I came to find him.”

“What’s your colleague’s name?”

“…”

Luther’s eyebrows furrowed. Why were they asking so many details?

“Gibson, a guide, is my colleague.”

“Do you know exactly where that friend is?”

“No.”

“Tsk. The curfew is coming up soon. Once you go in, you usually can’t come out until dawn the next day, so make sure you know for sure before you go in.”

“I understand.”

Luther nodded and stepped inside the gate.

“Heok!”

Luther’s mouth dropped open.

A terrible sight unfolded before his eyes as he passed through the gate.

The monster explorers that he often saw in the central district were only a small part of it.

Monsters he had never heard of were wandering around the streets of the eastern district.

How could he ask about Sca among these monsters?

Luther shook his head.

‘No.’

He had to. It was not going to be easy, but it was difficult to just close his eyes and ignore Barbareoi.

Luther walked around the streets asking about Sca.

“Barbareoi? Why are you asking about that guy? Who are you?!”

“G-Get away from me!”

“D-Don’t say that guy’s name!”

“Oh… Almighty spirit god, protect me with light and truth and lead me to the bright path! Go away!”

‘What the…?’

Luther was taken aback. The reactions of the eastern district guys were much more diverse and extreme than those of the people in other districts.

Some of them even had seizures, repeating prayers and crossing themselves.

‘Is it true?’

Luther was convinced that the story that Sca had conflicts with the eastern district guys was true.

And one more question arose.

Could it be that an even darker secret was hidden within that Barbareoi?

Luther walked down the street as if possessed.

How much time had passed?

When he came to his senses, he realized that he had stepped into a deeper area than he had thought.

The dazzling lights were so disgusting and dizzying that he went into an alleyway to compose himself.

“Hoo.”

Luther sighed deeply.

His eyes and ears were already tired.

As expected, it was not going to be easy. He would probably have to keep doing this until dawn.

The dark alleyway was littered with people who were high on drugs and drunk. There were also women selling their bodies.

Then, someone suddenly appeared.

“Heok?!”

Luther was surprised and stuck to the wall of the alleyway. It was because an unknown figure had fallen from the sky.

“What? Why are you so surprised?”

Pink hair.

Eyes that shone eerily.

A tail with a pointed end.

“A s-succubus?”

The succubus woman smiled at Luther’s muttering.

“That’s right.”

“W-What’s going on?! Why did you find me?”

“I heard you’ve been asking around about the half-blood Barbareoi, Sca.”

“That’s right.”

“Are you that curious about that man?”

When Luther nodded silently, the succubus made a coquettish nasal sound.

“Hmm…?”

“What’s wrong?”

“No. Just wondering why the hero party’s priest wants to know about Sca.”

“…”

“Anyway, I can give you information about Sca.”

Luther’s eyes widened at the succubus’ words.

“Really?!”

The succubus raised her finger and wagged it from side to side.

“However, I have a request as well.”

“Is it money?”

“No.”

“Then?”

The succubus licked her lips seductively.

“Life force.”

Luther’s expression hardened.

“You… you insignificant and lewd succubus fiend!”

How dare she test his faith?!

The succubus chuckled and stepped back.

“Priest, I think you’re mistaken, I’m human too if I just erase the succubus engraving.”

“…!”

Luther’s body trembled in shock.

“Don’t you understand? Or do you not want to understand? All the monsters that the priest has seen so far are actually people. It seems like people who come to the labyrinth for the first time forget things easily?”

Luther waved his hand.

“S-Stop! Don’t you filthy fiend dare to speak so carelessly!”

The succubus smiled sweetly and got closer to Luther again.

“Priest, you’re really naive. How cute. How would you react if the priest got a monster engraving? I’m so curious?”

“Shut up! Me, a servant of Lux Aeterna, getting a monster engraving?! Don’t say such ridiculous nonsense!!!”

The succubus chuckled and stepped back again as Luther shouted.

“Our priest is really cute. Contact me if you want to know about Sca. You know what you have to give in return, right?”

“…”

Luther glared at the succubus.

The succubus woman was wearing a dress with a deep neckline, revealing her voluptuous figure without reservation.

Her tail and bat wings were shaking seductively.

The succubus, noticing Luther’s gaze, gathered her breasts with both hands.

“Prieest, your eyes are so lustful.”

“Keuek!!!”

Luther immediately turned his gaze away.

Thuck.

The succubus took out a card from between her breasts and handed it to Luther.

“My name is Jevela. If you’re thinking of agreeing to the deal, come to the address written on this card.”

“W-Wait a minute!”

The succubus Jevela seemed to be done with her business and flew up into the sky despite Luther’s restraint.

“See you later! Cute priest!”

“Hu… heuh. W-What is this?”

Luther leaned against the wall of the alleyway with a blank expression.

* * *

Late evening.

Darmong Inn.

Jeong Yushin was sitting at the counter, sharpening his axe.

Snub Nose roughly opened the door and entered the inn.

“S-Sca!”

“What?”

“The hero party’s priest is said to have headed to the eastern district! I heard that he contacted a succubus there!”

“Is that so?”

Doubt arose on Snub Nose’s face at Jeong Yushin’s nonchalant expression.

“Aren’t you worried that Sca’s identity will be exposed?”

Jeong Yushin put the axe down on the counter and shrugged his shoulders.

“That priest put his own feet in the mouths of guys who are worse than me? Why should I worry about my identity? I’m more worried about that priest.”

“Th-That’s. Now that I think about it, that’s true.”

“Go and sleep soundly.”

“Ah! Please rest comfortably as well, Sca.”

Snub Nose bowed deeply and left the inn.

Jeong Yushin scratched his head.

Luther met a succubus in the eastern district?

‘There are people who throw themselves into honey traps?’

No way.

What reason would he have to act so foolishly?

Jeong Yushin chuckled and picked up the axe again.