Ch.2Chapter 2. A Pearl Necklace on a Pig’s Neck

Though there are many damnable women in the world that I sometimes forget, this world was undeniably one that could be called a “dark fantasy.”

While one region might be transformed into a land of death by necromancers of the cult who raise corpses along with the Demon Lord’s army that broke through dimensions, the forests teem with naturally wild Beastmen, vampires swarm at night… and even the seas beyond the continent have been practically occupied by merfolk.

But humanity did not lose hope and gathered in the Empire, determined to save this doomed world. Under their fervent support, the Empire was conducting passionate gacha shows through summoning rituals every day.

Having personally witnessed one of those coveted Heroes die just a few days ago, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy about it all.

“Hah~ Nothing quite like drinking after work~”

Anyway, this place where I am now is a rundown bar where those who have fallen to become Foreign Laborers like me typically gather.

Seated at a table prepared by the ill-tempered black bartender, I chewed on dried jerky while looking around at the others.

A fat man with glasses and acne, and a man with a pale impression and remarkable shadows cast across his face… my summoning peers named “Dukhun Oh” and “Guishin” respectively.

“It seems like our gatherings used to be quite lively, but now after two years, only this many of us have survived…”

Seeing friends who had endured porter work in this harsh world until now brought a bitter feeling over me.

Well, it’s not surprising that some quit midway, considering that the Heroes who mainly employ porters are all uniformly foul-natured.

I’ve seen many whose lives hit rock bottom in ways that made their previous everyday lives in our original world seem meaningless—some turning to banditry out of hatred for such discrimination, others becoming pets of the wealthy just to get scraps despite their destitute circumstances.

For those not born with special abilities, life in this world was incredibly harsh.

“It can’t be helped. Compared to the world we originally lived in, this one is so fraught with danger that finding a modest and stable life isn’t easy.”

The 36-year-old day laborer Mr. Guishin gently expressed sympathy for such bitterness.

Despite his intimidating appearance, he had an exceptionally kind and gentle heart unlike most people these days.

So much so that even in this harsh world, he volunteered in his spare time.

“Brother Ishin, how’s your work going these days?”

“Khuhuhu, lately the church has been frequently requesting me to move their cargo. I deliver food to poor, sick people who have nothing.”

That doesn’t sound like it pays well.

Still, helping the church might provide some protection, so maybe it’s safer? As I drank my beer thinking this, Guishin recalled what happened today and began to smile deeply.

“Originally I was saving money from porter work to help those in need, but perhaps appreciating my spirit, the church has offered me a position.”

“Oh, so you’ve finally joined the church and even gotten promoted?”

“Yes, that’s right. With this, I can extend my helping hand more actively to the lambs overflowing in this world.”

A laugh that might be misunderstood as vile by someone who doesn’t know the situation.

But having spent two years with him, I knew better. It would be hard to find someone with a kinder heart throughout my past and present lives.

“I wonder who I should help tomorrow and how~ Just thinking about it makes my heart swell with excitement. Khihahahahaha!”

Maybe he gets a thrill from helping ruined people in a ruined world.

Well, whatever.

If it makes him happy, that’s good.

“By the way, Hyoseong, do you plan to continue working as a porter? I heard you nearly died in a dungeon recently.”

“Ah well, taking care of Heroes is certainly tough, but it’s still the highest-paying job available to Foreign Laborers like us.”

“Making money is good, but if you push yourself too hard, you might not get to use what you’ve saved. Are you perhaps trying to buy a house?”

“Khehe, something like that.”

No matter how hopeless this dark fantasy world might be, having been reincarnated, shouldn’t I dream big?

If I save just a bit more money, I can surely achieve the dream I’ve had since coming to this world.

A dream incomparably greater than mundane ones like “owning a home” from my previous life.

“But Dukhun, why are you so quiet today?”

But when one of the friends I wanted to share such expectations with kept his mouth shut, I couldn’t help but feel concerned.

Feeling curious, I asked directly, and he began to drink from his glass with an expressionless face.

Sitting crookedly and staring at the mountains visible through the distant window. He probably thinks he looks cool, but to onlookers, it just seems like he’s putting on airs.

Look at him now. Aren’t the corners of his mouth twitching as he tries to act like a cold city man?

“Dukhun. Did something good happen?”

“…Something good?”

At Guishin’s words, Dukhun finally released the laughter he had been suppressing.

Soon, with a smile full of melancholy, he pulled something out onto the table and said:

“Do you know what this is?”

“…A smartphone.”

A smartphone.

An essential item for modern people that doesn’t exist in this world.

Naturally, most people are summoned to this world with nothing but themselves, so such devices don’t come along.

Unless one has a special ability to summon specific tools.

“Come to think of it, Dukhun’s special ability was handling a specific function on this smartphone, right?”

“But didn’t you say you couldn’t use it because it couldn’t be charged?”

Right, the problem was that his smartphone had no battery at all.

Because of that, he couldn’t properly use his ability and had no choice but to become a Foreign Laborer…

“Khuhuhu, that was until now.”

Saying that, Dukhun pressed the button on the side.

As the screen lit up, my eyes immediately widened.

“Oh, it turned on.”

“Yes! All the humiliation I’ve endured until now existed solely for this day!”

Boom!

Dukhun held up the smartphone in his hand as if making such a sound effect.

Beyond it, his joy was visible, along with the resentment that had built up until now.

“It’s been about two years since I was summoned to this world… All the money I earned during that time was spent on custom-making a device to charge this smartphone. The blood and sweat I shed risking my life were spent for this moment of light!”

“Wow, you bastard! You’ve finally got your chance to rise up!”

Though his personality is so rough that he badmouths his employer at every drinking session, perhaps heaven recognized how much he struggled?

Seeing him finally able to properly use his ability and escape his Foreign Laborer status, I felt a surge of emotion from deep within my heart.

Of course, I’d need to check what exactly this ability he can now use is.

“But what can you do with just a smartphone? There’s no internet and no one to call.”

“The functions that come with the smartphone are just supplementary. The main thing is this app.”

“…App?”

“Have you heard of a hypnosis app?”

A hypnosis app? Is he talking about that material often found in adult content?

Is that kind of thing really being pointed at us right now?

“What is a… hypnosis app?”

“It’s an app with exactly the function its name suggests. Just by saying ‘be hypnotized’ to someone looking at the screen, I can take control of that person’s mind as I wish!”

“Holy shit, Mr. Ishin! Close your eyes right now! This guy is planning to hypnotize us and violate us horribly!”

This bastard, though his personality is rotten, I considered him a friend, but to think he was after my youth.

“Don’t talk nonsense, I already have a target in mind.”

Dukhun brushed off such jokes with displeasure.

His bloodshot eyes and voice revealed hints of hatred.

“It’s almost time. Soon I’ll be able to take revenge for the two years of misery I spent under that damned woman! Khahahahaha!”

…Ah, right.

Come to think of it, he’s been badmouthing his employer at every drinking session for two years.

Seems like he’s accumulated a lot of grievances about that too. Of course, given how many foul-natured people exist in this world, I had no intention of criticizing his desire for revenge.

I just hoped the fallout wouldn’t reach us.

“Oh my, Dukhun. So you were here~”

A voice faintly heard from nearby. Looking in that direction, a woman in a nun’s habit was approaching our table in the rundown bar.

Her voice was as gentle as Mr. Guishin’s, and she had very gentle, narrow eyes.

“Dukhun, Dukhun~ If it’s alright, could you come with me? Today is a safe day, so~”

On one hand, this beauty who could even be considered holy was showing interest in none other than Dukhun.

“Shut up, you damned woman!”

But Dukhun merely screamed at her.

Surprised by his curse, she slightly opened her mouth and began to glare at Dukhun.

“Damned woman? Are you talking to me?”

“Yes, this is the end of being pushed around by you! Shut up and look at this!”

Saying that, Dukhun held out the smartphone toward the nun.

The nun stared blankly at the screen, then tilted her head and quietly asked:

“…There’s nothing showing though?”

“Huh? That can’t be…”

Dukhun turned the smartphone toward his own face with a blank expression.

“Yap, be hypnotized~”

“Eck?”

With the nun’s words that followed, Dukhun’s eyes soon turned a dull color.

I immediately understood.

Why that idiot had been on a leash under that lady for two years.

“Come to think of it, isn’t it strange that a tool given as a past life special ability needs charging? Usually special abilities don’t come with such drawbacks…”

“…He was hypnotized from the beginning, wasn’t he?”

What good is having an awesome ability to control people at will?

If the one using it is a blockhead, he can’t escape being a Foreign Laborer.

“Now, Dukhun? From now on, you will obey my words.”

“Yes, I am now Seria’s slave.”

“You’ll do whatever I tell you to do, just like before. Do you understand?”

“Yes, yes. I understand.”

“Fufu, good. Then shall we go to the room together?”

But it seemed unreasonable to think she was just using him, as there was a certain tenderness in Seria’s gaze as she looked at Dukhun, who was blankly drooling.

Hypnotizing a man and walking arm in arm with him… Ah, I see. So she has those kinds of feelings for Dukhun?

“You’re Dukhun’s friends, right? I’m sorry to interrupt your drinking, but may I borrow Dukhun for tonight?”

“Oh, not at all. We’re actually grateful that you’re taking care of our inadequate friend.”

“Khuhuhu, I hope you have a good time.”

“Thank you for your encouragement~!”

And so Dukhun and the nun walked away arm in arm, whispering sweet nothings.

Watching them, Guishin smiled contentedly as he finished his drink.

“Fufu, I suppose that’s what youth is all about.”

“…Youth, huh.”

Watching that scene brought a bitterness that filled my mouth.

I tried to spit it out by downing my drink and muttering:

“Damn, even a scumbag who tried to hypnotize women has a girlfriend.”

I wonder when the rosy days will come to my life.