Chapter 48: Adventurer’s Guild #3

Chapter 48: Adventurer’s Guild #3

“Completed Imperial Guard Basic Combat Training.”

“Acquired Skill: Imperial Combat Technique. All basic stats increased by 10%.”

“Thank you for your hard work!”

The guards, led by the adjutant, bowed in unison.

“Thank you for your help. It was a great help.”

“Thank you all so much-“

Our party also expressed our gratitude in return.

After completing two weeks of training, we had become incomparably stronger than before.

It wasn’t just about acquiring skills and increasing stats; it felt like our eyes had been opened to combat.

‘As expected, you should learn properly when you learn.’

I realized it anew. Learning from experts was much more efficient.

It was the same during my school days.

The students who studied well all attended cram schools or received private tutoring instead of studying at school, and there was a reason for that.

If I had only received private tutoring once or twice back then, maybe I would have gone to Seoul National University?

‘My body feels light.’

My arms and legs felt as light as if they could fly, and my core muscles, which stabilize my body, were also firmly built.

It felt like borrowing the body of an Olympic gold medalist athlete.

I can move my body freely as I wish, which makes me feel incredibly refreshed.

“Please pass the Adventurer’s Guild exam with flying colors. We’ll be cheering for you to give them a good blow.”

We left the Guard training facility, receiving farewells from the adjutant.

The sunlight filtering through the gray sky was warm.

“The exam is tomorrow, so let’s rest freely today to maintain our condition.”

“Sounds good-“

“Then I’ll go have a quick round.”

I knew Mitchell would naturally go to the gambling hall, but it was a bit surprising that Flora followed her.

‘Don’t tell me she’s gotten addicted to snail racing.’

I gazed at Flora’s retreating back.

They say that late-learned vices are the most dangerous, and I wonder if Flora is also getting hooked on gambling and becoming like Mitchell.

“What about you, Wagner?”

“I plan to relax at the inn. I also need to maintain my newly acquired armor.”

“Okay, got it.”

Wagner also left, and I was left alone.

Although I have a slight lingering regret about not going to the gambling hall with them.

It’s actually good.

‘I have something I need to do too.’

Since I have free time alone, there’s a place I need to visit soon.

I walked towards the tent of Yurka, the Orc shaman.

“Oh! You’ve arrived. I’ve been waiting, young lady.”

Yurka, who was trimming herbs in front of the tent, recognized me.

A smile bloomed on the Orc’s wrinkled face.

“I brought more magic stones.”

“So many magic stones again… It’s always amazing. Did you find a mine where you can dig for magic stones?”

Yurka exclaimed.

Enhancing abilities using magic stones is the main business of Orc shamans.

Magic stones are literally stones sealed with magic.

Shamans wield the power contained within magic stones to hone their shamanic arts.

The fees they receive from adventurers must also be quite substantial.

“My friends will be here soon, so please have some tea while you wait.”

Gulp.

I took a sip of the green tea Yurka offered.

Its color, like a decoction of withered leaves steeped for a long time, was quite suspicious.

The taste was also difficult to describe as good, even in jest.

‘But it must be good for my body.’

They say bitter medicine is good for the body.

I forced myself to drink every last drop of the tea.

“Oh, it seems to suit your taste?”

Yurka watched me with interest.

“The taste is just so-so… But what is this tea good for?”

“Well? I don’t really know either.”

“What? Isn’t it an Orc traditional tea?”

“Unfortunately, no. Orcs don’t like tea. A Garden merchant begged me to buy one, but it didn’t suit my taste. Please drink more of it.”

Yurka refilled my teacup.

‘What the hell.’

Did he offer it to me because he didn’t want to drink it himself?

Suddenly, I felt nauseous.

I put down the teacup and pushed it slightly forward.

“By the way, young lady, are you interested in getting a tattoo?”

“A tattoo?”

“Orcs carve patterns imbued with special power to draw upon the forces of nature. If you wish, I’m willing to carve one for you myself.”

Yurka said with a serious expression.

Orc culture is insular.

Their power is used solely for their own race, and outsiders do not benefit from it.

Yurka’s offer was an extremely exceptional favor.

‘The opportunity to get an Orc tattoo is rarely available to humans.’

However, there was one thing that bothered me.

In reality, I had never even gotten a small lettering tattoo on my body.

There’s a saying that one should not defile the body given by their parents.

Even though I had become a girl from another world, I was reluctant to carve a permanent mark on my body.

‘Aish, what does it matter what it looks like? It’s the Orc tattoo, famous for its overpowered stats.’

My hesitation quickly disappeared.

You shouldn’t miss an opportunity.

It’s always beneficial to take it when you can.

Compared to the tattoo’s performance, the change in appearance is trivial.

I made up my mind.

“I’ll get it.”

“Good. Then you can choose the tattoo you want to get.”

Yurka spread white paper on the ground and sprinkled ash powder on it.

“Choose the pattern your heart is most drawn to. But choose carefully. Since you are not an Orc like me, you can only get one tattoo.”

The ash powder sprinkled on the ground began to move on its own.

Then, the ash powder soon formed a specific shape.

The first shape to be completed was a short series of dotted lines.

Under the dotted lines, the words ‘CUT HERE’ were written.

“It’s the pattern of madness. This pattern is carved on the neck. It’ll give you the courage to overcome any obstacle, regardless of fire or water.”

“O-on the neck?”

“Isn’t it cool? Will you go with this pattern, young lady?”

I pictured myself with a perforation line carved on my neck and a menacing message written there.

The pattern of madness. It’s literal.

If I went around looking like this, I’d be considered a lunatic.

‘It wasn’t this terrifying in the game.’

The bonus effects were excellent. However, the appearance was too gruesome.

‘Appearance isn’t everything, but I can’t live like this forever.’

I carefully shook my head.

“Um… Can I see other patterns?”

“Do as you wish. However, you won’t be given an infinite number of options, so keep that in mind.”

The ash powder scattered again, forming another pattern.

The next pattern was strangely familiar.

Several layers of hearts were surrounded by ornate decorations.

The top part was plump like an apple, and it tapered downwards.

“It’s the pattern of desire. This tattoo can only be obtained by those with extremely rare talents. It’s a bit surprising.”

“What kind of talent?”

“It means you have excellent talent as a female.”

“W-wha?”

I was momentarily speechless.

No wonder it looked familiar.

‘Shit, isn’t this something I’ve seen a lot in hentai?’

While I was processing the shocking words I had just heard, Yurka continued speaking nonchalantly.

“The pattern of desire is carved on the lower abdomen.”

Yurka touched below his navel.

“It’s the position where women who will become mothers in the future embrace their children. If you get this tattoo, you will be loved by many men. The pleasure of the night will also increase.”

“I-I don’t need that kind of thing!”

“Why not? There are plenty of Orc females who want this pattern. But not everyone can have it just because they want it. You are lucky.”

In short, it’s a uterine tattoo.

Is this guy crazy?

“Show me something else.”

“Ho ho- You’re a greedy girl. Well, fine. I’ll show you the next pattern. This is probably the last candidate.”

The last pattern was very small.

A cute bird, as if spreading its wings and about to fly into the sky.

But I shouldn’t let my guard down.

Who knows, this might also be carved on the uterus.

No, its small size makes it even more dangerous.

A sinister thought flashed through my mind. A place even more suggestive than the uterus. For example…

“A small but respectable demon-warding tattoo. It’s carved on the finger.”

Phew.

Fortunately, my prediction was wrong.

I secretly let out a sigh of relief.

“This pattern will create a mystical wind that nullifies enemy magic. Although you can’t use it often, it’ll be a great help in crucial moments.”

“I’ll take this one.”

There was no other choice.

I don’t want to walk around with a perforation line on my neck, and I have absolutely no intention of getting a uterine tattoo.

‘A finger tattoo would be perfect to hide with a ring.’

If I wear the Ring of Late Bloom received from the Guard Captain over it, no one will know that I got an Orc tattoo.

A hidden trump card.

The true value of this tattoo will be revealed when facing mages.

“But are you sure about this? I think the pattern of desire would suit you better…”

“That’s fine. Do it with this one.”

“Hmm.”

Yurka licked his lips as if disappointed.

He heated the needle over a flame and then dipped its tip into sky-blue ink.

“It’ll sting a bit.”

Squeeze.

The moment the needle pierced my skin, a fierce pain shot through my finger.

“Ayyayyat!”

I couldn’t help but let out a girlish scream like Guan Yu.

My pride is severely damaged, but pain is pain.

The tattooing process ended only after tears welled up in my eyes.

“Applied the Demon-Warding Tattoo. Magic resistance greatly increased.”

“-Wind of Protection

Once a day, you can summon a mystical wind that nullifies magic.”

The small bird perched on my finger looked quite adorable.

“I didn’t mention it earlier, but this tattoo has another meaning. Do you know what it is, young lady?”

Yurka stroked my shoulder with a benevolent face.

Could it be?

Is this guy going to say this tattoo also symbolizes femininity, or something about sex slaves?

Suddenly, a chill ran down my spine.

“It means you are a friend to us Orcs.”

Fortunately, my ominous prediction was wrong again.

“Friend…”

“If you travel the world and meet other Orcs, show them that tattoo. It’ll prove that you have been recognized by an Orc shaman.”

“Yurka, thank you.”

“Rather, I should be the one thanking you. This old body has met you, an acquaintance, in the wilderness of the human kingdom, and has been able to do something rewarding after a long time.”

Yurka’s eyes were filled with affection, as if he were looking at his granddaughter.

“Finally, I can face my final moments with meaning.”

…Final moments?

Yurka’s words left a lingering, unsettling aftertaste.

Flutter-

The tent flap was pushed open, and two Orcs entered.

“Aha, it’s that human girl.”

“We’ve come prepared, Yurka. Shall we test our strength?”

They were the two Orc shamans who had helped Yurka with the magic stone leveling last time.

But something felt strange.

The old shamans held swords and clubs in their hands.

“Yurka?”

Yurka stood up. Without answering, he took something from behind the tent.

A hand axe with a gleaming blade.

Its edge seemed sharp, as if it had been well-maintained.

“⋯Young lady, please go outside.”

“Wait, why the weapons-“

“I will give you your final trial.”

Yurka pulled down a wolf’s hide cap deeply.