episode_0084

It’s chilly.

A dagger flies and lodges in my heart.

The crisis of reputation has returned. The expressions of the customers who had been treating me comfortably lately started to change strangely.

*gulp*

Jeong Yushin swallowed hard.

His head spun madly, creating various hypotheses.

Maybe they’re just hungry. Maybe the juice they drank was bad. There was also the possibility that the abdominal muscles contracted due to vigorous movement.

But.

‘Could it be the female virgin corruption engraving?’

I assumed the worst-case scenario.

I put Luna down on the floor and shouted toward the kitchen.

“Ann!”

“Yes!”

Ann quickly popped out of the kitchen.

“Take Luna to the kitchen and check her stomach!”

“Yes!”

Ann looked puzzled, but she didn’t argue and took Luna into the kitchen.

As Luna disappeared, people began to buzz.

“What on earth is going on?”

“Does Luna have a stomachache?”

“Owner, please explain.”

Several people approached and asked.

“Luna seems very tired from dancing hard today. Please go back now.”

“Is that so? I understand. Give my regards to Luna.”

“No wonder she’s been coming so often lately. She needs to take good care of herself.”

The customers spoke with mixed tones of concern.

Jeong Yushin left the departing customers and went to the kitchen.

“Ann? Luna?”

“Ah! Sky-nim.”

Ann lowered Luna’s clothes and got up from her seat.

Jeong Yushin’s face hardened with worry.

“Was there any kind of pattern on her stomach?”

“No. There wasn’t anything?”

There wasn’t?

What is it?

Jeong Yushin knelt down on one knee and looked at Luna.

“Luna, can you hold just one of my fingers?”

“Is something wrong?”

Luna’s pupils trembled with anxiety.

“No. Luna, do you trust me? It’s nothing serious, I just need to check something.”

“I…I understand.”

Luna raised her tiny hand and grabbed Jeong Yushin’s pinky finger.

Tight.

“How do you feel?”

“It feels fluffy.”

Jeong Yushin stood up. An uneasy feeling crept up his spine.

‘I have to assume the worst-case scenario.’

The possibility that the female corruption engraving has been activated.

“Tarman.”

“Yes! Sky-nim!”

Tarman entered the kitchen.

“Take Luna home immediately. Luna’s mother is well-versed in herbs, so she must know some medicine. Tell her to take a look.”

“Yes.”

“I have somewhere to go. You can close the door early today.”

“Yes. I understand.”

Jeong Yushin hesitated to stroke Luna’s hair, which was showing signs of anxiety.

‘Worst-case scenario.’

He gritted his teeth.

After sending Luna away, he left the inn and ran down the street.

He reached the central district and went to the magic tool shop.

The very place where he bought the engraving suppression ring.

Fortunately, the shop’s lights were not off.

He ran in and opened the shop door.

*Thud!*

The sound of the door opening roughly echoed through the store. A dwarf wearing an eyepatch raised his head sharply.

“Owner!!!”

Jeong Yushin shouted.

“Wh-what is it?”

The one-eyed dwarf stuttered with surprised eyes.

“Is there something wrong with this ring?!”

Jeong Yushin pulled the ring off his finger and showed it to the dwarf.

“That half-breed Barbaroi, huh. Why are you shouting? You startled me.”

“Owner, I’m in a hurry. Please check it quickly.”

The dwarf received the ring and examined it from every angle.

Less than 10 minutes later, the dwarf raised his head again.

“The magical power in the magic stone is almost gone.”

“What does that mean?”

“Look here.”

The dwarf held the ring in front of Jeong Yushin and said.

A small jewel fixed to the ring was visible.

“This jewel-like thing is a magic stone. Engraving suppression works with the magic power of the magic stone. In fact, all magic tools are like this. In short, the magic power that suppresses engravings has run out.”

“Why didn’t you explain that beforehand?”

Jeong Yushin growled, and the dwarf looked dumbfounded.

“I, I thought you would know that much. Magic stones don’t only come from the Maze City, do they?”

Jeong Yushin held his head.

Looking back now, there were some warning signs.

The increase in sexual desire as a side effect of engraving suppression was almost non-existent.

There was also the fact that he learned while treating Edel.

That the magic power in the magic stone was leaking out.

It was a point that could have been easily inferred with a little thought, but he didn’t have enough time because of the 5 Princes.

‘Oh my.’

Jeong Yushin scratched his head.

The dwarf raised his glasses.

“But there’s still a sliver of magic left. With that amount of magic, the other person might have felt pleasure. But it would have suppressed corruption. You can replace the magic stone right now.”

“Can I recharge the magic power?”

“That’s right. To do that, you need a magic stone. If you pay the cost, you can replace it at any time.”

Magic stone.

I have one.

A middle-grade magic stone that Ahiman gave me.

‘I guess they don’t just let you die?’

“I have a middle-grade magic stone. Wait here. I’ll bring it.”

“It’s time to close the shop…”

The dwarf muttered with a reluctant face.

“So?”

“Ah… never mind.”

Jeong Yushin left the dwarf and returned to the inn, gathered silver coins and the magic stone, and returned.

“Here it is.”

“Hoo. This is a magic stone from a blood-sucking mosquito that lives in the Maze Swamp.”

“Is it good?”

“It’s usable. Where did you get it? I want to buy it.”

“Just replace it.”

“Tch. It’s a bit of a waste. Okay.”

The dwarf got up from his seat and opened his mouth.

“I almost forgot. If the magic stone is different, the side effects will also change. Since it’s a magic stone from a blood-sucking mosquito, there’s a high probability that you’ll move your hands unconsciously.”

The side effects of engraving suppression vary depending on the magic stone?

A fact I learned for the first time.

From increased sexual desire to unconsciously moving my hands.

“That sounds too dangerous?”

“Just keep your wits about you. In my opinion, it’s much better than the increased sexual desire side effect.”

“I am a human who controls sexual desire well.”

Jeong Yushin’s nonchalant answer.

The dwarf closed his mouth and looked at Jeong Yushin.

“What?”

Jeong Yushin frowned and asked back.

“Ah… never mind. Wait a moment. I’ll replace the magic stone.”

The dwarf took the ring and the magic stone and went into the workshop behind the counter. After a while, a clattering sound was heard, and soon the dwarf came out.

“It’s all done. Just give me 2 silver coins.”

“2 silver coins to replace one magic stone?”

“This is also a skill. I gave you a discount because you’re Maya’s acquaintance. Be grateful.”

“Okay.”

I handed over the silver coins, received the ring, and put it on my finger. The red magic stone fixed to the ring sparkled.

My mind wasn’t dizzy like before.

One question arose. It was also something I had to know.

“By the way, how can I tell when the magic power of the magic stone is completely depleted?”

“You have to come to the magic tool shop to measure it accurately. The magic power will probably run out in 2 months. Come back then.”

“Okay.”

Jeong Yushin stroked his chin and pondered.

‘Magic stones can be used like this too.’

As expected, assuming the worst is the only way to avoid tragedy.

Thanks to this, I also gained knowledge about magic stones. As a bonus, I felt the necessity of magic stones as vividly as if it were touching my skin.

It could be said that one more reason to enter the maze has been added.

“D, don’t do it!”

Jeong Yushin came to his senses and raised his head at the dwarf’s urgent words.

“What?!”

His hand was stroking the dwarf’s beard.

I thought I was unconsciously stroking my own chin.

‘Crazy side effect.’

Jeong Yushin quickly took his hand off the dwarf’s beard.

“Why are you bringing your hand to my beard?”

“Y, you reached out and grabbed my beard! I was just standing still!”

The dwarf protested with a wronged expression.

“Is that so? Sorry.”

“Barbaroi, please keep your wits about you! Last time too.”

“What was I like last time?”

“Uh… um. Never mind. Go away. It’s time to close the shop.”

The dwarf waved his hand and chased Jeong Yushin out.

Jeong Yushin had no choice but to put his hands behind his back and walk down the night street.

When he returned to the inn, Tarman approached.

“Sky-nim, Edel-nim examined Luna. She said there was nothing strange, so you don’t have to worry about Luna.”

“Okay. Thank you for your hard work, Tarman.”

Jeong Yushin nodded.

It was a blessing in disguise. If Luna was affected by his engraving and became corrupted, he would have to live in the city prison, whether he wanted to or not.

“S… Sky-nim?”

Tarman called Jeong Yushin.

“Why?”

“Why are you stroking my stomach?”

Jeong Yushin was startled and took his hand off Tarman’s stomach.

‘Crazy side effect!’

“Th… that’s a new engraving suppression side effect. Sorry.”

“Ah… yes.”

Jeong Yushin looked at his hand and sighed.

‘It’s not easy.’

* * *

The next morning, Jeong Yushin went to the Temple of the Great Earth Mother.

Around noon, he finished all his classes and started tutoring with Mion.

Jeong Yushin told her honestly. He had used a new magic stone last night to suppress the virgin female corruption engraving.

He explained that there was a side effect of his hands moving unconsciously, so he should be careful.

Mion smiled softly.

“Sky-nim, it doesn’t seem like a big side effect. I understand. I’ll trust Sky-nim once.”

“Thank you.”

After finishing lunch, Jeong Yushin and Mion sat in an empty classroom and started the class.

“Okay, this part is written like this.”

Mion was right next to Jeong Yushin, teaching him.

The textbook was a higher-level literary book than a children’s fairy tale, but the vocabulary level was similar to a fairy tale.

Thanks to the easy but to-the-point explanations, Jeong Yushin was able to concentrate.

Scribble. Scribble.

Around afternoon.

Only Mion’s breathing and Jeong Yushin’s pen were heard in the quiet classroom.

“S… Sky-nim!”

Suddenly, Mion’s urgent voice was heard.

I came to my senses and raised my head.

Mion was bowing her head. The ears revealed between her platinum blonde hair were as red as apples.

“Yes. Huff…!”

A pair of breasts spread out on the desk like fresh mozzarella cheese.

And.

Soft.

His hand was tightly clutching Mion’s large breasts.

How hard he squeezed, his fingers were already buried so deep in her breasts that they couldn’t be seen.

A strong grip that could not be stopped by a single piece of thin black lace bra that Mion was wearing.

It’s not the gentle touch between lovers.

It was a barbaric touch closer to training, like what a NTR dark skinned guy would do to a heroine who had been captured, thoroughly suppressing her so that she could not resist and at the same time making her aware that she was just a female.

Mion turned her head and looked elsewhere. As if she was too embarrassed to face Jeong Yushin.

A mosquito-sized voice leaked from Mion’s mouth.

“S… Sky-nim, please let go now.”

“I, I’m sorry!”

Jeong Yushin quickly took his hand off and apologized.

Mion shook her head, covering her chest.

“Ah… no. I got too close. I’m sorry.”

Jeong Yushin bit his lip.

“Priestess Mion, I’m sorry. Since it’s difficult to control the side effects, shouldn’t we end the class here?”

“Sh, should we?”

Mion turned her head and looked at Jeong Yushin.

“Yes. I’ll come more thoroughly prepared next time.”

“Th, thoroughly?!”

Mion’s voice rose sharply.

Jeong Yushin opened his mouth calmly.

“Priestess Mion, I will find a way to weaken the side effects. I’m sorry.”

“Ah. Y, yes.”

Mion fidgeted with her fingers and answered.

Jeong Yushin packed his things and got up from his seat.

“Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Yes. Take care of yourself. Sky-nim.”

“Yes.”

Jeong Yushin left the empty classroom and walked down the hallway alone.

He came out of the temple and looked up at the sky for a moment.

‘So soft.’

The sensation still remained on his fingers.

The first time in his life he touched a woman’s breasts. He felt both gratitude and regret at the same time.

‘How many months have I been abstaining?’

I haven’t kept track since it’s been over 6 months. Has it been about 8 months?

Jeong Yushin shook his head.

The side effects were too severe. When he lost his mind, his hands moved as they pleased, but there was no way to know why they moved like that. It wasn’t consistent enough to be called lust.

Even so.

Isn’t there a way to control it?

Training helped suppress madness.

Wouldn’t he be able to see the benefits of training this time too?

‘I have to go to the Swordsmanship Association.’

He felt it intuitively.

Jeong Yushin put his teddy bear bag on his back and started running towards the Swordsmanship Association.

His black hair fluttered in the wind down the south street.