Episode 177
I returned to my temporary lodgings in Gaissus, bringing along the holy maiden Yuria.
Yuria’s hands were filled with numerous things, including skewers of grilled chicken and some unknown fried item purchased from a nearby food stall.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been here.”
For reference, Ruci is not here.
This place is literally the forward base I bought in Gaissus for the purpose of conducting investigations. Ruci is waiting in a residence closer to the Valley of the Dead.
In other words, the only ones inside this cramped and damp attic now are me and Yuria—just the two of us.
“Come in, then. You can sit anywhere roughly.”
Back in Markeuteuriseu, shacks were in vogue (?!).
In the surface world of Unterland, container houses are in trend. They’re easier to find scattered around Gaissus’ numerous abandoned factories than wooden planks.
The contents of the spaces don’t differ much. A few threadbare household items and a practically collapsing bed—that’s it.
Still, this container, despite being just a container, actually comes with a shower. To this extent, even the Shinra Hotel would be envious.
“Come on, come in and sit down.”
“Huh…”
I spent several days by the Halssenberg sewer eating mutated nutrias.
I don’t care if it’s a container, a shack, or even a military A-type tent as long as it blocks the wind and rain.
Well, let me correct that. I don’t like military A-type tents much. That’s like crossing the minimum survival line.
“…Huh… Whoa…”
Upon seeing Yuria hesitating endlessly at the entrance, I looked around the house again.
‘Ah.’
I realized why she was standing still.
The room was completely cluttered with discarded food wrappers and various odds and ends. There was hardly even room to place a foot, let alone sit down.
I nodded and pointed to the bed.
“Then lie down on the bed. I need something from you right away. Just wait a moment.”
“…!”
Yuria noticeably shrank, her peculiar silver eyes filled with fear.
I furrowed my brows at her unexpected reaction.
‘What the hell.’
Why is she so afraid?
Well, I don’t have a face women would find reassuring. The faces of wanted posters in violent crime sections often resemble mine.
Once while watching the news in the military, a comrade reported me.
‘This is the time to…’
I twisted the corner of my mouth into a grin and teased her slightly.
I carefully adjusted my tone for her comfort.
“It’s chaotic out there. First, why don’t you take a shower? It’s over there.”
“…!!!”
But to my surprise, Yuria took a hasty step back, pressing herself against the wall and trembling in fear.
She soon collapsed onto the ground and began sobbing.
“Eek, uh… sniffl… sniffl…”
“…?”
What’s going on? Even if I’m no Adonis, this level of fear is starting to hurt my pride.
Prove to me that physiognomy is a science?
“Why don’t you tell me why you’re scaring her so much. Analyze the grandson’s psychology for a moment, will you?”
—There seems to be a problem with your word choice there.
Ultimately, my use of family ties didn’t lead to a comprehensible answer this time.
I looked up resolutely to emphasize my confidence.
“Lie down on the bed. I need something from you right away. Shower first. What’s the issue?”
—You’ve killed a wicked brothel master and torn many cult fighters to shreds. Wouldn’t even a pretty face be scary?
“…”
—And look at this house. Someone who’s brought here to a grimy container-like place saying something like that sounds like they mean no good. You might want to clarify your true intentions.
That’s true.
The recent spicy flavor of Park Jeong-yong is quite different from the mild flavor of the past. It’s like the difference between Jin Ramyun’s mild and spicy flavors.
I realized I didn’t consider the average person’s sensitivity. I nodded in deep regret.
“No, but… the container is unavoidable… ah. Forget it.”
I was about to make an excuse until I realized how sorry I felt for myself, so I stopped.
Among people living here in Gaissus who aren’t in container-like accommodation are mainly three types: the gang members dominating this area, occasionally appearing wealthy hero knights, or high-class courtesans hired by them.
‘This container I purchased was expensive.’
In this city, distrust towards heroes is widespread.
Schultez coins, given as rewards for slaying the Demon King, are not even accepted. The underground economy in the pleasure district of Halssenberg runs solely on Unterland’s own dedicated coins.
Did you know how much effort it took me to gather the money to settle down here? Because of that, I spent two months dodging around monster spawning areas.
I scratched the back of my head roughly and slowly approached Yuria.
“Holy Maiden.”
I called out to Yuria from a little distance to avoid frightening her further.
“…?”
Her white eyes, brimming with fear, glanced up at me.
The closer I looked, the more intriguing was the mesmerizing color in her eyes. I pressed on with my words.
“I won’t do anything to you. I’ve just brought you here because I need your power.”
“….”
“I’m not exactly sure why you were caught and exploited by that bizarre cult. Honestly, I’m not that curious. But for now, I’m your savior. You’ll see, I’m a kind guy.”
At that point, Older Brother Sooho chuckled softly.
Looking at the level of your dialogue – come on, this is like 90s gangster movies.
“Zu Yong is really stupid….”
This damn Kimchi-flavored swordsman not only doesn’t help but taunts me during serious moments.
Anyway, I got rid of the pretense and calmly laid out the facts in front of Yuria.
“I already know that you’re truly the descendant of the Holy Maiden. That’s why I stirred up a commotion to bring you out from that fraudulent cult, which is otherwise of no interest to me.”
“….”
“I’m about to head towards the Valley of the Dead to kill the Demon King Zadkiel.”
“…!”
“To do that, I need the ‘Insightful Eye’ power you possess. Holy Maiden, I must borrow your power.”
As I made an earnest gaze into her eyes, Yuria’s wildly trembling pupils gradually calmed down.
She seemed to make a resolution, tightly closed her eyes, and nodded her head.
“… Hmm. Alright.”
Although she is sparing with words, from what I can tell, she appears willing to have this conversation.
Good till here. I believe I can handle it. Feels like my social power is going up.
I started picking out my questions gradually.
“So, Holy Maiden. First of all… what exactly is this ‘Insightful Eye’? Are you aware that you have such a power?”
Nods.
Yuria carefully nodded.
“Is it an item? If you can hand it over to me, give it now. Then I’ll let you go.”
Shakes.
Yuria slowly shook her head.
“You can’t pass it over? Then is it some kind of skill?”
Nods. The rest is omitted.
No, isn’t your jaw welded shut? Why don’t you ever open your mouth while an adult is speaking? You’re making people act younger than they actually are.
“Can’t you just reply in detail with words? Holy Maiden. Are you mute?”
Nods. The rest is omitted.
… Hold on a moment. Nods?
“Are you mute? Can you really not speak?”
Nods.
I asked again out of doubt.
Still, Yuria energetically nodded her head up and down.
“Damn.”
—Damn.
Both Sooho and I burst out with the same curse out of surprise.
Looking at Yuria, who had widened her pure white eyes, I sighed deeply.
“…Hmph.”
Yu-ri-a Lu-e-ba, the distant descendant of Sooho, the descendent of an ancient saintess, the bearer of the Insightful Eye.
She was a mute who couldn’t speak.
*
Oh wow. It’s amazing that the descendant of the legendary saintess actually exists, but I never would’ve guessed she’s a mute.
“Indeed. It’s quite troublesome.”
I muttered quietly while looking at the palm-sized terminal I held in my hand. Knightrea’s expressionless face was displayed on the terminal.
Knightrea propped her chin on the desk in the screen, her smiling face coming into closer focus.
In any case, we managed to find a clue to enter the deepest part of the Valley of the Dead. We accomplished in six months what Unterland couldn’t for twenty-five years—or rather, didn’t attempt.
“Fine. This wasn’t done out of any kindness for such a crazy country anyway.”
By the way, speaking of this device, which looks like a smartphone:
According to the technology department of Unterland, it’s called an “Ether video call and data transmission terminal.”
Simply put, it works similarly to an actual telephone.
Stop cutting our image quality, wherever you’re being called greedy.
Of course, it’s not multifunctional like a smartphone, and the call range is limited to areas within Unterland’s territory where Ether relay stations are constructed.
Therefore, in places like Gaissus with poorly maintained relay stations, connections often fail.
Right now, Knightrea’s video feed keeps cutting in and out.
By the way, remember that thing you got from Jack? Are you using it well? How’s it going?
Knightrea suddenly looked at my wrist and asked. I chuckled wryly and cast my gaze downward at my left hand.
A clinking metallic sound was heard. A steel glove emitting a striking blue light was attached. A tactical, futuristic-looking steel glove that boasts of a unique design. Its name is…
[Name: Stun Glove MK.3 (Rare)]
[Stat Adjustment: Strength +10, Agility +5, Defense +500]
[Details: The prideful masterpiece of Jack Osolde, chief mage engineer of Unterland’s Ivory Tower. Mass production failed due to high costs, but it embodies a spirit of creative challenge. Wearing this glove grants the ‘Stun Current’ skill.]
[Reinforcement Possible: 0]
… Stun Glove.
Diaper mittens, pee mittens — that kind of mittens.
According to its creator, Jack Osolde, and also the main developer of Leviathan, it’s a “great name that compactly and stylishly summarizes the key features.”
I smiled bitterly and shook my head.
“Well, don’t think I’ll have much use for it. I’ll let you know if I end up needing it.”
—True. You’re strong enough without it anyway. If you don’t need it, that’s probably all for the best.
“That’s right too.”
—I’ll leave it at that. Let me know if you discover anything else. If there’s any information you need, I’ll do my best to investigate.
“Yes, thank you, ma’am.”
Beep. As the final greeting sounded, the communication terminal turned black.
The room fell silent. I cast another glance at the glove on my left hand.
… As she said, if things go smoothly from now on so I never need to use it, that would be great.
‘This hellish world isn’t going to leave me alone like that.’
I idly wiggled the fingers of my gloved hand, lost in such thoughts.
Dripped, the sound of water came from a corner of the room. Yuria was showering.
Through the semi-transparent door, her silhouette was faintly visible.
Oh my. Looks like someone’s eyes are drifting.
Damn. Even though they claim to be my own blood, their insight is uncanny.
I quickly redirected my gaze back to the terminal.
‘Let’s think some good thoughts.’
What should I do? The soundproofing is so perfect that neither the anthem nor the meditation sutras seem like they’d help.
Why not recall the events from the past six months?
‘After sneaking out quietly without telling the group… then…’
Right. Then I boarded the Leviathan. I received this glove almost immediately after that.
I immersed myself in the memories to avoid the distracting noises from the shower, forcing myself into them even if it felt a little artificial.
