It was cold.
It felt as if an icicle had pierced his heart.
The crisis to his reputation had returned. The expressions of the customers who had been treating him casually lately started to change strangely.
Gulp.
Jeong Yusin swallowed hard.
His mind was racing, generating numerous hypotheses.
Maybe he was just hungry. The juice he had could have been bad. There was also the possibility that his abdominal muscles had contracted due to vigorous activity.
But.
“Surely not the virgin corruption brand?”
He assumed the worst-case scenario.
He placed Luna onto the floor and yelled towards the kitchen.
“Ann!”
“Yes sir!”
Ann quickly sprang out from the kitchen.
“Take Luna to the kitchen and check her stomach!”
“Yes!”
Though Ann wore a puzzled expression, she didn’t argue and took Luna straight into the kitchen.
As Luna disappeared, people began murmuring.
“What on earth is going on?”
“Is Luna’s stomach in pain?”
“Master, please explain.”
A few approached to ask.
“Lately, Luna has been dancing very hard and is exhausted. You should all go home for today.”
“Hmm… Is that so? I understand. Please convey my regards to Luna.”
“She does seem to be coming here frequently lately. She should take care of herself.”
The customers spoke worriedly.
As the customers departed, Jeong Yusin went to the kitchen.
“Ann? Luna?”
“Ah! Scath sir.”
Ann uncovered Luna’s clothes and stood up from her place.
Jeong Yusin’s face hardened with worry.
“Was there any kind of mark on her stomach?”
“No. There was nothing.”
Nothing?
What is this?
Jeong Yusin knelt down on one knee and looked at Luna.
“Luna, would you grab my finger for me?”
“Is something wrong?”
Luna’s pupils trembled with unease.
“No, Luna, do you trust Uncle? It’s nothing serious; I just need to confirm something.”
“Al..Alright.”
Luna extended her little hand and grabbed Jeong Yusin’s pinky finger.
Tightly.
“How do you feel?”
“It feels floaty.”
Jeong Yusin stood up. An unsettling thought started creeping up his spine.
‘I need to assume the worst-case scenario.’
The possibility that the female corruption brand had activated.
“Tarman.”
“Yes! Scath sir!”
Tarman entered the kitchen.
“Take Luna home immediately. Since Luna’s mother has deep knowledge of herbs, she probably understands medicine. Ask her to take a look.”
“Understood.”
“I have somewhere to go. It’s alright to close the shop early today.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Jeong Yusin hesitated as he was about to stroke Luna’s head, worried.
‘Worst-case scenario.’
He clenched his teeth.
After sending Luna away, he left the inn and ran through the streets.
Reaching the central district, he headed to the magic item shop.
The very shop where he had bought the brand-suppressing ring.
Fortunately, the store’s lights were still on.
He dashed in and opened the door.
Bang!
The harsh sound of the door opening echoed through the shop. A dwarf wearing an eye patch and glasses abruptly looked up.
“Owner!!!”
Jeong Yusin yelled.
“What, what is it?”
The one-eyed glasses-wearing dwarf stumbled over his words, surprised.
“Is there an issue with this ring?!”
Jeong Yusin pulled the ring off his finger and showed it to the dwarf.
“You hybrid Barbaroy. Why are you shouting? You startled me.”
“Owner, I’m in a rush. Please check it quickly.”
The dwarf took the ring and inspected it carefully.
Not even 10 minutes had passed when the dwarf raised his head again.
“The magic power in the magic stone is almost gone.”
“What does that mean?”
“Look closely.”
The dwarf held the ring in front of Jeong Yusin.
A small gemstone attached to the ring appeared.
“This gem here is the magic stone. Brand suppression operates via the power in the magic stone. Actually, every magical device works this way. In short, the power to suppress the brand has run out.”
“Why didn’t you explain this beforehand?”
As Jeong Yusin grumbled, the dwarf wore a bewildered expression.
“T, that much I thought you’d know. Magic stones aren’t exclusive to the Labyrinth City, you know?”
Jeong Yusin clutched his head.
Looking back now, there were several signs.
The fact that the side effect of brand suppression—increased libido—was nearly absent.
He also learned something while treating Edel.
That the power within a magic stone could drain away.
Had he just thought about it, it would’ve been easy to deduce, but he hadn’t had much free time due to the Fifth Prince’s affairs.
‘Hmm.’
Jeong Yusin scratched his head.
The dwarf adjusted his glasses.
“Still, there’s a barely remaining amount of power. At this power level, the other party might’ve felt pleasure. But the corruption would have been suppressed. Changing to a new magic stone immediately should do.”
“Can you recharge the power?”
“Right. If you want to do that, you’ll need a magic stone. Pay the fee, and I can replace it any time.”
Magic stone.
I have one.
The intermediate magic stone Ahiman left behind.
‘Damn, there’s no law that says I’m meant to die?’
“I have an intermediate magic stone. Please wait; I’ll bring it.”
“Ah, but it’s time to close the shop…”
The dwarf muttered unhappily.
“So?”
“Ah…never mind.”
Leaving the dwarf behind, Jeong Yusin returned to the inn, gathered some silver coins and the magic stone, and came back.
“Here it is.”
“Ho. This is a magic stone from the blood-sucking mosquitoes in the Labyrinth Swamp.”
“Is it a good one?”
“It’ll do. Where did you get it? I might be interested in buying it.”
“Just replace it for me.”
“Tch. It’s a little wasteful, but fine.”
The dwarf stood up and began speaking.
“Almost forgot. If the magic stone changes, the side effects can also change. Since it’s a blood-sucking mosquito’s magic stone, it might unconsciously make your hands move.”
The side effects of brand suppression vary depending on the magic stone?
He learned something new.
From increasing libido to involuntarily moving hands.
“Isn’t that too dangerous?”
“Just stay alert. In my opinion, it seems much better than the increased libido side effect.”
“I’m a person who can control my libido well.”
Jeong Yusin’s very natural response.
The dwarf closed his mouth and stared at Jeong Yusin.
“What?”
Jeong Yusin frowned and asked back.
“Ah…never mind. Wait a moment. I’ll replace the magic stone.”
The dwarf took the ring and magic stone and went to the workshop behind the counter. A brief tinkering sound was heard, and the dwarf soon came out.
“It’s done. Just give me two silver coins.”
“Replacing a single magic stone costs two silver coins?”
“This is also a skill. Since you’re a friend of Maya, I’ve lowered the price. Be grateful.”
“Alright.”
He handed over the silver coins, took the ring, and put it on his finger. The red magic stone attached to the ring sparkled.
Unlike before, there was no dizziness or similar sensations.
One thing came to mind—something he definitely needed to know.
“By the way, how can I tell when the magic stone’s power is completely gone?”
“To measure it exactly, you’ll need to come to the magic item shop. Probably, the power will be gone in two months. Come back then.”
“Alright.”
Jeong Yusin stroked his chin and thought deeply.
‘So, magic stones can be used this way.’
Indeed, assuming the worst prevents tragedy.
As a bonus, he had gained knowledge about magic stones, and their necessity felt vividly real.
One more reason to enter the Labyrinth had emerged.
“H, don’t!”
The dwarf’s urgent plea brought Jeong Yusin back to his senses, and he looked up.
“What?!”
He realized his hand was stroking the dwarf’s beard.
‘Insane side effect.’
Jeong Yusin quickly withdrew his hand from the dwarf’s beard.
“Why are you bringing my beard near your hand?”
“You, YOU reached out and grabbed MY beard! I just stood there quiet!”
The dwarf complained with an aggrieved look.
“Hmm? Sorry.”
“Barbaroy, please pull yourself together! Just like last time.”
“What did I do last time?”
“Eh…Um. Never mind. Go. It’s shop closing time.”
The dwarf waved his hand and ushered Jeong Yusin out.
Jeong Yusin had no choice but to walk through the night streets with his hands clasped behind his back.
When he returned to the inn, Tarman approached him.
“Scath sir, Edel checked Luna. There were no abnormalities, so there’s no need to worry about Luna.”
“Alright. Tarman, thank you for your hard work.”
Jeong Yusin nodded.
It was a stroke of luck in misfortune. If Luna had become corrupt due to his brand, he would have ended up in city prison regardless of whether he wanted it or not.
“S, Scath sir?”
Tarman called out to Jeong Yusin.
“What?”
“Uh… Why are you stroking my stomach?”
Jeong Yusin was startled and quickly removed his hand from Tarman’s stomach.
‘Insane side effect!’
“Uh… it’s a new side effect of the brand suppression. Sorry.”
“A… Yes.”
Jeong Yusin sighed as he looked at his hand.
‘Not easy.’
*
The next morning, Jeong Yusin went to the Dejimoseon Temple.
Just before lunch, he finished all his classes and started private tutoring with Mion.
Jeong Yusin spoke honestly. He said he used a new magic stone the previous night to suppress the “virgin female corruption brand.”
He explained that his hands might move unconsciously as a side effect and asked her to be careful.
Mion smiled faintly.
“Scath sir, this doesn’t seem to be a serious side effect. Alright. Let me trust you once.”
“Thank you.”
After finishing lunch, Jeong Yusin and Mion sat in the empty classroom to start the lesson.
“… So, this part is correctly written like this.”
Mion leaned close to him and explained.
The textbook was a literary work higher than a children’s fairy tale but with vocabulary similar to fairy tales.
Thanks to the simple yet key explanation, Jeong Yusin could focus.
Rustle. Rustle.
In the afternoon.
The quiet classroom only echoed Mion’s breath and Jeong Yusin’s pen scratching.
“S…Scath sir!”
Suddenly, Mion’s urgent voice rang out.
Jeong Yusin raised his head upon snapping back to reality.
Mion was bowed, her platinum hair revealing ears as red as apples.
“Yes. Wh-!”
On the desk lay a pile of mozzarella cheese, flat and spreading.
And…
Squelch.
His hand was tightly gripping Mion’s large boob.
How tightly had he grabbed it? His fingers were completely buried in it, out of sight.
The thin black lace bra Mion was wearing couldn’t hold back his strong grip.
It wasn’t the gentle touch of lovers.
It was a barbaric touch one might see when a hero captures the heroine in NTR plots, completely subduing her.
A coercive touch that thoroughly crushes the heroines’ resistance and reminds them of their femininity.
Mion turned her head to look away, as if it felt shameful to face Jeong Yusin.
A faint voice slipped from her lips.
“S… Scath sir, please let go now.”
“I’m…I’m so sorry!”
Jeong Yusin quickly pulled his hand away and apologized.
Mion covered her chest and shook her head.
“N… No. I got too close. I’m sorry.”
Jeong Yusin bit his lips.
“Mion Priestess, I apologize. Since it’s hard to control the side effects, perhaps it’s best to end the lesson here?”
“S, Should we?”
Mion turned her head to look directly at Jeong Yusin.
“Yes. I’ll come better prepared next time.”
“Thorough…preparations?!”
Mion’s voice rose sharply.
Mion calmed down as Jeong Yusin spoke.
“Mion Priestess, I’ll find ways to weaken the side effects. I’m sorry.”
“Ah. Y… Yes.”
Mion answered while fidgeting with her fingers.
Jeong Yusin gathered his things and stood up.
“Then see you tomorrow.”
“Yes. Please take care, Scath sir.”
“Alright.”
Jeong Yusin left the empty classroom and walked alone down the hallway.
He stepped out of the temple and looked up at the sky.
“Soft… so soft.”
He could still feel the sensation in his fingertips.
The first time in his life he touched a woman’s breast, a mix of excitement and guilt overwhelmed him.
‘How many months has it been since I was a virgin?’
I don’t remember sensing anything after six months. Was it around eight months?
Jeong Yusin shook his head.
The side effects were too severe. His hands would move unconsciously when he lost focus, and there was no way to know why they moved like that. It didn’t seem to be driven by libido since the movements lacked consistency.
Still,
Isn’t there a way to control it?
Meditation helped suppress madness.
Could he benefit from meditation this time as well?
‘I need to go to the swordsmanship guild.’
He instinctively felt that way.
Jeong Yusin slung the bear bag over his shoulder and started running towards the swordsmanship guild.
His black hair swayed in the wind as he rushed down the southern street.
