107 – Rabbit(1)
The time when the train arrives and stops at the Clockwork City.
Outside, the rain is lightly tapping against the window.
“Let’s get off.”
“…Pervert.”
Stepping out from the station, we could enter the Clockwork City without much scrutiny.
There wasn’t tight inspection as last time.
The last incident was rather unusual.
That Jinae made a curse on the train, so the guards were alerted…
Even wanderers without citizen’s id can go pretty much anywhere if they have money.
Except for places like Hamel or Petenberg.
“Let’s start with maintenance first.”
“······Pervert.”
Instead of heading to the mansion as soon as they arrived at the Clockwork City, they decided to start with some maintenance.
First and foremost, they had to sharpen the completely dulled blade.
“Please sharpen this blade. Make it as sharp as new.”
“Heavens! What have you been doing with this? Cutting firewood? It’s completely wrecked.”
“······Pervert.”
“Huh?”
It takes half a day just to sharpen the blade.
In the end, they decide to leave the blade behind and come back for it later.
However, since they can’t fully trust the blacksmith, they detach the handle’s rare gem and take it with them.
‘Even if I lose the blade, all I have to do is buy a new one.’
What’s important isn’t the blade itself.
This dark gem is a rare treasure that can’t be found anywhere else.
Anyway, the blade is just a cheap product made by a novice blacksmith near the adventurer’s village.
It’s only that they’ve grown accustomed to it and feel reluctant to abandon it, hence they keep using it.
Of course, spending a lot of money on a sword would be nice.
But since they consider the sword as a consumable good, they feel more comfortable using a cheap, easy-to-get one.
They have to get used to cheap blades so that when their blade breaks and they need to get a new one quickly, they can adapt easily.
If they develop a taste for luxury, everything in the world will start to feel dissatisfying.
“······Bug. I’ll wait.”
“Are you done with calling me a pervert now?”
“······Pervert.”
“Sigh, never mind. Let’s just leave.”
While considering taking a look around downtown a bit more, Mijeong suddenly grips their sleeve tightly.
She seems worried about Jineseunyeo.
Although she doesn’t like their mutual race Transilvia, she seems to be quite fond of Jineseunyeo.
It’s quite peculiar.
The sun is starting to set.
My clothes are wet from the rain and I shiver from the cold. I rush towards Kern’s mansion.
Ah, it’s my mansion now.
“Huh?”
Something feels off.
Right before crossing the main gate.
I stop in my steps as an elusive feeling hits me.
But even if I mobilize all my senses, there’s nothing strange to catch.
However, I have this bad gut feeling.
“Mijung, go inside first.”
“······ Okay.”
Without hesitation, Mijung takes a step.
“······ Ugh.”
“Oh no.”
The moment she crosses the main gate, her body loses all strength and she starts to fall.
I barely catch her before she falls back.
Mijung, who hadn’t slept for long, gently fell asleep with her eyes closed.
“It must be a sleep spell.”
A sigh escapes my lips.
Apparently, Nursey Jinnes had laid a broad range of sleep spells around the mansion.
Surely, she must be planning something after putting me to sleep.
Well, I could directly ask her about that.
“Does she not have any ability to learn? I told her this won’t work.”
I bring out the soul of Karli, who was shaking from hunger and place it in front of the main gate of the mansion.
Immediately, magical energy seeps out from the entire mansion.
And in an instant, it gets sucked into Karli’s soul.
Considering the range covers the entire mansion, the amount of magic isn’t much.
It’s nothing compared to the spell that covered the transcontinental train before.
Even less than the magic quantity of the sleep charm that Mijung used on me.
“No wonder I couldn’t detect it.”
In fact, with this amount, even if I had stepped in, I would have only felt drowsy and wouldn’t have fallen asleep.
It inadvertently ended up as if only Mi-Jeong had been put to sleep.
This might not trigger the Guardian Knight.
[Stats]
[Strength: 17(x5) *Guardian Knight effect in progress]
[Stamina: 39(x5) *Guardian Knight effect in progress]
[Magic: 49(x5) *Guardian Knight effect in progress]
[Agility: 22(x5) *Guardian Knight effect in progress]
[Luck: 11(x5) *Guardian Knight effect in progress]
“Huh?”
I thought.
But the Guardian Knight is still triggered properly.
Upon close observation in case if this guy is feigning sleep.
“…… Uh.”
Mi-Jeong is squirming in her sleep, rubbing her cheek against my chest.
No matter how you look at it, she’s sleeping.
Then while Mi-Jeong is sleeping.
It would mean that she is subconsciously aware that she is being protected by me.
Is she relying on me to that extent?
“Oops, we’re in trouble! The spell has broken! Ahhh!”
A loud noise is heard then from the direction of the back door.
A clear, shrill voice of a cockroach nun, cutting through the sound of the rain.
Tracking the location from the noise and applying psychic force, a sense of something captured is felt.
“aaargh!”
Then from behind the mansion, a giant cockroach came floating in with psychic force.
It flew in, hovering in the air, and stopped before my eyes, the giant cockroach.
Then the cockroach nun transformed into a woman’s form with a puff, appearing as though she has been caught back by the nape.
She must have judged that it is easier to get a favor in this form rather than in the disgusting insect form.
“Explain yourself.”
“Well, that’s….. It would be a problem if a thief comes in, right? as there are valuable wind-up dolls here, so I put a sleep spell to protect the mansion from the thieves….”
“Is that all you have to say in your defense?”
“I’m, I’m sorry. I made a mistake…”
Finally, the nun lowered her head deeply, asking for forgiveness.
A deep sigh escapes from me.
She’s so stubborn, it’s even too tiresome to get angry.
“Let’s go inside, it’s cold.”
“A-are you forgiving me?”
“Well, you’re going to serve as a magic energy factory anyway, so I’ll consider this as your charm.”
“Thank you so much… Wait, what? Did I hear that wrong? Please tell me I did! Respond!!!”
I walk into the mansion carrying the loud, screaming nun on my back.
Soon, a familiar face greets us, hands clasped together politely.
[Welcome back, master. Did you enjoy your trip?]
“What’s this? A mechanical concept?”
[hehehe, I thought I’d give the old stiff act a shot. How was it?]
“Hmm… I think I’ll be asking for more of this.”
From Noble mtl dot com
[Huh?]
At my words, Linda, who had been playing a simple machine, tilts her head.
The rigid and indifferent attitude of a machine is rather appealing.
I think I’ll often ask her to entertain in that mode.
Having an artificial soul act like a machine feels overly luxurious.
It’s similar to buying a state-of-the-art computer just to play retro games.
“Heat up some bath water for me. I need to take a bath.”
[Yes, I understand. I’ll notify you once the bath is ready.]
“When will my Qi energy-“
“Qi energy? You seem fine without it?”
“Wha-?!”
Thud!
As I release my magic energy control, the nun falls onto the ground.
Even though she said she needed Qi energy and I came running,
To think she was sitting there casting sleep spells with that lacking energy, she’s outrageously audacious.
Even in her current state, she doesn’t look particularly deficient in life force.
It was said that as life force dwindles, the body visibly ages.
Perhaps it was because she got a dose of life force last time we met, she no longer looked like a young girl but rather a mature woman.
It means there’s plenty of life force still left in her.
‘Should I still call her a pseudo nun though?’
I have my doubts looking at this kid, slumped over and crying.
Come to think of it, she wasn’t even a real nun, just an impostor.
And she no longer dresses in a nun’s attire, making it somewhat difficult to call her a nun.
I should probably refer to her in a different way.
But what alternatives are there for a name?
I’ll have to think about it.
“At a glance, you look brimming with life force. This was a wasted trip. Contact me when you’re on the verge of dropping dead due to lack of energy.”
“Wa, wait just a moment! I have a reason! Hear me out! I need a large amount of magic!”
“Let’s see…”
“I’m planning a large scale spell. After cursing the entire dungeon last time, I got an idea to isolate it to specific parts- the boss room. I’m trying to test a method that assassinating the boss and destroying the core would easily demolish the dungeon……”
Whether she indeed devised such a plan or merely bluffed to avoid getting hit, I’m not sure.
But the idea itself seemed quite plausible.
With a large amount of magic and understanding of the dungeon’s structure, one could destroy the dungeon remotely without risking anything.
“So you intended to put me to sleep with magic and suck out all my life force to gain a large amount of magic, is that it?”
“That’s correct! That’s the idea! Uh? Ah, no, no that’s not why I wanted to put you to sleep!”
[Your bath is ready!]
The pseudo nun started rambling in a panic.
This woman had been plotting to stab me in the back for a while now.
After giving her a good dressing down, I head for the bathroom.
I decide to wash first and think later.
Since my clothes are wet too, I ask Linda to do the laundry.
Linda dumps the laundry in the washing machine and says that she needs a recharge as she heads to the garage.
“Ah, this is refreshing.”
Before the unconscious Mijung woke up with a start and had a freak out in the water, I swiftly bathed her and put her clothes on.
Only after that, could I finally indulge in a hot bath.
“I think I might live.”
Such large bathhouses are scarce in the south, where the enjoyment of taking a bath is often found in soaking in a small tub filled with water.
Indeed, it seems as if my fatigue is properly relieved only when I immerse myself in such a spacious bathhouse.
“May I… join you?”
“Come on in.”
A cautious voice sounds from behind.
A moment later, with a rustling sound, the giant insect slowly immerses itself into the inner portion of the bath.
Its visuals are always disgustingly impressive.
“Have you been well?”
“Yes… Thanks to you.”
“Research well into the method of dungeon conquest through sorcery. It might prove useful.”
“Yes, I will.”
The insect woman now has this heavy task assigned to her.
Considering she will be studying sorcery, it would be too demanding to use her as a magic production factory as well.
The recharging of Caly’s spiritual energy would probably need to be postponed.
“But what should I call you?”
“Pardon? You can call me whatever you like?”
“I’m just not sure what would be comfortable. Originally I used to call you the insect nun, but you’re certainly not a nun. It’s strange to call you the insect woman too. When we were talking over the phone, Linda got upset when she called you monster or bug.”
“That’s right. You remembered.”
“Do you have a name?”
“No…”
“It seems about time to give you a name.”
The insect woman wriggles her way through the water current, arrives, and takes a seat next to me.
While the insect’s head might not display any clear expression, it seems as if she’s feeling some sort of anticipation.
It’s time to unleash my naming sense.
“Just sit there and soak up the atmosphere while I think of a name.”
“Okay… yes.”
Salivating, she drools so much into the bathtub that she opens her mouth wide.
My hand, extended towards her, is sucked into her mouth, and she wraps my hand in a feeling that’s difficult to describe – equal parts disgusting and strangely fascinating.
“Young-hee?”
“……”
Shake, shake.
Holding onto my hand, the vampire girl shakes her head.
It’s a steady-seller, but not a fashionable name.
“Mak-soon?”
“……”
Again, shake, shake.
Thought it would be okay.
“What about Eun-hye?”
“……”
Once again, shake, shake.
Isn’t it a name with a good meaning and sound.
I can’t figure out why she keeps saying no.
“Ahhh… It would be better for me to name it. How can all the names sound like those of old people from the northern countryside?”
“……”
Spitting out my hand, the vampire girl nonchalantly spouts harsh words.
She must have sucked a lot of life force, she seems a bit plump.
But it doesn’t seem like she’s sucked enough life force yet.
Then the vampire girl smoothly moves through the surface, relocating.
Slowly coming in between my legs and lunging her mouth at my face.
“What are you trying to do?”
“Well… I’m sorry for the waste. When you suck life energy with your hands, a lot of it seeps out without being absorbed, right? But if you drink it with your mouth, it absorbs nearly 100%…”
“You just made that up, didn’t you?”
“No, no I didn’t!”
“So, with a higher absorption rate, does that mean less frequent refueling in the future?”
“Yes! That’s right! I’m sick of seeing your face too! So let’s go with that! Suck it all up once, and we won’t have to see each other for a long time!”
Immediately repulsed, I couldn’t help but furrow my brows.
But on second thought, it seems quite persuasive.
If I supply her with life force once every three months, I have to buy the winding city line ticket four times a year.
Considering the back and forth of time, it seems like an enormous waste.
But what if we increase the absorption rate and reduce it to twice a year?
Productivity would soar.
A bit of tolerance for the loathsome act of locking lips with a centipede means reaping tremendous benefits.
“Then… Please… just bear with it a little longer…”
Creeeak.
The massive centipede gradually approaches and once more opens its maw.
Up close, it strikes me once again how repulsively grotesque it is.
As I watch, nausea surges, and I’m forced to close my eyes.
I wait for the moist, mucus-covered carapace to touch my lips.
-Ding dong!
A doorbell rings from afar.
“Should, should I ignore it?”
-Ding dong!
I was about to ignore it and just finish the scheduled supply drop.
But the doorbell chops through my rhythm with its insistent ringing.
I wondered why Linda wasn’t responding.
Then I remembered, Linda is in the middle of recharging in the garage.
-Ding dong!
“Goddamnit. Looks like I’ll have to check it out myself. Come out.”
“Whimper…”
The persistence suggests they won’t leave after ringing the doorbell once or twice without an answer.
It typically wouldn’t be mail or a package since they would have just left it there.
Could it be a visitor come to see Kern?
I’ll have to inform them that the address has changed.
I quickly exit the bath, dry myself off, and hurriedly dress.
Glancing back, I see the centipede woman has already transformed back into a human form and is peering out from behind a corner, poking her head out.
-Dingdongdingdongdingdongdingdongdingdongdingdongdingdongdingdongdingdongdingdongdingdongdingdongdingdongdingdongdingdong!
‘Surely not?’
The doorbell rings with the intensity of someone intending to break it.
A vague sense of unease grips me.
A premonition that either Zil, Yulia, or perhaps Yerina could be beyond this door…
“No, that can’t be.”
The mansion has a barrier protecting it, so it would be impossible.
Only those granted access can enter without meeting resistance from this barrier.
And I hardly gave access to anyone.
Cornelia, Mia, Gina, Linda, Mijeong, Kern, and…
“Alisha?”
“·····.”
Creak.
As I push open the door, the harsh sound of falling rain reaches my ears.
And standing in front of the door, a lone girl caught in the rain.
Her long ears hang low.
Her face is gloomy, and there is no vitality in her eyes.
Only after calling her name does she slowly lift her head.
“I… I was caught by your sister…”
She shivers, on the verge of tears.
A rabbit soaked in the rain looks up at me with pitiful eyes.
Welp