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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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…In a dark, damp location underground.
More than ten people were gathered around a round table.
“…Ugh, look how dark it is. No one bothered to light a lamp before everyone arrived? Are you insane?”
Click-!
Correction.
In a very bright, slightly damp location underground. More than ten people were gathered there.
“Kyaaagh! My eyes!”
“It’s your fault for buying a luminescent stone with such high intensity. I wanted to light it, but it’s too bright. Tsk…”
“It’s your fault for setting up our base underground! Ugh, this humidity is unbearable. We need this much light to get rid of the musty smell!”
“Don’t make excuses, Livia. You bought that defective luminescent stone because you like shiny things. You stupid pyromaniac…”
“Well, at least I’m better than Sephir, who couldn’t even bring back one Carrier~”
“…What did you say?”
While they seemed disorganized, they were a force to be reckoned with. They were all high-ranking members of Lemegeton, most of them District Managers.
These busy individuals had gathered for a meeting.
As Sephir and Livia bickered, another member, the Fourth District Manager, intervened.
“Stop arguing and let’s start the meeting. So, was the person we met in the forest the one we were looking for?”
“Yes. He admitted it readily after I explained. His personality was a bit unexpected, though…”
Sephir recalled her encounter with Yor.
His striking appearance and unexpectedly crude speech. It was surprising that he was a “man,” and his unique aura had left a lasting impression.
“Interesting. I anticipated he might not be in the city, but I never expected him to be living in that dangerous forest.”
“Indeed. That alone proves his strength. He’ll be a valuable asset.”
“But why didn’t you recruit him?”
“Well, he refused quite firmly…”
Sephir trailed off.
She couldn’t bring herself to say, “He didn’t want to be raped by Seere.” It was too vulgar.
And that’s when it happened.
Livia, who had been quietly listening, spoke with a sly smile,
“That’s because you’re so boring, Sephir~ Who would join us after being recruited by a stiff woman like you?”
“Shut up, Livia…!”
It was a common occurrence. Many of the high-ranking members had strong personalities.
Clashes were inevitable when such individuals gathered.
Regardless, the meeting proceeded.
The topic, of course, was Yor’s recruitment.
He’d refused once, but they couldn’t give up so easily. Carriers were valuable, and Carriers who had reached adulthood were even more so.
He was also skilled. Recruiting him was a priority.
Various opinions were voiced.
The moderates, like Sephir, advocated for persuasion and voluntary enlistment.
The hardliners believed in forced recruitment and gradual assimilation.
There were even extremists who suggested using him as a sacrifice if he refused to cooperate.
The deadlocked discussion was finally interrupted by a woman.
“Then, I’ll visit him next time.”
Her rank was merely “Team Leader.” Considering the high-ranking officials present, her casual speech was inappropriate.
But no one reprimanded her.
“He might be more receptive to someone like me.”
She was a Carrier, a valuable asset within the cult. They were the closest to the demons they worshipped, and their numbers were few due to persecution.
No one objected to her proposal.
“Indeed… it might be easier to persuade him if it’s another Carrier.”
“Hmm, I agree.”
So, it was decided that she would visit Yor next.
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Several days had passed since the strange visit from the District Manager.
Surprisingly… nothing had happened.
He hadn’t moved, nor had he made any serious preparations to leave.
He’d burned down another goblin hut to reinforce his camouflage, but that was all. He hadn’t panicked like he had when Im Ha-neul discovered him.
The situation was different this time.
Back then, he’d expected the Knights to attack at any moment. If Ha-neul had spoken, they would have mobilized.
But now, while more people knew about him, there was no threat of a Knight attack.
The District Manager had said that Lemegeton wanted to recruit him, not eliminate him.
While he couldn’t trust the words of a cultist…
‘I should wait and see.’
She’d said she would return next week. He would wait until then.
And honestly… he didn’t want to leave. All his hard work over the years had gone into building his current infrastructure.
Why start from scratch?
He didn’t know if there was a cave as spacious and secure as his current one in the depths of the forest, nor if he could protect himself there.
There was also the matter of the Mountain Lord roaming around.
‘I’ll stay here unless the Knights attack.’
That was his current stance. He would stubbornly cling to his home unless his life was in immediate danger.
He felt safer in the middle layer than in the depths, where even more dangerous creatures lurked.
Time passed.
It was an unsettling week, though he tried not to show it.
On the promised day, a cult member finally arrived.
“Hey! Where are you?! Come out here!!!”
A woman’s voice echoed through the forest, rather aggressively.
“That crazy bitch…”
He cursed under his breath and hurried towards the source of the noise. She would attract not only humans but also monsters.
He arrived at the location and saw a woman.
A woman with blonde hair and a rather fierce expression. As Sephir had mentioned, a different person had come this time.
“Oh.”
A short exclamation escaped her lips as soon as she saw him.
“Indeed, I see why Sephir was impressed. I knew you were a man, but I didn’t expect this.”
“Why are you here again? I said I’m not joining.”
“I can’t accept that.”
She was refusing his refusal.
“Let me introduce myself. I’m Niki Tanesia.”
Yor’s eyes widened.
She had a surname.
In this world, having a surname usually meant nobility.
A question arose in his mind.
‘What’s going on?’
Was she a noble? And she had joined Lemegeton, a criminal organization, despite her status?
He was curious why she would abandon her position and make such a choice.
“And…”
His curiosity didn’t last long.
She suddenly took off her shirt.
“!”
He stared at her, stunned by her bold action.
Whoosh
Her thin shirt fell to the ground, revealing her curves. A small, white bra came into view.
…Sadly, her breasts were rather small.
She seemed completely unfazed by her topless state. Well, in this world, taking off your shirt wasn’t a big deal, as long as you were brave enough.
She pointed to her right side and said,
“See this mark? I’m a Carrier, just like you.”
He finally saw it.
A tattoo of five dark red claws, different from his own.
He understood why she’d joined Lemegeton.
‘I see…’
She’d been ostracized. Carriers like them had nowhere else to go. Lemegeton was the only place that accepted them.
He felt a pang of sympathy for her.
“I don’t know what you think of this place, but it’s not so bad. Being a Carrier is actually an advantage here. Everyone respects and admires me.”
“…”
It wasn’t a bad choice.
He couldn’t live a normal life, and he longed for companionship. While they worshipped demons, it was a rational decision for Carriers who’d been rejected by society.
But why…
“…Sorry, but no thanks.”
…did he feel such strong resistance?
“…Why?”
She tilted her head, her expression darkening as if offended by his rejection.
“I don’t understand. What’s so great about this forest? Is there something special here? Or are you attached to this place?”
Yor was taken aback.
He hadn’t expected her to be so offended by a simple rejection.
How should he explain…?
He searched for the right words to explain his refusal.
And that’s when it happened.
Rustle
A figure emerged from the bushes.
And surprisingly, it was someone he knew. Someone who had been visiting his forest frequently.
“Uh… Yor-ssi?”
It was Yoo Chae-rin.
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[ssi is like Mr in Korean it’s a formal way of talking so let me know if you guys would rather me write Mr. Yor or how it is now]
Hoo boy, I can already see multiple misunderstandings brewing…