novelraw Chapter 298: Episode 298
Chapter 298: Episode 298
The Montana Autonomous Region of the Demon Realm—the largest neutral trading city, built for the lower-class demons saved from the oppression of their mid-tier counterparts. It was no exaggeration to say that demons skilled in commerce and merchant guilds from across the Demon Realm gathered here, developing Montana by earning consistent income from the continent’s dungeons.
Currently, seven merchant guilds operated within the city. There was the Valkaero Merchant Guild, which had long distributed items and equipment; the Replica Merchant Guild, specializing in magical plants and materials; and the Laponso Merchant Guild, which held a contract with the Demon Realm Auction for magic-infused artifacts. The other three were among the top ten guilds steadily expanding their influence in Montana.
In particular, the Gronz Merchant Guild, which had clawed its way up from the very bottom, was rapidly making a name for itself through its contract with the S-rank dungeon, Balak. The man responsible for this incredible achievement was none other than Lugo Talos, once a low-level guild member. According to him, his history with Balak was truly bizarre.
’At first, I thought it was just some low-level dungeon. It looked so run-of-the-mill that I planned to bring up a contract and bleed some Zen out of it. But my thinking changed when they started buying suicide bombs. After that, during my occasional visits to Balak, I encountered these masterpieces, and my life changed completely.’
On the continent, they could hardly be called equipment. A claymore with a blade split into three was standard; a heavy mace had blades embedded in it; a falchion was even equipped with a small cannon to be used as a ranged weapon. It was a truly chaotic collection. However, even such bizarre armaments created a huge sensation in the Demon Realm, attracting regular customers.
Lugo rode that wave, expanding his inventory and sparking a revolution in the Demon Realm Auction. As a result, Lugo Talos, the low-level guild member, instantly rose to the position of Vice-Guildmaster, turning his life around in one fell swoop.
"This piece will sell quite well to the noble ladies."
That day, too, he was comfortably handling his work from the Gronz Merchant Guild headquarters in Montana, ordering his underlings around. Now, inspecting all the equipment was a privilege reserved only for the Vice-Guildmaster. Lugo Talos hummed as he began to examine the newly arrived items. Just then, a junior guild member, Jerum, burst into the room.
"Vice-Guildmaster, we have a huge problem!"
"Jerum, didn’t I tell you to at least knock!"
"W-Well, it seems there was a mistake with the item sent to Balak."
It was a gift to commemorate the Gronz Merchant Guild’s second anniversary. He distinctly remembered preparing a top-grade product himself to ensure a continuous contract. Lugo sighed, looking at the bottle of ’Plamirouge’ in Jerum’s hand.
"Jerum, are you joking with me? I prepared that Plamirouge myself. What else could it be?"
"N-No, I know it’s Plamirouge, but this one is a little different."
"So what exactly is different? You have to explain for me to understand."
"The Plamirouge you originally prepared had a mid-grade effect, but upon checking, it seems a top-grade one was sent instead."
Plamirouge, a magical plant that grew only in the Demon Realm. Having consistently absorbed magic through a special cultivation method, it had a rather unique effect: it was an aphrodisiac. Unlike typical aphrodisiacs that were ingested, its ability to stimulate the entire body with its fragrance was immensely popular, and placing it in a bedroom was known to be the most effective method. That was why Lugo had prepared a mid-grade Plamirouge to help with Taehyun’s... satisfying release of desire. But a top-grade one was a different story entirely.
"T-Top-grade? That has a heinous effect that lasts for at least a week, doesn’t it? Dammit! Who the hell was in charge of delivery?!"
"W-Well, that was me, Vice-Guildmaster."
"You—you damn bastard! If the contract with Balak is broken, don’t even think about setting foot in this city again!"
"H-How could you!"
Not only did it last for a long time, but its stimulating effect was several times more severe than other Plamirouges. For anyone whose body wasn’t trained like one of the main forces, it could be ruinous. Lugo urgently tried to contact Taehyun, but there was no response.
"...I’m screwed."
And so, the Vice-Guildmaster of the Gronz Merchant Guild faced the greatest crisis of his life.
---
The room was sweltering. Currently, only two people were inside the Master Room. The other main forces were faithfully carrying out their assigned duties elsewhere. He briefly thought of Riel and Hyena, but they wouldn’t be back for a while.
"Mmmph’!"
Pinyas’s tongue invaded his mouth. After thoroughly exploring his lips, she was now pushing his masculine desires to their absolute limit. He was, for all intents and purposes, being pounced upon. Taehyun struggled desperately, trying to push her away, but the difference in their physical stats was too great.
"Haaaah’."
A thin string of saliva connected them. Pinyas exuded a seductive charm as she held his chin with both hands. Their faces were inches apart, their skin damp with sweat, their hot breaths mingling. As his mind grew hazy, her clothes began to come off, one by one. Taehyun, who had been staring blankly, finally snapped to his senses and shouted.
"St-Stop—’Mmmph’!"
"No. I’m not done yet."
"Mmmph’!"
"I certainly don’t like you, but right now, I need this body to satisfy my desires."
Her delicate hand traced a path from his neck downward. She seemed to be enjoying herself immensely, a clear sign of her arousal. Treating him like a toy, she began to play, her touch a teasing caress against his body.
’Lugo Talos, that son of a bitch. What the hell did he send me?!’ Taehyun raged internally. The Plamirouge he sent, claiming it had a pleasant scent. It was his fault for breaking the bottle, yes, but he’d had no idea it had this kind of effect. If the other main forces had been here, several of them would have pounced on him at once. Taehyun’s mind went blank as he saw the two peaks revealed above her fair skin.
"Aaaah’, I can’t take it anymore. P-Please, take me to the swamp of pleasure."
The ears atop her head twitched. Pinyas wagged her tail as she once again captured his mouth. Just then, a message appeared before Taehyun’s eyes.
[The Dungeon Master of Talos, Seonghwi Hyun, has come to visit.]
It was the former faction leader, Seonghwi. But Taehyun, oblivious to his arrival, was completely surrendering his body to desire.
---
Meanwhile, the two who had arrived at Balak’s entrance looked around.
"It doesn’t look like we’re teleported directly into the Master Room."
"The rookie probably only set it up that way for certain faction members. Seems we won’t be getting a warm welcome. Let’s head in."
"Hmph, that little brat has grown up a lot, hasn’t he?"
They were the two who had once protected the B-rank Balak from Wigan. It might have been a chance encounter, but the memory was still vivid. Hinyas observed the now S-rank territory of Balak before stepping inside.
"Who are those two?!"
"Eh, probably some demons the boss knows. Never mind them, let’s finish our work."
"Ahem. By the way, that lady’s clothes are awfully see-through."
Dozens of dwarves waddled down the corridor. They glanced at Seonghwi and Hinyas before leaving the dungeon. Judging by the materials in their hands, they were the blacksmiths who crafted Balak’s signature equipment—the Rough Rock tribe, rumored to be a different race entirely. Hinyas turned her head with little interest, but then she froze.
"Th-There are beastmen here, too?"
"Do you know them?"
"S-Some of them..."
Another race was visible in the distance. They were undoubtedly the beastmen who used to live in the East. Just then, the fox beastmen spotted Hinyas, their eyes widening as they scurried over.
"A-Aren’t you Lady Hinyas?"
"I am. The fact that you’re here... does that mean Pinyas is here, too?!"
"Yes, that’s right! She’s probably in the Master Room right now."
She hadn’t seen Pinyas once since becoming a true nine-tailed fox. The fact that she was in Balak was good news, but in another way, it was deeply troubling. The beastmen explained that three different races lived together in Balak and referred to Taehyun as the ’Guide.’ Hinyas sensed this was no ordinary matter and turned her head. At that moment, the being who was like a father to her appeared.
"Oho, if it isn’t Hinyas. I heard you were working as a mercenary after becoming a nine-tailed fox. But how did you find your way here?"
It was the great chief of the cat-like tribe, Hasla. He stroked his beard, his expression one of deep goodwill.
"L-Lord Hasla!"
"My, you’ve grown so much. You were only as tall as me back then, but now you’ve become a mature young lady."
"Even while I was a mercenary, I never once forgot you, Lord Hasla. How could I? You’re the one who raised me and Pinyas!"
"I’m glad to hear that. Pinyas also came to Balak, so you should go and meet her. She’s probably helping the Guide with his work in the Master Room right now."
The qualification of a Guide, acknowledged even by the great chief. Perhaps Taehyun had undergone a trial in the East to earn the right to lead the beastmen. Hinyas, though confused, nodded. Meanwhile, Seonghwi was separately greeting the beastmen and introducing himself. Hasla’s expression hardened as he watched him.
"That man must be your master. The killing intent hidden within him isn’t directed at the Guide, is it, Hinyas?"
"Um..."
"I’ll warn you in advance. If you cause any trouble for the Guide, I will personally dispose of that man. Even for a precious child like you, that will be no different. Do you understand?"
"...I understand. I’ll try to persuade him."
Originally, she had planned to threaten Taehyun, but now that it was clear he was the Guide, that was impossible. She would have to change her plan. Moreover, with Pinyas also belonging to Balak, she had to be extremely cautious. Hinyas explained the situation to Seonghwi as they headed to the Master Room.
"As you just saw, I have no choice but to follow the will of my clan. Even if you order an attack on Balak, Seonghwi, I won’t be able to obey."
"Well, well, the scale of what this rookie has accomplished is no joke. For now, you don’t have to worry. As I said, I just need confirmation about the Demon Realm conquest. I can’t kill him anyway, so it’s fine."
Finally, they arrived in front of the Master Room. Hinyas’s heart swelled with anticipation at the thought of finally seeing Pinyas.
[Entering Balak’s Master Room.]
The door swung open, revealing the scene within. Hinyas’s face lit up as she saw Pinyas on the sofa.
"Pinyas... ’Eeeeeek’?!"
"...I think we came at the most awkward time possible."
"Aaahh! What are you doing with my sister!"
The two on the sofa didn’t even turn their heads at the new arrivals. The fox woman, completely naked, was busy exploring the Dungeon Master’s mouth. Then, at the familiar voice, Pinyas finally turned her head.
"Haaaah’. Sister, it’s been a while. You’re interrupting. If you could just step out for a moment... no, you don’t have to come back at all. Just leave me like this. I’m very happy right now."
With a look of pure ecstasy, she kissed Taehyun again. In an instant, the image she had of her sister crumbled. Hinyas bit her lip, and her nine tails flared out behind her. Seonghwi broke out in a cold sweat and quickly backed away.
"What have you done to my sister—!"