Chapter 50: The Tricky Judge I

“Mmm…”

Sunlight streams through the gaping wall, blindingly bright.

No blinds, huh…

I open my eyes to find Isti and Karen asleep in my arms. Bella’s just waking, fixing her cl0thes.

“Where you off to, Bella?”

“Making breakfast.”

“Yawn. I’ll join once I’m up. We’re heading back to the Water and Grass Inn today.”

“Heard from the elf about that prickly examiner. Telling us to catch a ‘Lich’? What a joke.”

I carefully lay the two down without waking them and get up.

“What’s your take, from a goddess’s view?”

Bella speaks, her b0dy poised perfectly.

“If you’ve mastered spatial leaps, a weak Lich is no match. But the real issue’s after passing. Forgot? Meeting that world’s hero means divine interference. No clue how it’ll play out, but it’ll likely be hostile.”

“…Yeah.”

I’ve heard it before.

Sending agents to another god’s world is forbidden.

I used hypnosis to make Beleira break that taboo, landing us in this relatively cushy otherworld.

“That redhead girl. She’s aiming to be a hero candidate, right? And you’re into her, Master. If she goes to hero academy and crosses paths with the hero by bad luck?”

“Instant hostility?”

“Exactly. You’ll know the moment you see them. They’re the hero, the god’s agent. Maybe that’s why the rule exists…”

“Why it exists?”

Bella hesitates, then speaks.

“There’s a saying, ‘talent stands out.’ If two people in the same world carry the fate of being god’s agents,

their gifts and crazy growth make them clash, like it or not.”

“Is clashing a big deal?”

“You know it yourself, Master. God’s agents aren’t chosen for their morals. Sometimes, they’re total sleaze… No, not you, Master.”

“…What’d I say? Why’re you flinching?”

“Okay, I did think you’re a bit sleazy.”

“…”

Bella spills it, no filter—couldn’t hide it if she tried.

I smack her rear with my palm.

“Eek! This is what I mean by sleazy. …Though I like it, so I’m no better.”

“I get it, you’re super cynical about human nature. So, if I take Karen to hero school, I need a plan?”

“You being sharp is a silver lining.”

“What’s the bad part, huh?”

“That you’re a total perv…?”

“Isti picked up your habit and started calling me a perv too.”

“Look at your usual antics. Can you even argue?”

Haha. Fair point.

“I don’t doubt your power, Master.

That ‘thing’… even a god might struggle against it. I looked into it, but I couldn’t trace its source.”

“You looked into it?”

“Yeah.”

Bella clams up.

The two are sleeping, but she probably thinks it’s best not to mention ‘hypnosis’ outright.

God’s agent or whatever, I don’t care. I could erase their memories if it came up, but I like Bella’s caution. 

She’s cocky, but as an ally, she’s rock-solid.

“Bella, if another god’s meddling puts us in danger, back me up.”

“You’ll handle it with that fancy power, right?”

“There’s stuff even my power can’t touch.”

“Hmph. Fine. Feels like expecting too much from a s1ave like me…But I’ll meddle. Ditch that Karen girl. Live quietly in some corner of the world.”

“…That’s…”

“I know. You don’t want that. I said it anyway.”

“Said it to make me realize?”

Bella crosses her arms, smug as hell.

“You’re a sleazy perv, Master. You’d do anything if it gets you going….But you don’t do stuff you don’t enjoy. That’s why you don’t turn w0men you like into dolls or kill them off. Bet it was the same in your old world. Got tied down by the w0men you tamed, didn’t you?”

“…”

D*mn, that’s sharp.

Seeing myself through Bella’s eyes is wild. She’s close, but not dead-on.

“When’d I ever say that, Bella? You said you don’t know what’s in my head.”

“…I did.”

“I can do things I don’t enjoy. Ever think, even for a second, what’d happen to this world if I did?”

“…”

Bella flinches, trembling.

It’s the first time I’ve seen her scared.

“Don’t be afraid.”

I stroke her hair.

“Like you said, as long as I’m caught up with my w0men, nothing’s gonna happen.”

“Yes… Master…”

I whisper close to her ear.

“Keep obeying me like this. Think about how you can help me and act on it.”

“Yes.”

“I’m counting on you.”

Bella kneels, k!ssing the top of my foot.

“You can get up. Make breakfast tasty, alright?”

Bella nods and leaves.

God countermeasures… Honestly, I’m stumped. I don’t have the brain for that.

Instead, I decide to own it and clear my head.

Rather than half-assing a plan against gods, I’ll focus on human life for now.

Yeah, today’s the big hero selection exam.

The thought of hunting monsters again gets me pumped.

“Big Bro…?”

Karen wakes up.

Maybe because she slept in an unfamiliar place, she looks around for me right away. 

Cute.

“You two sleep well?”

Isti quietly sits up.

“Darling, something happen?”

“Nah, just saw Bella off for a bit.”

“…Okay.”

Karen rubs her eyes and stretches.

I can’t help but touch her b00bs.

“Hey now.”

Karen laughs, letting my hands roam her b00bs freely.

“Today’s dungeon day. Let’s do this.”

“Yeah! Oh, we should hit the adventurer’s street to check for good gear. Need a shield too.”

“Isti, you coming?”

Isti’s vibe is off. Did she overhear my talk with Bella while lying there?

Maybe she’s got her own stuff to think about.

“You two go. I’ve got something else to do.”

“Something else?”

“Yeah.”

Curious, but I won’t pry. It’s Isti. I’ll trust her.

“Breakfast’ll take a bit. Wanna go wash up?”

“All three? Let’s do it!”

“Isti, you good?”

“Yeah, sure.”

I grab the cl0thes we tossed aside yesterday.

Karen chats nonstop with Isti like they’re besties. Isti doesn’t respond much, but they’re super chill together.

Guess yesterday brought Isti and Karen closer.

We clean up in the big bathhouse and head to the dining hall.

Bella’s breakfast is light and perfect, like a grand finale.

“How was staying at the Castle for a few days, Karen?”

“Loved it. Got tight with Isti, learned a unique skill, and had tons of baby-making s9x with Big Bro. Don’t even wanna leave.”

I feel the same as Karen.

It’s been a dream, but dreams end.

Time to face reality and tackle the problems ahead.

“Let’s do what we can.”

“The examiner won’t have a choice but to recognize us.”

It’s a feeling I never had in a skill-less world.

I wanna take down monsters and grow stronger.

Bella might be right. With this kind of talent, how do you live quietly?

At first, I only want a safe, quiet life.  

I’ve been st@bbed and killed once—why face danger again?  

But I didn’t just move to this other world.  

It’s like being reborn, gifted a life with stellar talent.  

Starting rough in a forest, I’m now heading for greater heights, like it’s some unstoppable, massive flow pulling me along.  

After eating, Isti, Karen, and I return to the Water and Grass Inn.  

The shabby room makes it sink in—we’re back.  

“Darling, Karen, I’m heading out first.”  

Isti leaves, like she’s in a rush to move on.  

“Big Bro! Let’s hit Adventurer’s Street. Pick me a shield.”  

“A shield’s not cl0thes. How’d I know what’s good?”  

“It’s just a vibe. A vibe.”  

“Ask me to pick underwear, I’d choose the naughtiest ones.”  

“Then… pick some underwear too?”  

A smug grin creeps up on me.  

Time at the Eight-Color Clam Castle changed Karen completely.  

One hint during training—that s9x with me, even pregnancy s9x, is natural—twisted her dreams. She’s chosen a future as my c0ck house.  

The ultimate payoff from a trigger.  

If I’d outright suggested she be my c0ck house, I wouldn’t get this thrill of her saying it herself.  

We leave the Water and Grass Inn for Adventurer’s Street.  

The morning’s buzzing with adventurers.  

Dry Village’s energy never fades.  

“Big Bro, shields over here!”  

“Where?”  

I’m stunned. 

A merchant’s got a cloth spread on the street, selling armor and weapons like they’re tourist trinkets.  

Behind him, a cart’s piled high with goods.  

“Come look! What do you need?”  

“Shields! Got any good against magic attacks?”  

“For magic? These three! 30 gold, 55 gold, 80 gold.”  

“…That expensive?”  

The merchant puffs his chest proudly.  

“Best value for performance here! Magic shields use rare materials, tough to craft.”  

“Hmm…”  

I don’t care what we buy, but Karen’s hesitating.  

The merchant reads my face, sharp as a tack.  

“What’s the gentleman think? With such a pretty girlfriend, she’ll need a solid shield to protect her b0dy, right?”  

Oh, playing that card?  

“G-Girlfriend? Not quite…”  

Karen waves it off but giggles, not hating it.  

I wrap my arm around her wa!st, pull her close, and grope her b00bs.  

“B-Big Bro!”  

“Karen, I’ll buy it. That rightmost shield look good?”  

“Ugh…”  

The merchant panics, eyes darting as I fondle Karen’s b00bs.  

“To protect Big Bro, I need a good shield… So, the right one…”  

“Done. I’ll buy it.”  

I point at the priciest magic shield on the right.  

“70 gold for it?”  

“T-Ten gold off is…”  

“You got a good show, didn’t you? Eye-candy fee.”  

Karen blushes, head down.  

“…70 gold. Thank you!”  

Deal’s done in a flash.  

Karen equips the shield on her left hand.  

Can this tiny buckler really block magic?  

Should’ve tested it with a Fire Arrow or something.  

Well, can’t mess with sold goods.  

“Big Bro, what if he thinks I’m your girlfriend…”  

“So what?”  

“I’m really your c0ck house… Girlfriend? That’s…”  

“Can’t exactly introduce you like that to strangers. I’d be happy if you were my girlfriend, though.”  

“…”  

Karen, gaining courage, links arms with me, pressing close.  

Her killer b00bs squish against me—feels damn good.  

“Look, they’re selling women’s underwear. Wanna check it out?”  

“…Yeah.”  

I browse Adventurer’s Street, buying essentials and enjoying Karen trying on various underwear.  

Shopping burns through 100 gold like it’s nothing.  

Mostly the shield’s cost, though.  

“Big Bro, we’re set. Ready to go?”  

“Let’s hit the Adventurer’s Guild first.”  

“The Guild?”  

“Curious if the artifact’s done.”  

“Oh!”  

Karen remembers—we entrusted Thin Wolf’s corpse to them.  

“If there’s a Bordeaux Dungeon quest, I’ll grab some soul stones too.”  

“Yeah, let’s go!”  

We enter the Adventurer’s Guild.  

Some guys sigh, seeing Karen cling to my arm.  

It’s fun every time—I’m practically reveling in it now.  

The perk of having a hot w0man as my c0ck house—not enjoying it would be a loss.  

I approach Ashelin’s reception desk with Karen.  

“Hello, Mr. Decal. How can I help?”  

Ashelin recognizes me, smiling warmly.  

“Still got Bordeaux Dungeon quests? Want five medium soul stones.”  

“Yes, the Bordeaux Dungeon quest requirements…”  

Ashelin pauses.  

We’re on the same page.  

“Skip the explanation.”  

“Right. Five medium soul stones. I’ll also help with your license renewal.”  

“License renewal?”  

“For handling Thin Wolf, Mr. Decal, you’re now a Gold-rank adventurer.”  

“Oh.”  

Promoted already?  

Feels like the Guild Master’s got my back.  

“Don’t Gold ranks get a house or something?”  

“Yes, a vacant house on 7th Street is registered under your name.”  

“Big Bro, congrats!”  

Karen’s thrilled for me.  

Sweet welfare perk.  

“What about the artifact from the Sin Wolf delivery?”  

“It was just completed today. I was tasked to hand it to you.”  

Ashelin pulls out a small jewelry box.  

A ring, judging by the size?  

I open it—yep, a plain silver ring. Not sure if it’s actual silver.  

“Big Bro, this…”  

Karen notices too.  

Maybe because she’s honed her spirit-sensing?  

The artifact’s mystic power radiates like an aura.  

“Sin Wolf material artifact, ‘Ring of the Innocent.’ A reward for your contribution.”  

“Can I touch it?”  

Ashelin smiles.  

“It’s yours, Mr. Decal. Even if lost, everyone in Dry Village knows you’re the owner of Sin Wolf’s stuff.”  

That big a deal? I’m proud.  

I pick up the ring to check its info.  

[Ring of the Innocent] [Unique Rank]  

[A ring imbued with the magic of the lone king, the deceptive Sin Wolf. Its mystic power lets you hide your b0dy.]  

[Grants use of “Veil of Concealment.”]  

A ring that lets me hide? That’s useful.  

“Nice. Thanks, Ashelin.”  

“Looking forward to your next visit.”  

Goddess’s blessing, powerful attack magic, Elven spirit arts to scale walls, and now stealth from a unique item.  

More usable skills are always welcome.  

As we leave the Guild, I say, “Karen, mind if I use this ring?”  

“Huh?”  

Karen seems surprised I even asked.  

“‘Veil of Concealment’ might be better handled by me, a mage.”  

“You took down Sin Wolf. I got a great shield—you should have the artifact.”  

“Thanks.”  

I equip the ring.  

(Acquired “Veil of Concealment”)  

A notification pops up, confirming the new skill.  

“Ready for the dungeon?”  

“Yeah!”  

We stride out of Dry Village, brimming with confidence.