Chapter 34
The Local of the Swamp, Hassan
Chapter 34 – The Local of the Swamp, Hassan #1
The women surrounding Luna were all armed with swords, shields, and polished armor.
Unlike street thugs or the wandering freelancers of the Iron Tier, their equipment was well-maintained and looked the part.
The more area of copper or iron — indeed, any kind of metal plate — in the armor, the more expensive it tends to get.
Judging from their Roman soldier-like clinking armor, it seems these women belong to the higher-earning group among adventurers.
Good armor means making good money, and making good money roughly equates to being an excellent adventurer.
And excellent adventurers, whether they cut down people or beasts and monsters, tend to be cold, heartless killing machines.
“Hey, Luna. You know us best, right? You’ve benefited a lot from us.”
“Well, yeah, but I never asked for your help. You just-.”
“What? You’re trying to cut ties with us now? We noticed you’ve been avoiding us lately. Is it because now you’re doing well enough on your own?”
Even as they encircled Luna, they spoke to her in a deceptively calm tone.
From a distance, it might look like a women’s social gathering, but up close, Luna’s trembling figure made her situation pitifully clear.
I had seen this scene before — it reminded me of a gazelle trapped among lionesses in some old documentary.
“You don’t need to be one of the Twelve Gods to qualify. Since you’ve sworn a purity oath to the Goddess, you’d fit right into our Maiden of the Sword group. What does a soft girl like you think she can accomplish alone?”
“I now have a fixed party.”
“Fixed party? You have no idea what you’re talking about. Hey, hey, grab her! Take everything she has!”
What the hell, does this feel like a cult recruitment? I glanced around; people were merely stealing quick glances, wary of getting involved in such trouble, so they continued on their way.
Even I, if Luna weren’t an acquaintance, would have just walked past. Meddling unnecessarily could end with a kn*fe in my gut, which just doesn’t add up financially.
And even if I jumped into a fight between such ruthless women, I’d just become an extra casualty. d*mn, and they’re all Bronze Tier – too scary.
“What’s this? Why are you clutching it so tightly?”
“That, that’s not allowed! It’s my essence potion! Give it back!”
“Forget it, drop it. Why do you carry something like this around?”
“No-!”
Luna finally burst into tears. Her appearance recalled the time I was bullied by Elpride and her followers, which pissed me off.
I moved impulsively, anger overwhelming any rational judgment.
“Hey, what are you doing throwing away something valuable like that? If you’re going to throw it away, give it to me!”
“What the heck is this giant guy? Holy cr*p, I thought it was a troll.”
Stealing the bamboo vial from the bewildered woman, I unscrewed the cap and drank it down without even smelling or tasting it first.
“sh*t, this guy’s crazy!”
“Is his tongue missing or something?”
The women were visibly flustered at my bold act.
Fortunately or unfortunately, despite being terrified, the potion turned out to be pretty drinkable.
The sensation was like having a strongly spiced tea? Compared to the strange juices my father used to give me, this was like drinking cola.
Actually, it tastes more like teriyaki milk tea. What on earth is this strange concoction, and how did they make it?
“Tastes better than expected.”
DING.
『Your stamina stat temporarily increases by 1.』
What is this? Some kind of doping? But there’s something more pressing than this right now.
“Hassan!”
Luna looked up at me with tear-filled eyes. Did she feel like a man pulling someone from a well, offering a rope just in the nick of time?
Though Luna’s despair turned into hope, the women surrounding us only grew more agitated.
“Hassan? Ah, is this the famed Samaritan causing a stir these days? Indeed, you look tough.”
“So, this guy is Luna’s so-called backup plan. Then if we just take care of this guy, you’ll be compelled to join the Maiden of the Sword, right?”
Schling, Schlrrrr-.
One by one, they unsheathed their swords in a menacing fashion.
This happened just the other day too.
Back then, there were three Iron-Tier adventurers, whom I could have tackled on my own with ease.
But now, there are seven.
Seven armed Bronze-Tier female warriors all at once? d*mn it, looks like this might be my burial ground after all.
Still, I wasn’t about to just lie down and take it. So, I too drew the two swords at my waist and shouted loudly.
“d*mn it, whoever charges first is going straight to hell!”
My voice was loud enough even to silence the bustling area in front of the Guild instantly.
But the silence didn’t last long.
“Look at that confidence. It’s impressive.”
“How should we handle someone like that? Rene, do you want to go first?”
“Are you giving me the honor? Thanks, but…”
“I said it, anyone who charges first dies! You’ve been warned!”
My all-out warning fell on deaf ears as they grinned wider instead. I bit my teeth, realizing this world seems to be full of crazy bastards.
Should I strike first? Or should I run? My back was drenched in sweat as I debated this.
“Enough.”
Someone stepped between the group of women to mediate, breaking the tense moment. It was a tall woman with long, wavy dark brown hair and sun-tanned copper skin.
Her lips were pursed in what seemed like indifference, and her strong jawline made her appear formidable, yet her fiery brown eyes burned intensely.
A Samaritan? No, that’s incorrect. Samaritans have a complexion closer to mine, so this woman would likely fall under the South American category.
Rather, how can her armor be so thin? It only covers her chest, wrists, and ankles with bronze guards.
Aren’t her stomach and thighs at risk being exposed like that? Can this even pass as armor?
As I pondered this, I noticed the gleaming metal hanging from her neck, sending a shockwave through my mind. The cliche description of my brain going blank felt very real at that moment.
Click.
d*mn, a Silver-Tier adventurer?! That puts her in the same category as the dangerous witch Elfride. Veteran of veterans, they say.
There’s a difference between me, an Iron Tier, and a Silver Tier adventurer greater than that between a conscript and a high-ranking special forces sergeant.
In short, I am screwed.
“Hippo…lyte.”
“It’s not something I should meddle in. We can handle this ourselves.”
The once fierce Bronze-Tier warriors began to shrink back like puppies at the sight of their Silver-Tier leader.
But the Silver-Tier female adventurer ignored them completely and walked straight to me.
Her shorter stature notwithstanding, the pressure emanating from her was palpable, reminiscent of figures like Elfride or the witch Nemea.
And upon closer inspection, her body was filled with noticeable muscles and scars, perfectly straddling the line between woman and warrior, making her appear dangerously alluring.
This may be the first time since coming to this world that I’ve seen someone embody the title of “woman warrior” so completely. She spoke to me.
“Samaritan, daring and courage are not the same, but you’re an interesting man, one we haven’t seen in a long while.”
Her voice, though full of youthful vigor, came from a face that could be described as quite beautiful, further heightening my nervousness.
“Are you the Samaritan who killed a lion bare-handed and slaughtered a hundred goblins with sword slashes?”
“That… it’s my story, but I don’t know if I should claim it as such. Some guy….”
d*mn Malco, I’m going to smash his face flat with a rock.
“Indeed, a sturdy man. Your scent reminds me of my father; the aroma of boiling struggle and savagery. The scent of a lion caught and crying. You must be a man loved by the gods.”
She took a deep breath, and as she exhaled, her deep voice boomed.
“I am Hippolyte, daughter of Mars, the great god of war. What is your name?”
“I’m simply Hassan of Samaria…”
“Hassan of Samaria. I, Hippolyte, will keep my eye on you.”
*
In the face of a fierce storm, the only thing a little flower can do is sway this way and that.
That was exactly my situation right now.
Bounced around by the turbulence of the world, by the time it all calmed down, I had ended up far away, not knowing how I got there.
My legs felt weak, and all I could do was sit on the bench and recover for who-knows-how-long.
“I messed up.”
To be marked by a Silver Tier adventurer… This could warrant a city move, as it’s quite a significant issue.
“I’m sorry, Hassan. It’s my fault you got targeted by the Maiden of the Sword.”
Luna kept apologizing by my side. In an instant, I almost got mad at her too, but on more thought, those crazy “maidens” were the real problem, not Luna.
I’m not Hassan of Samaria; I’m Hasan of the 21st century, so I must clearly identify who deserves my anger.
“Seems like you know them. What kind of group are they?”
“The Maiden of the Sword? They’re super dangerous. They’re a fixed party primarily made up of women warriors from the Amazon clan.”
Amazon clan? Like an inter-dimensional women’s group. This world is nuts.
Especially with these strong women legally carrying swords and shields, this place is literally hell.
“Hey, why are you mixed up with them?”
“When I first came to this city, I got some help from them, so we got along for a while. But then I realized we weren’t a good fit, so I left.”
“Ah.”
“Their leader, Hippolyte, is a truly terrifying chick. She can tear people apart with her bare hands. There’s even a rumor that she is actually the daughter of Mars…”
“Daughter of a god?”
I’ve met a few people who claimed divine lineage.
Recently, the closest memory was a certain balding Iron Tier adventurer whose name I don’t recall.
People often claim to be blessed by gods or exaggerate their abilities just to elevate themselves.
While it’s usually boasting, when the person is a Silver Tier veteran like this…
“I messed up.”
“Still, you looked pretty cool earlier, Hassan. Drinking that potion without stopping… even I couldn’t do that. Most people dilute it with water.”
“Ah, I just wasted something worth six silvers.” So unfortunate.
For some reason, my body started to regain energy.
But my crotch is getting bl**d flow that reminded me of the time during school lunch breaks, when my friends secretly tried a vitality pill.
I wanted to sit on the bench until the sensation subsided, but there was no sign of it letting up, d*mn it. Should I reach into my pocket and stand up?
“Anyway, Hassan, you cut your hair again. It also smells kind of strange…”
Luna sniffed me noisily. Thinking I might be exposed from yesterday’s events, I pushed her face away with my palm in alarm.
“Hey, what are you sniffing for?”
“It’s fine, I like Hassan’s smell. It’s like the smell of everything being boiled and simmered. It smells exactly like Ideope’s homeland.”
“Like… You like my smell? Don’t say that anywhere else. Guys tend to misinterpret it.”
“But Hassan, you’re the most educated man I’ve ever met.”
Should I be proud of being so trusted as a man, or depressed about the lack of male vigor?
Anyway, if she finds out about what I did with the witch last night, how would her innocent face change? Does she even have any idea about such things?
“Hey, just asking out of curiosity.”
“What is it?”
“Do you know how babies are made?”
“…”
Luna turned red all over her face and mumbled quietly without answering. That alone was answer enough.
In my mind, I slightly upgraded her IQ.
[Author’s Note] Vera and Crecsent!!! Thank you so much for the support coupons…
And to those who gave manuscript coupons to a novel that hasn’t even hit 100 chapters yet… I’m immensely grateful!!!
