Everyone Else is a Regressor

Chapter 81

Everyone Else is a Regressor (81)

Your remarkable synergy with the griffin during the sky sprint has elevated your [Riding (R)] skill to level 5.

As the griffin landed near Kor, and the party disembarked from the chariot, it toddled over to KiJun, once again seeking affection.

While KiJun was petting its chin, the sky chariot connected to its waist began to shrink in size.

Purr...

Eventually, the chariot shrank to the size of a rugby ball, and with a final nuzzle against KiJun, the griffin took off, soaring over the high walls of Kor without any hindrance and disappeared inside.

"Seems it dropped us off here because outsiders can't enter without a check..."

Struggling to recover from the long flight's exhaustion, nica managed to gather her wits and commented on their situation.

It was evening by then. KiJun, having healed the staggering party members, hurried into Kor before the city gates closed.

"Halt, what brings you here..."

"Here."

The checkpoint was easily passed.

When nica showed some kind of insignia, the guards promptly stepped aside and saluted.

"Honor be to the holy lineage that guards Gratia! Welcome to Kor!"

"May you have a pleasant journey."

Indeed, nica was a direct successor of a noble family within Gratia, a part of its ruling class.

Though she didn't show it, there was a hint of pride in her demeanor, tempting KiJun to tease her. However, seeing Gin and Lora already making a fuss, he decided to let it slide.

"So, nica, you are nobility!"

"Now that you mention it, we've been taking it for granted, eating together in the same house... If I've been rude to you in any way until now, I sincerely apologize, Lady nica!"

"It's just a nobility from the frontier, please don't mention it too much... Don't you see the eyes around us...!"

KiJun intervened, partly to save nica.

"So what's the plan, should we head straight to the guild alliance?"

"Ju-Jun. Ahem... Well, although the griffin has returned, and they might be aware of our arrival in the capital by now... This is probably an unexpected time for them."

They likely expected them to take at least two more days, nica added.

"So it's best to visit them tomorrow morning. I've arranged accommodations at a place the Lord usually stays when in Kor. Let's head there; they should have rooms available. It should be this way... Oh."

Though her words were convincing, nica's fascination with Kor's vastly different and more expansive streets compared to Turris was evident, resembling someone who just arrived in the city from the countryside.

Gin, who had spent his life trapped in ruins, and Lora, who had rarely left Turris and spent most of her life praying in temples, shared nica's awe.

Trusting Cyntilla and JiHye to take care of the party, KiJun messaged Viv that they had arrived in Kor.

[Partner (Reta): I'll come to your accommodations to update various information.]

[Me: Do you know anything about the racial guild alliance Demander?]

[Partner (Reta): They're difficult customers who always try to haggle and have many demanding requests. I wouldn't get involved if I were you.]

[Me: ...]

[Partner (Reta): But, being a multi-racial alliance, there are some good people among them. Orcs are simple and straightforward, which can be infuriating, but they are honest, and Catis, although sly, don't usually stab you in the back.]

[Me: It's a bit... you shouldn't categorize by race. Let me know if there's someone specific to be wary of.]

[Partner (Reta): It might sound odd coming from me, but humans are probably the most dangerous. And goblins. Especially those not following the evil god, which are few but part of the light faction. Regardless, goblins are a nuisance. Why are they part of the light faction? Just exterminate them on sight like cockroaches!]

[Me: I said not to generalize by race. Can you calm down?]

Noting to be wary of goblins and, reluctantly, humans, KiJun couldn't help but remember that his first enemy in Reta was an orc from the light faction. Judging people solely by their race was not something he could condone.

"Ah, this way! Follow me, Jun!"

"Alright."

Feeling the gazes from all around, KiJun sighed and followed nica.

The accommodations she led them to were exclusive to Reta's nobility and inaccessible to commoners, but thankfully, nica's presence allowed them all to stay.

In a large room with an attached bathroom and toilet, where KiJun was to stay alone, he offered to share with Gin, his only male companion. However, Gin humbly declined, preferring a smaller, cheaper room.

Watching him go, nica muttered, "Even though I'm the one paying..."

"I'll pay for it. Gin's part of my party."

"No, it was just a jest. I plan to bill the racial guild alliance anyway."

Smiling and taking the receipt from the front desk, she dragged all the female members, including Cyntilla, who was trying to stay by KiJun's side, to their rooms.

However, when KiJun went out to meet Viv, having bypassed nica's watchful eye, he found Cyntilla leaning against the corridor wall.

"There's a bar on the third floor. Care for a drink, Jun?"

"Sure, I was hoping to talk more with you."

KiJun, who wanted to spend more time with Cyntilla, gladly accepted.

After messaging Viv to come in the morning, they entered the third-floor bar, accessible only to guests, and felt the stares from everyone inside.

Sensing KiJun's discomfort, Cyntilla reassured him with a trustworthy whisper, "It's okay, Jun. I'll protect you no matter who it is."

"No need for that kind of appeal."

This woman keeps trying to seduce the contractor, and it's getting on my nerves...

'Cancel what I said about not believing you, Lucy...!'

"......"

Cyntilla looked at KiJun's withdrawn hand silently.

Her hand twitched as if she wasn't ready to give up, but KiJun had no intention of advancing their relationship in such a rushed manner.

In the tense silence that followed,

"You were here after all, you two."

"nica!"

Their savior arrived to break the awkward atmosphere.

"May I join you?"

"Of course, welcome! It's on me."

"Tch."

With nica's arrival, Cyntilla clicked her tongue, and soon Lora and JiHye peeked out from behind her.

"Jun, I'm here too... I wanted to try alcohol for the first time..."

"Wow, I've never been to such a sophisticated bar even back home."

"If everyone's here, let's move to a table."

With five instead of two, the atmosphere wouldn't be strange.

KiJun felt more at ease and settled at a table with the group, unaware of the murderous glares directed at him from around the room for being with four women.

"Hmm, feels like we're missing something."

"Should we order some snacks? We rushed dinner because of the move."

"Good idea."

"Jun, could you recommend something light for a beginner like me...?"

"Oppa, me too!"

"Beginners, huh? Then you should start with something sweet and low in alcohol, like cocktails..."

But what they lacked wasn't snacks. KiJun realized the next morning when he saw Gin rubbing his eyes and coming down to the dining hall.

After exchanging glances with everyone, they silently agreed to pretend last night's gathering never happened.

Viv, sensing the awkward atmosphere upon arrival, tensed up, but no one mentioned the previous night's events.

After updating information with Viv, KiJun left the others to train and took only nica out.

Cyntilla protested, wanting to follow, but KiJun convinced her to help the others, promising her time later.

JiHye screamed as usual, but her screams meant the duel with Cyntilla was beneficial for her too.

"Ugh... then take this one at least."

Coo!

Reluctantly, Cyntilla left but insisted on giving KiJun her Crimson Flame Fox, Rodim, who now occupied his other shoulder, alongside Ur.

"Your obsession with Jun seems quite severe..."

Walking towards the racial guild alliance's headquarters with nica, she shook her head at Cyntilla's behavior.

Even Rodim seemed to agree, causing KiJun to smile wryly and respond to nica.

"What can I do, now that we're entangled, I have to deal with it."

"You don't seem to dislike it..."

"It's not that I like it."

"I'm aware she tried to seduce you yesterday. I'm not talking about romantic feelings, but human emotions."

KiJun felt hit by nica's sharp words and twitched.

Sensing his vulnerability, she sighed and continued, "If you were truly weak, I wouldn't say anything. But you've hunted divine beasts. It's uncomfortable to see Cyntilla treating you like a helpless child, meddling in everything."

"Ah, that's not it, nica. We already have a connection."

"You already have..."

"I don't plan to deny the relationship that started from a misunderstanding. Besides, I already know too much..."

Recalling the documents from the Turris Mercenary Guild and the messages from Bice, KiJun grimaced.

"Cyntilla is now part of my party. I want to take care of her."

"If you slip up even a bit, you'll be taken advantage of. Fortunately, Cyntilla is competent, but..."

"Yeah, that's just how I am."

KiJun laughed off nica's warning and added, "So, help me avoid becoming a fool."

"......"

Perhaps his words, meant to show trust, came off as irresponsible. nica remained silent afterward, upset.

KiJun tried to explain he didn't mean to burden her alone, but she seemed not to listen, and even Lucy seemed miffed.

And Rodim? It just watched KiJun struggle.

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