Apostle of the Void

[Translator - Kiteretsu]

[Proofreader - Kyros]

Chapter 13 - Short-Term Contract Worker(5)

The one who surveys the void.

You must continuously attempt to expand the boundaries of perception beyond the infinite horizon.

Only curiosity towards the void will lead to enlightenment about the "Transformative Divergence."

Su Ja Heros.

Transform the existence of the void and take another step towards the horizon of realization.

The newly unlocked incantation, satisfying the control conditions for the 12 Void Creatures, was also a technique within the Void Creature lineage.

"Come forth, Su Ja Heros!"

A new fusion entity generated from the fusion of three Void Creatures!

"Ooh, this is...!"

If the previous creature had a large lower body equipped with a venom sack, this one had an exceptionally large and sturdy head.

"And it even has a cool, developed jaw! Incredible!"

If one had to categorize it… it felt like the strongest wasp, akin to a giant hornet.

While its form was specialized for battle, it still retained a cute charm since its base was that of a Void Creature.

These creatures would need to act as front-line defenders like warriors, so Arzen decided to name it "Jeonbong" (War Hornet).

"Looking forward to working with you, Jeonbong."

As Arzen gently petted it with his fingertips, Jeonbong 1 maintained its hovering state but remained still.

Silence is a characteristic of Void Creatures.

However, given Jeonbong's fierce appearance, Arzen wondered if it might have a savage personality, but it seemed not to be the case.

"Hehe."

Satisfied, Arzen jumped onto the bed…

And soon, exhaustion washed over him, pulling him into a deep sleep.

"Little worker… I have to go to work tomorrow… if I happen to… not wake up in the morning… wake me up…"

Brrrrrrrrr…

The little worker tucked the blanket up to Arzen’s chin and then sent Jeonbong back to the void.

It then perched itself on the bedside table, guarding Arzen through the night, waiting to carry out the apostle's orders.

* * *

Since the work start date wasn’t set, it didn’t matter if he went in for two consecutive days.

In short, there was no obligation for him to show up today.

However, there was a reason Arzen decided to brave the annoyance and come to City Hall.

"By-products collection duty?"

Samson asked back.

"Yes. The slime's mucilage is valuable, and since I can't collect it all in time, just the waste would fill a few carts."

Once slime mucilage mixes with sewage, it dissolves completely and becomes useless.

"Hey, you need adventurers to access the sewers… starting with the referral fees to the branch, it's all money. If you can't use it, just throw it away."

"I'll just tell them not to worry about the pay and use the money from selling the by-products for myself."

"You're a funny guy. That by-product is all your money—are you okay with that?"

"I figured it was better than slipping and falling on the way."

"Do what you want. But you know you have to handle the approvals, right? I absolutely detest that kind of hassle."

"You're being too harsh, Director Samson."

“My life motto is ‘I absolutely detest hassle.’ You take care of it. If you want to post a notice to the Adventurers’ Guild, just fill out the form over there, and get the mayor and the great witch’s seals on it.”

The approval of the great witch…!

Now it made sense why that trash, Samson, was so averse to it.

Arzen hesitated for a moment upon hearing that terrifying title.

“But nothing went wrong last time, so what could happen this time?”

For a piece of trash like Samson, it seemed like the best courtesy he could offer was to vaguely approve it instead of outright rejecting it.

“Milbiet, sister.”

“Ooh, Arzen! You’re here again today.”

“Could you teach me how to use the printing press?”

As expected from a city hall in a major metropolis, a printing press was readily available.

“Here, like this… Place the paper underneath, then fit the type pieces together like a puzzle according to the sample template and pour in the ink… and voilà! Finished!”

The ink only adhered to the raised letters on the type, allowing the text to print directly onto the blank page.

“Ooh, the wonders of technology! Amazing!”

“Haha, sometimes you say cute things, Arzen.”

His favorability towards Milbiet had already peaked; now he could ask anything without issue.

“So, what kind of notice are you posting?”

There wasn’t much difference from what he had explained to Samson earlier.

He had just added a few more detailed requirements.

- There’s a high possibility that threats still remain inside the sewers, so preference will be given to archers and pathfinder roles capable of detecting movements in the dark. Experienced candidates will be prioritized.

Milbiet, who had been attentively watching the arrangement of the type, suddenly wore a sly smile.

“Aha~ Our Arzen… You fell for Sora when you saw her, didn’t you? Isn’t this a bit too blatant?”

Hehe, it’s too easy.

He had taken the bait!

Now it was time to play the role of the bashful boy.

“Wh-what! Who would fall for such a crazy adventurer? That woman who talks deals wouldn’t even pass as a slime’s partner!”

“Aha ha ha ha! They say excessive denial is a form of affirmation…?”

“Ugh, stop it!”

“Well, I’ll let up on the teasing for now. This is good, really good. Arzen, you’re amazing! Sora is quite proud, so she only accepts what she really needs, and this is perfect for her!”

“No, that’s not it! I’m just trying to rescue the by-products before they get washed into the sewage, really. I’m going to make sure to operate only in the early morning so our schedules don’t overlap. Having her around would just be a hassle.”

Arzen protested, his face turning bright red.

‘This is all an act!’

Seeing the sly smile on Milbiet’s face shift to something more sinister confirmed that his performance was spot on.

“Okay, okay, I get it. Well then, off you go~ I’d love to go with you, but I already have a client waiting.”

Everything had gone according to plan so far.

With Milbiet, there were no issues.

‘But the real problem is…!’

Whether a mere contract worker could waltz into the mayor’s office and ask for their signatures on a document.

‘Damn it, those sly foxes, the mayor and the great witch, they can probably see right through my lies!’

As he arrived in front of the mayor’s office, his heart began to race for no reason.

Arzen felt resentful toward Samson and Milbiet for making him handle such a big task alone.

The presence of those in power was almost surreal.

‘What a hell of a situation!’

Standing in front of them, he felt an inexplicable guilt, cold sweat pouring down, and his heart racing.

‘This is no different from meeting the executives of the “Divine Guillotine.” Power is terrifying.’

He tried to calm his breath when suddenly the door opened by itself, and the mayor appeared.

“Hmm? Is that our brilliant contract worker, Arzen?”

But there was no problem here!

This kind of issue wasn’t a problem for Arzen at all!

‘What type of new face do those in power like?’

It’s a new recruit who greets well.

At his age, people start to lose their hearing, so it’s best to speak loudly.

“Mr. Mayor! Good day! Ah, it’s almost lunchtime!”

He added a flustered atmosphere.

Then, they’d think their power was truly impressive and be satisfied.

He had learned this trick when training new recruits at the “Divine Guillotine.”

“Oh my, to teach me such an important fact, you’re really quite polite. So, what’s the matter? Aha! Looking at the paper in your hand, it seems poor Samson is already trying to pass all sorts of paperwork on to you!”

Denying what a powerful person said by saying, “No, that’s not true,” would be madness.

He nodded vigorously, mixed with resentment toward Samson for sending him alone to such a dangerous place.

The mayor laughed heartily, glanced over the paper, and shouted “Seal!”

“Yes.”

Then, a tall, sophisticated-looking man quickly brought over the seal.

While the mayor stamped the document, Arzen waited politely, half-bowing.

He would have gladly prostrated himself if necessary.

“I’ve heard that the foul odor from the sewers has been decreasing lately. Do your best, Arzen. I’m counting on you.”

Having worried so much, receiving recognition from the mayor filled him with an unexplainable sense of superiority.

‘Who am I? Arzen, a man recognized even by the mayor of the Seven Great Cities. Phew, I even scare myself sometimes.’

He kept his bow deep until the mayor left with his secretary.

Arzen, who had rolled in the filth of the “Divine Guillotine,” was quite accustomed to this clear hierarchy in a world of the strong eating the weak.

The last problem was that solving this issue now didn’t make him truly strong.

‘Ugh, damn it…’

When he stood in front of the Witch Association’s office, his heart was pounding loudly in his ears.

‘I’m going to go mad. Why am I doing this crazy thing? It’s not because of those three brats… but for my tumultuous plan to expand my contract worker employment at the city hall.’

He wanted to quit right away.

However, if it became known that he hadn’t submitted the official document after getting the mayor’s seal, it might raise suspicions.

Arzen knocked on the door, feeling even more tense than when facing the executives of the “Divine Guillotine.”

“Come in.”

Finally, the dull-witted Arzen entered the lion’s den…

As he opened the door and stepped inside, all eyes of various kinds turned toward him, and a peculiar silence enveloped the room.

Everyone was wearing pointed hats.

Witches often wore those indoors, taking it as an honor.

The elite members of the city association were powerful law enforcers.

“Um, hello! I’m Arzen, the new contract worker from the Sewage Management Department!”

There was no way back now!

He had to deliver his lines with the best acting skills he could muster.

“It’s an honor to meet all the witches! I’ve come for a document that requires the association’s seal!”

But his mind was racing with worst-case scenarios.

- Wait a minute. You, something feels off about you. Come here.

- Eek!

Suddenly, he’d be captured by witches…

Enduring all sorts of torture in the "Room of Repentance," confessing everything about the void’s powers…

Ultimately handed over to the Holy Office’s Inquisition…

Ending in the most excruciating fate of being burned at the stake…

‘Last time I got away, but that was just controlling a few void creatures…’

Now, however, Arzen was the boss of twelve void creatures.

He was a dark horse who could manipulate both Jungbong and Jeonbong at will.

‘If any of my power leaks, it could be dangerous!’

Arzen hunched so low that his head nearly touched the floor, sweating profusely.

“Is that him?”

“Yeah, that’s him.”

He could already hear the strange whispers among the witches.

‘Could it be that the remnants of the “Divine Guillotine” are looking for me?’

Or had they found out about the scam with Ulman crossing the Ranoa Bridge?

‘With the Great Witch not here… are they waiting outside to trap me?’

Arzen regretted his decision to come here.

He vowed never to lie or act foolishly in front of witches again.

But the next moment, their reactions were completely unexpected.

“Oh my! So cute!”

“Really?”

“Come here, Arzen. We were just about to have our lunch tea time. Have you ever tried coffee?”

“Uh…”

“This is made from the best beans from the Balande Kingdom. You haven’t had it, right? Come sit in the best spot!”

Despite standing by the door, he found himself sitting on a sofa, breathing in the aroma of the coffee.

It was so luxurious that it felt more comfortable than the feather bed at his lodging.

Being among friendly women, he realized for the first time that the scents of soap and perfume tickled his nose pleasantly.

‘No, there’s no way they’re being nice. Don’t trust them! Wake up, Arzen! These are terrifying women trying to extract information to trap you!’

But… this madness…

What these intimidating women were offering wasn’t just cookies…

It was a cake, known as the queen of desserts…

‘The struggle in the Room of Repentance has already begun, Arzen. There’s a confession potion in there. Don’t eat! Say you’re full!’

But the aroma was too tempting.

“Here, Arzen~ ah~.”

Even the witches were personally slicing the cake with forks and offering it to Arzen’s mouth.

“What’s this? I’m going to give some to our cute Arzen~.”

“No, I’m first~ Come on, strawberry cream cake~ Arzen, say ah~.”

“You shameless ones! We have to go in order! What are you doing? Step back!”

No matter how suspicious and dangerous the situation seemed, who could resist such tempting desserts?

Arzen simply complied and opened his mouth for the “ah~”…

But the moment the cake touched his tongue, a powerful shiver coursed through him.

‘Wha—what is this taste…?’

A sugary mass melting sweetly on his tongue.

It truly was not an exaggeration to say it “melts in your mouth.”

‘Oh no… I’ll never be satisfied with cookies again…!’

He thought.

Paradise isn’t in the sky.

It’s right here, in the witches’ association office in the green city of Karshiko.

Even though cheaper cakes were available to the common folk, this kind was still a luxury for the upper class.

“I thought you’d smell bad since you work in the sewage. But you don’t smell at all!”

“Did you wash up just to meet us? Oh my, that’s adorable.”

“Here, the last piece of cake~ with strawberries~ Arzen, say aah~.”

All he did was eat the cake, yet compliments flew in from all directions…

‘Damn! As expected, witches are too dangerous! Even a seasoned skeptic like me is starting to trust people!’

Though his body seemed to surrender, he was glad to keep at least a tiny bit of wariness in his heart.

‘Witches…!’

They were not to be underestimated.

Just as all tension was dissipating, the senior witch suddenly asked a serious question.

“Arzen, answer me honestly from now on. How do you manage to clean the sewage all by yourself? What kind of power do you have?”

The witches, who had been all smiles, were now staring at him with intense gazes.

“It’d be better if you spoke honestly.”

“Yes. That way, you’ll be safe.”

“Now, I’ll give you exactly three seconds to tell the truth.”

[Translator - Kiteretsu]

[Proofreader - Kyros]