Salvation Through Delusion C29

Chapter 29

 

“You must have been thinking about Duke Koon.”

 

How did he know? I asked with my eyes, and Solongo gave a knowing nod.

 

“Because whenever you curse under your breath, it’s usually because of him. Still, now that you know who Duke Koon truly is, shouldn’t you start changing your attitude toward him?”

 

I knew that—at least logically. I should approach this rationally. But my emotions refused to follow reason.

 

If I saw him again, I knew I’d probably lunge straight for his collar on pure instinct.

But that bastard was Duke Koon. That idiot—Duke Koon.

 

“Haa…”

 

A sigh escaped before I could stop it. Honestly, befriending that man seemed harder than saving the damn world.

 

“I’ll handle it my way. You just focus on keeping your master in check. The Koon family doesn’t seem to merely dislike us—it’s pure hatred. If you’ve got lingering feelings, get rid of them.”

 

The same Solongo who always nagged me into proper behavior pressed his lips together and turned his head away.

 

Ha. Thought so. He hates them too.

 

“Anyway, you’ve memorized Lord Gumber’s summer villa layout, right?”

 

Just as I was about to board the carriage, Solongo asked quietly.

 

Yes, I had. I’d already reviewed the layout of this place. Actually, not just this place—Dr. Kim had insisted I “make full use of Mo” and had me study her collection of blueprints every single day, without rest.

 

Between memorizing schematics and cramming everything I could find about Tuvine, I was more exhausted than a high school senior during exam week.

 

At this point, I could probably navigate half the noble estates on the continent with my eyes closed. I’d once wondered how Dr. Kim even got such detailed blueprints—but her answer had been brutally simple.

 

“With money.”

 

Good thing she hadn’t time-traveled into early 20th-century Russia, or Lenin would’ve been broke.

 

“I’ve seen the layouts enough to make me sick.”

 

I waved my hand dismissively, but her next words froze me in place.

 

“The real problem is the Maze Garden. It’s heavily enchanted—once you enter, it’s nearly impossible to find your way out. Naturally, there are no maps.”

 

True enough, the blueprint I’d studied didn’t include anything resembling a garden maze.

 

“Then what do I do if I get lost? I can’t use a teleport scroll in there, can I?”

 

“Fortunately, the scroll I gave you carries powerful magic—it will work inside. But if, for any reason, you can’t use it, there’s only one other way out.”

 

“What way?”

 

If there was a method, I’d just use it—simple as that.

 

“You must accept another person’s saliva into your mouth.”

 

“…What?” I stared. “You mean someone’s spit? How the hell— Wait, are you telling me that place was designed for people to make out in secret?!”

 

“That was likely the original architect’s intention—to encourage discreet indulgence. But over the years, it’s changed. Now, no one dares kiss so lightly.”

 

“How is that a bad thing? Sounds more wholesome to me.”

 

“They say people indulge in everything else, saving the kiss for last.”

 

“…Insane. They’re all insane.”

 

“Ah, that’s exactly what the master said too. It seems Earthfolk truly value pure and responsible relationships.”

 

No, Earth’s full of degenerates too. But for the sake of Earth’s reputation, I bit my tongue.

 

“Anyway, that’s why this gathering will be crawling with people connected to Adeye Rue.”

 

Solongo’s tone was heavy with concern, but I didn’t take it seriously.

As long as I avoided one person, I’d be fine.

 

Koon Tyroc.

The money-obsessed lunatic wouldn’t possibly attend a social party, right? There’s no way I’d run into him again.

 

Or so I foolishly believed—until five minutes after stepping into the club.

 

“Rue!”

 

My name rang out so loudly I jumped and shrank behind a curtain.

 

Who was it this time? What kind of degenerate now?

I’d faced hordes of monsters without flinching, but this—this—was pure terror.

 

The problem had started the moment I stepped out of the carriage.

 

I’d naively hoped Hoiga had at least spread the rumor about my “change” in advance—that people would keep their distance out of curiosity.

Instead, several men rushed toward me the instant they saw me.

 

And the problem?

They came at me crotch-first.

 

‘Rue! I’ve missed your touch! I forgot how perfectly firm your grip was until now!’

 

‘Rue! Please, touch me again! Haa—no one’s hands feel quite like yours!’

 

Dear god. Rue, you absolute pervert—you really did earn your reputation as a master of grope arts.

 

The eyes of those who remembered “Rue’s touch” gleamed with madness. I wanted to shout that I’d changed—that I wasn’t interested—but they didn’t even give me a chance.

 

No, I did shout. It just didn’t matter. None of these sex-crazed idiots had functioning brains.

 

‘Rue! My turn first! Touch me!’

 

‘Get lost! Rue liked my thighs best!’

 

It was a battlefield of crotch warriors.

Before long, I was running for my life, darting through the villa halls like a fugitive, dodging depraved nobles.

 

Haah. Finally. No one here, right?

 

I clenched my fists, resisting the urge to bash every last one of them with a chair. I may or may not have actually hit a few.

 

But one pervert in particular refused to give up.

 

“Ruuue~ Where are you?”

 

His voice dripped like melted butter, drawing closer. That cursed tick of a man.

 

He was the one who’d found me earlier—just when I thought I’d escaped the crowd—and shouted my name for all to hear. Everyone had turned to stare.

 

Normally I wouldn’t care about attention, but Rue would’ve loved it. The old Rue would’ve basked in it, lifting his chin proudly, flaunting his beauty for every man in sight.

I, however, lacked the acting skills to smile through disgust.

 

And when I saw that pervert running toward me, it took everything I had not to scream.

 

His shirt was practically see-through, half unbuttoned down to his navel, flashing his nipples every time he moved.

And his pants? So tight they left nothing to the imagination.

 

A prime-grade super-pervert.

The way he chased me, whining for me to “touch him again,” was honestly scarier than any monster.

 

I barely dodged him—but somehow, he’d managed to follow me here too.

 

Persistent bastard.

 

I slipped out from behind the curtain, ready to make another escape—

 

—but froze.

 

“Rue, you came out to see me after all?”

 

The super-pervert was already blocking my exit.

 

Was this man a reincarnated demon?

 

He grinned, thrusting his hips forward as he spoke.

 

“While you were gone, my… rod of glory has grown lush and golden.”

 

I nearly gagged. Goosebumps raced down my arms. If I’d had a club, I would’ve smashed that “rod” into paste.

 

But there were too many eyes around. Even the thought of touching him made my skin crawl.

 

So instead, I ducked behind a table. Unfortunately, that only seemed to please him. His smile grew oilier, glistening like he’d bathed in pig fat.

 

“Rue, why do you keep running from me? Hm? Are you upset I haven’t let you touch me lately?”

 

His tone turned even greasier. Did he drink lard before coming here? I was done. I turned and bolted.

 

“Hehehe~ Playing tag, are we? Then I’ll catch you, Ruuuue~”

 

The sound of his sing-song threat made every hair on my body stand.

 

‘Survival mode! Activate survival mode!’ I screamed mentally.

 

[Survival mode cannot be activated outside of life-threatening situations.]

 

If this doesn’t count as life-threatening, what does?!

 

Ignoring the stares, I sprinted full speed through the corridors, up the stairs, anywhere away from him.

 

Damn it. This is bad. Everyone’s going to think I’ve lost my mind.

 

Countless guests had come to Lord Gumber’s reopened summer villa that day, many seeking secret trysts. With the wine flowing freely since noon, the smallest scandal could become the talk of the evening. Especially since the guest of honor—me—had been a recluse for weeks.

 

“Did you see Adeye Rue?”

 

Two omega guests walking down the hall whispered about the topic of the night.

 

“I did. He looked ridiculous! Just wearing a plain white shirt and black pants. He used to sparkle from head to toe! Did the Adeye family go bankrupt?”

 

The other omega shook his head knowingly.

 

“Hardly. He probably still owns half the continent. They say he changed after nearly dying to a monster.”

 

“Still, to change that much? It’s strange.”

 

“Apparently he got covered in monster fluids or something. Must’ve traumatized him.”

 

“What? How do you even get covered in monster fluids?”

 

“Maybe the monster tried to eat him and spat him back out?”

 

The female omega gasped, horrified.

 

“Are you serious?”

 

“Totally. Ma Hoiga said so himself. Even monsters get tired of Rue, I guess—most people do after meeting him once or twice.”

 

The two laughed lightly, but the woman’s smile faltered as she added,

 

“But earlier, I saw him playing tag with some men—in public! Doesn’t seem like he’s that different…”

 

“Excuse me. Who did you say?”

 

A low, commanding male voice cut in. The two omegas stopped, startled—then smiled shyly when they saw the speaker.

 

The tall, handsome alpha was well-known. He wasn’t of high rank himself, but his partner was famous enough to make him noteworthy.

 

“Adeye Rue. You’re saying he survived an encounter with a monster? Where?”

 

Torida, the consort of Baron Ewik, narrowed his eyes as he asked the question.