ISEKAI? More like I See Crap!-Chapter 110: Screams in the Shadows ( )

As Hazuki neared the town gate, he suddenly skidded to a stop.

"Wait! Bread shop!" he shouted, his eyes sparkling like he just spotted treasure.

"Okay, we buy some bread first... and maybe—liquor!"

Ridan chimed in immediately, "Yeah!! Let’s go! And make it fast—if not, mommy’s gonna find his little dumpling~"

Ridan made kissy noises. "Ahn~ Come to Auntie~ My sweet little dumpling."

"OI!!"

Hazuki clenched his fists and glared down at the sword strapped to his waist. "Say that again and I’ll use you to butter the bread, you damn pervert spirit!"

Ridan snickered, clearly enjoying himself. "You’re just salty you were almost someone’s bedside pastry."

Hazuki stopped mid-step and glared at his sword. "OI!! You really want to get sharpened today, huh!?"

"Pffft—like you even know how to sharpen me properly."

"Shut up, butter knife."

"You take that back!!" freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

The bickering duo marched toward the bread shop, arguing the whole way and drawing side-eyes from pedestrians who were now fully convinced the "crazy black-haired guy" was back at it again.

Once Hazuki had bought a warm loaf of bread and a cheap bottle of liquor, he stuffed them into his bag with a satisfied nod.

"Essentials secured," he declared proudly. "Time to get the hell outta here."

He strolled toward the town gate, whistling, when one of the two halberd-wielding guards looked up and stopped him.

"Human. Where do you want to head next?"

Hazuki blinked, then shrugged. "I don’t know. Somewhere not here, maybe?"

Ridan stirred in the sword. "Huh... why are they asking where you wanna go? That’s kinda suspicious..."

The second guard nodded politely. "Well, good luck then. And be careful on the road."

Hazuki paused mid-step. "...Why?"

The first guard scratched his chin. "There’ve been reports. Some strange monster activity on the roads lately. Travelers disappearing, weird howls at night... Beasts no one can identify."

Hazuki froze right between the town gates, one foot in and one foot out.

He looked to the left—into the bustling safety of the town.

He looked to the right—toward the open road and very likely danger.

Then Ridan’s smug voice echoed in his head. "Alright, dumbass, choose wisely: stay in town and eventually become Bernardina’s little dumpling..."

Hazuki’s face went pale.

"...or take your chances with the mysterious monsters on the road."

Hazuki didn’t even hesitate.

"MONSTERS IT IS!"

He bolted forward through the gate.

"Oi! You didn’t even ask which road—!" the guard called out.

"I’D RATHER FIGHT A MYSTERIOUS MONSTER THAN BE FED GRAPES BY A MAN IN HEELS!!"

The guards blinked, exchanged a confused glance, then silently decided not to ask further.

Just as Hazuki dashed out through the town gate like a man escaping death itself, a shadow flickered through the busy crowd behind him.

Junna’s shadow unit had arrived.

Disguised as travelers and townsfolk, they split up silently, spreading through the streets and alleys like smoke. One by one, they began asking around—quietly, carefully.

"Have you seen a human with black hair pass through?"

Most shook their heads. Some just ignored them.

Then, two of the shadows, a tall wolf beastkin and a lean rabbitfolk man, approached a towering, well-dressed "lady" standing gracefully near the plaza, fanning herself and radiating elegance. Heavy makeup, bejeweled accessories, and a... muscular build beneath the gown.

"Um, lady?"

"Yes~?" he turned, his voice sultry. "Oh my~ Handsome beastfolk. What can I do for you~?"

The two glanced at each other awkwardly, then nodded.

"We just wanted to ask, if you don’t mind..."

"Oh, I never mind handsome boys asking questions~" he purred.

"Did you happen to see any human with black hair here?"

He gasped, placing a gloved hand on her cheek. "Oh~ I did, yes~"

"Can you tell us where he is now?"

He smiled sweetly, batting his long eyelashes. "Oh~ I could... but why do you both want to know, hmm~?"

"Well," the wolf beastkin began, "we’re staff for a nobleman from the human kingdom. That man is supposedly his lost son. Our lord wants him returned safely."

Bernardina—smiled even wider. "Ohhh~ A noble’s son, is he? My, what a naughty one, running off like that~"

The two nodded, straight-faced.

Bernardina leaned forward slightly. "Very well, darlings~ Follow me. I’ll take you straight to where he went."

"Thank you, Lady...?" the rabbitfolk asked politely.

"Oh my~ You can call me Bernardina~ But you two... may call me Mommy~"

He winked, turning with a dramatic swish of his skirt.

The beastkin blinked. "Did she just say—"

"Just shut up and follow. We’re close to the target."

Once they arrived at the grand manor, the two beastkin assassins exchanged a glance.

Bernardina’s lavish manor loomed like a glittering trap at the edge of the district. Velvet drapes, elegant sculptures, and expensive paintings lined the interior—clearly, someone here had money... and very eccentric taste.

"Come in, handsome boys~" Bernardina cooed, pushing open the grand double doors. "Just sit there on the comfy couch while I prepare something special."

The two beastkin glanced at each other uneasily.

"Uhh... we’re really just here for information," the rabbitfolk began.

"Right. Just tell us where the black-haired man is and we’ll be on our way," added the wolf beastkin.

But Bernardina waved a gloved hand with a soft, warm chuckle. "Oh, you mustn’t rush, sweeties. After all~ you’ve come all this way. I’ll call him shortly. For now, just relax..."

He gave them a dazzling smile that could freeze the soul of any straight man.

The two assassins hesitantly sat down on the absurdly soft, fur-lined couch. Bernardina sashayed into the kitchen.

"Now then~ time for a little love potion~" he hummed to himself, adding a sprinkle of pink powder and a mysterious shimmer of liquid into two tall crystal glasses.

A few minutes later, he returned with the drinks. "Here you go, loves~ Just a little something to refresh yourselves before we begin~" He handed them each a glass.

The two beastkin took the drinks cautiously. "Well, uh... thanks."

They sipped.

"Did... did the room just get warmer?"

The rabbitfolk blinked. "Why do I feel fuzzy...?"

"Oh~ That’s just my special drink~" Bernardina said, his wicked grin widening. "It relaxes the body... and opens the heart~"

The two assassins’ ears perked up—and then drooped.

"Wait..." the wolf blinked. "Why are you looking at us like that...?"

Bernardina licked his lips.

"Oh my sweet dumplings... did you really think I had a man like that living here with me?"

The rabbitfolk stood up instantly. "Wait, what!?"

But his legs wobbled.

The wolf beastkin tried to draw his weapon—only for his limbs to feel like overcooked noodles. "You... tricked us..."

Bernardina clasped his hands together and sighed dreamily. "Indeed~ But don’t worry. I’ll treat you both very, very well tonight~"

The front doors closed with a heavy thud.

Moments later—

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!"

The spine-chilling scream echoed through the street like the wail of a tormented soul. Birds scattered. A cat fled the scene.

The nearby halfling vendors paused... and then calmly resumed their business.

One old halfling man sipped his tea and shook his head. "Another poor soul trapped in Bernardina’s paradise, huh?"

"Two this time," said the baker from across the road, counting on his fingers. "That’s a new record this month."

A mother gently turned her child away from the house. "Don’t stare, dear. That’s Bernardina’s place. We don’t look, we don’t ask."

"But Mommy, wasn’t that a scream?"

"Yes, sweetie. That was the sound of regret."

Down the lane, a passing adventurer made the holy symbol of the goddess of mercy with a solemn bow. "May their dignity rest in peace."

( End of Chapter )