A week had passed.
The morning at the quiet inn.
Jeong Yusin sat at the counter resting his chin on his hand.
“Ugh!!! How can the food be THIS bad?! Landlord, come out here!”
The rabbit gnome huffed and shouted.
Jeong Yusin rose from his seat and approached the rabbit gnome.
“Really that bad?”
“Completely garbage!”
“I agree.”
Jeong Yusin nodded. The meals made by Tarman were not even edible by kind words.
“Where’s Darmong?”
The rabbit gnome asked.
“He’s stepped out for a while due to some business at his hometown.”
“Tch.”
The rabbit gnome clicked his tongue and got up from his seat.
Jeong Yusin watched the gnome go out and then entered the kitchen.
“Tarman.”
“Yes, Scath sir.”
“Isn’t your cooking supposed to be good?”
Tarman scratched his head. His completely shaved, sweat-soaked scalp glinted.
“My friends said it was delicious.”
“I just got slapped by a customer. They said it’s truly awful.”
“R…really?”
“It’s a lie.”
“…”
“Tarman.”
“Yes.”
“Seems like our bond will end here.”
Tarman widened his eyes like a rabbit.
“Wha…?!”
“It’s a lie.”
“Oof.”
Tarman gripped his chest and staggered.
“I need to grab someone who cooks well. Bring Delnaco from the Demon Disassembly Site.”
“…Understood?”
“Your knowledge of Scath sir being Aldein’s contact? Everyone in this neighborhood knows. Check on Silba as well while you’re there.”
“Understood.”
Tarman took off his apron and exited the inn.
Jeong Yusin closed the shop door and sat at the counter.
Crossing his arms, he became lost in thought.
Words from Aldein, actions, and the eastern sector of the Labyrinth City were reviewed. There were guys lurking somewhere worse than the Slave Hunters; that much could be deduced.
The problem was not being sure if they were watching him.
It might just be an overactive imagination.
However, there was no harm in being prepared. Moreover, there was also the possibility that the remnants of the Slave Hunters might have disguised themselves as chefs to secretly come here.
Here, Aldein’s help was needed.
A sieve to filter out the trash was necessary.
There’s a saying about like attracts like.
The underworld people would surely recognize their own kind.
Jeong Yusin quietly waited.
A few hours later.
Tarman and Delnaco entered the inn.
“Scath sir.”
“So, no issues?”
“Yes.”
“I’m recruiting someone. Would you mind helping?”
“Understood.”
Delnaco nodded immediately.
Jeong Yusin turned his head to look at Tarman.
“You can stop worrying once the chef is decided. After that, you’ll be doing the serving. The food’s taste is truly rubbish.”
“Yes.”
Tarman replied with a defeated voice.
A large recruitment notice for a chef was posted outside the inn.
Delnaco helped Jeong Yusin draft the requirements. He was indeed smart. An increasingly intriguing talent, one might say.
“Don’t get your hopes up.”
Delnaco said.
“Why?”
“You’re a Barbaroy, right? It’s conceivable that you might also think that you can get a female cook.”
“…Let’s just wait and see.”
One day. Two days. Three days.
The inn buzzed only with flies. No one came to apply. On the fourth day, Jeong Yusin got up from his chair at the counter.
“Tarman.”
“Yes.”
“You don’t seem worried at all. Don’t you see that the inn’s fate is as precarious as a candle in the wind?”
“…”
“Go out and shout. Let people know we need a cook.”
“Yes.”
Tarman started walking towards the inn’s door with a waddling gait when the door opened.
Creak!!
“I heard you’re looking for a cook.”
A small fox gnome with yellow fur stood at the inn entrance, shouting confidently.
Jeong Yusin narrowed his eyes and looked down at the fox gnome before turning to Delnaco.
“Is this correct?”
“First, you should conduct an interview.”
Jeong Yusin nodded and pointed to the seat opposite him.
“Sit here.”
“Hyooou.”
The small fox gnome ran towards the table and struggled to climb onto the chair.
Jeong Yusin watched this and lifted the fox gnome onto the chair.
“Thank you.”
“So, can you cook?”
“Of course.”
“You’re quite small. How do you manage to cook?”
“I have summoning magic.”
The fox gnome poked her flat chest out and tilted her chin up.
“What’s the summoning about? Food? Or familiars?”
“Familiars.”
The conversation trailed off.
“So, you’re saying you’ll use your summoned creatures for cooking?”
“That’s right.”
It seemed there was more to show.
The fox gnome closed her eyes and mumbled something.
“Ha! Transformation!”
Following the chant, the slimes wiggled and transformed into different shapes.
A bear gnome, an elf, and a strange blob-like shape.
Jeong Yusin pointed at the blob-like slime.
“What is that?”
“It’s a dragon.”
So dragons existed here too. Indeed, this was a fantasy world.
Still and all.
Jeong Yusin wiped his palm over his face.
How should he kindly turn her down?
He thought deeply.
Jeong Yusin looked down at the fox gnome and slowly opened his mouth.
“T…hough it’s a splendid talent, your skills aren’t suitable for the needs of this inn…”
Jeong Yusin stopped and looked at the fox gnome.
“Who…what do you think you know?”
Large tears glistened in the fox gnome’s eyes.
It was awkward with Tarman and Delnaco quietly staring at the scene.
Jeong Yusin sighed.
“Come by the inn occasionally and perform.”
“I’m HUNGRY!”
‘Geez, it’s exhausting.’
Fighting with swords and spells was easier than dealing with this small fox gnome’s tantrums.
At that moment, Delnaco smiled warmly and pulled a coin from his pocket to hand to her.
“Buy something tasty with this.”
The fox gnome’s eyes sparkled at Delnaco’s coin.
“Wow! Thank you, uncles.”
The fox gnome politely bowed and skipped out of the inn.
The three men sitting at the table clasped their arms and looked at each other.
“Does this little one not know what a Barbaroy is? She’s fearless.”
Jeong Yusin mutter in bewilderment.
Delnaco gave a wry smile.
“It’s certainly surprising. Still, this isn’t a bad start.”
“I hope so.”
Jeong Yusin looked towards the inn’s entrance.
A moment later.
“Are you the Barbaroy?”
‘Who’s this old man?’
An old dwarf with white hair sat across the table staring at Jeong Yusin.
“Sir, could you specify which Barbaroy you mean?”
“Are you that good Barbaroy who doesn’t rape?”
“That’s me. The righteous man of the Labyrinth City.”
“Ho, I’ve never seen a guy like you.”
The elder dwarf muttered to himself.
“Sir, are you here to apply as a cook?”
“No?”
The dwarf sat there blankly, looking up at Jeong Yusin.
Jeong Yusin looked upward, sighing deeply.
“Huh, go away. Not qualified. Next.”
“Strange fellow. Let’s meet another time.”
The old dwarf got up from the chair and walked out of the inn.
The next applicant sat down.
Dressed in a robe, wearing a crow-beak mask and carrying a suspicious bag.
“Are you here to apply as the cook?”
“…Buy this.”
The crow-beak mask quickly pulled something out of the bag and placed it on the table.
His/her voice was deep, making it hard to tell if it was a man or woman.
“What is this?”
On the table was a glass bottle the size of a fist. Inside, pink liquid swirled.
“A happiness potion.”
“Drug? Get lost.”
Jeong Yusin growled.
“It’s aphrodisiac.”
“Same thing. Go away.”
The crow-beak mask clicked his/her tongue, grabbing the bottle from the table and returning it to the bag before standing up.
“This potion’s expensive. Won’t cut the price next time.”
“Not qualified. Next.”
The crow-beak mask left, and the next applicant sat down.
A hyena gnome with yellow fur, a long scar across one eye.
‘Hm.’
The smell of a craftsman filled the air.
An odour of a single-minded person who only sticks to one path.
“Do you know how to cook at all?”
Jeong Yusin asked the hyena gnome with a hopeful tone.
“That’s not necessary.”
Jeong Yusin furrowed his brows at the hyena gnome’s words.
‘What is this…’
Patience was running thin.
No proper chef was showing up; only weirdos kept appearing.
“Are you the one who slaughtered the slave hunters after appearing suddenly in the eastern sector?”
Jeong Yusin turned his head towards Delnaco.
Delnaco nodded.
Are they underworld types?
“Yes.”
Jeong Yusin replied.
A look of fierce competitive spirit appeared on the hyena gnome’s face.
“Is it really you who took down 31 guys alone in just one night? You don’t look very imposing for a Barbaroy.”
“Judging by appearance? That’s something only proven after a fight.”
The atmosphere suddenly turned quiet.
The sudden silence enveloped the inn.
‘What did I say wrong?’
What is it?
Jeong Yusin looked around at the people in the inn.
A few applicants quickly grabbed their belongings and fled the inn in a panic.
The hyena gnome’s face turned slightly red.
“Uh… Surely, you’re not talking about THAT thing, are you?”
Freakin’.
“No.”
“That… That thing. Anyway, I have a proposal.”
“Speak.”
“Join our clan. We’ll treat you well.”
“Hmm.”
Jeong Yusin leaned back in his chair while glaring at the hyena gnome.
He wasn’t entirely sure what a clan meant, but he got the general gist—it was some kind of organized group tied to the underworld.
“Would you hire me?”
“Yes. Not exactly what you’re thinking, but kind of.”
Jeong Yusin looked deeply into the hyena gnome’s eyes.
The hyena gnome’s body twitched.
‘What… strange eyes?’
Looking into the strange, wavering eyes, a chill ran down his spine.
Jeong Yusin slowly stood up, gripping his longsword.
“No movement.”
People heading outside immediately stopped.
Jeong Yusin slung his sword over his shoulder and walked to the inn’s entrance.
Clang!
Bang!
Jeong Yusin locked the inn’s door.
He turned around to examine the crowd present.
“Is there anyone here from the eastern sector?”
A few individuals twitched. Others remained silent.
“Everyone’s heard by now, right? Rumors spread fast.”
Jeong Yusin brushed back his black hair.
“Let’s be clear. I didn’t kill those guys to enhance my glory or raise my bounty.”
A few snorted in derision.
Jeong Yusin continued, unperturbed.
“They crossed the line. Explorers can fight each other and even kill—it’s the labyrinth city; we understand that. But mutilating and killing kids who don’t understand anything? And then showing that to me? I’d rather you beg me to kill you. Pathetic trash.”
Jeong Yusin’s eyes glimmered.
The silence in the inn grew heavier.
“You people might be from groups I don’t know, but if you’ve done those kinds of things and still walk around in broad daylight…”
“Scath sir, there’s no one like that here.”
Delnaco stood up and tried to calm Jeong Yusin.
“Huh.”
Jeong Yusin sighed, rubbing his eyes, suppressing the rising killing intent.
Bang!
Squeak!
Jeong Yusin opened the inn’s door.
“Everyone except real chef applicants, go away.”
Most people got up and left the inn.
Among those leaving, some glared at Jeong Yusin, others nodded in understanding, and some avoided making eye contact out of fear.
“Tschh. They’re gone.”
Jeong Yusin returned to his seat.
The hyena gnome stayed seated.
“Go.”
Despite Jeong Yusin’s dismissal, the hyena gnome didn’t budge.
“If you’re here for something, you must want something. Ask away. I’ll do my best to fulfill your wish.”
The mention of this made Delnaco’s body stiffen. If Aldein heard that—it’d be bold beyond measure.
“What I want…”
Jeong Yusin crossed his arms and turned his gaze towards the inn’s entrance.
“Alright, go ahead. What do you want?”
Despite the encouragement from the hyena gnome, Jeong Yusin remained silent.
How long did it take?
When the hyena gnome was about to speak again, Jeong Yusin abruptly said:
“Not your business. Beat it.”
“Huh.”
The hyena gnome sighed and glanced at Delnaco.
“Got it. You moved first.”
The hyena gnome stood up and left the inn.
Now, only three men were left in the empty inn.
“Hard to find a person, isn’t it.”
“Not easy.”
Delnaco nodded, agreeing with Jeong Yusin.
The evening was approaching. The street was getting dark.
“Shall we call it a day?”
As Jeong Yusin got up to say this, someone was standing at the inn’s entrance.
A red-haired girl.
The rear guard of Kael’s party.
Ann.
Tarman’s body stiffened.
Ann boldly walked up and stood opposite Jeong Yusin.
“Ann?”
Ann deeply bowed her head.
“Scath sir, thank you for saving Tarman.”
Ann addressed him with respect.
She knows everything about it.
“Is that so? Tarman didn’t tell you?”
“I’ve been looking all over because he hasn’t returned to the accommodation for a week. He just left the money at the door and disappeared. I didn’t know what happened, so I quit my job and…”
Ann’s eyes brimmed with tears.
Jeong Yusin and Delnaco crossed their arms, looking at Tarman.
“Ahem… Cough.”
Tarman, looking embarrassed, averted his gaze and cleared his throat.
“Let’s talk inside the kitchen.”
“Thank you.”
Ann sniffled while glaring at Tarman.
“Tarman, come along.”
Ann dragged Tarman into the kitchen.
The sound of wailing and something breaking, possibly furniture, along with shattering glass, emanated from the kitchen.
Jeong Yusin and Delnaco crossed their arms and stared at the ceiling anxiously.
A little while later.
Tarman walked out with a large bruise under his eye, trembling.
Ann seemed relieved and was smiling.
“Hm.”
“Ann, do you know how to cook a bit?”
At Jeong Yusin’s question, Ann’s eyes widened.
“Me?”
“We need a cook at our inn. I’ll give you a decent salary. How about it?”
Tears welled up in Ann’s eyes again.
“Thank you.”
“Alright, go home today since you seem to already have a place. We’ll see each other at dawn tomorrow.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Ann repeatedly bowed to express her gratitude.
Jeong Yusin only nodded and looked at Tarman.
“Good thing.”
“…Yes.”
Tarman replied with a hoarse voice.
Ann exited the inn, dragging Tarman by the collar.
Jeong Yusin got up and rummaged through a cabinet behind the counter, pulling out a bottle of liquor and two glasses, then carried them to the table.
Jeong Yusin placed a glass in front of Delnaco and poured some liquor.
Glug glug.
“Delnaco, you’ve worked hard.”
Jeong Yusin’s compliment made Delnaco smile faintly.
“Thank goodness we found a chef.”
Delnaco raised his glass and said.
Jeong Yusin chuckled and poured some liquor into his own glass.
“We’ll see the cooking skills first. If it’s not good, we’ll have to rethink.”
Jeong Yusin raised his glass and spoke.
“Really, finding one person is such a difficult task.”
“Agreed.”
Clang!
In the summer evening at the empty inn, the two men laughed and clashed their glasses.
