Jeong Yusin immediately grabbed the sheath of the longsword he had placed by his bedside and drew the blade.
He jumped out of the bed and stood on the floor.
“Who’s there?”
There was no response from under the bed.
“I’ll rip this bed apart if you don’t come out. This is your final warning.”
Rustle.
Again, a sound came from under the bed.
Jeong Yusin tightened his grip on the sword.
Something peeked its head out from under the bed.
Jeong Yusin’s eyes widened in surprise upon recognizing the intruder.
“A rat?”
An absent-minded voice escaped his lips involuntarily.
“Squeak.”
A white, chubby rat slithered out.
“What do you know. Made me nervous for nothing.”
Jeong Yusin lowered his sword and chuckled nervously, but then his expression turned serious.
“You’re human.”
“Squeak?”
The rat tilted its head.
“Look here, can you understand me?”
Jeong Yusin swiftly lunged forward and grabbed the rat.
“SQUEAK!!”
The rat wriggled in Jeong Yusin’s grasp.
“Be still!”
Holding the rat with one hand, he rummaged through his baggage with the other and pulled out a rope to tightly bind the rodent.
“Who sent you? Are you from the dark market?”
Jeong Yusin lowered his voice dramatically as he spoke.
“Squeak!”
The rat flailed its tiny hands while struggling.
“Tell me who sent you!”
KUNG!!!
“Owner! Let me sleep!”
The tenant in the adjacent room banged on the wall and yelled.
“I’m sorry.”
After apologizing, Jeong Yusin stared down the rat again.
“I will interrogate you tomorrow. If you squeak even once more, you’re dead.”
Jeong Yusin tethered the rat to the ceiling and glared at it for a while before closing his eyes.
The next morning,
Jeong Yusin called Tarman and Ann to sit at a table.
“Eh… so you’re saying this rat is a human?”
“That’s right. Look carefully. Isn’t its behavior suspicious?”
Tarman scratched his head.
“I don’t really know.”
“Well, it’s kind of cute if you look closely.”
Ann rested her hands under her chin as she observed the rat.
Jeong Yusin crossed his arms and glared at the rat tied with rope sprawled out on the table.
To confirm if it was a person marked with a rat rune or just an ordinary rat, visiting the temple was the proper course of action.
However,
It would cost one silver coin.
Given the inn’s current strained financial state, he didn’t want to waste money frivolously.
“Let’s put it inside a jar or a pot and watch it closely for now.”
“There’s a small metal cage in the warehouse.”
Ann’s suggestion made Jeong Yusin nod.
A cage for small animals.
Not bad.
“We’ll lock it in that cage. Watch it well. If it shows any human-like behavior, let me know immediately.”
“Yes, understood.”
Jeong Yusin stood up from his seat. Regardless of the situation, there was still plenty of work to do.
Two weeks passed.
The heat of early summer intensified.
Jeong Yusin’s daily routine remained unchanged.
After the dawn exercise, he went to the orphanage to study writing.
Around lunchtime, he endured rigorous training at the swordsmanship association and would collapse into sleep by evening.
He thought the morning would pass similarly today.
Jeong Yusin looked to his side during breakfast.
Someone stood by the entrance of the inn.
“Silba!”
Jeong Yusin quickly stood up.
Silba looked rather haggard.
Jeong Yusin approached Silba.
“How’s your health?”
Silba faintly smiled.
“I suffered a bit due to the drugs, but I’ve improved greatly. Thanks to Aldein, I managed to detox.”
“That’s great news.”
“Scath.”
Silba called Jeong Yusin’s name with a serious expression.
“Yeah?”
Jeong Yusin replied.
“I’ll visit Lady Karin.”
“Now? Take a rest first.”
After briefly glancing at Ann and Tarman, Silba turned his gaze to Jeong Yusin.
“There’s no need for me to stay any longer since you’re managing the inn without any major problems. Additionally, one of my duties is to inform Lady Karin if Scath encounters any issues.”
“Why not just send a letter?”
“I’m the messenger.”
The white werewolf lightly smiled.
I see.
“I understand. If that’s the case, I won’t stop you. Just take care.”
“Thank you. See you later.”
Silba bowed his head in greeting and left the inn.
Jeong Yusin watched as Silba’s figure receded from outside the inn.
It would take him about four months round-trip since Karin was two months’ travel away from here.
He decided to wait calmly.
It wasn’t useful to venture out since he didn’t know other areas besides the towns along the pilgrimage path and Labyrinth City.
Returning to the inn, he sat down at a table.
On the table, there was a small metal cage.
Inside it was the white rat sprawling carelessly.
As Ann placed small pieces of vegetables into the cage, the white rat used its hands to grab them and chewed methodically.
“What do you think? Did it act human-like?”
“It’s smart, but it doesn’t seem human.”
Ann replied.
Jeong Yusin glared at the rat in the cage. The rat was completely focused on eating and didn’t even turn its head.
“Looks more human to me, no matter how I see it.”
“In that case, going to the temple to confirm might not be such a bad idea.”
Tarman looked at Jeong Yusin with worry.
Seeing Jeong Yusin constantly doubting whether the rat was human might indicate that his old mania was returning.
“That’s true. If I keep this up, I’ll start to have mental issues.”
During these almost two weeks, talking to the rat every morning has brought him close to developing mental illness.
Although he tried to endure due to the cost, there was no reason to harm his mental health in the process.
Finishing his meal, Jeong Yusin picked up the cage with the rat and headed to the Temple of Dejimoseon.
Showing the cage to the receptionist of the Temple of Dejimoseon, he said,
“I want to confirm if this rat is a human.”
“That’s what you’re here for.”
The temple receptionist looked at Jeong Yusin with a sympathetic expression and continued,
“The cost for the rune inspection is one silver coin.”
“Here it is.”
After paying, Jeong Yusin followed the male human priest into a small room.
The male priest began chanting a spell in front of the cage, but it sounded like gibberish to Jeong Yusin.
‘Is it human or a rat? Rat or human?’
Jeong Yusin continued to glare at the rat.
A small light emerged from the priest’s hands and enveloped the rat.
After a moment,
The priest tilted his head.
“…No imprints detected. It appears to be just a rat.”
This thunderous announcement caused Jeong Yusin to stagger.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. It seems to be a misunderstanding.”
Jeong Yusin tottered out of the room.
Gripping his unstable mind, he exited the temple and sat cross-legged.
He stared at the rat’s eyes, pondering on various things.
Could it be that the accumulation of multiple issues led him to react excessively?
Could it be related to the difficulties of running the inn and the mounting appearances of the Barbaroy, which have sharpened his nerves?
Jeong Yusin closed his eyes and practiced meditation for a while, then lightly slapped his cheeks.
Creeeeak.
He opened the cage.
“Go.”
The rat slowly crawled out of the cage.
After two whole weeks of indulgence, the rat’s behind had grown plump.
The rat briefly scanned Jeong Yusin’s face from top to bottom before disappearing into the bushes.
“What was the point of all this?”
Jeong Yusin ran his hand through his hair, looked up at the sky, and then entered the orphanage.
Today’s class was being taught by Diego.
He hadn’t seen Mion for two weeks.
Getting to this point brought a sense of guilt. He wondered if he had pushed Mion too hard.
“Sigh.”
After finishing the class at the orphanage, Jeong Yusin finished his meal at the temple’s cafeteria and approached the temple receptionist.
“Lady Scath, is there anything else you need assistance with? If you require counseling, we can send someone to personally assist you.”
The temple receptionist said.
Perhaps because of the earlier incident, there was a slight change in the receptionist’s tone.
“I’d like to send a letter to Priest Mion. Would you mind delivering it?”
It was a letter written with clumsy words and insufficient vocabulary.
He could only hope his apology would reach her properly.
“Understood. We’ve been quite worried about her as her health has been very poor lately. Thank you.”
The temple receptionist smiled and said.
“Yes, then.”
Jeong Yusin left the temple and hurried to the swordsmanship association.
“You look like someone who just got dumped by a girlfriend.”
Ashur chuckled and said.
“No, that’s not it.”
“Carry the sandbags and run.”
“Yes.”
Training had steadily become part of his routine.
Following the third labyrinth trip, his body had become significantly stronger, absorbing every kind of training like dry land drinking water.
KAAANG!!!
The swords of Ashur and Jeong Yusin clashed.
KAGAGAG!!!
A grueling display of strength and skill.
Sparks flew from the training steel sword.
Ashur looked into Jeong Yusin’s eyes.
SCHHHH!!!
Ashur swirled his sword down. Jeong Yusin’s sword was knocked down.
KUNG!
A completely empty upper body.
Ashur’s shoulder collided with Jeong Yusin’s chest.
“Gahk.”
Jeong Yusin stumbled back.
“Good.”
Ashur commented as he looked down at Jeong Yusin, who had fallen to the ground.
“Are we ready to venture into the labyrinth now?”
Jeong Yusin wiped the sweat trickling down his forehead as he asked.
“Not yet. Why are you in such a hurry? Did you smear honey on the labyrinth?”
“No sir.”
“Proceed as usual.”
Gradually, the arduous training became ingrained in his body.
After the third labyrinth trip, his body had become noticeably stronger, soaking up any training like dry land absorbing water.
CARRANG!!!
Ashur and Jeong Yusin’s swords clashed.
KAGAGAG!!!
A gruelling power and skill clash.
Sparks flew from the training steel sword.
Ashur stared into Jeong Yusin’s eyes.
CHAAANG!!!
Ashur’s sword spiraled downward, forcing Jeong Yusin’s blade down.
KUNG!
An entirely open upper torso.
Ashur’s shoulder collided with Jeong Yusin’s chest.
“Ugh!”
Jeong Yusin stumbled backward.
“Good.”
Ashur commented as he observed Jeong Yusin who fell onto the ground.
“Are we ready to go into the labyrinth now?”
Jeong Yusin wiped the sweat trickling down his forehead as he asked.
“Not yet. Stay a bit longer. Do you have any real reason to enter the labyrinth? Did you spread honey inside?”
“No.”
“Just do as you’re told. Running around like this is only making you weary.”
“Still, don’t you want to enter the Labyrinth City? Plus, I need some money.”
Jeong Yusin casually replied, brushing aside Ashur’s question.
“Ah? Then rather go to the Explorer Guild and look for jobs. There’s more than just going into the labyrinth.”
“But I want to enter the labyrinth.”
“It’s inevitable.”
“What do you mean?”
“Sigh, do I have to explain all this?”
Ashur combed his hand through his hair and continued.
“Listen carefully. For a beginner explorer to rank up, it’s mandatory to complete city-based quests. I don’t know exactly how many you need, I’m a bit fuzzy after some time.”
“Are there quests other than Labyrinth exploration?”
“Plenty. Didn’t the Guild tell you?”
“No.”
“The Guild’s situation is beyond me. Go ask them. The point is, even if they don’t tell you, you should know, right?”
“Yes, I’ll check it once.”
The next morning, Jeong Yusin went to the Explorer Guild branch.
Having not mingled with people for quite some time, it felt oddly unfamiliar to walk among the crowds.
It had been a while since he last visited due to various issues.
Taking a moment to catch his breath in front of the Explorer Guild branch, he glanced at the signboard.
Not much had changed.
Once inside, the place was bustling with people.
People armed with weapons,
People slinging backpacks and standing up with their party members,
And definitely, there were also those who looked like first-timers to the Labyrinth City.
Jeong Yusin joined the queue at the reception desk.
After a short wait, it was his turn.
“What can I assist you with?”
A dog-beastman smiled and asked.
After fidgeting with his ring for a moment, Jeong Yusin opened his mouth.
“I heard there were quests aside from Labyrinth exploration.”
“Oh! So that’s it.”
“Since I’m a beginner explorer, I don’t know much. I’ll ask: why wasn’t this information shared?”
At that point, an adjacent receptionist interjected.
“It was difficult because beginner explorers disliked it. Most preferred Labyrinth exploration quests, so we had no choice. In fact, there were a few issues with this during the past few months.”
Was it back then when the influx of beginner explorers happened?
The dog-beastman looked lost, twiddling his fingers.
“I see. Then, recommend a quest available within the city.”
“Yes, please wait a moment.”
The dog-beastman rummaged through a pile of documents on the reception desk for quite a while.
“I found it!”
The dog-beastman exclaimed as he pulled out a few sheets.
‘He’s so adorable.’
Jeong Yusin suppressed the corner of his lips from curling upward.
“Currently, there’s a guard duty post at the Labyrinth entrance.”
“What’s that? Isn’t that usually handled by the guard force?”
“It’s guarding the magical array at the Labyrinth entrance. The day shift is handled fully by the guards, but during evening to dawn we hire external personnel.”
“Why is that?”
“…Could it be they’re just tired?”
The dog-beastman tilted his head in response.
So, night shifts are assigned to external hires?
Jeong Yusin thought for a moment and made up his mind.
“I’ll take that quest.”
“Alright, understood.”
The dog-beastman took Jeong Yusin’s Explorer token, confirmed his name, and wrote it down on the quest document.
“If you know, the guard post at the Labyrinth entrance would be your destination tomorrow night. Are you familiar with the place?”
“Yes, I know it.”
No way he wouldn’t. He once visited the guard post due to the Dito incident.
That’s where Luke threatened him not to use his student’s name to get around.
Why he reacted so sensitively was difficult to understand.
If he met him again, perhaps he’d enquire about it.
“For being a beginner explorer, your daily wage will be 20 copper coins.”
Rather stingy.
If he worked a whole month of 30 days, he would only earn six silver coins.
Wouldn’t it be better to work at the Demon Disassembly Site?
Jeong Yusin hesitated for a bit before shaking his head.
This was something that must be done anyway. It was also part of the requirements for promotion.
Ah.
There’s one more thing he needed to inquire about.
“Are there any requirements for a beginner explorer to rank up to intermediate?”
“A beginner must meet two conditions to rank up. Complete 10 Guild quests and reach the fifth floor.”
“Just reaching it is sufficient?”
“You must reach it with a party member of the same rank. This is done to prevent higher-ranked parties from taking advantage.”
“Understood.”
“The work starts tomorrow.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Jeong Yusin bid farewell and exited the Explorer Guild, heading towards the western district.
Having accepted the guard duty quest, he planned to visit Boron’s blacksmith shop to purchase equipment.
Incidentally, he also wanted to check on Einhofer.
The thought of using the carefully saved money made his stomach churn.
How had he managed to save up so diligently?
SCREECH!!!
“Snap out of it. Equipment is your life.”
Jeong Yusin slapped his cheek and muttered to himself.
Lately, he felt stagnant from not entering the labyrinth.
Was he merely treading water?
But today, knowing he could make some progress again brought a much lighter step to Jeong Yusin’s walk.
