The morning after Ingrid left.
Jeong Yusin grabbed his head and got up from bed.
“Argh, my head.”
His head felt like it was going to split open from the hangover. It was the price of drinking Dwarf liquor alone after Ingrid had left.
When he pulled back the bedsheet, a white mouse was sleeping on its back with its belly exposed.
It said it was going to explore the Labyrinth City, but it had actually crawled into his bed and fallen asleep.
“Lin, wake up.”
When he poked the white mouse’s belly, it twitched and slowly opened its eyes.
“Are you really not human?”
“Squeak?”
The white mouse, half-asleep, tilted its head in confusion.
“Nope.”
Jeong Yusin strapped the sword he had kept by his bedside to his waist and went downstairs.
“Good morning, you’re awake?”
Tarman, busy moving around the inn’s hall, noticed Jeong Yusin and greeted him.
“Yeah. I earned some money.”
Jeong Yusin handed over a leather pouch.
Seven gold coins.
Out of the ten gold coins Ingrid had given him yesterday, he took three and planned to put the rest towards the inn’s operating costs.
It wasn’t regrettable. After all, most of his meals were taken care of here, and he drank and slept here as well.
“Seven gold coins. Let’s keep going like this until running the inn feels more familiar.”
“Tha…thank you!”
Tarman’s eyes watered. Seeing grown man’s tears so early in the morning made him uneasy, so he turned his head away.
“Give it to Ann. And also, thank you for the breakfast.”
“Understood!”
Tarman rushed into the kitchen.
Jeong Yusin sat at a table, crossed his arms, and looked out of the inn. However, his thoughts were elsewhere.
Thanks to Ingrid’s help, he got exempted from the night guard commission.
He heard that the exempted commissions count as completed. That would mean he had achieved a part of the conditions set by the Explorer’s Guild for promotion.
Of course, he would need to complete more commissions to achieve the promotion criteria, but this wasn’t a bad start.
He recalled the events from the previous night.
If the seal of world domination that Ingrid mentioned at the drinking party truly existed, then it was possible that a seal for world transition also existed.
As the faint possibility became clearer through the haze, he felt a burning thirst in his throat.
As always, entering the Labyrinth was likely the best course of action in his current situation.
He could simultaneously fulfill the Magic Stone collection and Demon extermination commissions, which could provide some financial benefits. Though it wouldn’t amount to a lot of money, it would certainly be more than the guarding fees.
However, leaving Ann and Tarman alone left him feeling uneasy.
Moreover, there were the mad Barbaroys who were manipulating their power within the city.
He was also unsure if he could put together a solid party.
‘Should I attempt it anyway?’
There were a couple of issues, but he was sure solutions would arise one by one. If things went wrong, then he could always wait until Darmong arrived.
He couldn’t give in to fear of failure and quit before trying.
Lost in his thoughts, he noticed Tarman bringing a breakfast tray.
“Scath-sama, breakfast has been prepared for you. Please enjoy.”
“Thank you. Hold on for a moment.”
Jeong Yusin stopped Tarman, who was about to return to the kitchen.
“Yes?”
“Do you sometimes talk to Aldein?”
“Yes. Is there any special message you want me to convey?”
“No.”
Jeong Yusin quickly ate the food and got up. He decided it would be quicker to go himself instead of asking Tarman.
“I’ll be back from the Demon Disassembly Site for a moment.”
“Understood.”
Creeeak.
At that moment, someone entered the inn.
It was a boy with messy hair and plenty of freckles.
“Good morning, Scath-sama.”
The boy with messy hair approached and greeted him.
“Do I know you?”
Though the face was familiar, he couldn’t figure out who it was.
Jeong Yusin tapped his single-edged sword and asked.
“I’ve come from the Swordsmanship Guild.”
“Oh.”
Now that he thought about it, he had seen this face among the people he passed at the Swordsmanship Guild. He didn’t know the name, though.
Jeong Yusin opened his mouth. Since the face was familiar, he decided to speak comfortably.
“How is Master Ashur?”
“The Guild Master isn’t faring well. And that’s why I’m here. Scath-sama, the Guild Master calls for you. You must come to the Swordsmanship Guild with me.”
The boy’s answer had an ominous tone.
Jeong Yusin scratched his cheek.
“Is Master Ashur unwell? Tell him to sit up straight.”
“…The Guild Master heard you fought in front of the Labyrinth.”
“How fast the rumors spread. Correct. Did he become jealous because I fought too well?”
The boy, ignoring Jeong Yusin’s answer, stared at him blankly.
“Just kidding.”
“The Guild Master lamented and slapped his thigh when he heard that you fought with a sword handle in your mouth.”
Hmm, really?
“More details.”
“Because you wielded a sword in such an unrefined manner with the handle in your mouth, it has led the world to doubt his teachings. He remarked, ‘Why continue living when my teachings are doubted?'”
Jeong Yusin’s neck tilted sideways.
But wasn’t that rootful swordsmanship?
Isn’t that how the so-called master uses his sword?
Or isn’t it?
Jeong Yusin cautiously asked.
“Is he extremely angry?”
“He said to come immediately.”
“If I lack money, tell him I’ll come later.”
“He knows you received ten gold coins from Ingrid-sama. He said to come immediately.”
Mars the master swordsman really is a ghostly stalker.
“I will say that I can’t come today because my lower back hurts.”
“He said he’d break your lower back.”
“Tell him I’m too ashamed to meet my master and cannot come.”
Jeong Yusin and the boy locked eyes for a while.
“…Please come, Scath-sama.”
“Sigh, understood. However, I will stop by the Demon Disassembly Site first.”
“We really need you to come now. At this rate, we’ll all die.”
“Yes, I’m coming.”
After chasing away the tenacious boy with freckles,
he left the inn with Tarman, who was making polite bows, behind him.
He walked towards the Demon Disassembly Site, basking in the summer sun, to return the single-edged sword borrowed from Aldein.
The sword’s performance was truly breathtaking, just as Aldein had said.
However, Jeong Yusin found himself suspicious of Aldein’s intentions for lending out such good equipment.
It felt like there was some ulterior motive lurking behind, trying to tie him down somehow.
In any case, Aldein wasn’t an Elf to be underestimated.
After walking for quite some time, Jeong Yusin entered the western area and found the Demon Disassembly Site.
The familiar smell of blood.
A building constructed from red bricks.
Jeong Yusin walked through the yard and entered the Demon Disassembly Site.
He stopped a passing worker and asked,
“Is the Director around?”
“Scath-sama, have you come? Master Aldein is in the office.”
The worker respectfully answered.
“Do you know me?”
“Though I’ve only heard stories, Delnaco talks about you often.”
“If you’ve only heard stories, how could you recognize me immediately?”
“Well, you have dark hair, don’t you?”
“I see.”
Realizing his foolish question, Jeong Yusin’s face turned red.
He quickened his pace slightly and went around the corner.
Walking past neatly skinned Demons that were hanging by hoops, he spotted an office.
He knocked on the door.
Knock knock.
“Come in.”
When Jeong Yusin entered, Aldein was sitting at a desk.
Aldein was scribbling something with a pen amidst piles of documents.
“What is it?”
“I’ve come to return the single-edged sword.”
“Just keep it.”
Aldein casually said it as if it was nothing and continued with the pen.
“No, thank you.”
“You’re rejecting what I’m offering? The handle doesn’t fit, or the performance is bad? What’s the problem?”
“I cannot accept something valuable without cost.”
‘These quick favors can quickly lead to trouble.’
“Ah, such a picky fellow. All right, fine. Give it here.”
Jeong Yusin handed over the sword, and Aldein accepted it with both hands, gently stroking it.
With the task done, Jeong Yusin thought about leaving, but he remained.
“What more is on your mind?”
“I’m planning to enter the Labyrinth. I’m worried about the inn, so I’d like you to watch over it for me.”
“You either refuse this or request that. Just choose one.”
“If you consider it money, I’ll pay you. Please watch over it.”
With a sigh, Aldein scratched the eye patch and let out a deep breath.
“Alright, I’ll send Delnaco. However, you’ll have to cover the meal, accommodation, and labor costs.”
“Thank you.”
“Leave now.”
Jeong Yusin bowed and left the office.
Bang!
The door closed, and Aldein slumped deep into his chair.
“Am I mad? In an attempt to lure in a competent person, my nose got pierced.”
The red sword trembled slightly.
Aldein’s eyes widened as he noticed it.
“You have also had your nose pierced? How so?”
Shiver.
“You bit it with your mouth? Ah, you’re already married, little brother.”
Aldein gently stroked the single-edged sword with a soft gesture.
“Our noses got pierced at the same time. I don’t know what to make of this situation.”
Despite his worried tone, a faint smile lingered on Aldein’s face.
*
After leaving the Demon Disassembly Site, Jeong Yusin walked towards the blacksmith district.
On the way, he dropped by a shop and bought a bottle of alcohol.
Entering the blacksmith shop, which only seemed to buzz with flies, he found Boron sitting there.
Boron looked emaciated, as though he hadn’t eaten for days.
“Have you come?”
Boron looked up at Jeong Yusin with puffy eyes.
“I’ve brought some alcohol.”
Boron waddled over briskly, snatching the bottle.
Before Jeong Yusin could say anything, Boron popped the cork in an instant and guzzled the bottle.
With the bottle away from his lips, Boron’s face regained some color.
“Khuhhh. Have you come for equipment?”
“Yes, I’d also like to commission a set of armor.”
“What kind of armor?”
“Something similar to the last Light Armor.”
“Something similar? Be precise.”
After pondering for a while, Jeong Yusin spoke.
“Could you attach the iron plates a bit more segmented and intricately to the Leather Armor to allow better mobility?”
“More mobility? Dangerous. Even if the plates are closely attached, there’ll always be gaps. Maintenance will also be difficult. It’s cheaper to just attach a small plate to the chest area. It’s also not too uncomfortable when moving.”
“Understood. Let’s go with that.”
“Just like last time for the other armor parts? One gold coin and twenty-five silver coins.”
“Where did the extra twenty-five silver coins come from all of a sudden?”
“Personnel costs. Would you like to see Ainhofer starving?”
“Heavens!”
Jeong Yusin scratched his head, feeling embarrassed.
How did the personnel costs increase so suddenly after just a few days?
But he couldn’t just let Ainhofer starve.
He decided to make an exception, just this once.
He searched his pouch and handed over one gold coin and twenty-five silver coins to Boron.
Boron counted them and asked,
“Is the helmet usable?”
“A little strange. It’s cool enough, but my neck feels a bit too exposed. If I get a good hit, I’ll surely die.”
“It’s not that great anyway.”
“Did you know and give it to me anyway?”
Jeong Yusin stared at Boron.
Boron gazed back, baffled, from a distance.
“Didn’t you say you lacked money back then?”
“…I’m sorry.”
“Wait a moment. Let me bring you something better.”
“Could we make a deal? How about for twenty silver coins?”
Boron turned a violent shade of red.
“What? Are you nuts? How am I supposed to feed myself? Thirty silver coins.”
“C’mon, that’s too expensive. Twenty-five silver coins. This peculiar emblem seems to lower my dignity, so the helmet should be discounted too.”
“…Don’t be blasphemous. That’s enough. Understood, it’s twenty-six silver coins.”
“Twenty-five!”
“Argh, I’m dying. The barbarians are here to kill me!!!”
“I’ve already bought you alcohol, so let’s settle at twenty-five silver coins. I’ll bring more next time.”
Boron glared at Jeong Yusin. He wanted to kick the cheeky guy’s butt but restrained himself for the sake of his apprentice.
“…Fine. Now about weapons?”
“Give me a dagger. I’ll buy the rest later.”
“Why? Never mind, how would it benefit me? It just makes my stomach churn. One silver coin for the dagger. Come back in a week for the armor. Do you want to take the helmet now?”
“I’ll take the helmet later.”
“Got it. Phew.”
Boron sighed, went to the corner, and returned with a dagger.
Jeong Yusin handed over the silver coins, took the dagger, and put it in his robes.
“I’ll see you again.”
“Ugh. This is my fate.”
Boron sighed once again.
As the sound of hammers echoed, Jeong Yusin left the blacksmith shop and headed toward the Swordsmanship Guild.
He let out an involuntary sigh.
Ashur seemed to be genuinely upset, which made him uncertain how to calm the situation.
How on earth do you soothe the temperament of a male Elven stalker Sword Master?
It wasn’t nearly as difficult in those dating sim games.
While pondering these thoughts, he continued walking along the streets.
When he arrived at the Swordsmanship Guild, there was no one inside the building. Only Killa, the bald Vice Director, sat at the reception desk.
“To the training grounds.”
“Yes.”
Killa motioned toward the exit on the opposite side of the building.
Jeong Yusin quietly headed to the training grounds.
There, Ashur stood with his arms crossed, gazing up at the sky.
“Scath, attention.”
Ashur’s icy voice reverberated across the training grounds.
He swallowed hard.
“Ah. Here we go.”
