Amidst thunderous cheers.
A white mouse stood on its hind legs.
Its puffed-out white belly clearly showed its confidence. Was it truly Ingrid’s familiar?
“Chik!”
Coming to his senses, Jeong Yusin immediately leapt up and ascended the stage.
An unexpected move.
There wasn’t enough time for the surrounding people to stop him.
Jeong Yusin, upon stepping on stage, dropped to one knee in front of Lin.
“Lin, what are you doing here?”
“Chik?”
The bipedal Lin tilted its head, the strap holding its hat dangling.
“Let’s go home.”
Jeong Yusin extended a hand. Lin briefly glanced at the chubby-cheeked face before wiggling over and moving onto Jeong Yusin’s palm.
“Hold on! Hold on! Hold on!!!”
The chubby man stepped in with evident distress.
Jeong Yusin, unperturbed, stuffed Lin into the front pocket of his shirt and stood up.
His shirt stretched and drooped, evidence of a well-fed figure.
Jeong Yusin glared at the chubby-cheeked man.
“Did you kidnap Lin? You bastards want to die?”
The chubby man panicked and whispered.
“No! I’ll explain later, but please calm down and help me!”
“Why should I?”
Jeong Yusin’s sudden interruption had thrown the audience into confusion.
The murmurs grew louder, proportionate to the increasing sweat on the chubby man’s face.
“Hey! Aren’t you Scath? You’re the half-Barbaroy Oswald spoke about, right? We even let you into the performance arena – how dare you treat us like this?”
“Hey, do you know whose familiar Lin is?”
“Scath-sama!”
Delnaco suddenly shouted. Turning around, Delnaco was shaking his head vigorously.
His meaning was clear: Do not reveal the identity of the familiar.
Jeong Yusin frowned.
Not entirely clear why it mustn’t be said, he decided to trust Delnaco.
“Scath-sama, it would be best to finish the performance smoothly. I will take your place.”
Delnaco said this. Galerheim, whose face was now deathly pale, nodded fervently.
“No. I’ll do it.”
Jeong Yusin took Lin out of his shirt and placed it on the floor.
“Go with Delnaco. We’ll have to talk later. Why were you wandering around so much?”
“Chik.”
Lin nodded and scuttled over to Delnaco.
“I’ll take Lin’s role.”
At Jeong Yusin’s statement, the chubby man clapped his hands together.
“Thank you! Actually, why should I be grateful? Isn’t this strange?”
Suddenly, the chubby man began to question himself aloud, as if suffering from schizophrenia.
“Quickly.”
Jeong Yusin urged.
The chubby man cleared his throat and then shouted loudly.
“Gentlemen and Ladies! We have a special guest for your entertainment!!! The white rat can leave!!! Behold the arrival of the half-Barbaroy!!!”
“Woooooo!!!”
A different kind of heat filled the performance hall.
Among the crowd’s shouts, however, some were not cheers.
“Kill him!!!”
“Cut it off!!!”
“Enemy of my brother!!!”
Is this the agony of responsibility without joy?
Seeing the enraged crowd, Jeong Yusin reflected on the deep karmic retribution of the Barbaroys.
Nevertheless, Jeong Yusin remained composed.
Rubbing his ears while scanning the audience, Jeong Yusin pulled out the Aming Sword, scabbard and all, and threw it to Delnaco.
Standing on a thick wooden panel, he leaned against it.
Performance staff approached and tied his hands and feet with ropes, securing him in place.
The chubby man whispered something into the ear of the blindfolded orc.
The orc’s body slightly trembled.
Jeong Yusin calmly looked at the orc.
“Alright!!! Let’s begin!!!”
The orc threw an axe.
Whoosh!!!
Katch!!!
The axe pierced and embedded itself in the thick wooden panel.
A spot just to the left of Jeong Yusin’s neck.
The axe handle was trembling.
‘Shit.’
Though he bravely stepped forward, feeling the vibration of the axe shook even his own chest.
“Kill him!!!”
“Hole opener!!! Bastard!!!”
“Our grandfather… because of scum like you, urgh…!”
The cheers were mixed with anger.
Jeong Yusin stared blankly at the audience, finding it absurd.
“Grandfather should…”
BOOM!!!
This time, the right side of his waist.
BOOM!!!
And the next…
Jeong Yusin’s expression hardened.
Right beneath the privates. Between his thighs.
Cold sweat trickled down his forehead.
Unfortunately, the axe aimed at an inappropriate area.
What kind of joke is this, being a half-Barbaroy in this other world?
Not a laughing matter at all.
“Hey, do you want a fight?”
Jeong Yusin growled.
The orc’s body shook like a willow tree.
“Uh… Sorry. Don’t tremble. Calm down.”
Jeong Yusin lowered his voice and gently reassured the orc.
However, none of it made any difference to the orc, who continued to tremble.
“Sorry, sorry. The practice target suddenly changed. I’m sorry!”
Dreeeeek!!!
Kwaang!!!
The axe blade grazed Jeong Yusin’s cheek and embedded itself in the panel.
A line of blood trickled down.
[Avenger]
Jeong Yusin’s eyes burned with a blue aura.
“Calm down and listen to me. A bit higher. Yes, throw like that.”
Jeong Yusin gave instructions, and the orc threw the axe.
Dreeeeek!!!
Kwaang!!!
This axe hit above his head.
Strands of cut hair floated down.
‘Shit.’
One axe remained.
“A little to the left. Yes, there.”
Dreeeeek!!!
Unfortunately,
The axe aimed at Jeong Yusin’s head.
“Chh!”
His fierce gaze. He would die if he got this wrong.
He slightly twisted his head, a movement too subtle for anyone to notice.
Kwaang!!!
Thankfully, the axe embedded itself where Jeong Yusin’s head had been.
‘That was close.’
“Huh.”
Jeong Yusin sighed deeply.
The oblivious audience cheered loudly.
“Whaaaaa!!!”
“Damn it!!! Why isn’t he dying?! Die!!!”
The chubby man hurried out onto the stage, hat in hand, bowing.
“Thank you!!! Thank you!!! Today’s performance will end here!!! See you again next time!!!”
As the man finished speaking, the band in the corner began to play their instruments.
The cheerful music filled the circus tent.
People, reluctant to leave, slowly exited the performance area while chatting animatedly.
When the performance ended and the music dimmed,
The staff came and freed Jeong Yusin from his bindings.
“Bring that orc here.”
Jeong Yusin pointed at the orc. The orc, having had his blindfold removed, wobbled over.
Jeong Yusin punched the orc’s chest.
Ppooeh!!!
“Keeeergh!!!”
The orc dropped to his knees, head smashing into the floor.
The staff gathered and began murmuring.
“Be grateful I’m ending this here. You understand better, right?”
“Krr… Ack. Yes.”
The orc managed to respond.
The wound on Jeong Yusin’s cheek slowly healed.
Crossing his arms, Jeong Yusin looked out at the audience.
Delnaco and Galerheim approached.
“Scath-sama! You have incredible courage!”
Delnaco said, his eyes sparkling.
“Remarkable. Definitely of a Barbaroy’s mettle.”
Galerheim nodded his head in agreement.
“It’s no big deal. It was manageable, wasn’t it?”
Jeong Yusin shrugged nonchalantly in response.
‘That almost killed me.’
Just as he pushed the thought aside, the chubby man approached.
“I want to talk about that white rat.”
Jeong Yusin carefully observed the man’s face before shaking his head.
“Hear everything from Oswald. Where is he?”
Hearing various accounts only makes one’s mind restless.
Though the performance had been both thrilling and terrifying, his purpose had not been forgotten.
“Follow me.”
Following the chubby man deeper into the tent.
Every so often, a striking sight caught his eye.
Animals and demons who had performed in the circus now rested freely in their spots.
Strangely enough, neither the demons nor the animals were confined to cages.
‘Were they humans?’
Jeong Yusin swallowed his curiosity and continued walking.
In another tent, the comedians, having finished their performances, gathered to drink and chat.
Jeong Yusin walked past and entered yet another section.
Upon entering a small tent, he found people with white makeup on their faces gathered.
And at the center stood a man.
A man with white powder on his face, who had combed all his hair backward.
Oswald.
A senior member of the Shadoe Clowns.
“Have you come? Scath, I’ve waited for you. How was the performance?”
“It was heart-pounding. Why did you call me?”
“I thought we could talk about some business.”
Suddenly, business?
Wasn’t it about the prince’s wet nurse?
Jeong Yusin, stroking his neck, opened his mouth.
“There seem to be too many people present to discuss such matters, don’t you think?”
“Hmm? Two should stay, the rest get some rest.”
“Yes.”
The people dispersed in a hurry.
“Sit down.”
Oswald pulled out a collapsible chair and handed it to Jeong Yusin.
Jeong Yusin sat down, with Galerheim and Delnaco standing behind him.
“Did any visitors come? How about some tea?”
“Will you drink it if I offer?”
“No.”
“Figures.”
Oswald sat down, crossing his legs, and scrutinized Jeong Yusin.
“Scath, did you use the magic stone I gave you well?”
“Yeah, I used it for good purposes. But it feels kind of stingy, doesn’t it?”
“What?”
“The magic power in the stone was only half of what it should be?”
“Is that so? I guess someone used it. And I received it as is, so I wasn’t aware.”
Oswald shrugged as if hearing a trivial matter.
Jeong Yusin frowned.
“So what’s this about that ‘business’?”
“Originally, I summoned you to discuss the wet nurse of the Fifth Prince.”
“Is there any need for me to know about it?”
“Perhaps. Anyway, listen. This somewhat involves you.”
Oswald continued.
“Initially, we were planning to hand over the Fifth Prince’s wet nurse to assassins. But then our plans changed.”
“Why the change?”
“Turns out these bastards were not just after the Fifth Prince. They colluded with a few merchants in Lyonel Kingdom.”
Assassins colluding with some merchants?
“And?”
“Hear me out. There’s evidence that some Lyonel merchants have allied with slave hunters.”
Slave hunters?
“The Crimson Hunters. You’re talking about them, right?”
“Yes. You must be familiar with the name.”
So, assassins, merchants, and slave hunters all working together?
Something’s fishy here.
“What are those bastards up to?”
“Apparently, humans weren’t enough for them, so they’ve started capturing beasts and demons. Know why?”
“Why?”
“Manpower, playthings, pieces of furniture for display, various reasons.”
Oswald added,
“And sacrifice for leveling up.”
Jeong Yusin’s face twisted with fury.
Nausea rose from within.
‘What kind of inhuman things are these people?’
“Haven’t I shattered those bastards already? Are they popping up again?”
Delnaco interjected.
“That’s strange indeed. It hasn’t been long since the organization disappeared from the Labyrinth City.”
Oswald scratched his head.
“I’m unsure as well. Anyway, let me make my point. Help kill assassins. We have people held captive by them.”
Jeong Yusin crossed his arms.
“Difficult. Besides, why should I help?”
“Didn’t you massacre the slave hunters last time in the plank village? I checked. It was because they had killed the Nuum family, correct? You took risks for those seemingly ordinary, not particularly special individuals. Thought it was a cause worthy for you to step in.”
This felt unusual.
Was it really necessary to beg so much from a novice explorer?
Moreover, the reason Oswald gave didn’t seem convincing.
Jeong Yusin’s intuition screamed.
Oswald was hiding something.
“…”
Oswald’s expression grew serious.
“You understand now, having seen our performance, right? Due to the brand, we may appear as beasts or animals, but we are people inside. And we’re ordinary folks who lack special abilities, and sometimes we go hungry. We earn for a day and survive the day. Must these people, struggling at the bottom, be captured and sold away?”
“Why don’t they just leave the Labyrinth City?”
At Jeong Yusin’s question, Oswald sneered.
“Hah! All one hundred would be hunted and killed. Speaking animals may be interesting to look at, but it’s not a reason to keep them alive. Even if they leave the city and walk for a month, their lives hang by a thread. Here is the safest place.”
Jeong Yusin crossed his legs and fell deep into thought.
Oswald’s story was growing too big, making him quite uncomfortable.
He had always fought his way, putting everything on the line.
He sometimes took care of people around him when he had the spare energy, but that was it.
Did he need to dive deeper into this issue?
He glanced up at the tent’s ceiling.
Intuitively, he sensed this was a deeply tangled problem.
Combat always involved risking one’s life.
He couldn’t see any valid reason to get involved in this situation.
Not to mention this guy.
Someone who had tried to kill him, right?
The lute sounds Oswald had played in the labyrinth still echoed in his ears.
Jeong Yusin finally spoke.
“To be honest, it’s quite ridiculous. A guy who killed people and worked for trash assassins suddenly turns around and talks about justice? This is too funny. Have you lost your mind?”
Oswald’s expression darkened.
“Scath, you’re right. I don’t care much about the lives of those outside the eastern district. Sure, I admit it—I’m trash. But I want to protect the people around me. You don’t know how the people trapped in the eastern district feel, waiting to die.”
Oswald pointed a finger at Jeong Yusin as he continued.
“And anyway, those slave hunters will keep coming to the Labyrinth City. They’re earning astronomical profits by capturing people from elsewhere. Do you think they’ll let you be? No, right? Do you think everything will end quietly? That’s naive.”
“This is something I can handle. It’s none of your concern.”
Jeong Yusin replied calmly.
“Damn! You’re taking all the fun out of it.”
Oswald grumbled.
“Don’t swear. It lowers your dignity.”
“Should I get down on my ass to get you to help?”
“Are you crazy, you lunatic?!”
At Oswald’s words, Jeong Yusin grew enraged.
“Why do you keep saying nonsense? Other people can die, but your eastern friends can’t. First, you worked for assassins, then suddenly you stop. What are you trying to do? Why the indecisiveness? Are you insane?”
“That’s what it means to be human.”
Oswald dismissed it with a toss of his words.
“I haven’t had this information for long. I took an assassination contract initially just to check. Now that I’ve found out, I did this ridiculous act.”
Jeong Yusin glared at Oswald.
Standing up abruptly,
“This is madness. If you want to save them, you go. Delnaco, Galerheim, let’s go.”
‘I need to consult Aldein about the Fifth Prince’s wet nurse matter.’
Then.
Someone strode boldly into the tent.
“Scath, please wait.”
It was Maya standing there.
Jeong Yusin’s eyes widened.
Maya?
The apprentice he met at Karin’s party who had taken Ahiman, transformed into a lizard, somewhere.
‘Why are you here…?’
