The sunlight streamed in through the window, and Jeong Yusin woke up, squinting his eyes.
It was well past morning, now leaning into the afternoon.
“Ouch, my head.”
The hangover was no joke, thanks to the dwarf brew he’d been drinking all night. He’d spent the previous evening talking about a variety of things with Karin while they drank.
Though the time he’d been apart from Karin wasn’t particularly long, much had happened during that time.
Their conversation had carried on until dawn. He remembered drunkenly climbing the stairs to the second floor and flopping into bed before everything went dark.
Jeong Yusin rose slowly and opened the wardrobe.
“Hmm.”
Inside the wardrobe were a couple of linen shirts, a pair of trousers, a few tunics he’d filched from Oswald, and a fur-lined jacket that Ingrid had gifted him.
It was midsummer, and yet Jeong Yusin was still walking around in spring wear.
‘I want to change clothes.’
There was only one reason for his hesitation.
The summer tunic sent by Oswald just didn’t seem right.
‘Isn’t the length a bit too long?’
It hung down to his thighs and required a belt to be worn over it.
Put simply, it made him look like he was wearing a boxy shirt with a belt tied around his waist.
It looked ridiculous.
In comparison, the linen shirts could be tucked neatly into his pants with a belt for a cleaner look, whereas these types of tunics didn’t appeal to his modern sensibilities.
‘Should I buy a new one?’
He immediately shook his head.
Although he had enough funds, he didn’t want to waste money on trivialities. While the Maze City had several notable brands, he couldn’t afford to spend his money there.
Moreover, with the festival approaching, the prices in the city were rising.
It was a time when careless spending could easily backfire.
And while his own perspective found the outfit to resemble something foolish, others might view it as normal attire.
The Labyrinth City had residents from all walks of life, thus leading to a diverse range of fashion.
Didn’t some dwarves walk around wearing just undergarments?
As a progressive, awake modern citizen who valued and respected diversity and life, he couldn’t afford to be petty.
“Alright.”
Jeong Yusin discarded his shirt and donned the tunic instead. The sensation of the thin, smooth fabric was intriguing—had he asked for an expensive item, and they truly delivered it?
Just as he was about to buckle on the sword belt, there was a knock, followed by the door swinging open.
“What is it? Were you changing?”
The familiar voice belonged to Karin.
“Oh, I’m done changing, so you can come in,” he replied.
“Clearly you’re trying to put on a belt, huh?”
Karin stepped inside confidently.
“Hmm.”
“I’ll help you with that.”
“It’s fine on its own, though.”
“I want to help you,” Karin insisted and approached to buckle the belt around Jeong Yusin’s waist.
Plump.
Her proximity had caused her elastic chest to press into Jeong Yusin’s. As she moved, her chest flattened and pressed against his chest, brushing back and forth.
‘This is oddly close. Does Karin not realize her chest is pressing against mine?’
“Alright, done!”
Karin grinned as she firmly buckled the sword belt around his waist.
As she looked up, her eyes met Jeong Yusin’s.
“What?”
“…”
“Are you embarrassed?”
Karin grinned like a cat and pressed even closer.
Their breaths became almost palpable as they drew nearer.
Then, Karin stepped back. Her cheeks were slightly flushed.
“Why… why are you staring like that? Your eyes are intense!”
Jeong Yusin turned away.
He had to resist. If he made a move on Karin, the daughter of the Representative of the Exploration Guild, he’d have nowhere to stand in the Labyrinth City. Moreover, his reputation would be ruined.
“Let’s go eat lunch.”
“…Alright.”
Jeong Yusin and Karin made their way downstairs, sitting down to have their late lunch.
“Scath, what are you planning to do today?”
“To the Dejimoseon Temple. I’m going to check if I’ve gained a new brand.”
“Hmm? Sounds good. Take care. I’ll watch the store.”
After lunch, Karin casually bid farewell, and Jeong Yusin headed toward the Dejimoseon Temple.
“Mr. Scath.”
The temple receptionist recognized Jeong Yusin at a glance and bowed.
“I’ve come to check my brand.”
“Very well. One silver coin, please.”
“Here you are.”
“Please wait a moment, and someone will guide you.”
“Understood.”
Jeong Yusin sat on a chair in the reception area and waited for a moment.
A male cleric approached.
“Hmm? Mr. Scath? It’s been a while.”
Jeong Yusin looked up.
Diego Perez.
The mid-level cleric who temporarily took over the Orphanage classes when Mion skipped lessons. He remembered him fondly for his kind teaching methods.
“Mr. Diego? It’s good to see you. How have you been?”
Diego adjusted his glasses.
“Yes. Lately, I’ve been busy with the festival preparations, but I’m doing well. Are you here to visit Ms. Mion?”
“Yes.”
“Please follow me, I’ll guide you.”
“Thank you.”
Jeong Yusin followed Diego.
“Mr. Scath, how have the classes been going?”
“Great. Thanks to Ms. Mion’s kind teachings, I’ve been learning well.”
“Do you venture into the Labyrinth often?”
Why was he asking that?
“Yes, not too often, but whenever the opportunity arises, I aim to go as much as possible.”
“Hmm.”
Diego and Jeong Yusin continued their conversation as they walked through the temple corridors.
They stopped in front of Mion’s office.
Knock, knock.
Diego rapped on the door.
“Ms. Mion, Mr. Scath has arrived.”
“Come in.”
Creeak.
Before entering the office, Jeong Yusin glanced back at Diego.
“Mr. Diego, thank you.”
“It’s my pleasure to serve.”
Diego smiled in response.
“Alright. Let’s catch up soon.”
Moving inside, Jeong Yusin didn’t realize that Diego was watching him intently until just before the door closed.
Bang.
As Jeong Yusin entered the room, Mion sat on a chair.
It seemed she had just finished teaching because several books were stacked on the table.
“Mr. Scath.”
“Ms. Mion.”
Their eyes met.
“I’m glad to see you’ve recovered nicely.”
Mion approached Jeong Yusin and carefully examined a red hair strand stuck to his chest.
“Um.”
Mion emitted a low noise and removed the red hair that had clung to his chest.
“Mr. Scath?”
“Yes, Ms. Mion.”
“Did you come to check your brand?”
“Yes.”
“Would you like to try the Temple’s ‘tradition’ to increase the chances of obtaining a better brand?”
Such a tradition existed?
He had never heard of this before.
Isn’t the brand typically gained right after exiting the Labyrinth?
He couldn’t wrap his head around it.
If one already had their brand, what was the point of this action?
Was it something like Schrödinger’s cat?
“Such a tradition exists?”
“Yes.”
Mion smiled brightly in response.
‘If Ms. Mion says it exists, then it does.’
Jeong Yusin nodded enthusiastically. He saw no reason to decline. He’d even be inclined to ask for it otherwise.
“Please do.”
Mion sat on her chair and spread her arms.
“Come closer, kneel on one knee, and then, um, rest your face against my belly.”
Jeong Yusin looked at Mion.
‘Is this right?’
Well, it probably was. Mion had no reason to lie.
Jeong Yusin slowly approached Mion, knelt on one knee, and rested his face against her belly.
Heavy, full bosoms pressed not only against the top of his head but also his forehead.
And the smell—sweaty and rich, like a blend of milk and vanilla—tickled his nose.
The sensations and smells coming from all sides.
The entire world had become Mion.
Mion mumbled something softly, perhaps focused.
Instinctively, Jeong Yusin sniffed, causing Mion’s body to shiver.
“Mr., Mr. Scath, stay still while I chant.”
“Zusen Nid.” (Gobbled speech)
Mion began chanting again. Jeong Yusin held his breath and pressed his face into Mion’s soft belly.
“All done.”
Jeong Yusin lifted his head from Mion’s embrace and stood up.
Mion’s expression was serenity.
‘Is it a good brand?’
He had rolled incredibly. If there was a god of dice somewhere in the world, surely he’d been moved by his sincerity and bestowed a gift.
‘Please!!!’
Mion spoke.
“Mr. Scath’s brand is ‘Death Deferred.'”
“…What?”
Jeong Yusin’s expression tensed.
Death Deferred.
Isn’t that similar to a suspended sentence for capital punishment?
“…Would you like an explanation?”
“Please.”
“To put it plainly, it’s a brand that delays death. A characteristic of it is hearing a bell ring in your head when your life force is about to end. The amount of time that can be delayed varies from person to person, making it difficult to predict. But reportedly, the longest delay is about 10 to 15 seconds.”
“I see.”
“…”
Mion and Jeong Yusin fell silent for a brief moment. What could they say? A brand that delayed death was ominous indeed.
Mion was also sparing with her words.
Jeong Yusin shook his head.
‘It’s not bad.’
It was fortunate it wasn’t some bizarre brand—like one that made you aroused at the sight of frogs or one where you’d die if you didn’t walk around naked.
“This is a great brand.”
“…Yes, it is.”
Mion gave a gentle smile but refrained from saying more about the brand.
“Mr. Scath, are you planning to enter the Labyrinth right away?”
“No, I intend to take a break during this Blue Moon Festival.”
“Understood.”
Jeong Yusin sat on a chair, chatted with Mion for a while, then stood up.
“Then, I’ll see you later.”
“Yes, Mr. Scath, take care.”
“Yes.”
After leaving the Dejimoseon Temple, Jeong Yusin began walking down the street. The blazing afternoon sun shone down sharply.
He hadn’t walked far when his back was already drenched with sweat.
“It’s hot, so hot.”
Waving his hands in front of his face as a makeshift fan, he slowly entered the inn.
“I’m back…”
KABOOM!!!
Before Jeong Yusin could finish his sentence, an explosion shattered the peace of the inn.
What happened?
He came to his senses and looked around the inn’s hall.
Five rough-looking men were confronting Karin.
“Shit, what the hell’s wrong with this food? Chef! Did you cook with your feet?!”
“Aargh!!! You call this food?”
KABOOM!!!
A glass dish filled with food slammed against the inn’s floor, shattering.
Not only were the men throwing food, but they also spat, kicked chairs, and caused all sorts of trouble.
‘What’s going on here?’
The men slowly advanced, encircling Karin.
“Fuck, you bitch. Bring the innkeeper over here!”
Karin stared silently at the men, glaring. Was it possible for her to stand against explorers of Medium-rank? Was she simply fearless? Or was she brainless?
“Hmm, now that I look closely, your face isn’t too bad, is it?”
A bearded man grabbed Karin’s chin.
‘Damn.’
Jeong Yusin stepped forward from the inn’s entrance.
“What seems to be the matter?”
The deep voice reverberated through the inn.
Not only the rough men but also the other patrons focused their attention on Jeong Yusin.
The bearded man took his hand off Karin’s chin and approached Jeong Yusin, followed by the rest of the men who encircled him.
Jeong Yusin scanned the men.
They were dressed like mercenaries. Plate armor protecting their vital spots was strapped on. They were well-armed with long swords, spears, and maces. Were they mercenary groups rolling in from somewhere?
“Are you the owner of this inn?”
Jeong Yusin nodded.
“Yes.”
“Judging by your appearance, you seem like someone who’s taken over the inn at a young age. Haven’t you ever run a business? Trying to make money with such tasteless food and idiotic service? You have no conscience?”
“…”
Jeong Yusin remained silent, looking at the bearded man.
“Heh, look at this guy’s gaze? He doesn’t seem to get the severity of the situation. I was planning on taking a casual settlement here, but I see that’s not an option. Hey, go grab that red-haired woman and bring the lady in the kitchen as well.”
Just as the man’s henchmen were about to move, Jeong Yusin spoke.
“How much are you planning to take as a settlement?”
The bearded man smirked.
“Hah! Now that you mention it? Ten gold coins would be sufficient.”
“Will that be all?”
“Yeah, and lend me that red-haired woman for a few days. We’ll be considerate and won’t damage her too much before returning her. Damn, what a perfect figure she has.”
The men with eye patches laughed loudly at their leader’s joke.
Jeong Yusin couldn’t help but burst into a forced laugh.
He wouldn’t admit it, but it was the first time he’d seen someone dare so boldly in front of him—someone often mistaken for a dark-haired Barbaroy. Of course, outside the underworld, nonetheless.
Moreover, demanding ten gold coins as compensation?
Had he been possessed by an evil spirit?
The labyrinth had its fair share of sinister spirits, so it was no stretch to assume such things existed even outside the city.
There was no other logical explanation. These men must have been possessed by wicked spirits within their minds.
Jeong Yusin rubbed the back of his neck, reaching a conclusion.
“Professors,”
The men smirked at him, silently encouraging him to continue.
“From my perspective, I believe you are possessed by evil spirits.”
“…”
The inn suddenly grew quiet. Not only the men but also the other patrons stared wide-eyed at Jeong Yusin.
An utterly unexpected response. They’d anticipated him either paying and getting beaten or initiating vulgar curses followed by a full-blown fight.
Jeong Yusin raised his fist.
“Therefore, right now,”
He paused briefly, scanning everyone in the inn with a smile.
“I’ll perform an exorcism ritual.”
