Evening at the inn.
Jeong Yusin and the others gathered around.
Tarman opened his mouth with a resolved expression.
“Even while sparing sleep, I’ve worked hard to prepare. Now, with the official opening just ahead of us today, the sound of the wind and the bleak rain taps against the windows. Many merchants have mocked us, but whether they are the failures or if we are will be told by the results.”
Jeong Yusin wore an awkward expression.
‘Why is this guy suddenly acting like this?’
“Tarman, as far as I remember, merchants never mocked us. I’ve never heard anyone call us failures either. It’s not raining either, it’s summer. Isn’t this getting too sentimental?”
“…”
As people stared silently at Tarman, he became flustered and scratched his buzz cut.
“It means that we’ve prepared thoroughly.”
“That’s true.”
Over the last few days, they decorated the inn and prepared food. They made bread and filled it with cream. Each step involved failures and reflections. Honestly, the effort put in was beyond description—it was bone-crushing.
“So, Tarman, you’re bringing Mari today, right? What about Ddin?”
“Ddin will arrive a few days later.”
Jeong Yusin stood up and clapped his hands.
“Alright. Let’s wrap up work here and take a break.”
The next day.
The Labyrinth City was suffering from an unprecedented crowd.
The alleys and streets were packed with tourists. And as a result, the eyes of the guards were growing more tired by the day.
There was one reason why so many people had gathered.
It was because of the blessing from the elemental spirits.
On festival days, it was famously known that elemental spirits flew through the night sky and blessed people they favored.
There were tales of them granting longevity to some, wealth and power to others. There were even whispers of love matches being formed, though this was unconfirmed.
Despite the near-impossible odds of only a few individuals receiving the blessings, people still flocked in droves, just in case.
The festival would last about five days and during that time, the blessed ones might gradually appear.
Thinking it had nothing to do with him, Jeong Yusin considered the more important matter at hand—cream slime bread.
Since it was the first day, he wanted to start things off well.
Jeong Yusin set up a wooden stall in front of the inn and neatly stacked homemade cream slime bread.
“Doesn’t it look like a slime? Look at these eyes and mouth. Isn’t it adorable?”
“Indeed. Its shape is unique. But how does it taste…?”
Some people were intrigued by the unusual shape of the bread and tentatively bought one to try.
And then…
“Wow!!! Is this bread even real?!”
“Just look at this insane cream!”
“Sir!!! Bring me more of this!!!”
“Heavenly flavor!”
The people who tried it erupted in excitement, drawing immediate attention from others.
“Buying now!!! Cheap!!! Just 30 silver coins per loaf of bread!”
Jeong Yusin seized the moment and shouted.
“Aren’t you selling this bread too expensive?”
As someone voiced dissatisfaction, another pushed through.
“Stop whining about the price and step aside! I’ll buy them all!”
“Oh… I didn’t mean it that way…”
Before long, the dissatisfied man was pushed out by the crowd, leaving only excited customers with shining eyes.
“Give me everything you have!”
“Each person is limited to five pieces.”
“Wh… What?!”
Sighs from disappointed people could be heard.
Some people were eating the bread frantically as soon as they were handed it.
Then there were others quietly tucking it away into their belongings.
‘Rubbing their cheeks against the bread? That’s a bit much, isn’t it?’
While selling the bread enthusiastically, Jeong Yusin observed the customers’ expressions. Most of them wore satisfied looks, and somehow, it made him feel proud.
The bread was sold out almost instantly.
There was no need to worry about advertising; the taste itself created a buzz. People talked, and as they talked, more people gathered.
An overwhelming positive feedback loop.
“Whooh! I feel like dancing!”
“Ch-ch-chip…”
Luna and Lin carried the bread with drooping faces. Lin had difficulty holding the bread due to her body structure, so she had fixed a small basket to her back.
Jeong Yusin gave a wry smile while patting Luna and Lin’s heads.
“There’ll be another chance later tonight. Let’s wait until then.”
“Alright, got it.”
Though they worked hard to restock the stalls, sales moved even faster.
In less than ten minutes, all the cream slime bread was sold out.
Jeong Yusin beamed with a wide grin.
“Dear customers, thank you very much! Due to your incredible support, all the cream slime bread has been sold out!”
“Hey!!! Are you serious about ending here?!”
“Owner, go bake some more bread!”
“I haven’t even had a bite yet!”
‘Go clean the cream off your mouth before speaking.’
Jeong Yusin scratched his head.
“There will be more bread in the evening, so it would be better to wait until then!”
“I’ll hold you to it!”
“If I don’t see the bread later tonight, I’ll burn your inn down!”
“Servant! Let’s wait here till evening! One loaf won’t satisfy me!”
“A… Miss!”
Leaving behind disheartened customers, Jeong Yusin returned inside the inn.
Inside the inn was bustling too. From morning to night, people gathered to drink and eat.
There were groups who had been quietly strumming lutes and singing songs in the corners, as well as those clinking glasses together and laughing out loud.
A sight usually seen only at night could now be witnessed even during the day.
‘Hehehe. The money is rolling in.’
Jeong Yusin’s smile deepened.
Although they had slightly raised prices over other restaurants for the festival, the customers didn’t seem to mind and kept pouring in.
The key was in using ingredients generously without worrying about profits, which ensured their delicious taste, leading to their popularity.
Though it was their first time managing such a festive setting, it was surprisingly smooth.
As he entered the kitchen, Tarman, Ann, and Karin were working hard.
“Alright, let’s work hard, folks! Money is coming in! Money!”
“Scath! You need to help out too!”
Karin, sweating profusely, shouted out while cooking.
“Got it. Tarman, go out and keep an eye on the store with Delnaco. I’ll help in the kitchen.”
“Yes sir.”
Tarman tied on his apron and rushed out.
“Money is coming in! Money is coming. I can’t believe my time to shine is finally here…”
Jeong Yusin began humming a tune and quickly got to work.
Meanwhile, the entrance to the labyrinth was strangely quiet amidst the festival’s vibrant atmosphere.
Ingrid Redtail was sitting in the summer breeze.
The very spot where Scath had sat before. She had a perfect view straight into the labyrinth’s face.
‘That hybrid Barbaroy, I wonder what he’s up to these days?’
Lost in her thoughts, Ingrid suddenly stood up.
HUUUUUANG!
A flash of light appeared at the labyrinth’s entrance.
Then, a group of men with black hair emerged. Their twisted armors bore the marks of long use. The swords and axes they carried glinted with wear.
Grim faces and long beards adorned them.
And among them stood an elderly Barbaroy with hair nearly all white.
Ingrid’s eyes widened as big as lanterns.
“Could it be… Lord Skah Helblade?!!!”
The elderly Barbaroy gave a faint smile.
“Is it 40 years now? You sure have grown even younger since the last we met, Yurine Redtail.”
“That’s my mother’s name.”
The elderly Barbaroy known as Skah looked at Ingrid in surprise before bursting into laughter.
“Haha! Generations have changed already? It has been an awfully long time.”
“…It’s been a very long time indeed.”
The elderly Barbaroy tilted his head back and stared at the dark sky for a long moment. The others followed suit and gazed at the stars around him.
After quite a while…
The elderly Barbaroy lowered his head and looked at Ingrid.
“May I inquire about something?”
“Yes, Lord Skah. Ask me anything.”
“How is it that not a single one of our race has reached the labyrinth’s depths in 30 years?”
Skah’s question left Ingrid with a troubled expression.
“It’s…”
“What happened?”
Skah scratched his beard with curiosity.
Ingrid explained their current situation regarding the Barbaroy clans.
It took quite some time for her explanation to finish.
“…Currently, they are in the Eastern Sector. I’ve shown ‘consideration’ as much as possible under the ‘Oath,’ but it has become difficult. In recent years, their unruly behavior has gotten out of hand.”
Skah’s face suddenly turned grim.
“I see. I’m sorry to hear that. You must’ve endured so much, Yurine.”
Ingrid could not say a word as Skah kept referring to her by her mother’s name, looking at her.
It was evident that he was furious; an immense energy radiated from his body.
The air trembled.
‘Is this the strength of the former Labyrinth Committee?’
Even Ingrid, who had faced countless trials, trembled with tension, her fingertips quivering.
Skah relaxed his expression.
“What is the name of the one leading the Barbaroy now?”
“Kaizel.”
“While I trust your words, not all of our race behave this way. I must investigate this firsthand. I will look into it secretly, so there’s no need for you to accompany me.”
“Are you going right away? You can rest a bit first. It’s the Bluemoon Festival today, so you should…”
Skah waved his hand to cut off Ingrid’s suggestion.
“I don’t have much more time. Prepare a robe.”
“Understood. Could you give me a moment?”
“It can’t be too long.”
“Yes sir.”
Ingrid summoned her subordinates.
“Quietly inform the Labyrinth Committee, the inner city Knights commander, and the outer city guard captain. Make sure they keep their mouths shut.”
“Understood. What should the message be?”
“Tell them that the true Barbaroy has returned.”
*
“S, Scath! People are making a commotion outside!”
Tarman rushed in breathlessly.
“What is it?”
Jeong Yusin, drenched in sweat from working in the kitchen, asked.
“It… They say there’s no more bread!”
“Tell them we are prepared and that it’ll come out soon.”
“Yes sir!”
Once outside, Jeong Yusin was met with a sea of people.
“Owner! Bring the bread out!”
“We’ve been waiting too long!”
“I’ll pay any amount, just sell all of it!”
‘Is this really how people become rich? Maybe I should open a bakery back home?’
With foolish ideas popping into his mind, he opened the stall.
“Come on! Cream slime bread! Only 30 silver coins! Form a line! Fresh milk is also available!”
“Waahh!!!”
People cheered, pushing forward. Coins were flying everywhere, arguments broke out, and some even grabbed each other by the collar.
Jeong Yusin, beaming with joy, busily handed out bread.
‘Let me see some profits.’
An hour later.
The bread that had been piled high on the stall was entirely sold out.
“Oh!!! Is this how it should taste?!”
“Owner, sell me the recipe!”
“Crazy… all the bread I’ve eaten until now was fake…”
“After eating ten, my stomach won’t take any more! Stomach! Hurry up and make room for more cream bread!”
The people gathered at the inn’s stall all had cream smeared around their mouths, and with happy smiles, they patted their bellies.
‘Is that how it was?’
Jeong Yusin scratched his head. He felt like people were overreacting.
“Well, business is done for today. See you tomorrow!”
Regardless, selling so much made him feel good.
He thought of helping others prepare ingredients for tomorrow’s sales since there was still some time left.
Just then.
Someone approached the stall.
Standing over 2 meters tall.
Despite the robe trying to cover his massive muscular frame, it was evident he was a formidable figure.
It was as if the sensation of coldness could have a smell.
An indescribable scent triggered his body’s warning signals.
Jeong Yusin immediately recognized the identity of this man.
‘Barbaroy!’
“Excuse me, do you have any bread left?”
A coarse voice descended from above.
“…”
Jeong Yusin fell silent for a moment and peered carefully beneath the robes.
The elderly Barbaroy had more white than black in his hair.
Though briefly surprised, he soon calmed his mind.
‘He’s definitely him.’
“No! Criminal scum like you doesn’t deserve any bread.”
Jeong Yusin growled at the elderly Barbaroy.
“…Criminal scum? What nonsense is this?”
The elderly Barbaroy momentarily fell silent before asking back.
Jeong Yusin’s face twisted into something demonic.
This guy…
Every bit of happiness from the profitable day vanished into despair.
Not only had they committed crimes, but these guys were blind to their own misdeeds. It was impossible to stand by idly anymore.
“Don’t you remember demanding protection money from me? You seem to have lost your wits in old age. Off to the red-light district with you! Cack! How foolish, coming here panting to demand protection money even in your old age! Get your act together, you bastard!!!”
“…”
Skah Helblade.
A veteran warrior who fought against the abyss in the labyrinth for 30 years.
Not once in all his battles with comrades on death-defying missions did he ever hear such harsh words.
‘Damn. I’ve committed a great sin.’
How much hardship must this young hybrid have endured under Kaizel for him to lash out like this?
A sense of shame washed over him.
A tear streamed down his weathered cheek.
Jeong Yusin noticed it.
“Wh…?!”
Could it be… the Barbaroy is crying?
‘Did I go too far with my words…?’
