The old Barbaroy was crying.
Jeong Yusin just stared blankly at the sight.
Since the old Barbaroy’s face was covered by his robe, only Jeong Yusin standing right in front of him could see the tears. However, as the atmosphere changed strangely due to the harsh words spoken a moment ago, a few people in the crowd started glancing over. Some even began to approach.
“Uh… that is…”
Jeong Yusin had no idea what to say. He had merely advised the man politely when he was forced to pay tribute, never expecting him to suddenly burst into tears.
‘Could it be that this old man received a “sensitive empathic” brand or something?’
Upon seeing the old Barbaroy crying his eyes out unfiltered, Jeong Yusin felt a pang of regret for being too forthright.
“That… my words were too harsh. I’m sorry.”
Jeong Yusin apologized sincerely.
Now that he looked, this Barbaroy was different from the others he had seen so far. His eyes weren’t gleaming with lust.
Of course, he hadn’t seen many Barbaroys, so he wasn’t exactly sure.
Still, the old Barbaroy seemed to exude a different vibe compared to the others. There was no mention of unwanted sex, and the atmosphere felt more rational.
Perhaps old age made him wise? Even so, Jeong Yusin couldn’t let his guard down.
“Please wait a moment. I’ll check if there’s anything left.”
“Ugh! Understood.”
Jeong Yusin went inside the inn and came back with one remaining bread. It was food that the inn staff had made for everyone to eat.
“Here it is.”
When Jeong Yusin handed over a slightly larger cream slime bread, the old Barbaroy smiled brightly.
“Thank you. How much do I owe you?”
“It’s on the house. I apologize for speaking harshly earlier.”
“Thank you. Actually, I didn’t have any money on me.”
“…”
Jeong Yusin shook his head and concluded.
Suddenly crying and now saying he doesn’t even have money?
‘This old man seems to have some dementia.’
He secretly wished someone would quickly take this old man away.
“Half-breed, may I ask you a question?”
“What?”
“Please answer honestly.”
“Yes. I’m always honest.”
“Have you ever seen other members of your kind? Let me be more specific. Are there others of pure blood living like you?”
Jeong Yusin’s expression grew grim.
Pure-blooded Barbaroys working hard and feeling the value of labor earnestly?
In his world, there were none among the black-haired ones he’d encountered.
In his original world, there used to be many, but their lives were overly labor-intensive and exhausting.
Working hours ranked fifth in the world? It was apt to describe life as being consumed by work.
Jeong Yusin spoke calmly.
“To answer your first question, I’ve met about two people. I haven’t been here long enough to know much, but I haven’t seen anyone living like me.”
The old Barbaroy’s expression hardened.
“Is that so. I heard our people are staying in the pleasure district. Is that true?”
“Yes. I haven’t been there myself, but I have heard. There must be a pleasure district somewhere in the Eastern Sector.”
“Understood. I have one more question, then. What is your father’s name?”
“…”
Jeong Yusin was silent.
What a strange old man.
Why would he want to know someone else’s father’s name? The mad Barbaroy he met at the Explorer’s Guild before had been similar.
“I can’t tell you that.”
“I see. I apologize for asking a sensitive question.”
Jeong Yusin tilted his head in confusion. It wasn’t exactly a sensitive issue. It was just that he felt awkward talking about his true origins to people from this world.
“Yes… whatever.”
Jeong Yusin evaded the question broadly.
Reflecting on the conversation with this calm old Barbaroy led to a single question.
Why did he strictly separate between pure-blooded and half-blooded Barbaroys?
It was evident.
There was a massive difference between the barbarians of this world and himself, like the difference between sky and earth.
You could tell instantly upon meeting them.
To put it roughly, the difference was like between a muscular bald tattooed black man and a black man dressed like a judge with horn-rimmed glasses, exuding intelligence.
The old Barbaroy patted Jeong Yusin on the shoulder.
“You must have worked hard. As a half-blood, you must have experienced discrimination from other tribes.”
Taken aback by the unexpected comment, Jeong Yusin tilted his head.
“What do you mean? I’ve never experienced that.”
“Is that so? Well, there are good people too.”
He hadn’t met many Barbaroys anyway. The only one he had exchanged words with recently was that one, who made crazy suggestions, but Jeong Yusin just shrugged it off as typical Barbaroy behavior.
If anything, it was the people living in the Labyrinth who discriminated against him.
And from the beginning, he was treated like a Barbaroy, even being called a half-blood sometimes, though not excessively.
‘Can’t really understand any of it.’
Jeong Yusin furrowed his brows, stopped, and then paused again.
No.
Actually, he wasn’t particularly curious. Since he lived a decent life as it was, there was no need to delve deeper into this issue.
“Well, I’ll be going now. Do well in your business. Oh! Here, take this.”
The old Barbaroy pulled something out from within his robe and pressed it into Jeong Yusin’s hand.
“What’s this?”
A ring out of nowhere?
“It’s a present.”
Why would he give a gift out of nowhere? Jeong Yusin grew suspicious. Could it be something like a vigor talisman?
“I can’t accept this.”
“Please, take it. I’m giving it out of gratitude.”
“If so, I’ll make sure to sell it well and use the proceeds to benefit the shop.”
The old Barbaroy grinned.
“You’ll regret selling it.”
“Only the old man has to regret it. They say it’s a bad omen if someone cries and then laughs, and you’ll end up with hair on your butt.”
“···Makes me even curious about your father’s identity. Let’s meet again sometime.”
With an expression of bewilderment, the old Barbaroy muttered one last sentence and walked away.
Jeong Yusin watched the old man’s retreating back for a moment and then folded up his stall. The day’s selling was done. There was nothing more to do.
The loud, bustling night that illuminated the city didn’t calm down until dawn. The crowded hall of the inn cleared out, leaving just Jeong Yusin and Karin.
Sitting at the counter sharing a glass of wine, Karin suddenly spoke up.
“Let’s explore the city a little tomorrow?”
“Out of the blue?”
“What do you mean ‘out of the blue’? Are you going to work the entire festival?”
That would be a bit harsh. Passing up the festival to work like everyone else wouldn’t be ideal.
“Alright. Is there anywhere special you’d like to visit?”
“Hmm… Hmm…”
Karin’s face turned slightly red.
“Let’s just look around the southern and central districts. I heard there’s a lot to see.”
“Okay. Should I adjust my schedule then?”
“I’ve already done it. Delnaco is coming with his friends to help out.”
Karin…
So meticulous!
Jeong Yusin chuckled softly.
“What’s the matter? Why so meticulously planned? Are you going to eat me or something?”
Karin’s face turned bright red in an instant.
“Wh-What?! Absolutely not!”
Karin’s red tail spun like a fan.
“Why are you so flustered?”
At Jeong Yusin’s question, Karin drained her cup of wine and stood up.
“It’s because you’re saying weird things. Anyway, our plan’s confirmed, right? See you tomorrow.”
“Got it.”
Jeong Yusin watched Karin walk away, then turned his head to look at his wine glass.
Karin’s strange behavior was confusing. But he brushed it off.
Unaware of Royneel’s feelings,
Unaware of the Barbaroys’ intentions who demand holes,
Human emotions are as complicated as a labyrinth, aren’t they?
“Ah, that’s right.”
Jeong Yusin drained his wine glass and stood up.
Understanding Karin’s feelings little by little wouldn’t be bad. Given their frequent interactions and mutual trust, it was safe to assume he could rely on her.
“Would she really do something sinister?”
*
Bang, bang!
The next day, someone knocked on his door early in the morning.
“Who is it?”
Jeong Yusin wiped his sleepy eyes and lifted his head.
Creak!
Karin burst in wearing hot pants and a white tank top.
“Aren’t we going on a date today? Why sleep so late?!”
Since when did it turn into a “date”?
“Give me a moment. Let me change.”
Jeong Yusin sent Karin out and switched into more comfortable attire.
As he descended the stairs, Ann greeted him with a smile.
“Mr. Scath, have a great date.”
“Ah, thanks. Take care of the shop. I’ll be back early.”
“No, it’s fine if you come back late.”
“Huh?”
Jeong Yusin scratched his head. Had Karin and Ann exchanged meaningful glances? Was he imagining things?
Karin wrapped herself around Jeong Yusin’s arm like a snake.
“Ann, I’ll be back later.”
“Yes, Ms. Karin, good luck!”
Jeong Yusin was pulled through the streets of the southern district by Karin’s hand. The roads were teeming with people.
There were plays in the park and musicians in every alley, along with magicians performing dazzling tricks.
“For sale! Cheap! Fried chicken on a stick, 20 bronze coins!”
“Numec fish sandwiches for sale!!! Buy now and get one free!!!”
Street vendors lined the roads, hawking all sorts of food.
Jeong Yusin and Karin wandered through the city, losing track of time.
How much time had passed?
Before they knew it, the sunset filled the city.
Jeong Yusin looked up. The sun was slowly setting. Even though it was summer and the days were long, they had spent a lot of time without realizing.
The moments spent with Karin were among the most peaceful and enjoyable of the recent months.
Most importantly,
Karin turned out to love feminine things he hadn’t known about.
Cute stuffed animals, jewelry, and sweet desserts.
Especially,
“How’s this?”
When Karin wore silver earrings and her eyes lit up, his heart skipped a beat.
She acted tough while serving guests at the inn but was shyly hesitant at such moments.
“Pretty.”
“Hehe.”
Even these happy-go-lucky smiles.
As he thought about it, how did their fates become so intertwined?
Their first impression hadn’t been great. Karin probably felt the same. He still remembered vividly being thrown down into blood-soaked mud by the slave hunters.
Even when entering the Labyrinth City with Simit, his head was shoved down first.
Thinking back, so many things had happened.
“Why are you spacing out?”
As Karin smiled and questioned, Jeong Yusin snapped out of his thoughts.
“Thank you. This has been the most peaceful day I’ve had in the Labyrinth City.”
“Really? Then… shall we take walks together sometimes?”
“Sure.”
As they walked shoulder to shoulder back to the southern park, night had already fallen.
The stars and a blue moon hung above Jeong Yusin and Karin.
A young girl pointed at the sky.
“Dad! Look over there!”
The man, presumably her father, also looked up.
“The spirit gods have appeared.”
Several-colored lights were slowly flying in the city’s airspace.
They reminded Jeong Yusin of jellyfish swimming underwater or fireflies dancing through the reeds.
Red, gold, green, blue.
The dazzling lights illuminated the city’s sky. The light was incomparable to the city’s own, holding divine sanctity.
‘This is truly another world, isn’t it?’
The people closed their eyes and prayed silently.
Jeong Yusin closed his eyes too.
And made a wish.
For the peace and happiness of those around him.
As well as for a safe return to his original world.
At that moment,
The ground trembled. It wasn’t too strong, but Jeong Yusin and Karin both felt it.
“Koo-oong!!!”
A huge explosion followed, and a red inferno shot high into the sky in the distance, though it was too far to see clearly.
People who had been gazing at the floating spirits turned their heads to look toward the direction of the flames.
“That’s in the east.”
Jeong Yusin thought to himself.
“That’s definitely the pleasure district…”
A middle-aged man who liked to have fun muttered.
Jeong Yusin frowned.
If the Barbaroys were living there…
‘What on earth is happening?’
Curiosity arose but was promptly subdued. Being troubled by this nuisance wasn’t worthwhile.
He wanted to preserve the comfortable time he was enjoying.
At that moment,
“Kyaaaah!!! Monsters… monsters have appeared!!!”
A blood-curdling scream filled the park.
Jeong Yusin’s and Karin’s eyes widened in shock.
“What…?!”
