“Ugh! I’m so thirsty I could die.”
Jung Yu-sin spat out some fuzz from his parched mouth and rose.
Looking out the window, it was dawn.
He was utterly exhausted, yet there was a sword class scheduled for the next day.
He felt proud of himself for his reckless diligence.
A delicious aroma wafted up from the first floor.
Clad only in a simple shirt and pants, he descended and took a seat.
“Darmong! Can I have some water, please?”
“Are you awake?”
“Yes. I think I drank a bit too much last night, and it feels like I have heartburn.”
“Last night, you say?”
“Yes?”
“Scath, you lay here like a corpse for a day and a half.”
Now that he thought about it, his body still felt incredibly stiff and sore.
Embarrassed, he scratched his head.
Darmong brought out a meal along with some water.
“Take your time eating.”
“Thank you for the meal.”
The breakfast menu featured dark rye bread, sweet pumpkin porridge, and well-roasted sausages.
“Darmong, I have a question.”
“What is it?”
“Why does this inn have so few guests?”
Darmong paused for a moment.
“It’s the off-season.”
“Suddenly?”
“It’s not sudden. Moulting season is almost over.”
When did bears moult?
He wasn’t sure. Was it spring?
“If that’s true, will people start coming soon?”
“A moderate amount. Enough to get by.”
“It might also be due to me discouraging people from coming.”
“Why?”
“Because I am a Barbaroy.”
Darmong blinked. “Oh yeah, you’re a Barbaroy, aren’t you.”
A Barbaroy — someone who disrupts the virtues and discipline of urban life, a lawless outlaw. When they walk the streets, husbands of married women watch them warily, and virtuous maidens cover their faces.
There was one tale of a husband who lost his wife to a Barbaroy and sought revenge. But the Barbaroy turned him into another mate due to their insatiable lust.
‘Honestly, that sounds like an exaggerated rumor.’
But with no certainty about the truth of these rumors as he’d never encountered a genuine Barbaroy.
Darmong sighed deeply with his arms crossed.
“Let me think.”
“I also have another question.”
“What is it?”
“What is an elemental priest?”
“They are part of the highest ranks of the Spirit Church. There are only a few of them.”
The old man from the shelter flashed in Jung Yu-sin’s mind. He remembered his rude tone and behavior. Cold sweat broke out across his back.
“Does the elemental priest hold a lot of power?”
“In the Eastern Union, he could even break the neck of a newcomer Barbaroy without anyone saying a word. Why do you ask?”
Crap.
Should’ve been more polite.
Jung Yu-sin recounted his encounter with the old man at the shelter.
After a brief explanation, Darmong scratched his chin in thought.
“Still, since you’re alive, it’s probably fine. Was the old man an old human male with white hair?”
“Yes.”
“It was probably Mr. Luke. When you see him again, apologize for your rudeness. He’s the kind of person to forgive easily.”
Luke Wiseman. The head of the clergymen who worshipped the Spirit of Wind, and a member of the highest council of Labyrinth City.
Upon hearing this additional information, Jung Yu-sin felt dizzy.
‘Why would someone like that be at the shelter?’
He resolved not to ever visit the temples worshipping the Spirit of Wind.
“So, what’s your plan now?”
At Darmong’s question, Jung Yu-sin stroked his chin.
“I want to learn more.”
“Be more specific.”
“Should I say how to handle weapons? I want to toughen my body. I feel like just having insight isn’t enough. Oh! And…”
Jung Yu-sin paused mid-sentence, lost in deep thought.
There are many areas to improve upon. Areas of regret. Reflecting on what he could have done better. Kael’s group had already wrapped up. Taking out all resentment and pain, reflecting on himself, there were places to get better. He organized his thoughts in his head.
Then, Jung Yu-sin began speaking again.
“How does one learn combat skills?”
“There’s an officially recognized swordsmanship guild in Labyrinth City. It costs 30 silver coins a month.”
“Hahaha…”
‘I only have 5 silver coins at the moment.’
“So, if I want to learn something like reading or general knowledge, where do I go?”
“You’re talking about the Labyrinth City Academy, right? It costs 10 gold coins per year.”
100 silver coins equal 1 gold coin.
To study at the Academy for one year would burn a colossal 1000 silver coins, tuition only.
“So, where can I go if I just want to learn to read?”
“There’s an orphanage run by the Dejimoseon temple.”
“Do they teach reading there? Are there no other places?”
“Do you have money to spare?”
“…”
Oh. That’s right.
Darmong’s reference to temples reminded him of something else.
“Did you ever mention the mark I received?”
“No.”
“Hohoho.”
Jung Yu-sin chuckled meaningfully.
“I’ll show it to you. Here!”
“You don’t have to show it, you know.”
Darmong muttered casually.
“Here!”
Jung Yu-sin lifted his arm. Warm golden particles of magic essence gathered in his palm.
After a moment,
A golden dagger formed above his palm.
“Whoa.”
POOF!
The dagger he had conjured with all his might disappeared immediately afterward.
“Geh…”
Collapsing with exhaustion, Jung Yu-sin face-planted into the plate.
“A Sacred Weapon. A mix of physical force and light attributes, it’s a basic spell for priests. Pretty ordinary.”
Darmong patted Jung Yu-sin on the shoulder, a rare gesture of comfort for his personality, but it made Jung feel worse.
“Um… try to stay strong. Good days will come as you live.”
“Is my mark this bad?”
“It’s not necessarily bad, just ordinary. Since any priest can use it. And be thankful you didn’t get a cursed mark.”
“Do you remember any cursed marks?”
“Let me see.”
Darmong paused for a while, rubbing his chin and staring off into space. Then, he started giggling.
“One of my friends got one once.”
“What kind?”
“When he was in front of a woman, he couldn’t get an erection, but in front of a man, he would.”
“…”
“There’s also a mark that makes you want to buy sweets for children. Be careful.”
Dangerous.
“What happens if you get one of these cursed marks?”
“You can get rid of it. You have to pay though. The more times you remove it, the more expensive it gets.”
“Hoho…”
So, it wasn’t Labyrinth but “Luck-Less” Labyrinth all along.
The legend of collecting all the bad luck and sealing it seems to be true.
“The Sacred Weapon mark is ordinary. But being ordinary isn’t bad.”
At least Darmong didn’t say that it’s a mark that would lead to an instant death.
Mi-on’s face popped into his mind, awkwardly smiling and telling him it’s a good mark.
‘Was that a white lie?’
Slightly swaying, Jung Yu-sin got up from his seat.
“I’ll visit the blacksmith for a bit.”
“Alright. Stay strong.”
“Yes sir.”
He returned to his room, attached a longsword to his waist, and left the inn. It was morning, so the streets were bustling with people moving briskly.
Walking quickly, he arrived at the blacksmith’s.
“Boron, I’m here.”
The sound of hammering stopped, and a dwarf appeared with a frowning face.
“I told you not to come.”
“Can you shorten this longsword for me?”
“I told you not to come.”
“The longsword is too long to wield with one hand. Specifically, when I get close enough to reach the shield, my swings get wider and the weapon doesn’t connect well with the goblins.”
Boron grabbed a handful of his hair.
“Listen to me! I told you not to come. I’m busy now! Insane human brat!”
“Please shorten it.”
“Didn’t you hear me..”
“Shorten it.”
“GROARRRRRGGGGGHH!!”
“Short…”
“It’s right here! Take it and leave! I’m busy!”
Boron rushed over and threw a sword and its scabbard at him.
An Aming Sword, a one-handed straight double-edged sword used by knights, also known as a knightly sword.
‘I don’t know if it’s called that here though.’
“This is the longsword.”
“Just take it and go! Don’t come back.”
‘The money’s frozen.’
The longsword was strapped to his back, while the Aming Sword was sheathed at his side.
“Thank you. I’ll come back.”
“Hey.”
Boron glared at him sternly.
At that moment, dwarves across from the blacksmith’s shop were already laughing loudly.
“Kuk kuk kuk. Nice one, Boron!”
“Yeah, you ate up all the orders alone, but fell for this troublemaker. It’s karma!”
Boron’s face turned bright red.
Jung Yu-sin felt slightly wronged. He turned back to protest.
“Am I really a troublemaker?”
A dwarf behind him frowned.
“You’re the troublemaker.”
“What makes me a troublemaker?”
“Isn’t it obvious? Instead of going to a proper shop you came here and asked the blacksmith to sharpen it for you. That makes you a troublemaker.”
If he thought about it, it was true.
But it feels unfair.
‘In my fantasy world, you buy directly from the blacksmith!’
“I came here for the first time through a friend. I haven’t been in this city for long. I already apologized for my mistakes.”
For a moment, silence fell over those around.
The dwarves, embarrassed, stroked their beards.
“Hmm. You’re a complete rookie explorer.”
“If a friend referred you… hmm.”
“Boron, you pig. Cough up more work.”
Boron slumped down, deflated.
“I didn’t mean it seriously when I said not to come. But seriously, I’m so busy. I can barely sleep, having beaten metal for a week straight. Please understand.”
“I get it. I’ll bring you a nice bottle of alcohol next time.”
“Make sure it’s a strong one.”
“Yes sir.”
The dwarves muttered behind him, looking a bit baffled.
“Is it really ending so harmoniously? This isn’t right, is it?”
“Boron, you pig, hogging all the orders for yourself.”
Boron burst out yelling.
“Alright! I’ll share the orders with you guys. You really are the worst!”
“Already should’ve said that. Let’s share the fun! Are we outsiders?”
Jung Yu-sin bowed deeply to Boron.
“I’ll see you next time.”
“Alright.”
The dwarves waved him off.
“Safe travels, you troublemaker Barbaroy!”
Jung Yu-sin frowned deeply and turned around.
‘Dwarf who called me a troublemaker. I’ve noted your face.’
Next, he briskly walked towards the Dejimoseon temple.
The place where the tight-fitting priest’s robes accentuated Mi-on’s body.
“Have you heard that they teach writing here?”
At Jung Yu-sin’s question, a human female priest dressed in tidy robes responded.
“Do you have a child to enroll?”
“No.”
Jung Yu-sin replied.
The priest looked puzzled.
“Are you here to teach reading and writing? We welcome volunteers any time.”
“No.”
The priest became even more confused.
“Are you here to adopt a child who can read and write?”
“No.”
A brief silence.
The priest’s face turned stark white.
“Surely not ‘nun hunting’?”
“No, I’ve come to learn how to read and write.”
“While simultaneously hunting for ‘mates’?”
Did this woman just say ‘mate hunting’?
“No, I’ve truly come only to learn. Even Barbaroys are human beings. Please don’t be misled by rumors.”
“Well… if that is the case. One silver coin per month for adults. The lessons start in the morning. We provide the books, and lunch is the only meal we can offer.”
Jung Yu-sin immediately pulled out a silver coin from his pouch and paid.
“To be sure, let me tell you. If any improper incident occurs during class, the student will be expelled immediately.”
“I understand. Don’t worry. I’m not the raping sort of Barbaroy. I’m a kind one.”
The nun’s face lost all color. His joke didn’t seem to land.
Jung Yu-sin stumbled over his words trying to repair the situation.
“Um… I’m very considerate of women’s rights. That’s me. If you get to know me. Yes.”
“Oh. Alright then.”
The cold and awkward atmosphere concluded their meeting.
Watching a nun hurriedly rush off in the distance, he felt a bitter aftertaste.
‘How disappointing that I’m being misjudged as a ‘mate hunter’ in this fantasy world.’
Suppressing his anger, Jung Yu-sin trudged back to the inn.
