“Wow.”
Green skin, child-like stature, and a grotesque face.
It was a goblin.
The goblin lay in pieces on the road, dead. There appeared to be about a dozen of them, but none were alive. Judging from the scene, it was correct to assume that Karin’s group had killed them.
I walked straight past the gruesome sight on the road. After walking for about ten more minutes, the narrow trail finally ended.
Emerging from the forest, an expansive plain stretched out before me.
Perhaps due to the relatively high hill, the horizon was visible in full view. A gentle breeze brushed past Jeong Yusin’s head and continued onward. Looking down, I could see people walking along the road in groups.
If I follow that road, there’s bound to be a village or two along the way.
Not bad.
Jeong Yusin approached the road. There were people who looked like merchants, others armed with various weapons, and wandering Gypsy bands carrying different kinds of musical instruments.
The variety of races and appearances was astounding.
With so many alien sights, it was hard to gather my wits.
Standing on the side of the road, I blankly watched the people pass by.
A cat-type beastkin walking by muttered out of nowhere.
“Hey, have you been drinking? Pull yourself together. Tch, young guy.”
The human walking beside the beastkin chuckled.
“Wow. How did you know that fellow was young or old?”
The cat beastkin growled.
“If a guy has no beard or wrinkles, he’s young. Don’t underestimate him.”
“Well, how do I look?”
“Last night you looked younger; today, a bit older. Shave that beard.”
The two exchanged meaningless banter and walked past Jeong Yusin.
Jeong Yusin smiled faintly and stepped onto the road.
That evening, Jeong Yusin arrived at a village.
Though small in size, it was close to the major road, so even from the entrance, quite a few people could be seen bustling around. Among them, a significant number were soldiers dressed in standard military attire.
A soldier guarding the village gate smiled and said,
“Welcome to Arrentsville, the Roadside Village.”
“Hello.”
“Is this your first time here?”
“Yes.”
“The toll is five copper coins. The inn is fully booked, so you’ll have to either sleep outside or rely on the locals for shelter. You can still eat at the inn, though.”
“I see. Thank you.”
Jeong Yusin took out the copper coins from his pouch, paid, and entered the village.
The inn was right next to the central plaza. The sounds of musical instruments, songs, and lively chatter made it immediately obvious.
Upon entering, a rush of warm air enveloped his face. The sight of people of all kinds loudly conversing made him momentarily dizzy.
“Hey, young man with the black hair!”
A woman in her 30s, carrying food, called out.
“Yes?”
“Are you alone?”
“Yes.”
“Sit anywhere. I’ll add one more meal.”
Since all seats were filled, sharing a table was unavoidable. Jeong Yusin sat at the nearest spot, where two small-statured men who seemed to be dwarves and a rabbit-type beastkin had already taken their seats.
They didn’t pay him any mind as they ate, drank, and conversed about something serious, though what they were saying was difficult to understand.
I need to gather some information. Jeong Yusin sighed inwardly.
And then quickly abandoned the idea.
Instead, he turned his head to watch the musicians playing in the corner.
Clang!
“Here you go! Your meal is ready.”
The same woman in her 30s placed the food down on the table.
There was white flour bread, a soup made of tomatoes and potatoes, a chunk of sizzling meat, and a wooden cup filled with yellow liquor.
“How much is it?”
“Is this your first time here?”
“Yes.”
“Ten copper coins.”
Jeong Yusin took out the copper coins from his pouch and politely handed them over.
“What a polite young man.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re adorable. Enjoy your meal.”
“Alright.”
There’s no harm in being polite anyway.
Just the day before, he almost lost his head to a slave hunter because he’d underestimated this world. When you know nothing, it’s best to be humble.
As he began eating the steaming soup, the tension finally eased, and the hunger became apparent. After consuming a scrap of jerky for breakfast and walking for hours, it was only natural to be starving.
He carefully tore a piece of bread and popped it into his mouth. The rich aroma of wheat filled his senses. Biting into the chunk of meat, savory juices immediately oozed out.
“Wow, this is so delicious.”
The meat juices complemented the coarse bread, enhancing its nuttiness, while the tomato soup neutralized the greasiness of the meat with its tang, further stimulating his appetite. Bread then followed, covering the tang of the soup with a comforting wheat aroma.
It was truly a triple harmony.
Moved and grateful, he quickly finished his meal.
Feeling full, he took a sip from the wooden cup filled with liquor. The unique stickiness of honey and a refreshing fruit aroma swirled in his mouth before sliding down his throat.
Judging from the strong fruity scent, it wasn’t just ordinary honey liquor. Could it be a special recipe from the brewery?
But any further contemplation faded.
“Hmm…”
He was genuinely satisfied.
“You really do eat well, don’t you?”
The bearded dwarf sitting in front of Jeong Yusin chuckled.
“Yes, it was truly delicious.”
“The food here in Arrentsville is decent.”
The other dwarf seated beside added, while the rabbit beastkin nodded in agreement.
“Is this your first time in Arrentsville?”
“Yes.”
“Looking at you, you seem to be traveling alone. Are you a pilgrim?”
A pilgrim?
“What’s a pilgrim?”
At Jeong Yusin’s question, all three of them widened their eyes in surprise.
“Are you from the northern Barbaroy tribe?”
Jeong Yusin furrowed his brows.
The dwarf waved his hands defensively.
“Calm down. It wasn’t my intention to belittle you. People from the north aren’t well-versed in these religious tales, so I assumed accordingly.”
“Yes, I understand. But what is a pilgrim?”
“How much do you know?”
“Nothing.”
“Such confidence. By any chance, isn’t one of your parents from the north?”
“It does seem that way.”
Jeong Yusin stroked his chin.
He clearly remembered his father—tall, with a strong, prominent jawline and a beard that covered most of his face. He’d often shower with icy water at -40 degrees Celsius, saying, “Ah, it’s refreshing” while flashing a hearty smile.
When they encountered wild boars in the mountains, his father had simply given one a powerful kick, sending it soaring through the air. He could still vividly recall the boar flying high above.
On the other hand, his mother was an ethereal beauty. Always quiet and demure, she would always smile softly while patting his head or pulling him into a tight embrace.
His father and mother were a perfect pair.
[Oh d…darling, Yu-sin’s watching.]
[Let him watch.]
[Hngh.]
His father, grabbing his mother’s cheek with one hand, would plant a deep kiss, while his mother, her cheeks pressed outward by the force of his grip, would flick her tongue.
That image of their affectionate relationship remained in his memory…
“Damn.”
“What’s wrong?”
“It seems my father was a barbarian.”
“I see.”
“So, what’s a pilgrim?”
“That’s quite an old story. Listen…”
The dwarf continued the tale for quite some time.
Jeong Yusin sipped the last mouthful of liquor, processing the dwarf’s narration.
In the old days, when demons overrun the world, a person from the Elemental Church traveled from the west to the east, gathering all the demons and sealing them in a great city in the east.
This man from the Elemental Church became revered as a saint, and the path he walked was named the “Pilgrim’s Road.” The road Jeong Yusin had been following was exactly that “Pilgrim’s Road.”
Believers in the Elemental Church wanted to personally understand the church’s history and the saint’s heart by walking this road alone.
People viewed them as pilgrims.
Nowadays, people from all walks of life walk this road for their own reasons, causing its original meaning to fade.
Nevertheless, there are still countless believers of the Elemental Church who embark on this pilgrimage.
After finishing their story, the dwarf and his group stood up.
“Young man with black hair, we’ll go ahead. We need to sleep before the liquor wears off.”
“Understood. Thank you for the enlightening conversation.”
“Alright.”
With that, they left the inn. The inn quieted down, likely due to the lengthy story the dwarf had told.
Jeong Yusin crossed his arms.
One word stood out in the dwarf’s explanation: “Great Labyrinth.”
The city at the end of the Pilgrim’s Road, where the saint had sealed all the demons.
They mentioned that venturing into the Great Labyrinth and emerging successfully could grant one extraordinary abilities.
For instance, small enhancements such as increased strength or faster reflexes.
On a larger scale, there were cases where one’s gender or even race changed.
There was also a low probability of acquiring talents one previously lacked or even ancient mysterious magic that had long disappeared.
Since these abilities were “etched” into one’s soul, the place was also known as the “Marking Labyrinth.”
“Good.”
If I explore the labyrinth and get lucky, I might find a way back home. If not, it’s still fine. At least I’ll become stronger, face fewer obstacles, and reduce the threat to my life while searching more efficiently for a way back.
“I’ll head to the Great Labyrinth.”
With that decision made, Jeong Yusin left the inn and stepped outside.
By now, the central plaza was packed with tents for camping. He walked further away from the plaza.
Most people were huddled together, wrapped in blankets and leaning against the stockade, sleeping.
Jeong Yusin also found himself a quiet spot, leaning against the stockade.
The night was chilly, but the aftereffects of the liquor helped him endure. He unraveled the blanket bundled atop his backpack, spread it over himself, and closed his eyes.
When dawn broke, Jeong Yusin opened his eyes.
Sleeping under the open sky was no easy feat. Thanks to the intoxication, he managed to rest somewhat, but one blanket wasn’t nearly enough to withstand the cold of the early morning.
Crack.
Stretching his body as he stood up, his entire skeleton let out peculiar creaks.
People were already gathering their belongings and heading to the inn. A dog-type beastkin, its fur soaking with morning dew and drooping, grumbled to itself.
“Homeless nights are always so fresh, yet I still hate them every time.”
“Be grateful that there was a stockade to lean on.”
A cleric who appeared to be his companion replied.
“I concede that point. Still, outdoor sleeping until the next town? Ugh.”
Until the next town, huh?
Not knowing how long the journey will take, it would be preferable to stock up on supplies if possible.
Jeong Yusin stepped into the inn, where the inviting smell of delicious food was wafting.
“One copper coin.”
The same innkeeper from the night before placed a wooden bowl on the table.
It was steaming oatmeal porridge.
“Thank you. Do you sell jerky or dry rations by any chance?”
“Sure. How much do you need?”
“How long does it take from here to the next town?”
“Hmm…which way are you heading?”
“I’m going to the Great Labyrinth.”
“Ah, if it’s the Great Labyrinth, just follow the road, and you’ll be fine. It’s about three days to the next town.”
“In that case, I’d like rations for three days, please.”
“Got it. You’re adorable.”
The innkeeper flashed a quick smile and stepped away.
Jeong Yusin took a bite of the warm porridge, which had bits of meat and potatoes, making it a delightful chewy experience. The warmth of the food gradually heated his chilled body.
“Here you go, three days’ worth of food. Including breakfast, that’ll be 21 copper coins.”
When Jeong Yusin finished his porridge, the innkeeper returned. The dry rations were thoroughly wrapped in large leaves. Jeong Yusin retrieved the coins from his pouch and handed them over.
“Here you go.”
“Much obliged. Do come again.”
After finishing the porridge, he left the inn, where people were chatting and leaving the village.
Jeong Yusin no longer hesitated. He had a clear destination in mind.
The Great Labyrinth.
He walked in the direction of the rising sun.
