Jeong Yusin recounted the events that had transpired in the Labyrinth to Darmong.
The hobgoblin extermination story, he’d probably heard from Zik already, so Jeong Yusin glossed over it quickly. The important part was what came after.
Slave hunter.
Jeong Yusin explained what had happened before coming to the Labyrinth: being captured by slave hunters in the forest, being rescued by Karin, getting caught by village guards while using scavenged gear from the slave hunters and almost dying, and finally meeting Simuth.
When they entered the Labyrinth City, they thought they’d parted ways with the slave hunting group, but it turned out to be a mistake.
Dito’s dagger bore the same mark as the slave hunters.
Dito had tried to kill him at the refuge but Jeong Yusin barely survived using his brand ability.
He didn’t know why the slave hunting group was after him. What he did know was that the group was covertly active within the city.
Jeong Yusin finished his entire story.
Darmong, without touching his glass, silently listened to Jeong Yusin’s tale.
“It might be dangerous for me to stay here.”
This was the main point.
If the slave hunting group kept targeting him, they’d likely try to figure out where Jeong Yusin was staying, and it could eventually lead to trouble for the inn.
“Did you tell the Explorers’ Guild?”
“I didn’t. I don’t know who to trust.”
“And you trust me?”
At Darmong’s question, Jeong Yusin smiled silently.
Darmong, who was looking at him, chuckled.
“Good move. The Explorer’s Guild is big, and there are many factions within it. It’s possible some of them might be dealing with slave hunters. Hmm.”
Darmong stroked his chin for a while and then spoke.
“The person suited for these kinds of things is Aldein.”
Jeong Yusin’s eyes widened.
Aldein Ashwood.
Demon Disassembly Site Director.
Why had the degenerate elf’s name suddenly come up?
“What does this have to do with him?”
“Didn’t you know? Aldein was famous in the eastern district when he was younger.”
“For what?”
“Troublemaker.”
Darmong, a seasoned senior explorer who had seen it all, calling someone a “troublemaker” meant they were something else entirely.
“But why is he working at the Demon Disassembly Site now? Did he repent?”
“He’s renewed himself.”
“How?”
“By Master Simuth’s fists.”
Jeong Yusin’s mouth dropped open.
“So you’re saying the troublemaker Aldein was beaten almost to death by Master Simuth and became a new person?”
“That’s right.”
“Hmm.”
It was surprising to learn about such hidden stories.
“The point is this. Most criminal groups are concentrated in the eastern district. Aldein was quite well-known there and even now, in his reformed state, he likely still holds some influence. If you ask him, you might be able to get information on the slave hunting group.”
“Oh!”
“But there’s a problem.”
“Oh?”
“Aldein is currently on a trip. He’ll probably be back after about a month. Just wait.”
“So you’re saying I shouldn’t enter the Labyrinth?”
“For now. You’ve made some money, so it wouldn’t hurt to take some time to rest while keeping an eye on the situation. Master Luke is likely aware of this situation as well. Just stay here for now. Don’t you have anywhere else to go?”
“That’s true, but I feel bad about it.”
“Don’t feel bad. I’m doing it because I want to.”
Sturdy support indeed.
So even in another world, it’s all about connections, right? No, Darmong is a bear half-giant, so it’s more like “Bear-mates.”
Jeong Yusin didn’t know what the slave hunting group was planning, but he knew there wasn’t anything he could do at the moment.
If he went around stirring things up, trying to find the slave hunting group, he’d likely just end up as one more dead body.
The only thing he could do…
Training and learning.
There was nothing else but giving his all to get stronger.
If only he became strong enough, he could crush any conspiracy and be done with it.
“By any chance, do you know a place where I can move around a bit?”
Darmong thought for a moment before speaking.
“Training, huh? There’s a courtyard behind the kitchen. You can use that.”
“Thank you.”
*
The next day, Jeong Yusin woke up early, finished his breakfast, and headed to the Dejimoseon Temple.
He didn’t want to laze around in bed pretending to “recover.”
Learn while you can.
Jeong Yusin realized opportunities for learning and training don’t come around often.
After visiting the temple, he checked in with the manager and went to a first-floor classroom in the orphanage building.
“Eck?! You’re here again. You’re that scary uncle.”
“Shh! Be quiet, Emma. That’s Uncle Barbaroy!”
“Ugh. I’ll be raped…”
When Jeong Yusin entered the classroom, the children started whispering and maligned him.
This time it felt more guarded than when he had previously visited.
‘Then what?’
Just focus on learning and leave without any nonsense.
Sitting down, he stared at the blackboard. The teacher hadn’t arrived yet.
“Hey, Uncle Barbaroy!”
A small child shuffled over and spoke to him.
Jeong Yusin frowned.
‘Dammit, don’t talk to me.’
“What is it?”
Still, he answered as kindly as possible.
“Uncle, do you really eat the livers of little girls?”
“No. Go back now.”
“Uncle, then do you really attack little girls?”
“No.”
“Uncle…”
“The teacher has arrived, so go back to your seat.”
“Ahh! Miss Mion!”
The little girl quickly ran back to her place.
As Mion entered the classroom, she was as beautiful as ever. With her radiant blonde hair and white priestess uniform, the classroom seemed to brighten up as if by magic.
The only downside was the bulky clothing, which concealed her figure.
“Hello, everyone! Long time no see!”
“Yes! Teacher!”
“Alright then, let’s start class.”
Mion skillfully led the lesson.
For the entire class, Jeong Yusin listened intently, his eyes ablaze.
He tried to absorb every single word Mion wrote on the board.
Even during the break, he stayed seated at his desk, endlessly reviewing terms and drawing letters in the air with his fingers.
“That’s all for today. Great job, everyone.”
“Yes! Teacher!”
Class ended, and lunchtime began. The children laughed and chatted as they headed to the cafeteria. Jeong Yusin also went to the temple’s cafeteria.
He took his simple meal in a corner, finished eating, and left the temple.
The next place to go: the Swordsmanship Guild.
He roughly knew the location from what Darmong had told him earlier. In the southern part of the Labyrinth City, there was one official branch recognized by the city.
The course fee was 30 silver coins per month.
It was an exorbitant sum of money. If he took the classes, it would cut into the opportunity to buy proper equipment.
Jeong Yusin clutched his chest.
The rapid heartbeat could be felt through the thin linen shirt.
He had to become stronger, even just a little. The threat of the slave hunters’ recent ambush had only heightened his sense of crisis.
“It’ll be alright if I tighten my belt a little more. It’s rare for both time and money to present themselves together. And it’s even rarer to have someone protecting you while you do so. This is a golden chance.”
He walked a bit further south from the temple.
“A building with a sword and shield carved into the gate. Found it.”
He stood in front of a building made of dark stones.
Clutching and unclenching his fists at the entrance, he steadied his nerves.
Opening the wooden revolving door and stepping inside, the pungent smell of sweat hit him.
Sharp-looking, formidable individuals were pacing around the interior.
Approaching the counter, an Elf Man was sitting there with his arms crossed.
“What do you want?”
“I’ve come to learn swordsmanship.”
“It’s 30 silver coins per month.”
“Here it is.”
Gritting his teeth, he handed over the pouch with the coins.
The Elf Man opened the pouch and counted each coin.
“Confirmed. Learning for just a month?”
“Yes.”
“What are you planning to do after a month of training? Just so you know, it won’t get you very far.”
“I’ll know once I try.”
For a moment, there was silence.
The Elf and the human stared at one another.
The Elf glanced into Jeong Yusin’s eyes and smirked.
“This guy has killed before. You’re an interesting one.”
“Not humans.”
The Elf’s eyes twitched slightly.
“Haha, you. I’ll teach you myself.”
“Who are you to keep calling me ‘this guy’ or ‘that guy’? Pretty lousy service here. Can you call someone else?”
“I’m the head of this Swordsmanship Guild. Don’t like it, then leave.”
Jeong Yusin stiffened.
“Ah, you’re the Guild Master? But why…?”
“That’s none of your concern. Follow me. Killa!”
The Elf stood up and called out, and a bald man rushed out of a door.
“You called, Guild Master?”
“There’s a new recruit. I’ll teach him.”
“What? But, Guild Master, you have pending work, right?”
“You’re there, aren’t you? As Deputy Guild Master, who else will assist you with my workload?”
The bald man’s expression fell.
“Isn’t that beyond your scope of duties? You’re almost doing all the work.”
“Are you saying you won’t do it?”
“Uh… alright. Make sure you learn well, Barbaroy the recruit. You’re lucky.”
The bald man glanced at Jeong Yusin, left a brief cautionary word, and went back inside.
“Follow me.”
Following the Elf, Jeong Yusin went out to the backyard of the guild building.
The spacious courtyard reminded one of a military drill ground.
There were people sweating, running, rolling, and wielding swords.
“Long Sword, right?”
“Yes.”
Though two-handed swords and shields were the mainstay in the previous battles, he had lost them and lacked the means to replace them. Thus, a longsword was his only option now.
The Elf went to a corner and came back with two wooden practice swords and tossed one to Jeong Yusin.
“Let’s see your skill.”
“I’m ready.”
The moment he grabbed the sword, he lunged in.
Lifting the sword high above his head.
Slicing down with force.
Clang!
The cut was deflected. The Elf’s wooden sword pointed at Jeong Yusin’s neck.
“Keeh!”
Breathless, Jeong Yusin’s posture wavered.
The Elf moved smoothly. He stood in a mid-guard stance and advanced with a single step.
“Pathetic. Lack of fundamentals.”
“Ugh. That’s why I’m here.”
“Again. If your opponent has a sword drawn, deflect it.”
Jeong Yusin casually approached with the wooden sword on his shoulder.
The Elf smirked at the sight.
Once he got close enough.
Now!
He swung the sword. The target was the Elf’s wooden sword.
Bang!
The Elf deflected Jeong Yusin’s sword. The Elf’s blade touched Jeong Yusin’s neck again as his stance faltered.
“Choking it out. Relax your body. Again.”
Several strikes later, they were all blocked. Occasionally, he took hits from the Elf’s oncoming sword, causing his body to feel as if it were burning.
How much time had passed? His entire body was soaked with sweat. His breath smelled foul. He had rolled on the ground, covered in dust.
The hand holding the wooden sword trembled.
At some point, onlookers gathered in a circle to watch Jeong Yusin and the Elf practice.
“Is the Guild Master training someone? This is rare.”
“Look at the new guy’s face. He won’t be back tomorrow, I bet. Haha.”
The Elf leaned on the sword planted on the ground.
“Again, Barbaroy. Your tenacity is lacking.”
A muscular man in the audience clicked his tongue.
“Why didn’t he say anything earlier? Guild Master’s tenacity theory.”
Jeong Yusin steadied his posture.
The Elf clicked his tongue.
“Stand up straight. Raise the sword higher. Pull your left foot back a bit.”
Jeong Yusin corrected his stance as the Elf directed.
“Swing short and sharp.”
Whoosh!
Clack!
Jeong Yusin’s wooden sword collided with the Elf’s.
“Close combat is about numbers. Just keep that in mind.”
The Elf deflected Jeong Yusin’s sword.
Bang!
The Elf’s sword whipped his neck.
“Keek!!”
Jeong Yusin dropped to his knees.
The Elf rested the wooden sword on his shoulder.
“Wanna a refund?”
“…No.”
The spectators who’d formed a circle were talking loudly.
“He’s keeping up pretty well.”
“The Guild Master is actually teaching well in parts. Not bad.”
“This new guy has some spirit. Keep it up!”
The Elf spoke gravely.
“But why are you being so informal? Want a refund?”
“No.”
“Ugh. So stingy, Guild Master.”
“Fair enough. A new recruit can be informal.”
The Elf suddenly shouted loudly.
“Leave! What are you all standing around doing while the sun is setting?”
The onlookers scattered, clicking their tongues.
Now only Jeong Yusin and the Elf were left in the training grounds.
“Circle 30 times around the training grounds and then go home. Since it’s your first day, I went easy on you.”
“Yes.”
Jeong Yusin got up, completely covered in dust and sweat. He shuffled around the training grounds like a broken man.
I’m about to collapse.
His heart screamed it was about to die.
All of his muscles had slipped out of control, convulsing wildly.
He desperately wanted to sit down right then and rest.
But thinking of those 30 silver coins, he gritted his teeth and kept running.
He kept running until the moon and stars appeared in the sky.
The surroundings were quiet. Most of the lights in the swordsmanship guild building were extinguished.
Only the Elf remained, standing with his arms crossed, watching Jeong Yusin run.
30 laps.
All done.
He had no idea how he managed it.
Whether he waddled like a baby or crawled like a worm, he did it.
“Khuh… Khuh… Khuh…”
As Jeong Yusin lay flat on the ground, gasping for air and swallowing dust, the Elf approached.
“Come back tomorrow morning.”
“Phew… phew… I can’t…”
He refused.
A long silence followed before the Elf finally spoke.
“…Why?”
“I need to learn how to read. Morning to lunchtime… at the temple… yes.”
“Understood. Then I’ll see you at lunch.”
“Khuh… thanks.”
“Go take care.”
The Elf turned around and left.
After lying on the ground and catching his breath for a while, he got up with difficulty.
“Getting my money’s worth. Very good.”
Whether it was training or abuse, he persevered.
That night, Jeong Yusin barely managed to make it back to the inn.
When Darmong asked with surprised eyes if he’d been attacked, Jeong Yusin smiled slightly, explained that he’d gotten into this state from training at the swordsmanship guild, and cleared up the misunderstanding.
He returned to his room, wiped himself down, and lay on the bed.
As if waiting for this moment, deep sleep quickly overtook him.
