Mion stood up from her seat.
“I’ll see you in class, Scath-dono.”
“Yes.”
Jeong Yusin glanced at the back of Mion as she left.
The wind blew, flipping up the voluminous white priest robes and revealing the form-fitting black garment underneath. The tight undergarment accentuated her hips, swaying delicately with each step.
The mesmerizing, curvaceous figure.
Thud!
“Ouch!”
Ahiman bit Jeong Yusin’s ear.
“What?”
“Chirp.”
The small lizard pointed at the fountain with its tiny hand.
Loenel was approaching two ducks that had flown to the fountain.
The pair of ducks seemed like a couple.
Loenel was sneaking toward the female duck.
‘What is she doing?’
Jeong Yusin sensed something strange and stood up from his seat.
Click.
Loenel poked the female duck’s rear with her beak. The female duck shrieked in surprise. Witnessing this, the male duck glared and flapped its wings.
“Are you insane!”
Jeong Yusin shouted and quickly ran to grab Loenel.
The pair of ducks spread their wings and flew away from the fountain.
“Quack Quack!”
“Why are you burying your face into some other woman’s rear? Are you insane?”
He quickly grabbed hold of the struggling duck and returned to the inn, worried about what other mischief this crazy duck might cause.
“I have returned.”
Darmong greeted them by the counter.
“You’re here?”
In front of the counter stood a female elf and a small girl in a robe.
“Husband.”
The elegantly dressed female elf approached the duck. The duck’s body stiffened as if it had been captured by a terrifying predator without any chance of escape.
“Loenel Arcrain, since you have acquired such a bizarre inscription, you should have stayed quietly in the room. Why are you running around everywhere?”
The duck’s head drooped.
The female elf crossed her arms and glared at the duck.
The duck grew smaller under the authoritative gaze. Then, the elf opened her mouth.
“It’s utterly disgraceful. Come, I’ll re-educate you.”
The female elf gave a slight nod to Jeong Yusin and Darmong before leaving the inn.
The duck drooped its head and waddled after the elf.
“Teacher.”
This time, the small girl in the robe approached.
She extended her hand toward the small lizard perched on Jeong Yusin’s shoulder.
The lizard calmly climbed onto the girl’s hand.
The girl gently stroked the lizard and bowed her head toward Jeong Yusin.
“Barbaroy, thank you for looking after Teacher.”
“It’s nothing. I was just here as a fellow companion.”
The girl closed and reopened her eyes briefly.
“Teacher says thank you.”
Jeong Yusin’s eyes widened.
“How?”
“I have an inscription that allows me to communicate with animals. My name is Maya. Though I’m inexperienced, I’m an apprentice explorer.”
“When did you acquire that inscription?”
Maya tilted her head.
“Wasn’t it the first time?”
‘So the Labyrinth really just gives out random inscription luck.’
Maya bowed again.
“Since the area is still chaotic, I shall return first.”
“Yes, please go safely.”
Jeong Yusin also bowed in return.
As Maya left, the inn only had Jeong Yusin and Darmong remaining.
He felt both relieved and somewhat nostalgic.
“Huff.”
Jeong Yusin suddenly laughed.
“What’s so funny?”
“It’s about when we went out for a stroll earlier. Loenel did something…”
Jeong Yusin began recounting the tale, while Darmong listened with a smile.
The streets under the set sun buzzed with tension and unease, but Jeong Yusin laughed. He spent time sharing drinks and stories with Darmong into the evening.
As night deepened, Jeong Yusin said goodbye to Darmong and returned to his room on the second floor of the inn.
He lay down on the bed and stared up at the ceiling with his arm supporting his head.
The investigation had failed, but he had survived.
Strictly speaking, it wasn’t a failure. There were countless man-faced spiders, the missing explorers, and the black portal. He had gathered all the clues within reach.
However, the threads were tangled in a way that made it hard to fit them together into any conclusive understanding. They would just have to wait for the announcements due from the Explorers’ Guild and the Mage Tower.
Earlier, he had planned to check his inscription but missed the opportunity because he was tending to his comrades. However, he had no regrets.
In the chaos of the city park, spending the day with his party members helped him briefly forget the events of the Labyrinth.
It would be fine to delay this by just one day.
Jeong Yusin closed his eyes. Ducks and lizards danced circles in his vision before darkness enveloped him.
*
Jeong Yusin opened his eyes.
“Where am I?”
He got up and looked around.
A familiar place. There was the convenience store and the sewer. The spot where the shift had occurred.
“Wolf?”
A red-furred wolf appeared out of nowhere. It approached carefully, displaying noticeable wariness in its cautious steps.
“What is it?! Stay back.”
Jeong Yusin took a few steps back.
Would it attack and bite him?
He preferred not to level up through such means.
The red wolf stopped advancing, bowed its head, and wagged its tail.
“Kyeeeng, Kyeeing.”
The wolf emitted a pitiful cry and inched its head closer.
“Are you asking for a scratch?”
The wolf nodded.
Jeong Yusin slowly approached and extended his hand. As the wolf pushed its head closer and whimpered, he gently nudged it away—it was becoming a little clingy.
In response, the wolf whimpered again. Feeling sorry for it, he began petting the wolf’s head and scratching under its chin. The wolf became ecstatic, wagging its tail and licking Jeong Yusin’s cheek.
Then,
Jeong Yusin opened his eyes again.
Inside Darmong’s inn. His room.
“Just had a dog dream?”
Jeong Yusin mumbled to himself blankly. He found his cheek and the corner of his mouth sticky, probably where he had drooled during sleep.
At that moment, a surge of vitality welled up within him. A warm energy spread throughout his body, merging into his bones and muscles.
‘Level Up.’
His body recognized it first.
‘And this easy?’
Looking down at himself, Jeong Yusin couldn’t help but smirk.
Regardless of how it happened, it was beneficial.
He got up, dressed, and descended to the first floor.
Karin was seated at a table with arms crossed.
“Up early.”
“Karin? How’s your body? I was worried when you suddenly dashed off.”
“I got a strange inscription, so I visited the temple to have it removed. Nothing serious, so don’t worry about it.”
“Understood.”
Jeong Yusin nodded. It would seem odd if he pressed further when Karin had said not to worry.
Karin looked at Jeong Yusin’s face.
“Why?”
“Y-you… you have saliva on your face.”
“Ah.”
“Use this. Such sloppiness.”
Karin handed him a handkerchief from her pouch.
“Thank you.”
Jeong Yusin wiped his face with the handkerchief. Karin stared at him intensely as if entranced.
‘Is it expensive?’
Jeong Yusin returned the handkerchief.
“Used well.”
“U-uhm.”
Silence hung briefly between them.
“Special plans today?”
“Yes, I have something to do.”
“What is it?”
“I’m going to the temple to check my inscription.”
“Alright.”
Jeong Yusin suddenly remembered something he wanted to ask.
“Karin-dono.”
“What?”
“Did you level up?”
“Mana adaptation, yes? So you did too?”
“Yes. Isn’t it a little odd? It feels like leveling up too quickly.”
At Jeong Yusin’s words, Karin crossed her arms and looked into the air. Then after a while, she began.
“The monsters this time seem to contain a lot of mana. We’ll know more after the Mage Tower and Guild’s announcements, but from what I’ve heard, most of the Labyrinth research party participants have leveled up this time.”
That was it. This was a life-risking burning event. If you survive, you level up; if you die, your body and face are stripped bare. A horrifying event indeed.
“By the way, where has Darmong gone?”
“He’s out buying breakfast.”
“When did you arrive, Karin-dono?”
“Why so many questions? Stop asking!”
Karin suddenly flared up.
‘Such a temper. Who would take her?’
Jeong Yusin inwardly shook his head and clamped his mouth shut.
Bang!
Karin placed a leather pouch on the table. Coins clinked from within.
Jeong Yusin’s eyes lit up.
“This is a present. I mixed some gold and silver coins.”
“Thank you. Forever loyal.”
Jeong Yusin happily grabbed the leather pouch. It was heavy, and a sense of peace settled within him.
“Would you like some bacon?”
“No, it’s fine.”
Karin blushed slightly but firmly declined.
Creak!
The inn door opened.
Darmong entered carrying a backpack.
“Hmm? Scath, you’re up?”
“Yes.”
Darmong opened his bear-patterned backpack and pulled out some food—bread, cheese, and sausages purchased at the market.
With the earthquake still a concern, cooking using fire should be avoided.
Jeong Yusin stood up and fetched some dishes from the kitchen. He transferred the food to wooden bowls and placed them on the table. The three sat together.
The meal concluded in silence. Jeong Yusin stood up.
“I’ll be going to the Dejimoseon Temple for a moment.”
“Understood. Take care. There are still guards around, so be mindful not to get caught.”
“Ah.”
Jeong Yusin clutched his head.
‘I’m Barbaroy, remember.’
“Shall I accompany you?”
Karin asked.
“Really?”
“Yes. I have nothing else to do anyway.”
“Thank you.”
Jeong Yusin and Karin exited the inn and walked the streets together.
The guards eyed Jeong Yusin suspiciously but let them pass due to Karin’s presence.
They arrived at the Dejimoseon Temple. They spoke to a divine official responsible for receiving guests and requested an inscription check.
“One silver coin.”
Jeong Yusin took out a silver coin from his pouch and handed it over.
The official noted something on a piece of paper, then said to Jeong Yusin.
“Scath-dono, Mion-sama will be the one to verify your inscription. Please wait here, and someone will come to guide you.”
“Understood.”
Jeong Yusin nodded.
“Scath, do you know Mion?”
“Yes. We met through some connections and she also teaches writing at the orphanage.”
“Hmm.”
With a sniff, Karin crossed her arms.
She seemed somewhat agitated, and her face slightly hardened.
“Why are you following?”
“Why can’t I come?”
The official turned to Karin.
“Are you part of the same party as this person?”
“Yes.”
“Understood. Your presence is acceptable.”
The official nodded and continued walking.
They reached a corridor and stopped at a familiar room from before.
The male official knocked three times on the door.
“Mion Priestess, I’ve brought Scath-dono.”
“Come in.”
Under the official’s guidance, they entered the room.
“Mion Priestess, you’re here. Then…Hmm?”
Mion paused her speech halfway and looked at Karin.
“Karin-sama?”
“Mi-on.”
The two silently stared at each other.
A curious tension filled the room.
‘What is this? Do they know each other?’
Jeong Yusin crossed his arms and watched them curiously.
Karin spoke first.
“Mi-on, is it fine for you to wear such tight-fitting clothes? It doesn’t seem to align with the temple’s regulations.”
Mion was wearing the tight black priest garment Jeong Yusin saw earlier, the voluminous white robes now discarded.
“Karin-sama, might I ask the same of you? Such revealing clothing—especially exposing those undergarments—is unbecoming for the daughter of the Beast Union representative. I feel embarrassed for you.”
“Talking about others?”
“It’s something I should say.”
Silence enveloped them once more.
“Are you two acquainted?”
Jeong Yusin couldn’t help but ask.
“No.”
Karin turned her head away.
“I’ve only crossed paths with her once or twice in the past.”
Mion continued, looking at Jeong Yusin.
“Scath-dono, let’s check your inscription.”
“Yes.”
Jeong Yusin approached Mion, knelt on one knee, and clasped his hands together.
‘T-skirt, confirmed.’
Beyond the tight black priest robes, the small piece of fabric strained against the curve’s limit, pressing and protruding outward.
Jeong Yusin deeply bowed his head and silently repeated in his mind.
‘Thank you. Thank you.’
He closed his eyes and offered a gratitude prayer to the Dejimoseon.
Karin’s sharp gaze pierced his back, but Jeong Yusin’s heart remained tranquil.
Mion muttered something, but Jeong Yusin couldn’t hear due to the distance.
After about three minutes.
Jeong Yusin’s heart throbbed in anticipation of the new inscription.
What could it be?
What inscription would it be?
He had worked hard. Fought against creatures from another world, wisely overcoming crises, and even saved his companion.
He deserved a good reward.
“Chi!”
Suddenly, Mion made an odd noise and took a step back.
Jeong Yusin raised his head.
“What is it?”
‘Please let it be a cheat skill.’
“T-that…”
Mion hesitated, her face turning red.
“What is it? Please tell me quickly, Mion Teacher.”
Under Jeong Yusin’s urging, Mion’s face turned tomato-red.
“S-scat-dono’s inscription is…”
