The next morning at dawn, Ann came by.
A girl with red hair swaying with every step.
She was the one who gritted her teeth and fought hard to protect her friends.
“What should I do first?”
“Cooking. Start with what you’re most confident in.”
“Yes, understood.”
Ann’s cooking skills weren’t bad. They weren’t as good as Darmong’s, but they weren’t at a level to be criticized either.
Jeong Yusin watched as the guests staying at the inn gradually relaxed and sighed in relief.
He separately called Ann over and handed her a pouch filled with money.
It was the money given by Karin. He had set aside only what he needed for himself.
“What’s this for?”
Ann asked.
“Inn operating funds. Use it wisely. Let me know if it runs short.”
“Are you really trusting me this much?”
“Think of it however you like.”
“Thank you. I’ll surely repay your kindness.”
“Just work hard.”
With that, Ann and Tarman began to work diligently, seemingly determined to repay Jeong Yusin’s kindness.
Jeong Yusin sat on a counter chair with his arms crossed.
The morning summer breeze entered the inn, circled once, and then went out.
Outside the inn, groups of explorers gathered in small parties and headed toward the labyrinth.
Still, there was no word from Karin and Darmong.
Jeong Yusin planned to step back once the inn stabilized a little more, though that didn’t mean he would stop caring.
Everyone should do what they’re best at.
Jeong Yusin intended to guard Darmong’s inn as a swordsman.
If that was the case, training and learning were essential.
When could he visit the swordsmanship guild?
Jeong Yusin picked up the longsword stored under the counter and stood up. With various thoughts swirling in his mind, he planned to move his body in the yard.
Ki-ik.
Around lunchtime after the morning had passed, someone entered the inn.
Tarman bowed deeply and gave a hearty greeting.
“Welcome!”
Tarman raised his head and froze.
“Uh… Is Miss Scath here?”
“Huh… Huh! P-please wait a moment!”
Tarman hurriedly rushed through the kitchen and ran to the yard.
Jeong Yusin, who was shirtless, was swinging his sword while sweating profusely under the harsh summer sun.
“St… Scath-sama!!”
“What’s the commotion about?”
“Th… There’s a priest here. One who’s like an angel.”
Mion, perhaps?
Jeong Yusin grabbed a towel hanging on the clothesline in the yard and wiped his face and neck.
“I’ll come shortly. Inform them.”
“No need to. I’m already here.”
Mion appeared in the yard, passing through the kitchen.
Mion glanced at Jeong Yusin’s smooth upper body and quickly lowered her head.
“What brings you here?”
“I… I haven’t seen you come to study letters lately, so I grew worried and decided to visit.”
Mion didn’t ask how she found out where Jeong Yusin was staying.
It seemed that during the last cooking interview, he had become quite a known figure, so it wouldn’t have been hard to locate him by simply exchanging some words while passing by.
“I see. I was actually thinking it was about time to visit. But…”
Jeong Yusin raised his hand, scratching his head.
It was a rather long story to explain while in such attire.
Whether Mion understood Jeong Yusin’s feelings or not, her gaze stayed fixed on his muscular arms.
Veins pulsed and heat shimmered from his brawny arms.
Gulp.
Mion’s throat moved noticeably.
Interrupting Jeong Yusin’s words, Mion quickly covered her chest.
“Don’t worry. I’ve found a way to overcome the maiden corruption brand. I’ll show you the methods later. I’ll go ahead first.”
Without finishing her words, Mion quickly turned around and left the yard.
‘I’m wearing a ring.’
Jeong Yusin had intended to tell her about the brand-suppression ring, but Mion had already darted away like the wind. Moreover, the ring had been hidden by the towel.
Tarman approached.
“Er… How can there be such a priest?”
“Living honestly will suffice.”
“Hooh.”
Jeong Yusin gently patted the shoulder of Tarman, who let out a curious sigh, then wiped himself off.
After Mion left, the next guest arrived.
Ashur Startree, the leader of the swordsmanship guild.
“Everything alright?”
“Yes.”
“You’ve destroyed the Crimson Hunters branch entirely, and now you claim there’s nothing?”
“Hmm, that’s how it went.”
“Come closer.”
Ashur examined Jeong Yusin’s pupils.
“Why?”
“How did you come back? I thought you’d be half-mad.”
“By holding onto my sanity tightly, I managed to return to my senses.”
Ashur lowered his head and looked at Jeong Yusin’s fingers.
“Didn’t I tell you to take off that ring?”
Jeong Yusin swept his hand through his hair once.
“I need to endure. If some innocent maiden happens to fall for me, wouldn’t that be quite a troubling situation? Honestly speaking, there are times when I fear my own charm.”
Ashur looked at Jeong Yusin and then at Tarman standing nearby.
“There’s something off about this guy, isn’t he?”
“He’ll grow on you if you watch closely.”
Ashur wiped his face with both hands.
“…Where were we? Ah yes. Come to the swordsmanship guild. There’s no time for leisure when you’re watching over an inn.”
Ashur, barely holding on to his focus, brought up the main topic.
“What do you mean?”
Jeong Yusin asked, folding his arms.
“Suppressing the madness of the labyrinth takes rigorous training. Stop fooling around in the yard and come to the training field.”
“Perhaps later. I’ll visit then.”
“When is later? When you go mad?”
“When I get some free time, I’ll go.”
“Phew. Anyway, come soon. Your mind seems a bit unstable.”
“I’m fine.”
“Tsk.”
Sighing, Ashur left the inn.
Tarman, standing nearby, spoke.
“You know quite a few people.”
Jeong Yusin shrugged his shoulders.
“I do spread my connections a bit wide.”
“You have a broad heart as well.”
“Of course. So, could you raise my salary a bit?”
“Thank you.”
Tarman smirked, rubbing his hands together greedily.
Watching this, Ann, who had come out of the kitchen, quietly observed for a moment before speaking.
“Aren’t you working?”
Tarman’s body stiffened.
Jeong Yusin chimed in.
“Get to work. Regenerate. Wretched man.”
Tarman grimaced and quickly started attending to the customers entering the inn.
Jeong Yusin returned to the counter and sat down.
As the busy day passed and night deepened, no more guests arrived.
While Jeong Yusin was tidying up the inn, Tarman approached.
“What is it?”
Jeong Yusin asked.
“It’s a message from Aldein.”
“Speak.”
“The Crimson Hunters have decided to step back from the labyrinth city for now. It seems something has happened near the eastern union’s border.”
“Did they provide any more details?”
“No. That’s all they could tell me. Ah! And he advised us to be cautious as other groups are keeping an eye on us.”
“Other groups?”
Various faces, including that of the hyena beastman from the chef interview and the vagrants, flashed through Jeong Yusin’s mind.
“Yes. He said he’d tell us about them later.”
“Understood.”
Had they passed the critical moment? He couldn’t let his guard down, but now he could focus on what he needed to do.
Learn writing at the temple.
Train his body at the swordsmanship guild.
He also planned to start preparing for another venture into the labyrinth.
The goal was clear, though the road was long.
He couldn’t enter the labyrinth right away due to Ashur’s warning, but preparing wouldn’t hurt.
Early dawn of a late spring morning the next day.
Jeong Yusin got out of bed.
On the way down to the first-floor kitchen, Ann was cooking.
Jeong Yusin watched Ann cook for a bit and then headed out to the yard.
He took a deep breath, filling his lungs with the crisp morning air.
“Hoo.”
He slowly stretched to loosen up his body.
Doing 200 push-ups and squats each, he then began a slow jog around the yard.
[Sacred Weapon]
Summoned at the thought, it immediately formed in his hands.
He grabbed the golden longsword and swung it.
[Sacred Weapon]
This time, a dagger.
Imagining Karin’s movements in his mind, he swung the dagger in mimicry.
[Sacred Weapon]
He summoned a spear with jagged blades, a peculiar weapon he had seen in the previous battle and committed to memory.
He could summon a total of eight.
It was thanks to his level-up during the third labyrinth venture.
He stopped summoning the Sacred Weapons and began practicing with the sword.
It wasn’t an easy morning exercise. It was more like a rigorous training session where he tested his limits by exhausting both his magical and physical strength.
However, Jeong Yusin didn’t wrinkle his brow once, relentlessly and stubbornly pushing himself.
Hoooom!!
Hoooom!!
The swings of the sword split the calm morning air.
The shirtless body, with its powerful muscles rippling under the strain, was already covered in sweat and heat, which was rising visibly.
Quite some time passed.
After stopping his swing, he looked up at the sky. The sun was gradually rising.
As he passed through the kitchen and stepped into the inn lobby, he saw Tarman.
“Sir, you’re awake?”
“Why are you so late?”
“Well, I… I was too tired.”
Tarman looked utterly exhausted.
On the other hand, Ann’s face was glowing with a healthy luster.
“Tsk.”
Jeong Yusin clicked his tongue and sat at the table.
“Serve me food.”
“Yes.”
Breakfast was a bread roll filled with raisins and a butternut squash soup rich with cheese. Jeong Yusin looked at Tarman as he was about to eat.
“Let’s eat together.”
“Yes. Should I call Ann too?”
“Yes.”
Ann brought out the food from the kitchen, and Jeong Yusin, Tarman, and Ann sat at the table together.
They quietly began their meal.
“How’s it going? Can you manage the inn work?”
Jeong Yusin paused his meal to ask.
“Yes, it’s a little difficult as it’s my first time, but I’m learning with a positive mindset.”
Ann answered for them.
Jeong Yusin glanced at Tarman and Ann before turning his head.
“I’m entrusting the inn to you. I have something I must do.”
“Are you going into the labyrinth?”
“Something like that.”
“I see.”
“Take care of the place. If you need anything, come find me at the orphanage or the swordsmanship guild.”
“Don’t worry about us.”
After finishing his meal, Jeong Yusin left the inn. With the bear-themed pouch gifted by Darmong slung over his shoulder, he went to the Dejimoseon Temple to check in and then entered the orphanage.
“Eeek?”
“Uncle is here again?”
“Phew. He’s scary.”
The children of the orphanage warmly welcomed Jeong Yusin.
“It’s been a while, friends.”
“Who’s friends? Uncle has no conscience, right?”
“…”
Jeong Yusin fiddled with his ring, sighed, and sat down.
The classroom door opened, and Mion came in.
“Hello, everyone.”
“Yes! Teacher.”
“Wow! Teacher, it’s been a while!”
Mion smiled gently and stepped up to the lectern.
“That’s right. I’ve been a bit busy, so I’ve missed some classes.”
“Teacher Mion is the best!”
From a distance, a young child sitting apart from Jeong Yusin whispered with bright eyes.
“Alright, let’s start the lesson, shall we?”
“Yes!”
The children enthusiastically responded in unison.
Mion’s elegant voice spread throughout the classroom, and the children listened attentively with shining eyes.
Jeong Yusin also opened his eyes wide and focused on the class.
So much time had been wasted on various matters.
The more he learned, the more questions arose about the labyrinth city.
He didn’t want to be swept away unknowingly.
He once again bitterly understood the strength of knowledge in this other world.
He wrote down all the words Mion wrote on the board that he didn’t know. He noted their meanings and example sentences by his side and diligently memorized them.
Even during recess, he stayed put, writing and reading books.
Mion’s glance caught the ring on Jeong Yusin’s finger while preparing for the next lecture at her lectern during the break.
Mion froze for a moment.
Mion opened her mouth as if to say something, then sighed in relief upon seeing the ring.
Because it was on Jeong Yusin’s ring finger, not the middle finger.
Though relieved it wasn’t the mischievous doing of that red-haired female, Mion’s heart beat anxiously.
When the break ended, the class resumed.
Jeong Yusin occasionally felt Mion’s gaze during the lesson but kept his focus solely on the chalkboard and his books.
The class ended at lunchtime.
“Everyone, good job today. Sca student, stay behind, and everyone else, you may go.”
“Yes! Thank you, teacher.”
The children rushed out.
Sca packed up the writing utensils and placed them in the bear pouch.
Mion approached.
“Sca student, you’ve arrived.”
“Indeed. Learning is important.”
“Uh… Miss…”
“What’s the matter?”
Whoosh.
Mion suddenly lifted her bulky priest robe.
Jeong Yusin’s eyes widened.
Underneath the bulky robe was a tight black priest robe.
The cute belly button was prominently exposed on the tight black priest robe.
Even her panties, which seemed skin-tight, showed outlines of her crotch bulging prominently. It was almost clear enough to make out the hidden contours of the clitoris in the plump mound.
Clearly, what appeared to be a one-piece priest robe could easily pass as leggings.
“Eh.”
Jeong Yusin’s eyes widened even further.
“Hehe. Did you notice?”
Right beneath Mion’s belly button glowed a golden pattern.
It was a sacred and mysterious-shaped pattern but upon closer inspection, it resembled a woman’s uterus.
A sacred uterine tattoo, not a vaginal one.
“It’s a Sacred Tattoo. With this, there’s no way I’d fall to corruption.”
“I see. That’s good. But…”
He intended to mention her suppression ring, but Mion interrupted.
“I… So, there’s something else.”
Mion hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“I need to confirm that the Sacred Tattoo has safely settled.”
Mion’s cheeks were slightly flushed.
“I would like Sca student to help me.”
“Er…How exactly should I assist?”
He had received plenty of favors from Mion, and helping where he could was part of the deal.
“Please lick my… no, touch my belly.”
“Uh?”
“There’s no ulterior motive. It’s just a process to confirm that Sca student’s brand is well-defended.”
‘Not true!’
Though verbally denying it, Mion’s inner thoughts were a different story.
She intended to ask later where the ring came from.
What was important was having Sca’s firm hand caress her belly.
Jeong Yusin blankly stared at Mion’s sacred uterine tattoo.
‘Could this be a reward?’
Is this the sweet reward destiny has bestowed upon him for overcoming despair and sadness?
Darmong’s absence.
Running the inn for the first time in his life.
People who relied on him.
Or people who despised him.
The stress accumulated from brushing with death.
A five-month-long abstinence from sex.
The shy display of her beloved person’s uterine tattoo.
‘Ah.’
The convergence of all these factors reached Jeong Yusin’s limit at the age of 23.
‘I can’t hold back.’
An animalistic growl escaped Jeong Yusin’s lips.
“Grgh…Teacher Mion!!!”
