Look at this one?
A coldness crept into Jeong Yusin’s eyes.
Holy Knight Soline’s expression also stiffened.
“Why has your nose grown?”
Jeong Yusin growled.
Nuum’s face turned pale as snow.
“Th-that’s not it.”
“What?”
As the atmosphere grew strange, a few people crossed their arms and began to glance toward the table where Jeong Yusin was seated.
“…”
Nuum stammered, his face reddening.
“Does slavery have to be bad? Speak clearly.”
Jeong Yusin urged.
But Nuum remained silent.
Bang!
Jeong Yusin slammed the table.
“Speak!”
Jeong Yusin’s voice echoed through the guild.
The surroundings went dead silent.
The gazes of all the explorers in the guild hall focused on Nuum.
Jeong Yusin’s face twisted savagely.
“Have you heard of slave hunters? They’re the vile creatures that capture people living normal lives and force them into slavery. They aren’t just wandering around the Eastern Union’s border—they exist inside the Labyrinth City too.”
Jeong Yusin reached into his robe, grabbing a dagger.
“Choose your words carefully from now on, or you’ll regret it.”
After finishing his words, Jeong Yusin glared hard at Nuum.
Nuum’s Adam’s apple moved.
“No! That’s not what I meant! I simply…”
“Simply what?”
The intent to kill began to gather in Jeong Yusin’s eyes.
Unable to endure any longer, Nuum shouted out.
“It’s my kink! I like being a slave!”
Huh?
An awkward silence fell over the guild.
Jeong Yusin twitched his mouth.
Nuum’s elongated nose had returned to its original size.
“I… I am not affiliated with those slave hunters! This is the truth!”
“…”
He’d mistaken it completely.
He’d merely uncovered the suspicious sexual preference of the unfortunate Nuum.
The murmurs around them began to spread.
“Hey, why is that Barbaroy exposing someone else’s preferences? This is crossing way too many lines. Does he criticize anyone whose behavior he dislikes or finds suspicious?”
“Still, Nuum’s preferences are kinda strange too. A slave play kind of person?”
“That’s true. Dangerous characters have gathered.”
The murmurs of the people brushed past his ears.
Jeong Yusin lowered his head.
“I’m sorry.”
“You despicable bastard!!!”
Nuum’s eyes were filled with resentment.
“I’m sorry.”
Jeong Yusin kept repeating the apology while bowing his head.
How much time passed?
The Nuum who had been glaring at Jeong Yusin’s back let out a deep sigh and folded his arms.
“Sorry? Then increase my share of the compensation. What’s the meaning of apologizing through words alone?”
“No, that won’t do.”
Jeong Yusin cut Nuum’s proposal off sharply as he raised his head.
Nuum opened his mouth wide. His head was in confusion. Could it be that this Barbaroy lacked human empathy?
Jeong Yusin, with a slightly reddened face, opened his mouth.
“It’s about pity. We’ve already exchanged this once, so let’s keep the compensation rate the same.”
“···What a stubborn one. Aren’t you going to yield on this?”
An elf sitting at the side table muttered.
Jeong Yusin looked at the dwarf after turning his head.
“Why are you butting in when you’re not part of our party? Do you want to feel pain in your backside?”
After Jeong Yusin spoke, the dwarf muttered something and immediately fell silent.
Jeong Yusin looked at Nuum. Nuum’s face was somewhat flushed.
“I’m sorry, but I cannot arbitrarily adjust the compensation rate. It’s something that needs agreement from all the members of the party.”
Trembling all over, Nuum sighed deeply again.
“···Alright. If the leader is fair, I’ll trust you once. Will you accept me?”
Nuum nodded his head and asked.
“Fine. What’s your name?”
“Galerheim.”
“Scath, please take care.”
Jeong Yusin extended his hand. Nuum reached out and shook it.
“Is this suddenly going to end all warm and fuzzy like this?”
The dwarf from just before muttered in astonishment.
“Forget it, you bastard.”
Jeong Yusin glared at the dwarf while speaking.
“Al…alright.”
The dwarf immediately shrunk.
The guild hall quickly returned to their own affairs.
It seemed like this sort of thing happened occasionally, as after a few murmurs, people lost interest.
Someone approached Jeong Yusin.
“A Barbaroy is the leader of the party, eh? That’s unusual. Do you happen to require a rear guard?”
Lifting his head, he looked up at the person who had just spoken.
It was a male elf dressed in a cleric’s robe.
“Who might you be?”
“As you can see, I am a lower-ranking cleric serving the wind elemental deity.”
The elf showed his necklace.
Looking at the necklace, it reminded him of the first moment he landed in this world.
It resembled the necklace that Simuth had often kissed on the pilgrimage route.
“May I take a seat?”
“Of course.”
It seemed like good luck that the rear guard approached so easily.
No, still, there are things I should ask.
“By chance, do you have any negative marks?”
The elf closed his mouth and wore a troubled expression.
What is it?
Honestly, at this point, no matter what mark pops up, Jeong Yusin wasn’t sure if he’d be surprised anymore.
Come on.
Let’s smoothly move past it.
Determined, he fixed his gaze on the elf’s mouth.
“It’s the ‘Grandma Lover’ mark.”
???
Jeong Yusin’s mouth hung wide open.
It felt like someone had struck the back of his head with a hammer, making his head spin.
“Wh… What did you say?”
Jeong Yusin stammered, asking him to repeat.
“Grandma Lover.”
“…”
“Nothing else other than that.”
The elf casually continued.
Jeong Yusin stared at the elf’s face blankly.
“Doesn’t this bother you? To love older women against your will?”
The elf’s face grew serious.
“Initially, it was very tormenting for my heart. I even thought about trying to erase it, but isn’t it hard-earned mark? Since obtaining marks is not an easy task, I decided to consider it as experience and give it a try. And…”
The elf cleared his throat once and continued.
“···A new world opened up. Just listen to me for a moment. This mark isn’t all bad. Once you get hooked on the charm of wrinkled skin…”
“That’s enough.”
Jeong Yusin interrupted the elf’s speech.
Though the elf looked a bit dissatisfied, he closed his mouth.
“Besides that, do you have any other negative marks?”
“Nope. And I don’t consider the Grandma Lover mark to be a negative one.”
“Understood.”
“Will you accept me?”
“Yes. Let’s give it a try.”
“Fiyaron Akrein.”
The elf mentioned his name and extended his hand.
Jeong Yusin stared silently at the elf’s hand and shook his head.
“It’s Scath. Let’s not shake hands.”
“Is that so?”
The elf gave a bitter smile and withdrew his hand.
“Your preferences are quite unique, but acceptable.”
Nasal Nuum, Galerheim, butted in.
Jeong Yusin blankly watched Nuum’s nose elongating.
It was clear that no one could possibly accept that.
“Perhaps you should pull your nose back in and either lie or do something.”
“Ouch!”
Galerheim hastily grabbed the mask that had been growing from his elongated nose and covered his face.
Jeong Yusin looked around at the people seated at the table.
Holy Knight Soline.
Nasal Nuum, Galerheim.
Elf, Fiyaron.
Everyone was assembled.
Everyone.
Though their preferences were unique, they didn’t seem too sinister in character. If nothing else, they had already gained half their trust.
“···Hmm. Then, let’s discuss the ratio of compensation and which tier we’ll reach. Just how far will we go? And how much will we earn?”
“Thorough indeed. Fine.”
The nasal Nuum, Galerheim, said while scratching his mask.
The other party members also nodded in approval.
“In that case…”
Jeong Yusin settled into his seat and had a long conversation with the party members.
All the party members were lower-level explorers who had shed their amateur looks.
Their maximum reached tier was the 5th floor.
They had entered and exited the labyrinth many times. It meant they had at least some experience already.
The elf cleric decided to take a bit more of the commission payment.
After a few hours, Jeong Yusin rose from his seat.
“Then, let’s conclude here and meet again in 3 days.”
Jeong Yusin parted ways with the party members and returned to the inn.
The sun that rose in the east had already climbed overhead.
The early morning had turned into late afternoon by the time their conversation ended.
“I’m back.”
“Have you returned?”
Delnaco approached and greeted.
“Take a seat for a moment.”
“Understood.”
“Two guests came last night.”
“Yes. I saw them this morning.”
“Have you confirmed their faces?”
“They were wearing robes, so I couldn’t confirm.”
I see.
“Could there possibly be any risk from them?”
After pondering for a moment, Delnaco shook his head.
“Probably not.”
“Why is that?”
“Firstly, the fabric of their robes is high-quality. Something commoners wouldn’t even get to see. Furthermore, their dining manners exude grace and decorum. They are clearly people of considerable status. Though they might appear suspicious, it’s unlikely they will bring harm to the inn.”
“Thank you.”
Jeong Yusin patted Delnaco’s shoulder once.
“It is simply what I was supposed to do.”
Delnaco scratched his head, looking embarrassed.
“Where has Tarman gone?”
“Lord Aldein called him, so he’s gone to the Demon Disassembly Site for a moment.”
For what reason has he gone?
It worried me for no reason.
“By the way, how did your task go?”
Delnaco asked cautiously.
“I managed to gather the party members. They seem to be decent people.”
Jeong Yusin stopped mid-sentence and sighed deeply.
It was somewhat difficult to articulate.
“The people are good, and we will set out for the labyrinth in 3 days.”
“Understood. Should I prepare food and water?”
“Prepare a plentiful supply for a week.”
“Understood.”
At that moment, someone entered, opening the inn’s door.
A tall female knight and a small boy.
The female knight had green hair and was wearing a worn plate armor.
The boy had brown hair and was dressed in a simple cloth outfit.
It was indisputably the two guests from the previous night.
Curiosity surged about what winds had prompted them to reveal their identities, yet he refrained from speaking.
It wasn’t necessary to unnecessarily entangle himself with those of high standing.
Especially not now, just before his journey into the labyrinth.
Their eyes met briefly, but Jeong Yusin rose from his seat without saying anything.
“I’m going to the market and will be back. I need to purchase supplies for our entrance into the labyrinth.”
“Understood.”
As Jeong Yusin left the inn, he glanced sideways at the knight and the boy.
The two took a seat at a table and began whispering to each other.
‘Not my business.’
Without knowing who they were,
Jeong Yusin left.
Jeong Yusin spent the next 3 days preparing for the labyrinth expedition.
After haggling at the market miscellaneous shop, he bought 2 small healing potions, antidotes, and about 2 sturdy leather pouches.
He already had dry firewood, healing ointment, ropes, thick robes, and bandages, so there was nothing else to buy. Instead, he bought a lot of torches.
At the blacksmith’s shop, he picked up light armor and a visor-equipped barbute helmet.
As the blacksmith handed him the equipment, his thin arms were practically shaking.
“So, what weapon do you plan to use?”
To Boron’s weak voice asking, Jeong Yusin stroked his chin and pondered thoughtfully.
The Light Knight Soline’s weapon is a claymore.
Since she would be up ahead wielding the greatsword, there was no need for him to insist on using a two-handed sword.
Wouldn’t it be better to coordinate with the vanguard while guarding the rear guard and the guide simultaneously?
“Give me one Arming Sword. One round shield made of wood. That’s all.”
“A round shield, huh? An iron rim at the end of the shield would be good, right?”
“Yes.”
Boron brought over the equipment.
The light armor was similar to before.
A leather armor base with segmented iron plates attached to protect vital spots, with a whole plate added to the chest and abdomen areas.
If he had a lot of money, he would buy a chainmail to wear underneath.
Jeong Yusin’s greed flared up as he licked his lips.
Tying the Arming Sword to his waist, he placed the helmet on his head.
After adjusting the shield handle and tightening the loosely tied boot laces, he bounced and ran around in the armor. He drew his sword and swung the shield.
Boron, arms crossed, observed Jeong Yusin silently before finally muttering.
“You’re a persistent man, aren’t you? Similar to Ainhover.”
Jeong Yusin stopped moving and tilted his head.
“It’s a bit embarrassing with sudden compliments. I have money here.”
Jeong Yusin took out the silver coins from his robe and handed them over.
“Drinks?”
“I’ll bring some next time.”
“Tch, take care of yourself.”
“Understood.”
After finishing his business at the blacksmith’s shop, he returned to the inn.
Delnaco saw Jeong Yusin and opened his mouth wide.
“Lord Scath, looking at you like this, you resemble a warrior from previous eras.”
“Thank you.”
“Then you’re leaving tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
He felt someone’s gaze.
Not far away, the female knight and the boy were sitting at a table, watching him.
The female knight and the boy seemed interested in explorers but didn’t give off an air that they wanted to approach and talk.
Jeong Yusin also didn’t feel the need to involve himself and didn’t approach them to initiate conversation.
The next morning.
Jeong Yusin packed his bags and headed to the Explorers Guild.
Upon entering the guild building, in one corner, the party members were seated in their positions.
The Holy Knight Soline had a greatsword slung over her shoulder.
Rhinoman Nuum Galerheim was carrying a crossbow on his back and had a single small dagger strapped to his waist.
The elven priest Fiyaron was dressed in cloth robes and holding a wooden staff.
At the end of the staff was a spiked iron mace, making it resemble a long Morning Star.
“Let’s go.”
Jeong Yusin led the party members past the dense crowd to reach the entrance of the labyrinth.
Explorers crowded the entrance of the labyrinth.
Before entering the magic circle at the labyrinth entrance,
He turned around and looked at the party members.
Human Holy Knight Soline.
Nosey Nuum Galerheim.
Grandma Lover Elven Fiyaron.
“What are we standing around for?”
Galerheim asked.
“Let’s go.”
Jeong Yusin and the party members followed the guard’s guidance and entered the magic circle.
The objectives were to gather magic stones and hunt hobgoblins.
Maximum floor 5.
He adjusted his hold on the helmet in his hand and fidgeted with the flintstone in his pocket.
“Everything should be fine, right?”
At the same moment of Jeong Yusin’s muttering, the magic circle burst into light.
