Three days had passed.
A tranquil evening.
Jeong Yusin sat on a chair at the inn’s counter. Strangely enough, there weren’t many customers today.
Creak.
The inn’s door opened, and Delnaco entered, sitting across from Jeong Yusin.
Jeong Yusin took out a bottle of alcohol and a cup from the cabinet and placed them in front of Delnaco.
“Delnaco, how’s it going?”
“Most of the rewards as requested by Lady Scath have arrived at the Demon Disassembly Site. As you’ve instructed, I’ve brought these herbs.”
Delnaco placed a pouch on the counter.
“These herbs are not lethal. When consumed as juice, they cause paralysis. They may also induce a dulling of the senses.”
Jeong Yusin picked up the pouch and stored it under the counter.
“Good job. And, have you found out if Oswald’s words hold any truth?”
“I will need more time for that.”
That so.
“Why doesn’t Oswald take action himself?”
“Oswald mentioned before, did he not? There’s an unwritten rule across the eastern section. Conflicts between clans are forbidden. The primary reason is to avoid overt disputes disrupting the eastern district.”
“Even if their clan has suffered losses?”
“It’s hard for weaker clans to prove damage. Even if they do manage to secure compensation, there’s always the risk of retribution, done discreetly.”
“Sounds like the powerful ones are bullying others openly.”
“Exactly.”
Jeong Yusin scratched his head, feeling they were circling the core issue.
The beginning of all these incidents.
“By the way, have there been any rumors about the Fifth Prince?”
Jeong Yusin glanced around and asked in a low voice.
Delnaco leaned in with his head, whispering.
“We’ve not obtained a single clue yet. It’s strange.”
Jeong Yusin remembered the duo that had come to the inn. Delnaco had referred to them as “honorable individuals.”
“Is the young boy and knight we saw last time still around? I haven’t seen them lately.”
“They stayed until Lady Scath was unconscious for a week, after which they left for somewhere.”
“Could they be the Fifth Prince and his royal knight?”
“I observed them with that consideration, but they were different.”
“In what way?”
“Royals usually have a particular finickiness when it comes to food and clothing, right? But they ate the inn’s food without hesitation, didn’t mind the dirt on their clothes, and spoke in a respectful tone.”
“What about their appearance? Were they similar?”
Delnaco shook his head.
“Aldein showed me a portrait. The Fifth Prince’s hair is a deep blonde. The young boy we saw had brown hair, no? And the facial structure was different. This, in fact, was the decisive point.”
Indeed.
The royal knight had green hair and wore an old plate armor.
The boy with brown hair wore a robe.
In truth, no matter how one changes their appearance, their inherent grace tends to shine through in unconscious actions. Or sometimes it doesn’t. I couldn’t imagine a royal being that thorough.
I trust Delnaco’s judgment.
Moreover, it’s been a while since they left, so there was no point in asking further.
Jeong Yusin sighed deeply.
“Completely hopeless.”
The sky seemed quite indifferent. After all this effort, shouldn’t there at least be a hint of a clue for fairness?
No.
Shaking his head, he suppressed his dissatisfaction.
There’s no use in pondering over a problem that won’t yield an answer right now.
He reached a conclusion and changed direction.
“Delnaco, send all the gold coins except for five to Edel. With twenty-five coins, I’m not sure if we can buy the pharmacy back, but it’s worth a try.”
“Pardon?”
“You’ve been working for free this time.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“In this upcoming fight, we’ll need premium potions and herbs. I feel this opponent isn’t as easy as the last one. We should aim to reduce damage as much as possible.”
“Ahh, understood. Lady Edel is doing much better physically, by the way.”
“Good. This time, the arrangement is more about a trade than help. Delnaco, discuss it well with Edel.”
“Understood…”
However, Delnaco lingered as if there was more to say.
“Feel free to speak your mind.”
“Is Lady Scath’s party also involved in this fight?”
“No. This is part of the eastern district underworld. I’ll handle it myself.”
“Isn’t that a bit too challenging? Let me help.”
“I’m thinking of something, but we’ll have to see how it goes. Let’s wait and observe. The items from Oswald can be kept at the Demon Disassembly Site for now.”
“Understood.”
Night fell, and it was time to close up.
After sending Delnaco off to the Demon Disassembly Site, Jeong Yusin helped Tarman and Ann tidy up the inn’s hall and kitchen.
He then sent off Ann and Tarman before returning alone to the counter.
He poured himself a drink and stared blankly at the ceiling.
The dark ceiling revealed nothing.
When you think about it, it is truly a strange fate.
I ended up in another world, and for some peculiar reason, I’ve become the stand-in innkeeper.
In terms of martial arts novels, I’m like a steward managing a tavern.
Slap!!
He slapped his face to stop his thoughts.
“What’s this? Laughing to myself and now slapping? What am I doing?”
Just then.
Out of the shadows emerged Oswald.
The Veil Of Darkness ability emerged.
Jeong Yusin didn’t even blink and pointed in front of the counter.
Oswald approached and slumped across from Jeong Yusin.
“Keeper, any drinks?”
Oswald asked.
“Let’s hear your plan first.”
Oswald explained his strategy. As was to be expected from a crazy friend like him, the plan was rather unique.
Jeong Yusin stood up and fetched a bottle and cup, pouring a drink for Oswald.
Glug…
Jeong Yusin filled the cup and spoke.
“You’re going to lure the assassins outside the Labyrinth City using the Fifth Prince’s nanny as bait? Do you think they’re that easy to fool?”
“If they don’t fall for it, what can be done? We have no other options.”
“By the way, how many assassins are we talking about?”
“Twenty-five.”
“Really a lot. So you’re telling me to kill all of them?”
“Hmm. We’ve hired a few mercenaries with plenty of cash, but they won’t take direct action. They’ll fire bolts from far away, keeping themselves hidden.”
“Who’s the boss?”
“Quelinn Kalhide. Race: Dark Elf. Famous for getting involved in underworld disputes in the eastern district. Not the friendliest, but he gets the job done cleanly—almost as much as I do. His imprints are Fast Weapon, Crow Site, and Hyper Sensitivity.”
“More details.”
At Jeong Yusin’s request, Oswald drank from his cup and continued explaining.
Fast Weapon: Increases the speed of weapon usage. The more you swing in combat, the faster this ability becomes.
Crow Site: A precise imprint that sharpens vision like that of a crow.
Hyper Sensitivity: An imprint that enhances one’s sensitivity. It amplifies all five senses from external sources, with a clear advantage and disadvantage. Misuse can lead to negative consequences; it’s like a double-edged sword.
‘In martial terms, a fast swordsman, perhaps?’
Today, for some reason, everything kept reminding Jeong Yusin of martial arts novels, so he slapped his face once more.
Sssssssshhhh!!
Oswald stared blankly, but Jeong Yusin ignored him. The poor joker could never understand his internal turmoil.
Jeong Yusin rubbed his reddened cheek, lost in thought.
Even if we managed to lure all the assassins out, there was still one more obstacle.
A Dark Elf with a mad cheater’s imprint.
Plus the 25 assassins.
If they scatter and fire bolts from all directions, the chances of surviving are slim.
Could he handle it?
To avoid retaliation, he needed to finish it all off neatly. They definitely had to die.
“About this Dark Elf, can I kill him?”
“Ah. That’s what’s been giving me a headache. There’s no clear way yet.”
The pale-faced Oswald scratched his head vigorously and pulled out a cigarette from his pocket, placing it in his mouth.
“Can’t I be the one to kill him?”
“I had a conflict once. If I’m attacked, people will suspect me immediately, right? Plus, with my imprint, there’s nowhere to hide. And that Dark Elf with Hyper Sensitivity will immediately notice.”
“You mean you’re just sitting this one out?”
“I can’t put my family in danger for my own safety, now can I?”
‘So, you’re a family-loving joker, huh?’
Poor guy. Was the insane laughter he showed in the Labyrinth just the cries of a desperate father trying to provide for his family?
“Fair enough, but why are there so many loopholes in this plan?”
“Hmmmm.”
Oswald didn’t answer but blew out cigarette smoke.
“Smoking is banned here. Get out.”
Oswald drained his cup and stood up.
“See you next time.”
“Hold on.”
Jeong Yusin stopped Oswald.
“What?”
“Leave one cigarette.”
“Those are expensive.”
“Is that so? Then, leave two.”
Oswald glared at Jeong Yusin as if to kill him but sighed deeply and placed two cigarettes from his pocket onto the counter.
“Get out. Think more about your plan and come back.”
“Shit.”
Oswald left the inn, cursing under his breath.
Jeong Yusin sat alone again, pondering deeply.
There seems to be absolutely no way.
If only I had one cheat imprint, I could sweep everything away.
He stopped his thoughts. His head was burning.
Jeong Yusin entered the kitchen and fetched a midnight snack.
Roast chicken prepared by Ann before she left for the day.
The chicken, rubbed with herbs and olive oil and grilled to a crisp, was a delight.
Jeong Yusin tore off a drumstick and took a bite.
The salty exterior and the juicy, tender meat danced in his mouth.
“Hmm. This is sex.”
The late-night meal seemed to taste even better.
It’s said that eating too late at night is harmful.
Harm?
I almost forgot.
I got these herbs to test the imprint I obtained, but I’ve been too distracted to remember.
He wiped the chicken grease from the corner of his mouth and poured himself some alcohol.
Glug.
The clear dwarven whiskey filled his cup.
Jeong Yusin took out the herbs from under the counter and tore them into small pieces, dropping them into the cup.
And,
[Venom Protection]
Imprint activated.
Jeong Yusin scanned his body. He felt some magic power being consumed but noticed no particular changes.
He raised the cup and drank.
“Hmm.”
No sensation?
Should I wait a bit more?
He retrieved another cup, placing three on the counter.
He chopped the herbs into pieces, added them to the cups, and poured alcohol.
At that moment,
Creak.
The inn’s door opened, and two people entered.
A young boy and a knight.
Their disheveled appearances indicated they had been through a rough time somewhere.
Had they entered the Labyrinth?
The two approached the counter as if entranced.
“Keeper, can we stay for one night?”
The knight asked.
“Sure.”
“Is there any food available?”
“It’s going to be difficult. I’m sorry.”
“Is that so…”
The boy stared longingly at the chicken.
“One drumstick is gone, but would you like some of this?”
“I wouldn’t refuse. How much is it?”
“It’s fine. Please, go ahead.”
“Really, are you sure it’s okay?”
“Yes.”
The boy and the knight eagerly began tearing at the chicken. They looked as if they hadn’t eaten for a very long time.
After eating for a while, both the boy and the knight pounded their chests, choking.
“Uh… uh, keeper, something to drink.”
“Sure.”
Jeong Yusin went into the kitchen.
There was a bit of leftover fruit juice somewhere. Luna the fox-tailed one occasionally visited to perform, and Ann and Tarman had prepared it, leaving some behind.
“Where is it?”
While rummaging around in the kitchen, voices were heard from outside.
“It’s… too early,”
“Don’t worry. I’ve grown up. It’s fine, we’ll pay. The innkeeper is generous, so he might understand…”
“But… this grass…”
The boy’s voice, coming intermittently, sounded clear.
“Found it.”
He emerged from the kitchen with two wooden cups of fruit juice. The boy and the knight were seated.
“Here you go. Eh?”
The cups were empty.
The knight scratched his head, saying,
“Excuse me. I took a small sip in a hurry. Would you accept the pay?”
The knight’s body stiffened, and he fell off his chair.
Clang!
The boy saw this and stared dumbly at Jeong Yusin.
“Ah… Uuhh.”
Before long, the boy tipped his chair and fell backward.
Clang!
“What did you do?!”
Jeong Yusin, alarmed, rushed over the counter. The boy and the knight were both trembling.
“Are…Are you okay?”
“Prince!”
The knight exclaimed.
Prince?
Jeong Yusin froze.
“Prince?”
Jeong Yusin asked dumbly, looking at the boy.
The knight’s face turned as white as a sheet, realizing his mistake. There was no denying it.
“The Fifth Prince?”
Jeong Yusin asked the boy. His eyes widened like lanterns.
“Who…shouted…? Second Lord? Who’re you talking…?”
Paralyzed by the poison, his tongue thickened, garbling his speech.
Such an unexpected turn of events.
Jeong Yusin wrung his hands, unsure what to do.
At that moment,
A flash of inspiration struck him like lightning.
Poison and the Fifth Prince.
“Ah!”
A way out of this predicament.
Could the heavens truly not abandon those who strive?
A way to lure out 25 assassins and their Dark Elf leader outside the Labyrinth City and finish them in one blow.
It might not be possible, but it’s worth a try.
Jeong Yusin quietly loosened his belt.
The knight’s eyes darkened.
“What are you…g-g-ggh!!!”
Jeong Yusin gagged the knight with his belt.
Looking to the side, the boy was shivering. It was unclear if it was because of the paralysis poison or fear.
“Hhheeeaaakkk!!!!”
Meeting Jeong Yusin’s gaze, the Fifth Prince let out a strange scream.
Jeong Yusin looked around. There was nothing to use to gag the prince.
Then,
He saw the leftover chicken on the counter. Nearly finished, only the chicken breast remained.
He tore a piece and stuffed it into the boy’s mouth.
“Ugh!! Ugh!!”
“If you spit out the chicken, I’ll give you something harder.”
The boy convulsed but, fortunately, didn’t spit out the chicken.
Jeong Yusin looked closely into the boy’s face.
Dilated pupils from pure terror.
“Prince.”
The word.
It had a pleasant ring.
Jeong Yusin gently stroked the boy’s head, smiling.
The brown hair slipped through his fingers.
“Shhh!”
Jeong Yusin placed his index finger on his lips.
The boy’s eyes widened with more fear.
And,
Whoosh.
The Fifth Prince’s pants were drenched.
