episode_0060

One day. Two days. Three days.

Time passed by.

The morning of the 4th day.

Jeong Yu-shin got up early again today and went to the Explorer’s Guild.

“No!”

“Get…get away from me!”

He asked to be included in a party, but the reactions of the people were the same as before.

He was exhausted from being rejected so many times.

Jeong Yu-shin sat at a corner table in the guild and sighed deeply.

It had already been 3 days and he was entering the 4th.

His head was spinning from the continuous rejections.

“There’s no answer.”

Jeong Yu-shin muttered to himself, tearing at his hair.

He could hear people whispering around him.

“Is that the guy?”

“The guards said he’s a virgin. Honestly, it’s hard to believe.”

“Still, that friend hasn’t committed any crimes, so isn’t he actually a decent person? Maybe he has self-control because he’s a mixed-blood.”

“That’s nonsense. He looks like a young man, but he’s a virgin? There must be something wrong with him. I can see it. The fiery desire that’s filling him up inside. Once it explodes in a dark maze-like place, it’ll just go boom! Huh? You know what I mean, right?”

‘Shit.’

Jeong Yu-shin’s expression twisted.

He didn’t know exactly when.

As time passed, rumors that he was a virgin had spread to this guild branch.

The problem was that people were either half-doubting it or treating him as even more dangerous.

Just mentioning that he wanted to join a party caused such a violent rejection that any conversation was impossible.

There was no good way.

‘I should just form my own and go.’

Jeong Yu-shin got up from his seat and went to the reception desk.

“Yes. How may I help you?”

A dog beastman gave him a sympathetic look.

“I’m trying to form a party.”

“Ah…I see.”

The dog beastman picked up a pen.

“Your purpose is to mine magic stones and subjugate Hobgoblins between the 1st and 5th floors, right?”

“Yes.”

“Do you have any specific party members you want?”

“I think I’ll need 1 vanguard, 1 guide, and 1 rearguard.”

“Are you okay with incompetent and novice party members?”

“Yes.”

‘I have to compromise. Decent people won’t come.’

That was the tentative conclusion he came to.

Even so, he was planning to interview them and send back anyone with an overwhelming mark that he couldn’t handle.

“Okay. Please go to seat number 5 and wait there.”

“Yes.”

He went to the table the receptionist directed him to and waited.

How much time had passed?

Quite some time had passed, but no one came.

Just as he was about to get up from his seat, thinking that today wasn’t the day, someone sat down in front of Jeong Yu-shin.

“I heard you’re looking for a party.”

A human youth sat across from Jeong Yu-shin and said.

“That’s right.”

“I heard you’re okay with incompetent ones.”

“It depends on what kind of mark you have. What mark do you have?”

“It’s the Gum-Gum mark.”

What?

Jeong Yu-shin’s eyes widened.

“W-What does that mark do?”

“It’s a mark that makes my body stretch like rubber.”

“…No. You’re disqualified.”

“Why?”

“If I say no, it means no.”

“Damn it!”

The human male grumbled and got up from his seat.

He seemed used to being rejected, as he didn’t cling and gave up quickly.

“But why is that a negative mark?”

He asked, curious.

“It takes a while for my stretched body to return to normal. About a month?”

“I see. Go away.”

After the youth left, several more people came.

Most of them were similar to incompetent friends.

“What mark do you have?”

Jeong Yu-shin asked.

The skunk beastman sitting across from him rolled his eyes and opened his mouth.

“I have a mark that makes me wet myself when I get nervous.”

Jeong Yu-shin crossed his arms at the skunk beastman’s answer.

‘That’s a strange mark.’

Jeong Yu-shin opened his mouth.

“Are you nervous?”

“No.”

The skunk beastman shuddered after he finished speaking.

“…Don’t be nervous.”

The skunk beastman trembled again after hearing Jeong Yu-shin’s answer.

‘I can’t say anything.’

He scratched his head in disbelief.

‘Is daily life even possible?’

Come to think of it, he felt like he unintentionally made him wet his pants, so he took out a few copper coins from his pocket and put them in the skunk beastman’s hand.

“Buy some diapers with this.”

The skunk beastman’s eyes welled up with tears.

“Thank you! I heard virgin barbarians don’t exist, but I’ll believe it!”

“…Okay.”

Jeong Yu-shin sent the incompetent explorer away and slumped back in his chair.

Squeak.

Someone came into the guild.

All the people who had been chattering stopped talking.

‘What’s going on?’

He turned his head and saw a human of similar age to him.

About early 20s.

His confident expression was impressive.

Step by step.

The young man walked slowly, enjoying the attention of the people.

People started whispering.

“Is that the guy?”

“That’s right. He’s the guy who got that mark this time. His luck is no joke.”

Jeong Yu-shin slipped into the next table.

“What mark did that blue-haired friend get?”

The cat beastman frowned.

“Get away.”

“Just tell me. I won’t ask to join your party. Even if we live in the same industry, can’t you answer a simple question?”

The cat beastman scratched his chin, thinking that this was too much.

“That friend got the ‘Genius Swordsman’ mark.”

Genius Swordsman?

“What kind of mark is that?”

“It’s a mark that gives you unparalleled talent in swordsmanship. It’s no joke.”

“Please tell me more.”

“What more is there to say? That friend was originally a novice explorer. He joined a mid-level explorer’s party as a porter and got that mark.”

‘Wow.’

He was so jealous.

His stomach started to hurt.

‘Ha. If only I had a cheat mark too.’

Jeong Yu-shin smacked his lips as he looked at the young man who got the Genius Swordsman mark.

The cat beastman frowned.

“Still, it’s a bit much.”

“What is?”

“You’ll know if you see it.”

As the blue-haired young man passed by, people parted and made way for him.

The young man walked leisurely as if it were a natural thing, and went to the reception desk.

“Looking for party members.”

The dog beastman nodded and picked up a pen.

“Yes.”

“1 vanguard, 2 rearguards, all women.”

“Ye…Yes.”

The dog beastman paused for a moment and then scribbled again.

The cat beastman shook his head and smiled bitterly.

“He used to be a diligent friend. He got a good mark and is slowly revealing his true nature. Well, most explorers are similar, though.”

“I see. In that sense, aren’t I better than that woman-crazed friend? Please let me join your party.”

The cat beastman became serious.

“No, that’s not true. That friend only likes women, but you don’t discriminate between men and women? Besides, you’re a virgin, so honestly, it’s a bit dangerous. Even a little bit of kindness and you’ll be like, ‘Does she like me? Is she interested in me?’ and then you’ll start fantasizing and eventually your companion will be in the darkness of the maze…you know?”

That’s a pretty specific example.

If nothing else, the people of the Maze City had amazing imaginations.

“Tsk. You’ll regret it. Do you think someone like me will reach out like this every time?”

The cat beastman’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Barbarian, do you often hear that you’re overly self-conscious?”

“No?”

Jeong Yu-shin nonchalantly lied without even wetting his lips.

The cat beastman waved his hand.

“Go away. Our party is full and we can’t take anyone else.”

“Tch.”

Jeong Yu-shin got up from his seat and left the Explorer’s Guild branch.

He returned to the inn and spent his time until evening.

Tarman and Anne finished work, and Hooknose also went up to his room on the 2nd floor of the inn.

Jeong Yu-shin sat in his seat with his arms crossed.

‘Is there really no way?’

He hated the thought of joining a strange party out of desperation.

But the situation was not easy.

He acknowledged the widespread hatred of barbarians and decided to compromise. He vowed to make more concessions than he thought.

Just as he was looking at the ceiling and organizing his thoughts.

Squeak.

The inn door opened.

Two people wearing robes entered the inn.

One was short and one was tall.

The tall person approached.

He could hear the clanging of metal, so it seemed like he was wearing metal armor under his robe.

Jeong Yu-shin felt around his chest and checked his dagger.

“Do you have a room?”

It was a clear woman’s voice.

He thought she was a man because she was tall, but he was mistaken.

“Yes, we do.”

“How much is it?”

“It’s 5 copper coins for one night. Breakfast is free, but lunch and dinner are 3 copper coins each.”

“Here are 10 copper coins.”

The tall person took out copper coins from their chest and placed them on the counter.

The short person stepped back and stood silently behind.

Jeong Yu-shin glanced at the short person and opened his mouth.

“If you share a room, it’s 8 copper coins.”

“Then we’ll take the same room.”

Jeong Yu-shin returned 2 copper coins.

“Go up and use the 5th room on the left.”

“Just a moment.”

Jeong Yu-shin stopped the two people who were about to go up to the 2nd floor.

“Do you have something to say?”

Jeong Yu-shin looked at the tall person.

Their face was not clearly visible as it was covered by the robe.

“What do you think about slave hunters?”

He asked in a casual tone.

It was a sudden and rude question.

Since he didn’t know their identity, he had to ask somehow. It was the minimum safety measure. Besides, Hooknose wasn’t even here right now.

“They’re sons of bitches. Does that answer your question?”

The woman in the robe answered smoothly.

“Can I see your sword once?”

“Why do you think I have a sword?”

“Any weapon is fine. Show me once.”

“Hmph. Look.”

The tall person took out a longsword from their robe and handed it over.

‘There’s no need to give it to me.’

Jeong Yu-shin received the sword and pulled it out of its sheath.

Swish.

The cool blade reflected the light of the inn’s lighting.

‘Confirm.’

There was no slave hunter insignia.

Clack!

Jeong Yu-shin returned the sword to its sheath and handed it over politely.

“The city has been rough lately, so I checked. Have a pleasant night.”

“The owner is very worried.”

The tall woman said a word and turned her body.

Jeong Yu-shin scratched his head as he watched the two people in robes go up to the 2nd floor.

“Am I overly self-conscious?”

Surely?

Probably not.

Jeong Yu-shin stared at the inn door for a moment, tidied up his seat, and returned to his room.

He changed his clothes and lifted the blanket.

The white mouse, Lynn, was not there.

‘Did she go out somewhere?’

He was curious, but not worried.

The contractor was Ingrid Redtail.

Jeong Yu-shin lay down on the bed and closed his eyes.

* * *

The next day, he got up early and went to the Explorer’s Guild.

He was rejected several times again and sat blankly at the corner table, squatting.

‘You bad bastards.’

He felt like he was going crazy with resentment.

Fucking world.

Something black was wriggling inside his chest.

Someone approached.

“Are you Sky?”

He raised his head and saw a human woman wearing plate armor standing there.

“Yes, I am.”

“I heard about you from my senior. I heard that you have loyalty and friendship, unlike the people in other Maze cities.”

“Who is that senior?”

“Gillshire.”

Jeong Yu-shin’s eyebrows twitched.

The silver-haired dog beastman he met in Karin’s party.

A paladin who worships the spirit god of light.

His last information was that he had escaped the maze, received a strange mark, became an idiot, and then regained his sanity with the help of another temple.

He heard that he was going to the Temple of Light outside the city.

“How is Gillshire doing?”

“Senior is doing well. These days… she’s a bit busy, though.”

“I see.”

An awkward silence passed between Jeong Yu-shin and the Paladin.

The Paladin spoke first.

“May I sit down?”

“Yes.”

The Paladin sat across from Jeong Yu-shin.

“I forgot. I haven’t introduced myself yet.”

“Make yourself comfortable.”

“Soline. A Paladin who serves the Spirit God of Light. I’m here in Maze City for a short time for training under the order of the temple.”

“I see. I’m Sky. As you’ve already heard.”

“I know. Senior Gillshire told me a lot about you.”

“Yes.”

“Are you looking for a party?”

“That’s right.”

“Is the vanguard position decided?”

“No one yet. As you can see, I’m a despised barbarian.”

Jeong Yu-shin shrugged and smiled bitterly.

“In that case, I’ll join.”

‘This is it.’

Jeong Yu-shin’s expression brightened.

‘I knew being nice would bring good luck.’

He held back the urge to clap his knees and raise his hands in the air and shout.

It was because the friends in the Explorer’s Guild had rich imaginations and sensitive personalities.

But there was still one more major hurdle left.

“How much did Gillshire tell you about me?”

“She talked about you so often that I recognized you at a glance.”

“…In that case, did she also tell you that I have the Virgin Succubus Corruption mark?”

“Sh…she didn’t tell me anything about that.”

Soline moved her chair back a little.

“Don’t worry. I’m wearing a mark suppression ring.”

“Is that so? Is it a reliable magic tool?”

“I spent 1 gold coin on it. It works properly.”

He said that with confidence.

To be honest, he had a little doubt these days whether this ring was working properly.

The side effect of the mark suppression ring was increased lust, and he had been feeling a lot of ups and downs in his lust lately.

He probably thought it was because he had a lot on his mind these days, but the doubt was a little bit true.

‘I should stop by the magic tool shop someday.’

Soline nodded.

“You openly revealed your negative mark and even prepared a countermeasure, so you have courage and wisdom. Senior’s words were not wrong.”

Jeong Yu-shin’s shoulders lifted slightly at Soline’s compliment.

“I do have that side of me.”

“So. Will you accept me?”

“Good. But, there’s something.”

“What is it?”

“How many times have you been in the maze?”

“I’ve been in about 5 times. My highest reached floor is the 5th floor. I’ve been resting for a while after the last 5th maze trip.”

“I see. I’ll ask just in case. Do you have any negative marks?”

Soline blushed slightly.

“I’m…I’m sorry. It’s difficult to reveal.”

Jeong Yu-shin’s eyes narrowed.

‘What is it?’

‘What kind of mark do you have?’

Doubt grew rapidly in his heart.

“It’s, it’s definitely not a mark that threatens the party. Believe me. I swear in the name of the Spirit God of Light.”

A paladin swears in the name of her god?

Shouldn’t I believe her if it’s this much?

Jeong Yu-shin hesitated for a moment and eventually nodded.

‘She’s a paladin who evaluates people correctly.’

He judged that she wouldn’t lie in a place like this because of her high standards and good personality.

“It’s really not a strange mark, right?”

“I swear. It’s a mark that I’m ashamed of and can’t say.”

“Okay. I’ll believe you for now since you’re Gillshire’s junior and you’re in the clergy.”

“Thank you.”

Soline smiled awkwardly and scratched her head.

‘I’m more grateful.’

He recruited one party member, so he decided to wait a little longer.

Thud!

“I heard you’re looking for a guide.”

A male gnome wearing a long-nosed mask sat at the table and said abruptly.

‘What kind of friend is this?’

He nodded for now.

“Yes. That’s right.”

“Let me join.”

He stared blankly at the gnome who suddenly said that he would join the party.

Hmm.

“By the way, what kind of mark do you have?”

“It’s a mark that makes my nose longer when I lie. When I tell the truth, my nose shrinks.”

“Ah…yes.”

Jeong Yu-shin tried to calm his dizzy mind.

‘Suddenly Pinocchio?’

‘There really are all kinds of marks in the world.’

‘I don’t know whether to believe this or not.’

Still, I have to check what I need to check.

“The city has been a little rough lately, right? Let’s take off the mask and talk first.”

“Okay.”

The gnome took off his mask without hesitation.

‘He’s ordinary.’

It was just a middle-aged gnome. There was nothing more to say.

No. I don’t know unless I open it.

Jeong Yu-shin cleared his throat and opened his mouth.

“What do you think about slaves?”

‘I have to check his ideology.’

The gnome opened his mouth slightly at the sudden question.

“Sl…slaves?”

“Yes.”

“Why are you asking that anyway?”

“Because I’m curious.”

The gnome hesitated and eventually opened his mouth.

“I…I think slaves are bad.”

Swish!

The gnome’s nose got longer.

Jeong Yu-shin’s eyes widened.