episode_0076

Maya.

Ahiman’s disciple, whom I met at Karin’s party.

Why is this woman here?

Jeong Yu-shin’s eyes widened.

Maya staggered towards Jeong Yu-shin. She probably hadn’t slept properly, as dark circles were prominent under her eyes.

“Scar, please help me.”

Maya got straight to the point without even greeting him. She seemed to have no composure.

“With…?”

“My master has been kidnapped by slave hunters.”

Shit.

Why is it that my ominous premonitions never fail?

“How did that happen?”

“I heard there was a rare magical ingredient only sold in the eastern district, so I visited with my master, but in the brief moment I looked away…they… *hic*.”

Maya couldn’t finish her sentence and shed tears. Her face was contorted with self-blame.

“…”

Jeong Yu-shin could only remain silent.

A complete checkmate.

There seemed to be no way to avoid it any longer.

Jeong Yu-shin tapped Maya on the shoulder once, then sat back down and looked at Oswald.

“How did Maya know to come here?”

“Remember the troll magician during the performance? He’s a classmate of Maya’s master. I heard they went to the same school.”

“Sniffle. That’s right. This is the only place I know in the eastern district…”

‘Oh dear.’

Jeong Yu-shin ran a hand over his forehead.

What in the world is going on?

How did a small connection become so intertwined?

He held back a sigh that threatened to escape.

Ahiman, who had transformed into a lizard, was kidnapped.

They had risked their lives for each other in the labyrinth. He couldn’t turn a blind eye.

And he couldn’t let those damn slave hunters live either.

“Oswald, tell me the story in detail.”

“Understood. The beginning of the incident…”

The story took about 30 minutes.

“…and that’s the end.”

Oswald closed his mouth.

Jeong Yu-shin rested his arm on the folding chair and looked at Oswald.

‘This is really complicated.’

He tapped the armrest of the chair and opened his mouth.

“To summarize, the assassins have no information about the labyrinth city. The Lionel merchants who want more money have information, but they don’t have the secret force to transport slaves. And the slave hunters are stepping in to mediate between the assassins and the merchants, is that right?”

“Roughly correct.”

“That’s strange. Aren’t these guys outsiders? Why are the underworld guys letting them kidnap their own people?”

“Of course they traded with them. The underworld guys.”

“Didn’t you say you cared about the people of the eastern district?”

“There are some who don’t. The arena guys.”

Jeong Yu-shin stroked his head.

The arena?

“Scar, don’t you know anything about the eastern district?”

“I don’t. I’m a child of light, after all.”

“…”

An awkward silence passed in the tent.

Everyone silently stared at Jeong Yu-shin’s face.

Oswald snapped out of it and cleared his throat.

“Ahem! Anyway. This slave hunter alliance is not only buying up the arena kids, but also kidnapping people from the streets. Of course, some of the arena guys helped.”

“Then you should protest.”

“We protested and a few were released. Then we were ignored.”

“Are those arena guys powerful?”

“Very. Incomparable to us.”

“Are the other underworld clans leaving the arena guys alone?”

“Officially, clan disputes are forbidden within the eastern district. Besides, the other clans aren’t very interested in this incident.”

Officially, disputes are forbidden.

In other words, disputes are possible as long as they’re kept under the table.

Jeong Yu-shin sighed deeply.

“It’s complicated. Let’s sort it out.”

Jeong Yu-shin tapped his head and continued.

“The arena guys are trading with outsiders. You want to interfere, but you can’t because of the non-aggression pact. The other clans are turning a blind eye. And the Shadow Clowns Clan is too weak to act under the table. So you called me? To ask for help?”

“That’s right.”

“There are many people in the labyrinth city who are more skilled than me, aren’t there? You could just hire them with money.”

“The relatively sane guys in the underworld dislike these kinds of behind-the-scenes disputes. Especially when fighting on the weaker side. The people in other districts would probably applaud and be happy, thinking the dirty bastards are gone.”

Oswald continued.

“Besides, as I said before, you’re connected to the slave hunters. And.”

“Haa.”

Jeong Yu-shin sighed, looking at the ceiling.

Oswald stopped talking and glanced at Hooknose.

Jeong Yu-shin didn’t see Oswald’s glances because he was rubbing his eyes with his palm.

“Never mind. Scar, let’s stop here.”

“Oswald, I’m a novice explorer.”

“Just because a wolf is wearing sheep’s clothing doesn’t make it a sheep. Enough.”

Jeong Yu-shin sat up straight again, thought for a long time, and then nodded.

They buy and sell people who have turned into monsters and animals. That means they aren’t like people.

And since the slave hunters are involved, he couldn’t sit idly by.

Prevent tragedy in advance. It was necessary to respond actively. Only heaven knows what kind of things would happen if he just stood by.

“Alright. I have some conditions.”

Oswald’s face brightened.

“Really?! Tell me!”

“Oswald, let’s talk about what you can give me first.”

He couldn’t be led around by Oswald like a pushover.

“What do you want?”

“First, 50 gold coins.”

Oswald’s eyes widened as if they would pop out.

“What…?”

“I’m not finished yet. Resolve a few simple requests in the city under my name. I need to advance to intermediate explorer.”

“…”

“There’s more. Give me good weapons and equipment if you have any. Good quality steel is fine too. Give me all the herbs, poisonous herbs, and anything that seems rare. And buy me some clothes that I can wear. Especially underwear, get plenty of it. I heard the arachnes are good at making clothes? Bring me plenty of recovery potions too. And if possible, magical scrolls as well.”

Oswald’s eyes rolled back in his head.

“You crazy bastard!!! Your greed is unbelievable! Don’t you have any human feelings?! I told you! We live hand to mouth!”

Oswald burst into anger.

“Hey…so. Are you not going to do it?”

Jeong Yu-shin asked, crossing his legs.

Oswald trembled.

“…Let’s make it 30 gold coins.”

Jeong Yu-shin’s mind raced.

He thought he was a generous clown who readily gave away a high-grade magic stone.

‘Could it be that the assassins gave him that high-grade magic stone?’

He spent it easily because he got it easily.

Since it was a magic stone whose origin wasn’t properly verified, there was a possibility that he could get caught up in something strange and be scammed while disposing of it in the city.

The conclusion is.

Was it a dump?

‘This guy is not easy.’

Jeong Yu-shin’s eyes sharpened.

“You’re trying to get away with it easily. No way. 50 gold coins.”

Oswald waved his hand at Jeong Yu-shin, who cut him off decisively.

“Let’s live with compromise. 30 coins.”

“50 coins. Is a person’s life worth nothing?”

“We’ll all starve to death. Let’s make it 30 coins. Sorry. I must have been a little out of my mind in the labyrinth.”

“50 coins.”

“Ha…shit.”

Oswald glared at Jeong Yu-shin with a face devoid of any smile.

Jeong Yu-shin leaned back leisurely in his chair and opened his mouth.

“Look at those eyes. Your nasty mindset of trying not to lose anything is truly awful. You should be dedicated. If you want to save them.”

“Where am I supposed to get 50 gold coins? Please, just this once. 30 coins.”

“Hmph. Alright. I’ll do you a favor and make it 40 coins.”

“30 coins! We’re all going to die!”

Jeong Yu-shin observed Oswald’s expression.

He was a guy who played the lute and laughed happily in the labyrinth.

He thought he was a crazy underworld talent, but now that he looked at it.

‘He’s just a crazy miserly clown?’

He felt pity and didn’t want to negotiate any further.

“Alright. 30 coins. Send all the items I requested through Hooknose.”

“Hmph. Alright. Then let’s come up with a plan.”

“Why should I do that?”

“What…?”

Oswald’s mouth dropped open at Jeong Yu-shin’s words.

“You make it. What help can I be? I’m a swordsman.”

“So…if I make a plan, will you carry it out as is?”

“No? You make it and I’ll review it. Are you kidding me, Oswald?”

Oswald couldn’t take it anymore and jumped up from his seat. A torrent of curses erupted from his mouth.

“…You son of a bitch!!! Give me money. Squeeze your brain. Give me information. You have no morals, you fuck!! I’ve never seen such a shameless bastard in my life. Hey!!! Let go of me!!!”

The two subordinates who were standing next to him were startled and grabbed Oswald, clinging to him.

“Plea…Please wait a moment! Oswald! Calm down. Calm down.”

“You know what to do if you don’t like it, right? Make a neat plan and send it to Hooknose. I’ll review it.”

Jeong Yu-shin twisted his lips and smiled.

“Hehehehehe.”

Oswald, whose mind had been blown by K-exploitation, slumped back into his chair and let out an empty laugh.

“I’m leaving. Maya, are you going to stay here? Let’s go together.”

Jeong Yu-shin said as he got up from his seat.

“Ye…Yes.”

Maya stammered and followed Jeong Yu-shin.

They left the tent and walked through the eastern district.

It was long past midnight, but the entertainment district was still crowded with people.

Maya asked as they walked.

“Scar, if Oswald had refused to negotiate, were you going to give up?”

“No. Whether Oswald refused or accepted the negotiation, I was going to beat those slave hunters. And I was going to save Ahiman.”

“I…I see.”

“Miss, it’s because we’ve suffered a lot at that bastard’s hands. Please understand.”

Gallerhaim defended Jeong Yu-shin.

“That’s right. Gallerhaim, are you saying something right for once?”

“I always speak the truth.”

Gallerhaim’s nose grew longer.

“Scar, do you believe everything Oswald says?”

Hooknose asked.

“No. I don’t trust that bastard. Hooknose, I need you to verify if Oswald’s words are credible. Do some hard work.”

“Yes.”

Jeong Yu-shin and Maya passed through the eastern checkpoint and returned to the inn.

On the way back to the inn.

He firmly silenced Gallerhaim and sent him home, and sent Hooknose to the monster dismantling center.

He entered the inn and sat at the counter.

“Lastly, Rin.”

The reason he brought Maya here.

It was because Maya possessed an animal communication imprint.

“Squeak!”

Rin was still wearing the hat.

The shape of the hat was a top hat like British gentlemen wore. The appearance was secretly cute, but he gritted his teeth and endured.

“Rin, we need to have a talk, right?”

“Squeak.”

Rin cowered.

“Maya, please help me.”

“Yes. I understand.”

Maya extended her finger and grabbed Rin’s forepaw. With her other hand, she grabbed Jeong Yu-shin’s wrist.

A strange magic entered Jeong Yu-shin’s body and began to circulate. It was a calm and intellectual feeling. It was Maya’s magic.

“Rin, you little rascal. How in the world were you there?”

“Squeak.”

“He says he was wandering around the eastern district and followed some interesting people.”

“Goodness.”

“Squeak. Squeak.”

“He says he liked it because the people with painted faces gave him food and played with him.”

‘They were doing target practice?’

He was truly a remarkably daring white rat.

“So. Are you saying you did well? Aren’t you going to show your face? You suddenly appeared today and made people worry? Do you want a spanking?!”

“Squeak.”

“Yes.”

Rin shyly turned around and presented his plump butt.

“…”

‘Ingrid, your familiar is a bit strange.’

There was nothing normal in the labyrinth city.

Was he the only sane man?

Jeong Yu-shin sighed and flicked his finger, giving Rin a light smack on the butt.

“Squeak!”

“Eek.”

He grabbed the back of Rin’s neck as he crumpled to the ground and lifted him up, placing him in his shirt pocket.

“Let’s stop here. Maya, go up to the second floor and rest. You can use the sixth room from the left.”

“How about the accommodation fee?”

“It’s free.”

“…Thank you.”

Tears welled up in Maya’s eyes. Jeong Yu-shin turned his head, pretended not to see, and went up to the second floor.

He entered the room, took off his sweat-soaked shirt, and wiped his whole body with a water-soaked towel. He changed his clothes and lay down on the bed.

Rin climbed up Jeong Yu-shin’s stomach and plopped down on his chest. He must have been very tired, as he closed his eyes immediately.

Jeong Yu-shin also closed his eyes.

“Tsk. I could have squeezed more out of him.”

“Squeak?”

“Never mind. Let’s sleep.”

Soon, only quiet breathing filled the dark room.