episode_0087

Morning inn.

Amidst the bustling guests.

Jeong Yushin and Iron Mask made eye contact.

“Let’s sit down first.”

He sat down with Iron Mask at a corner table in the inn.

The quick-witted Tarman approached and left a drink.

A juice made by blending raspberries and peaches with honey.

It was a juice that he always prepared because Luna liked to flap her tail like a helicopter when she drank it.

Jeong Yushin tilted the wooden cup to his mouth and gulped it down.

“Hoo. Good. You drink too.”

“Good.”

Iron Mask lifted the cup and poured the juice into the mouth hole of his mask. Judging by how skillfully he drank, it wasn’t his first time.

He wanted to see his face without the mask, but it seemed he really didn’t want to show it.

Jeong Yushin crossed his arms and quietly observed Iron Mask before opening his mouth.

“Iron Mask, how did you know I was staying here?”

Iron Mask put down the wooden cup and tilted his head.

“Hmm? Everyone on the south street knows you live here.”

Jeong Yushin’s brow furrowed.

Come to think of it, wasn’t there more than one stalker?

He felt the gaze of merchants and residents every time he passed the street, but he didn’t think it would be this bad.

“Why did you invite me to the party of all people?”

“Do you remember the day we worked together?”

Of course, he remembered. He fought the summoned monster with Half-Ogre Stone Fist and Frog Beastman Cork, whom Hans had summoned.

“Even though it was a hastily formed party, we worked well together. And.”

Iron Mask paused for a moment before speaking again.

“I was impressed by the courage and dedication you showed. That’s why I invited you to our party.”

Jeong Yushin scratched his cheek.

Courage aside, dedication? Those are grand words.

But.

It was true that he got along with this man.

He didn’t know if they were a good match until they spent more time together, but at least he didn’t discriminate against him from the start by calling him a barbarian.

Jeong Yushin tapped the table with his finger and pondered.

There was something he needed to know to work together.

“Which part of the labyrinth are we going to?”

“Up to the 6th floor forest area. If we have enough time, we plan to go up to the 7th floor.”

“Iron Mask, weren’t you a novice explorer?”

“I heard there’s a term called ‘experienced newbie’ in the world.”

“Are you that person?”

“There’s no rule that you can only gain experience in the labyrinth city. Call me a prepared talent.”

Jeong Yushin nodded at Iron Mask’s words.

Did he receive some kind of education outside of the labyrinth city? He was a thorough person.

“What is the party composition?”

“Ordinary. You and I are the vanguard. 1 guide. 1 priest.”

Jeong Yushin fell into deep thought.

Not bad. Coincidentally, they were also heading to the forest layer. The party composition seemed good too.

But.

There was a final problem.

No matter how much he thought about it.

The characteristics of the 1st prince that the 5th prince had mentioned were similar to those of Iron Mask.

Should he ask?

Or not?

It wasn’t a story to be told in a noisy inn.

‘I have no choice.’

Jeong Yushin got up from his seat.

“Follow me to my room. Let’s talk for a bit.”

Iron Mask’s voice turned cold.

“Barbarian, what does that mean? Why should I go to your room?”

“Let’s talk. I’m not trying to do anything to you.”

“If you have something to say, say it here.”

Ha. He thought he didn’t have any prejudice against barbarians.

Did he eat some labyrinth city water?

He had no choice.

He had to use a new method.

Jeong Yushin twisted his mouth and made a strange sound.

“Uwaja.”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

Iron Mask’s voice was full of questions. He even pulled his chair back a little.

“Your younger sibling. Owaja. Wagu.”

“…I see. Did you know?”

The intelligent Iron Mask immediately understood Jeong Yushin’s words.

Jeong Yushin straightened his posture.

“May I use formal language from now on?”

“I heard that social status doesn’t matter to explorers in the labyrinth city. Speak comfortably.”

“Really? I will.”

“…”

Iron Mask stared at Jeong Yushin for a moment before opening his mouth.

“Come to think of it, I think I’m older, but aren’t you being too casual? It’s a bit uncomfortable.”

“How old are you?”

“27.”

“You’re only 4 years older than me, don’t bother me with this, friend.”

“Hoo.”

Iron Mask sighed deeply.

“Keep my identity a secret. And let’s talk about the rest of the story later.”

His tone was much more comfortable.

“Why?”

“I came here straight after my early morning shift. I’m too tired.”

I see. There was a reason why the 5th prince couldn’t find this friend no matter how hard he looked.

Of course, there may be some deep circumstances, but he would have to hear Iron Mask’s words to know more.

“Okay. By when should I finish preparing?”

Jeong Yushin asked.

“It will take about 5 days. I’ll meet the party members before then. How about seeing each other again here in 3 days for dinner?”

“Good.”

At Jeong Yushin’s agreement, Iron Mask nodded once and got up from his seat and left the inn.

Jeong Yushin didn’t see him off and sat still, watching Iron Mask’s back.

The 1st prince, who had a terminal illness.

He came down from the position of the king’s successor and came to the labyrinth city.

He didn’t bring it up, but.

There were a few inferences he could make.

That the labyrinth’s mark was his only lifeline.

In some ways, he was a human in a similar situation to himself.

He felt a sense of kinship in that he was a human who desired something that did not exist in this world.

And.

He liked the fact that he wasn’t crazy or out of his mind and was having a normal conversation despite his limited time.

Still, royalty.

He was often involved with people of strangely high status.

Jeong Yushin scratched his head and got up from his seat.

It was time to prepare to enter the labyrinth.

Now that he had made up his mind, there was no reason to delay.

He moved quickly.

He asked Mion for understanding and went to Boron’s smithy in the west district. Of course, he didn’t forget to bring a bottle of liquor.

“Boron, I’m here.”

“Ska! You came?”

For once, Boron’s face looked clean. The last time he saw him, he looked like he was about to die.

“Did something good happen?”

“I made quite a profit with the Alcion Metal you gave me!”

Boron grinned and tapped Jeong Yushin’s knee.

One of the things he got from the dark world clown, Oswald, was high-quality iron. He had sent it through Hooknose, and it seemed that Boron had used it well.

“I made a longsword as you ordered. We used the remaining Alcion iron well. All the repairs on the damaged light armor are finished.”

“I see. Where is Einhofer?”

He couldn’t hear the sound of a hammer.

“He went to a family gathering. He has to make several decorations to show off at this year’s Blue Moon Festival, and he said he doesn’t have enough manpower.”

I see.

Jeong Yushin nodded.

“But, Boron, aren’t you doing anything with your family?”

“…”

Boron pursed his lips at Jeong Yushin’s question.

Had he asked something he shouldn’t have?

“I apologize for asking so carelessly.”

He apologized honestly.

“…You’re a barbarian who stabs where it hurts. Okay. Are you going to take your equipment?”

“Yes.”

Boron went behind the counter and took out his equipment.

Light armor that had been neatly repaired.

And.

A longsword with a blue light.

Jeong Yushin’s mouth dropped open.

It was a sword that exuded an elegant feeling. Should he say that it felt like it captivated people?

It was completely different from what he expected. He just thought it was a mediocre sword.

“It’s a beautiful sword.”

Boron smiled broadly.

“Einhofer and I worked hard to make it.”

“Is that so? It seems that Einhofer’s skills are improving day by day.”

“That guy is serious about this. He hammers iron, even saving time for sleeping and eating. It would be a problem if his skills didn’t improve. He’s my proud disciple.”

Boron’s eyes were filled with pride.

“Didn’t you say he was a guy who was ruining the store at one point?”

“Me? I never said that, though?”

He stared at Boron, who was pretending not to know, and placed the bottle of liquor on the counter.

“Can I take a look at the sword?”

“Look all you want. It’s yours now.”

Jeong Yushin grabbed the blue longsword.

A picture of a wolf looking at the moon was engraved on the scabbard.

Swish.

A clear sound echoed through the smithy.

The cold blade reflected Jeong Yushin’s face.

‘It’s wider than a typical longsword.’

It was a feature of a sword specialized for cutting. But the tip of the blade was sharp. In this case, it should be seen as a longsword with a balance between cutting and stabbing.

In other words, it meant that the longsword was made with both plain clothes combat and armor combat in mind.

He lifted the sword and swung it around.

The center of gravity was in the handle. This meant that it was easy to handle and could be operated in an unconventional manner.

It wasn’t knowledge he learned from someone. It was just knowledge that he had naturally acquired as he swung his sword and fought.

A satisfied smile appeared on Jeong Yushin’s face.

Thanks to the generous clown, Oswald, he got a good longsword.

“Hmm?”

There was a letter engraved on one side of the blade. He couldn’t read it.

Jeong Yushin lowered the sword and showed it to Boron.

“What are the letters engraved on the blade here? Is it a new kind of magic or a phrase wishing for good luck?”

“Ah. That’s Dwarf script.”

Boron smiled and answered.

“Oh! What does the phrase mean?!”

Jeong Yushin’s voice naturally rose.

A sword inscription that appeared in Norse mythology made his heart flutter with romance.

“‘A sword made by Boron and Einhofer. The owner is the barbarian Ska.’ That’s what it says.”

“Uh…”

Jeong Yushin’s shoulders drooped.

Was this right?

His romance.

At the very least, he wanted him to engrave a cool phrase like General Yi Sun-sin’s sword, ‘Once swung, it sweeps away, the crimson colors the mountains and rivers.’

Jeong Yushin grabbed Boron and asked him to write this kind of phrase from now on.

“Wh-whwhat?! It’s too scary!”

Boron, whose face turned pale, trembled and replied.

“Then why did you engrave this kind of phrase?”

“Most stolen weapons go through the smithy at least once, right? Most of the smithies are controlled by dwarves. If a conscientious blacksmith sees your lost weapon, he’ll contact you. Plus, it’s also for promotion.”

‘Hmm.’

No matter how he looked at it, it just seemed like it was for promotion.

It only felt like he was trying to show off to other blacksmiths.

“Tsk. Okay. Please engrave some cool phrases from now on.”

“Heo…hey! You’re always losing and breaking your swords, so what phrase are you talking about?!”

Jeong Yushin left the smithy, leaving Boron, who was kicking and screaming as he saw him off, behind.

Next, he had to prepare antidote and healing potions.

He walked through the south district and stood in front of a building.

A small building that wasn’t very big.

It was built only with stone and wood, giving it a simple and homely atmosphere.

Ting-a-ling.

When he opened the door and went inside, a fox beastman sitting at the counter got up from her seat.

“Mr. Ska.”

“Edel, how’s your health?”

“I’m much better. Thank you.”

Certainly.

She looked healthier than the last time he saw her.

“I’ve come to buy recovery potions and insecticides.”

Insecticide.

A medicine to defeat monsters in the forest area. He learned it through Mion’s tutoring.

“Are you going to the forest area?”

The intelligent Edel immediately understood his intentions.

“Yes.”

“I see. Please wait a moment.”

Edel wagged her golden tail and rummaged through the cupboard.

“Here you are.”

A few moments later, a red potion, a yellow potion, and a few pills were placed on the counter.

“The yellow potion is a stamina potion. It restores stamina. The white pills eliminate parasitic monsters and eggs that live in the forest area. And…”

Edel began to explain the potions and medicines in a calm voice.

About 10 minutes passed, and all the explanations were over.

Jeong Yushin packed the medicine in his backpack and then opened his silver coin purse.

“Thank you. How much do I need to pay?”

“It’s free.”

“That won’t do.”

“No. Thanks to Mr. Ska’s help, I was able to obtain valuable herbs and reopen the store. How can I hold my head up high if I can’t even do this much?”

Edel stubbornly refused.

“In that case, I will only receive it for free this time.”

“Yes. I understand. Please visit us often. Luna often asks when Mr. Ska will visit the store.”

“I see. I’ll stop by soon.”

Jeong Yushin smiled and left the store.

Finally, he went to the Swordsmanship Association to meet Ashur.

“I’m going to the forest area.”

“Okay. I have something to say when you come back, so don’t die.”

“Yes. I’ll try to stay alive as much as possible.”

“Come back safely.”

Ashur unexpectedly sent Jeong Yushin off coolly.

Jeong Yushin frowned.

‘Tsk. Something’s strange.’

He’s letting him go this easily?

“What? Do you have something to say?”

“No. I don’t have anything.”

He shook his head to shake off his uneasiness. If he looked into the stalker elf’s inner thoughts, his paranoia would only deepen.

* * *

Evening 3 days later.

Jeong Yushin was sitting in a corner of the crowded inn.

All preparations were completed.

As he sat waiting for Iron Mask, he saw many familiar faces.

They were mostly people who ran businesses in the south district.

They were gathering in groups of twos and threes, whispering something.

He almost joined them, but he stopped.

Didn’t the famous White CEO in the food service industry say that? Don’t pretend to be friendly with customers for no reason.

He was sitting quietly and waiting when.

“Whee.”

Along with the whistling sound, he felt something slip out of his pocket.

A pickpocket?

He reached out and grabbed the thief’s hand.

“Freeze. You son of a bitch. Who are you?”

A gray fur rat beastman was sweating profusely with his hand caught.

“I-I’m sorry. T-this isn’t my intention.”

What did he say?

A crowded evening inn.

Jeong Yushin’s eyes turned cold.