episode_0009

“Yujin…”

Early morning.

Clutching his growling stomach, Jil walked out of the room with heavy steps.

Thinking he had shed all his tears, he still found himself locked in his room crying and weeping upon returning from Hameln.

Throwing and breaking everything within reach.

Yet, Yujin faithfully adhered to his final command not to speak to him.

He never entered the room even once.

“Yujin…”

That stubborn guy.

Just thinking about it made his lips curl in frustration.

Still, after venting his anger in the room for over a day, he felt slightly better.

Although it was still unpleasant that Yujin betrayed him and spent the night with another woman, it was not unforgivable.

Yujin would always remain by his side.

That woman was just a one-night fling; Yujin truly cherishes and loves only him.

“I’m hungry, Yujin. Did you prepare any food?”

There was no response since earlier.

Did he go out somewhere?

Puzzled, Jil went to the kitchen and found a note pinned down with a dagger on the desk.

It was the dagger he had given Yujin as a token of a guardian knight.

– I apologize. Due to my shortcomings, I have brought disappointment upon you. It seems I am not fit to be the saint’s guardian knight. I shall take my leave. Stay healthy.

“Ah…”

A dry sigh escaped Jil’s lips.

Tears welled up again in his dried, twisted eyes.

***

The salary of the saint’s guardian knight was 4000 gold.

Minus the maintenance cost of armor and sword, which was 1000 gold, left 3000 gold.

After deducting living expenses (including Jil’s snack money), there remained 1000 gold.

Lastly, subtracting 10% of the income forced as a donation to the church left 600 gold.

So roughly, about 600,000 won per month.

Saving every bit by resisting the occasional cravings for specialty foods amounted to this sum.

The total saved so far was around 1.5 million won.

“Hooray. A savings account awakened after three months. How delightful.”

It was a laughable amount. A bitter laugh.

Still, it was enough for the transcontinental train fare with some money left over.

Even grabbing the lowest class seat for a month-long journey on the transcontinental train would cost a fair amount.

Of course, there was also the option to sell the dagger Jil had given away…

“Am I insane? Should I beg on the streets?”

Thinking like that would lead to an immediate game over.

Not wanting to see the Holy See label him a traitor and send a punitive force after him, Jil decided to leave the dagger pinned with the note.

“Why does he live in such a remote place alone?”

It had been ten days since boarding the transcontinental train.

Finally crossing the strait into the northern continent.

And yet, there were still twenty more days to go, leaving a sense of disappointment.

“It doesn’t look like a place where people should live, no matter how you look at it.”

As soon as the continent changed, the climate dramatically shifted.

As if teleporting to another world within the game.

The green fields and plains outside the window disappeared without a trace, replaced by snow-covered mountain ranges.

It was a puzzling sight, even for someone who knew the entire game story.

Shivering despite wearing the thick fur coat he had prepared, Jil felt the cold seep into his bones.

Just the thought of living in such a place was dizzying, but it wasn’t all drawbacks.

“Oh. Starting to see some Eastern-style architecture.”

“Mom, what is that guy saying?”

“Shh. Seems like he’s a bit strange…”

If the southern continent was themed after Western Europe, the northern continent was themed after East Asia.

However, this didn’t mean going back to the Joseon Dynasty and wearing traditional attire.

It meant that the basic way of life resonated with Eastern sensibilities.

When entering a room, it’s basic to take off your shoes and use chopsticks and spoons when eating…

Why do these basics become merits?

Try living with a saint who doesn’t find anything strange about wearing shoes and lying on the bed.

Will your blood pressure rise or not?

It becomes bearable once you get used to it, but I couldn’t help getting angry every time I saw it.

“Ugh. Can’t sleep…”

It’s too cold to sleep.

Since the destination, Palanka, is still far away, managing your sleep pattern is important.

But why is the name in Russian if it’s Eastern style?

Did they think it was cool?

How could I possibly know what high-ranking people think?

“Phew. The road is rough.”

I thought as soon as I got off the train, a village would unfold before me.

However, I was surprised to find myself on a small train platform with only one roof in the vast plain.

I was taken aback twice by the conductor’s guidance that I had to walk for half a day to reach Palanka.

Shouldn’t there be a carriage?

Of course, there isn’t one without a station.

There isn’t even a path for a carriage to travel.

All I know is that if I head north, I’ll reach Palanka.

“But is this the right path?”

For three hours, I’ve been crossing forests and mountains along a trail made by wild animals.

I’m already filled with doubt.

Walking with confidence is a first for me.

Feeling anxious at the thought of walking for half a day like this.

“Damn. The compass is useless.”

This area is known for frequent supernatural phenomena.

Just as I set foot here, trouble started with my compass that was fine until recently.

Do you remember the saying that people tend to veer left or right even when trying to walk in a straight line?

If I keep walking without knowing the direction, I might end up in completely the wrong place.

I might even turn around and return to the platform.

“This is really messed up.”

In short, I’m screwed.

No tools for camping in this mountain, and food will last only two days if I ration it.

“I don’t know. Maybe luck stats will help somehow.”

There’s no other way.

I can’t just go back to the platform and wait for months for the next train.

I have to walk in some direction.

My luck stats, which are well above average, should help somehow.

Oh. Come to think of it, if I apply a -5 penalty, I’m below average…

“Grrr!”

“······!”

It’s the sound of a bear.

The sound a bear makes when threatening its prey.

If it’s a large terrestrial animal big enough to threaten a bear, could it be…?

‘Could it be a person!’

The one being threatened by the bear could be a person.

With that thought, my body was already leaping towards the direction where the sound was coming from.

Perhaps due to the Paladin penalty, I quickly tired out, but I couldn’t stop.

In an instant, I crawled up the mountain and reached the spot where

“Crazy.”

I could see a huge black bear and a person in fur standing in front of it.

The black bear stood on its hind legs, looking like it could swipe the person at any moment.

But the person, frozen in fear, didn’t move a muscle.

It’s dangerous.

“Please run away!”

“······!”

My body automatically drew the sword and stood in front of the person.

It’s become a habit to block like this whenever there’s even a slight danger.

Now, with just the Paladin activated, dealing with one black bear should be a piece of cake…

“Huh?”

[Stats]

[Strength: 13(-5) *Paladin penalty in effect]

[Endurance: 12(-5) *Paladin penalty in effect]

[Mana: 12(-5) *Paladin penalty in effect]

[Agility: 20(-5) *Paladin penalty in effect]

[운: 14(-5) *Guardian Knight penalty in effect]

The Guardian Knight doesn’t activate.

In the moment of panic, I noticed something odd about the bear’s demeanor.

It was just puffing itself up to appear threatening, but it hadn’t made a move since earlier.

As if it were afraid of something…

Could there really be someone who could intimidate a bear just by standing still?

I do know one such person.

Turning around cautiously, “Hmm.”

Upon seeing the pretty face peeking out from under the thick fur coat and hat, I couldn’t help but let out a dry laugh.

The glimpse of blue hair peeking out from the hat, the shining eyes against the wall.

And those sharp ears resembling a wolf’s, sticking out as if ready to lift the hat.

Yerina Frost.

The Lord of Pallana and the very reason I’m here.

This was the third and final appearance of the main heroine in the game.

After ruthlessly subduing all the nobles and seizing absolute power, the first words of the Frost Lord were,

“Kya, kyaah. So scary. Save me?”

“…”

It was somewhat bewildering.

“Hoo, hoohee. Hoohee.”

Awkwardly making noises, she brandished her sword, causing the black bear to retreat back into its cave.

It seemed absurd for a bear to flee from a weaponless woman, but perhaps it was thanks to me that she gained a good excuse.

As she headed back into the cave, she glanced back at me with a look of gratitude, or so it seemed.

Successfully returning this sturdy guardian of three bears safely to their family.

“Are you hurt?”

“No. Thanks to you, I’m alive. I almost fell victim to that ferocious bear. Thank you so much.”

“…”

It was probably the bear that you almost fell victim to, not you.

It’s quite unbelievable that someone who could single-handedly collapse that cave and wipe out a family of bears would speak like this, leaving me dumbfounded.

Yerina must have had a bold and daring personality.

It’s suspicious how she awkwardly continues the lie.

Despite her innate terrible acting skills, due to her fluctuating emotions and twitchy ears, she can’t lie at all.

What benefit does Yerina gain from pretending to be a powerless, pitiful, innocent country girl, which doesn’t suit her at all?

It’s so incomprehensible that it’s driving me crazy.

“Are you from out of town?”

“Yes. I traveled here by train from the Southern Continent.”

“Hmm. Do you happen to know anyone in Pallana?”

“No, I don’t. I just came here for sightseeing. Do you live in Pallana?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“If it’s not too much trouble, could you guide me to Pallana?”

“Oh, of course! I can’t just leave a traveler stranded in the mountains.”

To Yerina, these rugged mountains are just the hills behind the village.

It seems like the difference in perception hints at a difference in status.

And so, I embarked on this strange journey with the fragile (or not) maiden who had come to pick fruit in the back hills.

“You have a very wide stride. Are you used to wearing pants?”

“Oh, no? No, not at all? I’m just a very innocent girl who enjoys wearing skirts?”

“Why do you keep hesitating? It’s like the cautious stance of a sensitive knight who senses a stranger’s presence.”

“Is that so? Could it just be a coincidence? Maybe I’m just stumbling over my feet?”

I gave a few hints.

I already figured it out.

No matter how you look at it, you seem like a strong figure in this world, almost belonging to the ranks of superhumans, so stop with the act that doesn’t suit you at all.

Yet Yerina persisted, clinging to her concept like a 7-year-old who believes she has a talent for acting until the end.

I eventually gave up.

She clearly didn’t want to be exposed, so what could I do?

It’s not like I can say, “The deduction is over. Your name is Yerina Frost. Your measurements are from the top…”

Eventually, the awkward mountain hike continued and persisted, and before they knew it, dusk had arrived.

“I heard that if we diligently walk for half a day, we should arrive. Are we still far away?”

“Um. Just a little further.”

“It should be about time to see the village······.”

Something seems off.

They said it would take about 6 hours to reach by heading straight north.

However, there was no sign of the village lights, let alone a path where people were walking.

Did the guide lie?

It’s hard to believe that Yerina, who knows this area like the back of her hand, could have taken the wrong path.

Just as they were starting to feel puzzled and tilt their heads in confusion.

“Oh. Oh no. This is a big problem.”

“What happened?”

“It’s too dark to see the path.”

“If you’re a werewolf, shouldn’t you be able to see well even at night······”

“Oh no! I forgot to bring a torch! There’s nothing we can do! We’ll have to spend the night here!”

“······?”

What on earth is going on?

The seven-year-old child, who considers themselves talented in acting, seems to be overreacting like a drama queen, causing a frown involuntarily.

Thinking that they could light the way with a torch and that the village would appear after a bit more walking.

With such innocent thoughts in mind, they raised the compass to examine it when suddenly.

“······Huh?”

Why is this happening?

Why is the north pointing in the opposite direction of our intended path?

Could it be that we’ve been turning around 180 degrees and walking in the wrong direction all morning······?

As they were about to panic, not understanding a word of what was happening, they turned around and saw.

“Oh, hurry up and lie down. We need to rest early and leave early tomorrow morning.”

“······.”

Yerina had already prepared the campfire, tent, and sleeping bag without them noticing.

A slight blush appeared on Yerina’s face reflected in the campfire.

What on earth is going on here, seriously.