episode_0016

The next day.

Jung Yushin woke up early in the morning, had a meal, and left the inn.

He got caught in the crowd and arrived at the temple, pushing against it.

“You can go that way.”

The temple guard pointed to one side.

A little away from the temple, there was a large brick house with a yard.

Crossing the yard and entering the house, he heard a noisy sound.

“Emma! Come quickly! That person is coming today.”

“I know. Why are you making such a fuss when you see her every time?”

“She’s so pretty! I want to see her every day.”

Jung Yushin approached the chattering young girls.

“Excuse me…”

“Kyaaaa!”

The two girls stepped back in horror.

“Wh..who are you?”

“I came to learn to read.”

“Huh?”

The little girl’s eyes widened.

“I said I came to learn to read.”

“This is an orphanage, though?”

“I heard you teach reading here. I also paid money.”

“Ah! I see. So you’re here to learn to read. I thought you were the rumored Barbarian come to hunt girls? Sorry for misunderstanding.”

The little girl bowed her head.

“I am a Barbarian.”

“Huh?”

A moment of silence followed.

The girl stepped back.

“No..no way.”

Before he could think of explaining, he felt tired first.

“I came to learn to read. Would I come to an orphanage to hunt in broad daylight?”

Still, he explained. If a small misunderstanding grew, the temple wouldn’t look kindly on it. If something scandalous happened, he would be kicked out. He even paid a large sum of one silver coin.

Fortunately, the girl was convinced.

“That’s right. I misunderstood. Follow me.”

Following the girl, he walked down the hallway and entered a room that looked like a classroom.

There were several chairs and desks in the fairly large room.

The children were sitting in their seats and chattering.

“Huh? Emma! Who’s that man?”

A girl said to the girl standing next to Jung Yushin.

“He’s here to learn to read.”

“Wow. A grown adult coming here?”

“I heard it’s the cheapest here.”

Jung Yushin answered nonchalantly.

“Ah. Okay.”

The girl suddenly became shy.

She didn’t seem used to talking to adults.

‘I’m awkward too.’

Kids everywhere he looked.

Just kids wherever he looked.

He glanced around and somehow found an empty seat and sat down.

He could feel the whispering voices and sidelong glances.

Jung Yushin felt like a monkey in a zoo.

“Everyone, good morning. Please take your seats.”

The classroom door opened and a woman entered.

‘Priestess Mion?’

Mion, with her flowing blonde hair and white priestess robes, looked different from the last time he saw her.

Instead of the tight-fitting black priestess robes, she was wearing a loose white outer garment. He could see a glimpse of black clothing underneath, but overall, she looked sacred and exuded maternal love.

At Mion’s words, the children went to their seats and sat down.

The children were looking at Mion with sparkling eyes of admiration.

“Today, we have a new friend. Shall we all give him a round of applause as a sign of welcome?”

“Yes! Teacher.”

Clap clap clap clap.

The classroom was filled with the sound of clapping. Jung Yushin couldn’t stay still, so he clapped his hands. It was strange for the person being welcomed to clap, but he wanted to do something.

“Well, today’s class will be…”

The class led by Mion proceeded smoothly.

Jung Yushin looked at the textbook he received from Mion and sighed inwardly.

The Woodcutter and the Spirit of the Earth.

Judging by the pictures, it was a simple fairy tale book that a 6-year-old would read.

‘Pull yourself together, Jung Yushin. You can’t get full on your first try. Let’s be diligent.’

He grabbed his wandering mind and stared intently at Mion, who was standing at the blackboard.

He focused all his attention on Mion’s words and the writing on the blackboard. He also ignored the children’s sidelong glances.

‘Just do what I have to do.’

Time passed, and the morning class ended.

“Okay. That’s it for today. I’ll be checking the homework tomorrow, so be sure to do it.”

“Yes! Teacher.”

The children shouted with a smile.

Jung Yushin packed his things and got up from his seat. He heard that lunch would be provided at the temple, so he planned to eat quickly, stop by the inn to prepare for exploration, and then go to the guild.

‘Time is a little tight.’

It was a waste of time to spend time looking for a restaurant.

Jung Yushin said to Mion, who was about to leave.

“Teacher, where do we eat lunch?”

“Ah! Mr. Scar, please follow me. The children’s meal won’t be enough to fill you up, so please eat at the temple restaurant. I’ll guide you.”

Mion smiled softly and answered.

“Yes. Priestess.”

He left the classroom and walked down the hallway with Mion side by side.

“How was class today?”

“It was good.”

He answered simply. Being so close, a sweet fragrance emanated from Mion’s body, penetrating his nose and shaking his brain.

A soft and warm timbre.

Beauty that transcended beauty, a certain divinity.

Her dazzling beauty shattered the stereotype that slit eyes were secretive and gloomy.

“I came to check on Mr. Scar today. Today wasn’t originally my day to teach.”

“I see. Did I pass?”

“Yes. You can keep coming. Explorers tend to be a bit edgy. I will filter out those who could have a negative impact on the children on behalf of the temple.”

“Yes.”

Strange.

‘But I’m a Barbarian?’

The child named Emma this morning also talked about ‘girl hunting’ and stuff.

He wasn’t accepted in parties, so he ended up in a trash party.

Besides that, there were several other things, so he knew.

That the epitome of a negative influence was the Barbarian himself.

No. It’s not something to think strangely about.

Mion, with her noble character that isn’t swayed by rumors and prejudice, is right.

With a lighter heart, Jung Yushin and Mion arrived at the temple’s restaurant while talking about this and that.

“Then I’ll see you later. I pray for your safe exploration.”

Mion bowed slightly.

“Yes, thank you.”

He escorted Mion and entered the restaurant.

The priests of the temple were gathered in groups, quietly eating their meals. Jung Yushin also stood in line on one side, received his food, and sat down in an empty seat.

The meal was simple.

Rye bread, small pieces of cheese, and potato soup.

He quickly ate it and left the restaurant.

‘I shouldn’t be late.’

* * *

He stopped by the inn to pack his things and arrived at the guild.

It was easy to find the Goblin party because it was deserted since people had left.

“I thought you weren’t coming.”

Dell grumbled.

It was refreshing to see a Goblin cross its arms and grumble.

“I’m sorry. Something came up today.”

“Let’s go.”

Dell said, raising a wooden bow. As expected of a former elf, she knew how to handle a bow.

The dwarf Einhofer, the human wizard Kelton, and the gnome Ditto packed their things and got up from their seats.

Looking at their equipment, it was quite unique.

The dwarf was wearing heavy armor, a horned helmet, and a long single-edged axe. The iron gauntlets with densely packed iron needles caught his eye.

The wizard was wearing robes and carrying a staff and a sword.

Jung Yushin stared blankly at the arming sword dangling from the wizard’s waist. Then their eyes met. The wizard Kelton just shrugged without a word.

The gnome Ditto’s equipment was leather armor, two daggers, a crossbow, and a short sword. He was lightly equipped with almost no luggage.

“I have to be lightly equipped since I’m the guide. Virgin Barbarian.”

Ditto read Jung Yushin’s eyes at once and answered.

“Since there’s a newbie today, let’s take it easy. We can just go around the outskirts of the 2nd floor of the labyrinth and catch some goblins. We’ll also do some extermination and pick up some magic stones.”

It was a little funny that a Goblin was going to catch Goblins.

Dell suddenly glared at Jung Yushin.

“What? You were thinking something weird, weren’t you?”

“No, I wasn’t.”

“You were.”

“Are we going to keep standing here?”

The taciturn Einhofer finally opened his mouth.

“Okay, okay. Let’s go!”

Dell led the way out of the guild.

The party left the southern district of the city and entered the western district.

They walked along a quiet street, passing several parties, heading to the labyrinth. Their appearances and attire were as diverse as the flowers that bloom in spring.

They re-entered the great labyrinth.

Several things happened on his first entry, but he survived in the end. He also learned something. He also obtained a normal but positive engraving. It was a bit disappointing that it wasn’t a cheat-like engraving, but now that he thought about it, he should be grateful that he didn’t get a negative engraving.

As he walked while thinking about this and that, he arrived at the great labyrinth. Following the soldiers’ instructions, he stood on the magic circle.

“Are you nervous?”

Dell said with a smirk.

“This is my second time. It’s strange if I’m not nervous.”

Jung Yushin retorted, fiddling with the flint in his pocket.

“Hmm.”

Einhofer made a strange coughing sound, and the light of the magic circle flashed.

He felt like his body was floating in the air.

Soon, moist and humid air touched his skin.

Darkened vision.

The drowsy feeling of lunchtime disappeared as if washed away.

It’s the labyrinth.

Jung Yushin quickly took out the flint and lit the torch.

The cave was no different from when he first came.

Dark and damp.

“This is the central area. We can go down to the 2nd floor if we walk a bit.”

Ditto said, looking around. He instantly grasped the current location just by looking around without even unfolding a map.

‘I can smell the veterans.’

Unlike the tense Jung Yushin, Dell’s party seemed relaxed.

“Give me the torch. I’ll lead the way. Virgin.”

Ditto said, holding out his hand.

“Stop calling me a virgin.”

“It’s because you’re still nervous even though it’s not your first time. Just stick close behind me.”

Ditto took the torch and walked quickly. He was fearless in his steps even though he couldn’t see properly.

Ditto led the way, and Jung Yushin followed right behind him. Einhofer stood behind Jung Yushin, then the wizard, and finally Dell at the very back.

Dell’s party was several times faster than Kyle’s party. They fearlessly advanced through the darkness at an almost running pace.

“Hoo. Hoo.”

After walking at a fast pace for about 2 hours, rough breaths poured out of Jung Yushin’s mouth.

“6 hobgoblins ahead. Prepare for battle. Scar, stand in front.”

Ditto stopped walking and stepped back.

“Yes.”

Swish.

The newly received arming sword was pulled out of its sheath. The unique grip of the one-handed sword fit perfectly in his hand. It was much more comfortable than a longsword. He gripped the shield strap tightly and stepped forward.

“Let’s see the newbie’s skills.”

Dell laughed from behind.

“They’re coming.”

“Kee-hee-heek.”

“Keh-keh-keh.”

Wheeeeee!!

Dell fired an arrow. The arrow disappeared as if sucked into the darkness, and he heard something fall. There was no scream.

“I got one with a bow.”

Five left.

The hobgoblins rushed in, shouting in anger.

2 with spears, 2 with swords, and finally 1 with a club.

A goblin wielding a sword rushed at Jung Yushin.

Clang!

He blocked with his shield and stabbed the goblin’s neck with his sword. Blood gushed out like a fountain as he pulled out his sword, indicating that he had properly stabbed the carotid artery.

He kicked away the goblin that was collapsing powerlessly and grabbed the spear that was stabbing at him.

While grabbing the spear, he smashed the goblin’s face with the pommel.

“Kee-ek!!”

The goblin, whose head was crushed like coal, staggered back.

The club was coming straight for his head.

Another goblin had approached and swung the club while he was pulling on the spear.

He quickly raised his shield, but it was a useless gesture.

Pooh-hak!

The goblin with the club was cut in half by a single-edged axe.

“Hmm.”

Thung!

A bolt fired from Ditto’s crossbow pierced the eye of the spear-wielding goblin. The hobgoblin fell like a doll, likely due to the brain being pierced directly.

The last remaining goblin turned around and tried to run away. But the arrow Dell fired pierced his head.

Thud.

The battle ended with the sound of the last one falling.

A quick battle that ended in 30 seconds.

Frankly, walking was harder. He made a mistake of not noticing the club properly at the end, but he didn’t think it was a big deal.

“Thank you. Einhofer, I lived thanks to you.”

Still, he gave his thanks.

“Yeah.”

Einhofer only nodded slightly.

“Cut off the goblin ears quickly. What are you doing, being all warm and fuzzy?”

Dell said irritably.

“Yes.”

The party set up the torch and squatted down to cut off the goblin ears.

Only the quiet sound of knives echoed in the dark cave.

He didn’t realize it when he first entered the labyrinth because he was out of his mind.

As they huddled together, cutting off goblin ears like pulling weeds.

He realized something.

His life.

It wasn’t a munchkin story where he wreaks havoc in another world with cheats and bangs countless women.

‘The genre is different.’

“Scar, hurry up. We have a long way to go.”

“Yes.”

Dell, who was squatting next to him, gave him a hard time.

A Goblin cutting off a hobgoblin’s ear.

He laughed in disbelief.

“Kelton, this guy’s laughing?”

“Leave him alone. He must be having good imaginations. Loser.”

Dell and Kelton were having a suspicious conversation, but he listened to it with one ear and let it flow out the other.

Compared to before, this wasn’t bad.

The sound of knives and chatter echoed in the dark cave.