episode_0040

The day after buying the ring at the magic item shop.

Jung Yushin finished his morning exercise, ate breakfast, and left the inn.

“Darmong, I’ll be back.”

“Okay.”

He ran to the temple.

Now that he had the female corruption prevention ring, he could learn to read among the children without worry.

As Maya advised, he gritted his teeth to guard against side effects. His sexual desire surged several times, but he never lost his mind as he did the first time he wore the ring.

When he entered the orphanage, the children greeted him.

“Ugh. You came again?”

“Waaah. Scary.”

“Mister, don’t you work?”

Jung Yushin nodded at the children’s enthusiastic welcome and found his seat.

Ignoring the children’s murmurs, he sat down and waited for a moment.

A man entered the classroom.

Perhaps because he was wearing glasses, he looked cold.

“Everyone, quiet.”

The man stood at the teacher’s desk, looking around at the children, and spoke.

The classroom became quiet in an instant.

The man and Jung Yushin made eye contact.

“Teacher Mion won’t be coming today.”

“Eh…”

“Ooh…”

The children made sounds full of discontent.

“Quiet.”

The man lightly tapped the desk.

“Let’s start today’s class. Open your books. Take out your writing utensils.”

“Yes.”

The man meticulously conducted the class. Elegant writing filled the chalkboard.

Contrary to his cold appearance, he carefully taught each student.

The male priest also meticulously checked Jung Yushin’s studies, offering various pieces of advice.

“…This letter’s stroke must be drawn downwards. If you bend it upwards, the meaning changes completely. Be careful.”

“You memorized all the words in the fairy tale book? Excellent. Let’s move on to the next textbook. If you continue to persevere, you will have good results.”

The class, which started in the morning, ended around lunchtime.

He was happy to be able to learn properly for the first time in a while.

The children rushed out of the classroom to eat lunch.

Jung Yushin gathered his writing utensils and books, putting them in his teddy bear bag.

The male priest approached.

“You don’t seem like a Barbarian.”

“I hear that a lot.”

“My name is Diego Perez. I am a mid-level priest serving the Earth Mother.”

Diego extended his hand.

“I see. Pleased to meet you.”

Jung Yushin shook Diego’s hand.

Was it just his imagination?

Diego’s glasses sparkled.

Jung Yushin slung his teddy bear bag over his shoulder and stood up.

“See you around.”

“Indeed.”

He left the orphanage and went to the temple cafeteria.

The menu was simple.

Black rye bread, tomato soup, and a small piece of cheese.

Jung Yushin quickly ate and got up from his seat.

He was thinking of going to the Swordsmanship Guild for the first time in a while.

It was the most valuable way to use the money he received from Karin.

Besides, as Mion said, there was an elf there who could recognize the value of the Revenger engraving.

He walked down the street, enjoying the early summer breeze, and arrived at the Swordsmanship Guild.

When he entered the Swordsmanship Guild building, he saw the elf sitting at the reception desk.

“Came, huh?”

The elf rested her chin on her hand and looked at Jung Yushin.

Ashur Startree.

City-certified Sword Master.

“Yes.”

Ashur extended her hand.

Jung Yushin calmly took Ashur’s hand.

Ashur frowned and shook off Jung Yushin’s hand.

“Give me the money. 30 silver coins.”

“Yes.”

Jung Yushin placed the pouch containing 30 silver coins on the counter.

Ashur yawned once and then took out the silver coins from the pouch one by one and counted them.

“You burned 1 gold coin on armor?”

Ashur muttered while counting the silver coins.

“Well, it turned out that way. Thanks to it, I was able to save my life.”

Jung Yushin answered, looking around the Swordsmanship Guild.

“Isn’t this your third time going to the labyrinth? No matter how much Karin likes you, get a grip. You’re a novice explorer. Safely develop your skills step by step on the lower floors.”

“Yes.”

“Tsk. Let’s go. To the training grounds.”

Ashur put the silver coins back in the pouch and got up from her seat.

The training grounds were crowded with people.

Ashur and Jung Yushin faced each other, holding wooden swords.

“Looking at your face, it seems you have a lot of money.”

“Not really.”

“Grinning like a plump, rich pig. Let’s get hit a bit.”

“Shouldn’t we go around the training grounds first?”

“You run around Darmong’s yard at dawn, right?”

‘Is she a crazy stalker?’

Jung Yushin glared at Ashur.

Ashur smiled slyly and then hardened her expression.

“Hey friend, there’s something weird about your eyes?”

“Sorry. I’ll open them nicely.”

“No. Not that. Come here for a second.”

Jung Yushin approached Ashur.

‘What is it?’

Ashur narrowed her eyes and observed Jung Yushin’s eyes.

“Did something happen to you in the labyrinth?”

“Why do you ask?”

“The madness of ‘darkness’ flickers in your eyes.”

“Ah.”

On the 4th floor of the labyrinth, he was swallowed by the black portal with Karin.

He transferred to the 5th floor and was unconscious without a torch for several hours.

“I was on the 5th floor without a torch for about 3 hours. I’m not sure.”

“Are you crazy?”

“I couldn’t help it.”

Jung Yushin briefly explained what he had experienced in the labyrinth investigation team.

Ashur clicked her tongue.

“You should have gone crazy in that situation. Are you really okay?”

Jung Yushin thought carefully about what had happened in the labyrinth.

He gave Karin some truthful advice, spoke informally to Gilshion, and even chewed monsters to death with his teeth, but there were no major problems.

Isn’t that a common adventure for most explorers?

Jung Yushin took his hand off his chin and looked at Ashur.

“There are no problems.”

“Huh. That’s strange. Killa!”

Ashur called for the vice-chairman of the Swordsmanship Guild.

After a while, a bald man walked out into the courtyard.

“What’s the matter?”

“Come here and look at this guy’s eyes.”

Killa approached and looked into Jung Yushin’s eyes.

“It’s not certain, but they do seem a bit glossy.”

“Right? This guy was in the lower floors of the labyrinth without a torch for several hours.”

“Hmm.”

Killa stroked his head, which had barely any hair.

“It’s a wonder he didn’t go crazy.”

“I don’t know. We’ll have to check him out now.”

Ashur held out one finger.

“How many do you see?”

“I see 1.”

“What about this guy?”

Ashur pointed to Killa.

“He seems like a sincere person.”

Jung Yushin answered clearly.

Killa nodded and gave a thumbs up.

“How do I look?”

Ashur pointed to herself.

“Shall I be honest?”

“Yes. Tell me comfortably.”

“You look a bit unpleasant.”

“…”

Ashur glared at Jung Yushin.

Ashur turned her head and looked at the vice-chairman.

“Is this guy crazy?”

“I think he just told the truth.”

Killa defended Jung Yushin.

“Vice-chairman, please return to your duties.”

Ashur glared at Killa and pointed to the Swordsmanship Guild building.

“It’s not my job, but I’ll go to work.”

“You have a long tongue. That’s why you’re bald. You’re growing your tongue long without time to grow hair, so it’s a fitting punishment.”

Killa ignored Ashur’s words, patted Jung Yushin on the shoulder once, and left the courtyard.

Ashur asked again.

“Have you ever had a hard time suppressing your impulses?”

Jung Yushin stroked his chin and thought carefully.

It’s been 4 months since he stopped masturbating, so he’s had a hard time suppressing his impulses?

Never.

He had briefly lost his mind at the magic item shop, but neither the dwarf shopkeeper nor Maya mentioned what Jung Yushin was trying to do.

They just advised him to be careful.

It must not have been a big deal, so they didn’t say anything.

He made that judgment and opened his mouth.

“I’m suppressing them well.”

“Be careful. Right now, the madness is quietly asleep, but at an extreme moment, it will burst out and devour you.”

“What happens if I get devoured?”

“The end.”

Dean from Kaal’s party flashed through his mind.

The boy who lost his mind in the darkness of the labyrinth.

Ashur pointed to Jung Yushin’s eyes.

“Protect your heart.”

Jung Yushin frowned at the vague words.

“Please speak in a way that’s easier to understand.”

“Get a grip.”

“How?”

“What a swordsman has to do is obvious. Swing your sword diligently. Don’t swing it like a beast. Engrave the sword path into your body and mind.”

“I understand for now.”

“And don’t go into the labyrinth. Not for the time being.”

“Suddenly?”

“Do you really want to go crazy?”

“…Well, I understand for now.”

“What’s that ring?”

Ashur asked, looking at the ring on Jung Yushin’s finger.

“It’s an engraving suppression ring.”

“What kind of engraving does it suppress?”

“Virgin female corruption engraving.”

“Really? You’ve obtained all sorts of strange engravings. Engraving suppression magic tools must have side effects, right?”

Ashur nonchalantly dismissed Jung Yushin’s engraving.

“It’s said that it increases sexual desire.”

“You should take off the ring whenever possible.”

“Why should I do that?”

“You are unstable right now. You are in a state where you can easily be swayed by strong desires.”

Since the topic of engravings came up, there was one more thing he wanted to ask.

“Do you know about the Revenger engraving?”

“I know.”

“How good is it?”

“That depends on your skill.”

“Please explain in detail.”

“What’s there to explain in detail? For the Revenger engraving to be fully activated, you have to be hit by the opponent and you have to hit the opponent. If the skill difference is too big, your neck will be blown off or the opponent will die before the Revenger engraving is activated. It’s good when you’re exchanging blows with similar skill. It would also be good when facing many enemies.”

Ashur pointed at Jung Yushin with her finger and added.

“In the end, swordsman skills are important, that’s what I’m saying.”

“So, the Revenger engraving is an engraving that gets better as your skill increases.”

“Yes. You could see it that way.”

Ashur nodded and then looked at Jung Yushin and continued.

“Don’t pretend to be sane and go home. I’m going to the Magic Tower for a while.”

“Why are you going to the Magic Tower?”

“Are you a stalker? Stop asking.”

“…”

Jung Yushin was speechless and stared blankly at Ashur.

After a while, Jung Yushin barely managed to speak.

“I already paid for the lesson, though?”

“I’m taking care of all the calculations, so don’t worry.”

“Well… I understand.”

“Go and stay quiet. Until I call you.”

“Yes.”

Jung Yushin scratched his head at Ashur’s eviction order and left the Swordsmanship Guild building.

Am I crazy?

I don’t think it’s that bad.

He did repeat what Karin had said. But Jung Yushin thought that even Karin couldn’t have accurately measured the time in that darkness.

He strolled around the southern district. It was deserted around lunchtime.

“Hey you, black hair.”

Someone called Jung Yushin.

When he turned around, he saw a man standing there.

With a greatsword wrapped in bandages slung over his shoulder.

He was wearing an iron mask on his face and a robe covering his head.

He was a suspicious man enough for the guard to run up to him with glee.

“What is it?”

“I’m trying to register as an explorer, but where should I go?”

“You can go to the Explorer Headquarters in the central district. It’s in the far left corner, so you can register there by paying 10 silver coins.”

“I’m here for the first time, so I don’t understand even if I look at the map. Point it out with your finger.”

The man approached and handed over a map. It was a Labyrinth City tourist map.

A coppery smell stung his nose. It was a mixture of medicine smell and rotten seafood smell. It wasn’t a good smell.

Jung Yushin glanced at the man and tapped one place marked on the map.

“It’s here.”

The man nodded.

“Confirmed. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Jung Yushin moved away from the man.

“Could it be that you are a Barbarian?”

The iron mask asked.

“Yes. Is this your first time seeing one?”

“I’ve heard a lot of rumors.”

What an innocent iron mask.

Jung Yushin decided to say something to this man.

“Be careful. Other Barbarians besides me are all crazy.”

“What does that mean?”

“They’re guys who rape men and women alike if they like them. Should I call them the penis outlaws of the labyrinth city? They have no respect for virtue and act as they please, like villains.”

“…Aren’t you also a Barbarian?”

“I’m a nice Barbarian who doesn’t rape.”

Jung Yushin said seriously.

“Huh.”

The man stared at Jung Yushin for a moment, then turned his body and said.

“I’ll see you around often. I’m not sure, but I have a feeling that I’ll see you often.”

“Yes.”

The iron mask man slowly moved forward after saying those words.

He was a very suspicious person, but his actions and words showed that he was a well-educated person.

Besides, the two eyes that could be seen through the eyeholes of the mask were clearly clear and firm.

Perhaps because he was a man with a noble air, he naturally spoke politely.

Jung Yushin felt the gaze of the sundries shop owner looking at him from the side.

He was a man who had helped him several times when buying labyrinth exploration supplies.

“Shopkeeper, the world is wide, and there are many unusual people.”

Jung Yushin said, looking at the sundries shop owner.

“Barbarian, you are the most unusual.”

The sundries shop owner retorted.

“Are you dissatisfied with my tone? Let’s go inside for a while and have a conversation. Frankly.”

Jung Yushin slyly approached.

The blood drained from the sundries shop owner’s face.

“Dis… Dissatisfied? Have we only met once or twice? The people in our eastern district know well that you are an excellent Barbarian who protects the good customs of the city. I was just making a joke. Calm down.”

“I was just making a joke too.”

The sundries shop owner’s face twitched at Jung Yushin’s retort.

“Yo… You’re so funny that my belly button is tickling. You have a great sense of humor.”

The sundries shop owner barely retorted.

“Cheer up your expression. Can’t you even take a joke?”

Jung Yushin shrugged his shoulders and started walking again.

The sundries shop owner sighed deeply, looking at Jung Yushin’s back as he walked away.

‘What on earth happened in the labyrinth? That crazy Barbarian.’