episode_0061

Look at this bastard?

A chill ran through Jeong Yu-shin’s eyes.

Holy Knight Soline also hardened her expression.

“Why did your nose get longer?”

Jeong Yu-shin growled.

The gnome’s face turned snow white.

“That’s… that’s not it.”

“What?”

As the atmosphere turned strange, several people crossed their arms and began to stare at the table where Jeong Yu-shin was sitting.

“…”

The gnome hesitated, his face reddening.

“Slavery is bad? Say it clearly.”

Jeong Yu-shin urged.

But the gnome remained silent.

Thump!

Jeong Yu-shin slammed the table.

“Speak!”

Jeong Yu-shin’s voice echoed through the association.

The surroundings became as quiet as a mouse.

The gazes of the explorers in the association were all focused on the gnome.

Jeong Yu-shin’s face twisted fiercely.

“Have you ever heard of slave hunters? They’re guys who catch people living perfectly normal lives and sell them as slaves. They’re not just wandering around the Eastern Alliance border. They’re in the Labyrinth City, too.”

Jeong Yu-shin reached into his pocket and gripped a dagger.

“Choose your words carefully from now on. Unless you want to die.”

After finishing speaking, he glared at the gnome.

The gnome’s Adam’s apple bobbed.

“No! That’s not what I meant! I just…”

“Just what?”

A murderous intent began to linger in Jeong Yu-shin’s eyes.

Unable to endure it any longer, the gnome shouted.

“That’s just my preference! I like being a slave!”

What?

An awkward silence descended upon the association.

Jeong Yu-shin’s mouth gaped open.

The gnome’s nose had already shrunk back in.

“I… I have nothing to do with those slave hunters! This is the truth!”

“…”

He completely misread the situation.

He had merely exposed the questionable sexual preferences of a pitiful gnome.

The surroundings began to buzz.

“Hey, why is that barbarian exposing someone else’s preferences? He’s going way too far. Does he just expose everything if he doesn’t like it or finds it suspicious? Tsk.”

“Still, that gnome’s taste is a bit much. Slave play, huh?”

“That’s right. A dangerous bunch has gathered.”

People’s murmurs brushed past his ears.

Jeong Yu-shin lowered his head.

“I’m sorry.”

“You bastard!!!”

The gnome’s eyes were filled with resentment.

“I’m sorry.”

Jeong Yu-shin repeated his apology, continuing to lower his head.

How much time had passed?

The gnome, who had been glaring at the back of his head, sighed deeply and crossed his arms.

“Sorry? Then raise the percentage of the compensation I receive. What meaning is there in just words of apology?”

“No. That’s not going to happen.”

Jeong Yu-shin, who had raised his head, cut off the gnome’s proposal sharply.

The gnome’s mouth dropped open. His head was confused. Does this barbarian not have a human heart?

Jeong Yu-shin opened his mouth, his face slightly flushed.

“I am a virgin. Since we’ve exchanged this once, let’s keep the compensation ratio as it is.”

“···That’s one hell of a guy. He won’t budge on this?”

A dwarf sitting at the next table muttered.

Jeong Yu-shin turned his head and looked at the dwarf.

“You’re not even in our party, so why do you keep butting in? Do you want your ass kicked?”

At Jeong Yu-shin’s words, the dwarf mumbled something before soon falling silent.

Jeong Yu-shin looked at the gnome. The gnome’s face was slightly red.

“I’m sorry. But I can’t adjust the compensation ratio as I please. I think it’s something that requires the consent of the other party members.”

The gnome trembled, then sighed again.

“···I understand. Since the leader is fair, I’ll trust you once. Can you accept me?”

The gnome nodded and asked.

“Good. What’s your name?”

“Gallerheim.”

“Skah, please take care of me.”

Jeong Yu-shin extended his hand. The gnome reached out and grasped it.

“Is it just going to end all warm and fuzzy like this all of a sudden?”

The dwarf from earlier muttered as if dumbfounded.

“Mind your own business, you bastard.”

Jeong Yu-shin said, glaring at the dwarf.

“Al… alright.”

The dwarf immediately shrunk back.

The people in the association soon returned to their own business.

It seemed to be a common occurrence, as they whispered a few times before quickly losing interest.

Someone approached where Jeong Yu-shin was.

“A barbarian is the leader of the party. How unique. Are you looking for a rear guard?”

He raised his head and looked up at the person who had just spoken.

It was a male elf wearing cleric robes.

“Who are you?”

“As you can see, I’m a low-ranking cleric who serves the Spirit of the Wind.”

The elf took out a necklace and showed it.

Looking at the necklace, he remembered when he first fell into this other world.

It looked similar to the necklace that Seamus often kissed on Pilgrimage Road.

“May I sit down?”

“Yes.”

It seemed like a lucky day that a rear guard position was approaching so easily.

No. He still had to ask what he needed to ask.

“Do you perhaps have a negative stigma?”

The elf closed his mouth and made a troubled expression.

What is it?

Frankly, he was confident that he wouldn’t be surprised no matter what stigma came out now.

Come on.

I’ll smoothly gloss over it.

Resolving himself, he focused his gaze on the elf’s mouth.

“He has a ‘Grandma Lover’ stigma.”

???

Jeong Yu-shin’s mouth dropped open.

His head was dizzy as if he had been hit in the back of the head with a hammer.

“Grand… what?”

Jeong Yu-shin stammered, asking again.

“Grandma Lover.”

“…”

“There’s nothing else in particular besides that.”

The elf continued speaking matter-of-factly.

Jeong Yu-shin stared blankly at the elf’s face.

“Aren’t you troubled? Loving an older woman against your will?”

The elf’s face became serious.

“At first, my heart was very troubled. I thought about erasing it, but isn’t it a stigma I obtained with difficulty? Since obtaining a stigma isn’t easy, I thought I’d consider it an experience and endure it once. And then.”

The elf cleared his throat once and continued speaking.

“···A new world unfolded. Listen to what I have to say. This isn’t such a bad stigma. Once you fall for the charm of those wrinkled faces…”

“That’s enough.”

Jeong Yu-shin stopped the elf’s words.

The elf had a dissatisfied expression, but he closed his mouth.

“Are there any other negative stigmas besides that?”

“There aren’t. And I don’t consider the Grandma Lover stigma a negative stigma.”

“I understand.”

“Will you accept me?”

“Yes. Let’s do well.”

“Pireon Akraine.”

The elf said his name and extended his hand.

Jeong Yu-shin stared blankly at the elf’s hand before shaking his head.

“I’m Skah. Let’s not shake hands.”

“Is that so?”

The elf gave a bitter smile and retracted his hand.

“His tastes are unique, but tolerable.”

The pointy-nosed gnome, Gallerheim, interjected.

Jeong Yu-shin blankly watched the gnome’s nose grow longer.

His nose stretched out long as if he absolutely couldn’t tolerate it no matter who looked at it.

“Put your nose away and lie, or something.”

“Oops!”

Gallerheim hurriedly picked up the long nose mask and covered his face.

Jeong Yu-shin looked around at the people sitting at the table.

Holy Knight Soline.

Gnome Gallerheim.

Elf Pireon.

All the people had gathered.

The people.

They were friends with unique tastes, but they didn’t seem to have bad hearts. He considered that he had salvaged half of it just from that.

“···Ahem. Then let’s talk about the compensation ratio and the floor we will reach. How far we’ll go. How much we’ll earn.”

“It’s getting serious. Good.”

The pointy-nosed gnome, Gallerheim, said, scratching his mask.

The other party members nodded in their own ways.

“Then···.”

Jeong Yu-shin took his seat and had a long conversation with his party members.

All the party members were low-ranking explorers who had just gotten over being newbies.

Everyone’s maximum reached floor was up to the 5th floor.

They had gone in and out of the labyrinth several times. That meant they had some experience.

The elf cleric was to receive a little more of the commission.

After several hours, Jeong Yu-shin rose from his seat.

“Then let’s end the discussion here and meet again in 3 days.”

Jeong Yu-shin parted ways with his party members and returned to the inn.

The sun, which had risen in the east, was already overhead.

He had gone in the early morning and the discussion had ended around late lunchtime.

“I’m back.”

“Welcome back?”

The snub-nosed man approached and greeted him.

“Sit down for a moment.”

“Yes.”

“Two guests came last night.”

“Yes. I saw them this morning.”

“Did you check their faces?”

“They were wearing robes, so I couldn’t check.”

I see.

“Is there a possibility that they are dangerous people?”

The snub-nosed man thought for a moment, then shook his head.

“I don’t think so.”

“What’s the reason?”

“First of all, the material of the robes is high-quality. Commoners can’t even get a glimpse of that level. Moreover, their dining etiquette was also dignified. They are quite high-ranking people. They are suspicious, but I don’t think they will harm the inn.”

“Thank you.”

Jeong Yu-shin patted the snub-nosed man’s shoulder once.

“It was originally my job.”

The snub-nosed man scratched his head as if embarrassed.

“But where did Tarman go?”

“Aldaine-nim called for him, so he went to the monster dismantling center for a while.”

What business did he go for?

He became worried for no reason.

“By the way, how did the business you went for go?”

The snub-nosed man asked carefully.

“I did find party members. They seem to be good people.”

Jeong Yu-shin said before sighing deeply.

There was a somewhat daunting part to talking about it.

“The people are good. And we’re departing for the labyrinth in 3 days.”

“I understand. Shall I prepare the dried rations and water?”

“Prepare enough for 1 week.”

“I understand.”

At that time, someone opened the door of the inn and came in.

A tall knight and a small boy.

The knight had green hair and wore old plate armor.

The boy had brown hair and wore cloth clothes.

They were definitely the 2 guests he had seen last night.

He wondered what wind had blown that they had revealed their identities, but he refrained from speaking.

He didn’t want to get involved with high-ranking people.

Especially now, just before heading to the labyrinth.

In that instant, he made eye contact with the 2, but that was all.

Jeong Yu-shin didn’t say anything and got up from his seat.

“I’m going to the market. I should buy some supplies needed to enter the labyrinth in advance.”

“I understand.”

As Jeong Yu-shin left the inn, he glanced sideways at the knight and the boy.

The 2 were sitting at the table and whispering something.

‘It’s none of my business.’

He didn’t even know who they were.

Jeong Yu-shin left the place.

* * *

For 3 days, Jeong Yu-shin made preparations to enter the labyrinth.

After bargaining with the owner of the market’s general store, he bought 2 small recovery potions, an antidote, and 2 sturdy leather pouches.

He already had dry firewood, recovery ointment, rope, a thick robe, and bandages, so there was nothing more to buy. Instead, he bought a lot of torches.

He went to the blacksmith and received light armor and a barbute helmet with a visor.

Boron, who handed over the equipment, was skin and bones.

“So, what weapon are you thinking of using?”

At Boron’s powerless question, Jeong Yu-shin stroked his chin and pondered.

The Light Holy Knight, Soline’s weapon is a claymore.

Since she would be standing in front and swinging her greatsword, there was no reason for him to insist on a two-handed sword as well.

Wouldn’t it be right to match the front line while also protecting the rear and the guide?

“One arming sword. One round shield made of wood. Give me those.”

“A round shield. Would you like one with an iron band around the edge of the shield?”

“Yes.”

Boron brought the equipment.

The light armor was similar to before.

He blocked the vital points by attaching segmented iron plates to the leather armor base. He added a single-piece plate to the chest and abdomen.

If only he had a lot of money, he would buy a chain mail and wear it underneath.

Jeong Yu-shin smacked his lips, feeling unnecessary greed.

He put the arming sword on his waist and put on his helmet.

He adjusted the shield handle straps and tightly tied the loosely loosened walker straps.

Jeong Yu-shin jumped or ran while wearing the armor. He drew his sword and swung his shield.

Boron crossed his arms and stared quietly at Jeong Yu-shin before spitting out.

“You’re also a very tenacious human being. Similar to Einhofer.”

Jeong Yu-shin stopped his body and tilted his head.

“I’m a little embarrassed by the sudden compliment. Here’s the money.”

Jeong Yu-shin took out silver coins from his pocket and handed them over.

“The alcohol?”

“I’ll buy it next time.”

“Tsk, take care of yourself.”

“Yes.”

He finished his business at the blacksmith and returned to the inn.

The snub-nosed man opened his mouth at the sight of Jeong Yu-shin.

“Skah-nim, seeing you like this, you look like a veteran warrior.”

“Thank you.”

“So, are you leaving tomorrow?”

“That’s right.”

He felt a gaze.

Not far away, the knight and the boy were sitting at the table, looking at him.

The knight and the boy seemed interested in the explorer, but they didn’t seem to want to talk to him.

Jeong Yu-shin didn’t want to get involved, so he didn’t approach and talk to them.

* * *

The next morning.

Jeong Yu-shin packed his bags and went to the explorer association.

Entering the association building, he saw his party members sitting in a corner.

Holy Knight Soline had her greatsword slung over her shoulder.

The guide gnome Gallerheim had a crossbow on his back and a small dagger on his waist.

The elf cleric Pireon was wearing cloth clothes and carrying a wooden staff.

There was a mace with spikes protruding from the end of the staff, which should be called a long morning star.

“Let’s go.”

Jeong Yu-shin led his party members through the crowds and arrived in front of the labyrinth.

There were explorers swarming in front of the labyrinth.

Before entering the labyrinth entrance magic circle.

He turned his body and looked around at his party members.

Human Holy Knight Soline.

Pointy-nosed gnome Gallerheim.

Grandma Lover Elf Pireon.

“What are you doing without going?”

Gallerheim asked.

“Let’s go.”

Jeong Yu-shin and his party members stood in the magic circle according to the guard’s instructions.

The goal was to collect magic stones and subjugate hobgoblins.

The maximum floor was up to the 5th floor.

He pressed down on the helmet he was holding in one hand and fiddled with the flint in his pocket.

“Nothing will happen, right?”

At the same time as Jeong Yu-shin’s murmur, light flashed from the magic circle.