episode_0072

Beastkin.

When it came to that race, opinions varied.

—

“Wild beings. That’s the polite way to put it. The less polite way would be to call them savage. They’re similar to orcs.”

That was Erme’s opinion.

—

“What we value is bravery, honor, and comrades. But those creatures are selfish. If it weren’t for the humans, they’d still be disunited.”

That was Vulcan’s opinion.

—

There wasn’t any particular reason I looked into the Beastkin.

I’d seen all the other races at least once—except for them.

At any rate, others’ opinions were as follows:

They were savage. Wild.

Other races also followed their instincts, but the Beastkin took it further.

So, even if they were somewhat rude, it might just be their way of being polite.

‘……But.’

Why are they this polite?

I stared at the Beastkin before me, who had introduced herself as Cheong Yurang.

Her tail had been wagging nonstop, and her ears perked up attentively. Her face was flushed, yet she maintained a posture of listening intently to my words.

—

“……But why is this person here?”

“She said she came to entrust you with a request…….”

Vulcan alternated his gaze between me and Cheong Yurang, his tone dripping with awkwardness.

“No, this isn’t like her.”

“This humble one does not understand.”

“You don’t talk like that.”

At Cheong Yurang’s words, Vulcan’s expression stiffened. His voice trembled with irritation.

But Cheong Yurang blinked innocently, as if she didn’t understand, then looked at me.

“So, what brings you to me?”

“Oh-ho, well, you see…….”

Cheong Yurang floundered at my question, cold sweat visibly dripping down her face.

“Why can’t you speak properly?”

“W-well, it’s just…….”

“The request this brat was supposed to take is dangerous, so she’s only now panicking? How amusing.”

“W-what nonsense are you spouting?!”

Cheong Yurang flinched at Vulcan’s words.

Was it really a dangerous request?

Was she acting like this to drag me into it?

I gave her a cold stare, and Cheong Yurang hastily shook her head.

“That’s not it. It’s not particularly dangerous.”

“If it weren’t dangerous, a Hero candidate wouldn’t be needed.”

“You shouldn’t interfere in others’ business.”

“Unless that business is romance.”

Vulcan grinned slyly.

Cheong Yurang glared at him with murderous eyes before turning back to me with a warm gaze.

“A-anyway, the request I have for you is nothing major.”

“Lies, lies~ Is it because the reward is Dragon Vein Crystal Water, which can only be found in the sacred land of the Beastkin?”

They say people become childish with age. Watching Vulcan tease Cheong Yurang, who looked about my age, I couldn’t help but agree.

‘I must never become like that.’

As I made that firm resolution, Vulcan shot me a dry look.

“What are you thinking to make that face?”

“Nothing much. Just that I shouldn’t grow old like Vulcan, sir.”

“…….”

Realizing he’d been caught acting shamelessly, Vulcan made a disgruntled face.

“If you don’t like how I look, get stronger yourself.”

“…….”

Cheong Yurang, who had been watching our exchange, suddenly spoke up.

“To think you’d converse with the Sword King like this…… You must be very close.”

“That’s a rather unpleasant way to put it…….”

“This bastard?”

“Ahem, is that so? Or rather, is that so, my lord?”

“You can speak casually. We seem around the same age.”

“R-really? Ahem, if that’s more comfortable for you, then I suppose I have no choice.”

Cheong Yurang coughed awkwardly, her face lighting up.

I hadn’t gone that far.

‘But still.’

She was different from what I’d imagined.

I’d expected someone more violent, more selfish, more… something.

‘But we’re actually getting along surprisingly well?’

Maybe she was just accommodating me, but even so—

Weren’t Beastkin just a little more honest about their instincts?

“That’s the face of someone thinking too much.”

“Why do you keep reading my expressions?”

“Because I want to correct your misconceptions. Originally, Beastkin are…….”

Before Vulcan could finish, Cheong Yurang swiftly covered his mouth and spoke to me.

“Let’s discuss your request.”

“So, what is it?”

“I’d like you to come down into the labyrinth with me.”

“The labyrinth?”

“Yes. You don’t need to worry about party members. Our party is one that delves down to the 15th floor.”

“For this time, at least, there shouldn’t be any issues with the party members.”

“But why me?”

That was what puzzled me.

Beastkin were a race specialized in senses.

I could distinguish enemies well, hide effectively, excel at treasure hunting, find hidden rooms, and—despite all that—still had exceptional combat ability, capable of both front and rear positions.

‘But is there really a need to squeeze in one more party member?’

Clans usually gathered separate parties to break through together.

‘The deeper you go, the more valuable each member becomes, or so I’ve heard.’

And since they were targeting the lower floors of the human-controlled labyrinth, it was all the more puzzling.

“Well, Beastkin usually don’t need to bring thieves, but you’re a bit different, aren’t you?”

“How am I different……?”

Before I could finish, the image of the Necrotic Skeleton and that so-called Dark Knight came to mind.

‘……Are there beings related to souls down there?’

Logically, it made sense to assume there were more.

Was that why they wanted me?

‘Others might find it troublesome.’

I stole their souls and shattered them along with their essence.

But could others do the same?

Even the Guild Master and Vulcan had been horrified when they heard I dealt with souls.

The history of the Adventurer’s Guild—its darkest era, when it wielded its greatest power—was shaped by beings related to souls.

‘……If something like that has appeared in the human-controlled labyrinth.’

It wasn’t far-fetched to think other races would take an interest.

“Seems like you’ve pieced it together.”

“……If that’s the case, then fine.”

“You’re the exception. Normally, those things aren’t so easy to kill.”

“Exactly…… We’ve killed them countless times, but they keep reviving by devouring other souls.”

“Under normal circumstances, we’d have to seal off the labyrinth and proceed with extreme caution, but……”

Vulcan added, “But with you here, it’s a different story.”

I pondered for a moment.

Right now, with the clan formation keeping me busy, labyrinth exploration was temporarily on hold.

‘I could still make small trips, but……’

This was a good opportunity to see the lower floors.

“Hehe, don’t worry. Even if something happens, this humble one can, well, provide for you for life if necessary.”

Cheong Yurang looked at me as she spoke.

“No, with him, he might end up providing for you instead.”

“Wha—what?!”

“That’s a bit much. I’ve spent a lot recently on a house and other things.”

“Come to think of it, you said you dabble in alchemy too, right?”

Vulcan stared at me, his expression a mix of awe and disbelief.

‘Well, I am bluffing a little.’

Unlike others, I gained Gifts and Skills even while leveling up.

On top of that, I also received Gifts through quests.

In terms of sheer quantity, I might even have more than Vulcan.

‘No, I definitely do.’

At any rate.

I turned to Cheong Yurang.

The moment our eyes met, her ears perked up, and she looked back at me with an uneasy gaze.

“What’s the reward?”

“Dragon Vein Crystal Water. And ten platinum coins. Or another potion of equivalent value.”

“I’ll take the latter.”

“……!”

I’d been running low on mana for Thunder God’s Strike—this was perfect.

“When should we depart?”

“Right now.”

“Isn’t that too sudden? Tomorrow would be fine.”

“…….”

Vulcan gave Cheong Yurang a dumbfounded look.

“Wait, wasn’t it you who kept nagging about how urgent this was……?”

“There’s a saying: ‘The more urgent it is, the slower you should go.’”

“When I said that, you insisted it wasn’t urgent at all……”

“Ahem.”

Cheong Yurang coughed awkwardly.

Watching Vulcan seriously consider folding her in half, I quickly interjected.

‘If he actually folds her, my reward disappears.’

“Let’s just go quickly.”

And so, I found myself heading to the land of the Beastkin.

—

Meanwhile.

It was dangerous.

Cheong Yurang reflected. She had come to personally meet the man she was entrusting her request to, but he was far more…

‘Dangerous.’

Not in the usual sense.

It was because he fit her preferences too perfectly.

‘No, how is this……’

To make matters worse, she had run into him right after thoroughly roasting Vulcan. The process had drained her resources, leaving her in a foul mood.

She had planned to assert dominance from the start, flaunting her prestige.

Then, by revealing her lineage, she intended to make him submit naturally.

“…….”

But the moment she saw him, words failed her.

She had meant to maintain decorum. After all, he was the disciple of none other than the Sword King.

But her own master was no pushover either. So she had planned to assert herself appropriately, as she always did.

Yet all those thoughts vanished.

“……?”

Han Yuseong looked at her with puzzled eyes. Every time their gazes met, her body trembled.

“Are you hurt somewhere?”

“N-no, I’m fine.”

And now, being this close to him—

This was too dangerous.

As she thought that, another realization struck her.

‘It’s not time yet.’

The mating season common among Beastkin.

It wasn’t due yet, but just having this man beside her made her feel its approach with terrifying intensity.

She had never been intimate with a man before. Most high-ranking Beastkin females avoided it—after all, males often died during the process, so restraint was necessary.

“So, where are we headed?”

“T-to the Dragon Vein. It’s the sacred land of the Beastkin and also near the labyrinth.”

“I see.”

“A-and, when calling my name, just ‘Yurang’ is fine.”

“Yurang? Sure, that’s easy.”

Cheong Yurang shivered, overwhelmed with happiness.

‘What do I do, what do I do?’

And then, another thought began to take root.

“By the way, what kind of sword techniques do Beastkin use?”

“T-this humble one uses the orthodox Beastkin sword style. Of course, you wouldn’t be able to learn it, but I could at least teach you the basics…….”

“Oh, that’d be great. I’ll ask you later.”

“Rumors truly can’t be trusted. To think you’d be this enthusiastic. Ah, is there anything else you like?”

“Things I like? Hmm, there aren’t any attendants here?”

“Do you need attendants? Don’t worry, this humble one can handle that much…… And if needed, nighttime services……”

“Haha, no way. You’re not seriously offering that.”

“O-of course not! As expected, you’re truly upstanding!”

The conversation never stopped.

Normally, the journey would have been endlessly tedious, but for Cheong Yurang, even that time was infinitely enjoyable.

‘……If it’s this person.’

Cheong Yurang thought.

No male had ever met her standards before.

But this person—

This existence—

‘I wouldn’t mind bearing his child.’

—

Meanwhile, Han Yuseong’s thoughts:

‘Erme was wrong about some things.’

Her information was usually accurate, but not flawless.

‘How is this savage?’

Truly, you had to experience things for yourself to know.