episode_0091

In front of the city Ingraved gate.

Two parties stood facing each other in silence.

“…Ret, what does that mean?”

Iron Mask asked.

Ret shrugged and opened his mouth.

“It’s exactly what it sounds like. Hobgoblin elite troops are gathered near the central avenue. Let’s combine our strengths to break through.”

“Where is your party going? It’s difficult to cooperate if the directions are different.”

“Us? Our party is going to the forest area. Unless you’re going to the sewer, you have to pass through the central avenue to get to the ‘forest’ or ‘corridor’ area anyway. You’re not going to the sewer area, are you?”

At Ret’s question, Iron Mask shook his head.

“No. We’re going to the forest area too.”

“Great. Since we’re going in the same direction, let’s combine our strengths.”

“You said that hobgoblin elite troops are gathered on the central avenue. How can I believe you?”

At Iron Mask’s question, Ret smirked and crossed his arms.

“If it’s hard to believe, why don’t you scout it out? You have a ratkin guide over there.”

“…”

Iron Mask closed his mouth for a moment and pondered deeply.

Jung Yoo-shin held a torch and quietly watched.

Ret.

A human who survived alone after entering as a porter for a mid-tier explorer party.

And to top it off, he even obtained a genius swordsman engraving.

There were people who were incredibly lucky in life.

There are people who bought an apartment, and then an announcement was made that a subway line would be built right in front of it, causing the house price to skyrocket, and they made hundreds of millions of won just by sitting there.

There were also people who bought stocks at the bottom and then a mindless rally started, so they made a sweet fortune.

Ret seemed to be that kind of person.

The protagonist of a heartwarming story about falling backward and landing on a plush money cushion instead of breaking his nose.

But.

That’s Ret up until now.

No one knows what will happen in the future.

If he loses his insight because of luck, and makes even the slightest mistake, it’s over.

This suspicion is reasonable.

Because his party has peculiar aspects.

A man wearing a suspicious iron mask and smelling strongly of medicine all over his body.

A dwarf in triangular briefs.

The ratkin hasn’t stolen anything yet, so let’s leave it at that.

There would be hesitation to extend a hand of cooperation.

Especially for Ret, who is a novice explorer.

Nevertheless, Ret didn’t care.

‘Something smells fishy.’

Contrary to Jung Yoo-shin’s thoughts, Iron Mask nodded.

“…Let’s check first. I’ll think about whether to trust your party later.”

“Do as you please.”

“Mas, can you scout the central avenue?”

“I can.”

“Please. Ska, can you go with him?”

“Of course.”

Jung Yoo-shin nodded.

“Hey, wait a minute!!!”

Ret suddenly raised his hand and shouted.

“What is it?”

“Ska. Ska. I thought I heard that name a lot. Are you Ska, the mixed-blood Barbaroi?!”

‘My name has been sold a lot.’

Well, the first time I saw Ret was at the explorer association in the southern district, so it wasn’t surprising.

“That’s right. Do you have something to say to me?”

“What are you trying to quietly gloss over? You’re such a sly guy. Just because you cover your face with a helmet with a lid doesn’t mean you can hide your tastes, right? Are these people your ‘bitches’?”

Ret said, looking around Jung Yoo-shin’s party members.

The dwarf, the ratkin, and Iron Mask all closed their mouths.

“…”

A chilling silence descended on the scene.

Jung Yoo-shin suddenly opened his mouth.

“What a fucking bastard.”

“What?”

“Hey, you son of a bitch. Why are you picking a fight all of a sudden? Have you lost your mind?”

Jung Yoo-shin grabbed the hilt of his sword.

Starting with that, Ret and Iron Mask’s party members each grabbed their weapons.

Sudden tension engulfed the scene.

Someone put a hand on his shoulder. It was Iron Mask.

“Ska, calm down. There’s nothing to gain by fighting here.”

“…Hoo.”

Jung Yoo-shin stared at Ret’s face for a long time before letting go of his sword.

“Ret, apologize. It’s hard to stand by as a leader when a party member is insulted.”

“Sorry, sorry. I was a bit harsh.”

Ret said, waving his hand as if it were nothing.

‘Shit.’

Seeing him cross the line without even signaling, I wanted to beat him half to death, but I held back.

“But isn’t it true? I heard that Barbaroi are crazy about holes, right? I don’t think our Ret said anything wrong.”

One of Ret’s party members stepped forward and said.

A woman with pink hair braided in pigtails, wearing a robe and holding a staff. She looked to be about Ret’s age.

“W-what did you say?”

Jung Yoo-shin stammered, asking again, and another female party member stepped forward.

“That’s right. Did you think good things would come out of the Barbaroi’s reputation? It’s ridiculous.”

A short-haired woman with navy blue hair glared. Judging by the dagger and small crossbow she was wearing, she seemed to be a guide.

Ret waved his hand and stopped his party members.

“Okay, okay. Let’s stop. What’s the point of fighting more here?”

“Ret, even so…”

The pink-haired robe mumbled something.

Ret smiled and stroked the pink hair.

“Irene, I’m grateful that you’re standing up for me, but we have to overcome the crisis together right now.”

The pink-haired woman, called Irene, blushed and nodded.

“O-okay.”

“…”

Jung Yoo-shin blankly watched the two people being lovey-dovey, his mind in a daze.

Ret turned his head and looked at Iron Mask.

“So, since I’ve apologized, how about going on a scout?”

Is he still thinking of cooperating? What’s in this bastard’s head? The fishy smell is intense.

“…Mas, Ska. Please scout.”

Iron Mask said, looking at Jung Yoo-shin.

“…Okay.”

Jung Yoo-shin barely answered and followed Mas.

Jung Yoo-shin and Mas entered the gate.

Because of the light, they had no choice but to hide in the alley and carefully followed the central avenue.

As Mas moved further away, Jung Yoo-shin hid in the alley, covered the light with a blanket, and followed little by little.

Mas, who was moving along well, stopped and sent a hand signal to Jung Yoo-shin.

‘Retreat. Turn off the torch.’

He immediately understood, put down the torch, and stomped on it to put it out.

Jung Yoo-shin leaned his back against the alley wall and stood still.

How much time had passed?

Well, it didn’t take long for Mas to return.

Mas approached Jung Yoo-shin and put his mouth close to his ear.

“That human swordsman was right. A group of superior hobgoblins is encamped on the central avenue. There are at least 100 of them.”

100. And they’re superior hobgoblins.

“…Is there no way to go back? There are alleys all over the place.”

“Do you know what it means that those hobgoblin groups came out to the central avenue? There will be even more of them swarming around the outskirts of the city.”

‘It’s like cockroaches.’

If they were just hobgoblins, I would have somehow fought them believing in the Avenger engraving. However, it was difficult to predict victory due to the large appearance of superior hobgoblins.

Besides, I have to think about the safety of the party.

‘Stop.’

I shook my head and stopped thinking.

I’m not the leader. If it doesn’t seem right, I can at least offer my opinion, but I didn’t think Iron Mask was such a stupid person that I would go out of my way to lecture him.

Clap!

Suddenly, Jung Yoo-shin grabbed the ratkin, Mas’s hand.

“W-what?!”

“Let’s go back. Stop picking my pockets.”

“O-okay.”

Jung Yoo-shin and Mas retraced their steps and returned to the gate.

“That party’s leader is right. A large number of superior hobgoblins are gathered and camping on the central avenue.”

“See, I told you? We have to combine our strengths.”

“…”

Iron Mask looked at Jung Yoo-shin.

“Ska, what do you think?”

A sudden question.

Jung Yoo-shin met Iron Mask’s eyes.

Even though there was a conflict a little while ago, he asked for his opinion in front of the people.

“It’s hard to go back to the outskirts. There are more hobgoblins there. It’s like avoiding the wolf’s den and entering the lion’s den. The answer is to exterminate them or break through head-on.”

“See, I…”

Iron Mask waved his hand, cut off Ret’s words, and continued the conversation with Jung Yoo-shin.

“Breaking through head-on is difficult. It’s at least 100 to 4. Besides, it’s an open avenue. No matter how good you are at fighting alone, you’re finished if you’re surrounded. What other options are there?”

“It’s true that breaking through is difficult. We could wait a bit and join another party.”

“How about luring them out little by little and dealing with them?”

“There are variables, but it’s not a bad method. If it goes according to plan.”

“In the end, do we have to wait and clear the way together?”

Iron Mask made a tentative conclusion.

“Hey, why are you thinking so hard? Can’t we just drive them away and annihilate them?”

Ret finally intervened.

“How?”

“I have a genius swordsman engraving. I can just deal with this number.”

“Then why did you ask us for help?”

“I’m okay, but my girlfriends are in danger.”

Ret said with a smile.

“Can we trust you?”

“The dwarf over there is a priest who worships the fire spirit, right? Let’s ask him. Hey, dwarf.”

“What?”

“What about your party members? Swear on the fire spirit and tell me.”

“How dare you put a god under an oath? You are an impious human.”

“A sincere dwarf priest is still attached? They’re not bad people.”

Ret shrugged and replied.

Jung Yoo-shin was so dumbfounded that his strength drained from his body.

‘Is this bastard’s brain mushy? Is he full of confidence? Or does he have other intentions?’

Is the genius swordsman that great of an engraving?

If it were me, I would have left my party members behind and gone alone to wipe them out.

“Then now it’s my turn to ask. How can we trust you?”

Ret scratched his head.

“Barbaroi, isn’t it ridiculous to trust each other or not on the 5th floor of the labyrinth? If we have the leeway, we’ll join forces. If not, we’ll go our separate ways. Don’t do it if you don’t like it.”

Iron Mask stepped forward.

“Ret, we need time to discuss among ourselves.”

“Take your time.”

Ret said, moving back a distance.

Iron Mask gestured, and Jung Yoo-shin and his party members gathered in a circle.

“What do you think?”

The dwarf priest, Kubo, cleared his throat and opened his mouth.

“Ahem. It’s suspicious, but that human swordsman isn’t wrong. We have two choices left. Exterminate the hobgoblins or wait here and join another party to fight.”

The ratkin crossed his arms.

“But is there any guarantee that the party that comes later will cooperate with us? To be honest, our party looks a bit like that, right?”

“…”

The ratkin guide suddenly stabbed deep into the lungs, and all the party members closed their mouths.

“Kubo, why don’t you put on some clothes? Other people don’t like it. Honestly, you’re the most suspicious one here.”

“Hmph. Barbaroi, just because you’re wearing a helmet doesn’t mean you can say whatever you want. If you take off that helmet, you’re the most suspicious person.”

“I’m a good Barbaroi?”

“…Put your hand away before you talk.”

“S-sorry.”

Iron Mask stepped forward.

“Stop. It’s not a bad suggestion in my opinion. Let’s cooperate for now, but we need to be wary.”

“…Does that mean?”

“We need to have insurance.”

After finishing the meeting, Iron Mask and his party members approached Ret.

“So, have you made a decision?”

“Of course. We’ll cooperate.”

“Good thinking. There’s no need to waste time here.”

“There’s one condition.”

“…What is it?”

Ret frowned and crossed his arms.

Jung Yoo-shin suddenly stepped forward and opened his mouth.

“Hand over one of your party members.”

“…What?!”

Ret’s eyes widened.

“What did you say?!”

Ret asked back in a trembling voice.

“You don’t understand? Hand them over. Your woman.”

Jung Yoo-shin pointed his finger at Ret’s party members.

“I’ll protect them safely. How about it?”

“…”

In front of the gate.

In the silence of the two parties.

All eyes were focused on Jung Yoo-shin.