episode_0102

Sunlight streamed through the window. Jeong Yu-shin squinted as he woke up.

It was lunchtime, long past morning.

“Ugh, my head.”

The hangover from the dwarf fire wine he drank all night was no joke. He had spent last night drinking with Karin and talking about various things.

It hadn’t been that long since he had been apart from Karin. But a lot had happened in the meantime.

The conversation continued until dawn. He remembered getting tipsy, going up to the second floor, and throwing himself onto the bed in his room. After that, it was all dark.

Jeong Yu-shin slowly got up and opened the closet.

“Hmm.”

The closet contained only two or three linen shirts, two pairs of pants, a few tunics he had ripped off from Oswald, and a fur-lined jacket that Ingrid had given him.

It was mid-summer. Jeong Yu-shin was still wearing clothes suitable for spring.

‘I want to wear something else.’

There was only one reason for his hesitation.

The summer tunic Oswald had sent looked awful.

‘Isn’t it too long?’

It was long and drooped down to his thighs. And he had to wear a belt over the clothes.

In a word, it looked like he was walking around wearing a belt over a baggy t-shirt.

It looks so idiotic.

In the case of linen shirts, he could just tuck the remaining hem into his pants and wear a belt to look neat, but things like these tunics didn’t suit modern sensibilities.

‘Should I buy a new one?’

He immediately shook his head.

He had enough money, but he didn’t want to spend it on unnecessary things. It seemed that there were several famous brands in the Labyrinth City, but he didn’t have money to spend in such places.

Besides, as the festival day approached, the city’s prices were gradually rising.

It was the perfect time to get ripped off.

And even if it looked idiotic to him, it might look like a normal outfit to other people.

The Labyrinth City was home to so many different people, so there were many different styles of fashion.

Didn’t some dwarves walk around wearing only underwear?

He couldn’t be narrow-minded as an awakened modern citizen who has a politically correct mindset and respects diversity and life.

‘Okay.’

Jeong Yu-shin took off his shirt and put on the tunic. The feel of the thin, soft fabric was amazing. Did he really give him something expensive because he asked for it?

The moment he tried to put on his sword belt after putting on the tunic.

Knock knock.

The door burst open with a knock.

“What? Were you changing?”

A familiar voice. It was Karin.

“Yeah. I’m done changing, so you don’t have to leave.”

“I can tell just by looking? Are you going to put on the belt?”

Karin strode over.

“Yeah.”

“I’ll do it for you.”

“You don’t have to.”

“I want to.”

Karin came over, took the belt, and wrapped it around Jeong Yu-shin’s waist.

Squish.

Because Karin was stuck so close, her elastic breasts were pressed against Jeong Yu-shin’s chest and squashed.

As Karin moved back and forth, her breasts were also squashed, rubbing and smearing against Jeong Yu-shin’s chest.

‘It’s strangely close. Doesn’t Karin know her breasts are touching?’

“There! Done!”

Karin grinned and fastened the sword belt tightly around his waist.

When Karin raised her head, she made eye contact with Jeong Yu-shin.

“Why?”

“…”

“Are you embarrassed?”

Karin smiled like a cat and pressed her body even closer.

At that moment, when they were so close that they could feel each other’s breath.

Karin stepped back. Her face was slightly flushed.

“Why…why are you looking at me like that? Your eyes…your eyes are scary.”

Jeong Yu-shin turned his head.

He had to be patient. If he were to go wild on the daughter of the Beastmen Alliance representative, he would have nowhere to stand in the Labyrinth City. His reputation would be ruined as a bonus.

“Let’s go eat.”

“…Okay.”

Jeong Yu-shin and Karin came down to the first floor. The two sat down and ate a late lunch.

“Sca, what are you going to do today?”

“The Temple of the Great Mother. I’m going to check if I got an imprint this time.”

“Really? Have a good trip. I’ll watch the store.”

After eating lunch, he went to the Temple of the Great Mother with Karin’s cool send-off.

“Mr. Sca.”

The temple receptionist recognized Jeong Yu-shin at a glance and bowed his head.

“I came to check my imprint.”

“I see. That’ll be one silver coin.”

“Here you are.”

“If you wait a moment, someone will come to guide you.”

“Yes.”

Jeong Yu-shin sat on a chair in the temple reception room and waited for a while.

A male priest approached.

“Hmm? Mr. Sca? It’s been a while.”

Jeong Yu-shin raised his head.

Diego Perez.

He was a mid-level priest who temporarily took over the orphanage class when Mion took a break from teaching. He taught kindly and well, so he remembered him. To think he’d see him here.

“Priest Diego? It’s nice to see you here. How have you been?”

Diego adjusted his glasses.

“Yes. I’m a bit busy these days preparing for the festival, but I’m fine. Are you going to see Priestess Mion?”

“Yes.”

“Please follow me. I’ll guide you.”

“Thank you.”

Jeong Yu-shin followed Diego and moved his feet.

“Mr. Sca, how are your classes these days?”

“It was good. I’m learning well because Priestess Mion taught me kindly.”

“Do you often go into the labyrinth?”

Why is he asking that?

“Yes. Even if it’s not often, I always try to go whenever I have the chance.”

“I see.”

Diego and Jeong Yu-shin continued their conversation and walked through the temple corridor.

And stood in front of Mion’s door.

Knock knock.

Diego knocked.

“Priestess Mion, Mr. Sca has arrived.”

“Come in.”

Creak.

Jeong Yu-shin looked at Diego before opening the door and entering the room.

“Priest Diego, thank you.”

“Serving is my joy.”

Diego smiled and replied.

“I see. Let’s see each other often in the future.”

Jeong Yu-shin, walking into the room, didn’t realize that Diego was staring intently at Jeong Yu-shin. Until just before the door closed.

Thump.

When he entered the room, Mion was sitting in a chair.

It seemed that she had just finished teaching a class, as there were several books piled up on the table.

“Mr. Sca.”

“Priestess Mion.”

The two made eye contact.

“I’m glad you seem to be doing much better.”

Mion walked gracefully to Jeong Yu-shin. And carefully looked at the red hair stuck to his chest.

“Hmph.”

Mion made a low humming sound and removed the red fur stuck to his chest.

“Um…Mr. Sca?”

“Yes. Priestess Mion.”

“You came to check your imprint, right?”

“That’s right.”

“There’s a temple ‘tradition’ that increases the probability of getting a better imprint, would you like to try it?”

There was such a thing?

He had never heard of it.

Wasn’t an imprint obtained as soon as you left the labyrinth?

Honestly, he didn’t understand.

The imprint was already determined, so what was the point of doing this?

Was it something like Schrödinger’s cat?

“Was there such a thing?”

“Yes.”

Mion smiled and replied.

‘If Priestess Mion says there is, then there is.’

Jeong Yu-shin nodded vigorously. There was no reason to refuse. He even wanted to ask for it.

“Please.”

Mion sat in her chair and spread her arms.

“Come closer and kneel on one knee. And, and put your face on my stomach.”

Jeong Yu-shin looked at Mion.

‘Is this right?’

It must be right. He didn’t think Mion would lie.

Jeong Yu-shin slowly approached Mion, knelt down, and put his face on Mion’s stomach.

The heavy breasts pressed not only on the top of his head but also on the back of his head.

And the smell of sweat. The thick scent of milk mixed with vanilla tickled his nose.

The sensations and smells felt from all directions.

The whole world was Mion.

Mion muttered something. Was she concentrating?

He instinctively sniffed his nose. Mion’s body twitched.

“M…Mr. Sca, be still when chanting.”

“Zzuhseunghupnida.”

Mion started chanting again. Jeong Yu-shin held his breath and buried his face in Mion’s soft belly.

“It’s done.”

Jeong Yu-shin pulled his head out of Mion’s arms and got up.

Mion’s expression was somewhat calm.

‘Is it a good imprint?’

He had rolled around so much. If there was a god of dice somewhere in this world, wouldn’t he be moved by his sincerity and give him a gift?

‘Please!!!’

Mion opened her mouth.

“Mr. Sca’s imprint is ‘Suspension of Death’.”

“…Yes?”

Jeong Yu-shin’s expression hardened.

Suspension of Death.

Didn’t it sound similar to a suspended sentence?

“…Shall I explain?”

“Please.”

“It’s literally an imprint that postpones death. A characteristic is that a bell rings in your head when your life is cut off. It’s difficult to know how long it can be postponed because it varies greatly from person to person. But the longest grace period is said to be around 10 to 15 seconds.”

“I see.”

“…”

Mion and Jeong Yu-shin were silent for a moment. What should they say? An imprint that postpones death was ominous.

Mion also seemed to be sparing her words.

Jeong Yu-shin shook his head.

‘It’s not bad.’

He was glad it wasn’t some strange imprint.

It was better than an imprint that made you erect when you saw a frog, or an imprint that made you die if you didn’t take off your clothes.

“It’s a good imprint.”

“…Right.”

Mion smiled softly. But she didn’t say more about the imprint.

“Mr. Sca, are you going straight into the labyrinth?”

“No. I’m going to take a break during this Blue Moon Festival.”

“I see.”

Jeong Yu-shin sat in his chair and chatted with Mion before getting up.

“Then I’ll see you later.”

“Yes. Mr. Sca, take care.”

“Yes.”

He left the Temple of the Great Mother and walked down the street. The intense afternoon sun shone down hotly.

He hadn’t walked even a few steps, but his back was already damp with sweat.

“It’s hot, it’s hot.”

He fanned himself with his palm and slowly entered the inn.

“I’m back…”

Crash!!!

Before Jeong Yu-shin could finish speaking, the sound of something breaking echoed through the inn.

What?

Regaining his senses, he looked around the inn’s hall.

Five menacing men were confronting Karin.

“Hey, you son of a bitch, why does the food taste like this? Chef! Did you cook it with your feet?!”

“Ptooey!!! You call this food?”

Crash!!!

A glass plate containing food shattered on the inn floor.

The men were not only throwing food but also spitting, kicking chairs, and making all sorts of ruckus.

‘What is this?’

The men slowly approached and surrounded Karin.

“Hey, you bitch. Go get the innkeeper.”

Karin glared at the men without answering. To be able to act like this against a mid-tier explorer? Was she brave? Or was she brainless?

“Looking closely, her face is quite pretty, isn’t it?”

A man with a thick beard grabbed Karin’s chin.

‘Oh my.’

Jeong Yu-shin took a step from the inn entrance.

“What’s going on?”

A low voice echoed through the inn.

Not only the menacing men but even the guests focused their attention on Jeong Yu-shin.

The bearded man took his hand off Karin’s chin and approached Jeong Yu-shin. Then the other four men followed and surrounded Jeong Yu-shin.

Jeong Yu-shin looked around at the men.

Gambeson attire. Iron plates covering the vitals were added to the outfit. Mainly armed with longswords, spears, and maces. What kind of mercenary group did they crawl out from?

“Are you the owner here?”

Jeong Yu-shin nodded.

“Yes.”

“Judging by your appearance, you must have taken over the inn at a young age, but have you never run a business? Do you want to make money with this tasteless food and terrible service? Do you have no conscience?”

“…”

Jeong Yu-shin silently stared at the bearded man.

“Look at this bastard’s eyes? He hasn’t come to his senses. I was just going to take a small consolation fee and leave, but I can’t now. Hey, you guys, drag that red bitch and the woman in the kitchen here.”

Just as the man’s subordinates were about to move, Jeong Yu-shin opened his mouth.

“How much consolation fee are you thinking of receiving?”

The bearded man smirked.

“Ha! Now? Well, 10 gold coins would be enough.”

“Is that all?”

“And lend me that red bitch for a few days. I’ll play with her moderately so she doesn’t break. That bitch, her body is a work of art.”

The man’s subordinates burst into laughter at the eyepatched man’s joke.

Jeong Yu-shin was also so dumbfounded that he laughed.

He would never admit it, but these were the first friends he had seen who were so bold in front of him, who was being treated like a black-haired barbarian. Of course, excluding the underworld.

Besides, demanding 10 gold coins as a consolation fee.

Was he possessed?

There were evil spirits in the labyrinth, so there would be some in the outside world as well. It was a natural deduction.

These guys couldn’t be doing such crazy things unless an evil spirit had entered their minds.

Jeong Yu-shin touched his neck and came to a conclusion.

“Gentlemen.”

The men smirked and looked at Jeong Yu-shin. Their expressions said, “Go on, say something else.”

“In my opinion, you gentlemen seem to be possessed by evil spirits.”

“…”

The inn became quiet in an instant. Not only the men but even the guests stared at Jeong Yu-shin with wide eyes.

His words and actions were far beyond expectations. They thought he would either pay them to apologize or start a fight with vulgar curses.

Jeong Yu-shin raised his fist.

“Therefore, from now on.”

He paused for a moment and smiled as he looked around at everyone in the inn.

“I will perform an exorcism.”