episode_0107

Barbaroi.

They were a group of bastards impossible to grasp.

They suddenly appeared and encouraged sex, and now they’re telling me to find a “hole.”

“Crazy bastards.”

Why the hell are they doing this?

Civilization is established when people live together with minimal decency and the rule of law, but those crazy Barbaroi had none of that.

They just screw when they see a hole. They seemed to be thinking only of that.

Maybe that’s why they’re called barbarians.

Is it okay to act so arbitrarily in the city?

Jeong Yushin’s expression turned fierce.

“Aren’t they mentally ill? To put it bluntly, isn’t this about handing over people in exchange for controlling the crowd? Are you just going to stand by and watch?”

Ursula swept back her hair.

“Because they’re strong. You know that better than anyone, right? They lightly flicked their finger and broke a mid-level Explorer’s sword. Can’t you guess? Who in the city would take a loss and try to drive those bastards out?”

“I know they’re strong. But many people are getting hurt, aren’t they? At this rate, who would even stay in the city…?”

Ursula’s expression hardened slightly.

“Stop there. You’ve only just entered the lower ranks of mid-level Explorers and you’re trying to dig too deep.”

“I actually think it’s a good thing they’re acting like that.”

Jeong Yushin’s mouth dropped open at Ashur’s words.

“…What are you talking about?”

“Hmph. You’re a mid-level Explorer now, so you should know.”

Ashur sighed deeply and continued.

“There are several clans formed by clustered monsters in the eastern district. One of the large clans is called ‘Pandemonium’. Their goal… you could say they want a world where monsters can live freely.”

“Ashur, you need to correct yourself. Isn’t it ‘people’ who received monster imprints?”

Ursula interjected.

“That’s right. My mistake. I should explain why these clans were formed first. …Let’s see. There are good monsters and bad monsters in the eastern district. Of course, the standard is whether they’re helpful to people or not.”

Suddenly, good monsters and bad monsters.

He had no idea what she was talking about.

“Please explain it simply.”

“Listen a little more. For example, let’s say there’s an Arachne, a half-human, half-spider monster. This Arachne monster extracts fine silk, which becomes the raw material for high-end fabrics. That’s beneficial. The slime monsters that are diligently cleaning the city’s sewers right now are also like that.”

“On the other hand, what about the Basilisk? Poison is constantly coming out of its mouth. You can’t even make eye contact because of its petrifying gaze. It stays alone deep underground in the eastern district, never even seeing the sunlight.”

A question arose in Jeong Yushin’s mind as he listened to Ashur.

“Can’t they just remove the imprint?”

“Right. But they don’t have money, right? They don’t have a way to earn money. And would that person even want to remove the monster imprint? That’s another issue, so let’s move on.”

“…”

“Do you know how people change when they’re treated unfairly and left alone in the dark?”

“…”

“Anger builds up. Can they release it? It’s impossible. Because there are no ‘monsters’ who understand them and can communicate with them. Eventually, they can’t stand it anymore and explode. Does it stop there? No. They want to express what’s in their hearts and show it. Because that’s human nature. So, let’s go back to the story of the person who received the Basilisk imprint. If you were that Basilisk, you’d have three choices.”

“…”

“To live like this? Or to fight for freedom? Or to express your anger? Pandemonium is a group that wants to achieve freedom through anger. And then the Barbaroi get involved. They’re really impure bastards.”

“Could it be…”

“That’s right. They might attach themselves to that Pandemonium.”

The more he heard, the more confused he became.

“Wait a minute. Then aren’t there people who can stop those monster bastards in the eastern district? Isn’t it almost a monopoly?”

“Several people are working together to suppress them. Ingrid and Luke are at the forefront. Seamus is also there. But there aren’t many of them.”

Ashur stopped talking and sighed deeply once more.

“Hoo. Besides, one of the Maze City Committee members is Lilith, who’s called the Monster Queen.”

What?

There’s a monster on the Maze City Committee?

He couldn’t understand it at all.

“How could those evil bastards take a seat on the committee? It sounds ridiculous.”

“Scar, watch your mouth.”

Ashur’s eyes turned cold for a moment.

“They are ‘people’ who received monster imprints. And someone has to control the eastern district. Queen Lilith is still relatively moderate.”

“I’m sorry.”

He realized he had made a mistake himself.

The Barbaroi’s proposal was so shocking that he hadn’t been thinking straight.

‘I got too excited. Calm down.’

He calmed his mind and summarized the current situation.

The Maze City was currently in a delicate balance of power. The Barbaroi were crossing the line and acting as they pleased.

In this situation, he carefully considered the Barbaroi’s proposal.

Outlaws of the Maze City.

Heartless, tearless hole lovers.

They must have had enough screwing to be sick of it. It was obvious that the Barbaroi’s eyes were higher than his.

Even so, what was the reason they would take the ‘hole’ he chose as a reward?

“Hmm.”

Could it be that their brains were damaged from too much screwing? They might have wanted to experience a different taste.

He understood.

He even had a friend who got excited while watching adult comics of married women titled, “You’re pent up.”

‘The world is wide, and tastes are deep?’

Hmm.

Could it be a simple prank?

Since they’re guys who grab anyone and stick their dicks in them, this might be a gentle prank.

But how could it be a prank when people are coming and going like human trafficking?

Just because the Barbaroi are playing pranks doesn’t mean he can accept it cheerfully.

‘What the hell are those guys doing?’

His head throbbed. No matter how much he racked his brain, he couldn’t think of a good reason.

If he got stronger, he wouldn’t have to rack his brain and think like this, he could just smash everything.

Jeong Yushin’s eyes flashed for a moment as he groaned.

Of course.

Is it culture?

There might be a unique Barbaroi culture that he didn’t know about.

They might think that there’s something special about the hole chosen by a virgin.

It might be a culture similar to the “doljabi,” where they put various objects in front of a baby at their first birthday party and watch what they choose.

‘Hoo. Let’s have a broad mind.’

There are many cultures in the world. In some cultures, there’s a tradition of snipping off a baby’s foreskin eight days after birth.

Even if there was a worse culture, there was no need to be surprised.

‘No. Still, snipping off the foreskin is a bit much, isn’t it?’

‘Ugh, my head.’

Jeong Yushin held his head. There was no need to go around so complicatedly.

“Can’t we just refuse?”

“We think the same.”

“That’s right.”

Ursula and Sorgein nodded in agreement.

Jeong Yushin slumped in his chair.

“Then what’s the point of this proposal?”

“The Barbaroi singled you out, so we came to see your face.”

Sorgein replied in a smooth tone.

‘I don’t think so at all.’

It seemed like they came to see what he was thinking.

Really.

Everyone, from this guy to that guy, was just trying to put him to the test.

It felt like he was standing on a tightrope right before the festival.

Then.

Someone gently took his hand. A hand that quietly came under the table. It was soft and warm.

Mion.

“Scar, don’t worry too much. I know how you feel, even if others don’t.”

Mion said with a smile.

Jeong Yushin nodded.

“Thank you.”

The head of the Merchant Guild, Sorgein, stood up from his seat.

“Let’s go. We have a lot to do to prepare for the festival.”

“Scar, your Explorer’s license will be out in a few days, so drop by after some time.”

“See you later.”

“Okay. Take care.”

People said a word each and left the inn, leaving only one person in their seat.

The head of the Swordsmanship Guild, Ashur.

“Scar, how are you doing these days?”

“I’m busy preparing for the festival.”

“I heard you survived another near-death experience?”

“I lived thanks to you. If the deer beastman hadn’t saved me in time, I would have been in big trouble. But, you know.”

“How did I know?”

“Yes. I thought it was too coincidental to be a coincidence.”

“Well, it was a coincidence. That friend who turned into a giant spider monster was a member of our Swordsmanship Guild. I taught him, so I’m responsible.”

“…”

“His name was Simon. A human boy who came from the Lionel Kingdom in the south. Maybe he was about 16 years old? He’d be about your age now.”

“He went crazy living in the underground of the eastern district. He’d be chased and killed if he went outside to find freedom, so he eventually went into the Maze. It happened when Ingrid was sick. I heard that a few friends got together and went in. Some died, Simon was injured, but he somehow got in.”

“But originally, monsters can enter the Maze, right?”

“That’s right. Anyone can enter and exit freely. But Simon killed a priest. That’s a serious crime. So I asked that deer friend to chase him.”

‘Shit.’

My mouth tastes bitter. But I didn’t regret it. I would have died if I didn’t fight. I couldn’t just give him a break.

“Still, it was a coincidence. To run into each other in that wide area.”

Ashur chuckled.

“Don’t you always have near-death experiences? Isn’t it time to admit it?”

“What?”

“My old gut tells me. You bring bad luck.”

Jeong Yushin frowned.

Suddenly cursing me.

“Are you senile or something?”

“What did you say?”

Ashur glared at Jeong Yushin and stood up from his seat.

“Are you going into the Maze right after the festival?”

“Yes.”

“Drop by before you go.”

“Okay. Ah! But, you know.”

Jeong Yushin explained about the Death Postponement imprint he had obtained this time.

“…Is there any possibility that the Death Postponement imprint and the Revenger imprint can go together? Like postponing death and recovering with Revenger to fight again.”

As Jeong Yushin explained enthusiastically with gestures, Ashur tilted his head.

“I don’t remember anyone receiving the Death Postponement and Revenger imprints at the same time. But I’ll look into it just in case.”

“Thank you, Master.”

“I’ll take money for it.”

“Guild Leader, what’s with the money between us? Aren’t we bound by affection? Don’t be like this.”

“It’s 1 gold coin.”

“Guild Leader, isn’t this a bad way to do business? ”

“Scary bastard. You’ll end up hearing the ‘ear-pinching’ sound. I’ll give you 30 silver coins.”

“Thank you, Master.”

“I’m going. Be careful.”

“Yes.”

Ashur patted Jeong Yushin on the shoulder and turned around to leave the inn.

Jeong Yushin escorted Ashur to the outside of the inn and returned. Big Nose was standing at the counter.

Jeong Yushin approached Big Nose and put his arm around his shoulder.

“Big Nose.”

“Yes.”

“Lend me some money.”

“…Okay.”

“Cheer up. I’ll pay you back. I spent a lot of money preparing for this festival. You know? I keep my promises well.”

“Yes, yes.”

“Let’s go. To work.”

Jeong Yushin held Big Nose’s shoulder tightly and entered the kitchen.

Jeong Yushin and his party worked frantically for several days preparing for the festival.

And.

The Blue Moon Festival was just one day away.