episode_0135

Early morning.

Monster Dismantling Office.

“…”

Silence passed between Jeong Yu-shin and Aldeinn.

Aldeinn stared intently at Jeong Yu-shin, holding a single-edged sword.

“Crazy bastard. This is seriously fucked.”

Sudden swearing.

“Excuse me?”

Jeong Yu-shin, flustered, asked back.

The Elf Director had said they would work together, but suddenly he was swearing.

Moreover, his hand holding the red single-edged sword was faintly trembling, showing how angry he was.

“Why are you angry? Did I do something wrong?”

At Jeong Yu-shin’s question, Aldeinn swept back his gray hair.

“I’m not angry.”

???

Jeong Yu-shin made a dumbfounded expression.

‘Is he losing his mind?’

Aldeinn tapped his head.

“··· Ugh, my head.”

“I’ll come next time if you’re not feeling well.”

“No. I have to finish what I came to say.”

Aldeinn leaned the single-edged sword against the table and straightened his posture.

“Interesting things are happening in the Labyrinth City these days.”

“…”

“Don’t shrug with an expression that says you don’t know anything.”

“I really don’t know.”

“Well, you wouldn’t know since you were out of the Labyrinth City for a month.”

“How do you know I was outside the Labyrinth City? Also, that I became younger.”

“Don’t we have our sweet guy Snout-Nose? And the southern district is in an uproar because of you. They say a black-haired pretty boy has appeared.”

“…”

Jeong Yu-shin swept back his hair once.

His shoulders began to creep up.

Shouldn’t he start admitting it now?

‘Maybe I am handsome.’

“Don’t act fatal. You’re showing off your wrinkles in front of an elf.”

“…”

Jeong Yu-shin slowly lowered his hands and placed them demurely on his knees.

Aldeinn cleared his throat once and opened his mouth.

“Ahem! Drugs are being distributed within the city.”

Jeong Yu-shin’s eyes widened at the sudden words.

Drugs?

“Suddenly drugs? What are you talking about?”

“You might be familiar with it. You’ve been in and out of the Forest Layer, so you’d know. What’s the ‘rule’ of the Forest Layer?”

“‘Pain’.”

In the ‘Forest’ Layer, pain causes madness.

It was an absolute rule of the labyrinth that no one could avoid.

“That’s right. A ‘strange’ pain relief cream is popular among those exploring the Forest area. It hasn’t been long.”

“Oh, shit.”

Jeong Yu-shin spat out an expletive.

The last Forest Troll subjugation.

He had received and used a pain relief cream from a warrior.

He seemed to have applied it carefully all over his skin.

That was a drug?

Aldeinn crossed his arms, looking at Jeong Yu-shin’s expression.

“Have you ever used it? Strictly speaking, it’s a narcotic painkiller. Isn’t it better than going crazy?”

That’s true.

Going crazy from madness.

Or becoming a wreck, addicted to drugs and gradually falling apart.

Both seemed like the worst outcomes.

“There are high-quality potions, so why use narcotic painkillers?”

“The reasons are varied. Maybe there’s no time to take off your helmet and drink a potion during a hectic battle. Maybe there’s no priest in the party. In addition, the drug’s effects help shake off fear. And the potion can’t completely erase the pain that’s already been felt.”

“…”

He had nothing to say.

“So?”

“But recently, a drug has been circulating. Its effects are terrible. It functions excellently as a painkiller, but that’s it. It’s so addictive that it messes up the brain.”

Aldeinn paused for a moment and continued.

“The problem isn’t just that. It would be fine if it was only popular among explorers, but it’s affecting ordinary people as well. Judging by the speed it’s spreading, it’s organized. I can’t stand by and watch. Some of my subordinates are addicted and losing their minds.”

Jeong Yu-shin thought for a moment and opened his mouth.

“I understand what’s going on. There’s some kind of organization? But what great talent do I, a weakling, have to catch those guys? If the Director can’t do it, what power do I have?”

Aldeinn made an absurd expression.

“You’re weak?”

“Yes. Look at my innocent face. Do I look like someone who’d go around slicing people up?”

Aldeinn widened his eyes and looked down at Jeong Yu-shin.

“…”

An uncomfortable silence lingered between the two.

Aldeinn rubbed his eyebrows.

“You’re good at everything, but sometimes you say nonsense. It’s like you’re just crazy, regardless of the labyrinth’s madness.”

“It’s not that bad.”

“Okay. Well, think about it. It’s also related to the southern district.”

Jeong Yu-shin took out a red magic stone from his pocket.

Aldeinn recognized the identity of the magic stone at a glance.

“Isn’t that a top-grade magic stone? Where did you get that?”

“An old Barbaroi man gave it to me. Is there anyone who would buy this magic stone?”

Aldeinn stared at the magic stone for a while before slowly opening his mouth.

“There are a few places I can think of.”

“Could you sell it for me instead?”

“Do you know that I’m the Monster Dismantling Director? Not an underground merchant.”

“Can’t you?”

Jeong Yu-shin rubbed his hands together and opened his eyes wide, making Aldeinn grab his single-edged sword.

“··· Director, why did you grab your sword?”

“To feel the love and peace of my heart.”

“Your hand is trembling though?”

“I have tremors. It happens after working for a long time.”

“…”

Once again, an uncomfortable silence passed between the two.

Aldeinn shook his head and sighed.

“Ugh. I understand. Darmong left me with a big burden.”

“Aren’t we supposed to help each other out?”

“You’ve become very slick. Life looks easy, huh? The commission is 30%.”

“Director, why are you talking about a commission between us? Make it 20%. I have a family to feed.”

“Your inn is making a lot of money. The people running inns in the southern district are sighing deeply. They say you guys are sweeping up all the money.”

“…”

They made that much?

“If you want to use connections, you have to pay the price. Does anyone live by digging up dirt?”

“I understand.”

Aldeinn waved his hand.

“Good. The proceeds from the magic stone sale will be sent via Snout-Nose. It may take some time. Go now. Think carefully about what I told you.”

“Yes.”

Jeong Yu-shin got up from his seat, bowed his head, and went out of the office.

Squeak.

Thud.

Aldeinn stared at the spot where Jeong Yu-shin had been, sighed, and fiddled with the single-edged sword.

“Little brother, stop chattering. You’re killing me.”

The single-edged sword trembled.

Aldeinn blankly looked down at the single-edged sword.

“··· You want to be held tightly in the hands of a pretty boy Skah?”

Aldeinn leaned back in his chair and stroked his forehead.

‘This is really dangerous.’

He had heard Snout-Nose’s report and knew in advance, but he didn’t know it would be this bad.

Beauty rivaling that of an average elf.

He wondered if it was really the Skah of the past.

He had heard the news that a mysterious pretty boy had appeared on the southern street, and he thought that was about it, but the rumors were indeed justified.

‘Besides, doesn’t that guy have a virgin female corruption imprint?’

If he went even slightly astray, he had a high probability of becoming a walking virgin destroyer.

A scene of the street filled with virgins with engraved vulvas vividly flashed through his mind.

A bomb of a guy.

“Hoo. Please don’t take off the ring.”

Aldeinn sighed and muttered.

* * *

Jeong Yu-shin walked lightly through the streets, leaving the western district.

The scorching sun beat down on his head, but it was okay.

Because there were gains from walking around.

He entrusted the sale of the top-grade magic stone to Aldeinn.

If he waited a little, the proceeds from selling the magic stone would come into his hands. Then he could buy equipment with Karin.

While waiting, he could train and prepare to enter the labyrinth.

He was making plans for the future in his head.

‘Things are going smoothly.’

Jeong Yu-shin, who was grinning, stopped abruptly while walking down the southern park street.

The narcotic painkiller that Aldeinn mentioned bothered him.

‘Should I look into it a little more?’

The tone was definitely serious.

He sat on a park bench and looked at the fountain.

What should he do?

He knew very well that there was no need to stir up a hornet’s nest.

‘But can I just stand by and watch?’

He didn’t hear the detailed story from Aldeinn.

He needed to know how serious the narcotic painkiller currently circulating was to make a decision.

One person came to Jeong Yu-shin’s mind as he pondered.

Edel.

The mother of the fox beastwoman Luna and the owner of the pharmacy.

He had become acquainted with her when she helped him when he had Magic Sclerosis.

‘I should ask her.’

Since she runs a pharmacy, he expected her to have some knowledge about pain relief creams.

Jeong Yu-shin got up from his seat.

‘I should stop by to see Luna’s cute face as well.’

* * *

Southern street.

A small pharmacy.

The wooden door opened and the doorbell rang.

Ting-a-ling.

“Welcome…”

Edel’s face hardened before she could finish greeting.

Because three men with fierce faces had entered.

One was a lizard beastman.

Two were humans.

They were people she didn’t want to see at all.

Luna, who was organizing potions on the pharmacy display, raised her head and frowned.

“Why are you here again!”

“Luna, step back.”

Edel sternly warned Luna, and Luna closed her mouth and stepped back.

The lizard beastman flicked his tongue and approached.

“I’ve seen it many times, but your daughter’s personality is really scary. By the way, madam, how long are you going to keep refusing?”

“··· I’m sure I’ve made it clear?”

Edel coldly replied.

The lizard beastman smiled slyly.

“Madam, why do you keep refusing when we’re giving you goods at a cheap price? We’re doing this to help you do business well. Are you going to keep acting like this? I’d be very disappointed.”

“The pain relief cream that you provide is close to a drug. We can’t sell such items in our store.”

Edel said firmly.

The lizard beastman laughed as if he was dumbfounded.

“Madam, you don’t seem to know anything. It’s an essential medicine for labyrinth exploration. People go crazy from pain in some layers. Have you ever seen someone whose head has gone crazy from madness? If you have, you wouldn’t say that the medicine is strong or anything like that.”

“··· Even so, your medicine is too much. I can’t accept it.”

“Ha! Shit. All the other pharmacies are readily accepting it.”

The lizard beastman sighed and shook his head.

“Hoo. Hey guys, do something. The madam is very stubborn.”

The two menacing human men smirked.

Crash!!!

The two men swept the potion bottles displayed in the pharmacy and threw them on the floor.

The glass bottles shattered instantly, and liquids of various colors spread on the floor.

“I’ll call the guards!”

Edel shouted.

“Call them. Do you know what happens next?”

The lizard beastman smiled slyly and continued.

“Who will come next after we leave? Huh? You know the Labyrinth Committee is changing soon, right? If we burn down a tiny pharmacy like this at that time, no one will know.”

The lizard beastman slowly approached Edel and grabbed her chin.

“Pitiful. So pitiful. The daughter and mother will be working in the same brothel.”

“Get away from my mom!!!”

The fox beastwoman Luna couldn’t stand it and rushed in, swinging her arms wildly.

The lizard beastman laughed.

Slap!!!

A merciless hand slapped Luna’s cheek.

Bang!!!

Luna flew away like a kite with a cut string and crashed into a corner.

Blood flowed from Luna’s mouth, one cheek red.

“Luna!!!”

Edel screamed and tried to run to Luna, but the lizard beastman grabbed Edel’s arm.

“Madam, I think you’re crossing the line because we’re treating you like gentlemen.”

“Let go!!!”

Edel struggled.

Slap!!!

The lizard beastman slapped Edel’s cheek with his other hand.

He didn’t stop there and grabbed Edel’s hair.

“I think you’re looking down on us too much. Decide here and now. Either accept our medicine. Or close down.”

“Kugh!!!”

Edel bit her lip.

She was resentful.

How did she get here?

She was only waiting for the day she would die from Magic Sclerosis, but she returned to her daily life with the help of Skah.

But misfortune came without even feeling happiness.

Men who came several times and blackmailed her, demanding to sell her goods.

She kept refusing, but the degree gradually worsened, and finally, a day like today came.

Tears flowed from Edel’s eyes in despair.

“I… I understand.”

“Freeze.”

A chilling voice came from behind.

The lizard beastman turned his head.

“Huh? What?”

A black-haired pretty boy was standing at the doorway.

A face distorted like a demon.

Jeong Yu-shin looked around.

Luna was lying unconscious in the corner, bleeding from her mouth.

Flames flashed in Jeong Yu-shin’s eyes.

“You motherfuckers.”

Murderous intent began to surge in the peaceful boy’s heart.