episode_0189

Thump!!!

The window shook.

Jeong Yushin swallowed hard.

What kind of fellow is it this time?

It was truly difficult to live in peace in the Labyrinth City.

Jeong Yushin took a few more steps, then stopped abruptly.

The silhouette of the stranger attached to the window became clear.

A huge crow was flapping its wings, its red eyes sparkling.

That wasn’t the end.

A white rat was hanging from the crow’s feet.

“Rin?”

Jeong Yushin immediately recognized the white rat.

Rin was sticking his face to the window, licking his tongue.

Jeong Yushin’s shoulders slumped.

‘What on earth is going on?’

Riding a crow in the middle of the night and knocking on the window.

Thump!!!

Rin licked his tongue again and knocked on the window.

Jeong Yushin went over and opened the window.

Then the crow flapped its wings and came inside.

Rin jumped gracefully from the crow’s feet and landed on the floor.

The crow circled the room as if it was done with its business, then quickly disappeared out the window.

“Squeak!!!”

Rin’s eyes sparkled as he rubbed his body against Jeong Yushin’s leg.

“Rin, you rascal. What on earth is going on? And what’s with that crow?”

“Squeak!!!”

Rin scurried onto the bed and gestured with his hands and feet. His eyes were sparkling as if he’d had a great adventure in the Labyrinth City.

Jeong Yushin sighed deeply and grabbed Rin by the scruff of his neck, examining him closely.

He was clean, considering he’d been outside.

Did he wash somewhere?

He smelled similar to the shampoo Ingrid and Karin used.

Was he staying at another woman’s house?

Besides, his white fur was shiny and glossy, as if he’d been eating well.

Rin flailed his front paws in the air, struggling as if telling him not to grab the back of his neck.

“Squeak!!!”

“Okay, okay.”

When he put him back on the bed, Rin sniffed around, inspecting the bed.

“Why are you sniffing? There’s nothing else here. Let’s just sleep. Come on.”

Jeong Yushin lay back down on the bed and slightly opened the blanket.

“Squeak?”

Rin tilted his head for a moment, then wriggled his plump butt and came into Jeong Yushin’s arms.

Jeong Yushin patted Rin until he fell asleep.

* * *

The next morning.

Jeong Yushin took Rin to Ingrid.

Rin nestled between Ingrid’s breasts, settling in and squeaking.

He had the happiest expression Jeong Yushin had ever seen.

“D… Did you perhaps massage Rin?”

Jeong Yushin shook his head at Ingrid’s question.

“Rin came in late last night… I’m sorry. I’ll be sure to do it from tomorrow.”

“I see.”

Ingrid replied with a strangely disappointed expression.

* * *

Jeong Yushin immediately left the inn and went about his usual routine, finally finishing a sparring session with Mick at the Swordsmanship Guild training ground.

In the evening glow.

Jeong Yushin sat sprawled in the training ground with the Swordsmanship Guild members, including Mick.

Jeong Yushin watched the panting Mick intently.

He had gotten to know Mick as they had been consistently spending time together recently.

Mick, who came from a rural village, lost his parents at the age of 13 and joined a mercenary group.

He worked with the mercenary group in the western border of the Eastern Federation until he was 18, then came to Labyrinth City.

He started doing odd jobs in the city, gradually working his way up to become an intermediate explorer.

In a way, it was a similar path to his own life.

Currently, he had an engraving that made him say lewd things.

When asked if he had any intention of erasing it, Mick shook his head.

He said that if he carelessly erased an unwanted negative engraving, it would be difficult to bear the cost.

“You could erase an engraving that makes you say dirty things, couldn’t you?”

Mick gestured.

He had the money to erase it, but he wouldn’t.

He said he would wait until he got an even worse negative engraving.

“I see.”

‘I guess.’

“But Mick, are you going into the labyrinth soon?”

Mick nodded.

“I’m trying to find party members, but how is it these days?”

One of the Swordsmanship Guild members shook his head and answered instead.

“It’s not easy these days. Especially for explorers like Mick who don’t have a fixed party.”

“What does that mean?”

“Hasn’t a higher-level monster appeared on each floor of the labyrinth? That means several parties have to cooperate. But how can parties that don’t know each other cooperate? A fixed party is still better. How can you trust a nameless party with no recognition and fight shoulder to shoulder?”

“…”

It made sense when he heard it.

“That’s why the strength of clans that can accompany multiple parties is standing out. Tsk. The Explorer’s Guild is in chaos right now. Most clans are running around with their eyes peeled, trying to recruit useful explorers.”

“I see.”

Come to think of it, it was obvious.

Clans full of high-level explorers were one thing, but small and medium-sized clans would have to increase their size to survive.

Should I join a clan?

But who would accept me?

That was the biggest problem.

The fact that he spat on Astaroth’s face had already spread throughout the Explorer’s Guild.

He didn’t regret it, but it was definitely uncomfortable.

Besides, he had an Incubus engraving.

Of course, he didn’t tell anyone except his close friends. He was controlling the Yin energy, but what if a woman was accidentally exposed to it?

Just imagining it was terrifying.

“Mick, is there no way?”

He was a freelancer like him, so wouldn’t Mick, who had some experience, have a good idea?

Mick stroked his chin.

Just then.

One of the Swordsmanship Guild members interjected.

“Scar, can’t you come to our clan? Now is a good opportunity.”

Jeong Yushin thought for a moment, then shook his head.

“Thank you for the offer, but I’d like to look around a bit more.”

“Is that so? It’s true that choosing party members is more exciting than going into the labyrinth. I understand. Still, it’s a shame, isn’t it?”

One of the guild members chuckled.

“It’s true that Scar’s worth is quite high. We’re the only ones who know it yet, though.”

“…”

‘I’m going to get worn out.’

Jeong Yushin turned his head, embarrassed by the guild members’ praise.

“Mick, is there no way?”

At the second question, Mick gestured.

‘It’s a good time. It’s the season when small clans gather. It wouldn’t be bad to stop by and see if there are any good party members.’

There was such a method?

Jeong Yushin stroked his chin and fell into thought.

Besides applying directly to the receptionist for party recruitment, there was another route.

His knowledge had increased.

“Where does that small clan meeting take place?”

‘Explorer Headquarters.’

The Explorer Headquarters was huge. There were several floors, so it would be a suitable place for small clans to gather.

“When is it?”

‘Tonight.’

Jeong Yushin smiled slyly.

It was an opportunity to find out how small clans interacted with each other.

* * *

Around evening.

Jeong Yushin finished dinner sitting face to face with Karin.

“I’m going to the Explorer Headquarters for a bit. It might be late, so you can go to bed first.”

“Okay.”

Karin answered absentmindedly, then blushed.

It was like having an everyday conversation with her husband.

“Where’s Ingrid?”

“She had some business and stopped by the inner castle for a while.”

“Is that so? Okay. Where’s Rin?”

Rin suddenly poked his face out from between Karin’s breasts. He had a sleepy expression and only shook one paw.

“Squeak.”

“I see. Okay.”

Jeong Yushin scratched Rin’s head with his finger, then got up from his seat and went up to his room on the second floor.

He put on a white linen shirt and brown cotton pants, and hung the silver badge symbolizing an intermediate explorer around his neck.

Finally, he put on his sword belt and fastened the blue longsword made by Boron and Einhoffer to the belt.

“This should be enough.”

Jeong Yushin, who was posing in front of the full-length mirror in the corner, nodded and left the room.

He left the inn with Karin’s farewell and walked down the street to reach the Explorer Headquarters.

As soon as he entered the headquarters, he saw a countless number of explorers swarming around.

It was chilly outside, but here it was hot with the explorers’ heat.

Mick was sitting at a table near the entrance.

“Shall we go?”

Nod.

Following Mick’s guidance, Jeong Yushin approached the receptionist.

“Ah! You’ve arrived. Are you participating in this small clan meeting?”

Mick nodded at the receptionist’s question.

“I see. And who is this Barbaroi next to you?”

“I’m participating too.”

“Ah. I see.”

At that moment.

Suddenly, the surroundings became noisy.

“It’s, it’s the Crystal Rose Clan!!!”

When someone shouted, Jeong Yushin turned his head.

Explorers with elegant beauty entered the headquarters entrance. Their clothes were similar, and their hair color was all bright like white crystals.

“Crystal Rose…?”

Jeong Yushin tilted his head.

It was the first time he had heard of the clan name. Setting aside the fact that they had unified their outfits, they were all handsome men and beautiful women.

There wasn’t an ugly person among them.

Then someone else shouted.

“H… Huh!!! The, the Hellfire Clan has come too!!! O, what day is it today?!”

Once again, a group of red-haired people appeared at the Explorer Headquarters entrance. Strangely, they all had sharp eyes and fierce expressions.

‘What is it?’

Do clans unify their outfits and hair color?

Still, it was a bit strange that even their eyes and atmosphere were similar.

“The Guardians of Order Clan is here too!”

The last group entered the headquarters.

These people had platinum hair and noble impressions. You could say they had quiet and benevolent appearances? They also unified their outfits in gold.

The three clans gathered in the Explorer’s Central Hall.

Crystal Rose.

Hellfire.

Guardians of Order.

The explorers all looked at the clans with envious eyes.

However, the clan members looked around at the explorers and went up the stairs as if they were nothing special.

“Still, they’re really amazing.”

“Because they’re top-tier clans. It’s difficult to get in.”

“Still, the fact that they’ve gathered like that means that breaking through the labyrinth isn’t that easy, right?”

People began to whisper among themselves.

Jeong Yushin’s heart was pounding.

He grabbed a person who was talking and asked.

“What do I have to do to get in there?”

The explorer who was grabbed by Jeong Yushin had a dumbfounded expression.

“You can’t get in. Not without an engraving.”

“An engraving?”

“Did you just come up as an intermediate? What was the impression of the clan members you just saw?”

“They seemed similar.”

“That’s right. They all have the same engraving.”

“Please explain further.”

The man scratched his head. He had a very annoyed expression, but he glanced at Jeong Yushin’s hair and opened his mouth.

“The Crystal Rose Clan can only be entered by people who have the Crystal Rose Engraving.”

“The Crystal Rose Engraving?”

“That’s right. It’s considered the best of the positive engravings. If you receive that engraving, your beauty will change remarkably, and aging will slow down. The amount of magic power increases almost tenfold, and you can also use special magic. There are hardly any cases where it conflicts with other engravings. Your hair color also changes beautifully, and your temperament is said to become elegant.”

That’s a scam engraving, isn’t it?

But one question came to mind.

“Aren’t people supposed to have one special engraving each?”

“No. Of course, since there are so many different engravings, it’s rare for them to overlap. But it’s not like it never happens. Didn’t you just see it?”

“I see.”

‘Then does that mean there are other people besides me who have the Incubus Engraving?’

In a way, it was obvious.

“It’s good to treat people with that engraving as exceptions. Most of them just join ordinary clans.”

Is that so?

In terms of martial arts, it was like a gathering of orthodox sects such as the Nine Sects and the Five Great Clans.

Jeong Yushin’s heart began to beat even more excitedly.

Even small clans wouldn’t be completely without talent.

He was looking forward to this meeting.

Jeong Yushin immediately urged Mick.

“Let’s go. There must be people of that caliber in small clans too, right?”

Mick gave Jeong Yushin a strange look before turning his body.

Jeong Yushin followed Mick out of the hall again.

But he didn’t go up the stairs.

Instead, he went down the stairs leading to the basement.

‘What is it?’

Shouldn’t we go up like those brilliant gold spoon clans?

I definitely heard it was a clan gathering.

When they went down to the basement, a large hallway came into view. There was a row of large doors along each hallway.

Mick walked across the hallway and stopped in front of a door.

‘Scar.’

“Why?”

‘Don’t expect too much.’

What was he telling him not to expect?

Mick opened the meeting room door.

Various people were gathered in the huge room, chatting.

People briefly glanced at Mick and Jeong Yushin before looking away.

“Oh!!! Scar!!!”

A naked dwarf recognized Jeong Yushin and waved his hand, approaching him.

Kubo, a dwarf priest with a Naturalist engraving.

I definitely heard that he was active in the Iron Mask Party?

“Kubo? What on earth are you doing here?”

Kubo shrugged.

“Didn’t you know? I belong to the Naturalist Clan.”

What?

Jeong Yushin was so dumbfounded that his mouth dropped open.

“Are you saying there are more exhibitionists besides you?”

Kubo frowned.

“Hey! That’s a harsh word. Were you born wearing clothes? You weren’t!”

That’s true, but.

There was something ominous about the feeling.

Kubo raised one hand and pointed to the other side.

There, men and women in their underwear were gathered like Kubo.

An elf man wearing rainbow-colored panties waved slightly at Kubo and Jeong Yushin.

“I should go. Today’s meeting is important.”

Kubo grabbed Jeong Yushin’s hand and shook it, then wiggled his plump buttocks and walked away.

Mick led Jeong Yushin and sat down in a corner of the seat.

Jeong Yushin’s vision was shaking.

‘Ah. Where have I come?’

His head was spinning.

Then muscular men wearing red hats opened the door and entered.

“I see a lot of new faces.”

“That’s right!”

What the fuck?

Jeong Yushin regained his senses and looked around at the people again.

People wearing strange animal doll clothes.

People drooling with gag balls in their mouths.

Suspicious people wearing black robes and holding strange vials, whispering to each other.

There were also people glancing at others and snickering quietly.

Thump!!!

As the door closed, a young man went up to the podium.

The young man smiled brightly and opened his mouth.

“Hello?”

“…”

The explorers who had been chatting all shut their mouths at once.

“I will now begin the 465th Small and Medium Clan Meeting.”

The young man opened his mouth again.

“Ah! I almost forgot. I’m Granny, the representative of the Granny Love Clan. Please take care of me.”

Clap clap clap clap!!!

“A-SSEI!!! Kihap!!!”

“Waaaaah!!!”

The people gathered in the meeting room clapped their hands.

Jeong Yushin stiffened.

The wonderful clans he had seen above ground flashed through his mind.

The Orthodox Sect.

The Unorthodox Sect.

And the Demonic Cult.

His throat was parched. His fingertips were out of control, trembling slightly.

He realized where he had set foot.

Amidst the applause and cheers.

Jeong Yushin grabbed his head and screamed inwardly.

‘Was it the Demonic Cult!!!’