episode_0195

Central Area.

In a corner room of a luxurious inn, as stifled sobs quietly echoed.

In a deep building in the Eastern Area, three men gathered.

A middle-aged man with a shaggy beard, looking like a bandit, skimmed through documents before tossing them aside.

“Sales are completely wrecked. Our manpower has all drained away? Is it all because that mixed-blood barbarian killed Saul? How the hell?”

“Yes. He precisely thrust his sword in, taking advantage of the clans in the Eastern Area being busy.”

The middle-aged man seemed tired and ran his dry hands over his face.

The middle-aged man’s name was Dickie Marson; he currently ran a business introducing workers or bodyguards to businesses in the Eastern Area.

“Hoo. That slippery Saul going down in one hit, it’s really unpredictable. But why did Saul suddenly go crazy and mess with a mixed-blood barbarian?”

A subordinate, standing politely next to Dickie, scratched his head.

“Didn’t he completely destroy Saul’s drug business? Several clans invested a little, but Saul was leading the business, so he had no choice. But rumor has it that Aldaine, the head of the monster dismantling center, is backing that barbarian guy.”

Dickie crossed his arms and tilted his head.

“Huh. What wind has gotten into the cold-blooded one-eyed elf…”

“Not only that, but he is said to have become friendly with the higher-ups. There’s a story that he spat on Astaroth’s face and survived.”

“What? Is that guy good-looking?”

“Yes.”

“More handsome than me?”

At Dickie’s question, the subordinate shifted his gaze around before bowing his head.

“He’s somewhat good-looking.”

Dickie stroked his chin beard.

“Still, it’s strange? Why did Astaroth spare him? His reputation must have taken a huge hit.”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

“Is it right to see it as receiving Astaroth’s favor? I don’t think so. It’s ambiguous. I don’t know yet, so I’ll put this matter on hold.”

“Understood.”

“But they know that if we just take hits like this and do nothing, the situation will become difficult, right? Several of our slaves have also escaped this time, is there no way to do anything?”

Another subordinate wore a triumphant expression.

“Don’t worry.”

“Why?”

“I’ve successfully bribed a receptionist at the Explorers Guild headquarters.”

“How did you bribe the receptionist?”

“Saul was running a gambling den, wasn’t he? Apparently, that receptionist guy was a regular there. He gambled away all his money on drugs, alcohol, and gambling, and sold internal guild information to Saul several times while being anxious.”

“How did you find that out?”

“He became a regular at our gambling den. He said he wanted to make a deal, so I fed him some alcohol and, while listening to the receptionist guy’s story, a strange remark came out.”

“Even if he works at the Explorer’s Guild headquarters, he’s just a low-level employee, what…?”

“Don’t be surprised. Apparently, the Huntsman Clan is taking that barbarian guy.”

At the subordinate’s words, Dickie scratched his head.

“Huntsman? Ah. Are those the guys crazy about hunting? Why is he going there?”

“He’s going in through an acquaintance’s introduction because he can’t gather party members well.”

“Is that so?”

“So, I persuaded that receptionist to give him a flawed Bracelet of Binding.”

The bearded man stared blankly at the subordinate, speechless.

“…”

“There’s a high probability that they will be scattered when going below the 10th floor.”

Dickie glared at the subordinate with an angry expression.

“Shouldn’t you have told me that first? Even if I’ve been busy lately and working outside the city, this is a bit much. You son of a bitch!”

“I, I’m sorry!”

Dickie stroked his eyes and opened his mouth.

“Haa. Anyway, it’s a good method. Except for one flaw.”

“What is it?”

“Isn’t the witness clearly alive? He’s mentally weak, so you never know when he’ll blab. We can’t let him live. If he comes to the gambling den, quietly take care of him.”

“Understood.”

* * *

A few days later.

Jeong Yushin headed to the bar that Mick had told him about.

It was a long-established bar in the Southern Area, and it had a unique name.

“Dragon Tail.”

Jeong Yushin muttered, looking up at the bar’s sign.

Entering inside, the bar had a two-story structure and was wide. A unique point was the structure that allowed you to look down at the first floor from the second floor.

It was around evening, and people who had finished exploring were taking their seats in the bar, still in their gear.

The smell of sweat and boisterous laughter filled the bar.

Mick waved his hand from a corner on the first floor.

Mick was with two human men.

Young men wearing red and blue wool hats. They were around the same age as Mick.

Jeong Yushin approached the table and sat down.

“Are these the people?”

Mick nodded.

‘Red Hat is Pete, Blue Hat is Meat. Pete is the older brother. They are both members of the Huntsman Clan.’

“Is that so? Nice to meet you. I’m Scar.”

Jeong Yushin greeted them with a smile.

“…”

Pete and Meat nodded simultaneously. However, they did not open their mouths to speak.

Instead, they raised their fingers and pointed to their mouths.

Jeong Yushin immediately understood what Pete and Meat wanted to say.

“You two, can’t you speak?”

They nodded simultaneously.

Deaf-mute twin brothers.

It was a unique composition.

Red Hat Pete looked at Mick and moved his hands.

‘Mick, what’s going on? Why did a barbarian come? You clearly said a reliable person was coming?’

‘He is a reliable person.’

Blue Hat Meat cut in and quickly moved his hands.

‘Mick, you utter lewd words every day, what are you planning to do to us?! If that barbarian reveals his dark colors in the labyrinth, won’t we be covered in semen without anyone knowing?!’

Mick frowned.

It was unpleasant. Scar was a reliable comrade who was worth standing shoulder to shoulder with.

He often said nonsense or made misunderstandings, but still.

Mick tried to calmly explain about Scar.

Pete and Meat were smiling. Two pairs of eyes were sparkling with mischief.

Mick immediately realized.

‘Ah, seriously.’

The two brothers just wanted to tease him.

Just as Mick was about to send a hand signal with a smirk.

Jeong Yushin cut in. The flamboyant sign language he had learned from Mick danced in the air.

Pete and Meat widened their eyes as Jeong Yushin signed. They never thought that this man would send hand signals.

But the more surprising reason was somewhere else. Because the content of the sign language Jeong Yushin sent was terrifying.

Jeong Yushin glared at Pete and Meat and slowly moved his hands.

Jeong Yushin’s gesture meant ‘Don’t mess with Mick’, but due to his short learning and clumsy expression, it changed to ‘I’m going to put my fist in your ass’.

Pete and Meat’s faces turned pale.

“…”

Jeong Yushin tilted his head as Pete and Meat stared blankly at his face, and sent a hand signal again.

‘Is that not enough? Then something else…’

Mick cut in as Pete and Meat began to tremble in fear.

‘Stop. Scar, stop.’

“Why?”

‘The sign language is wrong. You’re good at everything, but you sometimes can’t distinguish between combat sign language and everyday conversation sign language.’

“So? Did I make a big mistake?”

‘No.’

Pete and Meat stared at Mick with their mouths open.

Jeong Yushin crossed his arms and stroked his chin.

“Right? There’s no way I could make a mistake.”

“…”

The three men sitting around the table stared blankly at Jeong Yushin.

At that time.

“Here is your order, the Dragon Tail special beer.”

A waitress cut in, put down the glasses, and disappeared.

Pete raised his trembling hand and sent a hand signal.

‘Then let’s start with the party’s goal.’

Jeong Yushin and the party members began to make plans with their glasses in front of them.

The purpose of the Huntsman Clan was simple.

To find and hunt powerful monsters between the 12th and 13th floors, which are swamps.

The Huntsman Clan decided to send three parties. The party Jeong Yushin joined was one of them.

The reward was 10 gold coins.

It was a very generous amount.

Jeong Yushin and the party members had a long conversation until late at night.

Jeong Yushin finished all the meetings and decided to meet in front of the labyrinth in the evening five days later.

* * *

In the evening five days later.

Jeong Yushin finished all the preparations and carried his backpack.

He decided to bring heavy equipment.

The Bastard Sword and Crossbow from the Jereus Workshop.

The blue Longsword made at Boron’s smithy.

He prepared about 200 bolts in total, combining 1 dagger and the bolts from the Jereus Workshop and the bolts purchased from the smithy.

He stopped by the pharmacy and purchased antipsychotic drugs, recovery potions, and pesticide to repel poisonous insects.

He also added hard-baked biscuits, dried fruits, jerky, and pork fat.

‘It’s heavy.’

Jeong Yushin fixed his bag while looking in the full-length mirror.

As he went up the floors, his luggage became heavier and heavier. However, he couldn’t leave anything out. Everything was necessary.

He carried the two swords on his back and fixed the crossbow to his thigh.

Finally, he put the covered Barbute helmet on his waist and left the room.

Karin was waiting in front of the door.

“Scar, h-here.”

Karin blushed and handed him something.

Warm leopard-print underwear.

It was damp as if it had been soaked in sweat.

To protect Karin’s dignity, he did not turn the panties inside out.

Jeong Yushin neatly folded Karin’s panties and put them in his arms.

“I’ll be back.”

“Be careful. Let’s go together next time.”

“Okay.”

Jeong Yushin patted Karin’s butt and went down to the first floor.

Ingrid and Er were sitting at a table.

Ingrid raised her head and looked at Jeong Yushin.

“Scar, are you leaving?”

“Yes.”

“Have a comfortable trip. Don’t overdo it. Leave the inn to me.”

“Understood.”

“Don’t die.”

Ingrid’s last words strangely penetrated his heart. Jeong Yushin chuckled.

“I won’t die.”

Jeong Yushin approached Er.

“You can stay as long as you want. Think of it as a vacation while I’m gone to the labyrinth.”

“Yes. Yes, Scar-nim, I have something to ask.”

“What is it?”

“Is there a reason why you are going into the labyrinth now?”

Now.

Does even a kid like Er know that the current situation is strangely unfolding?

“Entering the labyrinth is my top priority.”

“Why?”

“Because of the Imprint.”

“M-May I ask what kind of Imprint it is?”

At Er’s question, Karin and Ingrid’s eyes stayed on Jeong Yushin’s lips.

Jeong Yushin smiled bitterly.

“It’s hard to tell you.”

“…”

Ingrid, Karin, and Er all wore strangely disappointed expressions.

Jeong Yushin waved his hand, finished his greetings, and left the inn to walk down the street.

He slowly moved step by step toward the setting sun. People coming out of the labyrinth, people going in.

He was swept away by the countless crowds, but Jeong Yushin’s steps continued straight toward the labyrinth.

As he walked, his heart calmed down.

He forgot the conflict between the Western Empire and the Eastern Alliance in his head. The ominous atmosphere that arose because of it too.

He also pushed Aldaine’s one-edged sword to the corner of his head.

He let the relationships he met during the small and medium-sized clan meetings flow along with the evening autumn breeze.

No matter what anyone says.

To become stronger, you have to enter the labyrinth.

To go home, you have to enter the labyrinth.

An absolute command engraved on his soul.

Jeong Yushin swept his hair back once and put on his helmet.

Clear, refined light flowed out in strings from the gaps in the helmet.

He arrived at the entrance of the labyrinth with the crowd.

At the end of the sunset, Mick, Pete, and Meat were standing at the entrance of the labyrinth.

The two brothers were wearing light armor. The older brother, Pete, was holding a longbow, and the younger brother, Meat, was holding a shortbow.

Mick waved his hand.

Jeong Yushin immediately approached.

‘Scar? Heavily armed.’

“This is me.”

The three men wore puzzled expressions for a moment before shrugging their shoulders.

‘Barbarian, let’s go without straining our shoulders. Bringing two swords. You’re well-prepared.’

The younger brother, Meat, smiled and sent a hand signal.

Jeong Yushin tilted his head and opened his mouth.

“Bringing two swords and falling for me? What the hell are you talking about?”

Meat was greatly shocked and quickly sent a hand signal.

‘Wh-whwhat?! N-no!’

Jeong Yushin patted Meat’s shoulder.

“I’m kidding.”

“S-shit!”

Meat stuttered and spat out swear words.

Mick laughed and stood next to Jeong Yushin.

‘The other clan members went in first. We’re the last ones.’

“Is that so? Then let’s go quickly.”

Jeong Yushin and the party members stood on the magic circle according to the guidance of the labyrinth guards.

Flash!!!

As the magic circle shone, their vision was engulfed in darkness.

Jeong Yushin closed his eyes and felt a sense of floating.

The Bracelet of Binding that Jeong Yushin was wearing also emitted a strange light, but no one noticed.