episode_0241

“…”

Silence flowed in the inn.

The spirit teacher Luke stared blankly at Jeong Yu-shin.

‘He’s different.’

A mixed-blood barbarian who set foot in the Labyrinth City with his disciple.

His first meeting wasn’t too bad, but he had warned him when he was going around selling his first disciple’s name, whom he cherished like a son.

He told him that if he sold his disciple, Si-mus’s name, one more time, he would kill him.

At that time, the barbarian’s face had stiffened.

But.

At this moment, the barbarian was confidently looking into his eyes and asking for the reason.

He didn’t seem intimidated at all. Although he didn’t say it directly, he was using his eyes to ask back.

‘Can you still kill me now?’

Luke’s expression sank.

The barbarian sitting next to Luke opened his mouth.

“Scar.”

Jeong Yu-shin turned his head and looked at the barbarian.

“What was your name again?”

“Torgel. I’m adding it just in case, it’s an alias.”

“That’s fine. Is there a reason why I suddenly have to team up with the Hero?”

“The Crown Prince has designated you.”

Luke answered instead.

Jeong Yu-shin observed Luke’s expression and opened his mouth.

“The Crown Prince designated me?”

“He must have been impressed by your spirited appearance during the summit. Make sure the Hero doesn’t go astray in the Labyrinth City and coordinate well.”

He doesn’t know the Hero’s name, nor their gender. He heard how strong they are, but that’s it. He hasn’t even seen them in person.

Jeong Yu-shin stroked his forehead, thought for a moment, and turned his head to the side.

Eru and Armin were hiding behind the counter, peeking out and looking this way.

“Both of you, go up to the second floor.”

““Yes.””

Eru hugged Armin and scurried up to the second floor.

Creak.

Thud.

As soon as the door closed, Jeong Yu-shin looked straight at Luke.

“Old man, isn’t there something you should say before asking me for this kind of favor?”

“…”

Luke pressed his lips tightly.

Torgel, unable to watch the scene, opened his mouth.

“Scar, for my sake…”

Jeong Yu-shin took off his ring and threw it on the table.

Ting-a-ling.

“I don’t need to be the barbarian tribe leader or anything, you can take it.”

“…”

Torgel also closed his mouth.

Jeong Yu-shin leaned his face towards Luke.

“Old man Luke, just a few months ago, you said you’d kill me if you caught me talking about your disciple’s name, right? Now you’re just closing your mouth and asking me for a favor? Don’t you have any conscience? Did you think you could just slip by because I kept my mouth shut at the summit?”

Luke’s face turned dark at Jeong Yu-shin’s harsh words.

“I’m not interested in heroes or anything, please leave.”

Jeong Yu-shin finished speaking and leaned back in his chair.

Luke trembled, then stood up from his seat.

“I, I’m sorry. Scar, I’ve caused you great pain. I won’t ask for any more favors. I’ll be going now.”

Torgel stood up from his seat with a heavy look on his face.

“I’ll leave the ring behind. I’m sorry for the unreasonable request.”

“I told you to take it.”

“The old man Lagna left it. I can’t receive it.”

The two men drooped their shoulders and tried to move away from their seats.

“Wait a moment.”

Jeong Yu-shin raised his hand to stop the two men and slapped himself on the cheek several times.

Slap!!!

Slap!!!

Jeong Yu-shin, his cheeks reddened, glared at the two men and then closed his eyes.

“Hoo.”

He took a long sigh and calmed his mind.

“…”

A moment later.

Jeong Yu-shin, who opened his eyes, stood up from his seat and bowed.

“I’m sorry. My mind is so erratic that I ended up spewing harsh words.”

Torgel wore a worried expression.

“Scar, are you really okay?”

Jeong Yu-shin stroked the back of his neck.

“···I don’t know how to say this, but I think the top of my head is a little open. Should I say that my brain is sparking like it’s being burned by an electric light?”

Luke sighed deeply. His face, already aged from hearing the harsh words, looked even older.

“Hoo. Scar, did you really acquire the telekinesis engraving?”

“Yes.”

Jeong Yu-shin, who had returned to his polite tone. Luke felt like he was losing his mind.

Still, he had to tell him what he needed to.

“Telekinesis is the ability to instantly realize the imagination in your head into reality using mental power. Since there are no incantations or formulas for magicians, it’s faster, but there’s one problem. Your mind is completely open to the world without any restrictions.”

Jeong Yu-shin tilted his head.

His mind is open?

Luke looked at Jeong Yu-shin. His face showed that he didn’t understand at all. He felt like he had to explain more.

“Have you ever felt that the boundary between your mind and the world is blurring as you use telekinesis? Or have your five senses become sharper? If so, then your mind must be wide open right now.”

Jeong Yu-shin frowned.

“It’s complicated. So, in the end, you’re saying my head is open?”

Luke stared blankly at Jeong Yu-shin’s face and nodded.

“···Is that right?”

“Explain it in a simple way. What do you mean my mind is this and that… They say that people who know well can explain it so easily that even a child can understand it. Tsk.”

Luke’s face turned red again at Jeong Yu-shin’s reply.

“So, what’s the solution?”

“M-Meditate. Imagine a window in your mind, and you must consistently practice trying to close that window.”

Just as Jeong Yu-shin was about to nod.

The inn door opened and another old man entered.

Matthias, the elder of the magic tower.

Matthias stroked his beard, looked around the inn, and approached Jeong Yu-shin.

“Are you all doing well? The barbarian and Luke are here too. But Scar? Why are your cheeks red?”

“It’s nothing to worry about.”

Matthias shrugged his shoulders and asked again.

“Where is Armin? Did he succeed in reaching the 20th floor?”

“He couldn’t go to the 20th floor. Armin received the human-faced dog engraving and is currently on the 2nd floor.”

“Then why are you speaking informally?”

“I’m not in good condition.”

Matthias looked at Jeong Yu-shin with a sullen face and stepped back. He was originally an erratic person, but today was even worse.

“That… what was it. I have something I forgot, so I’ll come again next time.”

“Do as you please.”

“Th, then.”

“No, wait a minute.”

One word came out of Jeong Yu-shin’s mouth. Matthias immediately stopped walking.

“Wh, what’s wrong?”

“Do you know someone named Dean?”

“Are you talking about that crazy young man? I know him.”

“He must have friends, how are they doing?”

“They’re preparing to leave the magic tower soon. I heard they’re returning to the Labyrinth City.”

“Please let them stay in the magic tower city for a while. Provide them with good food and lodging.”

“Ah, I understand. Is there anything else you want?”

Jeong Yu-shin opened his mouth and then closed it again.

He felt like he needed to get psychiatric treatment, but it was difficult to trust Matthias. Luke didn’t even seem to know what he was talking about.

“No.”

‘He’s speaking informally again.’

Matthias was about to point it out, but he hurriedly turned his body after seeing Jeong Yu-shin’s eyes. His eyes were so fierce that he felt a chill down his spine.

“Then I’ll come again next time.”

“Wait a minute.”

Matthias’s steps stopped again at Jeong Yu-shin’s words.

“Wh, what is it this time?”

“Since you’ve come all this way, let’s all have a drink. You’re not my subordinates, but you’ve come all the way here with your heavy behinds, so I can’t just send you away.”

“…”

The barbarian Torgel.

The spirit teacher Luke.

The magic tower elder Matthias sat around one table.

Jeong Yu-shin took out a bottle of alcohol and glasses from the cupboard, placed them on the table, and poured the drinks.

Torgel licked his lips.

“Don’t you have any snacks?”

[Eternal Ark]

He summoned a golden coffin, took out jerky for camping, and threw it on the table.

Matthias stared blankly at the jerky, picked up a small piece, and chewed it.

Luke, with a dark face, didn’t say a word and kept pouring alcohol into his small glass and gulping it down.

Torgel, with a relatively normal face, chewed on the jerky and drank the alcohol.

In the awkward silence, several rounds of drinks were exchanged, and the faces of the men sitting at the table turned red.

Jeong Yu-shin opened his mouth.

“So, is that Hero a woman or a man?”

Luke glared at Jeong Yu-shin with a reddened face.

“Hey, didn’t you say it yourself a little while ago? That you weren’t interested?”

Jeong Yu-shin shrugged his shoulders.

“I might be curious. Did you hold it in your heart so petty after I said one word and then suddenly shout? If you’re a clergyman, you should have a kinder heart.”

Luke jumped up from his seat.

“When did I shout?!”

A flustered Matthias grabbed Luke’s arm.

“Woah, Luke, calm down. You must be a little drunk because you drank a lot of alcohol.”

“Let go of my arm! Matthias. I’m not drunk!”

Torgel answered instead.

“I don’t know if the Hero is female or male. However, I heard that they have 3 companions. As you heard, their strength is enough to subjugate the outer god’s kin.”

Wasn’t much known about the Hero yet?

“What is their purpose in coming to the Labyrinth City?”

“They say they will prevent the outer god’s kin from invading through the labyrinth and cooperate for the peace of the city.”

“Why do I have to join the party?”

Torgel stroked his chin and opened his mouth.

“Even if they are strong, they cannot be free from the ‘laws’ of the labyrinth and the culture of the city. Since they are extremely narrow-minded imperial people, shouldn’t we prevent them from going astray and causing accidents? Someone has to accompany them and give them advice.”

“Why does that have to be me?”

“Let’s put aside the Crown Prince’s designation and be honest. In fact, there are many people other than you who can do it. We just believe in your tenacious survivability, adaptability, and overwhelming growth potential, and that’s why we stepped forward.”

Jeong Yu-shin scratched his head at Torgel’s praise.

“I’m a little embarrassed, but it’s true, so I have nothing to say. First of all, thank you for your kind words, and I will carefully consider the proposal you suggested.”

“…”

The three men looked at Jeong Yu-shin’s face and shook their heads.

Seeing his erratic appearance, they were already worried.

‘What on earth is the Crown Prince thinking, putting that barbarian guy in the Hero’s party?’

The three men left the drinking party with similar questions in their hearts.

Jeong Yu-shin cleaned up the table and sat on the counter chair, closing his eyes.

‘I need to solve the mental problem first.’

He decided to spend time meditating without going anywhere for the time being.

Peace of mind.

Time to close the wide-open window of the mind.

It was time to return from Gung-ye to an ordinary citizen.

* * *

Several days flew by.

The younger Karin spent more time with the priest Mion.

They seemed to be whispering something among themselves, but they wouldn’t let him join.

Jeong Yu-shin also wanted to join, but he closed his eyes and meditated quietly to close his open mind.

He had to close his wide-open mind. At least, he had to make it so that he could control it.

A day or two passed, and as the wind grew sharper.

Luna came to visit after a long time.

“Scar Mister! Are you doing well!”

Jeong Yu-shin opened his eyes and waved his hand.

“Luna, you’ve come?”

Luna was wearing a colorful fur scarf and mittens.

“That’s right! Where’s Who-eh?”

Luna widened her eyes and looked around.

Because everyone was only her age.

A girl with short white hair and red eyes.

And.

“Dog… is it?”

There was an unidentified boy who was only a person’s face and a small dog’s body.

“I’m not a dog. I am Armin.”

Armin, who was lying down around Eru, replied.

Just as Jeong Yu-shin was about to fall into meditation again.

One thought flashed through his mind.

Armin is a summoner magician.

Luna can also use summoning magic. Of course, it’s limited to soft and cute slimes.

Jeong Yu-shin looked down at Luna.

“Luna, have you been practicing summoning magic hard these days?”

Luna nodded her head up and down vigorously.

“Of course it is!”

Jeong Yu-shin turned his head and looked at Armin.

“Armin, try teaching Luna once.”

“Yes?!”

“What? I’m telling you to try teaching her. When I see Luna, I think she’s a talented child.”

“A, I understand.”

Armin stood up from his seat and approached Luna.

“Is your name Luna? I’m Armin. I’m a summoner from the magic tower.”

“Heeh?”

Luna looked at Armin with shining eyes.

Regardless of whether she did or not, Armin crawled onto the table and raised both feet.

“Could you show me some summoning magic once? Let’s talk about it after that.”

“I understand.”

Luna closed her eyes and muttered, then spread her hand towards the table.

Flash!

A flash of light passed by and three plump slimes were summoned on the table.

Armin widened his eyes, looked at the slimes, and opened his mouth to bite the slimes.

Luna was surprised and widened her eyes.

“Ah?! What are you doing?! You can’t eat my Mongmongies!”

“Muumuwoong.”

Armin spat the small slime back onto the table.

“Excellent. The density of magic power and the reaction speed of the summoned beast are all good.”

Eru stared at Armin with a blank face.

“D, do you know that with your mouth?”

“That’s right. Even if other people don’t know, I’m an excellent summoner. Luna has been practicing summoning magic diligently in the meantime. Great.”

“Ah! Thank you.”

Armin got off the chair and stood on two feet.

“Luna, do you want to become the summoning magic master of the Labyrinth City?!”

“That’s right!”

“I understand! Then I will teach Luna with all my heart and soul!”

“Yay! Thank you!”

Jeong Yu-shin, who was meditating while sitting at the counter, opened his eyes.

“You guys.”

“…?”

Luna, Armin, and Eru looked at Jeong Yu-shin.

“It’s cold, so go play in the room. Take some snacks with you too.”

“I understand!”

“Yes.”

“I understand!”

Jeong Yu-shin closed his eyes and fell into meditation again.

“I want to become a master of the Labyrinth City too.”

The inn in early winter.

Jeong Yu-shin’s quiet whisper scattered.