Chapter 16
The next day.
Jeong Yushin got up early, ate breakfast, and left the inn.
He squeezed through the throng, fighting his way to the temple.
“You can go that way.”
A temple guard pointed to one side.
A large brick house with a yard stood a short distance from the temple.
As he crossed the yard and entered the house, he heard a commotion inside.
“Emma! Come quickly! They say she’s coming today.”
“I know. Why are you making such a fuss when you see her every time?”
“She’s sooo pretty! I want to see her every day!”
Jeong Yushin approached the little girls who were chatting.
“Excuse me..”
“Aaaah!”
The two girls recoiled in terror.
“W-who are you?”
“I’ve come to learn how to read and write.”
“Pardon?”
The short girl’s eyes widened.
“I said I’ve come to learn how to read and write.”
“But this is an orphanage.”
“I heard you teach reading and writing here. I’ve already paid.”
“Aha! I see. You’re here to learn to read and write. I thought you were a Barbaroi who’d come to go ‘girl hunting,’ like the rumors say. Sorry for the misunderstanding.”
The short girl bowed her head.
“I am a Barbaroi.”
“Huh?”
A brief silence fell.
The girl took a step backward.
“S-surely not.”
Fatigue came before any thought of explaining himself.
“I’m here to learn to read and write. Surely I wouldn’t come to an orphanage to go hunting in broad daylight?”
Even so, he explained himself. The temple would not look kindly on it if a small misunderstanding grew. If anything unsavory happened, he would be thrown out. He had paid the enormous sum of one silver coin, too.
Fortunately, the girl accepted his explanation.
“That’s right. I misunderstood. Just follow me.”
He followed the girl down the hallway and entered what appeared to be a classroom.
Several desks and chairs stood in a fairly large room.
The children were sitting in their places, chattering.
“Huh? Emma! Who’s that man?”
A girl asked the girl standing beside Jeong Yushin.
“He’s here to learn how to read and write.”
“Wow. You’re a grown-up, and you came here?”
“I heard this was the cheapest place.”
Jeong Yushin answered casually.
“Oh. Right.”
The girl suddenly became shy.
She did not seem accustomed to speaking with adults.
‘I’m awkward too.’
Children everywhere he looked.
Children wherever he turned.
Watching the others’ reactions, he somehow found an empty seat and sat down.
He could feel whispering voices and sidelong glances.
Jeong Yushin felt like a monkey in a zoo.
“Good morning, everyone. Please take your seats.”
The classroom door opened, and a woman entered.
‘Priestess Mion?’
Mion, her golden hair swaying as she wore a white priestly robe, looked different from when he had seen her last.
Instead of the tight-fitting black priestly robes, she wore a loose white outer garment. A glimpse of black fabric showed beneath it, but overall, she exuded holiness and maternal warmth.
At Mion’s words, the children each returned to their seats.
The children gazed at Mion with eyes sparkling with admiration.
“We have a new friend today. Now, shall we give them a round of applause to welcome them?”
“Yes, teacher.”
Clap, clap, clap, clap.
The classroom filled with the sound of applause. Jeong Yushin clapped too; he couldn’t just sit there doing nothing. It was strange for the person being welcomed to applaud, but he wanted to do something, anything.
“All right, today’s lesson is..”
The lesson led by Mion proceeded smoothly.
Jeong Yushin examined the textbook Mion had given him and sighed inwardly.
The Woodcutter and the Earth Spirit.
Judging by the illustrations, it was a simple fairy tale that even a six-year-old might read.
‘Get a grip, Jeong Yushin. You can’t expect to be full after your first bite. Let’s be diligent.’
Fighting off the approaching post-nut clarity, he stared intently at Mion, who stood by the blackboard.
He focused all his attention on Mion’s words and the writing on the blackboard. He ignored the children’s furtive glances.
‘Just do what I came here to do.’
Time passed, and the morning class ended.
“All right. That’s all for today. I’ll check your homework tomorrow, so be sure to do it.”
“Yes, teacher.”
The children shouted cheerfully.
Jeong Yushin gathered his things and stood up. The temple had said it would provide lunch, so he planned to eat quickly, stop by the inn to prepare for the expedition, and then head to the guild.
‘The timing’s a little tight.’
It would be a waste of time to look for a restaurant.
Jeong Yushin spoke to Mion as she was leaving.
“Teacher, where do I eat lunch?”
“Ah! Mr. Ska, please follow me. The children’s meals won’t fill you up, so you can eat in the temple dining hall. I’ll show you the way.”
Mion replied with a gentle smile.
“Yes, Priestess.”
He left the classroom and walked down the hallway beside Mion.
“How was class today?”
“It was good.”
He answered briefly. With her so close, a sweet fragrance wafted from Mion, filling his nostrils and making his head spin.
A soft, warm voice.
A beauty that conveyed something beyond mere beauty.
Her dazzling looks shattered at once the conventional wisdom that narrow-eyed people were secretive and gloomy.
“I came to check on you today, Mr. Ska. Today wasn’t originally my day to teach.”
“I see. Did I pass?”
“Yes. You may keep coming. Explorers tend to be rather on edge, after all. I represent the temple in screening out anyone who might have a negative influence on the children.”
“Yes.”
Strange.
‘But I’m a Barbaroi.’
Even that child named Emma this morning had been going on about ‘girl hunting’ and such.
Other parties had refused to accept him, too, until he had ended up joining a bottom-tier party.
And there had been plenty of other incidents, so he knew.
That he, a Barbaroi, was practically synonymous with a negative influence.
No, wait. There was no need to find this strange.
Mion was the one who was right, with her noble character that refused to be swayed by rumors and prejudice.
With his heart considerably lighter, Jeong Yushin chatted about this and that with Mion until they reached the temple dining hall.
“Then I’ll see you later. I’ll pray for a safe expedition.”
Mion bowed her head slightly in farewell.
“Yes, thank you.”
He saw Mion off and entered the dining hall.
The temple’s priests had gathered in groups, quietly eating their meals. Jeong Yushin got in line, received his food, and sat in an empty seat.
The meal was simple.
Rye bread, small pieces of cheese, and potato soup.
He quickly ate it all and left the dining hall.
‘I mustn’t be late.’
* * *
He stopped by the inn to gather his belongings, then arrived at the guild.
Since the place was quiet with few people around, it was easy to find the goblin-led party.
“I thought you weren’t coming.”
Del grumbled.
Seeing a goblin standing there with his arms crossed and grumbling was a refreshing sight.
“I’m sorry. Something came up today.”
“Let’s go.”
Del said this as he lifted a wooden bow. As expected of a former elf, he seemed to know how to handle a bow.
The dwarf Einhofer, the human mage Kelton, and the gnome Dito gathered their belongings and rose from their seats.
Looking over their gear, Yushin found it rather unusual.
The dwarf wore heavy armor and a horned helmet and carried a long, single-bladed axe. The iron gauntlets studded with closely spaced spikes immediately caught his eye.
The mage was dressed in robes and carried a staff and a sword.
Jeong Yushin stared blankly at the arming sword dangling from the mage’s waist. Then their eyes met. The mage Kelton merely shrugged without a word.
The gnome Dito’s equipment consisted of leather armor, two daggers, a crossbow, and a shortsword. He was lightly equipped, with almost no baggage.
“I’m the guide, so I need to keep my load light. You virgin Barbaroi.”
Dito read Yushin’s look instantly and answered him.
“Since we have a new member today, let’s take it easy. We’ll circle the outskirts of the Great Labyrinth’s second level, clear out some goblins, and pick up some magic stones.”
It was a little funny hearing a goblin say he was going to kill goblins.
Del suddenly glared at Jeong Yushin.
“What? You were thinking something weird, weren’t you?”
“No.”
“You were.”
“Are we going to stand around here all day?”
The taciturn Einhofer finally spoke.
“Fine, fine. Let’s go!”
Del took the lead and left the guild.
The party left the southern district of the city and entered the western district.
They passed through the quiet streets on their way to the labyrinth.
Bathed in the late-spring sunlight, they walked past several parties. Their appearances and outfits were as varied as the flowers blooming in spring.
He was entering the Great Labyrinth again.
Many things had happened during his first entry, but he had ultimately survived. He had learned from it, too. He had even obtained an ordinary but positive Engraving. It was a little disappointing that it wasn’t some cheat-like Engraving, but looking back now, he had plenty to be grateful for just for not receiving a negative Engraving.
Lost in various thoughts, he arrived at the Great Labyrinth. Following the soldiers’ directions, he stepped onto the magic circle.
“Nervous?”
Del asked with a sly grin.
“This is my second time. I’d be weird if I weren’t nervous.”
Jeong Yushin fiddled with the flint in his pocket as he replied.
“Hmm.”
Einhofer made a strange, almost cough-like sound, and the magic circle flashed.
He felt as though his body had floated up into the air.
Soon, damp air touched his skin.
His vision darkened.
The drowsy feeling from lunchtime vanished as though it had been washed away.
It was the labyrinth.
Jeong Yushin quickly took out the flint and lit the torch.
The cavern was no different from when he had first come.
Dark and damp.
“We’re in the central area. A short walk should take us down to the second level.”
Dito said, looking around. Without even unfolding a map, he immediately identified their current location with a quick glance.
‘This guy reeks of experience.’
Unlike Jeong Yushin, who was tense and on high alert, Del’s party looked relaxed.
“Hand me the torch. I’ll take the lead, virgin.”
Dito held out his hand.
“Please stop calling me a virgin.”
“Because you’re still tense even though this isn’t your first time. Stick right behind me.”
Dito took the torch and walked quickly. Even though he could barely see ahead, his steps were unhesitating.
Dito led the way, with Jeong Yushin right behind him. Einhofer followed Yushin, then the mage, and Del took up the rear.
Del’s party moved several times faster than Kaal’s party had. They pressed fearlessly through the darkness at a brisk pace that was almost a run.
“Hoo. Hoo.”
After walking at that pace for about two hours, Jeong Yushin was breathing hard.
“Six hobgoblins ahead. Prepare for battle. Ska, get in front.”
Dito stopped walking and stepped back.
“Yes.”
Shing.
The newly acquired arming sword slid free of its scabbard. The characteristic grip of a one-handed sword fit his hand perfectly. It was far more comfortable than the longsword. He gripped the shield strap tightly and stepped forward.
“Let’s see what the new guy can do.”
Del laughed from behind him.
“They’re coming.”
“Kikik.”
“Kekeke.”
Fwoooosh!!
Del fired an arrow. It vanished into the darkness as though being sucked in, followed by the sound of something falling. There was no scream.
“I got one with a bow.”
Five remained.
The hobgoblins charged with furious cries.
Two with spears, two with swords, and finally one with a club.
A goblin charged at Jeong Yushin, swinging a sword.
Ka-gak!
He blocked it with his shield and thrust his sword into the goblin’s neck. When he pulled the sword free, blood gushed out like a fountain; he must have pierced the carotid artery cleanly.
He kicked away the goblin collapsing helplessly, then seized the spear thrusting at him and pulled.
Still holding the spear, he smashed the face of the goblin being dragged toward him with the pommel.
"Kke-eek!!"
The goblin whose head had been crushed like Kaal’s staggered backward.
A club came swinging toward his head.
While he was pulling on the spear, another goblin had approached and swung its club.
He quickly raised his shield, but it was pointless.
Splaaat!
The club-wielding goblin’s body was cleaved in half by the single-bladed axe.
“Hmm.”
Thunk!
The bolt fired from Dito’s crossbow pierced the eye of the spear-wielding goblin. The hobgoblin collapsed like a doll, apparently with the bolt having gone straight through its brain.
The last goblin remaining turned and tried to run. But an arrow fired by Del lodged in its head.
Flop.
The battle ended with the sound of the last one collapsing.
A swift battle that ended in thirty seconds.
Honestly, walking had been more difficult. He had made the mistake of failing to notice the club at the end, but he thought it was a relatively minor issue.
“Thank you. Einhofer, you saved my life.”
He thanked him anyway.
“Yeah.”
Einhofer merely nodded slightly.
“Hurry up and cut off the goblins’ ears. What are you standing around getting all sentimental for?”
Del said irritably.
“Yes.”
The party stood the torch up, squatted down, and cut off the goblin ears.
Only the quiet sounds of knives cutting echoed through the dark cavern.
When he had first entered the labyrinth, he had been too distracted to realize it.
As they huddled together cutting off goblin ears like they were picking weeds...
He realized something.
His life was not...
A power fantasy about rampaging through another world with a cheat ability and plundering the pussies of countless women.
‘This is a different genre.’
“Ska, hurry up. We have a long way to go.”
“Yes.”
Del, who had been squatting beside him, chided him.
A goblin was cutting off hobgoblin ears.
The absurdity made him laugh.
“Kelton, this guy’s laughing.”
“Leave him be. He must be having some pleasant fantasy. Scrub.”
Del and Kelton were having some suspicious conversation, but he let it go in one ear and out the other.
Compared to before, this wasn’t bad.
The sounds of knife work, mingled with their conversation, echoed through the dark cavern.