Chapter 377
Chapter 377
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: EP.79 – A Man's Growth is Astonishing (1)
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"......What is this?"
I just slept deeply.
'Overslept, huh?'
Like butterflies and bees unable to resist fragrant flowers, Lee Han had surrendered to the maid's embrace without a fight, drifting off to sleep. When he opened his eyes, somehow it was past 8 a.m.
He'd slept over eight hours straight—his first truly deep sleep in what felt like years. He was utterly dumbfounded.
...Still.
"Feeling completely refreshed."
His mood was refreshingly perfect, his mind clearer than ever, warmed by an indescribable coziness.
'It was lilac scent.'
The fresh aroma of lilacs just blooming after spring rain.
"...Ahem."
Feeling a flush of embarrassment at the lingering fragrance in his nostrils, Lee Han stepped lightly out the door.
"Nureong, time to eat."
Today, he planned to treat the guard dog with unusual kindness, sharing that warmth.
However...
"Hm?"
Unlike his intentions, Nureong—no, Orthos—was fast asleep, eyes rolled back.
He lay sprawled like he'd lost consciousness, but clearly sleeping soundly.
"What's with sleeping like that?"
[Saaak.]
"Only your tail's being diligent. What can you do with a guy who rejects my kindness?"
[Saaak...]
The tail seemed to protest innocently, but Lee Han left the pampered dog behind and moved on to the day's schedule.
"Guess I'll go fishing first."
For reference, Leira's favorite side dish was fish.
Splashhhh!
One might expect a mountain stream to be somewhat gentle, but Vulcan's river was anything but.
Ferocious like the Amazon, one misstep and you'd be swept away, swallowed whole.
Even Vulcan's savage, ferocious wildlife rarely approached it.
A sip of water could mean goodbye to the world.
Yet...
Splash!
Humans always chase extreme thrills, they say.
Lee Han dove into the river like a thrill-seeker gone mad.
A fearless plunge—anyone would think he'd float away.
But.
Splash! Splash!
He swam leisurely, snatching fish from the depths.
His movements evoked a dolphin, impossible for the fish to resist.
Flop!
Not even massive eels unfit for mountain life—over two meters long—escaped; they were casually flung ashore.
Vulcan's influence bred enormous, ferocious fish aplenty, but all met the same fate: capture.
Was this even fishing? It felt more like foraging, absurdly easy.
And so.
"Whew."
Drip. Drip.
Vulcan's new predator, soaked to the bone, emerged satisfied, gutting his catch.
Clean them fresh; any delay meant swift work, and his hands flew.
"...Got a bit greedy?"
Gutting the impressive haul while removing innards and blood brought home the lesson: don't overreach.
'Got too excited.'
As he reflected...
Thud.
"—Mind if I lend a hand?"
"......"
"Looks tough handling them alone."
...A soft footfall and low voice echoed.
"Hmm."
Lee Han glanced over.
A startling situation for most, but he took it in stride, unsurprised.
Soon.
"Please do, then."
"Heh heh, in return, grill a few for me. Haven't eaten much since yesterday."
"Of course. Oh, care for some booze?"
"Can't drink if there's none."
"Good to hear."
"Heh heh!"
The man laughed heartily, settling in, drawing a dagger from his bosom to gut fish.
Slice. Slice.
Neat workmanship.
Swiftly slitting bellies, removing guts, rinsing blood.
Highly skilled.
Yet not a cook's look.
If anything...
"...A mercenary?"
The man's eyes widened slightly.
"Hm? How'd you know?"
"That dagger tells me."
A worn blade, clearly long-carried.
But the key was the engraved mark.
"Mercenary Union giveaway for members. Got one myself. Though mine broke soon after."
"Heh heh, lost it somehow? It's sturdy enough."
"Melted in a spellcaster's flames."
"...What happened to that spellcaster?"
"Beat him to death."
"Splendid!"
The man laughed heartily again, as if hearing the best story.
Thus, the two men finished gutting in friendly atmosphere. Lee Han gathered firewood, the man sparked a blaze, and soon six fish skewered on sticks roasted over the flames.
Lee Han sprinkled ample salt from home, then halved a lemon and offered it.
"If you want some."
"Thanks. But..."
"It's high-proof."
"Perfect!"
By now, Lee Han had pulled out vodka.
Northern-style, gifted by a northern knight—also his medical carry.
Yet the man.
Gulp!
"...Oh man."
Downed it straight; Lee Han sighed involuntarily.
Expecting fire down his throat.
And sure enough.
"Gahhh! Th-this is northern vodka! My throat...!"
"Didn't expect you'd chug unwatered vodka. Unbelievable."
Lee Han offered water.
But.
"No need. Can't sully northern vodka with water. Quench this pain with more booze—that's respect to the North."
"...What kind of respect is that?"
"That's the North."
"......"
What kind of place is the North?
As idle thoughts swirled, the fish finally crisped golden.
Light lemon juice over salt-seasoned fish. Tasting it...
"Mm, not bad."
"A feast."
Crispy skin, tender flesh—excellent, muddiness gone thanks to salt and lemon.
Subtle smoky campfire flavor was nice too.
The two men ate quietly, crackling fire as music.
Large fish, six whole—but they polished them off cleanly.
Even.
"Just right."
"More?"
"No. Age makes me eat light."
"You seem spry... Well, light eating's fine by me."
Plenty left, but.
Crackle.
"......"
"Ahh, nice."
Lee Han dried by the fire blankly; the man nursed his throat with vodka. No real talk.
Though much to discuss.
Just silently doing their thing.
And that.
"Nothing you want to ask me?"
Left the man puzzled.
"Curious? ...Should there be?"
"Well, shouldn't there? Suspicious stranger shows up at Vulcan. Be wary."
"Calling yourself suspicious is..."
"...Heh."
The man chuckled in disbelief—was it boldness or obliviousness?
To Lee Han, it was natural.
"This mountain has no owner. Who climbs it matters not. Could be a hiker."
"Heh heh, that's more absurd."
"Absurd? You've shown no hostility from start to finish. I don't waste energy suspecting folks like that."
"That certain of no hostility?"
"Trust my instincts."
"A warrior's key trait."
The man nodded approvingly.
Acknowledging no malice.
However.
"...Still, should mention this: I came to meet you."
"?"
"Heard about you. Wanted to meet once. Climbed Vulcan on purpose. Still a damn tough mountain, heh heh."
"Not that tough, is it?"
Rugged terrain, sure—but for a 'master' like him?
Lee Han's question carried that; the man smiled wryly.
"You don't know. Vulcan rejects climbers. Only 'heroes acknowledged by Vulcan' ascend."
"...Me?"
"Why call it sacred? It chooses. Or blocks outright."
"Misunderstanding? My disciples climbed it."
"Because you brought them. So it allowed."
"......"
"Ever chased off someone harming the mountain?"
"...Slave traders, a bit."
"That must be it. Jealous. Never got the chance; mountain still hates me. ...Can probably stay four days max. Longer, it'll try killing me, hahaha!"
"......"
The man laughed heartily again; nearby trees rustled faintly each time.
Wild beasts drawn by roasting fish retreated trembling.
Just one burst of aura evoked wild plains winds.
'...Why the plains image?'
Lee Han puzzled less at the power, more at the lonely steppe vibe.
Despite the man's joviality, desolation peeked through.
And...
Boom!!
The man slammed the boulder beside him, drawing eyes.
"Can't eat fine booze and food without intros. Nice to meet you, Lee Han Turtle. Fine warrior who thrashed 'idiot Edmund'."
Crack...!
Just a palm strike, yet the boulder crumbled.
No—more than crumble...
Crunch.
'Internal Weight Technique?'
Evoking Baltar Grace's technique, destroying from inside out.
He could too, but casually seated? Tricky.
'Where'd this guy come from...'
Plainly.
'Stronger than the marquis.'
Possibly stronger than Marchioness Jemimia.
Curiosity peaked; as if reading it, the man revealed himself.
"Nice to meet you, young man. Name's Kaiser. Kaiser de Wolfra. Lead a small mercenary band. Folks call me..."
—Mercenary King, they say.