Chapter 5 (1)
Chapter 5 (1)
"Yaaawn~~"
Crack! Pop!
I woke up in a reasonably priced inn and stretched my body, causing my joints to pop and crack.
'It smelled and was filthy. Should I have just camped out?'
Because of the combination of a blanket that I wasn't sure had been washed properly and a quilt that smelled like mold, I didn't feel like I'd slept at all.
'First, some energy circulation.'
After stretching my body out, I sat cross-legged and couldn't help but chuckle to myself.
'Waking up and immediately doing energy circulation as soon as I stretch. I've really become a martial artist.'
The best thing about learning martial arts is sleep.
People need to sleep for 6 to 8 hours to relieve fatigue.
But there were times when I felt even that time was a waste.
Sometimes there are just too many things I want to do.
After learning internal energy, my sleep time was reduced to 4 to 5 hours.
Furthermore, if you become an even greater master, you only need to sleep for 1 to 2 hours a day, or once every few days.
"Hooo..."
Having completed one cycle of Sojucheon through the Heukmyeong Simbeop, I reflected on yesterday's fight.
After dealing with those guys, selling the leather I had collected, and going around to buy medicinal herbs, I gathered information and found out that they were second-rate martial artists known by the nickname, the Four Dogs of Shaanxi.
They always traveled in a group of four, could defeat a first-rate martial artist through combination techniques, and had survived this long because they would throw away their pride and run away if they encountered an opponent they couldn't handle.
In other words, I had easily won against four second-rate martial artists.
'Then that means I'm currently on the border between second and first-rate.'
They say that for a martial artist to become first-rate, it takes two years, assuming they have talent, even for the Evil Faction, which is unstable but grows quickly.
But if someone like me, who has only learned the martial arts of a second-rate sect for half a year, is at this level, others would be absolutely terrified.
'I'd better not let anyone know how long I've been learning martial arts.'
The only person I've revealed that to is Hong Seol-rin.
Honestly, I had to say something to get that bitch to open up.
People might think it was too rash or a mistake, but from my perspective, having enjoyed that bitch's pussy, it was well worth it.
Her pussy meat was fucking chewy, probably because she learned martial arts.
Ah~ I want to hurry up and train my martial arts more so I can leave to find my first fortuitous encounter.
For reference, there are 4 fortuitous encounters I've been eyeing.
The first is the hideout of the Fire Artisan, located deep in the Jinling Mountains in the Seoanbu region.
The Fire Artisan was a martial artist from about 200 years ago and an excellent blacksmith. Unlike typical blacksmiths, he used internal energy in his forging techniques to create divine weapons with unique abilities.
Even the most excellent craftsman can only make a sword that is very hard and has good cutting power, but the Fire Artisan used the power of internal energy to create something akin to a magical weapon.
The Fire Artisan, who was also an excellent miner, set up his hideout where there was a high-quality mineral vein, and the results of his research, which he conducted until he died, were created there.
What I want are those very results.
In return, to obtain those results, there is a condition that one must pour a certain amount of internal energy into the process while making the weapon.
I plan to obtain the technology to create all kinds of divine weapons there, and also make the tools I need as a trainer.
I felt a bit bored because I didn't have the tools I used to enjoy using.
Based on the new power I gain from the Fire Artisan's hideout, I plan to set out to find other fortuitous encounters and master them all.
Frankly speaking, I could just go there, safely build up my internal energy, and then get the fortuitous encounter.
But that wouldn't be fun, would it?
If not now, when would I ever get to roll around in the gutter like this?
These experiences are the foundation that will serve as my base.
To be honest, I had been longing for a trip like this.
A free journey, heading wherever my heart desires without any restrictions.
Having finished my morning energy circulation, I headed to a slightly expensive restaurant, filled my stomach, and came out.
Maybe because it's a big city, the food is at least worth the price.
Still, the taste was far from my preference. Slurp.
Since I checked out various places in Chang'an yesterday, let's start rolling around by taking on Ronin requests directly from today.
I packed my bags, which had become lighter after selling the leather, and headed straight to the Ronin assembly hall.
But the atmosphere was a bit different from usual.
Commoners were gathered among themselves, whispering, and martial artists were on guard against something.
What is this?
The atmosphere changed so suddenly, what the fuck?
I casually headed toward the commoners who were whispering among themselves.
"Now that the Golden Bug has come, the merchants must be shitting themselves."
"They say the wealthy are busy hiring skilled Ronin."
"Well, the Golden Bug only takes things that are worth money, so it has nothing to do with us."
Golden Bug?
It sounds familiar, but I can't quite place it...
I definitely found that name while searching for information on the internet.
Tsk. The problem with this game is that there's too much information.
Golden Bug... Golden Bug... It feels like I should remember, but I don't.
If I had known this would happen, I should have written down what I remembered as soon as I transmigrated.
Listening closely, everyone else was talking about the Golden Bug, too.
Ah, I remember a little bit.
The Golden Bug is a thief who steals everything if it's worth money.
His stealth and movement techniques are definitely in the top five characters in this Pungun Murim.
And... and... ah damn it, I can't remember.
I looked at the information so long ago that my perception has faded, and I've been too busy learning martial arts to remember well.
I'm the type who learns by feeling things directly, not by reading and memorizing long lists.
The only characters I remember because I was interested in them are two, and the locations and detailed information of the 4 fortuitous encounters are the clearest memories I have.
'Let's just focus on the situation in front of me for now.'
There's no answer if I worry about this any more.
Right now, the priority is to build up my practical experience by doing Ronin work.
Putting the information about the Golden Bug behind me, I headed to the Ronin assembly hall.
As expected, it was buzzing with news about the Golden Bug here, too.
Most of the content was about how much the bounty was in gold.
The rest was about requests.
"It's plastered with guard requests."
Guard requests from wealthy tycoons and large-scale shops are everywhere.
On top of that, the guard pay I saw yesterday and the guard pay today were more than double.
Thanks to that, the Ronin are taking on guard requests left and right, thinking they'll make some good money for once.
'Something feels off.'
However, I felt a strange sense of incongruity.
Let's think about it. A master thief called the Golden Bug has appeared.
But would he be crazy enough to reveal himself?
Obviously, he would cover his face when stealing, right?
Now, here's the question.
Who on earth announced that the Golden Bug had appeared in Chang'an, and how?
If the Golden Bug had been caught by someone, he would have run away from Chang'an, not stayed.
But the rumor is that "The Golden Bug is coming to Chang'an."
'There's something here.'
I have a feeling.
There is a "truth" here that is different from the rumors.
It's a conspiracy by an organization with the power to spread rumors.
As proof, "Objection!" is storming through my brain, which used to enjoy Ace Attorney!
'The problem is what kind of benefit can be gained through this...'
For now, I can't find the answer due to a lack of information.
Ah, damn it. It feels like a super fun event is happening, but I can't join in.
Can't be helped. Once I become a munchkin later, I can enjoy these kinds of events all I want, so I have no choice but to endure it for now.
'I'll just take a decent guard request.'
There's nothing else to do for now but guard requests.
It's not about the pay, but the requests that involve fighting are mostly concentrated in the upper ranks.
Besides, it just so happens that the Evil Faction and the Righteous Faction have been quiet for a change.
In the past, they would hire even for a Wood Tablet to get into fights, but now there aren't many requests a Wood Tablet can take.
After peeking around and checking the request boards, I accepted a guard request for a small shop that buys and sells goods from the Western Regions.
The money was on the lower side compared to other guard requests, but the best thing about this request was that they were only hiring one person.
I'm originally more comfortable working alone.
Having received the request, and since there was a note to discuss the guard time directly with the client, I headed straight to the shop.
Thanks to walking around Chang'an all day yesterday, I was able to arrive at the shop straight away without stumbling around like someone with no sense of direction.
Jingle-
"Welcome."
Inside, a slightly fat, greasy-looking middle-aged man greeted me.
"I'm here for the guard request."
"Your tablet?"
I handed over the Wood Tablet made of wood.
"I've just become a Ronin, so it's a Wood Tablet. If you doubt my skills, showing you directly is also an option."
"Hmm..."
The shop owner looked at my name and level written on the Wood Tablet, thought for a moment, and then nodded.
"You seem quite confident. Let's not waste each other's time. I'll hire you."
"The request said to discuss the guard time with you."
"The place to guard is the back door of this building. The time is from Hae-si (9 PM - 11 PM) to Jin-si (7 AM - 9 AM) the next day. If you finish the request, I'll give you one silver tael."
One silver tael, huh.
I didn't know before, but after walking around Chang'an and checking the value of the currency, I confirmed that the annual living expenses for one ordinary commoner is one and a half silver taels.
To receive several months' worth of living expenses while standing guard for just a few hours, it's no wonder the Ronin would love this.
Since the topic of currency units has come up, they go in the order of Pun -> Jeon -> Nyang -> Gold, but unlike modern times, silver is used as a trading currency, so the value of money changes depending on the value of silver. Therefore, a simple calculation that 10 Pun is 1 Jeon and 10 Jeon is 1 Nyang is impossible.
Sometimes 1 Nyang of silver can be 1200 Pun, and other times it can be 1800 Pun, so it's difficult to explain the value of money in a modern way.
"What about inside the building? There must be a front door, too."
"I eat and live on the second floor. And it's a type where you lock the door from the inside. Unless I shout for help, stand guard at the back door until then."
"Then I'll check the back and come back when it's time."
"Do that."
It's here. I have a feeling.
A feeling that this is someone's conspiracy.
Excuse me. They say a master thief has come, but isn't it too obvious to hire just one Ronin to stand guard and call it a day?
Besides, I didn't feel any sense of crisis in this shop owner's voice.
The fact that there's no sense of crisis means he didn't even think about the possibility of having his goods stolen by the Golden Bug.
Of course, that's possible.
The Golden Bug robs wealthy people, so he might have judged that there's no value in robbing a small merchant like himself.
Even so, he hires a Ronin?
He hired a Ronin for a different purpose from the start.
I don't know what that purpose is yet, though.
What's clear is that Ronin have been placed here and there...
Damn, the information is lacking again.
This feels like Extra A who can't get involved in the main event.
But whatever happens, just let it come into my sight.
I'll show you what Extra A's rebellion is.
I headed straight to the back door of the shop and checked the place where I would have to be for 8 hours.
An open space where a few people could fit.
A long, narrow back alley.
The walls of dilapidated buildings.
And a little bit of dirty filth.
But I didn't stop there and checked the surroundings more thoroughly.
If what I've been thinking so far isn't just the nonsense of a conspiracy theorist who has watched too many fantasy and martial arts novels, shouldn't I at least secure one escape route in case of an emergency?
"Are you thinking of going to the gambling den again!? When the hell are you going to come to your senses, you old man!"
"Huh?"
What is this? A couple fighting?
A shrill woman's voice came from a house 5 steps away from the back door.
"I have a really good feeling about today! It's going to be a jackpot!"
"You said that yesterday and lost everything! Anyway, I'm not giving you any more money! I can't!"
"This woman, seriously! Give me the money, quick! Hurry!"
It's the typical, cliché situation where the husband is addicted to gambling, causing conflict between the couple.
It's such an old story that it doesn't even appear on TV anymore.
I started looking for an escape route to prepare for any contingency while examining the area near the back door in detail.
'If I have to run away, I'll have to run by stepping on the roofs of the houses, right? No matter how I look at it, there's no hole to escape...'
Puk...Kkeok...Kkeok...
'Hm?'
At that moment, I caught a very familiar sound.
A small sound that I could only hear because my Igong (hearing) is at 100.
-Huk! Huk...! Shi... shit... shit... What do I do? What do I do?-
The sound of something being stabbed.
The woman's choking sound.
The man's desperate voice.
Just in case, I quickly climbed onto the roof of the nearest house and carefully crouched down.
Kkiiik...
The back door of the house where the couple's fight had taken place opened carefully, and a man looked around cautiously.
Then, he revealed himself, carefully carrying a sack with something inside.
A heated couple's fight, the voice that suddenly went quiet, a man who came out carefully carrying something in a sack.
With this much evidence overflowing, it's impossible not to know the answer.
But it worked out well.
"Huuuk! Huk!"
The man was breathing very roughly, and he lifted the floor with all his might and tried to head somewhere.
He's probably planning to go outside the city and throw it away, or dump it in an empty area on the outskirts.
Well, consider it paying the price for your crime.
Thinking that, I jumped and landed behind the man as he was about to leave the alley.
"Hick!? Who...!"
Seagal-style neck snap!
Puduk!
I grabbed his neck with force and twisted it, snapping it, and then went straight into the guy's back door.
The inside of the house had the distinct feel of a poor, impoverished home.
I shoved the two bodies into a corner, roughly.
They'll rot and smell as time passes, but I'm only using this place for a day, so who cares.
'That said, in creative works, when characters kill people, they have nightmares or feel guilt, but I don't feel anything?'
When I killed that man earlier, I snapped his neck lightly, with the feeling of eating a meal because I was hungry.
I had killed a few people before that, but it was hard to feel anything other than the emotion that it was fun.
'Wow, I knew my personality was different from other people's, but I never imagined I'd be this much of a sociopath.'
If the modern world I lived in was a world where monsters appeared and abilities awakened, like in fantasy novels or modern fantasy novels, what kind of life would I have lived?
Well, even if I thought about that, the answer would be obvious.
I would have looked for the women first.
Anyway, I needed a place to safely practice energy circulation, and this would do.
After checking if there was anything to eat in the house, I started energy circulation until the appropriate time.
I'll be bored during the guard duty, so I should finish about an hour before the guard time.
I circulated the internal energy in my body and entered Sojucheon.
This feeling of being in a trance isn't bad.