Chapter 87
Chapter 87
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 87
Chapter Title: Hangover Stew and the Gold Payment
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After leaving the library, I headed straight to Barundel's house.
I planned to stay there again tonight.
Drurrrng—drurrrng—.
When I got home, Barundel was already fast asleep.
Thud.
I collapsed onto my spot as soon as I arrived.
Whether it was the alcohol hitting me late or not, my head throbbed like it was going to split open.
‘Gulping down whiskey like it was soju…….’
It was only natural.
Even with two mythic traits, I couldn't help but get my mind clouded by alcohol.
This body seemed to handle liquor worse than my previous one.
Anyway, some time passed.
I'd fallen asleep without realizing it, only to wake up to a spicy aroma tickling my nostrils.
Reflexively scanning my surroundings, I witnessed a sight I never wanted to see again.
“Hmm, hmm-hmm~ hmm!”
A hulking, rippling muscular back, draped in a pink apron.
“…….”
Okay, fine.
Cooking was great. Liking a pink apron was fine. Humming cheerfully was fine.
But did he have to go shirtless while doing it?
That was something I absolutely couldn't accept.
‘Is that really the demon hunter who made a name for himself ten years ago?’
My stomach churned like yesterday's meal was about to come up.
But what could I do?
I was the one mooching off him. I couldn't complain about something like that.
If it bothered me, I should just leave.
As I thought that, my eyes met Barundel's—he'd turned around by chance.
“Ah, you're up? Breakfast is ready just in time. Come sit.”
Barundel said that as he began setting the food out one by one.
Clack, clack, clack.
Who knew when he'd woken up, but he'd prepared a ton already.
“……The guy's good-hearted. The guy's good-hearted.”
Remembering this wasn't born of malice softened my heart a bit.
Muttering my personal mantra, I cautiously took a seat.
The table was already packed with all sorts of dishes.
Everything looked delicious without exception, but the main dish held my gaze the longest.
‘Kimchi stew?’
Its reddish hue perfectly evoked K-kimchi jjigae. The smell was similar too.
“It's my go-to stew for the morning after drinking. Not just tasty—the spicy kick really settles a queasy stomach.”
“Looks delicious.”
“Don't just say it—try some.”
At Barundel's urging, I scooped up a spoonful of stew and put it in my mouth.
Slurrrp.
And then.
“Whoa!”
Spiciness bloomed in my mouth, snapping me fully awake.
Gone was the hazy fog of hangover and half-sleep—my mind was crystal clear now.
Just one spoonful for this effect?
“Isn't this basically an elixir? An elixir?”
It was perfect for a hangover, just as Barundel said.
And it tasted great too.
Similar enough to kimchi stew that there was no resistance, but with a unique umami that kept drawing my spoon back.
Slurrrp, slurrrp!
“Uhahaha, looks like you like it?”
“Best thing I've ever eaten. Totally my style.”
“Is that so? Yoo Han, you've got the same taste as me! It's my favorite too.”
“Could I maybe have another bowl……?”
“Of course.”
Slurrrp! Slurrrp!
A good while passed as I inhaled the stew.
The pot bottomed out quickly, leaving me stuffed.
Barundel patted his own belly contentedly and spoke.
“So, off to District 3 now?”
He seemed to remember our conversation from yesterday.
Indeed, I planned to head to District 3 today.
To meet the man—no, Ani Person—who'd researched light magic for over twenty years.
“I'm just gonna meet him lightly today and get a read on what kind of guy he is. Can't afford to learn magic from another weirdo.”
“True enough. The world's crawling with lunatics like Dershion…… Be cautious. Very cautious.”
Barundel said with worried eyes.
Part of it was from personal experience, but probably because our destination was District 3.
‘I do need to be careful.’
Districts 4 through 6 mixed nobles and commoners.
The status gap wasn't that stark.
But from District 3 onward, only nobles lived.
Those nobles were extremely haughty and never set foot in the outer districts.
In short, it was full of twisted villains.
And villains with money, status, and power to boot.
Hadn't I experienced it firsthand?
Through that madman, Barus Garian.
From that angle, what kind of person Ani Person might be……
‘……Not easy, huh?’
Worries flooded in right away.
This was a guy who'd holed up in District 3 for over twenty years studying light magic.
If he was anything like Barus, he'd be weirder, not normal.
The intel shop called him an ordinary guy, though.
‘I'll know when I meet him.’
If anything felt off, I'd bail immediately anyway.
‘First things first—get to District 3.’
With that resolution, I bid Barundel farewell and hopped into a carriage straight to District 3.
Rattle, rattle.
From District 6 to 3.
Crossing three full districts, the carriage rumbled on for quite a while.
Just as sitting started to feel stiff, it screeched to a halt with a kreeeak.
“We're here.”
I'd arrived at my first stop: the war command post.
“……Ah, you're here.”
The guard captain recognized me and gave an awkward smile.
Our last incident had made things a bit uncomfortable.
“Here on contract business?”
“Yes. Need my ID?”
“No, you're good.”
“Weapons?”
“……Yeah, go right in.”
Unlike last time, no nitpicky procedures.
Looks like confiscating my weapon back then was just to facilitate the kidnapping.
Not thrilled, but it meant things were safe now.
I'd been worried deep down.
Afraid they'd pull some nonsense again for no reason.
Looks like that wasn't the case.
Anyway, I entered and headed familiarly to the strategy room.
Knock knock.
A careful rap on the door brought a voice from inside.
“Come in.”
Still carried that authoritative tone.
Opening the door, Barus Garian greeted me with a beaming smile.
“Ah, my friend Yoo Han! Do you know how long I've been waiting?”
“About a week short of one?”
“Hahaha…… That's not what I meant. Anyway, sit here.”
“Yes.”
As I sat, Barus fetched two cups of warm tea from somewhere.
“Wet your throat first, then we'll talk. Must've been a long trip.”
“……Ah, sure.”
He seemed even more attentive than our first meeting.
Wary of anything suspicious, I skipped the tea and got to the point.
“Here—the contract, signed by the chairman himself.”
“You…… succeeded?”
“Yes.”
He nodded, then burst into hearty laughter.
“Ha! Hahaha!”
Seemed thrilled to drag the chairman into war.
I couldn't bring myself to say the next part.
How do you tell him the chairman might kill him after the war?
Honestly, I didn't want to warn him anyway.
‘This guy's gotta learn the hard way.’
As I thought that, Barus finished scrutinizing the contract.
“This is definitely his signature. The mana pattern is exquisitely precise.”
“Of course—he signed it himself.”
“Just confirming it's legit. Anyway, time to uphold my end.”
Only one thing promised.
Of the three rewards specified, the first upfront payment.
Ten thousand gold coins.
“Hey!”
Barus called out, and footsteps approached from outside.
Jingling accompanied them.
Barus's personal secretary entered and set a large chest on the table.
Thung!
Even placed gently, it thudded heavily.
“Ten thousand gold. Check it.”
At his urging, I opened the chest—blinding golden light hit my eyes.
‘Ten thousand gold…….’
Seeing it up close, it was an insane amount.
Piled high, gleaming coins.
I didn't count them.
Too many, but mainly—no need.
Would a guy drowning in wealth like Barus scam on this?
Anyway.
“Could you send this to the academy instead of me? Addressed to the chairman.”
I asked Barus to ship the chest to the academy.
Too heavy to carry, and it wasn't my money anyway.
Asion Gail would put these coins to excellent use.
“Got it. We'll send the chest as-is to the academy.”
Barus agreed readily, and the secretary carted it off.
“Should arrive tomorrow.”
“Thank you.”
I bowed, and Barus grinned slyly.
“Impressive, really. Never thought he'd actually sign. How'd you do it?”
How……
Truth was, embarrassingly little.
“Just persuaded him desperately. Luckily, the terms and purpose appealed, so he agreed readily.”
I'd just laid out the most rational option with my reasons.
Promised not to block his payback after the war.
Whether he took it that way……
“Hoho, what a talent. A real talent.”
Barus chuckled approvingly, praising me.
Acted like my skills made the contract happen.
“Why not apply to the royal mages after graduation? Say the word, and I'll write your recommendation.”
Even pitching royal mage.
Seemed I'd really grown on him.
‘Royal mage route unlocking like this.’
Totally unexpected, but no need to agonize.
“No thanks. I've got my path set.”
“Hoo, I see. Care to share what it is?”
I pondered briefly.
A high-rank mage hunting demons freely, unaffiliated……
Doubted he'd buy it.
Best not to say, I concluded, and spoke.
“Sorry, it's not something I can talk about yet.”
“Ah, no worries. If that's your call, you have your reasons.”
A brief silence followed.
Time to head out—then, on a whim, I asked Barus.
“Mind if I ask one thing?”
“Hm? What?”
“Do you happen to know a guy named Ani Person?”
Pure curiosity.
Same District 3 resident—might know him.
But Barus's reaction was completely unexpected.
“Ani Person……? How do you know that man?”
Barus's pupils trembled faintly at the name.
Like he'd heard something terrifying.