Chapter 43
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 043
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Guest
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Patient life didn't last long.
It couldn't be helped. Sleeping comfortably in a soft bed and eating good meals every time restored his body in no time.
Woojin, who had just woken up, idly bent a copper coin for fun.
Creak—
With a slight flex, the coin folded in half. Nothing special, but it brought a quiet sense of satisfaction. Childish as showing off his strength was, it was always enjoyable.
'Time to check out.'
His body had fully recovered.
Woojin rose from the bed. He slung the bag he'd tossed in the corner over his shoulder, then informed his dedicated caregiver that he was all better.
Stepping outside...
The sun was already high in the sky.
He must have slept deeply, as it was now midday. Having started his day later than others, he needed to move that much faster.
'First, I should talk to Alber.'
With that in mind, Woojin headed to the training grounds. As always, the expeditionary force was hard at work training.
The red-haired knight was knocking down his subordinates like usual. As Woojin approached, eyes naturally turned his way. Thanks to that, Alber noticed him too.
"Take a break."
Alber called a halt to the sparring. He then strode over.
"Hey, Jin. How's the body holding up?"
"Fully recovered. Thinking of shaking off the rust with some hunting. Got any suitable jobs?"
Before leaving this pioneer city, he figured he'd take on a subjugation request for fun.
But the response was unexpected.
"No jobs. The beasts are all wiped out."
"...Not a single one?"
As the surprised Woojin pressed, Alber smirked and elaborated.
"We haven't just been sitting around. Before you arrived, we cleared every dangerous area suspected of having rift cores. The spider cave was the last one left."
The cave interior was choked with webs, making entry impossible. So Alber had opted for a rather brute-force solution.
"Decided to starve the spiders out. We patrolled the area around the pioneer city and took down every beast we spotted. Served as live combat training too."
The basics of a siege were cutting off supplies.
Even if the spider beasts had stockpiled food, wiping out all life in the vicinity would leave them starving in the end.
Judging thus, Alber had exterminated every beast in the area. He planned to wait until the spiders came rushing out of the cave.
But Woojin had recently cleared the spider cave... leaving the 4th Expeditionary Force with nothing to do but train in the city all day.
Woojin nodded in understanding.
'No wonder... The 4th Expeditionary Force hasn't been venturing out much. They'd already finished everything.'
This threw a slight wrench in his plans.
Witch hunting wasn't feasible right away. That cunning woman would only show herself for a major incident—like when Golden Beetle's two sons were transporting their wealth.
He'd planned to do some casual beast hunting while waiting for signs of something big... but unexpectedly, there was nothing to do.
"Where might I find some fun?"
Seeking advice, Alber tilted his head in thought before answering.
"Hmm... The 5th and 6th Expeditionary Forces still have a bit left, from what I hear. But by the time you head out now, they'd probably have found and purified the rift cores already."
Alber continued.
"Doesn't look like there'll be much fighting for a while. The 1st Expeditionary Force's mission will wrap up soon at this rate."
The 1st Expeditionary Force was just the vanguard.
Their role was destroying rift cores around the pioneer city to purify the area. The mission was proceeding swiftly as planned.
But more crucial than reclaiming the land was holding it. Letting the Demonic Realm reclaim purified territory would make everything pointless.
For that reason, the Church Alliance planned to erect a long wall outside the pioneer city, then station the 1st Expeditionary Force there as a garrison to block beast incursions.
"Once stabilization's done, the 2nd Expedition will kick off. That's the main force, really."
The vanguard's role had been merely cleaning up around the pioneer city... but the 2nd Expeditionary Force was the true army for conquering the Demonic Realm.
A much larger force than the vanguard, with renowned clerics, knight orders, and even the Saintess heading to the front lines.
"Got carried away there... If you want some action, looks like you'll have to wait for that day."
"Thanks for the advice."
Alber's long explanation gave him a rough grasp of the situation. Summing it up in one line...
'...No jobs anywhere for the time being.'
His body was better, and he'd hoped for some hunting fun after so long. Regrettably, that pleasure would have to wait.
After getting lunch from Alber, with nothing else to do, he left the 4th Pioneer City.
He wasn't traveling alone.
"Gonna impose on you again."
"Suits me fine."
As on the way in, Raymond—acting as messenger—was with him. Not a bad deal for Woojin. Having someone to chat with made the trip less boring.
Woojin and Raymond mounted their wolves. And so, they set off again.
Everywhere he looked, withered dead trees and moldy husks filled his view. Plants from the Demonic Realm, killed by the rift core purifications.
A crow flying from somewhere alighted on a tree.
Snap—
The branch snapped under the crow's weight, crumbling to pieces on the ground. It was like looking at an ornament made of ash.
'The Demonic Realm is dying.'
That explained the lack of beasts in sight.
Most had been exterminated by the expeditionary forces, and the few survivors had fled deeper in. No beast could survive in such an environment.
With the surroundings like this... the return trip looked uneventful. They weren't likely to encounter any beasts at all.
'...Too bored with nothing to do.'
The safe journey was a bit dull.
It wasn't just Woojin. The wolves seemed bored too, yawning widely as they scanned around for something to do.
"Pick up the pace at least."
At Woojin's command, the excited wolves instantly sped up. Four wolves racing across the ground, kicking up puffs of dead, ashen mold with every stride.
It evoked the image of sled dogs dashing over snowfields.
Three days passed like that...
They reached their destination without issue. The 3rd Pioneer City came into view.
"...We barely made it here."
Raymond groaned.
Just days ago, this Holy Knight had hopped on the wolf like an excited boy... but riding a wolf beast was rougher than imagined.
Every time the wolf's paws hit the ground, the rider jolted up and down, and the speed made balance tricky. Less like horseback riding, more like a rodeo.
Raymond had clung to the wolf's back like a cicada.
"Maybe get a custom saddle? You're skilled enough to handle wolves fine, Jin, but for comfort, it'd be handy."
"True... Never thought of that."
It'd broaden his tactical options. There'd be times he'd need to carry others on the wolves.
'Should ask Bow to make one.'
With that thought, he entered the city. Around this time, Bow should be meditating alone in the training grounds.
...Woojin's prediction was half right.
Bow was in the training grounds as usual, but not alone. Across from him sat a hooded figure.
From Woojin's angle, he could only see their back, not their face.
'A guest, huh.'
Not wanting to interrupt their talk, Woojin started backing away to leave the grounds.
Bow's insight caught it.
"...Jin! Come here."
Bow called out. Wondering why the sudden summons, Woojin approached anyway.
"Looks like you have company... Do I really need to be here?"
Woojin asked quietly. Bow nodded readily.
"My guest, but your guest too."
Turning to look, golden blonde hair peeked from under the hood. Deep green eyes and cute features.
Golden Beetle's youngest daughter, Cindy.
"...You two know each other? That's unexpected."
"Not really. First time meeting."
Bow replied. Woojin felt even more puzzled.
"Then how'd you end up chatting? Curious."
"She came to me for advice. We were talking about you... and right on cue, here you are."
Lucky timing.
Bow nodded emphatically. But Cindy seemed to think the opposite.
She buried her face under the hood, studiously avoiding Woojin's gaze—like a rabbit hiding only its face in the bushes.
'...I can guess why she's here.'
Bow was a renowned monk, someone safe to confide in.
Figuring that, Cindy had sought him out for advice and intel on Woojin... but bad timing turned it into a three-way talk.
"So, where'd the story get to?"
Woojin sat beside them and asked. Bow answered without hesitation.
"She said she's Golden Beetle's youngest daughter. And that you're awfully suspicious—asked if it's safe to trust you."
Bow spilled it all bluntly. Cindy widened her eyes in shock, but Woojin ignored it and smoothly continued.
"Cindy was surprisingly upfront."
"No choice but to be honest. Can't fool my insight with lies."
"You can even tell that much?"
The two men conversed casually. Faced with this, Cindy stared at Bow with betrayed, forlorn eyes.
"Um... I asked you to keep my identity secret..."
"If you want help, don't half-ass it. Wastes time. Besides... hiding your identity seems pointless anyway. You heard just now, right?"
Bow countered. Cindy tilted her head, not grasping at first.
"...What do you mean?"
"I never said your name."
Yet Woojin had called her Cindy, casually, as if it were obvious.
Realizing it late, Cindy covered her mouth and blinked. Their natural banter had slipped it past her.
Deeply confused, she looked to them with pleading eyes for explanation.
"Let's finish that story from last time."
Woojin grinned and suggested.