Chapter 281: Before the Dungeon
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 281: Before the Dungeon
“Kim Taesung? Eunju? What is this situation?”
“I’m not sure either…”
“I don’t know, either.”
Choi Seulgi, who had arrived late, looked around at the scene with a bewildered expression. I couldn’t believe my own eyes, so her reaction was probably natural.
A campfire burned in the center, with humans grilling monster meat. Goff watched them, and the sight of the Green Skins’ simple tents coexisting with the human camp was something I couldn’t get used to, no matter how I looked at it. If someone had told the Kim Taesung of the past that he would one day share a meal with Green Skins, he would have surely called them a liar.
It was clear that these humans would also be treated as liars after they returned to their city.
The female knight, who appeared to be the leader, was sitting with Storm Shadow, sharing a cup of liquor. Anyone could see she was trembling pitifully. The offer had come from our side, so she likely couldn't refuse.
“Let’s see… Hmm… I don’t recognize them, but their skill level is decent. Are they from the West?”
“Could be, but does it really matter? We’ve dealt with most of the key executives. They don’t seem like bad people…”
“I guess it doesn’t matter now.”
Choi Seulgi, who had been radiating a subtle killing intent, perhaps suspecting they were remnants from Aia, let out a sigh.
“I don’t know what’s going on, but we should join them. The Green Skins seem to be having a good time. The humans, not so much.”
Choi Seulgi was right. In this strange situation of sharing a meal with humans, the Green Skin chieftains were clearly delighted. I didn't know if they considered it a new experience or a historic first dinner between humans and Green Skins, but they were doing their best to be polite, laughing as if they found it all very amusing.
Of course, the human camp was a different story. Most of them were fidgeting like anxious puppies, and I could even see one person off to the side reciting prayers. There was even a human pinching his own cheek to see if he was dreaming. My only hope was that Choi Eunju and Choi Seulgi could liven up the atmosphere a bit.
While I was lost in useless thoughts, Choi Seulgi slowly walked toward the meal and spoke cheerfully.
“Hello. My name is Choi Seulgi. It’s an honor to meet the chieftains of the great and glorious land, and to see the Great Tribe Leader, Storm Shadow, in person.”
The humans, who had been shoving meat into their mouths as if their souls had left their bodies, stared blankly at the sudden appearance of Choi Seulgi. The Green Skins did the same.
“Choi… Choi Seulgi!”
A voice burst out in surprise. Although Choi Seulgi hadn't made many public appearances on the continent, she was famous enough that anyone who mattered knew of her. The fact that this female knight recognized her meant she must have held a fairly high position during the Continental War.
However, Choi Seulgi didn’t even glance at the startled human, maintaining her bright smile.
“Oh… are you the human Blood Dagger spoke of?”
“Yes, that’s me.”
“It’s been a while.”
“Mmm…”
Goff and Black Spear offered their greetings, while Storm Shadow placed a hand on his chest in a welcoming gesture. The most interesting reaction, however, came from none other than Silver Fang.
“Grrrrr. A memorable human… I never imagined I would see this one here…”
“It’s been a while for you too, Silver Fang. Your magnificent silver mane is as splendid as ever. As are your sharp claws and teeth.”
As expected, Choi Seulgi had a knack for getting along with people. It was quite amusing how composed she was, as if they hadn’t been trying to kill each other on the battlefield.
“I’ve heard a lot about you from my husband.”
As Choi Seulgi spoke, the Green Skins, except for Goff and Black Spear who were from the Brother’s Land, flinched in surprise. The female human knight and her clan members reacted the same way. I knew Seulgi’s personality meant she would say it, but that was quite direct. As the situation unfolded, the one who looked a little embarrassed was Choi Eunju. She seemed to regret having skipped her own introduction to just follow me. For Choi Eunju, whose personality was a bit more reserved compared to the lively and approachable Seulgi, it must have been difficult to find the right moment to speak.
“I… I am also…”
She mustered the courage to speak, but her voice was immediately drowned out by the Werewolf.
“So it was true you have peculiar tastes. Had I known this human female was Blood Dagger’s mate, I would not have treated her so roughly in our previous battle.”
“Oh my, the same goes for me.”
It looked like they were about to enter combat mode, so I subtly took a step forward.
“Let’s forget what happened in the past. We are all in the same boat now.”
“Blood Dagger is right, White Silver Fang. Being belligerent is fine, but we must now work to improve our relations with the humans. That is why we are with them now. If you wish to clash, you will do so after following the proper procedures.”
“Grrrrrr…”
Even though Storm Shadow had spoken, Silver Fang’s eyes remained red. But it was a suggestion from the Great Tribe Leader. Silver Fang begrudgingly grabbed a nearby piece of meat and began to tear at it, while Choi Seulgi started talking with the other Green Skins, Choi Eunju at her side.
“Hmm… A sudden commotion has occurred. I hope you understand.”
“Ah! Ah! Y-Yes! It’s… it’s quite all right.”
The female knight’s lips were pale blue as she trembled. Her expression screamed, Who am I, and why am I here? She was overreacting to even the most trivial words.
“By the way, I didn’t realize we had guests who arrived first. I’ve heard that these ‘dungeons’ are quite helpful and very valuable to humans as well… We have our own reasons for being here… In cases like this, how do humans resolve such disputes?”
Through force. Sometimes they are bought and sold with gold coins, but here, where the logic of power reigns, the stronger side has priority in all negotiations. In other words, it wouldn’t matter if we chased away the humans right in front of us.
Before the female knight could even open her mouth, Choi Seulgi spoke.
“Usually, disputes are settled with force. It’s common for people to kill each other over them.”
The female knight’s face twisted.
“Is that so? Interesting. Humans have some grit after all.”
Silver Fang suddenly shot up from his seat and began to stretch. Watching him, the female knight’s face turned pale once more.
“B-But! Th-That’s only when relations are bad! U-Usually, people yield or buy and sell them! I-In a case like this, since we’ve received such excessive hospitality, we… we will not assert our claim of ownership.”
She looked pitiful as she rushed to get the words out, perhaps afraid the Werewolf would make a move. A single meal was “excessive hospitality.” If she had proposed to trade a newly discovered dungeon for a single meal, she’d deserve to be drawn and quartered. And the humans had even prepared the meal; all we had brought was some Troll-brewed liquor.
“Hmm… However, we cannot accept something so valuable for nothing. A trade seems most appropriate, but… we currently have nothing to offer… What should we do about this…”
“Y-You really don’t have to give us anything.”
“No, little warrior. It is still too early to say, but we intend to improve our relations with humans. My pride will not allow me to send away the first humans we’ve met like this.”
“It’s really okay…”
The side trying to give and the side desperately trying to refuse clashed. Most of the Green Skin chieftains were nodding in agreement with Storm Shadow. The first to speak was the Minotaur, Earth Wave.
“You are the first humans we have ever spoken to. If we part like this, we will lose face.”
“We have already shared a drink. It makes no sense to simply send you away.”
“Silver Fang is right. This is a matter of our honor. We cannot send you away like this, even if it means shedding blood.”
The tension was getting ridiculously high. The humans’ faces all said the same thing: Forget everything else, I just want to go home and sleep.
“Hmm… Is there no other way?”
“O glorious Great Tribe Leader, may I offer a suggestion?”
“Mm. Blood Dagger’s mate. Speak.”
“Yes. Unlike you, the Green Skin chieftains, who have come to enjoy the dungeon itself, humans are less interested in the dungeon and place more importance on other things.”
“Hmm…”
“Fine armaments and wealth, Your Grace.”
“I see.”
“Very fine equipment can be found while clearing a dungeon, or after the exploration is complete. If you were to share a few of the items found during or after the expedition with these humans, they would be very pleased. I believe this would be the most appropriate compensation.”
“Indeed. There is no warrior who is not interested in fine equipment.”
Contrary to Storm Shadow’s words, the woman before me seemed to have no interest in fine equipment. Right now, she was probably only interested in a warm bed and a bath in a large house.
“Yes… good. That sounds like a good plan. We shall enter this place called a dungeon with these humans. We will share some of the decent equipment we find along the way. However, I ask that you leave the dungeon exploration entirely to us.”
“It’s… it’s fine. You don’t have to go that far…”
“Do not refuse. You are fortunate that the first humans we encounter are so selfless. Very fortunate.”
Storm Shadow was normally a man of few words. The fact that he was talking so much meant he was either in a very good mood or forcing himself. It might not seem like a big deal, but from the Green Skins’ perspective, this was their first real contact with human society. He undoubtedly felt he had to set an example as the Great Tribe Leader, but the problem was that the other party wasn’t ready to accept it. Another thing I realized was that these chieftains were surprisingly dense when it came to reading the room.
“What is your name?”
Amidst the back-and-forth of offers and refusals, it was Choi Seulgi who spoke up again.
“Ah… I am Park Ajeong.”
“And your affiliation?”
“………………………”
Seeing as she couldn’t answer easily, she was definitely from the West. There had to be a story there. Currently, the West and the South were completely under the control of the Northeastern Alliance. The fact that they were out here exploring a dungeon meant they either didn’t have a base in a city or were living in a small, separate village. Choi Seulgi smiled slyly and continued.
“It would be best to accept. It’s a rare opportunity, after all. Right, darling?”
“Yes. I would also recommend you accept. No harm will come to you. I promise you that on my name.”
I nodded at Choi Seulgi, who had sent a playful remark my way. Even with all this, they would still be anxious. In front of them was a woman who could slice their throats in the blink of an eye, and behind her was the Great Tribe Leader, the pinnacle of all Green Skins.
Everyone fell silent. Finally, Park Ajeong’s lips slowly began to part.
“Th-Then… we will be in your care.”