Chapter 119 A Rather Strange Fellow
--------------------------------------
Translator: JayM
Chapter: 119
Chapter Title: A Rather Strange Fellow
--------------------------------------
Thud.
He landed on the floor after passing through the magic circle at the labyrinth entrance.
The first floor of the labyrinth.
Cool, damp air entered his helmet.
Shing.
Jeong Yoo-shin instinctively drew his sword in the pitch-black darkness and waited quietly for their guide’s assessment.
“No one’s here.”
Mars said as he listened with his keen hearing.
Only then did Jeong Yoo-shin take out his flint and steel and light the torch.
Whoosh.
The flickering flame illuminated the darkness of the labyrinth.
He looked back to see his party members standing back-to-back, weapons at the ready.
“We landed quite close to the teleportation stone. We’re lucky.”
Mars said without even looking at the map.
“You can tell that right away?”
“I’ve been a guide for a while. I can recognize the first floor at a glance.”
Mars replied while shrugging.
“Chit-chat later. Be alert. Mars in the front, Skar in the middle, and I’ll take the rear, protecting Priest Kubo.”
“Alright.”
The party formed their ranks as instructed by Iron Mask and moved forward.
“This place is creepy every time I come here.”
The naked dwarf shivered slightly.
“It’s just cool. Put on some clothes if you’re cold. You give me the chills sometimes.”
“This is the first time I’ve ever heard a barbarian tell me to put on clothes.”
The dwarf priest grumbled.
Mars kept looking back as if he wanted to say something but turned his gaze forward after catching Iron Mask’s eye.
Jeong Yoo-shin and his party began their journey through the labyrinth, torches in hand.
One day. Two days. Three days. Four days. Five days.
Time passed quickly, even in the darkness.
“Sigh. We’re finally here.”
Mars muttered while wiping the sweat from his brow.
Jeong Yoo-shin’s party emerged from a cave and stood on a high plateau as they looked down at the city shrouded in darkness.
The Forgotten City of Ingrave.
From here, the path split into three areas.
Jeong Yoo-shin’s party’s final destination was the 7th floor of the Forest area.
“Mars, you idiot! Where’s your head at?”
Kubo chided Mars, the rat beast-person, while feigning a stern expression.
Mars scratched the back of his neck, looking embarrassed.
“I’m sorry, Priest. Sigh. I’ve been in jail for so long, I’ve lost my touch.”
Jeong Yoo-shin looked down at the city, his sword slung over his shoulder.
It had taken them longer than expected to get here because Mars had misread the map.
They had been transported to the outer areas several times. Still, they made good time. Of course, they had also quickened their pace because they were on a tight schedule.
“Let’s hurry. We’ll rest inside the city today and go to the next floor tomorrow.”
Kubo said while glancing at Jeong Yoo-shin and Iron Mask.
Jeong Yoo-shin smiled inwardly.
Was Kubo trying to preemptively deflect criticism from his other party members by scolding Mars first?
He could see right through Kubo’s naked intentions.
Without another word, the party descended the plateau and headed towards the city.
There were footprints everywhere, indicating that many people had already passed through here.
As they passed through Ingrave’s gates, the traces of explorers became even more evident.
Goblin corpses littered the main street.
Decapitated bodies with limbs torn off.
Charred remains.
A variety of corpses greeted Jeong Yoo-shin’s party.
Jeong Yoo-shin walked slowly while examining the goblin corpses.
They continued along the main street for about two hours, then they looked for a resting place.
They found a small house in an alley off the main street.
Creak.
Jeong Yoo-shin entered first, torch in hand.
He carefully looked around.
‘Nothing here.’
Just like with Karin’s party from before, the house was empty. It only had a rickety table and some chairs.
But strangely, it had signs of recent habitation.
There wasn't much dust inside.
‘Did a previous party use this place briefly?’
He confirmed that the resting place was safe.
He called in his party members, and they tidied up the area, laid out blankets, and lit a fire with the firewood they had brought with them.
They then squatted down and ate their food and water.
Crackle. Crackle.
A fire burned in the old brick hearth.
Jeong Yoo-shin chewed on some dried meat while staring at the flames.
The dwarf priest sat with his short, stubby legs tucked in while munching on dry bread.
“Kubo.”
Jeong Yoo-shin called out. Kubo frowned, stroked his chin, and then looked up.
“What?”
“Do those holy relics really prevent Eldritch Waves?”
“Well, I heard that the Magic Tower and the Temple of the Wind Elemental God discussed it before, but I don’t know the details. It hasn’t even been a year since Eldritch Waves appeared. I think it’s an experimental request.”
“Then isn’t it dangerous?”
“Didn’t Iron Mask say that there have been several requests like this already? Don’t worry, nothing will happen.”
Jeong Yoo-shin nodded at the dwarf priest’s nonchalant words.
Mars, who was nibbling on a biscuit, chuckled.
“Skar, you’re laying the groundwork for another complaint.”
Jeong Yoo-shin scowled.
‘These bastards.’
They were so carefree after what had happened to them in the Forest area before.
Mars was one thing, but Kubo, the dwarf priest, was still relaxed even after having his shoulder eaten by baby spiders.
‘Their nerves are made of steel.’
He wasn’t sure if he could stay sane if his flesh was being eaten by spiders.
He took out the box called a ‘holy relic’ from his magic backpack.
It was about the size of three cake boxes combined and weighed approximately 20 kg.
If he hadn’t followed Iron Mask’s advice and saved space in his backpack, he would have had to readjust his supplies.
He could easily lift it thanks to his enhanced strength from his level up. If he had just arrived in this world, he would have struggled to lift it.
Jeong Yoo-shin pointed at the engravings on the box.
“Can you read these characters?”
“No. But I can tell that they’re ancient magic runes.”
The dwarf priest replied casually, seemingly uninterested, and continued chewing on his dry bread.
Jeong Yoo-shin tapped the box.
The so-called ‘holy relic’ that purified and repelled the abyssal aura of the labyrinth.
It sounded…
Priestly.
Jeong Yoo-shin stroked the box a few times, then put it back in his bag.
“We can’t stay here for long.”
“Right. The weight and size of the boxes are limiting our supplies more than I thought.”
Iron Mask replied while stroking his greatsword.
“…”
Jeong Yoo-shin, having nothing more to say, turned his gaze to the bonfire.
The men also leaned against the wall while staring at the flickering flames.
Crackle. Crackle.
Just then…
Thud. Thud.
Footsteps and faint sounds came from outside.
The relaxed party members immediately drew their weapons. Jeong Yoo-shin was the fastest, grabbing his arming sword and shield and standing in front of the party.
“Oh, there are people here.”
“I told you.”
“Ahem.”
Iron Mask cleared his throat and spoke.
“Who’s there?!”
He held his sword with both hands, ready to strike.
“Ah, it’s nothing. We usually use this place as a resting spot, so we just came here to check. We didn’t know anyone was here. We’ll leave, so don’t worry.”
They heard a voice from outside saying they would leave.
Jeong Yoo-shin and his party members exchanged glances.
“Alright.”
“Sigh. That was a surprise.”
Mars muttered while sighing deeply.
“Huh? Is that Mars?”
A woman’s voice came from outside. A lively, cheerful voice.
“Hmm? Senior?”
Mars’s eyes widened.
Senior?
“Mars, it’s me! Lumi!”
Iron Mask turned to look at Mars.
“Mars, do you know her?”
Mars scratched his head.
“She’s a senior from the Guide’s Guild. I learned a lot from her.”
“Mars, I heard you were promoted. You’re already back in the labyrinth?”
“Yes, Senior. My party accepted a request, so I came along.”
“Really? Good luck!”
A cheerful voice replied from outside. Iron Mask thought for a moment, then spoke.
“Mars, why don’t we meet and talk?”
“No… It’s not like that.”
Mars replied awkwardly.
“Mars, are you avoiding me?”
The woman’s voice came from outside the door.
“N-No. It’s not like that.”
Mars stammered, flustered.
“It’s rude to keep us waiting outside. We are the Huntsman Clan. Who are you?”
A deep voice came from outside.
“…”
Jeong Yoo-shin tilted his head.
Suddenly announcing their clan name? He had heard of underworld clans in the Eastern District, but this was the first time he had heard of explorers forming a clan.
But Kubo, Iron Mask, and even Mars nodded.
“Am I the only one who doesn’t know about this?”
Jeong Yoo-shin asked.
“The Huntsman Clan is a group of intermediate and high-ranking explorers who specialize in hunting. They’re famous.”
Iron Mask explained briefly.
“Really? Are they trustworthy?”
“Yes, as long as they’re not imposters.”
Mars added, nodding.
“They’re a small to medium-sized clan. It’s the clan I want to join the most.”
“Really? Let’s see their faces then.”
Jeong Yoo-shin opened the door. Four people were standing at a distance.
Different races.
An elf with a bow.
A heavily armored human warrior with a sword and shield.
A cat beast-person with a short bow.
And a wolf beast-person with a crossbow.
Most of them were wearing light leather armor.
It was obvious to anyone.
An unbalanced party composition.
‘Who’s the healer?’
There was a heavily armored human warrior, but the other three were ranged attackers. If they were ambushed from the rear, their formation would collapse instantly.
Which meant…
Disaster.
Were they that skilled?
‘Kill them before they can attack?’
Was the best defense a good offense?
While Jeong Yoo-shin was pondering…
The cat beast-person waved from a distance.
“Mars, it’s been a while.”
Mars peeked his head out the door.
“Senior, how have you been?”
“I’m doing well. Can we come in?”
“Yes. They’re good companions, I assure you. You don’t have to worry.”
“Is that so?”
The cat beast-person’s party members slowly entered the house.
Jeong Yoo-shin and his party members stood in a corner.
The visitors flinched slightly as they entered.
They looked at the dwarf in his underwear, then at Iron Mask, and finally at Jeong Yoo-shin.
Fortunately, Jeong Yoo-shin was wearing his helmet, so they couldn’t see his face or hair.
“Well, this is an interesting party. I’m Heather Volkman, the leader of this party and a member of the Huntsman Clan.”
The white-furred wolf beast-person said in a deep voice.
“Mars, your friends look… unique. Introduce us.”
The cat beast-person said while flicking her tail.
“Iron Mask. I’m the leader of this party. I know the Huntsman Clan is famous. Nice to meet you.”
“Kubo, intermediate priest of the Fire Elemental God.”
“I’m…”
“You don’t have to introduce yourself, Mars.”
“But, Senior…”
Mars mumbled and shrunk back at the cat beast-person’s words.
“And who is this?”
The cat beast-person smiled and looked at Jeong Yoo-shin.
Jeong Yoo-shin took off his helmet.
Everyone’s gaze immediately fixed on his face.
His long hair swayed as he removed his helmet.
“Skar. The party’s vanguard.”
The smell of sweat that had been trapped inside his helmet wafted out.
“Gasp!!!”
“Meow!!!”
The wolf beast-person and the cat beast-person stumbled backward.
Jeong Yoo-shin frowned.
Were they going to discriminate against him, spit on him, kick him, and insult him just because he was a barbarian?
‘I should have kept my helmet on.’
He regretted taking it off.
The cat beast-person managed a smile and spoke.
“Um… Are you that virgin barbarian?”
The cat beast-person immediately recognized Jeong Yoo-shin by his alias. A wide smile spread across Jeong Yoo-shin’s face.
‘As expected.’
It came right out. This was why image management was important.
‘After all the effort I put into building this image, it’s finally paying off. My happy labyrinth life is just around the corner.’
Recognition.
A single word.
A warm feeling of accomplishment washed over him.
“That’s right. The living conscience of Labyrinth City. The embodiment of active goodwill. That’s me.”
“…”
Silence fell over the room.
The wolf beast-person suddenly looked up at the ceiling, counting the rafters, then finally spoke.
“Can we sit down and rest for a bit? We’re tired from walking.”
“Make yourselves comfortable.”
The party members sat around the bonfire, separated into two groups.
They began to chat and introduce themselves.
The elf archer’s name was Andy.
The human warrior’s name was Mick.
For some reason, he was more drawn to the human warrior than the archer.
‘Vanguards are better than ranged attackers.’
The rough stubble on his chin, his messy brown hair, and his silent demeanor suited a warrior.
He seemed to be around the same age as Jeong Yoo-shin.
Perhaps because they were both bound by the same inescapable fate of their class, he felt a sense of camaraderie with the other.
He wouldn’t be discriminated against here for being a barbarian.
Which meant…
An opportunity to build a connection.
A vanguard without a healer?
He must be a confident warrior.
“Ahem. Mick, was it? How long have you been exploring the labyrinth?”
Getting to know someone’s background was the best way to start a conversation.
At least, it worked in Korean society.
The man named Mick turned to look at Jeong Yoo-shin. His eyes that were filled with weariness and boredom flickered in the firelight.
Mick shook his head silently.
‘Not a talker?’
His face was etched with fatigue and disinterest.
Did he not have the energy to talk to others?
He still had to say something.
“If you don’t want to talk, just say so.”
The man named Mick sighed at Jeong Yoo-shin’s blunt words.
And then he spoke.
“I want to spit in a watery dog pussy, rub it with my palm, and then relentlessly fuck it with my horse cock until it reaches a blissful, hellish climax.”
‘…?’
Jeong Yoo-shin’s eyes widened.
“…What?!”
--------------------------------------
T/N - Well, that’s one way to discourage people from talking to you. Also, poor MC. He doesn’t know how deep in the gutter his reputation truly is.