2. Carnage
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Translator: JayM
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Carnage
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“Whoa.”
Green skin, the height of a child, a grotesque face.
Goblins.
They lay dead on the road, their bodies dismembered. There appeared to be about twelve of them, and none were left alive. It was reasonable to assume Karin and her group had killed them.
He continued along the road, avoiding the gruesome scene. After walking for about ten more minutes, the path finally ended.
Beyond the forest, a vast plain stretched out before him.
From his position on a fairly high hill, he could see all the way to the horizon. A gentle breeze caressed his hair. Looking down, he saw people walking in small groups along a highway.
If he followed that highway, he was sure to find a village or two.
Not bad.
Jeong Yoo-shin approached the highway. Merchants, heavily armed individuals, and wandering gypsy musicians carrying various instruments.
There was a wide variety of races and appearances.
He was overwhelmed by the alien sight that he had never seen before.
He stood by the side of the road, watching them pass by in a daze.
A passing cat-like beast-person casually remarked,
“Hey, have you been drinking? Get a grip, young man. Tsk.”
A human walking next to the beast-person chuckled.
“Oh, how do you know he’s young?”
The cat beast-person purred.
“No beard, no wrinkles, he’s young. Don’t underestimate me.”
“Huh. What about me?”
“You looked a bit younger last night, but today you look a bit older. Shave your beard.”
They exchanged frivolous banter and passed Jeong Yoo-shin by.
He smiled faintly and stepped onto the highway.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
That evening, Jeong Yoo-shin arrived in a village.
It was small, but due to its proximity to the highway, it looked quite bustling even from the entrance. Soldiers in uniform made up a significant portion of the crowd.
A soldier guarding the village gate spoke with a smile.
“Welcome to Arenzville, the highway village.”
“Hello.”
“Is this your first time here?”
“Yes.”
“The toll is 5 copper coins. The inn is full though. You can eat there, but you'll either need to sleep outside or ask a local for a place to stay.
“I see. Thank you.”
Jeong Yoo-shin took some copper coins from his pouch, paid the toll, and entered the village.
The inn was right next to the central plaza. The sound of music, singing, and boisterous chatter emanating from the building made it easy to locate.
As he stepped inside, a wave of heat washed over him. He felt momentarily dizzy at the sight of the diverse crowd.
“Hey, you with the black hair!”
A woman in her 30s carrying food called out.
“Yes?”
“Are you alone?”
“Yes.”
“Sit anywhere. One more meal here!”
Since every seat was taken, sharing a table was inevitable. Jeong Yoo-shin sat at the nearest available spot. Two short men who looked like dwarves and a rabbit beast-person were already seated at the table.
They continued eating, drinking, and talking without paying him any mind. They were discussing something serious, but he couldn't understand what they were saying.
"I need some information, but I first need to know how to get it," Jeong Yoo-shin sighed inwardly.
He quickly gave up on gathering information.
He turned his head and watched the musicians playing in the corner.
Thud!
“Here’s your meal!”
The woman from before placed food on the table.
There was white wheat bread, soup with tomatoes and potatoes, a sizzling piece of meat, and a wooden mug filled with yellow liquor.
“How much is it?”
“Is this your first time here?”
“Yes.”
“10 copper coins.”
Jeong Yoo-shin politely handed over the coins from his pouch.
“What a polite young man.”
“Thank you.”
“Cute. Enjoy your meal.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Of course, he had to be polite.
Just yesterday, he almost had his throat slit by slave hunters for underestimating this world and speaking carelessly. When you know nothing, it's best to be humble.
As he ate the steaming soup, his tension eased, and he realized how hungry he was. It was only natural, considering he'd only had a piece of dried meat for breakfast and had walked for a long time.
He carefully tore off a piece of bread and put it in his mouth. The savory aroma of wheat filled his senses. He cut a piece of meat and put it in his mouth, causing the juices to burst forth.
“This is really delicious.”
The meaty juices balanced the dryness of the bread, enhancing its savory flavor. The tomato soup cut through the richness of the meat with its acidity, stimulating his appetite. The bread, in turn, absorbed the soup's acidity, infusing it with the fragrance of wheat.
A perfect trinity.
Filled with gratitude and delight, he quickly finished his meal.
With his stomach full, he drank the liquor in the wooden mug. The viscous sweetness of honey blended with the refreshing fruit flavor, cleansing his palate as it went down.
The strong fruity aroma suggested it wasn't just simple honey wine. Did the brewery have a special secret recipe?
However, his interest was short-lived.
“Phew.”
He was truly satisfied.
“You eat well, young man.”
The brown-bearded dwarf sitting across from him spoke with a smile.
“Yes. It was delicious.”
“Arenzville’s food is quite good.”
The other dwarf chimed in. The rabbit beast-person nodded in agreement.
“Is this your first time in Arenzville?”
The rabbit beast-person asked.
“Yes.”
“You seem to be alone. Are you a pilgrim?”
A pilgrim?
“What’s a pilgrim?”
At Jeong Yoo-shin's question, all three widened their eyes.
“Are you a Northern barbarian?”
Jeong Yoo-shin frowned.
The dwarf, seemingly flustered, waved his hands.
“Calm down. I didn’t mean to offend you. Northern people aren’t familiar with these religious matters, so I just assumed.”
“Yes, I understand. But what’s a pilgrim?”
“What do you know?”
“I don’t know anything.”
“You’re quite straightforward. Perhaps one of your parents is from the North?”
“I suppose that’s possible.”
Jeong Yoo-shin stroked his chin.
He certainly remembered his father as a hulking man with sharp eyes and a thick beard.
A man who showered in ice water at -40 degrees Celsius, saying, “Ah, refreshing,” with a hearty laugh.
A man who, upon encountering a wild boar in the mountains, had kicked it into the air. He still remembered the sight of the boar soaring through the sky.
In contrast, his mother was the epitome of femininity. Quiet and demure, she always had a gentle smile as she stroked his hair or hugged him tightly.
His father and mother were a well-matched pair.
“[D-Darling, Yoo-shin is watching.]”
“[Let him watch.]”
“[Mmm.]”
His father, grabbing his mother’s cheek with one hand and planting a deep kiss on her lips, and his mother, her cheeks puffed out from the pressure of his hand, her tongue darting out.
He remembered their loving moments…
“Damn it.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I think my father was a barbarian.”
“I see.”
“So, what’s a pilgrim?”
“It’s a rather old story. So…”
The dwarf continued talking for a considerable amount of time.
Jeong Yoo-shin finished the last of his drink.
He organized the dwarf's story in his mind.
Long ago, when monsters filled the world, a member of the Spirit Church traveled from west to east, gathering all the monsters and sealing them in a large city in the east.
The man from the Spirit Church was hailed as a saint, and the path he walked on became known as the “Pilgrim’s Road.” The road Jeong Yoo-shin had traveled was that very “Pilgrim’s Road.”
Those who believed in the Spirit Church walked this path alone to understand the church's history and the saint’s heart.
People considered them pilgrims.
Nowadays, various people walk this path for their own reasons, so the original meaning has faded.
Still, the Spirit Church had numerous followers, and many still walked the Pilgrim’s Road.
The dwarf and his companions finished their conversation and stood up.
“Young man with the black hair, we’ll be going now. We need to sleep before we sober up.”
“Yes. Thank you for the information.”
“Alright then.”
They left the inn. The dining hall was now quiet as the dwarf’s story had been quite long.
Jeong Yoo-shin crossed his arms.
The dwarf’s explanation had mentioned the “Great Labyrinth.”
The city at the end of the Pilgrim's Road where the saint of the Spirit Church had sealed all the monsters.
It was said that those who entered and exited the Great Labyrinth gained wondrous abilities.
Small abilities, such as increased strength or agility.
Larger abilities, such as a change in sex or even species.
In rare cases, one could even gain talents they never possessed or acquire ancient, lost magic.
Because these abilities were “imprinted” onto the soul, people also called it the “Imprint Labyrinth.”
“Good.”
If he was lucky while exploring the labyrinth, he might find a way back home.
Even if he didn't, it was alright. At least he could become stronger. If he was stronger, he wouldn't have to be as cautious, wouldn't feel as threatened, and could find a way back faster.
‘I’m going to the Great Labyrinth.’
Jeong Yoo-shin made up his mind as he left the inn.
The central plaza was filled with camping tents. He walked a little further and left the plaza.
Most of the people were either sleeping against the wooden fence or huddled together, wrapped in blankets.
Jeong Yoo-shin found a quiet spot, leaned against the fence, and settled down.
It was chilly, but the alcohol made it bearable. He unfurled his rolled-up blanket, tied it to the top of his backpack, covered himself, and closed his eyes.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Jeong Yoo-shin woke up as dawn broke.
A night without a roof was a hardship. The alcohol had helped him sleep a little, but a single blanket wasn’t enough against the cold morning air.
Crack.
He stood up and stretched, his joints popping.
People were already packing up and heading towards the inn. A dog beast-person, his fur drooping with morning dew, grumbled.
“This damn outdoor sleeping… It’s a new experience every time.”
“Be grateful you had a fence to lean on.”
A cleric, who seemed to be his companion, replied.
“True. Sleeping outdoors all the way to the next village… Sigh.”
Sleeping outdoors until the next village.
He didn’t know how long the journey would take, so he wanted to resupply as much as possible.
Jeong Yoo-shin entered the inn, drawn by the enticing aroma of food.
“One copper coin.”
The innkeeper from last night placed a wooden bowl on the table.
It was steaming oatmeal.
“Thank you. Do you sell dried meat or rations?”
“Yes. How much do you need?”
“How long does it take to get to the next village from here?”
“Well, where are you headed?”
“I’m going to the Great Labyrinth.”
“The Great Labyrinth? Just follow the highway. It’ll take about three days to reach the next village.”
“Then I’ll take three days’ worth of rations, please.”
“Alright. You’re cute.”
The innkeeper smiled faintly and left.
Jeong Yoo-shin spooned the hot porridge into his mouth. It was delicious, with bits of meat and potatoes. The warm food thawed his chilled body.
“Here are your rations for three days. 21 copper coins, including your breakfast.”
The innkeeper returned just as he finished his porridge. The rations were carefully wrapped in large leaves. Jeong Yoo-shin took the coins from his pouch and handed them over.
“Here you go.”
“Received. Come again.”
He finished his porridge and left the inn. People were chattering and leaving the village.
This time, Jeong Yoo-shin didn’t hesitate. His destination was clear.
The Great Labyrinth.
He walked towards the rising sun.
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T/N - Lol. MC was quick to admit his dad was a barbarian. But kicking a boar to the sky is wild, so I don't blame him.
If you find any mistakes, feel free to point them out in the comments.
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