23. Doing Good Deeds…
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Translator: JayM
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Doing Good Deeds
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Before sunrise…
Jeong Yoo-shin threw off his blanket and got out of bed.
“Ugh! I’m dying.”
His muscles screamed in protest. He opened the window and stretched, his joints popping.
“Ha…”
He went downstairs and heard clattering sounds coming from the kitchen. Dalmong, already awake, was preparing breakfast. He opened the kitchen door and saw Dalmong’s back.
“Good morning, Dalmong.”
“You’re up?”
“Yes. Would it be alright if I used the courtyard?”
“Go ahead.”
“Thank you.”
He opened the back door of the kitchen and stepped outside. The cool morning air brushed against his face. Behind the spacious courtyard was a small house where Dalmong lived, and a storage shed.
Jeong Yoo-shin stood in the middle of the courtyard and started his warm-up routine. He had no professional knowledge, so he just mimicked the exercises he had seen online.
It seemed to be effective as his stiff muscles loosened, and his body warmed up.
“Ha…”
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
His morning task was—
Imprint practice.
He could practice at the Swordsman’s Guild, but there were too many people there. He wanted to hone his trump card in private. Dalmong didn’t count as he was his benefactor.
[Sacred Weapon]
The magic particles within his body flowed into his hand. He could only feel a faint sensation before, but now, after leveling up, the concentration of magic in his hand was much more pronounced.
Flash!
A warm, golden dagger materialized in his hand.
He didn’t feel the usual coldness of a blade.
The magic dagger quickly dissipated.
It lasted for about three seconds.
His body felt stiff and drained from the magic expenditure, but it was bearable.
Again.
He took a deep breath and focused on his magic.
Flash!
This time it was a one-handed sword shaped like his arming sword.
He gripped the handle and swung it.
A warm, golden arc sliced through the cold morning air.
He looked down at the sword in his hand.
Fizzle.
The sword crumbled like sand, dissolving into golden particles that floated upwards and disappeared.
Jeong Yoo-shin smacked his lips.
“Too slow.”
The casting speed of Sacred Weapon was too slow for his liking.
It wasn’t as fast as when he used it against the Goblin Warrior. It wasn’t even as fast as when he defended himself against Ditto’s attack.
He closed his eyes and replayed the battles in his mind.
How desperately he fought.
How strongly he craved victory.
He contemplated and reflected.
“Ha…”
He opened his hand. Magic particles gathered in his palm.
This time, golden knuckles materialized.
“Slow.”
He muttered in frustration.
As he was about to try again, a wave of dizziness washed over him. He knelt and put his hands on the ground. His heart pounded in his chest.
Three consecutive castings was his limit. He understood it instinctively. Still, it was an improvement from before when a single cast would knock him out.
He steadied himself and stood up. The first rays of the dawn were breaking through the sky.
He ate breakfast at the inn and went to the temple.
He checked in at the reception desk, turned around, and spotted a familiar face.
Anne.
The archer girl from his first labyrinth expedition.
Anne approached him.
“It’s been a while, Mr. Skar.”
“Yeah.”
Two weeks ago? Three weeks? He couldn’t remember the last time they met.
“It’s been about three weeks since we last saw each other. How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine. How about you?”
“I’m well. Oh! You must be wondering about what happened to our party.”
He wasn’t curious at all. But he saw a flicker of sadness in Anne’s eyes, so he simply nodded.
“The Labyrinth City Magic Tower took Dean. They’re conducting various experiments to restore those who have been consumed by the madness of the darkness. Humanely, of course.”
Anne continued,
“Karl was buried in a corner of the cemetery behind the temple. Marie wouldn’t let go of him, so we had some difficulty with the funeral.”
“…”
“Marie is pregnant with a goblin’s child. She’s currently staying at the Earth Mother Goddess’ temple. Have you seen her?”
He hadn’t seen her at all.
He shook his head silently.
“Tarman and I are working. Doing any job that pays. Except for entering the labyrinth.”
Jeong Yoo-shin and Anne stared at each other for a moment.
There were dark circles under Anne’s eyes that weren't there before.
“I’m sorry to hear that. But I'm sure things will get better. Stay strong.”
“…Yes.”
“Well, I should get going. Good luck.”
Jeong Yoo-shin left the temple without waiting for her reply.
‘That was depressing.’
They said there was as much misfortune in the world as there were people, and it was true.
He stopped on his way to the orphanage.
“Don’t do this, Yoo-shin. It’s foolish.”
He told himself.
He had lived in this world where a healthy dose of ruthlessness and distrust were virtues for a while now.
Those who lacked these virtues were called suckers. Those who had too much were called assholes.
“Damn it. We’ve only met once. Why should I help her?”
He thought of Dalmong.
And the warm meal he had received when he returned to the inn after spending a cold night at the relief center.
He turned around and ran back to the inn. He ran without stopping like a madman.
“Dalmong!!”
He burst through the inn door and shouted.
Dalmong, sitting at the counter, looked up.
“What is it?”
“Why are you so kind to me? We’re strangers! Why?!”
He shouted, his voice echoing through the inn. The other patrons fell silent, staring back and forth between him and Dalmong.
Dalmong stroked his chin for a moment.
“Because you asked for help. And because I wanted to help.”
“Is that all?”
“Yes.”
“Gah!!”
Jeong Yoo-shin’s face crumpled. He turned and ran upstairs to his room, rummaged through his belongings, took out his remaining silver coins, and then ran back downstairs.
“Do you know Anne?”
“The red-haired archer girl from your first labyrinth expedition?”
“Yes.”
“Is she in trouble? It seems you want to help her.”
Dalmong saw right through him.
“What should I do? Should I help her?”
“Don’t ask me.”
“…”
“Do what you feel is right. So you won’t regret it later.”
“Understood.”
Jeong Yoo-shin left the inn with a pouch of coins.
His abrupt departure left a brief silence in the inn. But soon, the chatter resumed, and the inn returned to its usual bustle.
The female beast-person sitting across from Dalmong twitched her ears.
“Hmm? Dalmong, are you interested in that barbarian?”
“No, Karin-nim.”
Her red tail swayed gently.
“Really?”
“Yes. I prefer women.”
“But is that barbarian trustworthy?”
“I’m not sure. He hasn’t caused any trouble so far. He’s also quite diligent.”
“What? You’re praising a human? That’s a first.”
“People change.”
“Is that so? Hmm. Good. I’ll be back later.”
“Yes. Take care.”
Jeong Yoo-shin ran back to the temple as fast as he could.
He asked the cleric at the reception desk,
“Where can I find the red-haired girl who was here earlier?”
“Do you know her?”
The cleric asked.
“She’s a former party member.”
“She’s in the garden. Go down the hallway to the right.”
Jeong Yoo-shin walked down the hallway and entered the garden.
Marie and Anne were sitting together on a long wooden bench.
Mion was there too, but he ignored her.
He strode towards them.
“Ooh.”
Marie, clutching a teddy bear, flinched at his approach. She seemed afraid of the sudden appearance of a stranger.
“Mr. Skar.”
“Here.”
Anne bit her lip as she looked at the pouch he offered her.
“…I can’t accept this. You have no reason to help us.”
“I want to help. There’s no other reason. And you need it, don’t you? If it makes you feel any better, think of it as help from a former party member of your first labyrinth expedition.”
They stared at each other in silence for a while.
Finally, Anne chuckled, tears welling up in her eyes.
“It wasn’t our first time, though.”
Right.
“Then I'll just give it to Marie.”
“Ooh.”
Marie looked at the pouch curiously, then picked it up with one hand and fiddled with it. When Jeong Yoo-shin let go, she placed the pouch on her lap and tugged at Anne’s sleeve.
“It’s not much. Five silver coins and fifty copper coins.”
“…Thank you.”
Anne bowed her head, tears falling on the ground.
Mion gently took Anne’s hand.
“That’s good, Anne. This should cover Karl’s funeral expenses and Marie’s treatment. I’ll cover the rest personally.”
“Sniff… Thank you, Priestess Mion.”
“Go home and get some rest. You look tired.”
“…Alright.”
Jeong Yoo-shin turned to leave.
“I should leave. I’m late for class.”
“He he. Yes. I’ll be there soon, Mr. Skar.”
Was it his imagination, or did Mion seem warmer towards him?
“Th-Thank you, Mr. Skar.”
“Sure. Let’s keep in touch.”
He waved in response to Anne’s gratitude and left the garden.
He arrived at the classroom on the first floor of the orphanage and sat down.
“The teacher’s late today.”
“I hope it’s Teacher Mion again.”
“Me too. Teacher Mion is like a kind older sister. She smells nice too.”
“Do you think that barbarian did something to the teacher?”
“Nah… Surely not?”
The orphaned children were gossiping about him.
A few of the older children glared at him and started to stand up.
“What are you going to do if I stand up too? Sit down. The teacher will be here soon.”
At his words, the children sat back down.
Only a brown-haired boy remained standing.
“You! What did you do to the teacher?!”
The classroom fell silent, and all eyes turned to them.
“I didn’t do anything.”
“Then why isn’t she here?! You’re a barbarian! You must have done something!”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“Boo!! Bad barbarian!”
He felt exasperated at their baseless accusations.
‘This is ridiculous.’
Jeong Yoo-shin pointed at the brown-haired boy.
“What exactly did I do to Teacher Mion? Be specific.”
“W-Well…”
The boy’s face turned red.
The other children joined in.
“Yeah, John, tell us! Tell us what that barbarian did!”
“Yeah!”
The boy whose name was John stammered before blurting out,
“He… he touched Teacher Mion’s breasts!”
“Gasp.”
An eight-year-old girl next to him shuddered at John’s outrageous accusation.
“And… and he kissed her! And licked her! I know everything!”
“Eww.”
The girls glared at John.
Jeong Yoo-shin crossed his arms and looked at John.
‘This is the quality of education you get for one silver coin.’
“And he sniffed her neck! Yeah, you bad barbarian!”
John looked around for support, but the atmosphere in the classroom had turned cold.
“Oh?”
A low voice came from behind John.
The boy froze.
He slowly turned around.
“Gasp! T-Teacher.”
“Is that so, John? Is that how you see me?”
Jeong Yoo-shin finally saw the color of Mion’s eyes. They were a cold but distinct golden color. A moment later, they returned to their usual half-closed state.
“John.”
“Y-Yes, teacher.”
“Write me fifty pages of self-reflection by the end of the day.”
John’s face fell.
“Y-Yes, teacher.”
“And apologize to Mr. Skar.”
“Yes, teacher.”
John bowed his head to Jeong Yoo-shin.
“I’m sorry, mister.”
“It’s alright. Boys your age usually go through a rebellious phase. I understand.”
The tense atmosphere in the classroom eased.
“Now, shall we begin?”
“Yes, teacher!”
Thirty minutes into the class…
A drop of sweat trickled down Jeong Yoo-shin’s forehead.
‘I guess I’m going through a rebellious phase too.’
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T/N - Dang, that’s one perverted kid. This is a world without the internet too. Where did he even learn that?