40. He's Actually a Bit Crazy
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Translator: JayM
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: He's Actually a Bit Crazy
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The day after he bought the ring from the magic item shop…
Jeong Yoo-shin finished his morning training, ate breakfast, and left the inn.
“Dalmong, I’ll be going now.”
“Alright.”
He ran to the temple.
With the Negative Imprint Suppression Ring, he could safely learn among the children without worry.
He gritted his teeth, still wary of the ring’s side effects as Maya had advised. He felt the surges of libido, but he hadn’t lost control like he had when he first put on the ring.
The children greeted him as he entered the orphanage.
“Eww, he’s back.”
“I’m scared.”
“Mister, don’t you have a job?”
He nodded in response to their enthusiastic welcome and sat down in his usual spot.
He ignored their whispers and waited.
A man entered the classroom.
He wore glasses, which gave him a stern appearance.
“Quiet.”
The man stood at the lectern and looked around the classroom.
Silence fell instantly.
His eyes met Jeong Yoo-shin’s.
“Teacher Mion won’t be here today.”
“Aww…”
“Boo.”
The children groaned.
“Quiet.”
The man tapped the lectern.
“Let’s begin. Open your textbooks and take out your writing utensils.”
“Yes, sir.”
The man conducted the class diligently, filling the blackboard with neat handwriting.
Despite his stern appearance, he patiently instructed each student.
The male cleric also carefully checked Jeong Yoo-shin’s work and offered helpful advice.
“…This character should be drawn downwards. If you curve it upwards, it changes the meaning entirely. Be careful.”
“You’ve memorized all the words in the picture book? Excellent. Let’s move on to the next textbook. Keep up the good work.”
The morning class ended around lunchtime.
He was glad to be learning properly again.
The children chattered and laughed as they left the classroom for lunch.
He packed his books and writing utensils into his bear-faced bag.
The male cleric approached him.
“Not very barbarian-like, are you?”
“I hear that a lot.”
“My name is Diego Perez. I’m an intermediate-rank cleric serving the Earth Mother Goddess.”
Diego extended his hand.
“Nice to meet you.”
He shook Diego’s hand.
Was it his imagination?
Or did Diego’s glasses gleam for a moment?
He slung his bag over his shoulder and stood up.
“I’ll see you around.”
“Sure.”
He left the orphanage and went to the temple dining hall.
The meal was simple.
Dark rye bread, tomato soup, and a small piece of cheese.
He quickly ate and left the dining hall.
He planned to visit the Swordsman’s Guild.
It was the best way to utilize the money Karin had given him.
And as Mion had suggested, the elf there could tell him more about the Revenger imprint.
He walked to the Swordsman’s Guild while enjoying the gentle early summer breeze.
He entered the guild building and saw an elf sitting at the reception desk.
“You’re here?”
The elf looked at him with his chin resting on his hand.
Ashur Startree.
The city’s official Sword Master.
“Yes, sir.”
Ashur extended his hand.
He shook Ashur’s hand.
Ashur frowned and pulled his hand away.
“Your money. Thirty silver coins.”
“Yes, sir.”
He placed the pouch of silver coins on the counter.
Ashur yawned and then counted the coins one by one.
“You spent a gold coin on armor?”
He muttered as he counted.
“It just… happened. It saved my life, though.”
Jeong Yoo-shin replied while looking around the guild.
“This is only your third labyrinth expedition. Even if Karin favors you, you should be more careful with your money. You’re still a rookie explorer. Focus on improving your skills safely at the lower levels.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Tsk. Let’s go. To the training ground.”
Ashur put the coins back in the pouch and stood up.
The training ground was crowded.
He and Ashur faced each other while holding wooden training swords.
“Judging by your face, you must have a lot of money.”
“Not really.”
“You look like a smug, well-fed pig. Let’s have a spar.”
“Shouldn’t we run laps around the training ground first?”
“You already run in Dalmong’s courtyard every morning, don’t you?”
‘Is he stalking me?’
He glared at Ashur.
Ashur chuckled, then his expression turned serious.
“Something’s wrong with your eyes.”
“I apologize. I’ll try to look more… normal.”
“No, not that. Come here.”
He approached Ashur.
‘What is it?’
Ashur narrowed his eyes as he observed him closely.
“Did something happen to you in the labyrinth?”
“Why do you ask?”
“I see the madness of the ‘darkness’ in your eyes.”
“Ah.”
He had been swallowed by the black portal with Karin on the fourth level.
He had been transported to the fifth level and spent several hours unconscious without a torch.
“I spent about three hours on the fifth level without a torch. I’m not sure about the exact time.”
“Are you crazy?”
“It couldn’t be helped.”
He briefly explained what had happened during the labyrinth investigation.
Ashur clicked his tongue.
“You should be insane by now. Are you sure you’re alright?”
He thought about his experiences in the labyrinth.
He had spoken his mind to Karin, been informal with Gillian, and even bitten a monster to death, but he didn’t think he had done anything particularly crazy.
Weren’t these common experiences for explorers?
He looked at Ashur and answered.
“I’m fine.”
“Hmm, strange. Killa!”
Ashur called for the vice guild master.
A moment later, the bald man walked out to the training ground.
“What is it?”
“Come here and look at this guy’s eyes.”
Killa approached them and looked into Jeong Yoo-shin’s eyes.
“I’m not sure, but they do seem a bit… intense.”
“Right? He spent hours on the lower levels of the labyrinth without a torch.”
“Hmm.”
Killa stroked his bald head.
“It’s a miracle he’s not insane yet.”
“We’ll have to see about that.”
Ashur held up a finger.
“How many fingers do you see?”
“One.”
“What about him?”
Ashur pointed at Killa.
“He seems like a diligent person.”
Jeong Yoo-shin replied clearly.
Killa nodded and gave him a thumbs-up.
“What about me?”
Ashur pointed at himself.
“Should I be honest?”
“Yes. Speak freely.”
“You seem a bit… annoying.”
“…”
Ashur glared at him.
He turned to Killa.
“Is he crazy?”
“He’s just being honest.”
Killa defended him.
“Vice Guild Master, return to your duties.”
Ashur pointed at the guild building.
“It’s not really my duty, but I’ll go.”
“You have quite the long tongue. That’s why you’re bald. You spend all your time growing your tongue instead of your hair. It’s fitting karma.”
Killa ignored him, patted Jeong Yoo-shin on the shoulder, and left the training ground.
Ashur asked again,
“Do you have trouble controlling your impulses?”
Jeong Yoo-shin stroked his chin while thinking.
He had been celibate for four months now. Did he have trouble controlling his impulses?
No.
He had briefly lost control at the magic item shop, but neither the dwarf shopkeeper nor Maya had mentioned what he had almost done.
They had just told him to be careful.
It probably wasn’t a big deal.
“I’m in control.”
“Be careful. The madness might be dormant now, but it could erupt and consume you at any moment.”
“What happens if it consumes me?”
“It’s the end.”
“Is there a way back?”
“No.”
He thought of Dean from Karl’s party.
The boy who had lost his mind in the darkness of the labyrinth.
Ashur pointed at his eyes.
“Guard your heart.”
His cryptic words made Jeong Yoo-shin frown.
“Could you be more specific?”
“Keep your wits about you.”
“How?”
“What else does a swordsman do? Swing your sword. Not like a beast, but with precision and control. Ingrain the sword forms into your body and mind.”
“I understand.”
“And don’t enter the labyrinth. Not for a while.”
“So suddenly?”
“Do you really want to lose your mind?”
“…Alright.”
“What’s that ring?”
Ashur pointed at the ring on his finger.
“An imprint suppression ring.”
“What kind of imprint does it suppress?”
“The Female Virgin Corruption imprint.”
“Really? You’ve obtained some strange imprints. There must be a side effect.”
Ashur seemed unconcerned about his imprint.
“It increases my libido.”
“Try not to wear the ring.”
“Why?”
“You’re unstable. You’re vulnerable to strong desires right now.”
Since they were talking about imprints, he had another question.
“Do you know about the Revenger imprint?”
“Yes.”
“How good is it?”
“It depends on your skill.”
“Please explain.”
“What’s there to explain? For the Revenger imprint to be effective, you have to be attacked, and then you have to retaliate. If there’s a significant difference in skill, you’ll either be dead before the imprint activates, or your opponent will be dead before you can retaliate. It’s most effective when you’re fighting an opponent you’re evenly matched with. Or when you’re fighting multiple opponents.”
Ashur pointed at him.
“Ultimately, it comes down to your skill as a swordsman.”
“So the Revenger imprint becomes more effective the more skilled you become.”
“Yes. You could say that.”
Ashur nodded, then looked at him and said,
“Stop pretending to be sane and go home. I’m going to the Magic Tower.”
“Why are you going to the Magic Tower?”
“Are you a stalker? Stop asking so many questions.”
“…”
He was speechless.
After a moment, he finally spoke,
“I already paid for the lesson.”
“I’ll keep track of it, so don’t worry.”
“Alright.”
“Go home and stay there until I call for you.”
“Yes, sir.”
He scratched his head and left the Swordsman’s Guild, wondering if Ashur was crazy.
He didn’t think he was that crazy.
He had repeated Karin’s words, but he doubted she had accurately measured his time in that darkness.
He wandered through the southern district. It was quiet since it was currently lunchtime.
“Hey, black hair.”
Someone called out to him.
He turned around and saw a man.
A great sword wrapped in bandages was slung over his shoulder.
He wore an iron mask and a robe that covered him from head to toe.
He looked suspicious enough to attract the attention of the City Guard.
“What is it?”
“I want to register as an explorer. Where do I go?”
“Go to the Explorers Guild headquarters in the central district. It’s in the far left corner. Pay ten silver coins, and they’ll register you.”
“I’m new here, so I don’t understand the map. Can you point it out to me?”
The man approached him and held out a map. It was a tourist map of the Labyrinth City.
A pungent smell assaulted his nostrils. It was a mix of medicinal herbs and rotting seafood. It wasn’t pleasant.
He glanced at the man and tapped a spot on the map.
“Here.”
The man nodded.
“Got it. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
He stepped away from the man.
“Are you… a barbarian?”
The iron mask asked.
“Yes. Is this your first time seeing one?”
“I’ve heard a lot about you.”
He seemed naive.
He decided to give the man a word of advice.
“Be careful. All the other barbarians are crazy.”
“What do you mean?”
“They’ll rape anyone they like, man or woman. They’re the penis-wielding outlaws of the Labyrinth City. They have no respect for virtue and do whatever they please.”
“…You’re a barbarian too, aren’t you?”
“I’m a good barbarian who doesn’t rape.”
He said seriously.
“Huh.”
The man looked at him for a moment, then turned to leave.
“I’ll see you around. I have a feeling we’ll be seeing each other often.”
“Alright.”
The man in the iron mask walked away.
He seemed suspicious, but his words and actions suggested that he was well-mannered.
And his eyes, visible through the slits of his mask, were clear and resolute.
He seemed noble, which could be seen from the way he spoke formally.
He noticed the shopkeeper of the general store staring at him.
He had bought his labyrinth supplies there a few times.
“Shopkeeper, the world is a vast place, and there are many strange people.”
He said to the shopkeeper.
“Barbarian, you’re the strangest one.”
The shopkeeper retorted.
“Do you have a problem with my tone? Let’s have a talk. A heart-to-heart talk.”
He approached the shopkeeper.
The color drained from the shopkeeper’s face.
“P-Problem? What problem? We’re practically family. Everyone in the eastern district knows you’re a virtuous barbarian, a protector of public morals. I was just joking. Really.”
“I was joking too.”
The shopkeeper’s face twitched at his reply.
“Y-You’re so funny. Your sense of humor is… amazing.”
The shopkeeper stammered.
“Lighten up. It seems like I can’t even make a joke nowadays.”
He shrugged and walked away.
The shopkeeper watched him leave and sighed.
‘What the hell happened to him in the labyrinth? That crazy barbarian.’
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T/N - Well that explains why he was so intense in his previous fight. I mean, the MC has always been pretty metal in his fights, but his last one where he blocked the tower entrance was something else. He f*cking bit a centipede's neck and ripped it out of its body. That’s some next level sh*t!
Also, “I’m a good barbarian who doesn’t rape” is quickly becoming his catchphrase. He should make a calling card out of it at this point.