43. Death Sentence
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Translator: JayM
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Death Sentence
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Aldein and his subordinates left the inn.
Jeong Yoo-shin remained seated at the table, frozen in place.
The boar beast-person, Snout, stood silently behind him.
After staring blankly at the table for a long time, he finally stood up.
“Let’s go.”
Snout was puzzled.
He had expected Jeong Yoo-shin to formulate a plan and gather allies, but he didn’t do any of those.
He hadn’t even bothered to pack healing potions.
He had simply taken the coat and the sword Aldein had given him, and then stood up.
‘He’s going to take on thirty-one people alone?’
He had to stop this reckless, borderline suicidal, young mixed-blood barbarian.
“Are you sure about this? You don’t seem to be adequately prepared.”
“Just guide me.”
Jeong Yoo-shin donned the black coat and gripped the single-edged sword.
Snout was about to speak again when he met Jeong Yoo-shin’s gaze.
A strange, unsettling aura emanated from his eyes.
Like the “darkness” of the labyrinth.
Snout shuddered.
‘Those aren’t human eyes.’
He was a veteran of countless battles under Aldein, so his mind had been hardened against most things, but Jeong Yoo-shin’s gaze unnerved him.
He felt like a predatory beast was slowly closing its claws around his heart.
“Let’s go.”
Jeong Yoo-shin repeated.
“Yes.”
Snout, unable to meet his gaze any longer, bowed his head.
They walked through the dark, quiet streets of the southern district.
Snout, who walked beside him, described the eastern district.
Brothels, pleasure houses, slums.
The lowest of the low resided there.
Those with monster transformation imprints or strange negative imprints clung to their lives in this district.
Jeong Yoo-shin listened silently as he walked.
They reached the border of the eastern district.
“Halt.”
A guard blocked their path.
Just like the entrance to the inner city, the eastern district was also guarded.
“It’s currently curfew for the eastern district. Turn back.”
Snout stepped forward, handed the guard a leather pouch, and whispered something.
The guard’s eyes widened.
“I… I see. Then go on through.”
Jeong Yoo-shin walked through the gate.
The eastern district.
Bright, flashing lights assaulted his eyes.
As Snout had said, it was a haven for those with monster imprints.
Slimes crawled along the side of the street in a single file.
An arachne, half-human, half-spider, its face covered with a veil, was shopping nearby.
Small kobolds squabbled with goblins.
A massive ogre stood in front of a tavern with arms crossed, and glared at passersby.
Various other grotesque creatures filled the streets.
It was a stark contrast to the quiet southern district.
Drunken people shouted and yelled.
Others haggled with prostitutes in dark alleyways.
Orange. Yellow. Green. Blue. Red.
The lights from the various establishments painted the streets in a decadent, hedonistic glow.
Only Jeong Yoo-shin walked with a grim expression.
Snout spoke cautiously,
“We need to go deeper into the district. If you have any errands before this, we can stop by first…”
“Let’s just go.”
“Alright.”
They left the brightly lit streets and walked for a while, leaving the noise and chaos behind.
They reached a dark, quiet area.
Ramshackle houses built with planks of wood lined the streets.
A foul-smelling liquid flowed through the gutters. Vomit and bloodstains were smeared on the walls.
They continued walking.
The sounds of fighting, snoring, moaning, and crying echoed throughout the slums.
He ignored the sounds and walked deeper into the district.
After about three hours…
He saw a wooden building that looked like an inn.
Light flickered through the gaps of its old wooden door.
He heard boisterous chatter from inside.
“This is it. There are currently thirty of them in there, as far as we know. They should all be here. Except for the scattered low-ranking members, the officers gather here once a month.”
Snout said.
So they were all officers.
“It’s not too late. We should prepare more thoroughly.”
“Go back.”
“Skar-nim.”
Jeong Yoo-shin looked at Snout.
“Go.”
Snout, unable to meet his gaze, bowed his head and turned back.
He watched the boar beast-person disappear into the darkness, then he walked before the inn.
Creak.
The old door creaked open as he entered.
The boisterous chatter stopped abruptly.
He looked around, and counted.
Thirty-one people.
More than what Snout had said.
His eyes landed on someone behind the counter, wiping glasses.
Tarman.
A member of Karl’s party.
The one who had injured his leg and couldn’t join them in the labyrinth that fateful day.
Jeong Yoo-shin had taken his place because of it.
And almost died as a result.
He had put the incident behind him, thanks to Jeong Yoo-shin’s kindness and help.
He had heard that Tarman was working in the Labyrinth City with Anne.
They were trying to earn money to support Dean, who had lost his mind to the “darkness,” and Marie, who was pregnant with a goblin’s child.
‘Why are you here?’
His head spun.
He desperately wanted to know why Tarman was here.
A man with a thick beard approached him.
“Who are you?”
He took the dagger from his pocket and showed it to the man.
“This kind of person.”
The man flinched and stepped back.
Then he saw the symbol on the dagger and nodded, seemingly relieved.
“Oh, you’re a barbarian. The new officer?”
“Yes.”
“You’re a man of few words.”
The man chuckled and nodded.
“We have a new recruit!!”
He shouted. He heard chuckles from the others.
“Have a seat. Let’s have a drink.”
He followed the man to a table in the center of the tavern and sat down.
Tarman approached him, carrying a bottle of liquor and a glass.
Their eyes met.
Tarman’s body twitched as he recognized him.
“What’s wrong, Tarman? You know each other?”
“N-No.”
The bearded man chuckled.
“Really? I guess it’s understandable. All barbarians look alike. Muscular, savage, and obsessed with holes. Animals.”
He snatched a bottle and some glasses from Tarman, and placed them on the table.
He uncorked the bottle and poured the liquor into a glass.
“Here you go. Drink up.”
He filled the glass to the brim.
Liquor sloshed over the rim, spilling onto the table.
Jeong Yoo-shin stared at the glass.
“What? Afraid I poisoned it? Scared?”
Silence. Not even the sound of a mouse could be heard.
The bearded man chuckled.
“Skar, you brazen bastard. What are you doing here? Did you enjoy our gift?”
He grinned.
Jeong Yoo-shin tapped the glass with his finger instead of answering.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Not even the sound of breathing.
Only the clinking of the glass in the silent tavern.
He spoke.
“How did you know?”
The bearded man chuckled.
“You idiot. You’re the only barbarian who’s entered the Labyrinth City in the past three years. It wasn’t hard to figure out.”
He saw.
“Did you think we were stupid? Letting you in just because you showed us a dagger? We knew who you were.”
The man poured himself a drink.
Glug, glug, glug.
When his glass was half full, he continued,
“Enjoying yourself by Karin’s side? Did you think you were special because Dalmong protected you?”
Jeong Yoo-shin ignored his taunts and looked at Tarman.
Tarman stood there, trembling.
“Why are you here?”
Tarman stammered, unable to answer.
The bearded man beckoned Tarman over.
Tarman approached him and bowed his head.
Slap!
Crash!
Tarman, struck across the face, stumbled backward, knocking over a chair and a table.
“Answer the question, you idiot. This mixed-blood barbarian is asking you a question. You clung to our leg begging for work, and you can’t even do your job properly. Pathetic.”
The man grinned at Jeong Yoo-shin.
“Right?”
“…”
“Answer me. Am I talking to myself?”
“…Why did you target Ditto’s family?”
The man chuckled, leaned back on his chair, and took a sip of his drink.
“That pathetic little brat found some money and went to the apothecary to buy medicine for his mother. I couldn’t stand the hopeful look on his face, so I killed him. He followed in his father’s footsteps. If he had just done his job, this wouldn’t have happened. It’s karma.”
The man stood up and continued,
“He even had food in his pockets. He must have met someone kind and generous.”
“Where’s your leader?”
The man chuckled and looked around, lowering his voice.
“He’s just a rookie explorer who’s only been in the labyrinth three times. A young, insignificant mixed-blood. Take care of him.”
Shing.
The men surrounding Jeong Yoo-shin’s table drew their weapons.
He looked around, still seated.
They held a variety of weapons.
Maces, harpoons, hand axes, crossbows, daggers, long swords, rapiers, hammers.
The weapons gleamed menacingly in the tavern’s dim light.
Their faces held a mixture of mockery, contempt, disdain, and scorn.
But he didn’t react. He just stared at Tarman.
Tarman, still sprawled on the floor, looked back at him.
His conscience pricked him. The mixed-blood barbarian who had saved his friends and shown him kindness was about to die before his eyes.
But there was nothing he could do.
He was just a weak, insignificant nobody.
The bearded man smirked.
“Too scared to move, you pathetic barbarian?”
At that moment…
Whoosh!!
A flash of light from the scabbard.
Slash!!
The man’s head flew through the air.
Spurt.
Blood gushed from the severed neck.
The headless body collapsed, its knees hitting the floor.
Thud! Thump! Thump!
The man’s head rolled across the floor.
The others stared in stunned silence, their eyes wide.
Jeong Yoo-shin held the long, single-edged sword.
No one had seen him draw it.
Tarman’s eyes widened.
Jeong Yoo-shin slowly stood up and looked around.
“You vermin. I’ll kill you all now.”
A man wielding a mace yelled,
“Kill him!!”
Jeong Yoo-shin kicked a table.
Crash!!!
The men surrounding the table were sent sprawling.
Weapons swung towards him simultaneously.
A mace from the right.
A harpoon from the left.
A dagger from behind.
His enhanced perception, thanks to his level up, allowed him to track their movements.
He turned, dodging the dagger thrust from behind.
He swung his sword downwards, targeting the man with the mace.
Slash!!!
The man’s face was split in two.
Blood and brain matter splattered on his face.
One down.
But he paid a price.
The harpoon grazed his shoulder, tearing a chunk of his flesh.
Rip.
“Ugh.”
He gritted his teeth.
[Revenger]
The imprint activated.
His eyes glowed with a blue light.
Someone shouted in alarm,
“An imprint ability!”
“Be careful!”
They became more cautious.
The harpoon, having grazed his shoulder, was pulled back.
He turned around and swung his sword diagonally.
An upward slash.
Rip!!!
The thin blade sliced through the man’s stomach, spilling his intestines.
“Aaaaagh!!!”
The man dropped his harpoon, clutched his stomach, and screamed.
There was no time to rest. More weapons were coming at him.
He quickly rolled behind the screaming man, using him as a shield.
Weapons struck the man, tearing him apart.
Thwack. Crack. Rip.
He dashed towards the next opponent, his coat billowing around him.
A man wielding a long sword.
The man roared and thrust his long sword forward.
‘Wrist.’
His bloodstained sword severed the man’s wrist.
Slash!!!
Blood spurted from the wound.
“Aaaaagh!!!”
The man screamed while clutching his severed wrist, his body trembling in pain.
He quickly scanned his surroundings.
A spear and a rapier from the front.
A dagger and an axe from the sides.
‘I can’t block them all.’
He would have to take some hits.
He just had to avoid fatal wounds.
He grabbed the incoming spear and swung his sword.
His sword sliced through the air.
Whoosh!!
He slashed the spearman’s throat and the rapier wielder’s eyes simultaneously.
“Aaaaagh!!!”
One clutched his throat, and the other covered his eyes while screaming in agony as they stumbled backward.
An axe flew towards him.
He stepped forward to meet the descending axe.
Bang!
The axe handle struck his shoulder. He winced. At the same time, a dagger pierced his side.
Once. Twice. Three times.
The dagger tore into his flesh.
But he ignored the pain and bit into the axe man’s neck like a wolf.
Crunch.
Flesh and bone crunched between his teeth.
The man, his larynx torn out, stumbled backward and knelt down.
Clatter.
The axe fell to the ground.
He spat out the mangled flesh and bone.
Spit!
Fragments of larynx and flesh mixed with saliva landed on the floor.
He looked down at the man who was still stabbing him with the dagger.
[Revenger]
His eyes glowed with a blue light.
The man’s face twitched as their eyes met.
“Stop… stabbing me…”
He grabbed the man’s wrist and twisted it.
Crack.
“Gah!!!”
The man gasped as his wrist bones shattered.
He took the dagger and stabbed the man in the abdomen.
Thud.
“Ugh!!!”
He then drove his single-edged sword deep into the man’s stomach.
Pierce.
“Gah!!!”
He pushed the man forward, using him as a shield, and continued stabbing him with the dagger.
Thud, thud, thud, thud.
The man’s body twitched with each stab.
Twang!!
The sound of a crossbow.
He quickly ducked.
Thwack!!!
The bolt pierced the man’s head.
He was already dying anyway. His insides had been mangled by the dagger.
“M-Monster.”
The remaining men trembled.
“Kill… kill him!! We still have the advantage!!!”
A large man charged forward while swinging a massive hammer.
He dodged as he pulled his sword free.
Crash!!!
The hammer struck a table and some chairs, sending splinters of wood flying.
The splinters seemed to move in slow motion for him.
He gripped his sword with both hands.
One breath was enough.
A downward strike.
Slash!!!
The man’s wrist was severed.
“Aaaaagh!!!”
The large man roared and turned.
A knee strike.
His long sword sliced through the man’s knee cartilage.
The large man knelt down.
An upward strike.
He retrieved his sword and delivered the final blow, decapitating the man.
Thud!!!
The severed head flew through the air and landed on the wooden floor, rolling away.
Shriek!!!
He instinctively raised his hand.
Thwack!
A sharp spike pierced his palm.
“Ha… Ha…”
A triumphant smile appeared on the attacker’s face.
He gritted his teeth and pulled the spike from the man’s hand.
The man let go of his weapon and stepped back.
“Now’s our chance—!”
The man’s words were cut short.
Crack!!!
Jeong Yoo-shin’s headbutt connected with the man’s face.
His nose caved in, and his teeth flew through the air.
“Gah!!!”
The man reeled, screaming.
He pulled the spike from his palm and drove it into the man’s forehead.
Crack!!!
The spike pierced his skull and embedded itself in his brain.
The man’s eyes rolled back, and he collapsed like a log.
Thud.
The sound of his body hitting the floor was the signal.
“Aaaaagh!!!”
The few remaining men ran towards the entrance.
Were they trying to escape?
[Sacred Weapon]
A gleaming dagger flew like a bolt of lightning.
It embedded itself into the wrist of the man reaching for the doorknob.
“Aaaaagh!!!”
The man screamed while clutching his wrist.
Jeong Yoo-shin dashed forward and severed his head.
A geyser of blood sprayed from the severed neck, splattering the tavern door.
Flick.
He swung his sword, shaking off the blood.
His wounds were slowly healing thanks to the Revenger imprint.
He stood at the entrance, blocking the way as he looked down on his bloodstained sword.
“No one leaves.”
His indifferent tone delivered their death sentence.
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T/N - What did I tell you? F*cking metal! The ‘darkness’ of the labyrinth really did drive him insane. Not full on insane, just enough to make him this badass. If there were classes in this world, I’m sure the MC’s class would be Berserker.