A Mistake Born of Ignorance
As a modern civilized man living in contemporary society, Eden had gained a few advantages after entering the body of an ignorant barbarian. Yes, there were advantages amid all those (hard-to-list-one-by-one) disadvantages. Anyway, one of them was that he no longer had to watch his surroundings.
When he first fell into this medieval fantasy world, Eden's knowledge of the Middle Ages was quite narrow and shallow. The world's bizarre elements, which followed the game's lore, inevitably led him to make mistakes or misconceptions in certain areas.
"Hey, the outhouse... after using it... Ah, you're a barbarian. My mistake. Heh heh."
"Excuse me, that's not how you... Ah, a barbarian. Sorry..."
"What the hell, why would you... Ah, little-headed brother. So, ᚨᚾᚺᛞ."
All his mistakes were brushed off with an "Ah, [something]." For reference, the last one—"little-headed brother"—was a dialect from the northern barbarians meaning apology. Eden once again thanked the Korean patch that let him understand even this.
In any case, Eden rarely had to mind his manners in this world.
"Am I not the one asking now? Open that petty mouth of yours for once. Tell me what the hell you were thinking."
Except right now.
For the first time since entering this barbarian's body, Eden wore an awkward expression. The situation was that bewildering.
A strange silence fell.
The village chief shifted his gaze from Eden to the madwoman behind him—the self-proclaimed goddess who had just spat venom at him.
"...Hmm."
A low groan. His distress was plain to see. And hidden within it was unmistakable hostility. His breathing grew a bit ragged, red blood surging to his aged face. His clenched fist showed no sign of relaxing. In short, he looked thoroughly pissed.
"...Who are you?"
The fact that no curses or insults flew from the chief's mouth seemed largely due to Eden's presence. Eden had asked about her identity, but they must look like traveling companions. No one here wanted to gamble with a barbarian who could slaughter the whole village in an instant.
"Who even are you to say such things..."
Eden inwardly admired the chief's patience. Having lived in this medieval fantasy world for nearly a year, he knew the score. Human rights held little value in the Middle Ages generally. Yet here was some "unknown woman" hurling insults at a "high-status man." The chief wasn't nobility, of course, but everything was relative. As king of the village, he likely hadn't faced this often.
And yet, the chief held his composure. Her refined, noble-like beauty probably helped.
Ignoring the chief's question, the woman maintained her haughty demeanor.
"How utterly obtuse."
"...No."
"Wretched, filthy, ugly, and downright stupid to boot."
"......"
The verbal onslaught left the chief speechless. Even a punching bag would burst under that barrage. Reaching his limit, the chief jabbed a finger at her.
"...So who the hell are you to spout such nonsense?!"
Thick veins bulged on the chief's neck.
Eden was curious too. But to that basic question, the woman innocently agreed.
"Yes, 'who' indeed."
She nodded as if in full agreement.
"A most vital question. As this goddess knows well, it forms the foundational pact when one person meets another."
The sudden shift in tone left the chief dumbfounded. Perhaps that's why he glossed over the "goddess" bit. Realizing his own rudeness belatedly, the chief cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Ahem. In any case, thank you, Barbarian sir."
He glanced nervously at Eden. Raising his voice before a savage must have spooked him.
The woman spoke again at the sight.
"And yet, why do you not ask my name?"
"...Hm?"
She pressed on toward the puzzled chief.
"You know full well that knowing who stands before you matters—yet you never ask the savior's name."
Her sharp gaze pierced the chief.
"You mouth thanks but inquire no name."
She turned to the innkeeper watching.
"You promise reward but fall silent."
Finally, to the gathered villagers.
"He guards your village, yet you offer only uneasy stares."
A crooked smile twisted her lips.
"And still you expect gratitude? The one human who thanked me sincerely with true heart is absent now. No reason to suffer the rudeness of such ignorant fools any longer."
With that, she clamped her mouth shut, as if she'd said her piece.
If Eden were watching this as a third party, it'd be as riveting as a subway brawl on Line 1. Unfortunately, he was part of the conversation.
His hidden thoughts laid bare, the chief stammered, glancing at Eden.
"Th-that's..."
He probably hadn't even considered it. A barbarian was just a barbarian. What name to call him by?
For reference, the inn's registry listed him as "Northern Barbarian," and the mercenary roster from the recent war had no name for him either.
The chief might hope Eden would reveal his name to ease the unease. But this wasn't some team-building retreat icebreaker. Spouting his name in this setup wasn't easy—especially when this body's real in-game name was WarriorSuperMan.
So Eden muttered curtly.
"I'll take the thanks as given."
He turned and pushed through the crowd. Fortunately, neither the chief nor the others seemed inclined to follow him—or rather, the two of them.
As the woman trotted after him, Eden shot her a sidelong glare, feeling an odd sense of refreshment hard to put into words.
* * *
The village wasn't tiny, but it was still just a village. Soon after walking, the shadows of people and buildings faded away.
"So."
Eden addressed the silent woman trailing him.
"How'd you know about the reward promise?"
"...Huh?"
She gave him a look of disbelief, tilting her head slightly and narrowing her eyes.
"That's not the important thing right now. Ask this goddess something else you're curious about."
"That's the most pressing thing on my mind."
That talk happened alone with the innkeeper in the hallway. If she'd eavesdropped, she'd have skills beyond Eden's senses—like an assassin. Best to stay cautious.
The woman eyed him discontentedly. Then she darted ahead.
Quick, but still just a brisk trot, matching her movements so far. Blocking Eden's path, she spread her arms lightly, thrusting out her (modest) chest.
A disarmingly casual air. But in that instant, Eden felt the entire forest's atmosphere shift—like entering another space altogether. Her golden eyes fixed on him.
"I am."
She spoke in a flat tone.
"The first moon to rise, companion of darkness, king of countless stars, abyss veiled behind the curtain."
"Leader of wisdom, sovereign of the eyeless void, confessor of original sin, bearer of lowly burdens."
"Sole sister of Rundel, now a pitiful girl bound to a barbarian."
Finally, she beamed.
"Call me Neb familiarly, and this goddess shall be most delighted."
An unnecessarily solemn self-introduction. He couldn't parse those myriad titles, but the point was her name. Additionally...
This world had a "sole god." And it sure as hell wasn't Neb.
...Well, no way she's a real god.
Eden sighed inwardly in relief. If she were truly divine, he'd have to split her skull with an axe right then. He didn't recall any "Neb" from the game's lore either.
Just a crazy woman.
Eden nodded to himself, convinced.
Anyway. Woman—no, Neb—stood frozen, waiting for something. Eden could guess what.
After a few seconds, he dredged up the name he hadn't uttered since falling into this world.
"...Just Eden."
"Hee hee."
Odd format for a name, yet Neb showed no surprise. Her true nature was unclear, but she didn't seem bad. A bit dim, maybe. Still, parading as a goddess could land her in a heresy trial, hanged from a tree. Better rein that in.
Did his thoughts show? Neb grumbled curtly.
"You seem not to believe this goddess's words."
"No, I believe you. You're definitely a goddess."
He didn't, really. Felt like humoring a kid as the fun uncle.
Neb's brow furrowed at his words.
"...Though this goddess just awoke from slumber, bereft of much power, confined to this frail form. Still, proving myself is no great feat."
"Hm."
She'd piqued his curiosity. He'd even clap if she danced.
In that moment, Neb's gaze pierced him. No magic or spell—just another authority. The world darkened in a flash. Eden sank into the depths of blackness, fully conscious.
...Broke through a barbarian's magic resistance?
Northern barbarians would faint at the claim.
Mind magic? Or did the space itself shift?
Eden scanned the pitch-black surroundings. No movement restrictions. A floating sensation, like drifting awake in a dream.
And then.
Something appeared before him. A McDonald's cheeseburger.
"......!!"
If this were a mere dream, it'd vanish before he grabbed it. Mental issues or not, he couldn't eat modern food even in dreams here. But this time...
A perfect burger filled his hand. Warmth, weight, cheesy aroma. He couldn't resist—a bite.
"What the fuck."
The long-awaited burger tasted like mint chocolate.