Chapter 113
Chapter 113
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 113
Chapter Title: The Blonde Noble's Intrusion
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Honestly speaking, I thought the one who kicked the door open would be that con artist Darwishi.
Somehow, it felt like he needed to show up at this exact timing.
But no.
‘Who is this guy?’
A face I’d never seen before.
Unlike his rough entrance, he had wavy blonde hair and handsome features.
Skin as white as if he’d never seen sunlight.
He looked more like a noble than some local thug.
The inn fell back into silence.
The young man swaggered inside, casually scanning the room.
But no one met his eyes.
It wasn’t curiosity this time, like with the bald guard captain—it was fear.
Except for one person.
The bald guy, that is.
“Lord Rashid, what brings you here?”
He asked politely, but with clear discomfort.
“Hmm? Oh, Mogadam. What are you doing here?”
The natural familiarity from the young man called Rashid confirmed it—his status wasn’t ordinary.
“I was on duty.”
“Good work. I’m just looking for someone, so don’t mind me and get back to it.”
He waved him off like shooing away an annoying fly.
Then, as if he’d spotted his target, he started walking over before the bald man could even respond.
Toward Seo Woojin.
‘This feels ominous.’
Seo Woojin frowned as Rashid approached with that loose gait.
A strong premonition that he was about to get dragged into something troublesome.
And sure enough,
“You the guy who came from the capital?”
Calling a stranger “you bastard” on first sight.
Arrogant, or just rude? Hard to tell.
Seo Woojin just stared at him silently, without answering.
Rashid’s brow furrowed.
“Answer me, you lowly cur. I asked you a question.”
Seo Woojin let out a sigh.
“And if I am? What then?”
The guy’s words were far from polite, so Woojin’s response wasn’t going to be sweet either.
He provoked him outright, in a tone that was practically picking a fight.
The effect was tremendous.
Shing—!
Rashid drew the sword at his waist.
A silver blade, sharply refined.
It was clearly a high-class piece, incomparable to the standard-issue gear of soldiers.
“For daring to wag that filthy tongue of yours. Repay it by offering your neck.”
Well, now.
Killing intent, too.
“Lord Rashid!”
Mogadam’s urgent call came from behind, but the young man ignored it.
If anything, he swung the sword straight at him, as if to say he wouldn’t be interrupted.
‘This guy’s insane.’
Seo Woojin didn’t even feel the need to dodge.
Nice sword, but the skill behind it was lacking.
That swing wouldn’t leave so much as a scratch on his skin.
Letting out a hollow laugh, Seo Woojin raised his hand.
Thwack—
And caught the blade between his fingers.
A feat even skilled knights couldn’t replicate.
“You attacked first, so from here on, it’s self-defense, right?”
Seo Woojin asked.
Not Rashid, but toward Mogadam, who was staring wide-eyed behind him.
“No, that’s... Wait a second!”
Ignoring the man floundering between shock and panic, Woojin clenched his fist.
Then drove it into the face of Rashid, who was still going “Huh? Huh?”
Crack—!
The sound of bone breaking and flesh mangling exploded out.
“Crazy...!”
“Run! You’ll get arrested if you stay!”
At the same time, the people who’d been holding their breath bolted from the inn in a panic.
Thanks to that, the place cleared out completely, leaving only the staff and Rinar behind.
‘Must be from some big family after all.’
Their reactions made it obvious.
Maybe the son of the lord who ruled this area.
Not that it mattered to Seo Woojin.
‘Actually, this works out perfectly.’
He needed to draw attention anyway.
The original plan was to cross the Yanakdar border into Rimartan before starting, but he could kick things off right here.
“You... you...!”
Rashid, bleeding profusely and slumped over, pointed accusingly at Seo Woojin.
Had it never crossed his mind that he’d get hit?
His eyes burned with a mix of fear and rage.
“What’s the big deal over one punch? If you draw a sword, you should be prepared to lose your head.”
Seo Woojin looked down at him coldly, wiping the blood from his hand with a napkin.
“And we’re not done yet.”
He slowly approached the guy scrambling away on the floor.
That was when it happened.
“Stop.”
Mogadam stepped forward, blocking Seo Woojin.
“No more violence will be tolerated.”
His face was stiff.
He clearly hadn’t expected Woojin to actually smash Rashid’s face in.
At least the man had the decency not to pull the “Do you know who this is?!” card.
“I already said it’s self-defense.”
“Lord Rashid is in no condition to resist.”
“So what? Hitting him more would be excessive force?”
A sneer curled on Seo Woojin’s lips.
“Why don’t you tell that to the guy who came at me with a drawn sword first?”
You can’t hit back because the guy trying to kill you is hurt?
Sounded familiar.
“I know Lord Rashid went too far. We’ll handle that part...”
“That guy’s a noble. Good luck with that.”
This was a world with official ranks.
A mere guard captain couldn’t punish a noble.
Naturally, Mogadam had no response.
In his position, he was more likely to get disciplined for failing to protect Rashid than arrest him.
“Grab him! Drag that bastard in!”
From behind, Rashid was still yelling incoherently, oblivious to the situation.
“See? He needs a few more.”
Seo Woojin had no intention of killing him.
You don’t stomp every ant that threatens you on the street.
A bit more beating would suffice.
Plus, it’d stir up some commotion.
“So move aside.”
As Seo Woojin took a step forward, Mogadam’s hand went to his sword hilt.
“There are laws here.”
Unlike Rashid’s reckless swing, he didn’t draw easily.
He was just signaling that he’d attack if the warning was ignored.
Seo Woojin eyed him silently, then clicked his tongue.
“Fine. Do what you want.”
He didn’t feel like using force on the bald guy.
First impressions aside, the man clearly had his head on straight.
Seo Woojin returned to his seat. Mogadam, keeping a wary gaze, approached Rashid.
“Are you alright?”
“Grab that bastard, you dog! I’ll teach him what happens when you touch a noble!”
Rants about chopping off hands, feet, and pulling out tongues followed.
But Seo Woojin ignored it all and called for the waitress, Yuran.
She approached cautiously from where she’d been cowering.
“The black ale he ordered earlier. Bring it now, please.”
“Y-yes.”
She nodded vigorously, dazed, and hurried to the kitchen.
“Why didn’t you run?”
Seo Woojin asked Rinar, who was still sitting quietly without a word.
“Well...”
You could almost hear his eyes darting.
“Uh, I was curious how it’d turn out?”
Seo Woojin chuckled at the boy averting his gaze.
“The ale’s here...”
Yuran, her earlier cheer gone, carefully set down the glass.
“Thanks.”
Seo Woojin thanked her and took a big swig.
‘Delicious as expected.’
He smiled at the beery aroma lingering in his mouth.
Rashid was already ancient history.
“Hey, mister.”
Then Rashid spoke up. No, wait—Rinar.
“What?”
“I have a favor to ask.”
Come to think of it, they’d been interrupted mid-conversation when Rashid burst in.
Seo Woojin glanced sideways at Mogadam.
He was still trying to calm the shouting Rashid, looking like he wanted to arrest him right there but holding back due to his status.
“What’s the favor?”
Seo Woojin turned back and asked.
“When you head back to the capital, could you take me with you?”
Ridiculous.
No reason to, and even if Rinar made it to the capital, his dream wouldn’t come true.
Dragging along extra baggage? No thanks.
“Nope.”
Seo Woojin shook his head.
“Why not? Just drop me off. I’ll handle the rest!”
The kid, barely a teenager, acting all confident.
Best case, he’d steal from someone in the capital like here.
They might overlook it locally, but the capital wouldn’t.
Getting caught meant harsh punishment.
Seo Woojin thought that far and took another sip of black ale.
“You bastard! Don’t move a muscle! I’ll cut your head off and stuff it!”
Rashid was finally being dragged out by Mogadam.
Seo Woojin flipped him the bird.
‘Yeah, yeah. Bring all your friends.’
The more eyes on him, the better.
“Please? Come on?”
“No. And go home now. Your sister’s probably worried.”
Seo Woojin shut it down firmly, not even glancing his way to discourage more talk.
Rinar kept begging after that.
Even grabbed Woojin’s pant leg and shook it.
But with no response, he gave up and stood.
“Sorry.”
He bowed his head with a dejected look and left the inn.
It was a bit pitiful, but not enough to impulsively agree.
The now-empty inn was quiet.
Only the sounds of Seo Woojin eating his Droitan roast and drinking filled the air.
After enjoying his meal for a good while, he called Yuran.
“...All done?”
“Yeah, it was great.”
Seo Woojin smiled reassuringly.
“Is the room ready?”
“Oh, yes. Room 3 on the second floor. Cleaned it this morning, so it’s spotless. I’ll bring bathwater shortly.”
“Thanks. How much?”
Standing, he reached into his pocket.
“Dinner, stay, and bath—300 silver total.”
A thousand silver to one gold.
‘Around 30,000 won?’
Fair price.
“Here...”
As he pulled out his coin pouch, his face froze.
“Sir?”
Yuran called nervously at his expression, but he couldn’t respond.
‘Gone. The pouch is gone.’
He’d definitely put it in his coat. No trace.
Something flashed in his mind.
Rinar begging to be taken along, grabbing his pants.
Rinar who stole his sister’s stuff and ran.
Rinar who’d glimpsed the money in the pouch and been shocked.
“...That little shit?”