Chapter 131
Chapter 131
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 131
Chapter Title: Hero Competition
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Eastern Continent.
It was a world where labyrinths had been unleashed.
Labyrinth gates existed there, and monsters flooded out from them.
As such, the Nine Great Sects had taken on the mission of handling those labyrinth gates to prevent monsters from overflowing.
That was why the Nine Great Sects couldn't move freely.
The Five Great Families set their sights on the secular world. They built up their achievements while clashing with a group called the Ten Evils.
It was a symbiotic relationship where neither could do without the other.
That was the state of the Eastern Continent.
Amid the bustling marketplace.
Watching the lively village scene, I thought to myself.
'This place still seems peaceful.'
Labyrinth gates.
There were no signs of one about to appear.
It had been a week since we'd arrived here by airship and fought Gotash and Brandil.
We were currently heading to a place called Bukgyeong.
Based on the information about the Eastern Continent I'd heard from Ermé, I was gathering intel while stopping at a restaurant for a meal.
'...Oh, the dumplings here are pretty good?'
While enjoying the food, that is.
-You look quite at home. Like you're used to this.
I nodded inwardly at the Holy Sword's words.
I figured there probably wasn't any outfit that didn't suit this face, but still.
-Not sure if that matters much.
'Yeah, fair point.'
I was currently dressed in light Eastern-style attire.
My eyes already stood out because of the Lightning God·Violet, so if my clothes were different too, I'd draw way too much attention.
Yet most of the crowd was still staring our way.
The reason was simple.
Even if I was dressed like this, the rest of our party was too flashy.
"I've been wondering about something for a while now."
Rishiel looked at me curiously and asked.
"You're out here gathering info, but is it okay to just sit here eating?"
"I'm gathering info, so it's fine."
"...Well, if you say so, then I guess it is."
Rishiel slurped up her noodle soup as she said that.
'Things have gotten pretty complicated, huh.'
I twirled my chopsticks as I thought.
The Eastern Continent was divided into four major powers.
The Orthodox Sects, Unorthodox Sects, Demonic Cult, and the Imperial Family.
They were gathered together under the Imperial Family's lead, regardless of affiliation.
-No matter what, it seems the Ming Empire wanted to fill this Hero Competition with their own people.
Something Ermé had mentioned offhand.
Which probably meant it was true.
Given her worried look, it felt like something big was about to go down at this event.
Maybe I should sit down for a proper talk with her sometime.
As I was thinking that, I spotted Soyeonhwa approaching from afar.
Thud. Thud.
She stormed over, as if insisting she was angry.
Then she shoved Rishiel aside and plopped down in front of me.
Stare.
"...".
Soyeonhwa stared at me intently.
She'd been like this ever since fleeing the last tournament.
'Who told you to gang up three against one?'
Honestly, if it had just been Soyeonhwa, I might've hesitated and fought anyway.
But since I'd shown her I could beat Gotash and Brandil, I'd done my part.
-Sponsored by the Guild Master and Volkan, and yet expecting favors from others? That's rich.
'Exactly.'
Of course, if I racked up results, they might offer more support.
But I didn't feel any shortage with what I had now.
'It's more than enough, even.'
Back in the Cradle, they'd handle all the annoying stuff and procure whatever I needed.
Volkan's flaw was that he loved pushing me hard in the process, though.
Ignoring that, I ate my noodle soup.
'Pretty good.'
However, despite ordering a ton of food, our group hadn't touched much.
The reason was simple.
'Cheongju's completely ruined us for this.'
We'd been spoiled by Cheongju's cooking.
But this wasn't bad enough to leave behind.
As I thought that, Soyeonhwa was puffing out her cheeks and glaring at me.
'...Good thing there's no Dark Grudge Palm.'
I really thought that.
*
Coming to the Eastern Continent, I'd been feeling overly watched.
'Again?'
I sensed presences tailing me.
Maybe because I'd only visited nice places in the Western Continent.
Even though Bukgyeong was nearby, pickpockets were rampant here.
'They hid their presence pretty well.'
Sensing was sharp around here.
A man had snuck right up behind me and reached out.
Crunch.
But a suddenly appearing pale hand blocked him.
"My, my, when did Beggar Sect disciples get so bold? Touching a guest under Hao Sect's special protection?"
"...Hao Sect Leader!"
Ugh, the smell.
A beggar reeking of a shady, musty odor appeared.
I quickly scanned the situation.
A man dressed as a beggar.
And his face paled the moment he saw the Hao Sect Leader.
'...Beggar Sect?'
All signs pointed to him being a Beggar Sect member—their signature grubby look and the pure aura subtly emanating from him.
Yet the Hao Sect Leader swiftly subdued him, acting protectively toward me.
She wore a flashy blue cheongsam, a playful smile on her face.
"Hao Sect Leader, what is the meaning of this?!"
"What do you mean by this? Hilarious. Since when does the Beggar Sect tail guests like this...?"
The Beggar Sect disciple's face twisted as the Hao Sect Leader drawled with a beaming smile.
"We were just...checking a passing guest!"
"Checking?"
The Hao Sect Leader snorted and twisted his wrist harder.
"Is harassing Hao Sect guests near Bukgyeong the Beggar Sect's new hobby? Or did the Imperial Family order it?"
At those words, the disciple's eyes wavered.
He had a guilty conscience, apparently. Things were messy here too.
I crossed my arms and watched.
The word 'Imperial Family' from the Hao Sect Leader caught my attention.
The Eastern Continent's Imperial Family oversaw the Orthodox Sects, Unorthodox Sects, and Demonic Cult, leading this Hero Competition.
If they'd moved the Beggar Sect, it was likely to monitor me.
Honestly, I'd been wandering like this just to see how far they'd go.
"Tch, fine. I'll let you off this time."
The Hao Sect Leader released his wrist and brushed off her hand.
"If I catch you lurking near my guest again, I'll march straight to Beggar Sect headquarters and raise hell."
The disciple ground his teeth, glared at her, then turned and vanished into the shadows.
I watched his retreating figure and thought inwardly.
'What do you think?'
-High level. Unlike the Western Continent, every martial artist here strives to handle the labyrinth gates.
'...Ermé said the families are worldly.'
Might be a slight difference.
Or maybe there was something special to gain from the labyrinth gates.
I looked at the Hao Sect Leader.
She gazed back with a somewhat enigmatic smile.
"Quite unexpected."
"What's so unexpected?"
"I didn't think you'd come here."
Fair enough.
The Hao Sect was trying to establish itself in the Western Continent, away from the Eastern one.
So I'd assumed we wouldn't cross paths here.
"Hmm, she didn't tell you, huh."
With a sly, almost teasing smile, she looked at me.
-She's talking like she knows something.
'Yeah.'
I recalled what I knew about the Hao Sect Leader.
Ah.
Something clicked.
Before Ankyung got possessed by the skeleton horse.
We'd gone to her with Ermé to get that truth-discerning paper.
She'd traded info with us and handed it over readily.
Memories suddenly flooded back.
Yeah, there was that time.
"Well, I'll be off then. Lots to do."
She flashed a bright smile, waved lightly, and left.
*
Stepping into the alley, I saw a familiar face.
Crimson eyes and hair reminiscent of twilight.
Smiling brightly but pressuring people with cold eyes.
'Golden Witch, Ermé.'
Collection mode, huh.
Ermé was endlessly kind to me, but ruthless to others.
"You know, right? Then I'll leave it to you by the deadline."
"Y-Yes, yes! Understood!"
The man trembled and bowed deeply.
Well, he'd probably done something wrong.
-In the world, they call that being blinded by love.
'Nah, Ermé treats me so well.'
-...
The Holy Sword fell silent.
As Ermé sent the man away and turned, I ducked out of sight briefly.
Then, as she headed my way, I stepped out casually, like it was coincidence.
-Thorough only when it suits you...
The Holy Sword grumbled dryly.
"Oh? Yuseong, what are you doing here?"
"Gathering info."
I actually had been gathering intel while wandering.
Though I hadn't gotten anything major yet.
'Not bad.'
I'd collected the basics, like the local situation.
"Shall we go gather info together then?"
"Done with that."
"...".
For a split second.
Ermé's expression turned just a tad sharper.
I chuckled and held out my hand.
"More like, we've got time, so wanna go on a date?"
"...Eh? Y-Yes? Sure?"
Ermé repeated herself like a broken toy.
I grinned playfully and mimicked the etiquette Lucia's father had used.
"What do you think?"
"When did you even learn that...?"
"Stole it without needing to learn."
"Wow, so heroic."
"Then, milady, could you spare some time for me?"
"...I'm not much, but please take care of me."
Ermé said, her cheeks flushing red.
*
Asking Ermé on a date wasn't a big deal.
I just wanted to hear about that 'incident' clue from her.
"Alright then!"
Ermé suddenly sidled up, linked arms with me, and beamed.
"Shall we go have some fun now?"
Her eyes sparkled like a kid picking out toys in the market.
"Know any good spots?"
"Of course. I was here once before..."
"Cool. Looking forward to it."
"Just leave it to me."
Ermé smiled confidently.