The Seven-Branched Sword
I had ended up in a city I'd never even heard of before. I had to stop and ask for directions multiple times along the way, which was a very uncharacteristic mistake on my part. The kid in the pitch-black school uniform was trembling like a leaf, legs shaking violently. Why the hell was he so scared? I only asked for directions.
When I stood there silently, the brat started inching backward. "Freeze."
"Hik!"
Since I'd already come this far, I figured I might as well check out the one thing this town was supposedly famous for.
"Most famous place. Where?"
"Uh, m-m, Tenri m-m-m-m m-m-m..."
"Name. Direction. Short."
"Isonokami Shrine-desu."
"Good."
I pulled a plate of steaming hot takoyaki from my inventory and handed it to the kid, then pedaled my bicycle in the direction he'd pointed. I made sure to double-check directions with every person I met along the way. This is Kang Cheol-in. One mistake is more than enough.
Chrrrrrrrrk.
I sliced through the refreshing breeze. No matter how I looked at it, this was just a country road. I was about to grab another passerby when I spotted a path leading up the mountain slope. Stone pillars and decorations stood neatly at the entrance. Anyone could tell this was the Isonokami Shrine or whatever.
No need to hesitate. I went straight in. Even in broad daylight, the dense trees made the forest path somewhat dark. The sound of my bicycle wheels and chain echoed quietly. It was a chilly, somehow yin-energy-filled path that felt both eerie and refreshing. That feeling grew stronger because of the strange red pillars connected at the end of the path.
"What do they call those again? Torii? I think I saw it in an anime."
After passing under the torii and going a bit further, I arrived at what looked like a temple.
"I thought Japanese temples had high school girls in miko outfits sweeping with brooms, but I guess not. Ah. This isn't a temple, it's a shrine."
I stored the bicycle in my inventory and wandered between the shadows, sightseeing. Red pillars and white decorations swayed in the mountain breeze. There were no miko, just some middle-aged men and old guys in traditional clothes cleaning the stone ornaments. A few worshippers were scattered about, but the place didn't seem particularly special.
I was thinking that if I ran into that kid again, I'd give him a good flick on the forehead, when it happened.
You have become skilled at stealing.
You can sense when something valuable is nearby.
After permanently borrowing various items without permission for so long, the Theft skill had leveled up and was giving me a distinct feeling.
"That building in the corner surrounded by white ropes... something's calling to me..."
After confirming no one was around, I entered the small building adorned with various decorations. A long beam of light stretched through the window bars, illuminating a wooden box sealed with red and white ropes and ornaments.
"Anyone can tell this is an important object sealed in a box that looks like it'll curse you if you touch it."
Of course, a real man doesn't give a damn about that. Besides, No Longer Human isn't a fantasy novel, so there's no chance of getting cursed. I casually removed the ropes, then opened the cloth-wrapped box. I was a bit worried there might be something gross like a corpse inside, but I decided to trust the sensation from my Theft skill.
Inside the large box was another smaller sealed box. Within that was something long wrapped in cloth. Unrolling the fabric revealed a rusted lump of iron with what looked like several branches sticking out from the blade...
"No way, what the fuck. This is the Seven-Branched Sword."
Those wicked Japanese bastards... stealing a national treasure of Korea and keeping it in a shabby place like this... Not taking it would actually be the real crime...!!
Feeling a pleasant surge of righteous anger, I claimed the Seven-Branched Sword. Maybe that big guy who gave me the wrong directions was actually a lucky bluebird? Thanks to him, I'd come to this Tenri city and found the Seven-Branched Sword.
Overwhelmed with satisfaction, I left the shrine. Since I'd seen everything worth seeing, I decided to head back to Tokyo. I'd also picked up various items along the way that I could sell to Kang Hae-yeon, so there was no need to go all the way to Kyoto.
Chrrrrrrrrk.
I pedaled my bicycle at a speed that could rival a motorcycle, heading toward Tokyo without hesitation. On the way, I stopped again at the takoyaki stall in the city where I'd met the big guy. I handed over a few bills I'd taken from the five thugs and asked for takoyaki. The stall owner hurriedly made me ten whole boxes. As expected, spending other people's money is the most fun.
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After getting beaten by the Goblin Sumo and receiving the oil paints as a gift, several days passed without the goblin appearing. While I felt relieved, I also felt a strange sense of disappointment at the possibility that I might never meet the goblin again.
For the past few days, I had spent my time watching oil painting techniques over people's shoulders at the art supply store and even paying for lessons. Lately I hadn't been spending much of the allowance sent from home, and for some reason the amount itself had increased slightly, allowing me to indulge in such luxuries.
Then I ran into Horiki, whom I hadn't seen in a while. Since I had money and Horiki's white hairs seemed to have increased, I thought it might be nice to hang out with him after so long. I approached and spoke to him, but when Horiki saw me, he jumped in surprise, quickly gathered his things, and hurried out of the art supply store.
Perhaps because of everything I'd gone through with the goblin, my personality and habits had changed in various ways. Without realizing it, I followed after Horiki, who was trying to leave without a word, and grabbed his shoulder. It was truly unlike me.
"Horiki. Why are you acting like that?"
Without answering my question, Horiki quickly glanced around before walking briskly into an alley. I followed him in. Even though no one was around, Horiki lowered his voice to a whisper.
"Yozo. I won't say anything bad. I actually quite liked you, you know."
"What are you suddenly talking about?"
"I'd appreciate it if you stopped acknowledging me from now on."
"What? What the hell is going on?"
"I'm done here."
"Horiki!"
Horiki left without properly explaining, but before exiting the alley, he briefly looked back and spoke quietly.
"...Yozo. That communist reading club... you'd better quit while you still can."
That was the last conversation I ever had with Horiki.