Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: 14. The Judge with the Longsword (5)
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‘Ugh.’
Sensing the ominous glint in Shin Young-ju’s eyes, Young-woo unconsciously reached for his scabbard before quickly stopping himself.
But Shin Young-ju had clearly seen the motion, ushering in an awkward silence.
“…….”
“Ah, was I staring too blatantly? Sorry if that made you uncomfortable. It’s just that there’s so much gear I’ve never seen before.”
Shin Young-ju deftly tossed out a nonchalant line to shift the mood.
She then glanced at the Jeong family’s SUV and changed the subject.
“You said you came to Chungju to find those people’s family, right? So, are you planning to stick around here until then, Young-woo?”
“Ah, well.”
Young-woo’s gaze flicked to his wristwatch, then up to the timer in the corner of his vision.
Current time: 4:10 p.m.
|Time until Sponsor Arrival: 03:56:31
‘Not much time left. Day lodging kicks off at 9 again.’
With Chungju’s headcount check at 7 p.m., watching the Jeong family reunite meant he’d have no choice but to spend the night here.
Of course, given how orderly Chungju was, a peaceful night was all but guaranteed...
‘The problem is those sponsors. They’re bound to be monsters from outer space or something.’
Young-woo had no desire to drag the ominous sponsor visit into Chungju.
No matter their disposition or appearance, their mere arrival would surely sow massive chaos in the city.
On top of that, Shin Young-ju’s subtle coveting of his gear was nagging at him.
With so many under her responsibility, her hunger for power was only natural.
In the end, Young-woo stuck to his original plan of pushing north.
“No. I’m thinking of heading out right away. I want to reach the next city before day lodging starts.”
“…I see. That’s a shame. You seem way more worldly than me, so I had a bunch of questions.”
The “worldly experience” she mentioned likely referred to the post-Reset world.
In truth, her experience was inevitably limited to Chungju, while his spanned multiple regions he’d broken through—giving him far more under his belt.
“I could’ve learned a ton from you if I had the time, Judge. But I’m sure we’ll cross paths again someday.”
As Young-woo said this and began to ease away, Shin Young-ju yanked the Early Bird from the ground where she’d planted it earlier and asked,
“No other business? Honestly, with all the gear you’re packing, I figured you came here to meet a merchant, too.”
“Ah… I was just about to ask about that.”
Caught off guard that she’d brought up merchants first, Young-woo glanced awkwardly toward the black pillar deeper in the city.
“You okay with that? I’d love to meet the merchant if you’ll allow it.”
“Of course. I’ve already bought everything worth getting, and it’ll vanish tonight anyway if left alone.”
It was news to Young-woo that merchants had a fixed stay duration.
He paused in thought, then bowed his head slightly toward Shin Young-ju.
“In that case, I’d appreciate it.”
“Great. But I’ve got one condition.”
“A condition…?”
* * *
4:31 p.m.
The Jeong family’s SUV, finally passing the tollgate and entering Chungju proper, was still packed tight.
This time, it was Chungju’s Greatest Swordsman, Shin Young-ju, riding shotgun in the back instead of the police.
Her condition was simple: let her tag along until his merchant dealings were done.
Young-woo had already anticipated surveillance from the Greatest Swordsman during his stay, so there was no reason to refuse—and for the Jeong family, it was an honor.
Unlike Young-woo, they were settling here long-term.
And then there was Jong-su.
“Uh… doesn’t this mean I don’t need to stick with Myung-ho hyung anymore? This place is already a golden age of peace.”
He was scheming to wriggle out of his promise to Young-woo using this.
“Right, big bro? If you’re staying here from now on, you don’t really need a bodyguard, do you?”
As Jong-su pressed, Myung-ho nodded with a dazed look.
But it was half-sincere.
Chungju’s safety aside, Jong-su himself was a burden.
The hulking build, the over-the-top cheekiness, the thug-like aura that belied his “little brother” talk... nothing about him was easygoing.
“See? What do you think, Young-woo hyung?”
Confirming Myung-ho’s nod, Jong-su turned to Young-woo.
But the fierce glare he’d fixed on Myung-ho was gone. If anything, his eyes held something close to awe.
“…Hmm.”
Even in Young-woo’s view, Myung-ho lacked the grit to handle Jong-su.
That said, he couldn’t just let Jong-su ditch their deal so easily.
Plus, he’d meant it when he said he wouldn’t take on anyone who’d be dead weight.
“If you two agree on it, decide however you want—but don’t expect me to take Jong-su under my wing. Companions just limit my mobility.”
Young-woo’s blunt words left Jong-su moping, lips pursed in deep disappointment.
And in that moment, a massive rectangular building came into view beyond the window.
Chungju City Hall.
“That’s City Hall Square. If your husband’s still in Chungju, he’s probably set up nearby.”
Shin Young-ju pointed to the wide open space in front of the building, and Myung-ae scanned the square with a deeply conflicted gaze.
Even though it wasn’t gathering time yet, quite a crowd had gathered.
Unlike the folks in the open fields at the city entrance, most here were sitting or lying on the ground.
“Huh, they waiting for beasts here, too?”
Jong-su muttered from the passenger seat, eyeing the crowd.
Shin Young-ju shook her head.
“No. Most of these people are... just killing time. From my standpoint, they’re ticking time bombs.”
“Time bombs?”
Myung-ae’s eyes widened as she shot back.
She’d been scanning the crowd, wondering if her husband might be among them.
“Yeah. Most Chungju citizens are still hustling for more karma right now—risking their lives hunting beasts, tackling daily quests, or scavenging useful junk.”
Shin Young-ju explained that a temporary market opened alongside the 7 p.m. gatherings, where even petrified goods could be traded for karma.
“So those people over there right now...”
As Myung-ae pointed at the square’s masses, Shin Young-ju’s expression turned icy.
“They’re the ones not even trying the bare minimum to save themselves. Once their money runs dry, they die—think they’ll just accept it? They could turn to robbery any second.”
Some did daily quests, she added, but it wasn’t enough on its own.
It wouldn’t cover day lodging, taxes, and extras.
Like food, for instance.
“It’s almost two full days since the Reset began. Meaning most people have been starving for two days straight.”
“So how’s Chungju handling food supplies? There’s gotta be stockpiles in marts or department stores, right?”
This came from Young-woo.
He’d seen people fighting over a mart in Gumi early on.
Shin Young-ju’s gaze drifted skyward.
“Nothing to manage. Back in the First Greatest Swordsman era, it all turned into chaos—marts stripped bare.”
“…Ah.”
As Young-woo sighed, Shin Young-ju gave a wry smile.
“But even if you have food, no karma means you can’t eat it—so eventually, it all ends up at the market.”
“Petrified food still trades for karma, though. So the looters from the First Greatest Swordsman days got the biggest windfall.”
Shin Young-ju squeezed her eyes shut at Young-woo’s point.
“Hate to admit it, but yeah. Reality’s limits. Forcibly seizing everyone’s private food stash? That’d spark even bigger chaos. And perfect collection’s impossible anyway.”
It had to be a sore spot for her.
In truth, she clearly wanted to move on.
“Anyway, shall we leave it there? We’ve reached the square—ready to head to the merchant?”
With that, she popped open the back door, letting the square’s lively clamor flood into the car.
“We really parting like this? I feel kinda shafted...”
Jong-su’s bewildered voice trailed behind as he turned, but by then Young-woo had already stepped out following Shin Young-ju.
Myung-ho hurriedly exited and bowed deeply toward Young-woo.
“Th-thank you for everything.”
“Nothing to thank. Wasn’t all smooth sailing, and I owe you and your mom, too.”
“…….”
“By the way, you sure about ditching Jong-su? He looks ready to bolt for real.”
As Young-woo nodded toward Jong-su, who was just climbing out, Myung-ho gave an awkward smile.
“Should be fine here. And Jong-su’s an outsider in the end. Wasn’t gonna last forever anyway.”
His gaze shifted into the car.
Young-woo followed suit, spotting Myung-ae in the back seat offering a silent nod of farewell.
“…….”
“Take care, ma’am. Owe you a lot.”
Likely the last words he’d exchange with the Jeong family.
Young-woo gave Myung-ae a respectful bow, then hurried after Shin Young-ju, already a few steps toward the black pillar.
* * *
4:52 p.m.
Young-woo sensed something off shortly after leaving City Hall Square.
Pa-pa-pat!
Shin Young-ju, sprinting ahead, wasn’t matching his pace—she was going full tilt at her own rhythm.
Sure, with no other companions and just the two of them, both Greatest Swordsmen, high-speed travel made sense...
‘But still—I’m an outsider, technically a guest, and she just bolts ahead like that?’
To Young-woo, it looked like one thing, no matter how he sliced it.
‘No way she’s gauging my stats.’
Context pointed to nothing else.
And if so, he was blatantly showing his stats were pathetically low for a Greatest Swordsman.
A slight speed-up from her, and he’d lag behind in no time.
“Am I going too fast? We’re almost there... Want me to slow down from here?”
Sure enough, Shin Young-ju glanced back with feigned concern.
Young-woo forced a smile and eyed the now much closer black pillar.
“No, it’s fine. We’re really almost there.”
Scanning around, he noted how deserted it was compared to near City Hall.
Maybe the merchant’s spot was a no-go zone, even for beast hunters—a restricted area?
‘Makes sense. Merchants sell first-come, first-served... No surprise if the Greatest Swordsman slapped an access ban on it.’
So why had she so readily let an outsider trade with the merchant?
Swooo...
The merchant’s signature unease seeped through the air, and the view suddenly opened up past the surrounding buildings.
They’d reached the intersection where the merchant had set up.
Right on cue, Shin Young-ju—who’d been pulling ahead the whole time—halted in her tracks.
Thud!
She raised a hand, pointing at the pillar ahead.
“Hope there’s still some good stuff left.”