Chapter 8. Samura Gorge
"I'll respect your choice."
Master Eizel trusted her disciple. Even though he'd pulled off the insane stunt of picking a 100-point mission, she had this vague faith that Ji-hyuk could pull it off somehow.
...Not that nagging about it now would change anything anyway. Better to encourage him instead.
"I won't be able to lend you my strength anymore. You know that, right?"
"Yes."
"Alright then... I'll be waiting at home. Swing by once the mission's done. Got it? You have to."
"Yes, I will, Master."
Eizel smiled warmly and pulled her disciple into a tight hug. Then she turned and walked away briskly.
Ji-hyuk watched her retreating back for a long while. She never once looked back.
His master soon vanished from sight entirely.
He turned slowly. Far off, Lady Elizabeth stood with her arms crossed, her face twisted in clear displeasure as she glared at him.
Of course, he pretended not to notice and headed toward the dorms.
The lady couldn't hold back any longer. She stormed over and called out to stop him.
"You... Do you actually have a brain in that head?!"
Ji-hyuk glanced her up and down with an annoyed expression.
"What's it to you what I choose?"
"...I'm just flabbergasted, that's all. I've never met anyone like you."
"Worry about your own shit, Lady. Even 20 points won't be a cakewalk..."
100 points versus 20. For some reason, it made the lady flush with embarrassment, so she raised her voice.
"I'm normal. You're the freak—!"
"...I hope you complete your mission and become a hero. See you around."
Ji-hyuk had no desire to keep bickering. He tossed out a half-assed farewell and turned away.
Fucking asshole—
Of course, she didn't try to stop him either.
Back at the dorm alone, Ji-hyuk packed his things. Slinging a single bag over his shoulder, he glanced briefly at the room where his master had stayed before turning away.
He left the dorm building.
Gazes poured toward him from all directions. The 100-point mission had naturally become the biggest gossip at the academy. The rumor had already spread like wildfire among the trainees.
Ji-hyuk exited the academy completely.
He headed straight for the rendezvous point. His crew was probably already gathered, waiting.
The sun shone brightly. The main avenue bustled with people going about their day.
Ji-hyuk walked along it before ducking into an alley. Soon, he arrived at the Crescent Moon Inn.
Pushing open the weathered wooden door, he stepped inside. In the hall, a group sat huddled together—the ones waiting for him.
"B-Boss, over here—."
The bald Gid waved eagerly.
Ji-hyuk strode right over. He gave their outfits a quick once-over. Everyone looked geared up for an expedition.
"Eaten yet?"
"Just finished, boss."
"Good. Let's roll out."
"Already? You sure you don't wanna eat, boss?"
"I grabbed something. Let's move."
The four stood. Ji-hyuk led, the rest following.
He went straight to the carriage station and found one heading west. With three big lugs in the group, even just five of them filled it to the brim.
Fuckin' tight—
The carriage lurched into motion. They passed inspection at the city gates and left the capital behind.
Ahh...
Yael stared longingly at the receding capital.
Ji-hyuk noticed and spoke up.
"Never been far from home?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah... This is my first time heading out this far."
Gid, sensing the vibe, jumped in quick.
"Ain't no city as big as the capital, but there's plenty to see."
"Oh, really...?"
The druggie mage gave an awkward smile. She still seemed uncomfortable around them.
...Well, yeah. She'd only ever socialized with prim-and-proper academy types. No wonder these roughneck mercs felt alien.
Gid was at least trying to chat her up, but the orc and lizardman were so quiet even Ji-hyuk found it excessive.
"So... where exactly we headed, boss?"
The lizardman finally spoke up after ages.
Ji-hyuk answered politely.
"Gudrak."
"Gudrak? You mean...?"
Gid's face turned weird. He'd traveled the continent enough to know it on sight.
"Ain't on the way to the western demon realm, right?"
"Spot on."
"Went there once ages ago. ...But why the hell we goin' there? Total shithole."
Ji-hyuk scanned their faces before replying.
"Got something to grab there."
"Grab what?"
"Heard of the Gudrak legend?"
Gid looked clueless. The orc and lizardman too, probably.
The druggie mage's face lit up like she half-remembered. "Ah—something about a hero and a demon?"
"Bingo."
Gid tilted his head. "What's that about? Hero and demon? ...Don't sound like it fits that dump."
"Ancient history. Short version: Hero and hundreds of warriors fought a demon army in Gudrak and died."
"So it's haunted?"
"Kid's ghost story bullshit."
The mood shifted—something important incoming. They all leaned in.
"Gudrak's got this place called the Warriors' Graves."
"You mean that spot with all the weapons stuck in the ground?"
"Yeah. That one."
"We ain't just sightseeing, right...?"
They looked curious as hell.
Ji-hyuk smirked faintly. "There's something important there."
"Important? ...Never heard of that."
Gid shook his head like it was news to him.
"You'll see when we get there."
Ji-hyuk wouldn't have known either if another hero hadn't found it.
—The Cursed Holy Sword. Made mixing demon flesh and blood to slay demons.
—The moment you claim it, hell begins.
—Demons hate you? Not fun.
The cursed holy sword changed hands multiple times after. Bad luck rubbed off on owners too.
Ji-hyuk needed it for the mission. Normally found way later, but among swords he could grab now, easiest one.
...Side effects included, of course.
—Don't kill too many demons. Or you turn into one.
The hero who'd said that hanged himself.
· · ·
Northwest from the empire, follow the Zarn River till mountains appear, keep going along the road—you hit a city.
That was the small town of Gudrak.
Population barely scraping 5,000. Outsiders rare. Why stop here when Parisia, the big city by the gorge, was right there for crossing the mountains?
Tourists came occasionally for scenery, but nothing else to do.
So peaceful it was brutally boring.
That was Gudrak.
Not that it had zero boasts. The Warriors' Graves—
East of town.
Not actual graves with bodies. Just swords, axes, spears—the warriors' weapons—jammed thick into the earth.
To honor those who'd gloriously fallen fighting the demon army here.
Nothing flashy. Just rusty blades stuck in dirt.
Mercs hyped for "graves" often left disappointed.
And now, a group of five rolled into that town.
They hopped off the carriage, stretching kinks from stiff bodies.
"Ahh, fuck. ...Still the same old shithole."
Bald Gid scanned the countryside village that still reeked of chicken shit.
Yael, beat from the trip, eyed it like such a place exists... She'd always lived in the capital; everything looked rundown. Even stone buildings scarce. Mostly wood, giving a shabby vibe.
"Peaceful place."
Orc healer Grendal's first impression summed it up.
Peaceful—yeah, only peaceful.
The taciturn lizardman just flicked his tongue, saying nothing.
Ji-hyuk led them to the nearest inn. Flies buzzed lazily; owner—an old man—an instant grin at five customers.
He dropped his straw-twisting and welcomed them.
"Welcome, come on in."
Obviously a renovated farmhouse. Two tables total, piled with junk.
Old man shoved it aside quick.
"Elena! Elena—!"
Granddaughter emerged from kitchen. Country girl, freckles dotting her face.
"Customers."
"Oh, right—!"
No menu, naturally. Soup and flatbread today.
Ji-hyuk said whatever.
"Sheep milk too?"
"...Wanna drink?"
Ji-hyuk eyed the crew. No takers.
Freckle girl pushed anyway, like they'd dissed local pride. "Try it. Gudrak's specialty."
"...Fine, one for me."
"Yes—!"
Ji-hyuk ordered one to avoid fuss.
She backed off.
Yael wrinkled her nose at the musty smell, sniffing.
Cheeky Gid chuckled like he was home.
Kayak, silent since arrival, finally spoke.
"Boss, after this job, we head out right away?"
"Yeah. No reason to linger. Straight to Parisia—gotta cross the gorge."
Girl brought soup and flatbread. Hot steam, tasty aroma.
"Eat up good. ...No mutton?"
"Ran out. Gramps just went to buy some."
Ji-hyuk nodded. Dipped flatbread in soup—nutty, sweet mix. Damn good.
Flatbread vanished fast. Even Yael scarfed it down.
Bellies full enough, they grabbed gear and headed to rooms.
"One bed here, two over there."
Two-bed room bigger, naturally—for Gid, Kayak, Grendal.
Small one for Ji-hyuk and Yael.
"I'll sleep on the floor."
"No need. Share the one up top. Plenty big."
Ji-hyuk said it casual.
Yael panicked—never shared a bed with a guy.
Unpacking essentials, Ji-hyuk glanced at her hesitation.
"Blushing over that? Fix that mindset now. Shit gets worse later."
"...Got it. I'll do that."
She trusted the boss so far. No sudden pounces.
Ji-hyuk finished unpacking. "Gonna step out quick." Left.
Ran into innkeeper's granddaughter in hall.
"Where you off to?"
"Outside a bit."
"Mutton's boiling. I'll let you know when ready."
"Cool."
Busy girl rushed past.
Ji-hyuk kept walking. Bald Gid tailed him suddenly.
"Where to?"
"Errand. Why?"
"That place?"
"Kinda."
"Mind if I tag?"
"Suit yourself."
Gid grinned like an idiot. They strolled the village lane side-by-side.
Baldy gazed nostalgically. "Came here by chance ten years back. Same as then... Feels like only I aged."
"Places like this don't change easy. Unless they strike silver or gold."
Some domains boomed on vein finds. Not here—old town, would've mined it already.
They headed east.
Scenery monotonous. Guards in rags—more farm boys than soldiers. Yawned past them.
Soon, Warriors' Graves. Town's one groomed spot. Veggies only crops here, but live trees planted. Neat fence, stone marker.
Just them gawking.
"Fuck, can't read... What’s it say?"
"Warriors' Graves. ...Rest is fluff."
Ji-hyuk's eyes skimmed rusty weapons.
...That brutal demon fight reduced to this pathetic memorial.
His gaze locked on one spot, unblinking.
The cursed holy sword—
Weathered by sun and rain over ages, it stood right there, jammed in the ground.