Chapter 101
Chapter 101
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: Echoes Beneath the Lake
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Having donned his hooded cloak, Celtic stone axe, and dagger belt in his room, Hwan-in donned his emergency rations and headed down to the lobby, where he ran into Haien Jod, who had been prowling about.
"=Hwan-in!= "
Haien Jod spotted him and rushed over, shouting.
"=Marry me, please!= "
"=......!= "
"=Huh?= "
"=Whoa?= "
The guests in the lobby, along with the hotel staff and maids—who had been glancing over at Haien Jod— all reacted with shock in unison.
Noticing this, Hwan-in revised his assessment of Haien Jod.
'She's even more famous than I thought.'
Hwan-in stared for a moment at the tiger-eared girl with her sparkling eyes and wild blue hair, then removed his hood and spoke.
"Haien."
"=Yes!= "
"I refuse."
Though this was her second rejection, she didn't seem shocked this time. Instead, she launched into a pitch about her own merits—how perfect she was as a bride.
"=Please reconsider! I'm pretty enough, sturdy, make good money, come from a fine family, and I'm set to inherit the advanced dojo too! Marry me, and all of that becomes yours, Hwan-in!= "
"I have no interest in what others have built."
His sharp retort drew gasps from the onlookers.
But Hwan-in was more concerned with Haien Jod, whose face had flushed bright red as if her heart had been pierced.
"=So... cool...... Saying he has no interest in what others have built......= "
Ignoring her mutterings, Hwan-in pulled his hood back on and addressed Haien Jod, who was gazing at him dreamily.
"Haien."
"=Yes~?= "
"I can't stand women who can only adorn themselves with material things."
"=......!= "
"If you make me give the same answer one more time, I won't speak to you again. Lesim, let's go."
"=Y-Yes.= "
As Lesim followed Hwan-in, he glanced back at the daughter of the advanced dojo master, who stood there looking somewhat flushed and flustered, and thought to himself.
This man's probably from nobility back home, on par with the high clans or tiger clans.
And without a doubt, a total playboy.
As Hwan-in had predicted, the room where Lesim and the young lady were staying was the most luxurious suite in Glahils Hotel.
One of only four rooms on the fifth floor, it featured a spacious living room, two bedrooms, a dressing room, a bathroom, a powder room, and a small servant's quarters.
He took in the interior, centered around white and pearl tones that were easy on the eyes while giving a bright, soothing vibe.
'Well worth one Yeolhwa per night.'
The living room blended the scent of herbs with the faint aroma of solid wood furniture. Emergency Rations, clearly intrigued, wandered about sniffing curiously.
Meanwhile, Lesim headed to one of the bedrooms and knocked lightly on the closed door.
"=Lady Baekryeo. I've brought him.= "
'Baekryeo? Their naming conventions are completely different.'
It wasn't something covered in the knowledge and common sense he'd picked up so far.
Perhaps it was such an obvious fact it didn't need mentioning, or maybe it was taboo to speak of carelessly. His curiosity piqued as he glanced that way, and the silver-white door opened to reveal a woman with cerulean hair.
She appeared to be around eighteen or nineteen.
No beast ears atop her head—instead, small, adorable cerulean wings sprouted where human ears would be.
From her lower back extended wings the same color as her hair, fanning out like skirt decorations and fluttering with each step.
"......"
Hwan-in was momentarily captivated by her beauty before snapping back to his senses.
For a man like him, who viewed women's appearances as mere metrics for evaluation, to blank out like that even briefly... She was a beauty of terrifying caliber.
Her delicate features evoked purity, but her startlingly white skin paired with deep cerulean brows and eyes created the impression of a living masterpiece.
She hid her figure beneath a light gray blouse that didn't expose skin carelessly and a navy pleated skirt that fell to her knees, yet the feminine curves beneath were impossible for any man to ignore.
Her clothes, hairstyle, skin, features, figure, and even the wings that resembled accessories.
All of it amplified Baekryeo's allure.
And the elegance, kindness, and softness that emanated from her gestures and expressions.
Ielcata ranked among the top beauties he'd met so far. But Baekryeo was on an entirely different level.
Hwan-in understood why Lesim had been so desperate to find an escort, deeming it an utterly reasonable and wise decision.
'With beauty like that, even a stone statue would harbor dark desires. Smart move.'
As he nodded inwardly and waited for Baekryeo to approach, Hwan-in was slightly surprised when she bowed first in greeting.
"=Pleased to meet you. I'm Baekryeo.= "
He hadn't visited high clan estates or tiger clan castles, but from strolling the upscale central districts, he'd gleaned that classism permeated this world subtly.
Yet here was a woman who clearly wasn't lowborn, greeting him first.
"I'm Hwan-in. Nice to meet you."
Hwan-in placed a hand over his chest and returned the bow just deeply enough to be polite.
Once Hwan-in and Baekryeo had exchanged greetings, Lesim spoke up from the side.
"=This is the young lady I serve. She's also the one requesting your escort services, Sir Hwan-in.= "
Nodding at his words, Hwan-in retracted his earlier assumption that she was merely some noble's daughter.
'At least tiger clan, maybe high tiger clan.'
Unless her name deviated from the Luke or Jo tribe naming conventions, its uniqueness might signify status... perhaps even direct royal lineage.
Her speech carried the refined air of someone tended from birth. And growing up so gracefully amid worldly storms with that appearance spoke volumes about her background.
Hwan-in nodded inwardly and addressed Lesim.
"Lesim. Your actions were the right call."
"=......I figured you'd understand, Sir Hwan-in.= "
Baekryeo made an apologetic face as Lesim let out a small sigh of relief, like he'd finally been rewarded for his hardships.
"=Sorry, Lesim. I just wanted to experience the dungeon's atmosphere......= "
"=We're already here. If we go back now, we'll get in huge trouble. Better to see the dungeon and go home less resentful, right?= "
"=But you're suffering so much because of me? You wandered the city for over two weeks just to find Sir Hwan-in......= "
"=N-No, it's nothing. I only want you to enjoy this outing.= "
Knowing Hwan-in was joining their party, Baekryeo spoke up, prompting Lesim—who masked his tension—to glance at Hwan-in.
He looked worried that even after showing her face, Hwan-in might refuse.
For such an obedient young lady, Hwan-in—who could endure a few days' hardship for ten gold coins—nodded to them both.
"I've heard a brief rundown from him. You may not know, but my maid is due to be discharged from the vocational institute in nine days. If you're fine with her joining, I'll accept the request."
"=The sword warrior, right? They taught us you can judge retainers by their master. We accept.= "
"Mm. The issue is she's in the 40-day crash course by force...... She might act rudely unconsciously, but I'll keep her in check as much as possible."
With both agreeing it was fine, Hwan-in, Lesim, and Baekryeo moved to the tea table in the living room and drafted a simple contract there.
'So this is the standard contract magic tool.'
Tools enchanted with enchanter spells were broadly divided into magic tools for everyday use—relatively cheap—and magic devices for combat and beyond, which were pricier.
Prime examples of magic devices were weapons and armor with special effects.
There were also wands engraved with spell formulas for one-time casts, and large-scale installation-type devices enabling teleportation.
In any case, the standard contract magic tool was primarily used as a medium to ensure reliability in commission tasks.
Violating terms didn't trigger immediate physical or magical punishment.
It simply served to verify proper fulfillment of the request. If not performed diligently, it could be submitted as evidence to administrators, imposing penalties on the defaulter.
Accepting penalties (fines, labor, or imprisonment) was fine, but refusing and fleeing triggered wanted notices across small cities, mid-sized cities, castle towns, and capitals.
With a wanted notice, one's ID tag turned red upon entry, barring access to cities outright and even barrier-sealed villages.
Discarding and reissuing an ID tag was impossible.
Since the initial issuance recorded one's unique phase force—possessed by all living beings—the new tag would immediately turn red.
"......That covers it. Let me confirm the contract terms again."
0. This contract specifies Party A (Baekryeo) being escorted by Party B (Hwan-in and company).
1. In the dungeon, Party B shall diligently protect Party A's safety.
2. Party A shall diligently comply with Party B's demands for securing safety.
3. Escort period: Up to 15 days after entering the dungeon.
4. All consumables incurred in the dungeon borne by Party A, who shall prepare diligently.
5. Commission advance: 1 gold coin. Completion fee: 9 gold coins.
6. Contract commencement: 10 days from drafting, starting upon dungeon entry.
To Hwan-in, it seemed naive and full of loopholes, but Baekryeo and Lesim accepted it without question.
Baekryeo first dipped her delicate finger in magical ink and pressed her seal in Party A's section, followed by Hwan-in doing the same for Party B.
They each took one of the three identical copies.
As Lesim pocketed his, he spoke as if seeking understanding.
"=It's just a formality, not that we don't trust you, Sir Hwan-in. We'd appreciate it if you see it that way.= "
"I understand. I'm from a place with similar customs, so no objections to contracts. Honestly, these simple clauses feel more like a promise than a contract, don't they?"
"=Ah...... You knew? Real contracts used by high society have dozens of clauses and use magic devices, not tools.= "
Hwan-in picked up the copy for submission as he stood.
"Then, since visiting the administration office might be inconvenient for you, I'll submit it for you."
"=Thank you for your consideration.= "
"No trouble. I'll see you again when Isilite is discharged in a few days. Contact the hotel if anything comes up in the meantime."
"=Yes.= "
At Baekryeo's demure reply, Hwan-in called to Emergency Rations, who was being petted beside her.
"Emergency Rations. Let's go."
Kueht.
"=Ah......= "
As Emergency Rations scampered off, Baekryeo made a fleeting wistful face before shyly smiling at Hwan-in's gaze.
After seeing Hwan-in and Emergency Rations to the door, Lesim returned and spoke with evident relief.
"=I was so worried he might refuse. Thank goodness he accepted.= "
"=Yeah. You did well finding someone like that, Lesim.= "
The question carried a subtle nuance, but with his tension eased, Lesim missed it and grinned, nodding.
"Going to the advanced dojo was the right call. I figured it was him from how he handled that spoiled dojo master's daughter. And get this—when I went to meet Sir Hwan-in......= "
Baekryeo nodded along enthusiastically as Lesim vividly recounted the lobby incident at Olts Hotel, gasping softly at the climax.
"= 'I have no interest in what others have built.' He refused without a second's hesitation—sharp as a blade. Even another man like me thought it was cool!= "
"=Wow.= "
"=Sir Hwan-in clearly values his honor and adventure over money or status, just like Sir Graadet. If he awakens and becomes an adventurer, he'll be a great hero like him...... Sigh, wonder when I'll get there.= "
"=You'll definitely make it, Lesim.= "
Lesim chuckled at Baekryeo's encouragement and stood.
"=It won't come just sitting around—I need to train harder!= "
In simple training garb, he grabbed his mid-weight sword and began practicing forms in a corner of the living room.
Baekryeo gazed quietly at Lesim, her longtime friend and dedicated escort.
'Lesim didn't notice.'
That unique hair and skin color, the language he used... Hwan-in was undoubtedly......
".......= "
Smoothing her skirt, Baekryeo spotted a small feather where the cute bird had perched.
A short, tiny green feather, no longer than her pinky, yet iridescent. Picking it up, she smiled faintly, thinking of the amusingly named Emergency Rations.
'It has nothing to do with me...... I don't want to do any favors for Father or Brother either.'
She'd return home soon enough to become a mere decorative flower in some stranger's house.
Growing glum at her fate, Baekryeo soon composed herself, fetched a book, and began reading.
Nothing forgot harsh reality like a dungeon adventure tale.
Back at the hotel, Hwan-in ignored outside matters and focused on self-improvement.
He'd planned to send souls to rest and absorb light orbs, but since that day, interest in soul masters hadn't waned—it had only intensified.
If the mood persisted until the dungeon trip ended, he'd abandon sending Wayford's souls to rest and move to the next village.
Of course, holing up for training didn't mean ignoring everything.
He'd sent Ielcata flowers via hotel staff to wish her recovery and visited Ssa's estate to spar with Brillit, gathering intel on Bloodhide Clan's size, numbers, activities, and tendencies.
He even borrowed their training grounds a few times for spear practice.
During this, Bloodhide Clan and Liaranin Merchant Guild stayed quiet, and Haien Jod didn't approach again despite her parting behavior.
After his morning routine, meditation, and mental focus training, Hwan-in muttered contentedly, feeling much lighter.
"I should carve out at least an hour a day for mental training."
From Yukam to Wayford, with little else to do, he'd meditated and focused whenever possible in the carriage.
He hadn't noticed then, but skipping it for a month after arriving, then resuming, had notably sorted out needless emotions.
For instance, his sense of debt to Ssa, annoyance at Bloodhide Clan and Haien Jod, possessive urges toward Ielcata—such negatives had largely dissipated.
Not boundless freedom like on Earth, but enough to navigate without displeasure.
'This should cut down on impulsive nonsense.'
Heading downstairs with Emergency Rations for lunch, Hwan-in overheard unexpected gossip.
"=No way the soul master was Cemetery 2's keeper. What a shock.= "
"=Hiding his identity on purpose?= "
"=Probably. Floors are quiet types. Soul masters don't like drawing eyes either.= "
"=But getting outed as a soul master can't feel good. Think he's leaving town?= "
"=Huh? Why would he? He's the keeper.= "
"=Identity exposed after hiding it? He'll bolt somewhere no one knows him. Whoever spilled it has no tact. If he'd stayed low, the soul master would've handled things fine.= "
From the conversation at the next table...
'Ielcata awakened as a soul master? How?'
During his month in Wayford, Hwan-in had learned job awakenings past thirty were nearly impossible.
Yet Ielcata, at least forty, had awakened? As a soul master, of all jobs, perfectly tailored?
Hwan-in wolfed down lunch and headed straight for Cemetery 2.