Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Ashes Before Dawn
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Hwan-in stepped out of the smithy holding the third improved spear, and Huini quickly followed behind.
She was trying her best to act cheerful, but to Hwan-in's eyes, she looked heartbroken and anxious.
It seemed like she'd had a short talk with her father, Belbido, inside, but it probably hadn't gone well.
Considering Huini, Hwan-in kept silent and started walking. Huini trailed after her wordlessly, then noticed the village girls tilling fields or doing laundry staring at Hwan-in. She quickly hooked her arm through his again.
Huini stole glances at Hwan-in's profile, trying to gauge her mood, but...
'...I can't tell.'
The uncertainty made her gloomier.
Hwan-in acted more gentlemanly than anyone. She'd been drawn to that, but now it felt like he was keeping his distance, leaving her depressed.
"Um..."
Still, her feelings weren't fake. Mustering her courage, Huini spoke up.
"Benefactor... Can I come with you?"
"..."
"Even as a porter! I'm strong, and my ears are sharp. I heard from the adults that adventurers need squires or porters. I can really do it well!"
I see. So that's what she and Belbido had discussed inside.
Hwan-in quickly pieced it together and softened his expression as he addressed the anxious Huini.
"Huini. The words of wise elders are right in most situations."
"Uh..."
"Growing older means gaining experience, and having depth means you can assess circumstances with that experience and knowledge to make better choices."
Hwan-in stopped walking, and Huini halted too, looking up at her.
"Advice from such depth is usually sound. Huini, the path ahead for me is no safer than that forested labyrinth—it's more dangerous, if anything."
"... "
"I can assure you. If you, Ennel, Ryuhi, Efnis... if any of you follow me, death is the only future awaiting you."
"I—!"
"If you're about to say it's okay, I'll get angry."
Huan-in's cold tone—something she'd never heard before—froze Huini like a frog before a snake.
"I once considered traveling with girls like you. But I gave up on the idea. The reason is just as I said."
"... "
"Huini. I want you to live happily in the village with the life I saved."
Words rose to her throat, but seeing Hwan-in's face, Huini swallowed them with a sullen expression.
'We sisters can hardly live happily here...'
"You're thinking you'll be shunned by the village men."
Huini jumped, thinking he'd read her mind. She hurried to his side as he started walking again.
"Marriage isn't the only path to happiness."
"But if you can't marry..."
"The spear you fixed at the twin caves was a huge help on the way back. You show real talent for smithing. Why not inherit your father's trade instead of marriage?"
"...Dad's work?"
Hwan-in didn't reply.
At the fork, he parted from Huini and reached the village's only general store and inn. Sitting at an outdoor table in front of the inn, he spotted some chatting merchants and their companions.
They'd arrived four days ago to sell goods but hadn't left after selling out and buying stock for the next village.
He could guess why.
As Hwan-in approached, they noticed and stopped talking.
Among them, the round-faced, cute cheetah-headed merchant man, Suga, stood with a smile and greeted him.
"Hello, Soul Shaman. Out for a stroll?"
"Dorito asked me to stop by. But every time I see you, you're drinking."
Suga chuckled awkwardly at Hwan-in's smiling remark.
"The seasonal wild strawberry wine here is just too good. If you don't drink now, it'll be next year before you can again. Gotta stock up while you can."
Thanks to Hwan-in buying them drinks and getting familiar over time, Suga spoke amiably.
He called over a waitress who'd appeared and ordered a bottle of wild strawberry wine for each of them. Suga's group—three porters and three guards—cheered and clapped.
"Thank you, Soul Shaman!"
"Cheers!!"
Hwan-in had secured a fair amount of this world's currency.
The high-grade herbs and mushrooms gathered by the women on the return trip, plus beast hides peeled occasionally, fetched nearly ten million Korean won.
He'd wanted only half, since they'd tanned the hides and gathered the herbs and mushrooms.
But the women insisted on giving him everything, so he had plenty on hand.
On top of that, similar amounts from Houlan's family as thanks and from bereaved families whose souls he'd helped pass on.
This world's currency was divided into iron coins, copper coins, silver coins, gold coins, and red bills. Iron coins were like 100 won, copper 10,000 won, silver a million, gold 100 million or so.
Red bills? Special currency for nobles, royalty, priests—ordinary citizens and villagers couldn't even use them.
Anyway, a bottle of wine cost about 15 iron coins, and with 19 silver coins, treating them was no burden.
As Suga's group clinked glasses, Hwan-in entered the general store, its walls packed with miscellaneous goods. Efnis rose from the counter to greet him.
"You're here? I'll fetch Mom right away. Please wait a moment."
After watching Efnis vanish into the inn passage, Hwan-in surveyed the store's oddly scented interior.
Seeds in glass jars, leather clothes, coats, bags; tools of unknown use; rough linen-like fabric rolls on tanned hides. Camping iron cookware, pots, bound books, bottles of colored liquids, drying vegetables, jerked meat and fish.
The neatly arranged interior reflected Efnis's personality. Then, a refined middle-aged woman who could run a boutique appeared with Efnis.
Spotting Hwan-in, Efnis's mother, Dorito, approached excitedly, clapping.
"Oh, Soul Shaman~! You should've told the kids; you wouldn't have had to wait!"
"I just heard from Belbido. The item I requested is ready?"
"Yes, yes~! Whew, it was rare good leather, so I put my all into it! With Ef helping, it turned out even better~. This way, please."
Following Dorito—her torn ear flapping from a childhood beast attack—they entered a door behind the counter into a large room.
A long, wide table like a cutting room, walls lined with leathers and fabrics.
As sunlight streamed through windows, Dorito and Efnis brought pants, jacket, and hooded coat made of layered black leather.
"Ta-da~! What do you think? Ef's pattern and sewing, plus Ryuhi and the village women renowned for meticulous stitches—handmade coat, jacket, trousers~!"
"This is..."
The design felt familiar. Totally different trend from the store's leather clothes and cloaks.
"I thought a similar style to your current clothes would be comfortable, Benefactor. Sorry if peeking offended you."
"Not at all. Thank you for caring. The design is excellent."
No empty praise.
The layered seams for defense and durability looked refined even to his eyes.
Sharp lines and planes exuded sturdy charm in multiple layers.
Despite thickness, it moved smoothly; joints flexible yet tough, no hindrance.
"The fit is incredible. Vulnerable areas reinforced well... three layers?"
"Such good taste, Soul Shaman~! As you said, double-layered outside, chain bear hide inside for extra defense. Covers wide areas, absorbs major impacts!"
As explained, abdomen, chest, thighs, shoulders—vitals—were reinforced.
Yet sleek, not bulky. Impressive.
"Amazing. Design thought everywhere."
Efni, who'd focused on fit and style, blushed furiously at the sincere praise, fidgeting.
Dorito laughed happily, waving it off.
"Aigoo~ If armor buyers were half like you, Soul Shaman, I'd want for nothing~! Most obsess over defense, ignore fit or style!"
"Survival first, probably."
"True! Hohoho. Hmm, something to suit you...~."
Rummaging one side laughing, Dorito fetched alluring dark gray leather long boots and open-finger gloves.
Knee-high boots with three buckles for easy wear and movement.
Gloves fit perfectly, no adjustment needed. An indescribable sturdiness enveloped him.
With black spear matching, the unified look made him seem highly skilled.
'Trench coat with hood hides face... Shouldn't draw odd stares now.'
Chatting with the chief over drinks, he'd learned no such race as his existed here.
Closest were "Floe," elf-like in fantasy.
But Floe had long ears, no black hair.
Chief advised against showing hair/ears openly to avoid stares, hence this outfit...
The complete leather armor set satisfied Hwan-in greatly.
Receiving it, he bought a leather bag and camping essentials to fill it.
"This preserved food is village-special, made with secret methods~. No off-flavors like others, meaty aroma our specialty. Lasts nearly a year! Waterskins are premium tanned, but swap at rivers. For armor care, shady overcast days better than full sun...~."
Recalling packing memories, he methodically stowed while listening.
60 days' energy bars: dried meat powder, grains, fat hardened.
Three beast-stomach waterskins, waterproof cloak for cold.
Glossy lacquered wooden utensils, tools/materials for weapons/armor.
Changes of clothes/underwear.
Finally, fraying suit set, shattered-screen smartphone, wallet with cards/cash—maybe useless now.
Earth clothes kept at bag bottom, just in case.
Minimalist packing still filled a hiking-backpack-sized bag.
Lifting it, Hwan-in was slightly surprised at his strength.
'15kg easy; barely feels heavy.'
"Soul Shaman. Please take this."
Meanwhile, Dorito brought a folded thin leather sheet and two small red vials from the counter.
"This is..."
"Map of the area. Vials are emergency recovery potions for cuts/stabs. Hope it helps your journey a bit."
Hwan-in gazed at the generous Dorito, then bowed sincerely.
"Thank you."
"Aigoo~! No need. Saving my daughter? This is nothing. Wish I could give everything, but gotta leave for her living... Hohoho."
Dorito smiled wrinkle-free. She'd lost her husband to a beast attack when Efni was young.
Luckily Efni unscathed, but Dorito's ear torn, gut slashed—couldn't bear more kids.
Efni was her everything.
"When I heard she was swept away in Oljote's tidal wave, missing... World crumbled..."
Emotions surging at the memory, she dabbed tears with a handkerchief. Efni comforted her.
"... "
Hwan-in stepped out front to give the mother-daughter space, pondering.
Suga, drinking and chatting, spotted him, eyes widening, jumping up.
"Wha— that armor!"
"Pardon?"
"Grr~! No wonder you wouldn't sell despite high offers. For you, Soul Shaman!"
Nodding realization, Suga circled behind, nudging Hwan-in to their table.
"Lunchtime perfect. Join us? My treat, expensive stuff!"
"Sure."
With questions for Suga anyway, Hwan-in sat without refusing.
Four-seater, so one guard moved to porters' table.
Suga ordered inn's priciest dishes, then same for porters' table eyeing pitifully.
"Thanks!"
"Thank you, Suga sir!!"
"Yeah, yeah. Eat hearty. Need strength."
"We use it plenty at night, right?"
"Not that strength!"
Laughing porters and guards showed Suga's good boss rep. Chatting amiably with flying waitstaff, sociable too.
Decade merchant needed that affinity.
Four days confirmed decent character; answers likely honest.
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Map obtained from the general store