Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Scars That Teach
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After Ktachinan departed, Susa and his group wrapped up their byproduct collection. They settled for lunch with hard bread and lightly grilled jerky before setting off straight for their next destination.
The journey to the next stop was roughly five days away.
=We have emergency water and rations stocked for just such occasions, so we can hold out for a while. We'll pick up the pace to reach the next village before our food runs low.=
There was a hidden compartment in the wagon bed, about 50 cm by 50 cm, that Susa had prepared for emergencies.
It was filled with long-lasting dry provisions, but truthfully, it was a bit short for nine people over five days. They'd gotten a massive haul of meat from butchering the beasts, but it was laced with poison and unfit for eating.
"I have rations in my bag too, and Isilite's is mostly food as well. Please share them."
=Oh, no, we couldn't. Lord Hwan-in's emergency rations are expensive pemmican, aren't they? If we ration them carefully, we can make it to the next destination just fine.=
"......"
Hwan-in's expression stiffened slightly at a single word Susa let slip during the conversation.
He still had no idea how he could understand the speech of this world's people.
Their words sounded like Arabic to his ears, but his mind translated them into recognizable concepts.
Since they seemed to understand him when he spoke, the same phenomenon must be happening for them.
During the forest labyrinth rescue, the chaos had kept him from dwelling on it, and afterward, he'd chalked it up to some magical effect.
Even so, it was an inexplicable phenomenon.
If it ever vanished, he'd be the one in trouble, so Hwan-in steadily learned the local script and speech by listening to those around him.
It wasn't that hard. He just memorized the auto-translated words in his head and picked up vocabulary from others' speech.
Thanks to that, after more than two months of contact with this world's people, he could now read, write, and speak to a decent degree, if not perfectly.
And Hwan-in's ears clearly caught Susa saying "pemmican."
Susa had called the food he'd bought in Yukam "pemmican."
Back on Earth, pemmican was the name for energy bars made by mixing meat chunks and vegetables into rendered fat and solidifying it.
What were the odds that Earth and this world called the exact same product by the exact same name?
'What is this world, really.'
Food so similar to Earth's.
Culture so akin to Earth's.
Come to think of it, his basic common sense working here was suspicious too.
You bowed your head in greeting, smiled to show pleasure. You cried when sad, shook hands for introductions. Emotions and lifestyles were all comparable.
The more he thought about it, the more confusing it got.
'Anyway......'
It wasn't important right now. He could dig into these questions once he got more accustomed to this world.
Having provided all the cheap jerky Isilite had bought—enough for two people for two months—Hwan-in sank back into contemplation of her abilities.
Since his soul orb count had risen to 24, his methods of communicating with souls had expanded—a fact he'd confirmed through contact with spirits in Yukam.
Hearing the spirits' voices was undoubtedly the result of his ability growing another step, broadening his communication.
So why couldn't he hear them anymore since yesterday?
'It must require proficiency for soul communication too.'
If the meditation he'd done so far boosted skill power and overall spiritual capacity, while soul communication needed separate training to build proficiency?
The more he'd tried talking to spirits wandering Yukam, the clearer their intentions became to him—or so it had felt.
No scientific evidence to back it up, but that was the sensation.
In other words, he needed to add soul communication training to his meditation regimen.
"......"
If this were Earth, he'd scour the web, Google everything about souls, devour every book on the topic.
Then build hypotheses on that knowledge and test them.
But not here.
'Libraries are only in cathedral-level cities, one or two at most. They're elite facilities ordinary folk can't enter. As a spirit shaman, you might apply for access... but the Ho clan could give you grief......'
That had been Susa's answer when Hwan-in asked yesterday if this world had libraries.
Ultimately, everything here had to be solved through guesswork, inference, and verification via those two methods.
To test his soul communication hypothesis, he'd need a place teeming with spirits.
'Like a graveyard.'
Arms crossed on the jostling passenger seat, lost in thought, Hwan-in turned to Susa, who was yawning lazily while holding the reins.
"Mr. Susa. What kind of people become gravekeepers or cemetery wardens?"
=Huh? Oh, they're folks who do solitary, sacred work.=
As expected. In this world, death-related jobs like undertakers, feng shui masters, or gravekeepers were undoubtedly respected professions.
After a moment's thought, Hwan-in asked something else.
"Are the graveyards in other villages and cities similar to Yukam's?"
=Not all of them. Some are kept solemn, others more like soft, park-like spaces. The common thread is that their keepers are devout people. Not quite on the level of spirit shamans, but they're respected.=
So Yukam's graveyard, arranged like a cozy flower field, wasn't unique to the village.
'Maybe I should try gravekeeping.'
If he revealed himself as a spirit shaman, landing such a job shouldn't be hard. Bigger city graveyards would likely have more spirits too.
The group pressed on along the firmly packed road, white clouds drifting alongside without pause.
Three days since escaping Lehil.
No beast packs, let alone magic beast swarms, since that first night's ambush.
The road ahead was pristine, not even a splinter from prior wagons' misfortune.
=It's so peaceful, like that raid a few days ago was a lie.=
"The beasts probably all fled, and the magic beasts and variants headed for Lehil."
=Yeah. Normally, you'd get animal attacks once a day on this road, but it's been dead quiet, so that's gotta be it.=
The conversation lapsed, and soon chatter from the porters and three escorts drifted up from behind.
=Hey, Hu-seok. Think Lehil's okay? Seemed like a ton of magic beasts gathered there.=
=They'll be fine. The wave's biggest chunk was Grade 3 Conclitos, so with Lehil's defenses and siege capabilities, they might not repel them all, but they can hold out......=
=First time seeing magic beasts up close, and they were creepy as hell. Even hundreds swarming, and the village holds? Can't underestimate a settlement's strength.=
=Right. Our hometown village would've been wiped out by morning.=
The porters were scraping fat from the hides piled in the wagons, bored enough to chat about the magic beast wave.
Susa joined in.
=Lehil's no ordinary village. Solid stone walls and gates? If good Ho clan folks settle there, it could upgrade to a small city.=
=Whoa, small city.=
=But population's still too low for that. Won't start sniffing around till it hits five thousand.=
=One of those escape wagons had Ho clan kin too, right? Not the crimson-furred Inlang warrior's house.=
=That glossy black wagon was probably a Ho clan official's. Nordic mountain lacquer wood's premium—only the elite use it.=
=That shine was slick. Black with gloss, like it sucked you in.=
=Yep. That suction vibe's the Nordic mountain lacquer's charm. Limited yearly supply jacks up the value, so Ho clans favor it.=
=The wagon itself seemed cutting-edge trendy too!=
=Yeah. Wheel suspension...? Some newfangled feature to cut the bumps, I hear.=
"......"
Hwan-in listened to Susa chiming in on the porters' banter, then gripped his pearl-like stone and slipped back into meditation.
'Are there other Earthlings here besides me......?'
If he'd been flung here, maybe others had too.
Plenty of evidence for it. Soap had penetrated even remote villages, and Earth dances or food had spread to settlements.
Earth tech could've seeped in gradually over decades, maybe centuries.
'If so, cities bigger than small ones might be comfy like Earth.'
He inwardly prayed it wasn't some medieval Europe hellhole with shit overflowing streets, high heels to dodge dung, parasols against overhead piss.
Night fell.
As the group parked the wagons by the riverbank and began prepping dinner, Isilite approached with a tense face.
=Master.=
Her expression was that of someone steeling for resolve.
Hwan-in, fiddling with Emergency Ration's squishy cheek by the campfire, gazed at her emotionlessly as she knelt before him.
"What is it?"
It didn't seem like nagging about soul taint purification, so he figured he'd hear her out.
=The subordination contract isn't done yet, but I want to serve you starting now—that's why I came.=
"......"
Fists clenched tight on her knees. Rigid shoulders. Trembling eyes betraying her nerves.
=A few days ago, Susa pointed out a lot. Said I wasn't prepared for anything.=
"True enough. You couldn't even grasp your own situation and made selfish demands."
=Eek......=
She flashed a complicated look, then moped, hands planted on the ground as she spoke.
=B-but I won't anymore. I've learned a ton from Susa these past few days. I said I'd contract subordination, but I wasn't ready to serve you properly. Now I am. I won't act out, won't be a burden... I'll make sure of it. I'll quit crime for good too.=
"......"
=I might not meet your standards, but I'll try hard......=
Deflated by Hwan-in's lack of response, Isilite bowed low, forehead to the dirt.
As he watched silently, Susa sidled up and ventured advice like a counselor.
=Isilite's a bit rough around the edges, but she's got an ox-like stubborn honesty. From watching these days, her character checks out, and she's frank about her faults. She might not impress right now... but if I may overstep, she's awakened as a sword warrior. Train her bit by bit, and I guarantee she'll pull her weight.=
"I saw you two hanging out these past days. You went out of your way handling Isilite, Mr. Susa."
=Yes. Got... frustrating, so I ended up coaching. Haha.=
Hwan-in released Emergency Ration's cheek and began stroking its head.
The silence stretched, their tension mounting endlessly.
He stopped petting, looked at them both.
"I planned to leave you be until the subordination contract in Wayford small city. Wanted to judge if you'd be worth keeping around based on your actions."
Isilite gulped. Hwan-in closed his eyes, a faint smile.
"But discerning Mr. Susa vouches for you."
=So......?=
"Yes. I'll accept."
With firm permission, tense Susa exhaled softly.
For him, this was a gamble. Success meant a positive rep for introducing good talent and big favor; failure, plummeting goodwill.
Sensing Hwan-in wasn't done, Susa tensed and listened.
"Where I'm from has no overt slavery, but since I don't fully trust Isilite yet, it'll be a one-sided subordination contract. That said, I won't treat her like mere chattel."
=Lord Spirit Shaman always valued effort and will. So you mean......?=
"Isilite."
=Yes, sir.=
"I'll consider your service merits for what you desire. I'll purify your soul taint as far as my power reaches. Post-liberation, I'll ensure you have enough wage to live on."
Isilite's head snapped up. Her hugely widened eyes showed her shock.
He stared coldly at her face and continued.
"Merits have demerits too. Betray me, and I'll show you horrors beyond your worst nightmares. I promise. You'll see hell while still breathing."
The flat, severely restrained tone—enough to raise goosebumps just hearing it—and the threat sparking the imagination made Susa, the escorts, and porters all shiver.
Isilite's heart hammered like it might burst from terror.
"So...... don't mistake my goodwill for a right."
Hwan-in's final words drew different interpretations from Susa and Isilite.
'Lord Spirit Shaman must've grown up in a harsh world......'
'So, basically, don't get cocky? Just stick strictly to what Susa taught... right? Gotta check with him later.'
They finished dinner with stewed jerky shreds and crumbled bread. Seeing his training pay off with Isilite, Susa dabbed her mouth with a handkerchief and grinned.
What Susa had taught Isilite was simple.
1. Put Master first, before yourself. Never show sloppy or dirty in his presence, of course.
2. Attend to Master's needs. Prepare wash water morning and night; meals always start with him.
3. Obey Master's word without question. He's far wiser and more insightful than you. No need to voice your thoughts.
4. Handle the minutiae so Master doesn't have to.
5. Move before Master does.
Nothing too tough for Isilite.
Some were things she'd done to death as a kid; others from tagging along as a low-rank merc hanger-on.
Susa especially stressed two things: chain of command, and report first, act second.
'Lord Spirit Shaman won't expect much from Isilite. Top subordinates preempt and cover, but for her, just report-act is best.'
As a result, Isilite served Hwan-in's dinner before her own, cleared and tidied her dishes.
She prepared a damp cloth for face and body before bed, even fixed his bedding herself.
'As long as she doesn't overstep, Lord Spirit Shaman should keep her around fine.'
Watching training results shine was always satisfying.
=River here's good—we follow it, and we'll hit Etbrook by tomorrow evening. Thanks to Isilite stocking extra food, no starving on the way.=
=It was Master's money I bought it with. Not mine.=
Isilite, back from washing Hwan-in's dishes in the river, replied. Susa chuckled, patting her shoulder.
=Bet Lord Spirit Shaman didn't expect you'd fill your pack mostly with food. Your doing, so own it proudly.=
=......You calling me a pig?!=
=Kuhuhuhu.=
=You damn cat bastard! Teasing me again!=
=Whoa! Don't swing that dish! Dangerous! =
=That's why I'm swinging it, punk!!=
Hwan-in rolled the pearl-like stone like prayer beads, watching Susa and Isilite bicker.
Susa stepping in to advise hadn't been for nothing. In just days, Isilite seemed far more human.
"......"
Mulling various thoughts, Hwan-in called Isilite before bed.