Chapter 75
Chapter 75
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Steps Into Darkness
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Hwan-in asked Isilite, the woman with boyish charm who sat before her, tense and on edge.
"What race are you?"
"I'm from the Inseong tribe. We're a minority race."
Inseong...? Like apes, he thought with a nod. Her ears did look human enough, and when he'd glimpsed her half-undressed body back at the inn, there hadn't been a tail.
"Among all warrior-class job holders, where do you rank?"
"I'd say top 70%, maybe? It's been ages since my last rank evaluation, so I don't know my exact grade..."
"What about Brillit, in your eyes?"
"She'd be at least 4th-grade..."
Hwan-in had already grasped that jobs started at 1st-grade and peaked at 10th. If Brillit was 4th-grade...
Isilite was average among job holders, and Brillit was just a cut above that.
It felt ambiguous to Hwan-in. More samples would help.
"Do you know about Bartul? What's his grade?"
"Um, I've never been in the labyrinth, so I'm not familiar with its variant races. And even among variants, grades can vary a lot..."
"..."
Hwan-in stared into the crackling campfire, lost in thought.
'I'll keep up physical training and practice...'
But now was the time for choices and focus.
Should he train his body and soul powers for uncertain close combat? Or minimize weapon skills to basic physical training and pour everything into soul abilities?
He'd called Isilite for insight, but it hadn't helped much.
He considered asking Ssa or Brillit, but it wasn't urgent, and leaning too emotionally on Ssa didn't feel right.
Better to gather info properly once they reached the small city of Wayford.
Seeing Hwan-in deep in thought, Isilite held back to avoid disturbing her. But curiosity bubbled up, and she fidgeted.
'Ssa said maids shouldn't speak first, though.'
Instinct poked her to ask; reason screamed no. Her fidgeting grew, and Hwan-in finally couldn't ignore it.
"Something you want to ask?"
Is this permission? Can I ask now?
"Um... Master, how did you learn those three defensive techniques? Your spearwork looks amateur, and your footwork's a mess. But your defense was insanely good. I just can't wrap my head around it..."
"Defensive techniques? What do you mean?"
Isilite was dumbfounded at her counterquestion. You don't even know what defense is? Does that make sense?
"Dodging, blocking, countering. The ones you used to crush Brillit in that spar before Lehil."
"..."
Isilite shivered under Hwan-in's sharp gaze scanning her body, a chill of primal fear gripping her.
It felt like standing defenseless before an unstoppable predator.
Confused by the sudden intensity, she panicked, but Hwan-in softened his eyes and answered.
"The only thing I ever learned from anyone was swordsmanship for mental discipline. Nothing else."
"...Really?"
"The first time I held a spear—or fought beasts or monsters—was three months ago."
"No... way."
Stunned beyond belief, Isilite murmured weakly. Brillit, eavesdropping with perked ears, was equally floored inside.
Is this a true genius? Or can you even call it that?
Dodging, countering, blocking—naturally, without training, against dozens in real combat?
Seeing her shock, Hwan-in realized why Ssa's escorts or Isilite sometimes gazed at her with fervor.
'In this world, physical prowess counts toward respect. That'll make taming Isilite easier.'
Satisfied with a useful training tool, Hwan-in peppered her with questions, clearing his curiosities.
Warrior classifications, job info, strength levels, jobs gained upon awakening, the world's vibe—everything.
Isilite answered diligently what she knew, but then sensed something off and asked back.
"Master, why don't you know this stuff?"
"I came from a place where the normal path doesn't apply."
"Where's that?"
"Ever seen anyone with my kind of distinct features?"
"No..."
"If you don't know it, you wouldn't understand even if I told you."
Stretching his legs, Hwan-in let out a soft hum and gazed at the night sky ablaze with countless stars.
'How far would my reaction speed and reflexes hold up? If Brillit's 4th-grade... generously, 6th.'
Good news, but not entirely.
Warriors at 7th or 8th-grade leaped like in fantasy novels or wuxia, blasting sword auras and energy waves.
It shocked him.
He could shoot soul arrows, shields, explosions with soul power—supernatural stuff.
But even warriors could do ranged attacks like that?
"Not like breathing. Those are usually secret arts or finishers, reserved for squad leaders or higher..."
To Hwan-in, somewhat paranoid and preferring overwhelming advantages, it wasn't comforting.
'No—ranged job holders are the real threat.'
Isilite's info included job categories.
Jobs fell into four main types.
First: melee jobs.
Blade users: warriors.
Blunt users: bruisers.
Thieves, archers, trackers, assassins, etc.: rangers.
Second: spellcasters.
Phase power users wielding fire, wind, water, earth, wood, lightning, light, dark spells: sorcerers.
Same power for curses, mutations, teleports, summons, enchantments: curseweavers.
Third: also casters, but separated by status due to specialty—healers and restorers: saint casters.
Fourth: rare ones like Hwan-in's soul warden.
"What about auras? Can they stay hidden after awakening?"
"Yes. Some unique constitutions don't show them. I saw one in my mercenary days."
Constitution issue, as expected.
Hwan-in probed deeper into rares.
Mageswords with sorcery and warrior skills, dual warrior-bruiser martialists, artificers for crafting, blood mages, etc.
"Sages, Abyss Knights, Necromancers, Sword Saints, Sword Maidens, Dragon Brawlers, Arcane Archers, Oracles, Madness Conductors, Berserkers, Veil Watchers... Tons of known rares. Soul Wardens have the highest fame—even kids in remote villages know them."
"Who names these?"
"Long ago, endless job disputes led the Four Gods' religious leaders to classify by traits and aura shapes, assigning names."
Auras varied by job, visible at a glance, she explained.
Certain jobs got bonuses from signature weapons, so they preferred them.
"Bonuses?"
"Yeah. Sharper edges, more power, better stamina—stuff like that."
But no big deal if unavailable; bonuses weren't game-changers, just situational swaps.
Hwan-in's worries deepened.
Many jobs sounded like hard counters just from descriptions.
Spirit Possession's middling physical boosts. Soul orbs' middling attacks.
Even Brillit vs. Isilite showed serious gaps.
Sorcerers' spells would vastly outpower his.
Fighting them later...
'Can't go solo.'
Even planning labyrinth runs, Hwan-in felt the need for comrades again.
Isilite had awakened a job, but to her, she and Ssa were equals. At least Ktakchinnan-level to cover his back.
Gazing at the 24 soul orbs on his left arm, Hwan-in stood and paced.
'Skilled comrades don't come cheap. Need fame first.'
Fame needs achievements.
He considered labyrinth diving solo with Isilite, but realized he wasn't ready.
"Isilite. Ever thought of entering the labyrinth?"
"The... labyrinth?"
"Yes. I'm not fully prepared yet, but once I am and opportunity strikes, I plan to. Wondering if you'd join."
Gauging his mood, Isilite spoke cautiously.
"I'd follow you anywhere possible... But I don't get why you say you're not ready. Your combat sense is genius-level. Plus 3rd-4th grade buffs, invisible explosions. Boost physicals with magic gear, find heals—you could hit 4th or 5th-grade labyrinths now?"
"That grade before the term—is it a strength rank?"
"...What's a 'noun'?"
'She knows parts of speech... No, probably low education.'
Explaining simply for her, she nodded.
"Right. 1st-grade lowest, 10th highest. Used everywhere for rankings."
Feeling Emergency Ration climb his knee, Hwan-in stroked its back.
"Judging readiness by raw strength alone is foolish. Enter barehanded and face poison users—what then? Near-immune to physical? Damage reflection? Preparation means countermeasures. Ignore that, and dying anywhere isn't surprising."
"...Y-You're right. That was stupid of me."
Unlike her thief boss days, she accepted correction meekly. Hwan-in softened his view of her slightly.
People aren't worth fixing.
More precisely, no reason to. Replacements abound. Why rehabilitate criminals?
Especially with her smarts—imperfect crimes mean repeat risks.
By normal standards, he was the villain. Thus, no fixing people...
'Unless restraints beyond laws.'
Besides, Isilite was a one-in-hundreds awakened jobber.
She'd prove useful.
The next day, Ssa's group followed the blue river smoothly to a village where the plains ended.
A small settlement by gentle hills and the river snaking nearby.
"Feels like Yulcam."
Farmers in fields beyond the log fence waved smiling at the wagons. Ssa waved back with a grin.
"Villages around here are all similar vibes. That's why we call 'em villages. Worried about overflow on the way, but safe—relief."
Hearing of Ssa's arrival, villagers gathered, disappointed at no goods, but Lehil news flipped concern instantly.
"Oh no, shouldn't we prepare defenses?"
"Village attacked, right? What defense? Flee everything."
"Lower-house Sytio awakened warrior—ask him for monster duty?"
"Hey! Kid's 14, never held a weapon!"
"But strong as an ox. With militia..."
"If easy, Lehil wouldn't suffer! Your kid or not, shoving him to fight?"
"No, I..."
Villagers buzzed anxiously; Ssa soothed them.
"No need for panic. Attack was five days ago. You're safe; aid from nearby cities must've stabilized Lehil by now. It'll be secure soon."
"Really?"
"Yes. But stragglers possible—bolster night gate watches for a bit. We'll add escorts to patrols while here."
"Phew, thanks so much. Lucky to trade with you, Ssa."
A mature woman with blunt goat-like horns on her forehead, radiating wedded charm, clasped Ssa's hands gratefully.
"We'll stockpile quality goods—please keep visiting, don't overlook us."
"What? You and villagers greet like family every time. Makes my trips fun."
"Even words touch me. But... new faces in your group? Fresh comrades?"
Eyeing distant Hwan-in and Isilite, village headwoman Mera asked. Ssa waved it off dramatically.
"Heavens, no! Not that sort."
"Oh?"
"Just traveling with us this once. That black-hooded staff-bearer? Soul Warden on pilgrimage. Beside, greatsword warrior Isilite—Warden's squire and servant."
"Soul Warden!" Eyes widened village-wide.
Ssa hushed exaggeratedly, voice low.
"Shhh... Quiet. Warden prefers silence and solemnity—like souls crave peace."
"O-Oh. No welcome greetings? Or feast for the Warden?"
"Heavens! Ruckus brings wrath! 'Disturbing soul rest?'"
Hwan-in, craving quiet superhuman training, found rural fanfare exhausting.
Wanting low-key this time, Ssa honored his pre-entry request.
"To show heart, quiet offerings of ale or food suffice—Warden'll appreciate. Tomorrow he'll check village souls—no approaching or greeting. Bow from afar. Got it?"
To naive villagers, Ssa's act was Oscar-worthy.
All zipped lips, exchanging nods to obey.