Chapter 84
Chapter 84
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: Knowledge in Conflict
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‘People’s lives are all the same everywhere.’
Hwan-in had thought that perhaps this world was a decent place to live because the people of Yukam and Etbrook were so guileless, and Ssa’s group seemed so reasonable.
=It’s true. Why would we lie?=
=Ha, come on.=
The hyena-headed guard let out a mocking sneer before turning serious.
=You expect me to believe that two warriors of 3rd and 4th grade took down a 5th-grade urger?=
=Well, that’s…=
=Goddamn it, enough yapping! Shut up and unload all your cargo! You’re under focused inspection!=
As the hyena-headed guard bellowed, the faces of the people waiting to pass through grew irritated.
The four guards handling the inspection worked in pairs, searching the cargo.
With one pair tied up, it meant the line at the gate would take twice as long to clear.
=What the hell…=
=I need to get in quick. This sucks.=
=Hurry it up already…=
Instead of glares at the guards, accusatory looks turned toward Hwan-in’s group. Hwan-in pulled back his hood and spoke to the guard in a flat, emotionless voice.
“Could you wait a moment, please?”
=And who the hell are you?=
“I did it.”
=What?=
“I’m the one who said I took down the urger.”
The hyena-headed guard glanced at the urger in the cargo hold, then at the smooth-faced man who looked as unassuming as Fleury. He plastered on a sneer anyone could recognize.
=Hey, Klan. Hear that? This guy says he took down the urger all by himself. Hahaha!=
=Heh heh. It’d be more believable if those 3rd or 4th-grade nobodies in the back did it.=
Hwan-in silently stared at the two guards cackling and mocking him.
Already, a plan to royally screw over the guard in front of him was fully formed in Hwan-in’s mind.
The moment either the hyena-headed guard or the greyhound-headed one made a specific move, the plan would begin.
The senior guards manning Wayford’s 1st North Gate scowled.
For some reason, they felt uneasy.
When the hyena-headed guard just rolled his eyes, they realized why.
Not only was the black-haired man staring silently despite the mockery… but the cheetah guy who seemed to be with him and the warrior women were looking at them with pity. And the cargo loaders were crossing themselves in prayer.
What the hell?
As the hyena-headed guard bared his teeth to shout, sensing he was losing his intimidation…
“Shut.”
=Wha…!?=
The single word pierced his ear like a needle just as he was about to yell. The hyena-man’s breath caught in his throat, his voice choked off.
Everyone has experienced trying to speak but having the words stick—like a bigger voice blocking your chest.
Hwan-in used the technique more intelligently, silencing the hyena-headed guard and quietly raising a finger to his own lips.
=……??=
=……?=
Silence is contagious.
As the two guards panicked and fell quiet, the people around the cart shut their mouths too. In an instant, an unnatural hush fell over the east gate.
Hwan-in wore a faint smile devoid of emotion and spoke softly.
“Nothing is as simple or straightforward as a demonstration of power. Do you two… really think I’m lying?”
=……=
=……=
The hyena-headed guard’s beastly instincts screamed that something was wrong.
Looking closely, the black-haired man’s leather outfit was refined—hard to obtain casually.
The horned staff leaning against the passenger seat didn’t look ordinary either. And above all…
‘A lowly merchant using words like that?’
A powerhouse who soloed an urger without being a professional.
An refined speech and accent hinting at knowledge he’d never heard before.
Clothing that screamed high value and a strangely ominous staff.
If even one were missing, he’d call him a fraud and toss him in the underground cells for obstructing official duties. But all together, it muddled his judgment.
His head concluded not to mess with him, but pride refused to accept it—a self-contradiction.
In truth, if Hwan-in revealed he was a Soul Shaman, everything would resolve, and he’d get a free pass straight to Wayford’s lord.
In other words, Hwan-in—wanting to quietly gather info without political entanglements—had gotten Ssa’s prior okay, leading to this.
Normally, he’d pass without revealing anything.
The issue: the inspector was a greedy hyena-headed guard, the urger corpse could yield several gold coins, and it was with merchants, not combat pros.
In short, the hyena-head saw a chance to extort silver—or maybe ten silver, months of pay.
Ssa noticed the guard’s hesitation.
If this escalated, it’d get messy for everyone. Thinking Hwan-in wouldn’t want that, Ssa quickly hopped off the cart and gently coaxed the hyena-headed guard.
=Step over here for a chat. It’s not for others’ ears… Come on, this way.=
Watching it all, Isilite hopped off Kue and followed Ssa.
The hyena guard—who’d normally swat away such nonsense and swing—had been psychologically cowed by Hwan-in, so he meekly followed with a dazed “Uh…”
Before reaching the gate, Brillit had warned Isilite multiple times.
‘Squires and maids shouldn’t speak out of turn before their master or reveal their profession. But if the master is insulted, you must defend their honor.’
This was the master being insulted, right? And Ssa had lured the poor dog-head somewhere quiet…
Arriving at a dim spot by the guard tower, Ssa glanced back absentmindedly, blinked at Isilite, and stepped aside at her gesture to leave it to her, though wary.
Isilite spoke to the alert guard.
=You should be grateful you’re alive thanks to us.=
=What’re you talking about…?=
=Still don’t get it? We just saved your dumb ass from plummeting into the abyss with your stupid mouth.=
The hyena-headed guard’s eyes widened like they’d split.
What? Abyss? Because of me? What’s that guy’s deal…? …No way, abyss? For one wrong word?
=N-no, surely not?=
=Isilite! What are you doing?!=
=Quiet down! Someone’ll hear!=
=He asked to keep it hidden, and you’re spilling it like this?! Damn it, I’m the idiot who trusted you…=
=Mumble mumble…=
What was she planning?
Ssa bit his lip, groaned at Isilite’s headache-inducing display, and covered her face with both hands.
Taking it as surrender, Isilite huffed, struck a chilling pose, and spoke quietly to the frozen guard.
=My master wants to travel quietly. Really quietly… You know what they’re like, right?=
Nod… nod nod nod!!
=Not only that, but he’s incredibly strong too, and… you know? He’s deeply loved by… that one. Yeah? One wrong word to such a master… you get it, right?=
Shiver shiver.
=Here, take this.=
=Gasp, wait…! I, I…!=
The guard flinched as a gold coin dropped into his hand, shaking his head frantically.
=Shhh… It’s fine. This is just so we part as friends, all smiles, no issues.=
=…!=
=You’re lucky to be alive, we’re lucky to pass without hassle, master stays free of annoyances. Yeah?=
=…=
=Just keep your mouth shut, pretend you never saw him, and we’re done. Of course, you’ve never seen him before either.=
=…R-really, that’s all?=
=What else? Want his curse to send you to the abyss dying?=
Tremble tremble.
=Look at me. I’m living proof you can trust.=
=Wh-what do you mean?=
=You know damn well. Gonna act like a rookie?=
The hyena-headed guard glanced at her outfit. She looked more thief than bodyguard.
=…F-fine…=
Ssa’s eyes widened at Isilite expertly sweet-talking, soothing, and intimidating the corrupt guard into submission.
Then he recalled her past job and nodded slightly.
Former thief boss. And a money-loving corrupt guard.
‘Birds of a feather.’
He’d planned to name-drop Alpensys Merchant Guild, mention the urger attack, and hint at Hwan-in’s importance.
They’d come too far for a clean end otherwise. To smooth it without fuss, they needed backing or power.
‘Isilite handled it well this time.’
Not wanting to escalate with the lord’s subordinates, ending it here was best.
A hit to pride, but she wrapped it cleaner. Ssa acknowledged it, followed the guard back thumbs-upping Isilite.
The gate trouble had built tension like a lit fuse…
=Cleared.=
But it ended as if nothing happened.
The returning hyena guard routinely checked Ssa, Hwan-in, and the group’s info, took the toll, and waved them through. The backed-up line cleared quickly after, as if making up time.
As curious and annoyed onlookers entered, the north gate returned to its usual bustle.
Stepping into streets reminiscent of medieval Arab or European towns, Hwan-in scanned the surroundings and asked,
“What did you talk about with the guard?”
=Haha… Embarrassingly, I did nothing. Isilite worked her magic on her.=
Hearing the story, Hwan-in turned to Isilite guarding the cargo hold like a sentinel.
She met his eyes with a quizzical look; he nodded slightly. Beaming like praised, she grinned.
Hwan-in faced forward, taking in the cityscape where every building boasted unique windows, doors, and walls.
‘Ending it smoothly like this isn’t bad.’
Hwan-in didn’t know moderation. He tolerated some trouble, but past a point, he flipped the table silently.
He was the type to burn a thatched house to catch a rat.
With weapons more convenient than on Earth, upending a city was feasible, in his view.
‘I can communicate with souls now. Convince dissatisfied ones, and they might corrupt.’
If words could purify corruption for transcendence, couldn’t they corrupt pure souls too?
Well-used corruption was biochemical terror.
Success could plunge the city into chaos—or destroy it.
As a city-scale place, other Soul Masters might exist, but the guards’ reactions suggested not—guaranteed effect.
But…
‘Need more intel.’
Terror required societal knowledge for perfection.
His current knowledge was elementary high-grade, middle school at best. Securing info was priority.
And experiments on corrupting souls.
Fixated, Hwan-in pondered neatly dooming Wayford’s hundreds of thousands, then looked up at the sudden shadow.
Another wall inside the city. Shorter than the outer, but substantial.
Spotting it halved his inner-city corruption plan’s odds.
This was why basics mattered.
‘Nearly 1km from outer to inner wall… Population of 200k isn’t a lie.’
The inner gate guards differed in quality from the outer.
Outers wore chainmail with spears, swords, shields—regulars. Inners: plate-armored knights.
Attitudes utterly professional.
They checked cargo, confirmed the urger, proceeded without a blink.
=Submit your pass too.=
=Oh dear, sir. He’s vouched by our Ssa Merchant Group. Heading to the admin for ID and contract. Yes.=
=ID? Hm… Understood. Temporary pass issued. Valid till tomorrow evening—finish application by then.=
=Thank you. Here’s the temp ID fee.=
=Confirmed.=
Hwan-in took the subtly golden metal tag, bowed politely to the by-the-book guard, and rejoined Ssa on the cart.
Entering the inner city, Hwan-in sensed a different vibe from the outer.
Buildings taller by 1-2 floors, premium materials, affluent aura unlike the outer market bustle.
Pedestrians in fine clothes, carriages sleek. Blocks organized like Earth cities, sidewalks, roads separated, street trees and lamps.
Exaggerated, like standing in an old European city.
“Is this for middle class and above?”
=Just so. Wayford divides into three zones. Center: Naturally, Ho Tribe’s Aldjin Bere’s castle. First residential ring: High Tribe elite mansions only—no commerce.=
First zone size: village-like. Next: This midtown, central district. Town-sized.
=Residential, commercial, education, and guild zones. Rich neighborhood. Weapons, armor, tools in general areas too, but high-end shops, dojos, training halls, job guilds, admin buildings here. Wayford’s heart.=
“Only those education spots?”
=Pardon? Hm, pay at dojos, halls, guilds—most training available.=
Hwan-in meant basic schooling; Ssa’s answer was off.
Grasping medieval education level, Hwan-in smirked inwardly.
‘No wonder people mystify souls.’
Then Ssa pointed to a 4-story red-brick building like upscale European: =That’s Alpensys Merchant Guild.=
Indeed, open entrance for carts on first floor, bustling—logistics hub vibe.
“Not visiting Alpensys?”
=Haha, I can solo that. First, dispose of this urger corpse.=
Last zone explanation followed.
=General zone: Everywhere else, for those barred from midtown. Has upscale spots, but not like here. Stray a bit, quality drops. Clean main roads, but slums near outer walls—avoid if possible.=
Hwan-in listened intently, eyes on boulevards, when one spot caught his eye. He muttered,
“That’s a cemetery, right?”
=Eh, yes. How’d you know? First-timers mistake it for a garden.=
“Lots of souls.”
=…Uh, yeah.=
Ssa scratched his cheek awkwardly, chuckled.
=Restricted access. Four central cemeteries—family, keepers only. Reveal your… profession, and you’d enter freely.=
Hwan-in nodded silently.
Better reveal job after gathering enough info, then visit graves.
‘Or privately, demand secrecy.’