Chapter 113

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Translator: Ryuma

Chapter: 113

Chapter Title: Welcome Party

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"...Huh?"

"You know, that thing. Haven't you heard, bro? Why'd someone like that come to Nobira?"

"Ah, I've heard a bit, but not the details."

"Ha... Your news is way too slow, bro. You living under a rock or something? Anyway, I know all about this stuff. In Pandea, info is life! You owe me your life now."

"My life?"

"Info is life, and yours is lagging! With that naive mindset, you won't survive Pandea! Especially as a summon... Never mind."

Kang Seol could feel just how fast rumors spread in Pandea from the fact that the Yogna Tun incident was already on the lips of ordinary transferees like these.

And deep down, he was curious too.

About what his actions meant to regular transferees like them.

"You know Nobira got totally wrecked, right?"

"Yeah, I know."

"Turns out it was those terrifying trolls from beyond the barrier who did it. Who could've guessed there was a huge hole blasted in that wall?"

"When did that news reach you?"

"Uh, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠sometime before we entered the Great Forest, I think... Anyway, know how the rumor spread?"

Han So-mi lowered her voice dramatically, leaning in with a meaningful tone.

"Apparently, some transferee not only crossed that barrier but chased them all the way to Yogna Tun volcano."

"Really?"

"Yup. Word is, he gave those monsters a real smackdown all by himself. That's why the trolls plotting something in Yogna Tun backed off. All because of one guy. Know what power he wields?"

"That part's already out there?"

"Guess he was already famous around here. Details didn't leak, but he's been handling big stuff left and right... This time it just blew wide open."

"I see."

"Shadows. Creepy, right?"

"Huh? Creepy how?"

"It's like some shady villain power, all dark and ominous."

"So you don't like it?"

"Nah, it'd be perfect for our party. My dream's always been to be the evil Path one. But you're not even surprised? Isn't ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it shocking?"

"It is surprising."

"Your face says otherwise... Oh, jealous of famous folks type? I used to leave hate comments on celebs too. Human nature, I get it."

"......"

"What I said earlier about hoping that guy fills our empty spot? That's what I meant. Doesn't he sound perfect for a party like ours?"

"Why's that?"

"First off, charismatic only girl... Wait, we already have one. Not the only girl anymore. Anyway, me, the mood maker."

"Your job is mood maker?"

Han So-mi gave an awkward laugh and continued.

"Ahem. Also... our party's strength is the food's delicious."

"......"

"So if he joins, we can throw him a grand welcome party, right? Smooth out this adventure too. Win-win?"

"Earlier you called him evil Path, now welcome party?"

"Does good or evil matter? To the talented, it's just taste. Anyway, can't just whine about this situation, so I threw out some flattery. If someone like that joined us, we wouldn't be stuck here. We'd have headed straight back to Nobira. He's different from us. Even if he joined, it'd be trouble! Probably a jerk too. Talented folks often are. Mastering shadows? Bet I'm right!"

"Sounds like trash-talking now."

"Ah, 'if I can't have it, destroy it' is my motto..."

From the perspective of ordinary transferees, Kang Seol's exploits were bizarre, even monstrous.

Storming Yogna Tun alone and foiling the trolls' plans—no amount of power made that easy.

So they assumed that transferee was cut from different cloth.

"I've got some mileage, you know."

"Mileage?"

"That army vet talk, mileage. Experience! Short as transferee careers are, survivors all agree. There's an easy, surefire way to survive."

"The easiest way to survive..."

"Curious?"

Han So-mi whispered to Kang Seol.

"It's connections."

"...Huh?"

"Literal. Old life or this one, same deal. Everything runs on who you know. Crowds are crowds, right?"

"It works that way?"

"Can you say it doesn't? Think about it—that guy who stormed Yogna Tun solo! Lucky he had a connection there, or everyone would've died."

"Hm..."

Jo Kyung-taek asked Han So-mi.

"So sis means we gotta build those connections?"

"Everyone's doing it on the sly. Not just us. Fixed parties? Nah these days. Elites stick with elites."

"Pfft, how? Pray the guy next to you turns out amazing?"

"Nah, bold wins all. What's side characters like us got? Eyesight. Spot the itch on promising tough guys and scratch it—they're yours."

"Ugh... Gotta go that far?"

"That's why you're green, Kyung-taek. To survive, what won't you do? Handstand clapping if needed. Got it? Key is squeezing into elite circles."

"Can we hold up?"

"Grit and spite! Don't take no for an answer from sis. That's how heroes are born!"

Jo Kyung-taek nodded along, mulling her words.

Meanwhile, Shin Mun-ho seemed uninterested, just slurping his leftover porridge.

"Mun-o... I mean, Uncle Mun-ho, you don't care about this stuff?"

"Slurp... Hm? What?"

"Y'know, heroes and such."

"Old fat bald guy's too old for delusions. People'd hate. I know my lane."

"Uncle, slurp! So negative again."

His responses weren't new; Jo Kyung-taek and Han So-mi handled it smoothly.

"Uncle, you'll find your daughter for sure. What was her name... Ye... Hye... Hye-rin?"

"Ye-rin, Shin Ye-rin. Wonder if she's clinging to her mom's hand."

Han So-mi briefly explained Shin Mun-ho's situation to Kang Seol.

"He worries about family since crossing over. Wife and daughter were living abroad."

"...I see."

"Anyway, Uncle. Wouldn't Ye-rin want her dad to be a hero?"

"What I've learned at my age: I'm not the type to help others. That's for the leisurely. I just need my daughter."

"...You two were close?"

Shin Mun-ho, usually quiet, lit up at his daughter's mention.

"Well... Yeah... No, after puberty, not great. Then we lived apart, calls now and then."

Shin Mun-ho gazed wistfully into the distance.

"Wanted to play piano, so mom took her to Germany ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠for studies."

"Whoa... Nice. So... you're a goose dad?"

"Yeah, goose dad."

"Goose dad, huh..."

"After that, things got awkward. Not blaming wife or girl, though. Me not sending enough money, who am I to judge..."

Viewers chimed in on the gloomy mood.

Shin Mun-ho took a deep breath unnecessarily.

"Aigoo... Sorry, young folks. Gloomed up the vibe for no reason. My bad."

"No, Uncle. Hey, Dog Kyung-taek! Your turn for gloomy talk!"

Jo Kyung-taek nodded.

"Me? Corner phobia!"

"...You don't use blades?"

"Spear... yeah?"

"You good?"

"Still adjusting."

"Gotcha, you punk. Acting fine..."

"Sis, you too."

"Me? Uh... Astigmatism. No glasses, wouldn't recognize my parents."

"...Sis is a hunter?"

"Yeah."

"Fuck... Explains the misses."

"Hey! I hear you. Got agility buffs now, see fine."

"Uncle's thief... Seol hyung's summoner... Total mess."

"Gotta sneak to Nobira quiet-like, for real."

In the chaotic vibe, Han So-mi asked Kang Seol.

"Bro, almost forgot to ask properly."

"Ask what?"

"What kind of summoner are you? Tons of types. Like... beast summoner? That's pretty useful, they say..."

"Just... this and that."

No need to say shadows—might expose Karen regardless. He brushed it off.

"This and that? Junk summoner?"

"...No."

"Junk... Kahaha... Masterpiece."

Karen snickered at Han So-mi's words.

"Come to think, sis is... knight?"

"Something like that..."

"Don't worry, sis. No need to rush front in danger. We're not like that."

Hard to gauge Karen's true power from looks alone.

Han So-mi said it fearing she'd feel pressured.

Suddenly, Kang Seol and Karen's eyes sharpened.

'Presence...'

Only they caught it—their gazes met.

Karen nodded.

"Alright, time to move. Long road ahead."

"Huh? No more rest? We walked ages. And we planned night travel..."

"I'd love to rest. But can't anymore."

"W-what do you mean?"

Kuuuung...

Something huge churned the nearby ground.

Ominous, dull thudding.

Like massive footsteps.

"...Huh?"

Kuuuung.

"W-what? Coming this way?"

"Sound... getting closer."

Kwaaaaaah!

Thud thud thud!

Something pounded a body part, roaring.

Opponent's size was no joke—fact.

"H-hide?"

"Run better?"

"If it's fast?!"

"F-fight...?"

"Crazy?"

"C-can't fight... Don't wanna die..."

"......"

Shin Mun-ho plugged ears, muttering.

Like facing oncoming truck—some freeze.

He was that type.

Can't fight a truck.

"Please... just go... please..."

Kuuuung...

Kuuuuung...

All held breath, silent.

Threatening steps faded.

But something changed.

Shadows.

Cast on their faces.

Han So-mi looked up at the shadow-caster.

Screee.

Huge monster peeked from trees, staring.

Foul stench, head alone terrified.

"O... Ogre... Forest ogre..."

Kwaaaaaak!

"Kyaaaaah!"

Just as she said.

Forest ogre tracking them—house-sized.

Jagged teeth, eerily human face.

Yellow beast eyes too.

Ogre had all human fears.

"D-don't..."

Meanwhile, Kang Seol and Karen exchanged glances; he nodded.

Turiax's massive club swung down.

Whoooosh!

Han So-mi screamed as target.

"Don't do iiiit!"

Shing—

Kwajiiik!

Club should've crushed her.

At least Han So-mi and Turiax thought so.

But it crushed nothing.

Kagagak...

Club halted against something.

Karen had drawn sword, blocking.

"...S-sis?"

Blocking club many times her size effortlessly.

Karen far exceeded expectations.

Plus, her form shifted to shadows.

"W-what... is that..."

Fwoosh!

Karen ignited crimson flames on her sword.

Sizzle...

Kwaaak!

Turiax flinched, retracting club.

Gazes shifted to Karen, then party member Kang Seol.

Whoooosh...

Black energy gathered in Kang Seol's hand.

"Still doing that welcome party?"

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