Chapter 261
Chapter 261
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 261
>Chapter Title: Goblin Street
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Rattle...
Rattle...
Thud-!
"Whoa, are you alright?"
"G-Gently, please? The carriage is shaking too much."
"The road's so rough... it's not easy."
The coachman grumbled about why they'd even come out to the outskirts. It wasn't the most comfortable ride, having rented the carriage for a set fee over a period of time.
Still, compared to the days when they'd trudged along on foot with bundles on their backs, this was a tremendous improvement.
"......"
"Hmm......"
Ever since their destination had been set as Goblin Street, the group had fallen completely silent.
'Goblin Street isn't exactly a cheerful place.'
Goblin Street was a slum, the decayed underbelly of prosperity. Most of Hongyeon's criminals hailed from there.
That was why there were definitely those who looked down on people from Goblin Street.
It was hard to tell sometimes whether they led harsh lives and were thus scorned, or if they were scorned and thus led harsh lives.
The cause and effect were so tangled that it was impossible to unravel the knot—that was Goblin Street, the place they were heading to.
'It's a hotbed of crime... and the environment stirs up dark thoughts.'
Whether pity or revulsion, it was an unhealthy emotion that left a lingering headache like a hangover, which was why few people ever visited Goblin Street.
Rattle, rattle...
"Hmm..."
Chiwoo, arms crossed and leg jiggling, finally broke the silence.
"Is there a reason we absolutely have to go there?"
"Do you dislike Goblin Street, Chiwoo?"
"It's not that I hate it... but everyone from there is such a pain. Full of petty types."
"You're right, most are. But not everyone."
"You're friends with Yushin?"
"Yeah, we've kept in touch often. Though it's been harder lately."
Yushin.
'I never heard of him before.'
Since he was close to Seolhong, he was probably around her age.
Even if not, for Kang Seol—who had operated in Khan several times—to not know the name suggested Yushin had only recently gained notoriety.
Of course, it was all just speculation.
'I don't know much about Goblin Street myself.'
Kang Seol asked the two.
"Is this Yushin person famous?"
Chiwoo answered instead.
"Famous... maybe? He does charity work in Goblin Street."
"There are plenty of those, aren't there?"
Over the years, countless philanthropists had supported Goblin Street—paving roads, fixing broken windows, repairing houses.
Yet it always reverted back, never truly improving.
"True. But, um..."
Chiwoo glanced at Seolhong.
Since Yushin was her friend, he didn't want to say anything that might hurt her feelings.
Sensing this, Seolhong replied.
"He's from the Spirit-Eye Tribe. Yushin is."
"The Spirit-Eye Tribe!"
The Spirit-Eye Tribe.
Like a fading minority clan, their numbers were few and dwindling even further. In the vast Khan Empire, encountering one like Yushin would naturally spark rumors.
"The Spirit-Eye Tribe..."
The Spirit-Eye Tribe somehow mirrored Khan's own history. A race that rose alongside dragons with their strange powers, yet those very powers ironically became prime justification for discrimination by ordinary imperial citizens.
Ordinary humans tended to reject anything different, after all.
'I didn't expect to meet a Spirit-Eye tribesman... in that case...'
As a clan on the verge of extinction, the Spirit-Eye Tribe had networks connecting them directly or indirectly.
They might not be close, but they knew how each other lived and where.
Kang Seol knew this well because he had ties to the Spirit-Eye Tribe.
Specifically, to his subordinates, Daedeok and Hye-myung.
- Hye-myung! Sit here!
- Why, Mia? Gonna smash my face again?
- No! This time it'll be a masterpiece for sure! Though with your ugly mug, it'll be tough art...
- Someone who's never seen me would draw me more like myself than you...
- Ahaha! I've never seen you in person either, Hye-myung?
A flickering memory, a little girl.
Her power was so immense that she'd gone blind before even her coming-of-age ceremony.
'...Mia.'
Hearing about the Spirit-Eye Tribe made him suddenly curious about Mia.
'Is she doing well?'
With that brief thought—that he'd ask about Mia when he met Yushin—Kang Seol snapped out of his reverie.
"Urgh... one headache after another."
While he'd been lost in thought, Seolhong and Chiwoo had been reviewing the next Dragon Contest trials.
Planning to select and tackle the most suitable ones.
But they hadn't found any that felt quite right yet.
"...Hmm, hunting the six-headed serpent between the valleys, wiping out the blood-soaked bandit gang, resolving the dispute with the black gunpowder pirates off the East Sea... none of these feel great. Why are the ones solvable by brute force so low-scoring?"
Kang Seol had already checked all the ones Chiwoo just listed.
Unlike before, these trials allowed choices, with some unusual point distributions.
"Why do fetching items score so much higher?"
There was a good reason for it.
Trials like subjugations didn't showcase Dragon Flower abilities much.
Rare items, on the other hand, were usually in the hands of influential figures or hard-to-reach places, and overcoming those hurdles alone offered plenty to evaluate.
Thus, recovery missions for rare items scored higher. Though differences existed even among them.
For instance, one trial scored far higher than the rest...
'This one.'
Recovering the Wilderness Bell.
A legendary artifact the size of an egg, said to emit thunderous sounds that subdued demons when rung.
'The Wilderness Bell...'
Swoosh...
Chiwoo rolled up the scroll.
"Recover the Wilderness Bell? Even Khan doesn't know where it is—how are we supposed to find it?"
Others probably only knew of it through legends, unsure if it even existed or where.
'Yeah... the Wilderness Bell.'
Kang Seol had seen it before.
Very close up.
A short while later.
Screeech...
"We'll wait on the outskirts."
"Alright."
The coachman hurriedly drove the horses away. Left behind were Seolhong, Kang Seol, and Chiwoo.
Chiwoo said,
"Shouldn't we at least bring some food? If kids swarm us, we could toss them that..."
"No. Showing pity in Goblin Street can be dangerous. Not everyone's like that, but some really are."
Seolhong seemed to know Goblin Street well.
From handling the sick to being so savvy about slums, there was something special about her.
Something indescribable.
"Dangerous? Don't worry. If they rush, I'll just..."
"......"
"I'll hold them back."
"Yeah, better no clashes. We just need to spot Yushin quietly."
"Got it. Let's do that."
If Seolhong's identity leaked in Goblin Street, swarms would come for her status and wealth like clouds.
"Let's be careful. I'll lead."
"You know the way?"
"You guide, Seolhong!"
"Yeah, sounds good."
Chiwoo in front, Kang Seol in back, Seolhong in the middle—they walked side by side.
With her sandwiched between them, no one could touch Seolhong even if someone suddenly appeared.
Swoosh...
Swoosh...
The alleys felt eerie from the atmosphere alone.
Shadowy figures darted quickly between alleys.
"They're staring at us, right?"
"I feel the gazes."
Chiwoo and Kang Seol's exchange.
No malice in the stares, but no friendliness either.
"Um, over there..."
People approaching slowly to beg. But Seolhong passed them without hesitation, no trace of doubt.
Kang Seol briefly considered emitting intimidation.
'Watch a bit more.'
Right then, kids around 6 or 7 years old burst out from nearby—a girl and boy, looking like siblings.
"Hand over moneyyy!"
"G-Give money!"
This time, Chiwoo had to stop.
They looked young enough to still have snotty noses, yet spouting such vicious words casually was amusing, but their brazenness really caught his eye.
"Don't you hear our stomachs growling? Money! Give money!"
"Yeah! We've starved for days!"
For days without food, their faces were clean and cheeks plump. Clear lie.
"Hah..."
As Chiwoo tried to pass, the kids pulled a weird stunt.
Flop...
"Step on us!"
"Yeah, step on us!"
"Give some money! If you're leaving, step on us!"
"Ow, that'd hurt..."
A choice appeared to Kang Seol.
[Unknown children approach demanding money. How will you respond?]
1. Greed without giving back? Know some shame!
2. How much do you need?
3. We have no money.
4. Goodness, how long have you starved...
5. [Risk: Bad reputation, condemnation, beating] Step on them.
...
Some pretty brutal options, but Kang Seol didn't need to agonize.
Seolhong smiled brightly and bent down.
"We're here to see Yushin."
At those words, the kids—who'd been sprawled like dog poop under a cart wheel—sprang up.
"What? You know Yushin?"
"Sis, you friends with Yushin bro?"
- Tch! Busted!
- Kids these days are scary lol
Seolhong nodded.
"Do you know where Yushin is?"
"...We'll take you to Yushin. Follow us!"
Just like that, Kang Seol's group gained guides.
They walked quite a ways to a mud hut that might collapse if it rained.
A burly man guarded the door, looking like he'd be involved in shady dealings.
"Who're you?"
The kids answered for them.
"They say they're Yushin's friends!"
"Oh, friends? Hold on."
Friendlier than expected.
As they stood kicking dirt idly, someone poked their head out of the mud hut.
"Who... Ah!"
A young man with an eyepatch, head only out the door.
It was Yushin.
"Yushin!"
"This voice... Seolhong! Long time no see."
"Yeah!"
Only then did Yushin step out fully and approach Seolhong; she did the same. It really had been ages—they shared a joyful hug.
Then they chatted happily, smiling.
"Ah, come in."
Invited into Yushin's home.
Dozens of children were inside.
They all stared at Kang Seol's group in unison.
Gulp...
Chiwoo swallowed.
A moment later.
"Hey hey! Don't pull my ears!"
"Hahaha! So cool! Puppy ears! Puppy ears!"
"It's wolf!"
"Puppy! Tickle tickle!"
"Eek!"
- Chiwoo's done for.
- This guy's chosen?
- Has uncle potential.
While Chiwoo, Kang Seol, and even the grieving one played with the kids, Seolhong talked quietly with Yushin.
'Better leave them be.'
Seolhong looked worn out, body and mind, from consecutive Dragon Contests. Chiwoo sensed it too and muttered,
"You're the only Dragon Flower who frequents Goblin Street in all Khan! To end up coming here..."
Seolhong laughed, enjoying her chat with Yushin.
"She looks happy."
"Yeah."
"Occasional outings seem good for her. Sometimes."
"Yeah?"
"Having a place to go even after leaving Dragon Palace—that just shows what a good person Seolhong is."
Hearing Chiwoo, Kang Seol thought of another meaning.
It also meant Dragon Palace hadn't become her true home.
Their reunion ended sooner than expected.
Seolhong didn't drag out the talk, spilling all she wanted and had bottled up.
Yushin listened patiently the whole time.
'Good guy.'
Seolhong put on her outer coat.
"Thanks, Yushin."
"No, thank you."
Kang Seol and Chiwoo peeled the kids off and approached.
"Let go already? Ears are off-limits... Nice meeting you, Yushin."
"Pleasure."
"...Thank you for playing with the children."
"Aside from the ear-pulling, it was fine. Anyway, Kang Seol. Didn't you have something to say?"
"Yeah."
Kang Seol approached Yushin.
"Do you... know anything about Mia's whereabouts?"
Flinch!
Yushin visibly flinched.
His reaction was odd somehow.
Then, among the kids who'd heard, the ones who'd blocked the path earlier piped up.
"Mia sis?"
"I know!"
"If it's Mia sis..."
Yushin hurriedly tried to cover the kid's mouth. But too late.
"She was here yesterday too... Mmph..."
Kang Seol's eyes widened.
- If I don't go... do I have to not go?
- ...Mia.
'Mia's in Hongyeon? Why?'
Right then, a message appeared to Kang Seol.
[You acquire new information.]
[Sudden adventure will trigger upon fulfilling conditions.]