Goburin Subjugation #3
"We took one down before! There were way more of 'em than I thought! That's why the government's shelling out two taels of silver each!"
"How many were there exactly?"
"Easily over ten! You need at least five martial artists to take 'em out! They charge with spears—such a pain in the ass! And the ones throwing rocks are no joke either!"
Gu Juman bellowed, bragging about his experience like it was the highlight of his life.
Let's see... so the Goburin village is about platoon-sized? Yeah, that tracks. With numbers like that, you'd need multiple martial folks. But spears charging in? That's nagging at me.
"Spears, huh. Definitely tricky weapons."
"Even if they're just stone spears! Still, get stabbed in a vital spot, and you're dead on the spot—watch out!"
That part I really need to be careful about.
"Hey, anyone here got experience hunting Goburin?"
"I've taken down all sorts of yokai, but Goburin are a first for me."
"Me too... first time."
"None."
Song-ssi eyed us all with a weird look at the end.
"Then I'm the only one with experience! In that case, I'll lead the party!"
"Sounds good."
"As you say."
He volunteered to lead, which fits Gu Juman's bold personality. Big voice box, maybe? His booming tone inspires confidence.
"Alright, let's talk compensation."
Money's the most important thing, so I jumped in first. My eyes locked on Gu Juman, of course.
"Government's offering two taels of silver, so split it evenly five ways?"
That Jae Mi-son guy looks like a typical otome game protag reject with social issues, O Gi-su seems nitpicky but weaker than Gu Juman, and Song-ssi's too quiet—pass.
"Split the money even! Keeps it simple!"
Everyone nodded.
"Heh heh, Gu Juman, you seem like a real generous type."
"Hear that a lot!"
"Hey, Gu Juman. As leader, I've got a proposal. If anyone bolts mid-fight, they forfeit their share—sound good?"
"Obviously! Was gonna say the same!"
"Better to set it clear upfront—no backlash later."
"Kim Geun-hyeop's right. We need firm rules."
We hashed out the details one by one, aligning the group's intentions. Nice. Party looks solid. Gu Juman's reasonable and big-hearted—no petty drama expected. Yeah, having a loudmouth like him around makes things easier.
Cold truth: we're just armed peasants with swords. Rookie party with jack shit to our names. Need a bold center like Gu Juman to fight right. Bunch of timid types together? They'd fumble and die.
After some more chit-chat and a round of drinks from the client, we headed to the Rowdy Gate.
"Everyone assembled! Leader's me, Gu Juman!"
"Got it. Start the job."
"Let's move!"
First Goburin hunt. First real commission with martial artist buddies. A bit tense, but compared to that prick Go Seok-sam, these guys are saints. Honestly, not feeling too heavy about it. No way there are more assholes like him, right? They're all armed martial artists—no Go Seok-sams here.
"Oh, grab some supplies first!"
Before leaving the city, we hit a general store on Gu Juman's suggestion. Makes sense—this is our first march and fight outside the walls. All city jobs till now. Gotta stock up.
"Hmm."
I pondered what to buy. Had something in mind anyway.
"Hey, need a travel satchel and canteen here."
"Right here, sir."
Satchel for gear and a canteen—essentials. Satchel's fine, but canteens came in varieties. Mostly gourd-shaped: hollowed-out gourds or fancy carved wood with paint.
"This blue satchel—how much?"
"Fifty coppers, sir. Pig leather."
Pigskin for fifty coppers? Worth it. These bags last forever.
"I'll take it. And this gourd?"
"Five coppers."
Cheap since it's just a hollowed gourd.
"Wrap 'em up. Oh, and some rations."
"Yes, sir."
Paid up, filled the gourd at the well.
"Nice."
Got a bag and a strap-on canteen. Feels like I'm building a proper setup—kinda reassuring. Stuff it with gear from now on.
"Everyone set? Out the gates! Watch for other yokai once we're outside—stay alert!"
"Heh... got it."
"Understood, Gu Juman."
Prep done. We left the city.
Guarding the massive gate were uniformed imperial soldiers. These are the Great Ming Empire's troops. Tougher-looking than expected. Trained in standard military arts? One thrust from those tridents, and you'd be minced meat. Soldiers in this world are born killers and butchers. Never fuck with 'em.
They ignored us, just checking carts. Slipped out the gate no problem.
"Whoa."
Rice paddies around, mountains in the distance. Target's in those hills. Goburin village somewhere in there.
"Stick to the road! No slacking once we hit the mountains!"
"We're not kids, Gu Juman."
"Gotta remind yourselves!"
"My ears are gonna fall off."
"What'd you say! O Gi-su, you ignoring my advice?!"
"Pipe down a bit."
Why'd the vibe shift the second we stepped out?
"Hey, calm it. O Gi-su, he's the leader. His advice ain't bad."
"Leader, not babysitter. Tone it down, Gu Juman."
"What the hell!!!"
Fuck. Gonna brawl? Should I step in?
"Kim Geun-hyeop... let 'em. They'll tire out."
Jae Mi-son grabbed my shoulder mid-thought.
"You sure? Fight breaks out, screws combat—we're the ones in danger."
"They think... the same. Leave 'em—they'll sort it."
"That so?"
Huh. Hung back a bit; no real fight in 'em. Just yelling, no fists.
"Whoa, Jae Mi-son, sharp eyes."
"Heh... not as sharp as you spotting my unique weapon."
Why laugh so creepy?
"..."
Weird guy—maybe stick with quiet Song-ssi? Nah, he's dead silent; awkward. Stuck walking with this freak Jae Mi-son. Gu Juman and O Gi-su bickering up front.
"Tridents are imperial-only. But I loved 'em. Made my own similar spear."
"Tridents exclusive to soldiers?"
"Yeah..."
"Weapon's name?"
"Not named yet..."
His pride and joy, unnamed?
"Kim Geun-hyeop... you saw its true value. Name it for me."
Never saw shit.
"Call it I-sang Je-go."
"I-sang Je-go...?"
Phonetic rendering of “Two Elephant Subjugation Torment” — a martial technique meaning two elephant tusks tormenting and crushing enemies.
"Like elephant tusks: two blades suppressing and tormenting enemies. Good?"
He grinned, stuck out his hand. Likes it.
"Perfect!"
"Curious about its potential too."
Shook on it. Friendship? Feels like I found a like-minded bro. Cool. Jae Mi-son—see what he's about on the job. Seems solid; might make him a real friend.
Chatting with him, we hit the hills.
"Heads up! Yokai territory—stay sharp!"
"Got it."
Wild yokai outside cities are nasty. City small fry like Little Blue Ghosts are common mobs; here, Goburin are the baseline.
Korean, so hiking's no biggie, but yokai-infested? Tense as hell. Jungle-like too.
Crunch crunch.
Quiet, vigilant march up the trail. March plus hike tiring, but they hid it well. Pros at walking—this era's folk trek all day; better stamina than moderns.
"Gu Juman."
"Yeah?"
"Road here—Goburin really nearby? Thought off-trail backwoods."
"Spot on! Managed roads yokai-free. Deeper in, veer off like you said!"
"Roger."
Into the rugged side, then.
"Gu Juman. How many times—quiet!"
"Oops, sorry!"
Bickering nonstop. Anyway, pushed on, veered off-road per Gu Juman. Reports of Goburin around here. Real field now.
"..."
Any yokai, anywhere.
"This way."
Song-ssi ghosted from behind.
"Gah!"
"Hunt Goburin signs. Check trees. Waist-high marks mean their turf."
"Song-ssi, you talk that much?!"