Settlement #1
"Sorry for running off on my own! I, uh, that goblin subjugation..."
"It's over!"
Before I could even get the words out, Gu Juman bellowed.
"You shameless bastard! You show up now that the fight's done? You get nothing!"
Nice one, Gu Juman! Honestly, I hadn't thought much of him before, but after fighting together? The guy's growing on me big time.
"What do you mean...? Fine, I admit I bailed in the heat of it, but I fought with you up to the middle! And now no share?!"
"This punk!"
"Calm down, Gu Juman."
"How am I supposed to calm down when this asshole's spouting bullshit?!"
Gu Juman was fired up, looking ready to throw punches any second. Whatever. We'd all agreed on this before coming here.
"O Gi-su. I'll grant you fought hard up to the middle. But think back. Before we came here, at the guesthouse—we clearly agreed, right? Anyone who bails mid-fight gets no share."
I stepped forward and laid it out.
"O Gi-su, I get it—regret's hitting you now that you've run. But snap out of it and say it again. You planning to break our deal? The one you agreed to yourself?"
"Th-that...!"
Logic. Pure, rational, airtight logic. O Gi-su visibly shrank. Meanwhile, we looked even bigger, holding all the moral high ground.
"He's right! You agreed too!"
"Kuk kuk... Try breaking it, and my special spear goes wild."
"..."
A bunch of us ganging up on one guy. Even Song-ssi was laying on the silent pressure. No way a deserter punk could stand tall here.
No need to beat the crap out of O Gi-su and make enemies. Just stick to the agreement. Not everything in life needs fists, right? Sometimes words can wrap it up nice and pretty.
"O Gi-su. Answer me. You ditched the front line, and now you wanna break the deal? If so, we can't respect you anymore."
"Fuck!"
I dropped my voice heavier, and he exploded with curses.
"Fine, got it! No share for me like we agreed—just let me tag along back! I can't go alone!"
"Hmph, now we're talking."
Everything wrapped up smooth. For a second, I worried it might leave a bad aftertaste, but nah—false alarm. Who'd boldly break a deal against four martial artists?
"Alright, let's head out! Man, after this, I could go for a drink! What do you all say?"
I'm not the only one thrilled it's over. Gu Juman was beaming, Jae Mi-son grinning, and even Song-ssi's steps looked lighter. Not that I wanna drink with Gu Juman, though.
"Sorry, gotta save up. Drinks next time."
"Come on, man! Geun-hyeop! We're a solid team!"
"Heh heh, plenty more chances."
"Then Jae Mi-son! Song-ssi!"
"Kick... Gotta pinch pennies."
"Got work."
Wonder if Gu Juman can ever grab drinks with anyone. Looking forward to it.
We got back late. Had to camp outside the gate—no entry at night. But with so many folks crashing there, it was basically a village. Hell, even late-night food vendors were out.
We grabbed a spot, crashed, then bolted in at dawn straight to the Dahoebang. Settlement time.
"Here! Goblin subjugation complete!"
Gu Juman yelled, hoisting the sack stuffed with goblin bits. We hung back as the clerk checked us out.
"Let's see: Leader Gu Juman, Jae Mi-son, Song-ssi, O Gi-su, Kim Geun-hyeop. Confirmed... Whew, what a stench. You wiped out a whole goblin tribe. Job done. Wait here for the silver."
After paperwork and checks, the clerk finally brought our cut.
"Here's two nyang of silver."
"Hell yeah!"
Gu Juman snatched it, grinning like mad. My eyes were glued to it too.
"Whoa."
How does something like that exist? That insanely shiny silver chunk... How is it that beautiful?! One tiny piece equals 2,000 mun in coins. Insane money. Day labor barely nets 10 mun after a grind. You'd need 200 straight days of nonstop work for this.
"Oh yeah, Dahoebang cuts silver on request! We're splitting four ways anyway—do it now?"
Gu Juman hollered.
"Sure."
"Agreed."
Song-ssi nodded.
"Huh? Aren't you five?"
"One bailed mid-fight. We agreed beforehand: deserters get zilch."
"Not my business."
The clerk whipped out scales and shears like a pro, slicing the silver with eerie precision. We each got a chunk worth 500 mun.
I'm losing my mind! Half a nyang?!
"Kya...!"
Staring at the piece in my hand, I felt dizzy. One day. One goblin war outside the walls, and boom—500 mun. Sell the loot, and we'd pocket dozens more each.
"Better sell the spoils quick!"
"Kahaha! Kim Geun-hyeop, your eyes are spinning at the silver! Yeah, that's its power! Once a martial artist touches it, you're hooked forever!"
Spot on. We hit the general store last, dumping all the goblin cave junk. Netted about 12 mun each.
Less than expected.
"Yokai-made crap's crude. It's cheap consumables anyway."
Shopkeep's take. Whatever. Done and dusted. Job cleared, cash split.
"All good? Time to split. Good work, everyone. Happy to team up again sometime."
"You know it!"
"Kuk kuk... Same."
Gu Juman and Jae Mi-son were all in; Song-ssi gave a quiet nod and turned. Cool as ice, that guy. Jealous of his sword skills and know-how. How is Song-ssi this badass...!
"See ya!"
Can't stop idolizing him. My brain's replaying his goblin-slaying montage on loop. Screw it—stick to the plan. Buy him drinks, pry some knowledge.
I pretended to split off, then trailed him from a distance. Gu Juman and Jae Mi-son? We'll cross paths. Song-ssi's the priority.
"Hey, Song."
"Why tailing me?"
"Gah!"
He spun around the corner the second I called his name.
"Song-ssi. Got something to say."
"..."
He eyed me silently.
"Wanna treat you to drinks and meat. Your deep knowledge and goblin-carving skills blew me away. Straight up—as a martial artist, I respect the hell out of you."
Honesty's key here.
"Hmph."
"Drinks and meat for some goblin tips? Belly up, right? I know a good guesthouse, Song-ssi."
—Whoosh.
He turned on a dime.
"Song-ssi?"
"I don't sell my skills."
And just like that, he peaced out cool as ever.
"Ah."
Reached out in regret, but he was already gone. Song-ssi... even your exits are badass.
"So cool...!"
Turns down free booze and grub flat-out—style! Didn't even glance back. Like the convo's dead if there's no business. Clean cuts. Exactly the pro craftsman type I admire!
"Plenty more days ahead."
I'll hit Dahoebang nonstop for quests. Bound to run into Song-ssi again. Friendship builds slow. Networks don't grow themselves—especially for a non-native like me. Gotta push friendly and proactive.
Goal set: befriend Song-ssi.
"Whew."
Time to head home. Camping wiped me out. Crash hard, then refuel.
"Kuk kuk... Got shot down by Song-ssi, huh."
"Huh?"
Voice from behind—I turned to see Jae Mi-son smirking, arms crossed.
"Jae Mi-son? Stalking me?"
"Yup."
"That blunt?!"
Eh, rice porridge beats nothing. I slung an arm around him.
"Jae Mi-son. Drinks? No Gu Juman."
"Kuk kuk... Truth is, I didn't wanna drink with him either."
Same. Totally same.