Settlement #2: Booze, Yokai Ranks, and Bracer Shopping
So that's how I ended up heading to a nearby banjeom with Jae Mi-son for some drinks. The moment we sat down, I ordered a bottle of hwaju and some dumplings, but waiting for the food was torture, so we cracked open the booze first.
"Kuhaha!"
"Fuuu!"
Washing away the day's grind with booze felt damn good. And my pockets were stuffed fat with coin to boot. If it ran low later, I'd just order more drinks and grub.
"You... you're one solid guy."
Jae Mi-son said after downing a shot of hwaju.
"Spotting the true value of my unique weapon, and your skills ain't half bad either."
"Heh heh heh, same goes for you, Jae Mi-son."
Compared to the other guys, he had a decent personality, and I'd seen his skills shine when he took down those goblins. The way he skewered them with that I-sang Je-go was top-notch. Freaks with weird weapons always pack real punch. Jae Mi-son struck me as a prime killer.
"At first I figured you were just some punk with a gimmick weapon, but it's a masterpiece."
"Kick... spot on. Love the name I-sang Je-go too."
"Hone it well. And from now on, drop the formal crap."
"Whatever..."
While we chatted, the dumplings arrived. I snatched one of the perfectly steamed beauties with my chopsticks and shoveled it in. These dumplings were seriously tasty.
Anyway, this Jae Mi-son guy? In my book, he was solid gold. No harm in building some rapport. Even with strangers, crack open some bottles, shoot the shit, and boom—you're pals. Back on Earth, sure, the vibes might fade by morning no matter how tight the night got. But this was Murim. I could link up with Jae Mi-son anytime for work.
"Alright, let's reintroduce. Name's Kim Geun-hyeop. From a village near the Haenam Province-Anhui Province border. Came to Anhui on a whim to make bank. Did some odd jobs, bought a sword, boom—Murim guy. What about you, Jae Mi-son?"
"Me? A wanderer... no hometown."
What kinda bullshit was that?
"Forgot your past, huh? Heh heh, got some baggage, I see. Figures for a guy wielding a weapon like that."
At that, Jae Mi-son grinned slyly and grabbed a dumpling.
"Exactly... But I've settled here, hunting yokai for a living. We click well, so let's team up more often."
"Heh heh heh, music to my ears. Was gonna suggest the same."
"But you went with Song-ssi."
"Yeah, but Song-ssi was the stronger pick."
"Fair... Impressive skills. True to his title, Mu-eon Yo-sal."
"What? Mu-eon Yo-sal?"
Jae Mi-son explained right away. Song-ssi was a warrior known as Mu-eon Yo-sal—Silent Yokai Slayer—in these parts, famous for quietly butchering yokai without a word.
"A titled warrior! No wonder I wanna buddy up!"
Now I couldn't stop idolizing the guy...! How much more GOAT can you get?!
"Working with a guy like that broadens your horizons..."
"Indeed!"
Teaming with Song-ssi had taught me plenty, no doubt. But docking onto a titled warrior willy-nilly? Gotta watch that. One wrong move, and splat—dead.
"C'mon, keep drinking. Jae Mi-son."
"Yeah..."
So we clinked glasses and shot the breeze. Mostly me asking, him answering. I had a ton of questions about Murim, and as a local, he knew his shit. Booze makes any convo flow.
"Jae Mi-son, what yokai have you slain to build your skills?"
"Varied bunch... From Gol-gak-gwi to Si-gwi."
"Holy shit, your resume's stacked!"
This guy's experience was no joke!
"But what's that mean?"
"Gol-gak-gwi? Revived bones, basically... Si-gwi are dead humans risen by dark sorcery..."
"What."
Undead?! Skeletons and zombies too?!
"Th-that's wild."
"Kick... They're just low-tier trash yokai, not even Baekpal Yogyo Gundae level... To make a name as a yokai hunter, you gotta bag those at minimum."
"Yeah? But Baekpal what? Spill."
"Huh...?"
First I'd heard of Baekpal Yogyo Gundae. I poured him a shot to loosen his tongue.
"You don't know? Baekpal Yogyo Gundae—the leader-tier yokai among the rabble infesting the Central Plains."
"Ah, gotcha!"
So they call goblin bosses and such Baekpal Yogyo Gundae.
"Like the boss of those goblins?"
"Yep..."
"Why 108 specifically?"
"'Cause they're everywhere in the Central Plains..."
"Hence 108. Okay, what about stronger than that?"
"Jungwon Hyungak-sal... The infamous brutal yokai."
"Jungwon Hyungak-sal!"
Those needed at least Peak realm masters to handle, apparently.
"Next up... Jiha Gwi-gun-jang."
"Jiha Gwi-gun-jang!"
Boss vibes just from the name! So those were Transcendent-grade yokai?
"Then the legendary Cheonha Shipdae Yoma..."
"Ch-Cheonha Shipdae Yoma!"
Ultimate boss energy!
"How strong? What kinda yokai?"
"Heard there's a nine-tailed fox... Monkey with fiery golden eyes... Pig who built a pleasure kingdom... Don't know details. But the Gwi-jon above 'em are even more famous."
"Gwi-jon...!"
One after another! This guy knew everything!
"Anyway, Jae Mi-son, the Cheonha Shipdae Yoma at least...!"
"Need Fire Transformation realm to tangle with 'em... Terrifying bastards, but only ten in the world. That's why nations don't fall."
Hold up—something from the martial hall clicked. The great general Sang U-chun was fighting the Horse Demon King, right?
"What about the Horse Demon King?"
"That's a Gwi-jon..."
"It is! Strongest yokai in the Central Plains?"
"Even hell combined..."
They said Sang U-chun, Ming founder and supreme general, was Mysterious Realm absolute expert—strongest in the Central Plains. While I scrapped with goblin trash, absolute masters were clashing with colossal yokai far away.
"Jae Mi-son! More yokai intel!"
"Booze low..."
"Server! Another bottle of hwaju!"
"Coming right up!"
Teaming with Jae Mi-son? Best call ever!
We boozed hard with Jae Mi-son till we staggered out.
"Kuhhh...! Buzz hitting hard!"
My head was spinning. How long since I'd gotten this smashed? Last time was post-adulthood bender—got reamed by Aunt so bad, never overdid it since.
"Ah."
Sobered up quick. Picturing Aunt's icy glare as she made blackout-me kneel, legs crossed, arms folded on a chair... Chills killed the buzz. How long had I knelt like that? First time since bumping into fresh-from-shower Aunt right after stumbling home.
Cold sweat...!
"Kuk kuk! Me too!"
Jae Mi-son's booming laugh snapped me out. Guy knew how to party. Fun as hell drinking together. Yokai info was gold. World crawling with 'em.
But.
"Ah, buzz or not... My bruise throbs."
Goblin stone axe graze on my forearm hurt like hell. No wonder. Meant to hit a clinic, but booze first. Rookie move.
"Kick... Report it to the bureau. Say a goblin clipped you."
"What?"
"Publicize it among Murim folk too... Goblin got you."
"Cut the crap, heh heh heh."
Anyway, time to crash.
"Whew, off to the clinic then bed. Hey, Jae Mi-son. Let's job together next time. Where you usually crash?"
"Bangsam Guesthouse mostly... Nearby."
"Cool. I'll swing by if something pops. I'm at Chugok Guesthouse."
"Got it..."
We parted, and I hit the clinic.
In my dream, I was slaughtering people and yokai. Tears streamed as I wailed. Blood soaked everything. Turning, there was Aunt staring. Wanted to explain, but no words came.
"Gah!"
Thump-thump!
Heart pounding like mad.
"Ugh...! Fuckin' nightmare."
Overdrinking? Tossed and turned all night.
"Whew."
Forearm barely hurt now. Clinic meds worked wonders. Up I got, sorted my gear. Shiny half-tael silver ingot winked hello. Sexy bastard. Wanted to lick every inch, but heavy metals, nah. Pecked it and pocketed.
Alright, today's agenda? Too late for jobs—rest day. But lounging? Not my style.
"Decided."
Gear shopping!
Taking a hit from goblin trash? Ego bruised. Pride stripped bare. If I'd had bracers? No wound, plus active blocking in the fight.
"Gear's everything."
Gear gap's huge. Pros are picky. Sword done—now armor. Basics.
Geared up, straight to the weapon shop.
"Hey! Browsing gear!"
"Welcome! What're you after?"
"Decent bracers for a Murim man."
"Perfect spot."
Cash: half-tael silver, 200 copper. Enough for bracers, yeah?
"This way."
Followed the clerk.
"Oho!"
Armor galore. More military than Murim? Browsed, eyes hit bracer shelf.
"Hmm."
Leather, plate-linked, chain-reinforced. Varieties everywhere. Pricey tho.
"How much?"
Pointed at small-plate reinforced one.
"Three silver taels."
Nearly passed out. 3,000 copper?! Fuck.
"Hmm, cheaper options?"
"Leather then."
"Specifically half-tael range."
"...This?"
Clerk pointed at greenish leather bracers.
"Try on?"
"Go ahead."
Slid 'em on. Tough leather hugged my forearm. Yanked the inner straps tight, tucked 'em.
"Oho! Love it!"
Snug as hell!
"Don-jeo-gwi hide Yo-pi Wan-gap. Hot with Murim folk. Half-tael."
"Don-jeo-gwi yokai?"
"Y'know, big green-skinned bruisers."
"Hm..."
Orc vibes? Felt like fantasy starter warrior gear.
"Sold!"
Snagged the Yo-pi Wan-gap!
"Kuhahaha!"
Sword and bracers? Living the Murim dream!
Gearing up this fun? Beats games. Hunt yokai, eat rice, and shop. Win.
Buzzing, eyed more wares. Slick boots caught me.
"Those...?"
"Sharp eye. Pi-gak-sa leather high-end boots. Waterproof, tough—handy."
Alligator vibe.
"Price?"
"Five silver taels."
"Gasp!"
Five for boots?! But damn, I want 'em!