Even I Get a Fated Opportunity?! #1
Of course, I had no money, so there was no way I could buy it. I immediately bowed politely and headed outside.
It sucked not getting the item I wanted, but the bracers strapped to my arms filled that void with a solid sense of security. It was enough.
"Okay."
Decision made. From now on, I'd steadily gear up while hunting yokai. I'd only bought these one-pair yopiwan gap bracers, but the reassurance they gave was on another level entirely.
Imagine if I added those five-tael silver gaksajanghwa boots on top?
"That'd be perfect...!"
Not to mention that small iron-plated vest and the leg guards to wear under my pants. Would I even look like a murim warrior at that point? Nah, straight-up fantasy warrior.
Screw it—I'd just class-change into a full warrior build.
But damn, money was the real issue. Covering living expenses, martial arts training costs, and gear? What the hell was I supposed to do?
I couldn't exactly beg my aunt for allowance with some cutesy act. Back in the day, giving her a massage would've scored me pocket money, but...
"Guess I've gotta hunt some stronger yokai."
With that resolve, I headed back to my lodging. Whatever—today, I'd crash hard.
Honestly, blowing half a tael of silver in one go was a massive loss. Sure, I'd gotten the bracers, but my guts still twisted at the thought. If I didn't rest, I'd crash 100%.
The next day, I headed straight to the Hwandomun agency to snag some work. I'd just come back from wiping out a goblin nest the day before yesterday, but like I'd decided—no time for rest.
I'm not some shoe-obsessed poor bastard betting my life on footwear, but those three-tael silver gaksajanghwa boots were too damn tempting.
Truth be told, the shoes I had on were falling apart from all the rough use. Even soldiers back home lusted after good boots. In this era, nothing was hotter than solid footwear.
"Hmm."
Thinking that, I scanned the bulletin board.
Goburin Sighting — Extermination Requested
Jackpot—a request for goburin extermination!
"Okay!"
Lucky break. Alright, let's check the details.
This one wasn't from the government; looked like a private request. From some village a ways off... Reward was one tael of silver, but intel said it was a small settlement, so I could clear it no problem.
I signed up right away.
"I'd like to take this request about the small goburin settlement spotted in the village."
"Hold on... Ah, here it is."
The clerk flipped open his ledger.
"No one's signed up yet."
"Put my name down, then."
I handed over my tag.
"I'll be waiting at Chunil Guesthouse."
"Got it."
Off to the guesthouse? Nah.
"Call Jae Mi-son."
I'd heard where he lived while drinking yesterday. Might as well team up since we were working. We'd synced once already, so I trusted the guy.
Where'd that bastard say he stayed? Bangsam Guesthouse, right...? Just head there and holler.
No phones in this world anyway.
I made a beeline for Bangsam Guesthouse.
"Hey, errand boy!"
"Yes, sir? Lodging?"
"Nah, not that."
I flipped the kid a coin as he greeted me.
"You got a warrior named Jae Mi-son here? Tell him it's a friend."
"Jae Mi-son...?"
"The weirdo with that weapon like a trident missing the center prong."
Another coin, and the boy's face lit up.
"Ah! That guest is upstairs!"
Murim had zero personal privacy, as expected. This errand boy sold out his guest for two coppers. Stick him in a Korean telecom or bank, and he'd be branch manager in no time—wrong era for talent like that.
"But he left early this morning and hasn't come back!"
"Hmph... Figures."
No cell phones meant no way to ping him. Oh well.
I'd hoped to pair with Jae Mi-son, but no dice.
"When he gets back, tell him Kim Geun-hyeop stopped by this morning for a new goburin extermination gig. Wanted to team up, but too bad."
"Yes, sir!"
The coin-grubbing kid would deliver. Back to Chunil Guesthouse to wait for the goblin-hunting party.
But man, waiting without a set time was boring as hell.
"Errand boy! Two dumplings and green tea here!"
"Coming right up!"
No wonder murim folks gathered at guesthouses munching dumplings and chasing it with booze.
Still, boozing before a job wasn't my style. I was a pro with responsibility.
Song-ssi wouldn't touch a drop before yokai hunting either. Thinking about it made me admire the guy again.
I sipped my green tea reverently.
Slurp.
Munching dumplings with green tea, but fuck, it was so boring I was dying.
"Where's my smartphone when I need it?"
Maybe save up for a book to carry around? Back before phones, people killed time waiting with books or papers. My era had arrived.
"Anyone heading out to exterminate goblins here?!"
Then someone walked in. Finally.
"Over here!"
We ended up with four people total. One-tael job didn't need five, so we agreed on 250 coppers each.
"And one more thing: if anyone bails mid-fight, no pay. Obvious rule. We're risking our necks—if we paid deserters, everyone'd run."
"Fair point."
The wandering warrior O Geun-sik nodded.
"Got it."
"Agreed."
Dao Sam-cheol with the sword and Jang Yeo-min chimed in. They all looked like your standard third-rate murim scrubs. Couldn't judge by looks alone, but their skills seemed middling. Like mine, probably.
"Last thing—anyone here got goburin extermination experience?"
"Nope."
"Me neither."
"I've cleared plenty of other minor yokai."
"Hmm."
Guess I was the only vet. Bit iffy with all newbies, but goblins weren't tough. Any murim warrior could handle 'em.
Plus, last time was an official gov job with a platoon-sized pack. This was one-tael private gig, small-scale—beginner party should be fine.
"Don't panic, and they're easy. I took down about thirty last time, so trust me."
"Ooh!"
"Stick in formation during fights—no sweat. Small pack anyway; formation keeps us safe."
"Reliable guy!"
They shot me looks of trust as I spoke confidently. They'd listen well. Just form up and fight by the book. Solid team for this.
"Let's move!"
We headed out toward Soji Village, a bit out in the sticks.
No map? No sweat—they said follow the main road, and it'd pop up. No stargazing needed.
"Wanna sync up on the way? Cool with that?"
"Not bad."
"Gather here—form a line."
Everyone drew weapons at my call. Four in a row: Kim Geun-hyeop, O Geun-sik, Jang Yeo-min, Dao Sam-cheol, swinging in sequence.
Whoosh!
Movements were clumsy solo, but grouped up, flaws diluted.
"Now, cardinal formation!"
Backs together, covering all directions. They hesitated a tad but followed orders.
"Good enough. This setup makes it hard for goblins to touch us."
"You seem pretty experienced, Kim Geun-hyeop."
Bald O Geun-sik asked.
"Not really. Just built exp on minor yokai, now starting on goblins."
"Those bracers... where'd you get 'em?"
Skinny Jang Yeo-min eyed them.
"Bought with goblin-hunt pay. Made from donjeogwi hide."
"Donjeogwi! That's a tough yokai!"
Dwarf Dao Sam-cheol yelped.
"Didn't kill it myself. But someday, maybe. Stack exp, get stronger— it'll happen. Alright, let's hustle to Soji Village."
We hit the Soji Village entrance late afternoon. Long march left my legs aching. Round trip would take time—factor travel into future jobs.
"We're entering. Hey! Warriors here on the extermination request!"
A head popped over the wooden palisade.
"Request?"
"Yeah. Didn't you post for goblin extermination from this village?"
"Ah, right. Opening up."
Tiny village, shoddy fence—barely a wall. But it gave some mental comfort.
Creeeak.
The man swung open the crude gate.
"Welcome to Soji Village."
"Thanks. Uh, can we meet the village head?"
He represented the place. Coordinate the job with him.
"I'll guide you."
Straight to the head's house—not fancy, just sturdier than the rest. Ming-era rural spot couldn't be grand.
"Village head! Murim warriors here!"
"Ah, quick arrival!"
He came out to greet us.
"Pleased to meet you! I'm Joo-eul, head of Soji Village!"
"Heh, party leader Kim Geun-hyeop. That's O Geun-sik, Jang Yeo-min, Dao Sam-cheol."
"Nice to meet ya!"
"Business—er, job talk. Spill the goblin intel."
"Right this way."
We sat inside his house.
"We spotted one on that mountain ahead, so we posted the request ASAP."
"One? Any other info?"
"Nah. Just one kid saw it—that's it."
Hold up. Something's off.
"Hey, village head. The request said small-scale goblin pack, right? But only one sighting? That doesn't add up."
What the hell?