Mooncakes from Paradise and the Gates of Hell
Just like that, after I shared another one of Tolstoy's masterpieces—specifically a tale about land—Okhwa Geom Namgung Serin actually brought over her snack basket and shared her mooncakes with me, beaming with joy.
"This is so delicious...!"
The taste of Ming mooncakes, something I'd never tried before, was to die for. Packed full of sweet red bean paste, it hit me like a truck after cutting out all sugar the moment I got here.
"Food this good exists?! Is this from the heavenly realm?!"
"It's a must-have for celestial maidens. But Geun-hyeop, where on earth did you hear these stories? Every single one's a gem."
Of course they were—straight from literary giants.
"Heh heh heh, I just remembered some stories from the maedamkkun."
"The maedamkkun tell stories like that too...?"
"Plenty of 'em share good ones. Whoa, but damn. This."
The mooncake bliss wasn't ending anytime soon.
"It's seriously too good. Beyond imagination—heavenly flavor... No, I can't even breathe!"
Honestly, back on Earth, I never touched red bean bread. It just wasn't my thing. I'd pick croquettes or egg salad sandwiches any day. But this mooncake after years? It drove me insane. So this is how good sweet bread could be. Gotta make more money from now on and devour these whenever I want. Hell, I'll post 'em all over Murim Insta.
"Here's one more—calm down."
"Gasp!"
She handed me another mooncake right away! No way...! A woman this kind-hearted with such generosity? She's already on auntie level—flawless beauty!
"Thank you!"
"You're always welcome. This was quite enjoyable. Well then."
"Safe travels, celestial lady!"
I bowed deeply in gratitude, and she smiled, satisfied.
"You know proper etiquette. Well done."
"Yes, ma'am!"
I watched her head back to the carriage, stroking my mooncake like Gollum with his ring.
"Grrrah!"
What a time. Not just hanging with a stunner like Okhwa Geom, but scoring heavenly grub too.
"Wait a sec!"
But doesn't folklore say eating food from another world means you can never go back? Like in Greek myths—eat from the underworld, and you're stuck. No! Now that I've tasted these killer mooncakes, I can't stomach field rations anymore! No more jerky with Jae Mi-son!
I was spiraling in panic when—
"You."
"Hm?"
A Namgung family warrior approached. Dude had a super stern face.
"What's up?"
"Don't get the wrong idea."
"Huh? Wrong about what?"
"It's just light interest in a ronin. Don't flatter yourself."
"What the hell does that—"
"This is a warning. No next time."
He spun on his heel and stomped off.
"..."
That fucking prick? I memorized his face. Once I'm a master, you're done. What, jealous 'cause I was chatting with your boss lady? I'm weak now, so I'll hold back, but your name's already in my Death Note.
"Hey, Jae Mi-son."
Anyway, back to Jae Mi-son.
"Piss off... Jealous bastard."
"C'mon, you gonna ditch the guy who saw your poison weapon's true value?"
"Don't know... That shit."
"Kuh huh huh, you maniac. Hey, wanna split this?"
"That...!"
I pretended to halve the mooncake precisely but sliced off exactly 30% with my technique and handed it over. Jae Mi-son's eyes bugged out as he wolfed it down like a dog.
"Ku, kuk kuk! So damn good!"
"Fucking delicious, right?"
I demolished the rest. Couldn't get enough of that melt-in-your-mouth flavor. Would've been perfect with milk—such a shame.
"Grateful punk... I'll stick with ya more."
"Bullshit."
"Anyway... That family warrior just warned you."
"Told me not to hang with Okhwa Geom."
"Makes sense for a clan warrior—pure jealousy. But that's not all. Look over there. Even the ronin are glaring at you with envy."
"What?"
I glanced around.
"..."
"..."
A few ronin shot me death stares then whipped their heads away.
"No fucking way?"
For real? Just for talking to Okhwa Geom? These assholes lost their minds? This childish?
"Totally normal... Okhwa Geom's one of the Murim's Four Beauties—the flower of the Central Plains. A lowly ronin chatting her up happily? Bound to breed resentment and grudges."
"That make sense? Holding grudges over some petty kid shit?"
"No normal Murim folk exist... Except me."
"Exclude me too."
I was already realizing most Murim guys were scum from experience. Still, couldn't believe it—hating me for talking to a girl? They're nuts.
"They won't actually jump me, right?"
"Kuk kuk... Prepare yourself."
Jae Mi-son just chuckled ominously like always.
I stayed more alert after that.
We reached the destination.
"Gasp."
"Hup...!"
"S-such an eerie aura!"
No labyrinth in sight, but the energy alone told us everything. Even third-rate ronin scum started shivering from the ominous vibe.
I huddled close to Jae Mi-son, trembling. He was shaking hard too.
"Kick... Can't wait. Time for my I-sang Je-go to shine."
"Whatever yokai shows up, Kim Geun-hyeop'll slaughter 'em all!"
I hyped myself up, but the deeper we went, the stronger the chill.
"No way! I can't do this!"
Some ronin yelled. What bullshit—
"Shut it!"
A family warrior flew in with a kick.
"Gahk!"
The ronin rolled, clutching his arm. The warrior barked,
"Remember the contract! Run now, and you pay the penalty! Still wanna bolt?!"
True. Fleeing meant breach fees. Desertion's punished everywhere—even mercenaries. Once deployed, no "fuck the pay, I'm out."
The world doesn't work that way.
"Enough."
Okhwa Geom stepped from the carriage.
"We've arrived at the labyrinth as planned. One job: exterminate the yokai demons and destroy it. No energy for anything else."
Her jade voice echoed in the silence.
"This should be it."
She drew her sword—blue sword aura cloaked the blade. Peak masters and up wield refined sword aura, they say. First time seeing it live. As beautiful as her looks and heart.
Shwick!
She slashed the air.
Shwick!
The labyrinth entrance appeared! Like a barrier unveiling its secret!
"Wh-what?!"
"Gasp!"
"That's the labyrinth...!"
"The gates of hellll!"
Hellish maw of a door. Even I gawked with the ronin. No way this was wuxia. No martial world has hell gates like this.
Shaaa!
Darker aura poured from the door. Weirdly refreshing, like standing by a giant vent.
"Time to enter."
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
Family warriors replied sharply to her command. Entry began.
Okhwa Geom and warriors first.
"Ronin, follow me!"
Our squad leader barked.
"Hurry up!"
Ronin hesitated at first but obeyed without bitching. I stuck mid-pack with Jae Mi-son.
Into the labyrinth we went.
The scenery shifted the moment we entered. Like another world.
"Gasp...!"
"N-no way!"
"Impossible!"
Crimson rock canyons. Flames raged around, blood rivers flowed beside.
"Hell! This is hell!"
"Hellll!"
"Uwaaaaaah!"
Panicking ronin screamed, but squad leader wasn't having it.
"Move!"
He bashed the loudmouth's head.
"Just hell manifested by eerie power! Snap out of it! No big deal!"
No big deal? Really? Labyrinth entry turns it into full hell? We conquering this ourselves?
"J-Jae Mi-son. This cool...?"
"Dunno... Kuk kuk."
This guy's sweating bullets too. Neither of us had labyrinth experience.
"You two! Gather those flowers over there!"
"Flowers?"
Actual flowers bloomed on crimson rock. Hell flowers? Pick those?
"Poisonous?"
"No! Labyrinth herb! Gather 'em!"
"Got it."
Orders are orders. Jae Mi-son and I carefully plucked, wrapping hands in bandages.
Snap.
"Fuck."
Blood oozed from the stem... Just plant trash. No fear.
"Where to store the plants?!"
"This box! What're you waiting for? Search around! Gather everything worth picking!"
Ronin scattered like a picnic in hell. Priceless content—worth paying for. So precious I wanna shred 'em.
Boxed the flowers.
"Labyrinths got everything, huh, Jae Mi-son."
"Don't let your guard down... Yokai demons always show in labyrinths."
"Not slacking."
Uwaaaaaah!
Scream pierced the air.
"Hup!"
All eyes turned.
Rattle.
Something approached.
Clack.
"Bone demonnnns!"
"Skeletons!"
It was a skeleton!!!