The Incompetent Hero and the Pill Smuggling Ring
Yogyeong.
A border region of Yeom Kingdom, geographically adjacent to the neighboring nation of Jo, this territory was ruled by a clan known as the Moyong family.
Perhaps because of that influence, their martial arts specialized in dual-blade techniques that fused Yeom Kingdom's straight sword with Jo's curved saber—one sword, one blade—and those weapons were said to be so swift they could slice even the wind itself.
Still, as a clan perched on the extreme fringe of Yeom Kingdom, their influence over the central court remained relatively weak.
After roughly a month's journey from Sichuan, Leon's party finally arrived.
"So, Doryeong. What business brings us here? Planning to head into Jo, are we?"
"No, nothing like that. I've got something to take care of."
Answering Baekryeon, I cast my mind back to what had happened a month earlier—right after I'd received the Taeyanghwan.
The spot Ilryeon indicated on the unfolded map was the border of Yeom Kingdom—a region that abutted Jo. That meant the Beastman Alliance had a base there for smuggling Geogeonhwan into Jo.
"So I just need to clean out this whole area?"
"In simple terms, yes… but first, this is territory held by the Moyong family."
"The Moyong family?"
I was thinking how thoroughly they'd carved up this vast expanse of Yeom Kingdom when Dan Seolpung added his own explanation to Ilryeon's account.
"They are not a clan composed of beastmen like our Sichuan Dan family. Therefore, if beastmen were conducting illegal operations of this sort on their land, the Moyong family would have been the first to discover and eradicate them. The fact that they have not…"
"Means either the smugglers are moving so secretly that even the Moyong family can't track them—or the Moyong family is deliberately looking the other way?"
Dan Seolpung nodded at my words.
"Even if the Moyong family sits at the far edge of Yeom Kingdom, and even if they are weaker than our Sichuan Dan family or the Namgung clan, they are not a force one can simply ignore. If someone has slipped past their eyes, ordinary methods will never find them. And if the Moyong family has actually joined hands with them…"
"Then a whole pile of extremely annoying complications is about to drop on our heads."
"I suspect it will not end at mere annoyance…"
Ilryeon said as much while looking at me, but when he saw I wasn't particularly concerned, he simply chuckled and fell silent.
"It is not that I am unaware of your strength, but you must approach this with caution."
"I know. If we don't grab every last one of these bastards in a single sweep, they'll scatter in every direction and make everything a nightmare. I'm clear on that much."
"If you understand, that is enough. When do you intend to depart for Yogyeong?"
"Right now. I've already taken the Taeyanghwan—there's no reason to linger here any longer. No point dragging our feet."
At that, Dan Seolpung drew a finely crafted jade token that glowed with a soft green light from his robes and tossed it to me.
"What's this?"
"The Dan family's silver token. Show it to anyone belonging to the Dan family and even the most stubborn martial artist will be obliged to assist you. That is what it is."
"Oh…"
That was useful.
Given the current situation I couldn't flaunt it freely, but simply having it was already a solid advantage.
"It remains valid until I personally reclaim it or you return it to me. Remember that."
"Not single-use, huh? I like that."
"Then that is everything I have to give you."
"Right. Thanks."
I slipped the jade token into my inventory.
Seeing that, Ilryeon asked in surprise,
"Is that a spatial treasure?"
"Explaining is a pain, so let's just say yes."
"In any case… once you reach the Yogyeong region, make for Dandong as quickly as you can. In Dandong, seek out the boatman named Jong-ui."
"He's the contact on that end?"
"Yes. Just as you did with me, give him the wooden token that marks you as an important guest of Haoman, along with your name, and he will assist you of his own accord."
I nodded in understanding, and Ilryeon began folding the map away.
"What about the rest of you?"
"I will report this matter to His Majesty the Emperor."
"I will need to speak with the Emperor in secret through these channels. At the same time… I will find out who dared betray the Dan family and leak information—and make them pay the price."
"Reassuring."
And so, the moment I returned to the Dan family compound, I woke Baekryeon, packed our things, and left Sichuan behind.
"…So, why the hell did you come all the way out here?"
"Is there a law that says I'm not allowed to be here?"
The beauty with deep green hair—Dan Seollin—answered with absolute confidence.
Well… no, there wasn't any law saying she couldn't be here.
"…Hah. Let me rephrase the question. Why are you following us?"
"Is there a reason I'm not allowed to follow you?"
There wasn't a reason she couldn't follow us—but there also wasn't a reason she should.
She kept firing back so brazenly that for a solid three seconds I actually found myself wondering if maybe she had a point. That was some impressive shamelessness.
Think about it. Because of you, I'm stuck wearing this mask and wig the whole damn time.
And more importantly…
"The head of the Dan family isn't just going to sit back and watch you tag along. How did you even get out?"
"How did I get out? What do you mean, how? I snuck out behind Father's back, obviously."
"…"
Could you at least not sound so proud about it?
Was it really okay to announce you'd run away from home with that much swagger?
"…Go back."
"Ah, why?!"
Why? Because you and I can't be seen together, that's why.
We'd already agreed that my relationship with the Dan family was supposed to look bad. If you suddenly latched onto me, that whole arrangement would fall apart, you idiot.
"…You do understand the relationship between me and the head of the Dan family, right?"
"That's between my dad and you. It's not between me and you."
That was… technically… correct…?
But you're still part of the Dan family, aren't you? Your organization and I are supposed to be on bad terms—does this make any sense?
"…Hah."
I could already tell that no matter what I said, this girl had zero intention of turning around.
Sensing the conversation was about to drag on, Baekryeon carefully took my hand and spoke.
"Still, Doryeong, is it not fine? A journey is always more enjoyable with two than with one, and more enjoyable still with three rather than two, is it not?"
"If this were an ordinary trip, sure. But this isn't some casual food-touring vacation."
Right. This was no ordinary journey.
We had to capture every last member of the Beastman Alliance who were smuggling Geogeonhwan—and who were almost certainly operating alongside Red Oni, a subordinate of Tenma, a fragment of the Demon King. Under those conditions, half-baked extra personnel were nothing but dead weight.
"Even so, I'm sure I can help in my own way!…"
"Oh yeah? Then let me ask. Exactly how are you going to help?"
Dan Seollin answered with the same unshakable confidence as before.
"I've got lots of money."
"I've also got lots of money."
"…"
Our eyes met for a moment.
Then Seollin's gaze shifted to Baekryeon, who nodded, silently confirming that what I'd said was true.
Well, of course. This girl had seen me throw money around before.
"Anything else?"
"Th-that's… I-I'm strong!…"
"I'm stronger than you."
"…"
Looks like she was out of arguments.
Get lost, loser.
Leaving a hollow-eyed Dan Seollin behind, Baekryeon and I headed for the inn where we'd be staying the night.
We planned to stay a few days, stock up on supplies for the road to Dandong, and rest. After dumping our luggage in the room, I immediately flopped onto the bed.
"I thought I was going to suffocate."
Wearing a wig and mask for a short while was one thing, but keeping them on constantly was pure torture.
Especially since the masks and wigs of this era were garbage compared to modern ones—the fit alone was absolute trash…
"Heh heh. Well done, Doryeong. You have worked hard."
"Yeah. I really have…"
"Mm… however, Doryeong."
"What is it?"
Baekryeon seemed to hesitate for a moment before carefully opening her mouth.
"Is it truly something that must not be told to Lady Seollin?"
"That?"
"When we trained together at the Dan family to bring Doryeong down… well, we grew rather close while coordinating our efforts."
…Bonding over a common enemy, was that it?
I really wanted to argue about the fact that the common enemy in question was me, but I decided to let it slide for now.
"Baekryeon, I told you before, didn't I? That sometimes I can sense things about the future."
"You did."
"Those glimpses of the future—more precisely, I can see futures related to the Demon King."
"The Demon King… is it because Doryeong is a Hero?"
Could you connect it that way? Sure, let's go with that. It made the explanation easier.
"Yeah. I don't know the exact cause, but ever since I became a Hero, those visions show up from time to time. And this time I saw one. I saw the Beastman Alliance cooperating with the Demon King—more accurately, with a fragment of the Demon King—and destroying Yeom Kingdom."
"The destruction of Yeom Kingdom… Doryeong?"
"It's real. And… among the subordinates following that fragment of the Demon King, I saw someone. A man with red… deep, vivid red hair."
"!!!"
The moment she heard those words, Baekryeon's expression completely changed.
She was staring at me with a look of absolute, deadly seriousness.
"Red Oni."
"Yeah. Or at least, I think so. I've never actually seen Red Oni myself. But it was a man with red hair and red eyes."
"…It will be him."
Baekryeon's body began to tremble.
Of course it did. This was far more detailed news about the man who had slaughtered her entire family.
"You understand? This matter is critical for both of us. I don't want any variables getting in the way. So please understand."
"…Yes. I understand what you mean, Doryeong."
Baekryeon nodded as if she had accepted it.
"Doryeong… thank you."
"?"
"To Doryeong, I am merely someone who appeared out of nowhere… and yet you treat me so well."
"Well, that's just…"
Still lying on the bed, I looked over at Baekryeon.
She had turned her back on the opposite bed and was undressing to change clothes.
Throb.
…Huh?
Something felt off with my body…
I shifted my gaze from Baekryeon down to my lower half.
Throb. Throb.
"…Huh?"
Fuck. Oh God.
As expected, living righteously really is the way of the world.