Chapter 118
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 118
Chapter Title: Magic Genius with Korean Patch
“Hahaha! So that’s what happened!”
“Thanks to that, I got some rest, which was nice.”
“Of course! We Tuk Tribe folks have always cherished the little ones! And when it comes to loyalty, no one tops us!”
The underground space of Drowning Pub.
Unlike the chaotic vibe of the first floor, this place felt almost eerily clean and spacious. Taikan, holding a mug of beer, burst into hearty laughter as he chatted amiably with Jeon.
“......What are they talking about?”
“No idea. He looks thrilled, but I can’t understand a word.”
A short distance away at the edge of their table, Lena and Risar were having a late lunch with the food Taikan had provided.
They were at the same table, yet it felt like Jeon and Taikan were in another world entirely.
And for good reason—Jeon and Taikan were fluently exchanging stories in the Tuk language.
“But how does Jeon even know that language?”
“Come to think of it, he spoke our Foxkin language flawlessly too...... Maybe he’s a linguistic genius on top of everything else.”
“......Does that even make sense? What can’t he do?”
Lena muttered jealously at Risar’s assessment of Jeon.
From her perspective as a peer, watching Jeon—who was already a magical prodigy—display natural talent in languages too filled her with a sense of self-loathing.
......Do you know how much I struggled to learn Imperial Language!
It seemed like everything she achieved through endless hardship, Jeon accomplished effortlessly and smoothly.
Whenever she thought she had even a slight lead, he’d catch up in an instant and surpass her.
To Lena, who hadn’t yet let go of her competitive spirit toward Jeon, he felt more and more like an insurmountable wall the better she knew him.
“Jeon is just abnormally exceptional, Lady Lena. Your talents are far from lacking.”
“......That’s no comfort at all.”
She responded curtly to Risar’s consolation.
But deep down, Lena was starting to acknowledge the gap between herself and Jeon.
Comparing herself to someone producing absurd results only made her feel insignificant.
Still, she was too young to abandon all her rivalry in one go.
“But seriously, why is this so delicious?”
“It looks like that honey barley porridge from field training...... but the taste is ridiculously good.”
So the two shifted topics.
It was the red stew Taikan had whipped up casually.
The presentation was rough—the old, weathered bowl, no plating whatsoever, just scooped in haphazardly.
Yet none of that mattered because the food was that good.
Perfectly balanced spiciness and saltiness.
It hooked the eater’s palate completely.
And Jeon, eating the same dish while chatting with Taikan, agreed wholeheartedly.
It’s like ramen.
It closely resembled the ramen Jeon had loved in his past life.
Except here, it was like adding extra chunky ingredients to ramen broth for a thicker consistency.
Still, it’s way too good!
How long had it been since he last tasted something like ramen?
This dish played a huge role in why Jeon looked so unusually cheerful while talking with Taikan.
“Haha, looks like Tuk Tribe food suits your taste! You polished it off already!”
“Oh, I didn’t realize—I ate while we talked.”
“Good attitude! At your age, it all goes to growth. Want another bowl?”
“Yes, please. I’d be grateful.”
Taikan was delighted to see Jeon devouring his food.
He took Jeon’s empty bowl to the kitchen and returned with it brimming with stew.
“Here, dig in.”
“Thank you.”
With the second bowl in hand, Jeon resumed eating. Taikan, signaling to eat comfortably, stopped talking.
Thanks to that consideration, Jeon enjoyed a satisfying late lunch.
“That was delicious.”
“Haha, thanking me after eating—love that.”
Jeon bowed his head slightly in thanks after emptying the bowl again.
Taikan smiled contentedly, gathered Jeon’s bowl along with Lena and Risar’s, and cleared away every trace of the meal spotlessly.
When he sat back down...
“Now that we’ve eaten, shall we get to business?”
His expression had shifted from jovial to serious as he took his seat at the table’s center.
What’s with the mood swings?
Lena still couldn’t adapt to his sudden changes.
From their first meeting until now.
Taikan was a master at flipping his demeanor.
Goofy one moment, menacing the next, friendly, and now coldly analytical.
She couldn’t pin down who he really was.
“Sure. Is this about to get serious?”
“......Naturally.”
Jeon, who’d been bantering with him, adapted seamlessly to the shift.
It’s all been a test from the start.
The abrupt mood swings.
All part of Taikan’s way of probing people.
If we hadn’t built at least minimal trust, we wouldn’t be getting to the real talk.
Upon arriving, Jeon had doubted if their contact was really here—maybe Risar misread the map or it was drawn wrong.
But meeting Taikan and witnessing his flips confirmed he was the ally and sharp as a tack.
He’s acting extreme emotional shifts to test people.
The rollercoaster emotions and transformations would make any normal person think he was unstable.
Sudden changes unsettle people.
And that unease reveals their true nature.
Taikan analyzed newcomers this way.
“If we can get serious now...... I guess I passed the test.”
“......Yeah. With flying colors.”
Jeon had only faltered briefly at first, then stayed unshaken.
Even when Taikan deliberately loosened and tightened the mood.
Actually, even initially, it was just surface-level.
To Taikan, Jeon appeared rattled outwardly but rock-solid inside.
Backed by confidence he could handle Taikan even if attacked suddenly.
A feeling I’ve only sensed from overwhelming powerhouses...... from this young man?
Taikan had rolled in Eldrasil’s underworld for decades.
This was his first time feeling it from a youthful lad.
Youthful exterior, veteran core. Composed.
Even Taikan, hardened by the capital’s shadows, had been startled when this stranger knew his tribe and spoke its tongue.
He’d weaponized that surprise to unsettle him, but Jeon took it in stride.
No point testing further.
“You came here on Towns’s word?”
“Yes. More precisely, from someone who knows him.”
Test passed.
Time for real business.
“Someone who knows Towns...... The White Tower, by any chance?”
“Yes.”
“Whoa...... I knew you had White Tower ties, but sending someone personally?”
“We don’t represent them or belong there. Just got info from them.”
“Hm. Keeping lines clear, I see.”
Taikan nodded, grasping the implication.
“So, what’s the goal?”
“Finding Towns.”
“Oof, tough road.”
Taikan slapped his forehead.
“You know who he’s tangled with?”
“Somewhat.”
“Hmmm.”
Towns vanished linked to Helena.
Helena, second prince’s closest aide.
Meaning direct imperial ties.
You know that and still want to find him?
Taikan narrowed his eyes.
Jeon had big-shot potential.
Calm despite youth, confident without arrogance, self-aware.
Imperial ties are fine...... that’s what you’re saying?
Jeon stayed steady knowing the risks.
Implying he could handle imperial entanglements.
This kid thinks he can tangle with royals and survive?
Taikan prided himself on reading people.
But Jeon defied his common sense.
“Damn...... Have I been out too long? Instincts dulled?”
He scratched his head with a pot-lid hand.
He’d seen all in the capital’s underbelly, but never anyone who crossed royals and came out well.
Can I trust this?
Even Towns—he’d connected him reluctantly after endless pleading.
Biggest regret: Towns caught Helena’s eye and vanished.
“You can trust me.”
Jeon urged gently to the conflicted Taikan.
“......Can you handle the imperial name?”
“At least...... I won’t die easily.”
“Won’t die easily......”
Taikan pondered, meeting Jeon’s gaze.
Jeon waited patiently.
Rushing leads to regrets.
Let him decide himself for less doubt.
Forcing it now might breed unease later.
Make him choose.
Jeon hated dealing with royals too.
But not enough to dodge necessities.
Trouble aplenty, but he wouldn’t be their pawn.
Not everyone could say that.
Without Ruin Church ties, Jeon wouldn’t push this hard—best give Taikan time.
“Fine. If you’re that sure, I’ll trust you.”
“Thank you.”
“No thanks needed. If it goes south, I’ll assume my instincts failed and either quit or die trying.”
Logic screamed no, but gut said yes.
Taikan would test if his instincts lived.
“Good. Now, what happened?”
“Sure. You two in the back—come listen.”
“Us?”
“Yeah, aren’t we working together?”
“Right! Of course.”
Lena, watching blankly, caught Taikan’s gesture late and scurried to Jeon’s side.
Risar followed, and with everyone seated, Taikan began.
“Towns asked me first. Palace intrigue’s messy; he wanted imperial face-time to scout.”
“And you agreed?”
“Refused at first. Never seen anyone tangle with royals and end well. But he begged, so...... Still regret it.”
Taikan tsked, reminiscing bitterly.
“Who’d you connect him to?”
“I’ve got lines, but not direct to royals. They don’t mingle with scum like me—and as I said, it ends badly.”
Taikan pulled a small business card from his pocket and placed it on the table.
All eyes fixed on it.
“Eldrasil Luxury Shop?”
“Top high-end fashion spot. Nobles, even royals for clothes and jewels. Owner’s an acquaintance.”
“So this person......”
“To thrive in the capital, goods and salesmanship matter. Owner’s networked with royals.”
A luxury shop boss knowing this rundown pub owner in the alleys?
Clearly, this Tuk tribesman was no ordinary guy.
“Can you introduce us?”
“Introduce......”
Taikan stroked his chin.
“I like you, but one day’s not enough for handing over prime contacts.”
The owner was top-tier in Taikan’s network—risky to link casually.
Direct intro’s...... tough.
They’d work together, but no need for him to over-risk.
Info alone helped plenty.
As Jeon considered visiting anyway...
Taikan eyed Lena.
“But...... that young lady’s a noble, right?”
“Yes. Lena Silvermont of the Silvermont Family.”
“Don’t need the house name—just noble suffices. Pushing you lot to the owner’s iffy...... but recommending a killer luxury shop to a noble miss I just met? That’s fine.”
Taikan grinned.
Sharp under that goofy look.
Beady eyes and bulk screamed oaf, but a sly fox lurked within.
Seeing it, Jeon vaguely sensed they might work together long-term.