Chapter 13
Chapter 13
"W-what?"
The young man looked flustered, as if this was a completely unexpected reaction.
Hera let out a scoff, looking dumbfounded.
Well, it was a bit of an absurd situation.
"What the hell are you... We came to find you, we're talking about doing something with you... You seem to be thinking something very strange."
"What? No, I... I didn't think anything like that—"
"Hey, then why are you telling us about your situation and saying we have to solve it? Is that our job?"
Hera's voice snapped out, pabababak.
While the other guy was flustered, I handed my plate to the waitress and placed both hands on the table.
"Come to think of it, we haven't introduced ourselves yet. What's your name?"
"It's Erion. I don't have a surname."
'Is he similar to Erain?'
"I'm Rian. Rian Werner. This is Hera. As I said, we are both High-level Explorers of the Labyrinth City Katabas. The reason we're taking you is to reach the very end of the Katabas Labyrinth, which has never been conquered."
"Ah, oh, yes."
Had he never thought about the purpose?
Or was he overwhelmed by it?
I don't know the reason, but Erion showed signs of hesitation as soon as he heard me.
But I didn't care about that and continued talking.
"The reason I decided to take you on such a big task is, as I said, because I thought you were the person who fits the conditions we're looking for. But conversely, it doesn't have to be you. We don't need you; we need 'someone who fits the conditions'."
Don't get it twisted.
It doesn't have to be you.
We hold all the initiative and decision-making power, and you can only say whether you'll follow or not.
After telling that to Erion, who hadn't grasped the situation properly, his expression changed.
He seemed to have realized exactly what position he was in.
"So, if you have a problem, handle it yourself and come back. Don't think some shallow thought like, 'Oh, they need me, so they'll solve my problems too'."
"... I'm sorry."
Erion bowed his head.
I stared at the back of his head and asked.
"So, what is the problem?"
"What?"
"You what..."
"I'm curious. What kind of problem is it that you brought it to us to talk about?"
Hera's restraint.
But it wouldn't hurt to listen, so I gestured for him to spill the story.
Erion's expression brightened as if he thought there was hope, and his lips loosened.
"No, Noona-nim. It's nothing else."
"Who's your Noona?"
"Ah, I'm sorry. Anyway, Seonsaeng-nim. It's nothing else, it's not a really big problem... I have a place I need to pay back money to, in Arcanum."
"Money?"
Well, of course, it's the biggest problem in life. Hera and I let out a scoff. We thought he brought some big problem, but it was just money.
"What and how much do you need?"
"It's not just about what I need, but this is... it's tied up in a headache-inducing problem."
"If it's that, don't talk, just get out."
"Ah, to be precise, it's a difficult problem only for me. It's something that wouldn't be a big deal from your perspective. It's nothing else, there's just one lender I borrowed money from..."
The story that followed was a tale you could hear anywhere.
He needed money, so he borrowed it, paid the interest, but the interest kept growing. Interest on interest, making it harder and harder to pay back.
Naturally, since it was a story you could hear anywhere, I tried to ignore it, but the reason he couldn't pay the interest was a bit unique.
"You went to pay the money, but there was no one there?"
"Yes! They're always not there! So when I say take it, they act tough and add late fees. When I said I wouldn't pay if they were going to do that, they said they'd stop me from doing Guard work..."
He talked like he borrowed from a normal private lender, but in the end, it's a gangster?
More than that, I've heard of that tactic back when I lived on Earth. I heard loan sharks use those tactics on purpose to increase interest, but I didn't know that was possible in this era. I thought in this 'fucking medieval land' like now, they'd obviously just not pay.
Well, you need some power to just not pay.
In the 21st century, 'I can't pay, do what you want' might work, but in this world, they might just catch you, break your limbs, and sell your family into human trafficking.
"So I should have paid it all off originally, but the principal still remains."
"The favor you want from us is to do something about that?"
"That's right. Maybe an advance, yes. If I can pay off the debt that way, I don't think there will be any problem following you guys."
"You do understand what our job is, right?"
I'm trying to take him because I see talent, but honestly, it's a job with a much higher chance of dying than following the Guard around for pocket money.
At those words, Erion rubbed his forehead and shrugged.
"Well, where is there a job that isn't dangerous?"
"The job you were doing didn't look very dangerous."
"That also has its own circumstances and whatnot, Noona. It's not that easy, and to get money from those people..."
"Stop with the 'Noona' bullshit. Do you really want to get hit?"
Hera getting angry and Erion's mouth shutting tight.
Watching that, I chuckled.
"How much is it?"
"That is, I've been working hard to pay it off so far. But I still need to pay about 3 Gold Coins more..."
"You've already paid 3 Gold Coins? How much is the debt exactly? Did you gamble or something?"
Gamblers, drug addicts, and so on.
Criminals are avoided in Labyrinth parties.
It's not that Explorers are particularly moral, but such criminals 'generally' ruin the party's discipline.
As Hera sent a suspicious look, Erion shook his head violently.
"I'm not that kind of guy. The money... uh, I had a place I needed to use it urgently. Personally."
"This guy is a bit weird."
"He must have used it because he had a place to use it. Well, I have about 3 coins now, so I'll pay it off right away. We'll leave as soon as it's paid, so get ready."
"What? No, I also need a little..."
Erion seemed to be trying to say he had circumstances.
Although Hera's glare shut his mouth tight.
If we pay off the debt as requested, we've really done everything, so what other circumstances could there be?
I let out a scoff, dumbfounded.
"A little? Then we don't need you, so just go. We can just find someone else."
"No, no! I'll finish up right away!"
"When are you going to pay the debt?"
"That, the time..."
"Pack your bags and come out so you can pay the debt and move by tomorrow. Finish everything. Once you're done, just come to this inn and wait. And..."
As the conversation was mostly over, I stood up.
Hera did the same, and Erion was flustered.
He looked like he was thinking, 'Really, do it all in one day?'
Does he think I'm joking?
"If you can't finish everything by tomorrow and drag it out, I'll just call the whole thing off, so handle it yourself."
"What?"
"Oh my, you're busy, why are you just standing there? You should go quickly."
Hera waved her hand dismissively.
Erion stood blankly for a moment, then realized his situation and bolted outside.
We also had things to buy, so as we prepared to head out, Hera asked.
"Isn't the time too tight?"
"You have to push that type of person."
He probably doesn't do it consciously.
If you leave that type of person to be slick, the initiative slips over to them before you know it. I don't like playing power games, but when you need to establish discipline, you have to do it.
Otherwise, they try to take the initiative even after entering the Labyrinth, beyond daily life. I've experienced it a few times, and it really sucks. I could just say something, but the act of trying to take the initiative itself is a bit unpleasant.
"Forget it, let's go buy equipment."
* * *
There are various pieces of equipment needed for Labyrinth conquest.
Weapons and armor are basic, and there are things needed to maintain those weapons and armor. Even if abrasives are used for post-maintenance, oil must be used in the Labyrinth. You need a file to sharpen a damaged sword blade, and leather straps, which always snap during intense combat, are also essential.
Archers like Hera absolutely need wax and glue, not just arrows. Gambesons, that is, armor padding, often fall apart after continuous combat, and other clothes are the same.
All of that is money.
But once you've done Labyrinth conquest, the money you pay for such things doesn't feel like a waste.
The more important thing is, 'Can I get equipment that guarantees quality equal to the amount I paid?'
That's why Arcanum's equipment is famous.
Anyway, so Hera and I continued to go around buying equipment until Erion came to find us.
"Should we call a carriage?"
"Yeah, maybe."
As you can see from the journey here, it takes more than 4 days from the Labyrinth City to here. Naturally, you can't go back and forth often, and it's only possible when conducting large-scale breaks like this.
To get Arcanum-made equipment in the Labyrinth City, you had to pay about half more. It's not like it's coming from across the sea, but one arrow costs 3-4 Copper Coins, and heavy items like armor double in price.
I didn't want to see that, so I bought things here and there, but more items gathered than expected. It was a large amount for the two (or three or four) of us to carry.
"How about joining a merchant caravan and carrying the luggage together?"
"You want that shit to happen again? I don't really like that."
"Why. It went well back then, didn't it?"
"Only you did. I almost died. Is it easy to go 1:1 with a knight?"
I've lived a life where I've rolled around a lot, but having a 1:1 with a knight without being able to use my abilities in that situation was a rare occurrence.
I don't think that will happen again, but there was still a part of me that was hesitant.
"It would be much better to just rent a carriage, load the luggage, and drive it ourselves."
"Then sure, let's do that."
While talking, we arrived at the Arcanum Armory we visited a while ago.
Amidst the ceaseless sound of metal being hammered, I quickly found the person I was looking for.
"Oh! That, who was it...?"
"It's Rian. Is it all done?"
"Ah, right. It was Rian. Of course, it's all done."
The processing manager of the armory saw me and guided us inside.
In the hallway made of stacked stones and lit by magic lamps, the sound of metal rang out continuously, and as I turned my head, I spotted a Dwarf. The sight of him sweating continuously while forging a sword was noble in the medieval sense, but in the modern sense, it was a bit sweaty and not great.
"Here it is."
The place we arrived at, led by the manager, was something like a storage room. When I took out my token and handed it over, the manager checked it and inserted a key into a locker to open it.
What was taken out and handed to me was a Gauntlet.
It belonged to the knight who died at my hands a while ago, and I had entrusted it to be processed to fit my size.
You might say, 'Are you using a dead guy's stuff?', but there was a reason.
"It's true that the magic is preserved as is, right?"
"That's right."
This was a Gauntlet enchanted with magic.
In modern terms, a +1 Gauntlet?
It's a bit iffy to use a dead guy's equipment, but not using a magic item is even crazier.
Even I, who have been a High-level Explorer for a long time, had no magic items other than my sword, so as soon as I saw this, I had no choice but to entrust it for processing.
Of course, since it was a Gauntlet, it only had the effect of having higher durability and slightly more strength.
But that's better than nothing. Regular gauntlets are just stuffy when you wear them.
The fit is good, so it's killing two birds with one stone. I took out the axe I was wearing at my waist and swung it, and it felt a bit easier to swing.
"Here is the remaining balance."
"Thank you."
As I handed over a few Silver Coins, the manager put them in a container.
Then, is this all the preparation I can do in Arcanum?
Since I can look for a ranged dealer gradually while training the Healer, now really only entering the Labyrinth remained.
* * *
I met Erion when the sun was starting to set.
When we went to drop off our luggage at the 「Blue Steam Pipe」 inn, Erion was there.
"Ah, hello."
"Did you finish all the preparations?"
"Yes. I finished everything, and I brought my luggage."
The luggage Erion brought was, how should I put it.
It was that kind of luggage typical of someone who doesn't go outside much. It was clean without a single worn-out spot, but it felt like it was missing things that should definitely be there.
"You're going to have a hard time."
"What?"
"It's nothing. Anyway, since you're here, let's go pay it off right away."
Leaving our luggage in the room and coming down the stairs, I grabbed my weapons and handed some to Hera as well.
Hera mainly uses a bow, but she tends to use a short sword as a sidearm.
I put down only the helmet, shield, and sword, and as I was wearing the rest, Erion said.
"D-do you really need to wear all that?"
"There's no harm in being prepared. Lead the way."
Erion nodded and went out of the inn.
The sun hadn't set yet, but if we paid the debt and left the city, it seemed like it would be evening by then.
While I was debating whether to camp out or leave tomorrow, Erion walked and walked, guiding us into an alley.
The place he stopped was a house without a sign.
"This is it. Hey! It's Erion. I'm here to pay the debt!"
Erion pounded on the door.
The response didn't come back immediately.
I could feel movement inside, but seeing as they weren't opening the door, was there something up?
Pretending not to be there? Or maybe they were plotting something?
"No, I said I was coming today, but it seems like there's no one..."
"You told them that?"
"Because I have to pay the debt."
"Good grief... First of all, there are people inside. They're pretending not to be there."
I felt like sighing too. If kids who had been running away until now contacted you saying they'd pay their debt, would you accept it?
For a guy who used to do something like a con artist, forcibly extorting medical fees from people he fought, he had a strangely naive side to him.
At Hera's words, Erion's eyes widened, and he pounded on the door even harder.
"Hey! I know you're there. Open the door!!"
Bang bang kuakwang bang. "Hyung, it's me, Byeong-cheol."
Now that he even went as far as a straight punch, the door finally opened.
The person who came out looked tough, clearly trying to intimidate.
He glared at Erion with his eyes raised, then looked at us behind him and was slightly surprised.
"What the, what the fuck. We were sleeping."
"You were sleeping? I knocked how many times... And besides, there are so many people here, you're all sleeping?"
"Are we not allowed to sleep? Anyway, what is it?"
"I'm here to pay the debt. Is Cesar-ssi here now?"
"Debt? Sigh..."
The gangsters went inside and talked about something.
After waiting a while, they told us to come in.
As I tried to follow Erion, who was being guided, the guy who was glaring at us blocked us with his hand.
"Hey, ladies can't go in... Aack!"
"Don't touch me."
As I twisted his finger, the man writhed in pain.
Everyone inside was startled and stood up.
I informed them without any intonation.
"Anyway, he doesn't have money, and I do."
"That's right! This person came to pay it for me."
A voice coming from the stairs.
"So don't act like shit and let's just go in. Nicely."
The gangsters' eyes were shining fiercely.
Hera and I stood there relaxed.
Meanwhile, a voice came from above.
"Let them in!"
The men slinked back to their seats.
Following Erion up, we found a just-average second floor. The place we were guided to was an inner room past one room.
"So, Erion. You came to pay the debt?"
"Yes, Cesar-ssi."
A quite luxurious carpet.
Decent-looking interior.
The man sitting in the chair looked like a rat.
He twisted his mustache, which barely had a few strands, and said with a smirk.
"It's not like I can't let you pay."
"That's a bit of a weird thing to say. If I have the money, can't I pay it?"
"If I say I won't take it, isn't that the end of it? Anyway, if you're going to give me money, fine. It's 5 Gold Coins."
At the amount completely different from what we heard, Hera's eyes rolled.
It looked like she was thinking, 'This son of a bitch, he inflated the debt, this fucking bastard.'
Fortunately, Erion wasn't that shameless, so he immediately protested.
"No, it was less than 4 Gold Coins! Until last month! But what do you mean 5 coins!"
"Debt usually grows when you pay it off in a lump sum."
"I've never heard such strange nonsense."
When I intervened, the opponent looked at me.
I lightly brushed off his calculating gaze.
"I don't know in which country such a rule exists. In every country I've been to, there was no such law."
"Since it's a debt I lent, I can make the rules. Don't you think?"
"I don't think so."
"Huh. You don't think so?"
"Yeah. I advise you to take only 4."
I take out the Gold Coins from my pocket and place them on the table.
The rat-like man stares at my face rather than taking them.
I meet his gaze and say.
"Are you going to take it, or not?"