Black-Haired Foreigner In The Martial Arts World – Chapter 3

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Simzy
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“Work’s done! Laborers, collect your wages!”

The workday ended as the sun began to set.

“Hah… Finally over,”

I sighed.

“Ugggh! My body’s stiff! So stiff!”

“Let’s go!”

No matter where you were, quitting time was always lively.

Seeing the workers’ joyful shouts lifted my spirits too.

The laborers returned their tools and started forming a line.

I followed suit, observing their actions.

Knowing how to blend in got you halfway there.

Up ahead, they were handing out wages.

This was exciting.

“Hehehe,”

I chuckled, waiting my turn.

“Here. Fifty mun for your wages.”

“Received,”

I said, quickly counting the coins and pocketing them.

This was moving.

My first earnings in the martial world.

Fifty mun, safely in my possession.

An overwhelming sense of accomplishment washed over me.

Earning money was hard work, but receiving it felt great. I wanted to scream and do backflips. Or maybe rip my hair out in a joyous rant.

“Oh, and you worked well today. I’d like you to come back tomorrow.”

“Absolutely!”

There it was, the offer!

I was definitely coming back tomorrow!

“Hahaha!”

Laughter burst forth spontaneously.

I left the construction site in high spirits.

Fifty mun.

With this, I had nothing to worry about.

I could live another day.

Now then, let’s see. They told me to return to the Dahwebang after work, right? I’d go there first, then find an inn.

“Hah…”

I felt relieved.

“Right… Adaptability. That’s my strength.”

I didn’t really have a place to call home, after all. I’d even left my aunt’s house.

Maybe that was why I could adapt so quickly.

Who else could come to a martial world, find a job, and secure their survival in a single day?

Only Kim Geun-hyeop could pull this off.

Confidence surged.

“I’m here to return the token.”

Back at the Dahwebang, several other laborers were returning their tokens.

I observed them for a moment, then went and returned mine.

By carefully observing and reading the situation, I felt like I was gradually adapting to this world.

But I had a question.

“Excuse me, can I ask something?”

“What is it?”

“I went to Dageumjeonjang today on the Dahwebang’s recommendation, worked, and received my wages. Do I owe the Dahwebang anything?”

“So that’s what you’re wondering… We receive a commission for every worker we send. We’ve already taken our cut from your wages.”

These guys were running an outsourcing operation.

“I see,”

I said. My curiosity was satisfied.

I stepped out of the Dahwebang.

Growl.

“Ugh, I’m starving.”

Was it because I’d been digging all afternoon?

I felt like I could eat a horse.

I was also drenched in sweat and desperately wanted to wash up, but I wasn’t sure if I could find a decent place to do so.

First, I needed to find an inn.

I’d heard the other laborers talking about staying at inns. They said it usually cost around 20 to 30 mun a night.

I had 50 mun, so…

“One meal and one night’s stay, and that’s it.”

They’d said I could earn 100 mun if I started work in the morning.

So, if I budgeted around 30 mun for lodging and, say, 50 mun for food, I could save about 20 mun a day?

No, wait.

I needed to think carefully about food.

This was a martial world, not the abundant Earth I was used to.

I needed to make sure I got proper nutrition, but food was scarce in pre-modern societies.

I had to make sure I got enough carbs, protein, fats, and vitamins or I’d become weak… If I got sick due to malnutrition, I’d be screwed.

I was basically an American now.

A morbidly obese American without health insurance.

I wanted to flaunt my 200kg belly and tree-trunk legs and declare myself healthy, strong, and beautiful, but sadly, I was an Asian with a small stomach.

If I got sick without any savings, I was as good as dead.

To avoid that fate, I had to sleep under a roof and eat nutritious food.

Those 10 mun dumplings were clearly nutritional garbage.

I needed to spend money properly to maintain my health.

“Alright, let’s fill my belly first!”

I headed towards the inn I’d researched earlier.

It was called Munro Inn.

Apparently, restaurants only served food, but inns also provided lodging.

I hadn’t known there was such a distinction.

I eventually reached Munro Inn.

“Hmm.”

With money in my pocket, I had nothing to fear.

I confidently walked inside.

“Hahaha! So then, I grabbed him and…!”

“You’re lying again!”

“I swear it’s true!”

The atmosphere was boisterous.

The smells of food and alcohol washed over me as I entered… Wait, why were there so many seats?

And it wasn’t even dark, despite it being nighttime; they had lights on.

“Customer! How many in your party?”

“Just me.”

“This way.”

Was this the famous ‘jeomsoi’ (waiter/server)?

I followed him to a secluded single-person table.

“What can I get for you?”

“Before that, jeomsoi. I’d like to stay here tonight. How much is it?”

“Lodging is 30 mun.”

That left me with 20 mun.

“How much are the dumplings and noodles?”

“Ten mun each.”

“I see those are the cheapest options,”

I observed.

“Isn’t it the same everywhere? Hurry up and order.”

Did this guy think I was broke?

His attitude had taken a sudden nosedive.

Well, of course. He was a seasoned waiter.

Some raggedy guy walks in and immediately asks about dumplings and noodles… of course he’d look down on me.

If I were him, I’d have a club ready for any beggar who dared to enter my establishment.

“How much are the meat dishes, starting from?”

I asked, putting on a brave face.

The waiter wasn’t going to actually beat me up, was he?

“Gyewisochae is the cheapest at 30 mun.”

“Gyewisochae?”

“It’s a dish of stir-fried chicken gizzards and other innards with vegetables and seasonings.”

Gizzards and innards?

That sounded disgusting.

Ah, so that’s why it was cheap; they used the scraps instead of the meat.

Still, it sounded like I could get some protein from it. But I didn’t have enough money, damn it.

After paying for the room, I’d only have 20 mun left…!

“Next would be Hawhajak at 30 mun.”

“Hawhajak?”

“Roasted sparrow. They’re small enough to eat whole.”

“Oh!”

That sounded promising!

I’d try it next time I had money.

Roasted sparrow, bones and all.

That had to be packed with nutrients.

“Sounds good! Jeomsoi! I’ll take the dumplings and noodles!”

“…Understood.”

“And I’ll take a room!”

“…I’ll bring you your food and a room key.”

I pulled out my entire fortune of 50 mun and handed it over. He counted the coins and turned away.

It would’ve been good to tip him, but I couldn’t afford it.

I’d spent everything I’d earned today.

“Haa…”

At least I could eat.

Rubbing my empty stomach, I looked around.

Everyone was chatting and eating boisterously, and…I noticed several people carrying swords or sabers.

Swords…

So, these were martial artists, huh?

Earlier, I’d seen some using light footwork and something resembling ‘walking on air.’

I quickly averted my gaze, lest I accidentally make eye contact and provoke someone.

As far as I knew, martial artists had nasty tempers.

Many serial killers, thrill killers, and even those who killed out of a sense of duty claimed to be martial artists.

In a place like this, a commoner like me walking around with my eyes open would be asking for a legally sanctioned beating and a thorough robbing.

This really was a martial world.

“Your food is here, customer.”

The jeomsoi brought my meal.

“Ooh…”

The somyeon was just noodles. White noodles in a light brown broth, probably seasoned with soy sauce. A simple dish.

It looked pretty good.

The dumplings? Two large, white, steamed buns appeared on the plate. Their size was a pleasant surprise. These guys were more generous than I’d expected.

This much food for 20 mun meant I wouldn’t have to worry about starving.

“Oh, jeomsoi. Where can I get water?”

“There’s a well on the first floor. You can wash up there. You’re welcome to use it since you’re lodging here.”

“Understood.”

So, I could wash up.

But what about a towel?

Being dropped here with nothing but the clothes on my back really sucked.

I needed basic necessities like a towel and a bag to get by.

Should I work at the construction site for a while, save up, and buy those things?

“It’s like gearing up in a game…”

Having to grind daily just to afford basic necessities was unbelievable.

And even then, it wouldn’t be for equipment, but just for consumables.

Right, then.

Let’s have my first meal in the martial world.

Everything was white and excessively carb-heavy.

But it would be different tomorrow, so I’ll endure it.

I’d start with the noodles.

I twirled the noodles with my chopsticks, letting them soak up the broth. Then…

Slurp.

I slurped them down.

“Hmm…”

The flavor was bland.

It tasted very different from the noodles I was used to.

In short, they were pretty awful.

But hunger was the best sauce! I never thought I’d find something this bland tasty, but they were actually delicious!

“Ahh!”

The hot noodles warmed me from the inside out, making me feel alive.

I picked up the bowl and drank the broth.

“Kuah…! Haah!”

Savoring the hot noodles, I felt like a food enthusiast.

I could probably out-eat that famous wrestler, Mr. Kang.

Maybe I was surprisingly well-suited to this martial world?

This was really good.

Now for the dumplings.

Looking at these steamed bun-like dumplings made my mouth water.

There had to be some kind of filling inside, right?

Minced meat or noodles…

I took a large bite… huh?

“There’s no filling?!”

I took another bite, but there was nothing inside!

This was just plain bread!

This was insane!

How could they sell dumplings with no filling?!

“Argh…!”

It was just tasteless bread, but I was hungry.

Pushing aside my disappointment, I dipped the dumpling in the noodle broth to soften it and ate it.

It was edible this way.

But seriously, I couldn’t understand.

Even martial artists couldn’t survive on filling-less dumplings, could they?

They were crazy. If I were the leader of the Martial Alliance, I’d declare anyone selling filling-less dumplings a demonic cult leader.

It was the only way to make this world a better place.

Still… the taste suggested they would be decent with some seasoned meat. Alright. I’d try that next time.

With that thought, I devoured all the noodles and dumplings.

“Burp.”

Maybe because there was no meat, I wasn’t particularly full.

But what could I do? I was broke.

In times like these, conserving energy was key, so going to bed early was the best option. I had to get up early for work tomorrow.

Slide.

I picked up the wooden tag on the table. It was essentially a key.

I just had to find the room number written on it.

So, did this mean I had to work tomorrow morning on an empty stomach?

I’d seen the other laborers eating their packed lunches.

Could I buy something like that at the inn?

Without a bag, it would be good to have some kind of rations I could carry in my pockets.

Slide.

I got up.

Instead of going straight to my room, I went to find the well.

And there it was. Several people were washing up, naked.

They were also drinking the water.

I really wanted a water purifier… They used this water for everything?

I took off my clothes, waited my turn, and splashed water on myself with a dipper.

“Ugh!”

The water was freezing!

Was this well blessed by the ice spirit Ifrit?

“Brrr…”

I quickly washed up in the frigid water and patted myself dry with my shirt.

I had no choice without a towel.

I hung it up in my room; it would probably be dry by tomorrow.

It might smell, but I’d have to live with it.

I went up to my room.

Creak.

“Oh, my…”

The room was, to put it nicely, awful. To put it less nicely, it was a dump.

I’d expected a bed, but the small room contained only a thin blanket, a thicker quilt, and a small pillow on the floor.

Thirty mun a night for this?

It was absurd. Damn this martial world.

“Haa…”

I sighed.

“I miss you, Auntie,”

I whispered.

Compared to my aunt’s house, this was hell. But I was exhausted.

Arriving in this martial world had taken a toll on me, and I was drained.

Slide.

I slipped under the covers.

Like a pillbug or sowbug crawling into a crevice.

I curled up, protecting myself from imaginary centipede and millipede neighbors.

—Wahahahaha!

—Kuahahaha!

—Jeomsoi! Another bottle of warm wine!

—Kung Pao Chicken over here!

As I closed my eyes, the boisterous noise from downstairs drifted up.

Did these uncivilized martial artists have no concept of noise pollution?

I fantasized about slaughtering them all as I succumbed to exhaustion.

It was noisy, but I was so tired that sleep quickly overtook me.

“Sniff…”

I drifted off to sleep, a single tear tracing a path down my cheek.

I missed the comfort of my aunt’s home.