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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Simzy
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I’m back, my homeland!
“But I’m not happy at all.”
The reason for my lack of joy was simple. This wasn’t my homeland in the first place, and the journey here had been utterly exhausting.
I’d taken a temporary job as a guard for a caravan heading this way. Thanks to that, I was nearly dead from sleep deprivation after being stuck on guard duty rotation all night. I missed Serin so much.
At least there hadn’t been any fighting.
“We’ve arrived, so the contract is terminated. Please pay the agreed-upon sum.”
“Here you are.”
I received my wages from the caravan leader and left the group.
First, get a room, unpack, do some shopping, and then go find Jaemison.
I went straight to the inn I usually stayed at.
“I’d like a room starting now. How much?”
“40 copper coins, young master!”
It was probably 40 coins because it was still early.
While my pockets were relatively full, entering the inn made me feel like I was finally back to reality. 40 copper coins was a lot of money. Indeed.
“Oh, and bring me some dumplings and noodles.”
“Certainly! That will be 30 coins!”
I paid the waiter and went upstairs to unpack.
“Ugh.”
My belongings had increased.
The inconvenient part was, being a vagrant, I had to carry everything with me. I could leave it at the inn for a day, but I couldn’t leave it anywhere long-term.
If I had a home, I could leave it there, but that wasn’t my case. This swordsman life was truly difficult.
I’d have to think about how to manage my belongings.
“Your food is here!”
The waiter soon arrived.
“Hmm.”
Steaming dumplings. I slowly reached out with my chopsticks and took a bite…honestly, it was a bit disappointing. The dumplings at the Namgung Clan were the real deal. Now, everything I ate would be compared to their food. This was a curse…! A truly miserable curse!
Nevertheless, I ate my fill and then went to sleep.
I was still exhausted from guard duty.
“Ugh.”
Oh, man.
Coming back to an inn after staying at the Namgung Clan’s Estate was a harsh reality check.
My spirit was already starting to break.
It felt like returning from a long-awaited military leave, only to find that some magical force had transformed my home into the barracks, turning my leave into a return to duty.
I want to sleep in a proper bed!
And their blankets were so fluffy!
“Sob!”
I missed Serin!
But Song would have persevered even in these difficult circumstances. I had to do the same. I didn’t want to see Song disappointed.
With that resolve, I fell asleep.
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After a good nap, I headed to the market.
Now that I had some money, I planned to buy something I’d been eyeing.
“Young master! What brings you here?”
“I’m looking for some shoes.”
Today’s purchase was none other than shoes.
I had bought the Monster Hide Vambraces here last time. Honestly, I was extremely satisfied, and I had used it diligently, overcoming several crises thanks to it.
Its quality was unquestionable.
“Shoes, you say! This way, young master!”
Young master again?
Ah, right.
I looked quite presentable now. I’d shaved and gotten a haircut at the Namgung Clan. Plus, I was wearing decent clothes and carrying a good sword, so it was natural for them to call me “young master.”
“Here we are!”
“Let me take a look around.”
“Yes!”
Although I said I was looking, my eyes were fixed on one thing.
A leather boots made from the hide of a mythical creature.
I’d heard they were made from the hide of a mythical creature called Pigaksa. The price was five silver taels. I’d wanted to buy them since I first saw them.
Look at those alligator-leather-boot-like beauties.
How could I resist?
“Those are…?”
“Young master! You have a discerning eye! Those are Gaksajangwha! They’re made from the hide of a mythical creature called Pigaksa. They’re incredibly waterproof and durable, able to withstand even sharp rocks! A high-quality product that can handle rough use!”
“May I try them on?”
“Of course!”
I immediately tried on the Gaksajangwha.
“Ooh.”
Sturdy.
And they gripped my feet firmly.
They felt like military boots. After trying them on and walking around a bit, I felt they were a perfect fit. They were a bit heavy, but as long as they performed well, I didn’t mind.
“I like them. How much?”
“Five silver taels, young master!”
“Five silver taels, huh?”
“They’re a high-quality product, hehe.”
Oh, damn it.
I was going to try to haggle, but being called “young master” made it impossible for me to open my mouth.
This damn…!
I’d gotten soft!
Don’t you dare care about your image!
“…”
Haggle, damn it!
“Five silver taels! Thank you, young master. Please come again!”
“…I will.”
I left without haggling. Seriously, I haggled just fine last time, but now, just because I’m wearing decent clothes and being called “young master,” I couldn’t do it? This was driving me crazy.
But I couldn’t stop my shoulders from shrugging.
Even though it was ridiculous, being called “young master” had lifted my spirits.
“Hehehe.”
Well, the shoes were great.
I was very satisfied.
Shoes like these would be a great help in combat. With these boots on, I could probably break the ribs of any monster, making them beg for mercy.
Anyway, after buying the shoes, I wanted to replace my arm guards. I also wanted thigh guards, chest armor, and shoulder guards.
But I didn’t have the budget right now, so I’d pass.
Spending five silver taels had depleted my funds. I’d have to be frugal from now on and frequent the Haengdomun.
First, I had to find Jaemison.
“Waiter!”
I went to the inn where Jaemison was staying and called for the waiter.
“Is there a martial artist named Jaemison staying here? He uses a strange spear-like weapon.”
“Well…”
“I’m his friend.”
I slipped the waiter two small coins.
“Ah! I heard he left for work! He hasn’t returned yet, young master!”
“Is that so?”
We’d missed each other again.
Well, it didn’t matter. I had nothing planned for today anyway. He might return today, so I’d kill some time here.
“Waiter, bring me some noodles.”
“Certainly!”
“Oh, and I have a question.”
I gave the waiter another coin.
“Ask away!”
“I heard there was some kind of labyrinth that appeared recently…what happened to it?”
It was important to keep track of such rumors.
Many swordsmen had died then; what had actually happened?
“Ah! That incident! I heard the Namgung Clan’s martial artists took care of it! But surprisingly, I heard a Hayagriva emerged from that labyrinth!”
“What?!”
“So, I heard many swordsmen who went there died. But well, the Namgung Clan compensated their families, proving their reputation.”
“Wait, what happened to the Hayagriva?”
“Don’t be surprised, young master! I heard that while the Namgung Clan’s Jade Flower Sword was struggling against it, some swordsman jumped in and killed the Hayagriva!”
“Gasp!”
That was my story!
They knew all the details?
“A swordsman really did that?”
“Really! The surviving swordsmen called him Nachalsal (Demon Slayer). It’s a fitting title for a swordsman who killed a Hayagriva!”
Crazy…!
People were calling me Nachalsal?
“Fucking awesome!”
“Huh?”
“No, I heard you. Interesting.”
Such a badass nickname!
As expected, in the martial world, one had to do something impressive to become famous. Nachalsal…Nachalsal…wasn’t it a badass name?
I had to brag about this to Jaemison immediately.
“Song…!”
With this, I was one step closer to Song. He would definitely smile if he heard the nickname Nachalsal. He would acknowledge me.
“Waiter! A bottle of strong liquor, please!”
“Certainly!”
Overjoyed, I ordered some alcohol to celebrate this joyous occasion.
What was the occasion?
The day I got my first nickname, baby!
How could you forget such an important anniversary?!
I’m celebrating it now, aren’t I?!
“Hahahaha!”
This liquor is strong!
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“So…why do you want to join our Amtobang (Dark Earth Gang)?”
“I want to avenge my friend!”
Oh Su-man joined the Dark Earth Gang, a black path faction, to avenge his friend, Chang-sam.
Life in the Amtobang was harsh. He was constantly bullied by the older members, and his income was meager compared to when he and Chang-sam worked together, as most of it went to paying tribute.
For this reason, Oh Su-man had avoided joining a black path faction, sticking to robbery with Chang-sam.
But for revenge, he could endure this humiliation.
‘I will kill him…!’
That pale bastard.
Oh Su-man had ambushed him with Chang-sam once.
They’d intended to teach him a lesson, since he had become a martial artist after toiling away at Dahwebang, and perhaps use him like a slave.
But that crazy bastard suddenly went berserk, brutally murdering his friend Chang-sam. Oh Su-man had lost his friend and wandered aimlessly. He couldn’t rob alone, and his life had become desperate.
Resentment blackened Oh Su-man’s heart.
He would avenge Chang-sam, no matter the cost.
‘Kim Geun-hyeop…!’
His target’s name was Kim Geun-hyeop.
He had already learned about his target’s identity while working for the black path. The man had learned martial arts at the White Sword Martial Arts School and was making a living hunting monsters.
That bastard had brutally murdered his friend and was living peacefully, doing his job.
This fueled Oh Su-man’s hatred.
‘I will, I will kill him! Kim Geun-hyeop!’
With the help of the Amtobang, eliminating him would be a piece of cake. Thinking this, Oh Su-man gathered information about Kim Geun-hyeop relentlessly.
Lately, however, news had been scarce, making him worry that his target might be dead. But then, a sighting was reported.
News of a tall, pale-skinned man appearing.
Oh Su-man instinctively knew it was Kim Geun-hyeop.
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