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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: JayM
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A barbarian stood by the lake.
Jeong Yoo-shin’s eyes widened.
It was a nightmare-inducing sight.
His heart began to race.
What was he supposed to do if he encountered a barbarian at night?
‘Calm down.’
Even if faced down by a tiger, you could survive if you didn’t show your back to it.
“…”
Jeong Yoo-shin and the elderly barbarian locked eyes.
A moment of silence passed.
‘N-No!’
He couldn’t take it anymore.
Jeong Yoo-shin turned and ran.
“H-Help me!!!”
The boy screamed as he ran.
Ragna scratched his head.
“Oops.”
Jeong Yoo-shin ran with all his might while panting.
His head was spinning.
It felt like a nightmare.
‘Ashur tricked me!!!’
He felt a sense of betrayal, but more than that, he felt that his chastity was in danger.
At least elves wouldn’t be interested in his backside.
And how did the barbarian even recognize him?
Could it be…
That Ashur had told him?
His master must have lost his mind.
“Gwaaagh!!!”
He ran along the lakeshore, his legs pumping furiously.
Ragna shook his head and then leaped lightly into the air.
Thump!!!
He landed right in front of Jeong Yoo-shin.
“Calm down. I’m not here to harm you.”
Jeong Yoo-shin froze.
“You expect me to believe that?!”
“Look. I haven’t laid a finger on you yet.”
The elderly barbarian spread his hands and waved them in front of Jeong Yoo-shin.
That was true, but…
His hands were the size of Jeong Yoo-shin’s head.
“Old man, what’s your name? Who are you?”
“Hoo. You want to know my true name?”
The elderly barbarian looked down at him with a gentle smile.
‘I’m going to be sick.’
He felt nauseous.
Wait…
That wasn’t it. The problem wasn’t the smile.
‘I heard that barbarians only reveal their true names to their lifelong companions or close friends.’
He had heard that a long time ago…
When he first arrived in Labyrinth City and registered as an explorer.
The receptionist had told him that with a pale face.
Jeong Yoo-shin took a few steps back.
They wouldn’t use the term “close friend” for a child, would they?
Then…
The color drained from Jeong Yoo-shin’s face.
The elderly barbarian smiled.
“I can’t tell you that. Call me Ragna.”
‘Ragna.’
Was it an alias?
Should he be relieved that he hadn’t revealed his true name?
‘I don’t know yet. I need to stay alert.’
“…Why are you here?”
Jeong Yoo-shin asked cautiously.
Instead of answering, Ragna crossed his arms and turned to look at the lake.
To the tranquil lake at night.
“Ashur seems to care for you a great deal.”
“…We have some history.”
“I know.”
Did this old man know his elf master?
It wasn’t surprising, considering elves’ long lifespans.
“Looking back, it’s amusing. When I first met Ashur, he was just a snot-nosed brat.”
“Have you been in Labyrinth City for a long time?”
“Yes. I’ve traveled all over the world.”
“…Can we get to the point?”
“Ahem!!! You’re impatient. Alright.”
Ragna took something out of his bag.
An expensive-looking glass bottle.
A sky-blue liquid sloshed inside.
“What is this?”
“It’s an elixir called Mage’s Tears.”
“What does it do?”
“It permanently increases a person’s mana. It’s priceless. If it were to be sold publicly, it would cause immense chaos.”
An elixir?
Jeong Yoo-shin stared at the bottle, mesmerized.
His mouth watered.
Gulp.
If he drank this elixir, wouldn’t he be free from his chronic mana deficiency?
His mana had increased slightly after burying the holy relics. It was a negligible amount, but still…
And he didn’t know when he would level up again.
Of course, he wasn’t going to die from mana deficiency right now.
He was just… lacking.
Ragna shook the bottle, and the sky-blue liquid swirled gently inside.
“Skar, you’re drooling. Do you want it?”
When did this old man learn his name?
Scary grandpa.
Jeong Yoo-shin was about to nod…
“Yes, I want it. But I was told not to accept things from strangers.”
“That’s a good attitude. But this is our second meeting, so we’re not strangers, are we? I’ll give it to you if you need it.”
Ragna’s nonchalant reply dumbfounded him.
Not strangers after meeting twice? Then who was a stranger?
“Why? What do you want in return?”
“Nothing.”
Ragna shook his head and said firmly.
Jeong Yoo-shin’s eyes narrowed.
He was becoming increasingly suspicious.
Giving him a priceless elixir for free?
With no strings attached?
“Really nothing?”
“Yes. Take it if you want.”
Ragna offered the bottle.
Jeong Yoo-shin slowly approached Ragna.
The elixir was too tempting to resist.
And this old man knew Ashur, his elf master.
‘This must be a blessing from heaven, rewarding my dedication.’
A cliffside opportunity.
He had heard that in some martial arts novels, people even offered their bodies to masters in exchange for teachings.
This was a great deal, receiving such a boon from a barbarian just by extending his hand.
Jeong Yoo-shin, having made up his mind, slowly reached out.
Grab.
He took the bottle and held it up to his eyes.
His heart pounded as he looked at the sky-blue liquid.
He had obtained an elixir that increased mana without any effort.
Ragna smiled and took another item out of his bag.
An antique, elven single-edged sword.
Jeong Yoo-shin’s mind raced.
Pulling a sword out of a bag as if he were a magician? Was it a magic bag?
Ragna held the sword out to Jeong Yoo-shin.
“Do you want this too?”
“What is that sword?”
“It’s a sword I obtained in the labyrinth. A magic sword with a special property.”
“Ooh!!!”
Jeong Yoo-shin’s eyes sparkled.
“What property?”
“It’s imbued with the ‘Gale’ spell.”
“Gale?”
Jeong Yoo-shin tilted his head.
“It allows you to move quickly.”
“Wow!”
“Take it.”
Jeong Yoo-shin moved closer to Ragna and extended his hand.
Grab.
It was light for a sword. It was a bit heavy for his boyish body, but…
He wasn’t worried.
He would be able to wield it easily once he returned to his original body. Or he could just train his strength.
Jeong Yoo-shin grinned as he stroked the sword.
“There’s something you should know about using this sword.”
“What is it?”
“You can only swing it three times. It can save your life if you’re surrounded or need to dodge an attack. Use it wisely.”
“I understand.”
“Oh! I almost forgot.”
Ragna rummaged through his bag again and took something out.
A red stone.
“A top-grade magic stone. I hope it helps you on your journey.”
‘This old man…’
He was practically a walking vending machine of blessings.
He was just handing out valuable items for free.
‘Does he have an imprint that compels him to give gifts to cute children?’
A very reasonable deduction.
He was a honey pot grandpa.
Jeong Yoo-shin, intoxicated by the sweet blessings, moved closer to Ragna.
Perhaps barbarians were actually good people who were victims of slander?
His preconceived notions about barbarians were changing.
When he first heard the rumors, he had imagined them as the worst of the worst, with their pants always around their ankles.
But now…
He saw them as gentlemen in suits.
“Please.”
Jeong Yoo-shin extended his hand expectantly.
“Here.”
Ragna smiled and handed him the magic stone.
Grab!
Jeong Yoo-shin took the magic stone, but Ragna didn’t let go.
“Huh?”
“I have a small request. Will you grant it?”
“Wh-What is it?!”
He finally realized.
The elderly barbarian’s cunning plan.
Was he luring people in with sweet rewards and then kidnapping them?
A master manipulator.
“Let me hug you.”
“Huh…?!”
Before he could answer, Ragna scooped him up in his massive arms.
“Gwaaagh!!!”
Jeong Yoo-shin struggled, but Ragna didn’t budge.
‘Is this a hug-for-blessings kind of opportunity?!’
No way.
Jeong Yoo-shin struggled with all his might, anticipating Ragna’s next move.
But Ragna just held him and did nothing else.
“…?”
Jeong Yoo-shin stopped struggling and stayed still.
A few minutes later…
Ragna put him down.
“…”
Ragna didn’t speak. His eyes were slightly red.
The old warrior’s eyes were filled with sadness.
Ragna stroked Jeong Yoo-shin’s hair.
“I’d like to hold you longer, but I don’t have time.”
“Where are you going?”
“There’s a bad guy I have to hunt down.”
Ragna paused, then continued.
“And if you feel like your training from the Swordsman’s Guild is not enough, find my subordinate in the Northern District. Don’t worry too much. I’ve ‘educated’ my kinsmen in the city.”
Educated the barbarians?
Were they even capable of being educated?
Weren’t they just relentless baby-making machines?
Anyway…
“The Northern District?”
“I’ve moved the troublemakers there. Show them the ring I gave you, and they’ll understand.”
“Old man, who are you?”
“Me?”
Ragna grinned.
“Are you curious?”
“Yes.”
“We’ll talk after I return.”
“Wait…!”
Ragna turned around and disappeared into the bushes.
He was so fast that Jeong Yoo-shin only saw a fleeting gust of wind.
“Huh.”
Jeong Yoo-shin slumped to the ground.
He felt disoriented, as if a storm had just passed through.
Showering him with blessings.
Could he be this lucky?
And why did he hug him?
It was all so confusing.
He sat there blankly for a moment, then took off his clothes and slipped into the lake.
‘That’s strange. Both Master Ashur and that old man…’
They were both in such a hurry.
He bathed while thinking about these things, and then he went back to the clearing.
A familiar figure was sitting by the bonfire.
“Oh! Iron Mask?!”
Iron Mask waved.
Jeong Yoo-shin sat down across from him with the bonfire between them.
“Skar, Karin told me everything. That you’re receiving special training from the Swordsman’s Guild. You’ve been through a lot.”
There was a hint of amusement in Iron Mask’s voice.
“I was kidnapped.”
Jeong Yoo-shin grumbled while frowning.
“I heard that it’s a good opportunity.”
“Why don’t you join me?”
Iron Mask shook his head.
“Skar, you know I don’t have time.”
“…”
Jeong Yoo-shin immediately understood and closed his mouth.
Crackle. Crackle.
The bonfire crackled in the silence.
Iron Mask then spoke.
“I have to move forward.”
“…”
Jeong Yoo-shin, who had been silent for a long time, looked up.
“…Brother, don’t worry about me and go.”
Iron Mask stroked his greatsword.
“Skar, your words gave me a realization. I thought I had abandoned everything, but I was wrong. The fact that someone is waiting for me… it gives me strength. Thank you.”
Jeong Yoo-shin smiled slightly.
“We’ll see each other often, so don’t be so sentimental. Come visit the inn sometime and boost our sales.”
Iron Mask chuckled.
“That wasn’t like me.”
“By the way, who’s replacing me?”
“Karis. Remember the elf mage who fought with us against the troll?”
“Yes.”
“And another human warrior also joined the party.”
“So it’s a five-member party.”
“That’s right.”
“That’s good.”
“I’m thinking of forming a clan if I can gather enough trustworthy party members.”
“Can I join?”
“Of course. But I don’t think you’re the type to be under anyone.”
“…”
Jeong Yoo-shin scratched his head, embarrassed by Iron Mask’s overestimation of him.
“So, I have to find another party again. Tsk.”
“It won’t be easy. Lately, the barbarians…”
Those bastards again?
He had heard that Ragna had ‘educated’ them.
Was that not the case?
Iron Mask shook his head and stood up.
“It’s better for you to see for yourself. Of course, they’re not as lawless as they were last time.”
Iron Mask left abruptly, just as how he had arrived.
Jeong Yoo-shin saw him off and returned to his tent.
“Sigh.”
Another connection he had made was leaving.
He felt a pang of regret.
But he couldn’t hold on to the poor prince’s leg.
He didn’t have the time.
He laid down, closed his eyes, and lost himself in thought.
‘First, I’ll have Karin in my party…’
He made plans, then quickly drifted off to sleep.
On a summer night…
Only the bonfire burned quietly in the forest.
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T/N – So guys, I have another mass release for this coming Saturday. It’s mainly because my other novel is currently in an arc that has been going on for waaaaay too long despite the last mass release and I just want to end it so we can all finally move on with the story. So I’ll be releasing 5 chapters on Saturday, and unlike the last one, this time I’ll also be unlocking the same number of chapters. So keep an eye out for them. (6/14/25)
Aw, so the old man isn’t sticking around. I’m curious now about the barbarians in the city. What did the old man do and how are they acting now?
Also, damn. Two goodbyes in one chapter. I felt particularly sad when the old man hugged the MC. I wonder if he knew the MC’s father? And Ashur hasn’t even told the MC that he’s leaving too.
If you find any mistakes, feel free to point them out in the comments.
My head cannon is that old man Ragna gave those barbarians a taste of their own medicine and turned them into “females”.
I feel like Ragna might be his actual grandfather ? Just a guess tho.
MC’s father or mother is a barbarian. MC can’t deny it now :))