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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: JayM
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Crazy!
The single-edged sword trembled on its own.
Jeong Yoo-shin threw the sword aside and jumped to his feet.
“Wh-What? What the hell?!”
Thump, thump.
His heart pounded.
He was so startled that his lingering fatigue vanished.
Was this what it felt like to see a household appliance you used every day suddenly start talking to you in the middle of the night?
What was this?
A single-edged sword shouldn’t be trembling on its own.
He observed the red single-edged sword in silence.
“…”
Could it be?
A chill ran down his spine as a thought crossed his mind.
‘Am I haunted by the ghosts of those I’ve killed?’
What if the salty liquid from the blade was actually the tears of the deceased?
“…It’s possible.”
It was a plausible theory.
He had killed well over sixty people with this sword.
They all deserved to die. They were scum who committed all sorts of atrocities. He had no regrets in killing them.
But they were still all dead.
Even if they had fought to the death in this life, there was no reason for them to be hostile to him even in the afterlife.
He hesitated, then spoke.
“To the vengeful spirits who died unjustly, I am sorry. It was nothing personal.”
The single-edged sword trembled again. The vibration was strongest at the hilt, as if it was urging him to grab it.
“Are you telling me to grab the sword?”
Tremble.
‘It’s trembling strangely.’
He carefully gripped the hilt of the sword.
At that moment…
‘Huhu. This body…’
A low, husky female voice echoed in his mind.
“Gah!!!”
Jeong Yoo-shin screamed and dropped the sword.
Thud.
“Are you crazy?! Give me a warning before you speak!”
He was startled, but more than that, his mana had been drained when he touched the sword.
He quickly revised his thoughts.
This wasn’t a recently attached ghost.
It was an older, unknown entity.
Jeong Yoo-shin gritted his teeth.
‘That crazy bastard, Aldein.’
What grudge did that elf have against him to give him a haunted magic sword?
His head throbbed. He felt like he should go and confront Aldein first thing in the morning.
Jeong Yoo-shin took a few deep breaths to calm himself down.
‘Sigh. No.’
Aldein had said it himself.
He didn’t know what abilities this sword had.
And…
If this thing was an evil spirit, he didn’t have to wait until morning.
He had Sacred Weapon.
A spell that combined physical and holy powers could surely exorcise an evil spirit.
Jeong Yoo-shin glared at the single-edged sword and began to chant.
[Sacred Weapon]
He didn’t imagine a specific weapon. He formed a sword seal with his index and middle fingers and imbued it with mana.
A blazing golden flame flickered at his fingertips.
“Sigh.”
He took a deep breath…
And slowly ran his hand along the blade of the single-edged sword.
‘Hmph!’
The blade flinched and trembled.
A smile touched Jeong Yoo-shin’s lips.
‘Good.’
It was working.
“You’re a lingering evil spirit.”
‘…’
There was no response. Only a sticky liquid oozed from the blade.
He slowly ran his fingers along the blade, then flicked it.
Thump!
The blade began to whine.
‘W-Wait!’
The woman’s voice echoed in his mind again.
The low, husky voice tickled his brain.
Jeong Yoo-shin frowned.
He hadn’t cut down any women with this sword.
‘I’m sure of it. It’s an old evil spirit.’
“Where are you from? No, I don’t want to hear it. I don’t negotiate with evil spirits.”
Based on his experience in the Forest area, their specialty was deception. Evil spirits who tried to trick people for their own gain.
“Get out of this sword.”
‘Listen to me!’
The woman’s urgent voice pleaded.
Jeong Yoo-shin ignored her and flicked his finger again.
Thump!
‘Eek!’
“Get out!”
‘G-Go? Where do you want me to go? I… I!’
“Go!”
Thump!
As he flicked the blade several more times, the amount of liquid seeping out of it increased.
‘W-Wait?! There…’
“Is this your weak spot?”
The hilt of the sword.
He tapped the part that would be the rain guard on a double-edged sword.
He had found its weak spot.
He gathered his strength and delivered a final flick.
“Go!”
Clang!
‘G-Guh?! G-Going! Hoooo!!!’
The woman’s cry echoed in his mind.
The single-edged sword trembled for a moment, then fell silent.
“Is it over?”
‘♥’
There was no sound.
Jeong Yoo-shin looked down at the single-edged sword silently.
Even after 30 minutes, there was no sign of life from the sword.
He sheathed the sword, leaned it against the head of his bed, and collapsed onto the soft mattress.
He was exhausted. His mana had been completely drained by the evil spirit.
He closed his eyes.
‘This crazy Labyrinth City. I can’t let my guard down for a second.’
Darkness then enveloped him.
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The quiet dawn passed, and the hot summer sun began to stream through the window.
Jeong Yoo-shin opened his eyes.
Knock, knock.
Someone was knocking on his door.
He sat up in bed and rubbed his eyes.
‘I’m tired.’
“Who is it?”
“It’s Edel.”
“It’s Luna!”
Jeong Yoo-shin smiled faintly.
“Come in.”
Creak.
The door opened, and Edel and Luna entered the room.
“Skar oppa!”
Luna, her yellow tail wagging, ran into Jeong Yoo-shin’s arms.
A soft, pleasant scent emanated from Luna.
Jeong Yoo-shin stroked Luna’s head.
He was relieved.
‘She hasn’t lost her smile.’
But wasn’t it a bit much for her to be clinging to him and sniffing him?
Was that a beast-person thing?
“L-Luna! How could you be so rude to our benefactor?!”
Edel, flustered, tried to stop Luna.
“No, it’s alright. Let her be.”
Jeong Yoo-shin wrapped Luna in a blanket and sat her on the edge of the bed.
“Huh?”
Luna, looking like a caterpillar, poked her head out of the covers and stared at Jeong Yoo-shin’s face.
Ignoring her, Jeong Yoo-shin looked up at Edel and spoke.
“I took care of the bad guys who were harassing your shop last night. You don’t have to worry about them anymore.”
Edel bowed deeply to Jeong Yoo-shin.
“Skar, thank you. I’m indebted to you again.”
“Indebted? Don’t say that.”
Jeong Yoo-shin replied while stroking Luna’s head.
“Still, I want to repay you. Is… is there anything you want?”
Edel’s face flushed slightly.
Jeong Yoo-shin, who was still holding Luna, thought for a moment.
Repayment?
‘That’s not why I did it.’
He hadn’t done it for a reward. He just wanted to protect the smiles of those around him.
And seeing Luna get hit had infuriated him.
Come to think of it, he had probably killed those bastards too easily.
He felt a bitter taste in his mouth, knowing that he had shown his strength and methods to the people of the Eastern District while killing those thugs.
Of course, he wouldn’t hesitate to do it again to save someone he knew.
It was just a waste to reveal his abilities to his enemies, both current and potential.
“Oppa! Then how about sleeping in my mom’s arms?”
Sleeping in her arms?
Jeong Yoo-shin’s mouth opened slightly.
“L-Luna!”
“Mom’s breasts are soft and fluffy, and they feel good!”
Luna said, her eyes sparkling.
“…”
No. That was a bit much.
Edel’s body, which had been weakened by her illness, was slowly returning to its original form.
A voluptuous figure that was unbecoming of a widow.
A slender waist and a delicate neck.
And her enormous breasts, combined with her quiet and graceful demeanor, exuded a strange allure.
“…”
Jeong Yoo-shin and Edel glanced at each other, then looked away.
“Ahem. Let’s not get sidetracked. I’ll decline your offer. I’m satisfied with just buying high-quality potions from you.”
Luna pouted.
“Ehh. Skar oppa, you’ll regret it!”
Jeong Yoo-shin nodded inwardly.
‘Yes. I probably will.’
Just then…
Knock, knock.
Someone knocked on the door. Jeong Yoo-shin turned around at the sound.
‘A lot of visitors today.’
“Who is it?”
“It’s Snout.”
“Come in.”
The boar beast-person entered.
Snout saw Luna and Edel in the room and bowed his head.
“Mister!”
Luna wiggled out of Jeong Yoo-shin’s arms and ran into Snout’s embrace.
“Whoa!”
A fatherly smile spread across Snout’s face.
Seeing his warm, kind smile made Jeong Yoo-shin chuckle.
“Did you fight with Skar oppa too, Mister?”
Luna asked while wagging her tail.
“Of course. Skar fought very well.”
“Wow! I want to hear about it!”
“Of course. I’ll tell you all about it later.”
“Luna, let’s go outside.”
“Okay! I understand.”
Luna ran back and hugged Jeong Yoo-shin tightly.
“Skar oppa, thank you.”
Jeong Yoo-shin stroked Luna’s head. Her small, cute fox ears twitched.
“Don’t mention it.”
He would be content if he could just protect their smiles until he returned home.
“Edel, the pharmacy has been cleaned up. You can go back and rest.”
Edel nodded at Snout’s words.
“Thank you. I don’t know how to repay you for all your help.”
Snout smiled.
“Don’t worry about it. I was happy to do it.”
Edel and Luna bowed and left the room.
Creak.
Thump.
The door closed, leaving only Jeong Yoo-shin and Snout in the room.
“What about the compensation?”
“The pharmacy, you mean? I left a generous amount of money under the counter.”
“Good. Well done.”
Snout handed him a large pouch.
“Here’s the money from selling the top-grade magic stone. Lord Aldein already took his 30% commission.”
Jeong Yoo-shin took the pouch.
“It’s heavy.”
“The selling price was about 100 gold coins.”
Jeong Yoo-shin’s eyes widened.
“Ten times more than a high-grade magic stone?”
“Yes. 30 gold coins went to the commission, so the total is 70 gold coins.”
“Is Chief Aldein short on money?”
Snout scratched his head.
“That’s the usual commission for consignment sales.”
“Alright.”
Jeong Yoo-shin placed the pouch on the bed.
‘I’ve made it.’
With this much money, he wouldn’t have to worry about finances for a while.
“Snout, I have a favor to ask of you.”
“Yes, go ahead.”
“Is there anywhere I can buy high-quality equipment?”
“What kind of equipment are you looking for?”
Jeong Yoo-shin explained what had happened in the Forest area.
“Something that won’t break even if I’m hit by a troll.”
Snout tilted his head, then spoke.
“It sounds like a problem with the materials. You can probably make the equipment you want with high-quality ore. It’s a bit expensive, though.”
“How much?”
“The average cost of an intermediate-rank explorer’s equipment is about 50 gold coins.”
“Crazy.”
Jeong Yoo-shin’s jaw dropped.
Equipment was a money pit.
“Are you interested in buying some?”
“Let’s talk about it later. I need to discuss it with Karin.”
“Alright.”
Jeong Yoo-shin stopped Snout as he was about to leave.
“Wait.”
“Yes?”
“Is there a secret to this red single-edged sword?”
“Uh… Yes?”
Snout froze.
“It talked to me last night. It must be an evil spirit.”
“S-So what did you do?”
“I exorcised it.”
Snout’s eyes widened at Jeong Yoo-shin’s words.
“Huh?! How?”
“I flicked the blade with Sacred Weapon, and it went somewhere.”
“Uh…”
Snout stood there with his mouth agape, then nodded.
“I heard that Lord Aldein’s sword has some strange functions. I’m sure it was surprising, but I’m certain that it won’t harm the user. I’ll report this to Lord Aldein though.”
“Really?”
Jeong Yoo-shin stroked his chin and tilted his head.
The woman with the low, husky voice and sinister laugh wasn’t an evil spirit?
“Whatever it was, I took care of it, so don’t worry.”
“…Yes. I’ll relay that message as well.”
Snout bowed and left the room.
Jeong Yoo-shin sat on the edge of the bed and looked at the red single-edged sword.
It wasn’t trembling or leaking fluid like last night.
If it weren’t for its overwhelming cutting power and light weight, he would have thrown it away immediately.
“Right. Who else would use a weapon like this?”
He reached out and stroked the sword.
Clang.
The door opened, and Karin entered.
She was wearing a white tank top and slim-fit cotton pants.
It was her usual work attire.
“Skar, breakfast is ready.”
“Okay.”
Jeong Yoo-shin stood up, strapped the single-edged sword to his waist, and looked up at Karin.
“Karin.”
“What?”
“Thank you.”
Karin’s face flushed slightly.
“What? Why?”
“For taking care of the inn while I was gone. Let me kiss your belly.”
“Hmph!”
Karin let out a sharp breath.
“S-Stop joking around!”
Karin quickly turned around. Her tail was wagging rapidly from side to side.
‘She’s embarrassed.’
He followed Karin down to the first floor and sat at the counter.
Breakfast was dark bread, roasted potatoes, and hamburger steak topped with cheese.
Karin rested her chin on her hand as she watched Jeong Yoo-shin eat.
“You took care of those drug dealers and made some money. What are you going to do now?”
“What do you mean?”
Jeong Yoo-shin smiled and continued.
“I’m going to the labyrinth.”
‘I’ll prepare thoroughly. I won’t be caught off guard this time.’
Jeong Yoo-shin’s eyes gleamed with determination.
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T/N – Okay. First up, I wanna apologize for goofing up the gender of the sword. I initially translated 동생아 (dongsaeng-a) as “little brother”, but it was supposed to be a gender neutral way of addressing a sibling. I should have known better though, considering what type of novel this is. From now on, I’ll be addressing the sword as a woman.
Second, all’s well that ends well. Now we prepare for the next labyrinth trip. I’m actually quite curious who the MC will go with this time apart from the obvious Karin.
If you find any mistakes, feel free to point them out in the comments.
thx
Phew skar waa almost gay
Bro, what the hell did Skar’s dad teach him for him to be able to goon a sword?