Chapter 39 – Festival, Confession, and Dungeon (1)
“Ah, it’s the young lady’s birthday… When does the festival start?”
“Huh? Oh, you weren’t from here. Let’s see… Today is the 17th of October… Just a week later.”
“It’s not long.”
It’s a festival…
‘It would be perfect for a change of mood.’
I asked Belita about the festival and left the guild.
* * *
“There is a festival in a week.”
During dinner I said. Both eyes focused on me.
“Really?”
“Huh. It’s the marquise’s birthday. So the festival must be held.”
“Okay, it’s a festival!”
Kara’s eyes lit up. Seeing her happy made her feel proud.
“Somehow, the lady seems busy these days, so it must be because of the preparations for the festival.”
Seris looked at the counter and said. The innkeeper was busy moving. She, along with the family next to him and the slave slave.
“Have you guys ever played at a festival?”
“Yes, there were several festivals in the village.”
‘It was a good day because I had a lot of work,’ Ceris murmured.
I never thought I would have been able to enjoy the festival properly at that age. It felt tedious.
“The festival here will be very different. It’s as big as a city. There are so many things to enjoy.”
The city’s festivals are large and colorful.
In the morning, a trumpet is sounded to announce the start of the festival.
During the festival, people go out on the streets wearing colorful clothes unlike usual. Whether it’s watching a performance by a traveling theater group or buying a snack from a street vendor, you’re free to enjoy it.
“They say that every year for the Lady’s birthday festival, a troupe from the empire comes. That’s why they say they do things like fireworks.”
“Fireworks?!”
‘
Kara exclaimed, putting down her spoon. Seris, who was next to her, was startled and asked.
“Kara, what are the fireworks that get you so excited?”
“You don’t know what fireworks are? It’s from Sieghart’s song! On the night Sieghart defeated the Beast King and occupied ‘Tallin’, looking at the fireworks burning in the sky, tell Esica…!”
Suddenly Kara opened her eyes wide and put her hand over her mouth. It’s like she said no and said no.
“Kara? So what did Sieghart do to Esica?”
“Iknow, right. What would you have done?”
“Mo, I don’t know!”
Kara quickly starts to scoop up her soup. No matter how much Seris and I asked, he didn’t answer.
* * *
“Today?”
“Sorry…”
Kara put her head down and wiggled her fingers as she stood.
“I’m not going to be sorry… But why can’t I go with you?”
“That… I’ll tell you later.”
Kara said so, and she left with frequent steps. I looked at his back and approached Celis.
“Is it the same today?”
“Yes. I’m still asking about the festival.”
“Okay…”
It was the day after I told them that the festival would be held.
Kara went around the city asking about the festival.
Most of the questions are about which shops are there, which ones are fun, and where the fireworks are easily seen.
I’m glad you’re looking forward to the festival, but…
“Why can’t I go with you?”
Kara said she initially tried to roam alone. She objected that I never said no, so it’s fine until Seris. But no matter what, I can’t.
“I was curious about that too, so I asked, but he didn’t tell me.”
Seris smiled shyly and said. I crossed my arms and sighed.
“Okay. Seris, take good care of yourself. Make sure she doesn’t get into trouble.
“Do not worry.”
I left the inn with Seris about Kara and left. I used the ‘Wolf’s Pact’ while walking down the street.
The world turns black and white. The smell of blood tickled his nostrils, breaking through the irritating smells that came from here and there. The voices of passers-by talking from near and far are clear.
‘This is Werther’s sense.’
That’s part of it too. The moment I felt this sensation, I realized. That means it is impossible to escape from Werther.
‘I had no intention of running away in the first place.’
I counted roughly one minute using my heartbeat and turned off the Wolf’s Pact. I opened the status window and checked ‘Help Received’.
Help received by Yuseong Han: 0.3
So far, I have used ‘Wolf’s Pact’ twice for 1 minute each. That is, it rose by 0.1 per minute. If this is the case, I can use it without much trouble.
‘I don’t know what Werther’s request is, but it’s probably not a mere 0.3.’
There was no way I would swear for such a favor. That would be a bigger request. I wasn’t worried or worried about the request. Didn’t Werther say it himself? When the time is right, I will come to see you. It is a story that I will ask for when I can afford it.
I put aside any thoughts related to Werther and entered the adventurer’s guild. Looking around the bulletin board, I searched for a decent request.
‘This is my first time working alone.’
I always received requests like Sister Seris. Going to the abandoned castle alone is not a request, so I won’t hit it.
‘Should I try something a little risky?’
‘The Dagger of the Tang Family’. There is a certainty that it will be better than before as long as there is a ‘Wolf’s Pact’. It might be a good idea to try it while Sister Ceris isn’t there.
I searched for a request that did not include goblins or kobolds. Someone came up to me I turned around to avoid being lifted by a shoulder strap.
“What is it?”
“…He’s more sensitive than I thought.”
The man who tried to put on a shoulder strap was the one with his brown hair pulled up. Looking at the scars on his face, he seemed to be a person who had been rolled.
“What did you come to me for?”
“The reason for talking to the guild is obvious. If you’re looking for a commission worth doing, would you like to work with me? There is one good thing.”
I crossed my arms and looked at the man.
“It’s a job… It’s nice, but why did you choose me? I don’t know you.”
“My name is Robert. And the reason I picked you was, of course, to work with a famous human butcher these days.”
Said Robert with a giggle. My impression was frowned upon.
“Human butcher? What bullshit are you talking about?”
“Huh? Aren’t you the one who killed all the bandits you captured during the bandit subjugation?”
“…But that’s right.”
“Then I am right. You are the human butcher.”
Robert smiled haha and pointed at me. I got a headache I was worried that something like this would happen. But I never thought it would happen so quickly.
“You said you killed twenty bandits with a smile? The adventurers I worked with told me. He said it was very creepy. Hey, goosebumps from the mouth of an adventurer like a human butcher! I missed a good sight.”
“…Shut up and tell me what you’re trying to do.”
“Oh? It sounds like you don’t like the nickname. That’s a cool nickname.”
“Who the hell likes a nickname like that?”
“Most adventurers will like it. Because a nickname is the first impression of that adventurer. Human Butcher… I wonder if a contract will come in from you one day. Haha!”
Robert started laughing maniacally again. After all, this bastard was making fun of me. I stopped laughing when I fiddled with the handle of the dagger.
“Kuhm..! It’s a little too much to talk about here, but since I have friends, I’ll talk about it there.”
Robert led me to a table in the corner of the guild. There were already three men sitting at the table.
A man full of freckles, with a sword and shield.
A boy with short orange hair, with a greatsword slung behind his back.
Dark middle-aged, with a bow and a short curvature.
As I sat down, the attention of three people gathered on me. Among them, the orange-haired boy said.
“Are you a human butcher?”
It was a bit of a cheeky voice. I asked Robert, pointing to the orange-haired boy.
“What is he like?”
“Don’t point fingers! My name is…”
“That friend’s name is Carl, he just came to Seoul from the countryside. He’s just been an adventurer, so he says he’s a rock.”
“Oh, is that so?”
He was a no-nonsense guy, as he appeared. Robert introduced the others as well.
The man with freckles was named Edgar Iron. The dingy middle-aged man is Duncan. It’s also iron grade.
Next it was my turn to introduce myself. I said moderately politely.
“My name is Yuseong Han. It’s iron grade.”
“Yes, nice to meet you.”
Duncan, a dingy middle-aged man, held out his hand for a handshake. I held my hand and shook it lightly.
“Then, now that the introduction is over, let’s get down to business. What the hell is a good job?”
Duncan said.
“You guys don’t know either?”
“Because we were brought here just like you.”
Edgar, the freckled man, shrugged his shoulders.
“I was thinking of telling you anyway. Come on, let’s all gather here. It’s hard for other guys to see.”
Robert took the map out of his pocket and spread it in the center of the table. There was a place marked with an X on the map, but I could tell what it was for just by looking at it.
“This?”
Politely asked.
“The treasure map.”
Robert replied as if he had been waiting. Four pairs of eyes gathered on him. He brought his index finger to his mouth.
“Shh, you know why I informed you so late, right? It hurts if other guys find out. Please speak quietly from now on.”
The three of us looked at each other and nodded. Robert’s explanation began.
“First of all, how you got this map is a secret. If I say it, I could be in danger.”
“Hmm… It’s hard to believe if the source isn’t clear…”
Said Duncan in a suspicious voice.
“If you don’t want to believe it, don’t believe it. There are many people to work with besides you.”
“…Listen to it first.”
Robert glared at him, and Duncan backed away. Robert continued.
“After I got this map, I headed straight to the place marked with an X. It took a while, but we arrived safely. I was glad that I was rich now, but there was a problem.”
Robert talked about the matter.
“A dungeon? Are you sure?”
“Are you sure. I almost got hit by an arrow if I went in carelessly.”
Edgar and Duncan’s faces frowned slightly. Duncan said.
“So, are we going to enter the dungeon by ourselves? Are you insane?”
His voice sounded a bit angry, as if he thought he had wasted his time.
Well, dungeons are full of all sorts of traps and monsters. There’s no choice for the five of us.
But Robert answered without hesitation.
“I understand that you are angry. But for now, listen to me to the end.”
His gaze was sincere. Duncan said he would listen to the end and sat back down.
“A dungeon is a dungeon, but it’s not the kind of dungeon you think. It’s very small. Just enough for five people to fit in. Unlike other dungeons, there will be no strong monsters.”
At his words, the atmosphere was better than before. However, not everyone was convinced yet.
“Still, a dungeon is a dungeon. If you look at it funny, you’ll get a serious nose injury.”
“What if your nose hurts?”
“What?”
At Edgar’s words, Robert spoke as if it were nothing.
“When did we do this without getting hurt? Are you all risking your life? Why are you risking your life to do this? Aren’t you going to retire after making a lot of money?”
Carl, sitting next to me, tried to open his mouth. Judging by the shape of his mouth, he seemed like he was going to say something like, “I’m not.” I hit him on the back of the head. Now is not the time to intervene.
“Now is your chance. A chance to get your hands on some money. But now what? Danger? Big nose? What if you get hurt a little? What if two or three out of five die? The rest are rich. The rich. Do you think this opportunity will come again next time?”
At those words, Edgar and Duncan looked troubled. I expected two answers. I will definitely nod my head. As Robert said, the dream of most adventurers is to make a fortune.
I was worried on my own.
‘Dungeon… I think it’ll be fine to test the wolf’s oath…’
According to Robert, it seems like a very small dungeon. It’s a risk worth taking. Unlike his story, if it’s a big dungeon, you can skip it.
After a short time passed, we all nodded. Robert looked satisfied.
“Okay, then let’s talk about dungeon clearing.”
* * *
“Is it two days?”
“Yes, the place of the request was farther away than I thought. It could take longer if done incorrectly.”
While packing my things, I talked to Celis. I hid that the place I was going to was a dungeon. She didn’t think she knew about the dungeon, but if she did she would be ignorantly concerned.
‘Because I waited all night crying because I was late the other day.’
It reminded me of the time when I went to the abandoned castle alone. My head shook my head.
“Do I have to go?”
“I tried to get into it too, but it’s because they’re the people I gathered. It was not easy to fall out.”
“Then… We’ll go too. It’s okay if you don’t get your share.”
“Seris…”
I hesitated as I tried to hold Seris’ hand. She has been avoiding touching her since the other day in her cave. I persuaded her by looking into her eyes.
“It’s only two days. It’s not like I’m going without talking, what if it’s like this.”
“But… I’m worried…”
“Don’t worry, I’ll come back safely. When did you see me lie?”
“…All right. Sorry. I bothered you so much…”
“I’m worried, but what’s bothering me? Rather, thank you.”
He stroked Seris’ head. The moment her hand touched her head, she flinched, but it was too late. I continued to stroke her countless times, and Celis felt my touch as she closed her eyes.
Then my door opened slightly.
“Brother, sister, aren’t you eating?”
When Kara saw me petting Seris, she came inside. She stuck her head out towards me. He also stroked Kara’s hair.
“Lol.”
