How a Black-Haired Barbarian Survived the Labyrinth in Another World-Chapter 107: The Bad Luck Man Jung Yu-shin

"Because they’re strong. You know this better than anyone, right? They snapped a mid-tier scout’s sword with just a flick of their fingers. Still don’t get it? Who in the city would risk their own loss to kick them out?"

"I know they’re strong, but so many people are suffering, aren’t they? If things keep going like this, who would want to stay in the city?"

Ursula’s expression tightened slightly.

"Enough. You’re just starting to reach the edge of mid-tier scout level, and you’re trying to dig too deep."

"I actually think it’s a good thing they’re acting like this."

Joo Hyuk’s mouth dropped open at Ashur’s words.

"...What do you mean by that?"

"Sigh. Now that you’re a mid-tier scout, you should understand some things."

Ashur sighed deeply and continued.

"There are several clans formed by monsters in the eastern district. Among them, there's a large clan called 'Pandemonium.' Their goal... you could say they want a world where monsters can live freely."

"Ashur, you should correct yourself. It’s not monsters, it’s people who’ve received monster engravings, right?"

Ursula interrupted with a challenge.

"Right. My mistake. I should start by explaining why such clans even exist... Let me think. In the eastern district, there are good monsters and bad monsters. Of course, the criteria are whether they’re beneficial to humans or not."

Out of nowhere, good monsters, bad monsters—he was lost.

"Please, explain it more clearly."

"Listen a little longer. For example, let’s say there’s a half-human, half-spider monster named Arakne. This Arakne monster produces fine threads, which can be used as raw material for high-quality fabrics. There’s a profit. Even the slimes, who are busy cleaning the city’s sewers right now, are like that."

"What about basilisks? They spew poison nonstop from their mouths. You can’t even look them in the eye because of their petrifying gaze. They live deep underground in the eastern district, unable to even see the sunlight."

While listening to Ashur, a question arose in Joo Hyuk's mind.

"Can’t you just cancel the engraving?"

"That’s right. But there’s no money, right? There’s no way to earn it either. And would that person even want to remove the monster engraving? That’s another issue, so let’s leave it."

"..."

"Do you know what happens to a person who is treated unfairly and left alone in a dark place?"

"..."

"Anger builds up. Can it be relieved? No, it can’t. There’s no ‘monster’ who understands and can communicate. In the end, it all boils over. Do they stop there? No. They want to vent what’s in their heart and show it. Why? Because that’s human nature. Now, let’s go back to the story of the person who was engraved with the basilisk’s mark. If you were that basilisk, there are three choices."

"..."

"Will you live like this? Or will you fight for freedom? Or, will you reveal your anger? Pandemonium is a group that wants to gain freedom through anger. And then, the barbaroi get involved. They’re truly vile creatures."

"Could it be..."

"That’s right. There’s a chance they’ll join Pandemonium."

The more Joo Hyuk listened, the more confused he became.

"Wait a minute. So, aren’t there people who can stop those monsters in the eastern district? They’re almost in a dominant position, aren’t they?"

"A lot of people are banding together to suppress them. Ingrid and Luke are at the forefront. And there’s Shimus too. But the numbers aren’t that great."

Ashur paused, then sighed deeply again.

"Hoo. Also, one of the members of the Maze City Council is none other than Lilith, the monster queen."

What?

There’s a monster in the Maze City Council?

Joo Hyuk couldn’t accept it at all.

"How on earth can those evil creatures hold a council seat? This sounds absurd."

"Skah, be careful with your words."

Ashur’s eyes turned cold in an instant.

"They’re people who received monster engravings. And someone has to control the eastern district. Queen Lilith is at least relatively moderate."

"I’m sorry."

He realized his mistake immediately.

The barbaroi’s suggestion was so shocking that his mind couldn’t properly process things.

"I got too excited. Calm down."

He took a deep breath and started to organize his thoughts.

The Maze City was currently in a tense balance of power. The barbaroi were stepping over boundaries and doing whatever they pleased.

He thought carefully about the barbaroi's suggestion.

The lawless ones of the Maze City.

The cold-blooded, hole-loving bastards.

They’d probably had their fill of intercourse by now. It was obvious their tastes were higher than his.

But then, why would they want to get something in return for choosing a "hole"?

"Hmmm."

Had they ruined their brains with too much intercourse? Maybe they wanted to try something new.

He understood.

He had a friend who would get excited watching a comic called ‘You’re Piled Up.’ It was about a married woman, after all.

"The world is wide, and tastes run deep?"

Hmm.

Was this just a simple prank?

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They were the kind of guys who would grab anyone and do anything, so maybe it was just a soft prank.

But with human trafficking going on, how could this be a joke?

Just because the barbaroi were joking didn’t mean Joo Hyuk could accept it lightheartedly.

"What the hell are they doing?"

His head throbbed. No matter how hard he thought, he couldn’t come up with a reason.

If he were stronger, he wouldn’t have to think so hard; he would just smash everything.

Joo Hyuk’s eyes suddenly lit up.

Of course.

Could it be a culture?

Maybe there was a barbaroi-specific culture he didn’t know about.

Maybe the hole chosen by the virgin had some special meaning.

It could be like the tradition of placing various items in front of a baby during a doljanchi (first birthday) and watching which one they pick.

"Hoo. Let’s have an open mind."

There were many cultures in the world. Some cultures circumcised a baby’s foreskin on the eighth day of birth.

There were even stranger customs. He shouldn’t be surprised by any of it.

"No. But cutting the foreskin at eight days is still a bit much, right?"

"Aigoo, my head."

Joo Hyuk rubbed his head. There was no need to complicate things.

"You could just refuse, couldn’t you?"

"We think the same."

"Right."

Ursula and Sorgin nodded, agreeing.

Joo Hyuk slumped in his chair.

"So, what’s the point of this proposal?"

"The barbaroi pointed you out, so they came to see your face."

Sorgin replied in a sly tone.

"It doesn’t seem like that, though."

It looked like they were testing him to see what he would say.

Really.

Everyone around him seemed to be trying to push him into a test.

It felt like standing on a narrow bridge right before the festival.

Then.

Someone gently took his hand. A hand quietly approached from under the table. It was soft and warm.

Mion.

"Skah, don’t worry too much. I may not know about the others, but I know what’s in your heart."

Mion smiled and said.

Joo Hyuk nodded.

"Thank you."

The merchant guild leader, Sorgin, got up from his seat.

"Let’s go. There’s a lot to do for the festival."

"Skah, your scout license will be ready in a few days, so take your time and come by."

"I’ll see you later."

"Understood. Safe travels."

Everyone spoke their goodbyes and left the inn, leaving only one person behind.

Ashur, the swordsmanship guild leader.

"Skah, how have you been?"

"Busy with the festival preparations."

"I heard you almost died again?"

"Thanks to them, I’m alive. If the deer beastman hadn’t saved me in time, it would’ve been a disaster. But..."

"How did you know?"

"Yes. It seemed too coincidental."

"Well, it was a coincidence. ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) That friend who turned into a Giant Spider Monster was one of our guild members. I taught him, so I’m responsible."

"..."

"His name was Simon. A human boy from the southern Lionel kingdom. He must be about your age now."

"He went mad living underground in the eastern district. He couldn’t survive outside because if he left, he’d be hunted down and killed. So, he ended up in the maze. I heard he and a few friends went in when Ingrid got sick. A few of them died, and Simon got hurt, but they somehow made it inside."

"But didn’t monsters usually get to enter the maze?"

"Right. Anyone can enter freely. But Simon killed a priest. That’s a serious crime. So, I asked that deer friend to chase him."

"Shit."

The taste in his mouth turned bitter. But he had no regrets. If he hadn’t fought, he would’ve died. It was impossible to go easy.

"Well, it was still a coincidence. To run into him in such a vast area."

Ashur chuckled.

"You always seem to survive, don’t you? Isn’t it time to admit it?"

"What do you mean?"

"My old instincts tell me. You carry bad luck."

Joo Hyuk furrowed his brow.

Suddenly, a curse.

"Have you lost your mind?"

"This bastard?"

Ashur glared at Joo Hyuk before getting up from his seat.

"Are you going to enter the maze right after the festival?"

"Yes."

"Stop by before you go."

"Understood. Ah! But by the way."

Joo Hyuk explained the death delay engraving he had recently obtained.

"...Is it possible that the death delay and revenger engravings can work together? Like delaying death and then recovering as a revenger to fight again."

As Joo Hyuk gestured and explained earnestly, Ashur tilted his head.

"I’ve never heard of someone with both death delay and revenger engravings. But I’ll look into it, just in case."

"Thank you, Master."

"I’ll take my fee."

"Guild leader, what money between us? We’re bound by friendship. Don’t do this."

"One gold coin."

"Guild leader, you shouldn’t do business like this."

"You’re a scary one. If you keep this up, you’ll be called a money-grubber. Fine, I’ll make it thirty silver coins."

"Thank you, Master."

"Take care."

"Yes."

Ashur gave Joo Hyuk’s shoulder a tap, turned around, and left the inn.

Joo Hyuk escorted Ashur out of the inn and came back inside. The shopkeeper was standing at the counter.

Joo Hyuk walked up to him and slung his arm around his shoulder.

"Shopkeeper."

"Yes?"

"Can you lend me some money?"

"...Alright."

"Relax. I’ll pay you back. I spent a lot on festival preparations. You know? I keep my promises."

"Yes, yes."

"Let’s go. Time to work."

Joo Hyuk firmly gripped the shopkeeper's shoulder and headed toward the kitchen.

Joo Hyuk and his group worked tirelessly on festival preparations for the next few days.

And then.

The Blue Moon Festival was just one day away.