"Gasp..! Huff..! Just... a bit... more...!!!"
"Alright! Almost there! Just a little more! Keep pushing!"
"Uwaaah..! Ha! Huff... huff... It's... done...! We did it, Don Sahaeng!"
"Hm! See? It works when you try!"
He mastered the technique in just one day? These new recruits are remarkably promising.
Otis's fox-like gaze didn't miss the burning zeal bordering on obsession for strength.
In two or three years, I'll be as strong as Don Quixote—or even stronger.
With these recruits, that future might not be so distant. Clear up the misunderstandings at court, and our blades will find the right path once more.
"Moejang. Is this the right way?"
"If we're heading inland, this path is correct."
"No, I mean—the gap between our outfits—is this really appropriate?"
Why am I dressed in plain white like a peasant while the Moejang wears a sharp suit that even has a vintage flair? Damn.
"The clothes suitable for you aren't available, and as fugitives we mustn't stand out. This attire is appropriate."
"You—a nobleman—wearing a suit... Right. Never mind."
Just wait till I have a chance. I'll don sharp outfits and be flanked by pretty sisters.
"Stop. From here on, follow me precisely. Any lapse in attention could be dangerous."
"Huh? That's a huge tree. What's so special about it?"
A massive tree like those in old folklore—what did they call them? A shrine tree?
"It's not a tree. It's a form of Arts."
"An Arts? That thing?"
"To be precise, it's closer to a security device fashioned from a venerated tree as its staff. Now, throw this stone under the tree. And under no circumstances look up."
"Why shouldn't I look up...?"
"It's not benign. This isn't a scare tactic or a joke—it's an order. Understood?"
"Y-yes. Understood."
Throwing a stone at the shrine tree signals to the guardian spirit that you are no threat. If that spirit—or rather, the user of this Arts—is above...
"Huh? The path we came on...?"
There had been a dirt road winding through the forest just moments ago. Did the spirit trick us?
"This is [Barrier Arts]. Anyone not granted entry can't even find the gate. Receive it."
"This is... that thing you hang under a blade... so..."
"Call it an escort if you like. Either way, move. We're on a tight schedule."
Why not tell us that earlier? Oh well. Now I'll get another lecture about being unprepared. More importantly, what will this village look like? As fugitives, it won't be near the capital—it must be on the periphery.
"I see it coming into view. Stay close and call me 'Uncle' when I address you."
Uncle... I see how it is.
"Got it, Uncle."
"Now, what I wanted—"
"Is practice. Practice is important."
Haha. Got no retort, tall guy like a lamppost. Someday I'll even beat you with my blade.
"I've said this—"
"That I'm your uncle. Now let's go in. We've walked since dawn; I'm starving."
The buildings formed a rural settlement—concrete storefronts like those from the '80s and '90s mingled with traditional hanok-style houses. A handful of jangseung totem poles stood sentry.
My mind's about to snap from the cognitive dissonance.
"Indeed. It's a fusion of the backstreets we just traversed with the town proper. You'll need to adjust. Missions sometimes send us to other regions."
"By other regions, you mean places like Yongmun?"
"Yongmun. You know more than I expected."
"I've been poking around, and some people can't help but tell you who they are and where they're from. Picked up bits of intel."
Right. At twelve years old, I'm still getting basic education from Faust. If I act too knowledgeable, the Moejang will get suspicious.
"Yongmun. Perhaps we'll be dispatched there someday. At your growth rate, it won't be long."
"Is that true? You promise, Moe—sorry, Uncle!!"
"Yes. For now, let's fill our stomachs over there."
Finally—Yongmun in the flesh, though long before its time in the original timeline. No Chen of the Royal Guard or Hoshiguma, but it's still Yongmun!
"Ooh—gukbap. You've got good taste, Uncle."
"Hm."
This guy's growing on me. Gukbap is perfect for brunch.
"So, where are we headed next?"
"You said the body had an arrow lodged in it. They'd attach a fletching like this."
"Right... I do recall an arrow. I just remember there was a fletching."
I was too frantic then to recall what kind it was.
"Hunters in this region modify their arrow fletching to prove their kill. That means..."
"If we find whoever used that arrow, we can deduce where the creature came from, right?"
"Exactly. Well done."
"Thanks."
He's so stiff even when praising. Ah, the gukbap's here.
"Let's eat!!"
"Help yourself—"
"Uncle, stop pouring radish kimchi brine. If you want to avoid a blade carving here."
Scratch that. Brine goes on your own bowl.
"This tastes incredible."
"I'm fine with the chili paste. Why pour brine into the broth?"
I don't think it's wrong, but I don't necessarily want it that way.
"Understood. Yet another recruitment fail. Another bruise on the heart."
"Have you poured it on others? Didn't they fight back?"
Crazy. I'd hold back as a kid. Ideally, I'd have done a blade dance.
"What about the scars on your arm? You're covered in them."
"Those? These are the wounds Faust left me."
"At least eat alone then...?"
"I pity you who don't appreciate this flavor."
Damn it. But the gukbap is really good. This place cooks it right—the broth's thick and the meat is generous.
"Phew... I'm stuffed."
"Go settle the bill."
Whew... I could get used to visiting sometimes. I need to get Sinclair a meal too.
"Let's go, Moe—sorry, Uncle!"
Now it's time to track down the arrow's owner!
"Ugh. The stench of beast..."
"That means we're close. Now we split up. Listen carefully: blue fletching, two circles, and one bar. Remember."
"Blue fletching with two circles and a single bar... blue fletching with two circles and a single bar... got it."
"Good. Once you find it, stay put."
"How will you find me?"
"Now, close your eyes."
"Why close my eyes...? Ugh! What did you spray?"
"Don't freak out. It's just a raspberry-scented fluid. I'll follow this scent—when you find him, spray this grape-scented one."
Tracking by scent... I recall bears have several times a dog's olfactory capacity.
"What if I'm late?"
"I'll come get you. Now disperse."
And so we entered the hunters' district to track down the arrow's owner.