“Didn’t you sleep?”

Geon-joo, with bedhead proving how peaceful his night had been, asked groggily as he got up. Sa-yoon pushed him into the bathroom as he could barely open his eyes, then put on his coat and armor. Looking at himself in the mirror, he could sum up his appearance in one word.

“Bizarre.”

The sight of black pants with a coat and body armor over it was ridiculous and strange, but it seemed less conspicuous to cover up with armor than to wear just the coat.

Realizing the urgency of acquiring everyday clothes, he handed a coat to Geon-joo after he came out from washing up, then went downstairs. Perhaps thanks to the generous payment from the night before, the innkeeper rushed out with a bright smile as soon as Sa-yoon and Geon-joo appeared, preparing a table for them.

“What would you like for your meal?”

“Anything substantial that we can eat well.”

“Please wait a moment.”

Unable to know the exact names of the local dishes, Sa-yoon gave a vague answer. The innkeeper dashed inside and soon returned with a lavish spread of soup, bread, and grilled dishes. It looked more like a last supper than a breakfast.

“We probably won’t be able to eat properly from lunch, so eat well now.”

It would be difficult to have proper meals once they started moving. After giving this light advice, Sa-yoon took a spoonful of soup. Geon-joo, who had been staring dazedly at the table setting, cut a piece of bread and ate it. His expression suggested it suited his taste.

Sa-yoon handed another coin to the innkeeper who came to ask if the food was alright, then inquired about the location of a nearby general store and the availability of a guide. Satisfied with the answer that a guide would be arranged by the time they returned from buying necessities, he gave another coin, causing the innkeeper’s mouth to curl up in a smile. It seemed the excessive payment from last night had a significant effect, given how pleased he was with just two copper coins.

“Shall we go buy clothes first?”

Now that they had eaten, it seemed time to change out of their strange appearance that was drawing everyone’s attention. He roused Geon-joo, who had finished his meal frugally, and visited the store the innkeeper had recommended to purchase suitable everyday clothes. Geon-joo’s expression was much more relaxed after changing, compared to when he had worn armor over his coat, and he looked quite satisfied.

They bought additional everyday clothes in case of emergencies and adjusted the armor. While the heavy armor was unnecessary given the coat that could be used as protective gear, they had to wear it despite its cumbersomeness, as a mercenary without armor would be suspiciously conspicuous.

After visiting the general store to buy various items like water containers and belts, they looked much more like proper mercenaries compared to their naive appearance from yesterday. With money pouches still more than half full despite the considerable spending, Sa-yoon hung them on his waist along with a water bottle, then patted Geon-joo’s shoulder and headed back to the inn.

“This is the most skilled guide in the village. He’s usually called when knights visit.”

In the hour or so they had been shopping, the innkeeper had found a guide as promised and introduced a rather young-looking boy. He seemed too young and small to be called the most skilled guide.

“He’s too young.”

“I may be young, but my skills are certain. It won’t be easy to find a guide as good as me.”

The boy immediately retorted, seemingly upset. Sa-yoon observed the boy for a moment as he stood with his chest puffed out, not at all intimidated, then nodded. Whatever the case, it wouldn’t be a problem as long as he could properly show the way to the Lord’s castle.

“If your skills are certain, there’s no issue.”

“So where are we going? Beluan? Herden? Or maybe the Alden Mountains at this time of year?”

The boy asked, listing unfamiliar names. Instead of inquiring about the mentioned regions, Sa-yoon stated their destination.

“The Lord’s castle.”

“Huh? You’re using a guide to go to the Lord’s castle? And me, at that?”

The boy frowned as if he had heard something very strange.

“Is there a problem?”

“Not a problem, but you must have come from quite far away.”

“There’s no need to tell us that much.”

“Well, that’s true. Shall we start the guide then?”

His face looked stubborn, but surprisingly, his personality seemed quite straightforward. As the boy asked while slinging his bag over his shoulder, Sa-yoon glanced at the innkeeper and spoke as they left the inn.

“Guide us by the fastest route.”

“Along the mountain? Or following the road?”

“Either is fine.”

“Even if it’s not the safest path?”

His personality was straightforward, but he had many unnecessary comments. As Sa-yoon slightly furrowed his brow, the young boy shrugged.

“If it’s not safe, it’s dangerous. I need to look out for myself too.”

“I’ll double your pay.”

“I’ll guide you by the fastest route possible.”

Correction: It wasn’t that he had many unnecessary comments, but that he was greedy for money. Sa-yoon smiled, vaguely understanding why someone so young was considered the most skilled guide, and the boy began explaining various things he hadn’t asked about as he started walking.

“Since you seem to be from out of town, I’ll give you some special service. Mrs. Helden said you’re quite generous, so you’ll pay accordingly, right? The Lord of Deluth is a very upright person. I’m not just saying this because I’m a resident of the territory, but he’s truly a gentle person. He’s also broad-minded, so he’ll overlook most mistakes as long as you don’t commit any crimes.”

“You’re going to the Lord’s castle for the extermination, right? If you mention the extermination to the guards at the castle entrance, they’ll guide you right away. There might be quite a wait due to many volunteers, so if you get bored, use me as a conversation partner. Of course, you’ll have to pay for that.”

“Since you asked for the fastest route, we’ll be heading into the forest. Do you know anything about the forests of Deluth?”

The guide, who introduced himself as Will, never seemed to stop talking. Unlike the quiet journeys so far, as Sa-yoon wasn’t one for frequent personal conversations, this rather noisy situation made his glance at Geon-joo. Their eyes met as he was shaking his head at the boy’s eloquence.

‘It seems they introduced us to the most talkative guide rather than the most skilled one.’

His eyes seemed to say exactly that. Sa-yoon chuckled and shifted his gaze back to Will. The quite noisy guide fell silent as soon as they entered the forest, as if he could distinguish between times when it was okay to chatter and when it wasn’t.

“I brought you through the forest since you asked for the fastest route, but you’re skilled enough to pass through it, right? I don’t want to risk my life for double pay.”

“Getting nervous now?”

“It’s not so much nervousness as a precaution. Monsters often pop out in the forest.”

As if his words were a signal, there was a faint sound of branches being trampled from behind. Sa-yoon, who was the first to notice the approaching presence, turned around.

“Looks like something’s coming.”

“Pardon?”

“The monster you mentioned.”

“What did you say?”

The boy asked in surprise. In contrast, Geon-joo quietly turned his head following Sa-yoon’s gaze and placed his hand on the scabbard at his waist. Watching him prepare to draw his sword if necessary, Sa-yoon tracked the approaching presence. The distance was getting closer. The heavy footsteps suggested it was definitely not human.

“It doesn’t seem that strong.”

The energy was weaker than the S-rank monsters they could see in the field. If he had to rank it, it would be somewhere between B-rank and A-rank, so Sa-yoon pushed Geon-joo’s back lightly.

“You can handle this one, pretty one.”

“Pretty one?”

“……”

Will expressed confusion at the nickname that had become natural between Sa-yoon and Geon-joo. Geon-joo’s shoulders twitched. Despite being called that many times before, he seemed newly displeased. Sa-yoon gestured with his chin, signaling him to focus, and soon Geon-joo’s body tensed up. As the distance shortened, he too had sensed the monster’s presence.

“It seems weaker than A-rank, so you should be able to handle it without much trouble. Still, observe it for a while to understand its characteristics and level before killing it outright.”

“Kill it outright? The monster?”

“Understood.”

“Hey, listen?”

“But don’t let your guard down and get caught off guard.”

“What’s going on? Did I die without realizing it? Why is no one listening to me?”

Will, thoroughly excluded from the conversation, looked back and forth between Sa-yoon and Geon-joo, complaining. Sa-yoon grabbed the noisy guide by the nape of his neck and sent him behind him.

“You just be quiet and stay put.”

“Oh, now you can hear me.”

“……”

“Alright, alright. I’ll be quiet, okay?”

When Sa-yoon narrowed his eyes, the boy raised both hands as if surrendering. Seeing him look so relaxed for someone who had been worried about dying, Sa-yoon used his Genius Eyes skill on Will.

<This target cannot be affected by skills.>

“Does it not work on non-awakened ones?”

The blue window appeared, indicating the skill activation had failed, probably because he was an ordinary citizen. Sa-yoon observed Will with somewhat regretful eyes. With his boldness and eloquence, he seemed like quite a promising talent, and he wanted to check his growth potential numerically, but the system didn’t seem willing to allow that.

Well, it’s not like he could take him along and make him a guild member anyway.

Even if he seemed like a promising talent, he was still a virtual character. Recognizing this fact, Sa-yoon cleanly gave up and turned his gaze to Geon-joo. The owner of the approaching presence had now come very close.

“It’s coming.”

At the low murmur, Geon-joo drew his sword. Just as the silver blade flashed in the sunlight, a creature burst through the undergrowth and charged towards Geon-joo.

Boom!

The collision happened in an instant. Having been prepared since sensing its presence, Geon-joo blocked the creature’s surprise attack and swung his sword to push the opponent far away.

Grrrr.

The monster, baring its teeth, stepped back on all fours and warily eyed Sa-yoon’s group.

Slitted eyes and an ominous black mane. A body about three times the size of a human.

The identity of what the locals called a monster was indeed a monster.

“Its appearance and skills are exactly as I thought.”

As expected, the suddenly appearing monster, which he had predicted wouldn’t be very strong, couldn’t charge again after being blocked once by Geon-joo. It was hesitating, realizing its opponent was stronger. Thinking that this level would be manageable for the wave, Geon-joo adjusted his grip on the sword.

The monster’s mane stood on end at his attitude suggesting he would attack if it didn’t come.

Grrrr!

The monster let out a fierce growl and bared its teeth.

It was a moment when everyone was holding their breath, anticipating another clash.

Arf!

The monster, which had been acting as if it would pounce at any moment, suddenly leaped into the undergrowth without looking back and disappeared.

“……”

Geon-joo, who had been in a standoff with the monster just moments ago, stared dumbfounded at where it had vanished. Sa-yoon laughed in disbelief, and Will’s mouth gaped open.

“What? Why did it pop out if it was going to do that?”

Will spoke in confusion, witnessing something he had never seen before. His words expressed everyone’s feelings.