How a Black-Haired Barbarian Survived the Labyrinth in Another World-Chapter 138: Naelm

Max's lips curled into a smile.

"Heh."

Seeing the bastard stumble over a stone sticking out of the ground made him laugh involuntarily.

The butcher, who had skillfully avoided every attack, had finally shown an opening.

No matter how agile someone is, they’re bound to make a mistake eventually.

It’s just human nature.

Out of a hundred explorers, every one of them who ran around dodging this way and that ended up getting hit once and having their skulls cracked open and dying. Over fifty of them had died that way.

Even though he was retired, he was still an intermediate-level explorer who had been through many battles.

‘I can't miss this opportunity.’

His heart raced wildly.

"It's over."

With all his strength, he clenched his fist.

He twisted his body with all his might and swung his fist downward with a spin.

WHAM!!!

The heavy punch, full of weight, cut through the air, falling from above.

An overhand hook.

A punch so powerful it could crush the butcher's skull and immediately collapse his body.

But...

Was it the drugs?

In that moment, the surroundings began to slow down.

Max’s eyes widened as he looked at the butcher’s expression.

‘Is he smiling?’

A smile danced on the face of the butcher wearing sunglasses.

Max’s heart turned cold.

A punch with no backup.

He had put all his strength into it, and now it was irreversible.

Max gritted his teeth.

WHAM!!!

As the punch fell like it was going to split his head open, Jeong Yushin smiled.

"Did you fall for this?"

He never expected to be fooled so easily.

‘This bastard, has he lost his sense of things?’

They always say to check the stone bridge twice before crossing.

And yet, he had thrown a punch with no way out.

He might be out of his mind from the drugs.

But whatever the case, it didn’t matter.

He opened his palm.

[Sacred Weapon]

A trait enhancement.

What he wanted was...

A gale.

At the same time he felt the mana draining from his body, a brilliant golden single-edged blade appeared in his hand.

‘It’s done!’

Jeong Yushin’s smile grew even broader.

It was a bit smaller than expected, but this was still a great success.

This was how gambling worked.

It was more thrilling than leverage at 125x with coin futures.

He gripped the blade tightly.

Using his right foot as the pivot, he spun around, bending his knee.

Now.

He crossed the two blades and pulled them to the edge of his shoulders.

"This ends now."

SWOOSH!!!

In a crouched position, he shot upward like lightning, swinging the two blades.

SWISHHH!!!

Swoosh.

The two blades sliced through Max’s neck in an instant.

Max's head was cleanly severed and flew high into the air.

THUD.

As Jeong Yushin landed, Max's severed neck burst with a strong gush of blood.

SSSHHHH!!!

It wasn’t until then that Max’s body, without a head, slowly collapsed to the ground.

THUD!!!

Jeong Yushin shook the red single-edged sword.

It made a louder noise than before, likely because there was more blood on it.

He looked down at the sword.

‘There’s so much blood on it? Wait, no... this is water?’

He drew a line with his finger.

It was transparent and a bit sticky.

What was this?

Could the blade suddenly produce water?

Was there some sort of automatic cleaning magic on it?

He paused for a moment, then shook it off a few more times and sheathed the blade.

"..."

The people on the street were staring blankly at Jeong Yushin.

A few murmured.

"That kid has such courage at his age! It’s hard to believe."

"Is he... insane? He fights so well!! Who the hell is he?"

"Black hair. Red single-edged blade. Could he be the butcher?"

"The butcher? But I thought he was a young man? And there's no way he’s that handsome..."

Others muttered.

"Max died so easily?"

"I knew he was on drugs and struggling, but I could tell his skills had dropped."

Jeong Yushin didn’t care about what people said.

He just looked down at Max’s head.

Max’s eyes were wide in horror. His expression was close to that of someone witnessing the impossible.

‘If I’d met him somewhere else, would he have been a good friend?’

I don’t know.

He stared at Max's head for a while before lifting his gaze and looking around at the people.

There were far more people watching now than before the fight.

"Ladies and gentlemen, drugs are bad for your health. Look, he lost his head. Scary, isn’t it?"

"..."

"Thank you for cooperating to build a healthy society."

"..."

When the unexpected words came out of Jeong Yushin's mouth, everyone, from monsters to people, shut their mouths.

But what they were thinking was all the same.

‘This guy’s a little crazy, huh?’

Jeong Yushin brushed his hair aside and turned to look at the ‘Orc Barrel’ tavern.

He had unintentionally caused some trouble for the shop.

It was only right to apologize and compensate.

Just as he was about to approach, an elderly man and a cat beastman were standing at the tavern’s entrance.

Jeong Yushin walked up to the elderly man.

"Owner."

The elderly man shook his head and sighed deeply.

"Hoo. Let’s talk inside."

"Let’s do that."

"Iluril, send someone to clean up the body."

"Yes."

The cat beastman bowed respectfully and walked off somewhere.

The elderly man and Jeong Yushin sat at the bar counter.

"I’ll pay for the damage to the room."

Jeong Yushin’s tone returned to its usual self.

The elderly man adjusted his clothing.

"Skah-nim."

Jeong Yushin's eyes widened.

"You know me?"

"Yes, I know about things happening in the eastern district to some extent."

The elderly man spoke calmly.

"This situation can’t be helped, but it’s better not to provoke others in the eastern district too much."

"..."

"There are many strong-willed individuals among the strong. They usually don’t care about others’ business, but when it comes to matters concerning their own interests..."

"Especially when it’s something directly related to their own gain, you mean?"

Jeong Yushin’s question made the elderly man nod.

"Max was one of those cases. After retiring, he started a small business in the eastern district but ended up doing things he didn’t want to do due to pressure from several clans."

"Max worked for someone else? Wouldn’t it have been easier for him to retire and leave for another city?"

"Could you have done that, Skah-nim?"

"..."

Jeong Yushin fell silent.

Honestly, he wasn’t sure.

Even if he were doing business, he’d want to do it somewhere he was familiar with.

He understood that.

But he wouldn't bow down under someone else's pressure and do bad things.

"You might not know, but Ingrid-nim will be stepping down soon, and a new Labyrinth Committee will take charge of the entrance."

"Rilis."

"It’s not Rilis. One of her trusted subordinates will take her place."

"By the way, owner, what’s your name?"

"Heh heh. Why would you want to know my insignificant name? There’s no need for compensation. I just hope you’ll stop by for a drink sometime."

Jeong Yushin looked up at the elderly man for a moment, then nodded and stood up.

"Let’s do that. I’m sorry for the trouble."

"Have a peaceful night."

The elderly man smiled and nodded.

After leaving the tavern, Jeong Yushin walked down the street and arrived at an alley.

"Skah-nim!!!"

Duchanko approached.

A few of Aldain’s subordinates were already gathered at the entrance to the Blackwell hideout.

There were about 15 of them.

Jeong Yushin took off his sunglasses and handed them to the mole beastman.

"They worked well."

"Ah... yes."

The mole beastman accepted the sunglasses with a humble expression.

"Duchanko, are all the five left in white gowns pharmacists?"

"Yes."

"You sure caught a lot."

"Skah-nim, I’ll dispose of all the drugs. There’s still some property left in the hideout; what should we do with it?"

Jeong Yushin looked up at the sky for a while, then spoke.

"Give it all to the people who lost. If anyone died, give it to their families. By the way, how many people have been addicted to drugs?"

"More than 300 people are known."

Jeong Yushin clicked his tongue.

"Tsk. I think I killed Max too easily."

Duchanko pulled out a small book.

"And I found this in Max's room while searching the hideout."

"What’s this?"

"It looked like a journal. I couldn’t check it in detail."

Jeong Yushin tucked the journal into his coat and turned his body.

"Okay. If you’re done, let’s go back."

"Yes!"

Aldain’s subordinates all respectfully lowered their heads around Jeong Yushin.

Jeong Yushin looked around at them.

"Relax a bit. Why is everyone so stiff?"

Duchanko scratched his head with an awkward expression.

"Actually, some of the friends who saw your fight with Max are worried."

"Really?"

Aldain’s subordinates' eyes lit up.

"That was amazing!!!"

"You moved like lightning and used two single-edged blades to slice off Max’s head! I got chills down my spine!"

"I’m a fan now! Boss!"

Jeong Yushin tucked the journal under his arm and shrugged.

"These guys aren’t doing what they’re supposed to. Let’s go. To my place."

Jeong Yushin's group passed through the Eastern District gates and returned to the main street.

"Duchanko, send your subordinates to escort the pharmacists home."

"Yes! Got it! Escort them well."

"Understood!"

Just before parting.

The five pharmacists bowed deeply to Jeong Yushin.

"Skah-nim, thank you. We’ll never forget this favor!"

"If you come to my shop, I’ll treat you well!"

Jeong Yushin nodded.

"Go home safely."

After seeing the pharmacists off, Jeong Yushin and Duchanko arrived at the Monster Butchery in the Western District.

Aldain was sitting by a campfire in the yard.

Jeong Yushin sat down beside Aldain.

"It’s done. Blackwell Clan is destroyed, and Max is dead."

Aldain turned his gaze from the fire and looked at Jeong Yushin.

"Is that so? Good work."

Jeong Yushin unstrapped the red single-edged sword from his waist and handed it to Aldain.

"I’ll return this to you."

"Okay."

"By the way, can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

"Earlier, the blade was dripping sticky water. Does it have any cleaning magic on it?"

"..."

Aldain held the blade and fell silent for a moment before handing it back to Jeong Yushin.

"Keep it for a while. I can’t quite remember if it has ‘cleaning’ magic. It has so many functions..."

"Really?"

"I’ve lived long enough for my mind to go a little... and with the way the world is, it wouldn’t hurt to keep it for now."

Jeong Yushin thought for a moment and nodded.

That wasn’t a bad suggestion.

Even though he had leveled up and trained to get stronger, his old longsword had been a bit heavy.

"Let’s do that."

He took the blade and strapped it to his waist.

"I got Max’s journal from the Blackwell hideout. Do you want to see it?"

"It’s fine. It’ll help you /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ more than it helps me."

"Alright, then I’ll go."

"Come by before you enter the Labyrinth."

"Yes."

After Jeong Yushin left the yard, only Aldain and Duchanko remained.

Aldain looked up at the burning campfire.

"How did he fight?"

"Skah-nim and Max, you mean? Hoo, it was amazing."

"Quickly, tell me."

"Ahem. At first..."

Duchanko cleared his throat and began explaining the fight.

Ten minutes passed.

"...Suddenly, a flash of light, and Max’s head flew into the air. Skah-nim landed from the air, and as soon as he hit the ground, Max’s neck burst with blood!!!"

As Duchanko made gestures and explained, he finished with a red face.

Aldain's jaw dropped.

"Did he really chop off his head in one insane strike? Is that even possible with his body?"

"He did."

"...I can't believe it. He’s getting stronger too quickly, isn’t he?"

Duchanko's eyes sparkled.

"It makes sense. Ah! Have you heard about the time Skah-nim hunted a troll in the last Labyrinth? He set his arm on fire and swung his fist!"

"I’ve heard about it, but is it true? I can't believe it."

"It’s true."

"Are you a Skah fan? Sometimes I get confused. Are you my subordinate or Skah’s?"

"..."

Seeing Duchanko in silence, Aldain made an exasperated face.

"Why are you quiet? Is it true?"

"All the subordinates who secretly watched Skah’s fight with Max must have fallen for him."

"Ha, unbelievable!"

Aldain laughed and looked down at the campfire.

"Skah takes everything."

"Are you worried?"

At Duchanko’s question, Aldain’s smile grew deeper.

"On the contrary, it’s good."

After crossing the Western District, Jeong Yushin returned to the Southern Inn.

Creeeek.

As soon as he opened the door, Karin rushed toward him.

"Skah!"

"Oof!" ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

Karin's heavy chest pressed against his face.

The scent of her warm, soft body made Jeong Yushin feel at ease.

It smelled like he could fall asleep right then and there.

Unconsciously, he sniffed a few times before snapping back to his senses and pulling away from Karin's embrace.

Karin looked worried.

"Skah, are you hurt?"

"Not at all. Was there a problem at the inn?"

"No."

"Everyone asleep?"

"Yeah. Luna and Edel are all asleep. In your room."

"Really? You look curious. Let’s talk tomorrow. I’m too tired."

"Okay."

After parting with Karin, Jeong Yushin found a vacant room on the second floor, washed himself with a wet towel, changed his clothes, and collapsed onto the bed.

"Hmm."

He closed his eyes but couldn’t fall asleep immediately.

After fighting for his life, his heart was still pounding.

‘Maybe I should have just slept with Karin?’

Thinking about it, he picked up the red single-edged sword from the bedside.

He drew it slowly.

‘Why did water come out earlier?’

The blade, bathed in moonlight, had faint moisture on it.

"Hmm?"

When he changed clothes earlier, he had definitely wiped his body with a dry towel gently.

Jeong Yushin tilted his head and stuck out his tongue to lick the blade.

Lick.

Jeong Yushin frowned and stuck out his tongue again.

"Ugh. It’s salty."

At that moment.

The red single-edged blade began to tremble.

Jeong Yushin’s eyes widened.

"Eh? What’s this?"