“I fought them off last time! There were more of them than I expected! That’s why the government is giving out two gold coins each!”
“How many were there?”
“There must have been over ten! So we need about five martial artists to take them down! Those guys came at us with spears, and they were a pain! And then there were those throwing rocks too!”
Gu Jumang shouted loudly, boasting about his experience.
Let’s see, the size of the Goblin village is probably about a small squad level, huh? I guess with that number, several martial artists would be necessary. But the fact that they came at us with spears bothers me.
“A spear, huh? It really is a tricky weapon.”
“Even if it’s a stone spear! But if you get stabbed in the vital spots, you’re dead meat, so be careful!”
We definitely need to be cautious about that.
“Oh, but does anyone here have experience fighting Goblins?”
“I’ve fought off various low-level monsters, but Goblins are a first for me.”
“Me too… first time.”
“I have none.”
Mr. Song then looked at us with a strange expression.
“Then I’m the only one with experience! In that case, I’ll lead the team!”
“Understood.”
“Go ahead.”
He seems to be stepping up to be the leader, so Gu Jumang must have a bold personality. Maybe it’s because he has a loud voice? It’s reassuring.
“Now then, let’s talk about the compensation.”
There’s nothing more important than the money issue, so I stepped in to suggest first. Of course, my attention was focused on Gu Jumang.
“The government said they’ll give us two gold coins, so how about we split it equally five ways?”
Jaemi Son, the game protagonist, seems to be a bit socially awkward, and Oh Gisoo looks strict but weaker than Gu Jumang. Mr. Song is quiet, so he’s out.
“Let’s split the money equally! It’s simpler!”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
“Hehe, Gu Jumang, you seem to have a very generous personality.”
“I hear that a lot!”
“Oh, Gu Jumang. I have a suggestion for the leader. How about if someone runs away during the battle, we exclude that person’s share?”
“Naturally! I was thinking the same thing!”
“But it should definitely be set in stone to avoid any complaints.”
“Kim Geunhyeop is right. We need to make the rules clear.”
We went through each point one by one, harmonizing the team’s wishes.
Alright. The party doesn’t seem to have any major issues. Since the leader Gu Jumang is reasonable and has a generous attitude, I don’t think there will be any minor problems.
Yeah, having a loud guy like him around makes it more comfortable.
To be frank, we’re just ordinary folks holding swords. Meaning we’re a clueless rookie party. A bold person like Gu Jumang needs to be at the center to fight well.
If just timid people gather, they’ll flounder and be done for.
After some more chatter, we had a round of drinks and then headed towards the Haengdo Sect.
“Everyone’s gathered! I, Gu Jumang, am the leader!”
“Got it. Start the mission.”
“Let’s go everyone!”
Our first Goblin eradication.
This is also my first quest with fellow martial artists, right?
I felt a bit of tension, but compared to Go Seoksam that jerk, everyone here is practically saints. Honestly, I don’t feel too burdened. After all, how many more like Go Seoksam can there be?
Since everyone here is martial artists, there shouldn’t be another jerk like Go Seoksam around.
“Oh, let’s stock up on supplies first!”
Before heading outside the city, we stopped by the general store at Gu Jumang’s suggestion.
Thinking about it, this is the first time we are going out for a march and a battle. We’ve only dealt with stuff inside the city so far. There’s a lot to prepare.
“Hmm.”
I pondered what to buy, but actually, I had something in mind that I wanted to get.
“Excuse me. I need a rucksack and a water bottle.”
“Here you go, customer.”
A rucksack to store stuff and a water bottle is a must-have.
But while the rucksack is clear, the water bottle comes in many varieties. Mostly in flask shapes, with some made from hollowed gourds and others that are high-end wooden ones painted and crafted beautifully.
“How much for that blue rucksack?”
“The rucksack is 50 coins, customer. It’s made from pig leather.”
A pig leather rucksack for 50 coins is reasonable. After all, you need to use such a bag for a long time.
“Got it. How about that flask?”
“It’s 5 coins.”
Maybe because it’s made from a gourd, it isn’t very expensive.
“I’ll take it. And a few of those goods as well.”
“Yes.”
After paying, we went to the well and filled the gourd with water.
“Hmm, good!”
I secured one bag and a stringed water bottle. Oddly, I felt a bit more fortified as if my supplies had increased. I’d be able to carry various items in this bag.
“It looks like everyone’s ready! Now, let’s head outside the city! Once we go out, other demons beside Goblins might appear, so stay alert!”
“Got it.”
“I understand, Gu Jumang.”
We were set.
We stepped outside the city.
At the large entrance stood the government soldiers in formal military attire. They are the soldiers of the Great Ming Empire.
Everyone looked more serious than expected. Did they train in a formal martial art? If I get hit by that trident, I’ll definitely turn into a pathetic hunk of meat.
In this world, soldiers are natural born killers and slaughterers. You must not take them lightly.
But well, the government soldiers showed little interest in us. They were just checking the passing carriages. So we could leave the city gates without any obstacles.
“Wow.”
Fields stretched around, and mountains could be seen in the distance. Our destination is right in that mountain.
Somewhere in there lies the Goblin village.
“Let’s move along the path! Once we enter the mountains, don’t let your guard down!”
“We’re not children, Gu Jumang.”
“Keep reminding yourselves!”
“I think my ears might bleed.”
“What did you say? Oh Gisoo, do you think I’m joking around?”
“Could you keep it down a little?”
But why is the atmosphere changing so much right after stepping outside the city gates?
“Everyone, calm down. Oh Gisoo, Gu Jumang isn’t the caretaker. Listening to his advice isn’t a bad idea.”
“He’s the leader, not a babysitter. Gu Jumang, it’d be better to keep your voice down.”
“What’s it got to do with you!!!”
Ugh, damn it.
Are they about to fight, should I intervene?
“Kim Geunhyeop… just leave it alone. They’ll tire themselves out.”
While I was pondering that, Jaemi Son grabbed my shoulder and said.
“Hmm, is it really alright? Jaemi Son? If a fight breaks out and it disrupts our battle, it’ll be dangerous for us.”
“They’re thinking the same thing as well. If left alone, they will sort it out themselves.”
“Is that so?”
Could it be?
When I stepped back a bit, it seemed neither really intended to fight. They were just having a shouting match.
“Wow, Jaemi Son, you’re quite observant.”
“Heh… I’m not as good as you, who recognized my projectile weapon.”
But seriously, why is he smirking like that?
“…”
Feeling a bit uneasy walking with such a strange person, I thought to join Mr. Song behind me, but that guy didn’t talk at all, making it awkward to stick close.
So I had no choice but to walk alongside this peculiar fellow, Jaemi Son, as Gu Jumang and Oh Gisoo continued their pointless argument ahead.
“You know… tridents are weapons only soldiers can wield. But I think they look really cool. So I created a weapon similar to a trident.”
“Ah, so tridents can only be used by soldiers, huh?”
“That’s right…”
“But what’s the name of your weapon?”
“I haven’t decided yet…”
A proud weapon, and you haven’t even named it yet?
“Kim Geunhyeop… I want you to name my weapon since you’ve recognized its potential.”
Again, let me say, I have never recognized the potential of his weapon even a little bit.
“Then let’s call it ‘Double Symbol Suppression’.”
“Double Symbol Suppression…?”
It’s a phonetic translation of “상제고.”
“It means two blades like an elephant’s ivory suppressing and tormenting foes. How does that sound?”
Jaemi Son smiled widely, seemingly pleased with my naming.
“I like it…!”
“I’m curious about the potential of that weapon too.”
We shook hands, sealing the deal.
But wait, does this mean…
Is this friendship?
Is it friendship?
I somehow felt like I had found a kindred spirit. Alright. Jaemi Son, I’ll see what kind of person you are at work. If you seem decent, it wouldn’t be bad to have you as a friend.
While we were chatting away, we finally reached the mountain region.
“Alright! From now on, be cautious as monsters might appear!”
“Got it.”
I heard that monsters outside the city are especially strong.
While low-level monsters like Soseongui or Great Monster are common in the city, here in the mountains, Goblins are basically basic level monsters.
Though I’m used to hiking as a Korean, thinking about this mountain being swarming with monsters made me tense. But does this mountain resemble a jungle?
—Shuffling.
Everyone moved quietly, keeping an eye on the mountain path as we ascended.
Honestly, after marching then climbing, it was kind of tiring, but perhaps because they were all used to this, no one showed signs of fatigue. Maybe they’re good at walking; after all, people in this era would likely walk around all day, so they must be better at it than modern people.
“Oh, Gu Jumang.”
I called out to Gu Jumang.
“What’s up?”
“With a path like this, are there really Goblins around? I thought I’d need to go off the beaten path to find them.”
“Ah, that’s a good point! Indeed, Goblins usually don’t appear along well-maintained paths! We’ll divert to the more secluded areas just as you said!”
“Understood.”
So we’re supposed to enter the rugged terrain beside this path?
“Gu Jumang, how many times do I have to tell you to speak quietly?”
“Oh, my bad!”
The two kept bickering.
Anyway, we pressed on, stepping into a more secluded area following Gu Jumang’s lead. I’ve heard that Goblins have been spotted around this vicinity.
Now, we’re really entering the field.
“…”
This is a place where any monster might appear.
“This way.”
Suddenly, Mr. Song, like a ghost, spoke up from behind.
“Huh?”
“We’ll look for signs of Goblins. Check the trees. If there are traces around waist height, it’s a sign of Goblin territory.”
“Mr. Song, you spoke really well just now?!”
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