Of course, since I have no money, there’s no way to buy anything. I immediately greeted and stepped outside. It’s disappointing that I couldn’t buy the desired items, but the armor on my arm fills me with a reassuring sense of security.
“Okay.”
I’ve made up my mind.
From now on, while hunting demons, I’ll make sure to equip myself properly. I’ve only bought this basic armor, but the level of reassurance is on a whole different scale. What if I also buy that five-piece set of boots?
“That would be perfect…!”
And if I throw on that little vest and pants layered with some scrap of metal, wouldn’t that make me a martial artist? A fantasy warrior. At this rate, I might just change my job to a warrior.
But money is still too tight.
To cover not only my living expenses but also my martial arts training and equipment costs, what the heck am I supposed to do? I can’t go begging my aunt for pocket money, and it’s really hopeless. Back then, just massaging her shoulders got me a few coins.
“I guess there’s no choice but to hunt stronger demons.”
With that resolution, I returned to my lodging.
Whatever happens, let’s take a good rest today.
Honestly, losing half a silver coin in one go is a huge loss. I bought the basic armor, but it’s really hard on my stomach… If I don’t rest, I’m definitely going to collapse.
—
The next day.
I immediately headed to the Haengdo Sect to look for work.
I had just come back from a goblin extermination the day before, but as I resolved, there’s no time to rest.
I’m not the kind of person who puts their life on the line for shoes, but those boots worth three silver coins are seriously tempting. The shoes I’m wearing now are so worn out that they’re practically rags.
Even soldiers crave good boots. In this era, there aren’t many items hotter than a good pair of shoes.
“Hmm.”
Thinking that, I scanned the bulletin board.
[Urgent: Goblin extermination needed!]
Perfect timing! There’s a request to exterminate some goblins!
“Okay!”
Lucky me.
Let’s take a closer look.
This request appears to be from an individual, not the government. It seems like it came from a nearby village… The reward is just one silver coin, but the information says it’s a small village, so we should be able to handle it without any issues.
I immediately went and signed up.
“Here, I’d like to take on the request about the goblin settlement found in the village.”
“Wait a moment… Ah, here you are.”
The staff member opened a book and said.
“No one else has shown up yet.”
“In that case, please add my name.”
I handed over my details.
“I’ll be waiting at Chunil Inn.”
“Got it.”
Well, let’s head to the inn.
On second thought.
“Let’s call Jaemi Son.”
I heard yesterday that he’s currently in the area. Since we’re working, it’d be good to team up. We’ve already sparred a bit, and I trust him.
Now, where did that guy say he was staying? It was definitely Bangsam Inn… I guess I’ll just go there and call for him since we don’t have phones anyway.
I headed straight to Bangsam Inn.
“Server!”
“Yes, sir! Room for the night?”
“Oh, not that.”
I handed a coin to the server, who greeted me warmly, and asked, “Is there a martial artist named Jaemi Son staying here? I’m his friend.”
“Jaemi Son…?”
I handed over another coin, and the server’s eyes lit up.
“Aah! That guest is staying upstairs!”
In the martial arts world, there’s no such thing as privacy. This guy sold me out for just two coins. If he worked for a Korean telecom or a bank, he’d be up for promotion in no time.
“However, he left early this morning and hasn’t returned!”
“Hmmm…”
In a world without cell phones, I can’t contact him separately. It can’t be helped. I was hoping to team up with Jaemi Son, but it seems I’m on my own.
“Please tell him that his friend Kim Geunhyeop stopped by this morning with a new goblin extermination request. I was hoping to join forces, but it looks like that’s not happening.”
“Yes!”
The server, having received the coin, would surely fulfill his duty.
So, I went back to Chunil Inn and waited for the goblin extermination team to gather. But this waiting with no end in sight is quite dull.
“Server! Two dumplings and green tea, please!”
“Yes!”
Turns out martial artists gathering at an inn to eat dumplings and drink alcohol isn’t a rare sight. Still, drinking before working isn’t my style. I’m a responsible specialist.
Mr. Song certainly wouldn’t even think about drinking before hunting demons. That thought made me admire Mr. Song even more.
With a pious heart, I sipped my green tea.
—Slurp.
While munching on dumplings, I found myself unbearably bored.
“Where’s the smartphone?”
Should I save up money to buy a book or something to carry around? In the days before smartphones, people would read things like books or newspapers while waiting. Looks like it’s my turn to join that era.
“Is there anyone here heading to the goblin extermination?”
Just then, someone walked in.
Finally!
“Come here!”
—
There were four of us gathered this time.
Since it’s a one silver coin job, five people aren’t needed. So we agreed to split the payment, handing each person 250 mun.
“And let me emphasize once again, if anyone runs away in battle, they won’t get their share. This is obvious. If we’re risking our lives to fight, we can’t be giving the deserter’s share to everyone.”
“True.”
The blade-wielding Oh Geunshik nodded.
“Understood.”
“Right.”
The swordsmen Do Samcheol and Jang Yeomin replied in turn.
Overall, they all looked just like your average third-rate martial artists. It’s hard to judge someone just by their looks, but their skills seem pretty average. Well, I guess I’m no exception.
“Then lastly, does anyone here have experience with goblin hunting?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Me neither.”
“I’ve fought against different kinds of lesser demons.”
“Hmmm.”
Guess I’m the only one with experience.
The fact that everyone is a rookie is a bit concerning, but to be honest, goblins aren’t particularly tough. As martial artists, we should be able to handle them easily.
Moreover, last time was an official request, and the goblin group was sizable. But this time, the request is for just one silver coin and said to be small scale, so even a rookie party shouldn’t have problems.
“As long as we don’t get scared, they shouldn’t be too tough. Back then, I took down a group of about thirty goblins, so just trust me.”
“Oh oh!”
“If we stick together, we’ll be fine. Since it’s said to be a small group, as long as we form ranks, we shouldn’t be injured.”
“Sounds reliable!”
With my confident words, the three of them looked at me with trusting eyes. It looks like they will listen and follow directions.
All we need to do is follow the plan and form ranks while fighting.
This combination should be enough.
“Then let’s get going!”
With that, we got up and headed toward the nearby village of Soji Village. How are we going to find that place without a map, you ask? No need to worry about that. They said we can just follow the main road.
“Shall we see if we can practice our formations on the way? Would that be okay?”
“Sounds good.”
“Alright! Let’s form up!”
At my suggestion, everyone stepped forward and unsheathed their weapons. We stood in a line, Kim Geunhyeop, Oh Geunshik, Jang Yeomin, and Do Samcheol, swinging our weapons.
—Swish!
Everyone’s movements are a bit clumsy, but when we fight as a team, those flaws get a bit blurred.
“Next, let’s try forming ranks in the four directions!”
We all stood back-to-back, guarding all four sides. They looked a bit perplexed, but moved well according to the order.
“Good enough. With this formation, the goblins will find it hard to harm us.”
“You seem to have quite a bit of experience, Kim Geunhyeop?”
The bald-headed Oh Geunshik asked.
“I don’t have that much. I’ve just built up experience dealing with lesser demons and am only just starting to take down goblins.”
“And that armor… where did you get it?”
The frail-looking Jang Yeomin showed interest in my armor.
“I bought it with the money I earned from hunting goblins. It’s made from the leather of a Pig Clan.”
“Pig Clan! That’s supposed to be strong, right?”
The dwarf-like Do Samcheol exclaimed in surprise.
“Well, I didn’t catch it myself. But I wouldn’t mind trying to take one down later. By collecting experience and improving my skills, I’m sure it will happen eventually. Now, let’s keep moving. We need to move quickly to get to Soji Village.”
—
By the time we arrived at the entrance of Soji Village, it was getting a bit late. After marching for a while, my legs are aching a bit.
At this rate, even going back and forth takes some time, so I should keep in mind the distance to the request area from now on.
“Alright, let’s head in. Here! We’re martial artists who took on the request!”
As I shouted that, a head appeared over the village’s wooden gate.
“A request?”
“That’s right. Didn’t you place a goblin extermination request in this village?”
“Aah, right. I’ll open the gate for you.”
Considering it’s a small village, the wooden gate is pretty shabby. Honestly, it barely qualifies as a proper fence. But at least having a gate gives a bit of psychological comfort.
—Creak.
A man opened the makeshift entrance of the village.
“Welcome to Soji Village.”
“Thanks. By the way, I’d like to meet the village chief.”
The village chief represents the village. He’s the one I’ll coordinate with regarding this request.
“Follow me and I’ll take you to him.”
We headed straight to the chief’s house.
Although it’s called the chief’s house, it wasn’t particularly large. It just looked a bit more intact than the other buildings. Country homes in the Ming Dynasty aren’t going to be lavish.
“Chief! Martial artists have come!”
“Oh, you’ve arrived quickly!”
The chief came out and welcomed us.
“Nice to meet you! I’m Jueul, the chief of Soji Village!”
“Hello, I’m Kim Geunhyeop, the organizer. This here is Oh Geunshik, Jang Yeomin, and Do Samcheol.”
“Nice to meet you all!”
“Now, I’d like to discuss business, or rather, the job. Please tell me about the goblins.”
“Right, come on in.”
We entered the chief’s house and sat down.
“First of all, we’ve discovered one goblin on the mountain over there, so we immediately put in an extermination request.”
“One? Any more details?”
“I don’t know. All I have is that a villager spotted one.”
Hold on.
Something’s off here.
“Hey, chief. The request clearly stated a small group of goblins, didn’t it? But you’ve only spotted one. Doesn’t that sound strange?”
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