Chapter 5 – Seris and the Village (3)

On the way back to Bahran, I opened the status window and started fiddling with things.

“Usually, I could raise it by pressing the ability level.”

I pressed my finger where the strength number was written. A new blue window appeared to see if I was right.

[Would you like to increase Strength by 1 with 100 Karma?]
[Yes/No]

100 karma?

I checked the residual karma.

Residual Karma: 0

There was none.

‘How do I get karma?’

I thought about it, but I couldn’t figure it out in my current state. I filled my head with thoughts about the status screen until I reached the city.

* * *

As soon as I arrived in the city, I headed to the place where I buried the money.

“Carlix wouldn’t have touched it …”

I took out my money bag and counted each and every coin. Fortunately, the money did not decrease.

“Isn’t it… Late to go back now?”

The sun hasn’t set yet, but that’s coming soon. I decided to leave early tomorrow morning and tried to enter the cabin. But something came to my mind, so I turned around.

“Hey.”

I called a beggar who was sitting on the floor and looking up at the sky. She was a beggar woman with long, curly hair.

“What? Uh..?”

The beggar, who answered nervously, looked at me and opened her eyes wide. The beggar pointed at herself with her hand.

“Nana?”

“Who else is here besides you?”

“Why why? I was just sitting…”

The beggar lifted her up, and she stepped back little by little. I raised both of his hands to let him know I had no intention of harming him before he ran away.

“Let’s just ask one thing.”

“Bite..? What?”

“The Masked Squad is fighting a war against the newcomers. How is it going?”

“Oh, that story?”

The beggar sighed as if relieved.

“It’s not difficult to tell the story…But…”

The beggar looked at me and rolled her eyes. I clicked my tongue because I knew what that meant.

“Just say nothing.”

I took out a copper coin and threw it. The beggar took her coin, smiled, and put it in her bosom.

“Okay, then let me tell you.”

The story I heard from the beggar was shocking.

“The Masked Team was pushed back..?”

Just yesterday, there was a big clash between the Masked Team and Roxy’s organization, and there was news that the Masked Team was pushed back.

“I think I heard that the newly created organization only has about 20 people, but is that possible?”

As far as I remember, the number of members of the masked group exceeded forty. There were over 20 thugs from Kalita, but they were pushed back?

“Am I too surprised? But now that I know it, it was worth it.”

“You said it was worth it?”

The beggar looked at me and did not open his mouth.

I frowned.

“One copper should be enough.”

“Ugh, yes! Not enough! So, if you ask why the Masked Squad was pushed back…”

The beggar explained why the masked gang was pushed back.

“Is that real?”

“Really! There is no reason for me to lie!”

“Indeed, it is. But damn mana…”

Among Roxy’s gang, there is someone who knows how to use mana. If so, it is understandable that the masked team was pushed back.

There is a huge difference between those who know how to use mana and those who don’t.

However, a thug only uses the mana used by knights and high-ranking adventurers. I couldn’t believe it.

“So, what happened to the Masked Danes?”

“I heard that they are preparing for revenge, but you can say that it is actually over. They say Roxy took control of this business after the Masked Party left.”

“Already?”

I shook my head with a tired expression.

Work is too fast. If that’s the case, then it must be true that you’ve been very determined. I thought I was good at not going under Calix.

“Yeah, I heard you.”

I threw another 1 copper coin to the beggar. Leaving behind the bright-faced beggar, I entered the hut.

* * *

I set off early the next morning and arrived at the village around dark. It was thanks to the fast pace.

This time, instead of stopping at Seris’ house, they went straight to the village chief’s house.

The village chief’s house was bigger than the other houses, as if to show his authority. I knocked on the door of the house.

“Who are you?”

It was the voice of a middle-aged woman. I refined my voice.

“I’m a traveler passing through the village, but I came here because I wanted to see the chief.”

“Ah, is that so? Come on in.”

I followed the middle-aged woman into the house. Unlike Seris’ house, which was narrow like a studio, the village chief’s house was spacious and had rooms.

I went into the room I was directed to and waited for the village chief.

After a while, the door opened and the village chief entered. He was an old man with wrinkles on his face. I got up from my chair and greeted him.

“So, you came here to meet me? Are you looking for a place to spend the night?”

The village chief touched his beard and said. I shook my head slightly.

“No. The reason I wanted to meet the chief was for another reason.”

“For any other reason?”

“I want to settle down in this town.”

“Hmm? Oh, are you the child Celis talked about?”

“Yes? Did Mr. Ceris tell me?”

“Okay. He asked me to keep an eye on him, as he might be back soon.”

I was slightly surprised by the village chief’s words.

Seris asked for such a thing. Reading her letter must have come to her heart.

You have succeeded in making a good impression. When I felt a little relieved, the village chief looked at me with his eyes narrowed.

“You must have had something to do with Ceris, right?”

It was clearly suspicious.

From his point of view, who has to send Seris to the nobles, he probably doesn’t want to get caught.

I answered calmly.

“Don’t worry. I am also a person who knows the subject. I know very well that I am not a good fit for Mr. Cerris.”

The village chief laughed as if he was satisfied with my answer.

“Yes, knowing the subject is the secret to longevity. You are a wise man.”

“Thank you.”

“Yes, you said you wanted to settle down in the village, right? Nice Seris seems to guarantee you what you are, so trust me. But now there are no houses left in the village. I’ll have to stay at Gedrick’s tavern for a while.”

“All right. And this chieftain…”

“Hmm? What is this?”

“It’s my little last name.”

It was a pouch containing 5 silver.

That’s a huge sum of money for such a small castle.

However, considering the territorial attitude of the villagers that I would experience, it was right to just not spare it.

Because territoriality shouldn’t block the quest.

“I heard that the village is having a hard time these days because of the goblins. I hope I can be of some help…”

“Oh hey man. That’s it. Leave it.”

To say something that is not in your heart.

“No. I am now part of the village. If you don’t accept it, I’m sorry.”

“Kuhm.. Is that so? Come to think of it, yes. You may feel left out. Haha.”

The village chief smiled and put the money bag in his pocket.

“Come here. I’ll show you to Gedrick’s tavern.”

The village chief seemed to be in a good mood and took me directly to the tavern, where he explained the situation and obtained understanding from Gedrick.

Thanks to that, I was able to get a comfortable place to stay.

* * *

“Yooseong, bring me one oak barrel from the basement.”

“Yes.”

A week has passed since I stayed in the village.

When I woke up in the morning, I helped with the tavern.

“Seris, Yoosung will be having a hard time alone, so you help me.”

“Yes. I will go with Yoosung.”

I’m not the only one helping with the tavern work. Seris also came to help every day.

Thanks to that, I had a lot of time to talk with Celis. Celis was kind to me too, so it didn’t take long for her to get to know her.

“It’s .. Tea!”

Seris alone lifted an oak barrel full of beer. Even though this is a small oak barrel, it must weigh more than 80 kg.

I was genuinely amazed at her strength.

“Can’t I just carry it up by myself?”

“What are you talking about? It’s hard just to lift it. Help me quickly…”

She whimpered as she held her oak barrel. I quickly joined and shared the oak barrel.

Even after moving the oak barrels, we did all sorts of chores.

The work was over by noon. Seris received a daily wage from Gedrick. I did not receive a daily wage because I was helping instead of staying here.

“Is it that good?”

I asked, looking at Seris, who smiled.

“Sure. I got 1 copper more, which is of course good.”

I had to get 1 copper to get 3 copper. I felt sorry for Seris’ smile.

“Where is your turn now?”

“I have to stop by the house, eat something simple, and then go to Uncle Ron’s field.”

“Are you Uncle Ron? They say they don’t give you much money.”

“I have nothing else to work on today. I have to go there.”

“Get some rest. It’s been a week since I’ve been here and I haven’t seen you take a break.”

“Do you rest at night?”

“Is that a break? Anyway…”

As I opened the tavern door, I saw a gap at the bottom of the door. There were shadows in the light that came through the cracks.

“Ceris, it looks like you’re here again.”

“Ha…”

“He doesn’t seem to get tired of it.”

Opened the door. A large man was standing in front of the door.

“Seris… What is it, Han Yuseong?”

This is Lian, the grandson of the village chief. Ryan looked at me and gave me a disappointed expression.

“Oh, it’s me. Did you come to see Seris today?”

“Okay. So stop worrying and go on your way.”

“So what?”

I went down to the tavern yard. I had to bring an ax to cut wood. Lian said a word behind me.

“Han Yuseong, you’ve been hanging out with Seris these days, just do something strange to Seris. Don’t let go”

“Is that weird? What are you talking about?”

“Huh? Wow! Seris! Since when have you been here?”

“From the beginning. What do you mean by the strange thing you just said?”

Rian was restless at Celis’ words. The big bear-like figure is at a loss in front of Seris…

“Because that guy could do something harsh to you…”

“Yoosung doesn’t do that.”

“No Seris, all men are beasts! He may be like that on the outside, but on the inside…”

“Rian.”

Seris said with a stiff face.

“Yoosung is a good person. He’s not the kind of person who would do that. And even if that happens, it’s a problem between me and Yoosung, not you to intervene. So don’t mind.”

“Three, Seris…”

“Mr. Yooseong, did you bring an axe?”

“Huh? Oh, I got it.”

“Then let’s go. Ryan, I’ll go first.”

“Uh? Seris?!”

Seris walked this way without looking back. I walked beside her and glanced behind her. Ryan was glaring at me like he was dying.

“…Ceris, you should have been a little gentler. If that guy does that, he’ll bother me.”

“If that happens, tell me. I will tell you.”

It was a barbed voice that was not like Seris.

“Do you hate that guy that much?”

“Yes.”

It was an immediate answer.

Well, you say you don’t like it, but if you come to visit me every day, it’s okay. I’m tired of seeing that face even though I’ve only lived for a week. What about Seris?

I threw a few jokes at Céris to cheer her up. Thanks to that, before we parted, Seris felt a little relieved.

“Thank you. Yoosung.”

“If you’re thankful, next time, lift the oak barrel alone.”

“If you eat it, will Yoosung take care of it?”

“It is not.”

I smiled and parted from her. Now it’s time to go to the mountains to cut down trees. I headed to the entrance of the wooden fence to get out of town.

However, villagers gathered near the entrance of the wooden fence. I wondered what was going on,

“Uh? What is that?

At the entrance to the fence stood dwarfs with some green skin,

“It’s a goblin.”

A village youth told me. Perhaps it was thanks to the village chief telling the villagers well that they didn’t show territorial attitude towards me.

“A goblin? Is that?”

“Okay. Haven’t you ever seen one while hunting for trees?”

“Father Gedrick told me not to go deep into the mountain. So when I first saw it, it looked like something.”

The bodies of the goblins were all like children, but their faces were like those of a witch.

“But what is the chief doing with those guys?”

“The chief knows how to talk to goblins.”

“Really?”

Are you talking to a goblin? I thought it would be an interesting sight, so I moved closer.

-Kirik! Meat and alcohol! When are you going to release it!

“The situation in the village is a bit difficult these days. I will prepare quickly, so please be patient.”

Ok?

“Hey, the chief said he can talk to goblins, but goblins speak human language.”

“What? What do you mean, a goblin speaking human language?”

The guy next to me looked at me strangely.

“In the first place, if those guys knew how to speak Korean, the chief wouldn’t have suffered so much.”

“…Huh?”

Something is strange.

No matter how much I listen, I hear those goblins talking about people, but this guy isn’t.

What?

I wondered why this contradiction arose. Then I was able to come to one conclusion.

‘Fuck, I thought I’d understand what the goblins were saying.’

I thought I could only understand human language, but it wasn’t.

Seeing that Goblin’s language is also understood, I think I’ll be able to speak other languages ​​easily…

“I’ll make a living as an interpreter. It sucks.”

What did I do to pickpocket and live a miserable life?

Feeling embarrassed, I sighed.

I blankly stared at the sky and waited for the goblins to disappear from the entrance of the fence.

-3 days! The chief said he would give it 3 days! If you don’t prepare in 3 days, this town will end!

“Ah, I see. I will make sure to prepare on time.”

As I listened to the conversation, I understood how things were going.

Apparently, this village lives by paying tribute to the goblins.

“But why are you a goblin?”

“What?”

“No, why did the chief cringe at the goblins?”

“Oh, you haven’t been to town for a while, so you don’t know? Hey, can you see that mountain?”

“I see.”

“Hundreds of goblins live there.”

“…What?”

“To be exact, they spread all over that mountain range and live.”

“No what… What about the lord? Until then, what did the soldiers do?”

“I don’t know. Adults have asked me several times, but why are they not coming?”

Said the young man, slightly annoyed. He also seemed not to like the goblins.

While I was startled by the larger-than-expected scale, the goblin said something out of the ordinary.

-Female! Give me the woman too!

“Yes?! Why… Isn’t it our turn yet…”

– Down town! They didn’t give up women and called other humans to attack us! So I killed them all! Now it’s your turn!

“That…”

The village chief put on a troubled expression.