How a Black-Haired Barbarian Survived the Labyrinth in Another World-Chapter 102: Exorcism

The sunlight streaming through the window. Jeong Yusin woke up, squinting.

It was already well past breakfast time, more like lunchtime.

"Oh, my head..."

The hangover from the dwarf liquor he drank all night was no joke. He and Karin had been talking and drinking together, discussing various things.

It hadn’t been that long since he was separated from Karin, but quite a few things had happened in that time.

The conversation lasted until dawn. He remembered getting drunk and climbing up to the second floor, throwing himself onto the bed. After that, it was all blank.

Jeong Yusin slowly got up and opened the wardrobe.

"Hmm."

Inside the wardrobe, there were two or three linen shirts, two pairs of pants, a few tunics that he had taken from Oswald, and a fur-lined jacket Ingrid had given him.

Mid-summer. Jeong Yusin was still wearing clothes meant for spring.

‘I want to wear something different.’

The reason for his hesitation was simple.

The summer tunics Oswald had sent him looked... well, not great.

‘The length is too long, isn’t it?’

It hung down to his thighs. And on top of that, he had to wear a belt with it.

In short, it looked like he was wearing a boxy t-shirt and then cinching a belt around it.

It looked ridiculous.

With the linen shirts, he could tuck in the hem and wear a belt, and it would look neat. But the tunic, it just didn’t suit modern sensibilities.

‘Should I buy something new?’

He quickly shook his head.

He had enough funds, but he didn’t want to waste money on something unnecessary. There were probably many well-known brands in the labyrinth city, but he had no money to spend there.

Plus, with the festival approaching, the cost of living in the city was gradually rising.

It was the perfect time to get ripped off.

And while it might look ridiculous to him, other people might consider it normal.

There were all sorts of people living in the labyrinth city, so fashion was diverse.

Wasn’t there a dwarf who walked around in nothing but panties?

As a modern citizen, who respects diversity and life, he couldn’t act narrow-minded.

‘Alright.’

Jeong Yusin took off the shirt and put on the tunic. The feel of the thin, soft fabric was surprising. He had asked for expensive material, and it seemed they really gave him just that.

Just as he was about to put on the sword belt...

Knock knock.

The sound of knocking, and then the door abruptly opened.

"What? Were you changing clothes?"

It was a familiar voice. It was Karin.

"Yeah. I’m done, so no need to come out."

"I can tell already. Are you putting on a belt?"

Karin walked over confidently.

"Yeah."

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"I’ll do it for you."

"You don’t have to."

"I want to do it."

Karin came closer and took the belt, wrapping it around Jeong Yusin’s waist.

Soft.

Because Karin was so close, her firm chest pressed against Jeong Yusin’s, squishing against it.

As Karin moved around, her chest squished against him and rubbed up and down.

‘This is oddly close. Does Karin not realize her chest is touching me?’

"Done!"

Karin grinned and fastened the sword belt securely around his waist.

As she looked up, their eyes met.

"What?"

"..."

"Shy?"

Karin smiled like a cat and pressed her body even closer.

Their breaths were so close they could feel each other’s warmth.

Then Karin stepped back, her face slightly flushed.

"Why... why are you looking at me like that? Your eyes... they’re scary."

Jeong Yusin turned his head.

He had to resist. If he made a move on the daughter of the representative of the Beastmen’s Alliance, there would be no place for him in the labyrinth city. His reputation would be completely ruined.

"Let’s go eat."

"...Okay."

Jeong Yusin and Karin went down to the first floor. They sat down and had a late lunch.

"Skah, what are you doing today?"

"The Earth Goddess Temple. I’m going to check if I’ve received the mark."

"Really? Have a good trip. I’ll watch the shop."

After lunch, with Karin’s cool send-off, Jeong Yusin headed to the Earth Goddess Temple.

"Skah-sama."

The receptionist at the temple recognized Jeong Yusin immediately and bowed his head.

"I’m here to check the mark."

"I see. It’s one silver coin."

"Here you go."

"Please wait a moment, someone will guide you."

"Okay."

Jeong Yusin sat down in the chair at the temple reception and waited for a while.

A male priest approached.

"Hmm? Skah-sama? It’s been a while."

Jeong Yusin looked up.

Diego Perez.

He was the intermediate priest who had temporarily taken over the orphanage’s lessons when Mion had to take a break. He had been kind and a good teacher, so he was memorable. To see him here, though...

"Priest Diego? I didn’t expect to see you here. How have you been?"

Diego adjusted his glasses.

"Yes, I’ve been busy lately with preparations for the festival, but I’m doing fine. Are you going to see Priest Mion?"

"Yes."

"Please follow me. I’ll guide you."

"Thank you."

Jeong Yusin followed Diego as they walked.

"Skah-sama, how have your lessons been lately?"

"They’ve been good. Priest Mion has been kind in teaching me, so I’ve learned a lot."

"Do you visit the labyrinth often?"

Why was he asking that?

"Yes. I don’t go too often, but whenever I get the chance, I try to go."

"I see."

Diego and Jeong Yusin continued their conversation as they walked through the temple’s hallways.

They soon arrived at Mion’s room.

Knock knock.

Diego knocked.

"Priest Mion, Skah-sama has arrived."

"Come in."

Creeeak.

Jeong Yusin looked at Diego before opening the door.

"Thank you, Priest Diego."

"It’s my pleasure."

Diego answered with a smile.

"Alright then. I’ll see you later."

As Jeong Yusin stepped inside, he didn’t notice that Diego was staring at him. Right up until the door closed.

Thud.

Inside, Mion was sitting in a chair.

It looked like she had just finished a class; there were several books stacked on the table.

"Skah-sama."

"Priest Mion."

The two of them looked at each other.

"I’m glad to see you’re feeling better."

Mion gracefully walked over and stood in front of Jeong Yusin. She looked closely at the red hair on his chest.

"Hmm."

Mion made a soft noise as she removed the red hair from his chest.

"Umm... Skah-sama?"

"Yes, Priest Mion."

"You came to check the mark, right?"

"Yes."

"There’s a ‘tradition’ at the temple that increases the chances of getting a better mark. Would you like to try it?"

Hadn’t heard of that before.

He didn’t really understand it.

Wasn’t the mark something you just got when you left the labyrinth?

He honestly didn’t get it.

The mark was already decided, so what was the point of doing this?

Was this like Schrödinger's cat or something?

"Is that something that exists?"

"Yes."

Mion smiled softly as she answered.

‘If Mion says it exists, then it must exist.’

Jeong Yusin nodded enthusiastically. There was no reason to refuse. In fact, he wanted to ask for it.

"Please, go ahead."

Mion sat in the chair and spread her arms.

"Come closer, kneel on one knee, and bury your face in my stomach."

Jeong Yusin looked at Mion.

‘Is this really okay?’

It must be. He didn’t think Mion would lie to him.

Slowly, Jeong Yusin knelt in front of Mion and buried his face in her stomach.

The heavy chest pressed against not only his forehead but also his neck.

And the smell of sweat. A mix of strong milk and vanilla scents entered his nose, tickling it.

The sensations and smells from all sides.

It felt like the whole world was Mion.

Mion muttered something. Was she focusing?

Instinctively, he sniffed.

Mion’s body flinched.

"S... Skah-sama, when performing the incantation, please stay still."

"Zzszgphn."

Mion began the incantation again. Jeong Yusin held his breath and kept his face pressed against Mion’s soft belly.

"It’s done."

Jeong Yusin pulled his head away from Mion’s chest and stood up.

Mion’s expression was calm.

‘Is this a good mark?’

He had rolled a lot. If there were a god of dice somewhere in this world, perhaps it would be moved by his sincerity and give him a gift.

‘Please!!!’

Mion opened her mouth.

"Skah-sama’s mark is ‘Death Postponement.’"

"...What?"

Jeong Yusin’s expression stiffened.

Death Postponement.

Wasn’t that similar to a death sentence reprieve?

"...Shall I explain?"

"Please."

"Literally, it’s a mark that delays death. When life is cut off, a bell sound is heard in the mind. How long it can be delayed depends on the person, so it’s hard to know. But the maximum delay time is around 10 to 15 seconds."

"I see."

"..."

Mion and Jeong Yusin were silent for a while. What should they say? A mark that postpones death... It sounded ominous.

Mion seemed to be holding back her words.

Jeong Yusin shook his head.

‘It’s not bad.’

At least it wasn’t some weird mark.

Something like a mark that made him get aroused by frogs or a mark that made him die if he didn’t walk around naked.

"Good mark."

"...Right."

Mion smiled gently, but didn’t say anything more about the mark.

"Skah-sama, are you going to enter the labyrinth right away?"

"No. I’m planning to rest during the Blue Moon Festival."

"I see."

Jeong Yusin sat in the chair, chatted with Mion for a while, and then stood up.

"I’ll see you later."

"Yes. Skah-sama, take care."

"Yes."

Jeong Yusin left the Earth Goddess Temple and walked through the streets. The strong sunlight of the afternoon beat down on him.

After just a few steps, his back was already damp with sweat.

"It’s hot, so hot."

He fanned himself with his hand as he slowly entered the inn.

"I’m back..."

Crash!!!

Before Jeong Yusin could finish his sentence, the sound of something breaking echoed through the inn.

What was that?

He snapped to attention and looked around the inn hall.

Five burly men were confronting Karin.

"Damn it, why does the food taste like this? Chef! Did you cook it with your feet?!"

"Yaaagh! You call this food?!"

Crash!!!

A glass plate with food shattered on the inn floor.

The men weren’t just throwing food; they were spitting on the floor, kicking chairs, and causing all kinds of trouble.

‘What’s going on?’

The men slowly closed in on Karin, surrounding her.

"You bitch. Go get the innkeeper."

Karin glared at them without responding. Could a mid-tier scout stand up to them like this? Was she brave, or just brainless?

"Now that I look closely, your face isn’t bad."

A bearded man grabbed Karin by the chin.

‘Oh my god.’

Jeong Yusin took a step forward from the inn entrance.

"What’s going on?"

His low voice echoed through the inn.

Not only the burly men but also the customers turned their attention to Jeong Yusin.

The bearded man removed his hand from Karin’s chin and walked toward Jeong Yusin. The other four men followed, surrounding him.

Jeong Yusin looked around at the men.

Gambison attire. They had iron plates covering their private areas. They were armed with longswords, spears, and maces. Probably some mercenaries who had been through the ringer.

"Are you the owner here?"

Jeong Yusin nodded.

"Yes."

"You’re young, so you probably bought this inn. Ever done business before? Want to make money with shitty food and a shitty attitude? You have no conscience?"

"..."

Jeong Yusin silently stared at the bearded man.

"Look at those eyes. You don’t even realize it. I was going to give you some consolation money, but forget it. Boys, grab that red bitch and the one in the kitchen."

Just as the men moved, Jeong Yusin spoke.

"How much consolation money are you asking for?"

The bearded man sneered.

"Hah! Now? About 10 gold coins would be enough."

"Is that it?"

"And I’ll borrow that red bitch for a few days. I’ll return her in one piece after having some fun. Damn, her body is a work of art."

The bearded man’s joke made his subordinates burst into laughter.

Jeong Yusin was dumbfounded and let out a hollow laugh.

He’d never been treated like a black-haired barbarian to this degree, not even by the underworld.

And now they were demanding 10 gold coins as consolation money?

Was he possessed by something?

If there were evil spirits in the labyrinth, surely there would be some in the outside world too. It was only a natural conclusion.

There was no way these men would be doing such insane things without some evil spirit controlling them.

Jeong Yusin scratched the back of his neck and came to a conclusion.

"Gentlemen."

The men snickered and looked at Jeong Yusin, as if daring him to say something else.

"I think you’re under the influence of evil spirits."

"..."

The inn fell silent in an instant. Not ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ only the men, but even the customers stared at Jeong Yusin with wide eyes.

His words were far beyond what anyone had expected. They had expected him to offer money or start a fight with crude insults.

Jeong Yusin raised his fist.

"And so, from now on..."

He paused for a moment, smiling at everyone in the inn.

"I’ll be conducting an exorcism ceremony."