How a Black-Haired Barbarian Survived the Labyrinth in Another World-Chapter 91: Hand over your woman.

In front of the city gates of Ingrave.

The two parties stood facing each other in silence.

“...Ret, what do you mean by that?”

The Iron Mask asked.

Ret shrugged and opened his mouth.

“Just as I ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) said. There’s an elite hobgoblin force gathered near the central road. Let’s combine our strength and break through.”

“Where is your party headed? If we’re going in different directions, cooperation will be difficult.”

“Our party? We’re headed for the forest area. After all, if we're not going to the sewer, we have to pass through the central road to reach either the ‘forest’ or the ‘corridor’ area. Don’t tell me you’re going to the sewer?”

Ret asked, and the Iron Mask shook his head.

“No. We’re headed for the forest area as well.”

“Good. Since we’re going in the same direction, let’s join forces.”

“You said that elite hobgoblin forces are gathered on the central road. How do I know that’s true?”

In response to the Iron Mask’s question, Ret smirked and crossed his arms.

“If you don’t believe me, you can scout it out. I think a rat beastman is acting as your guide.”

“...”

The Iron Mask paused for a moment, deep in thought.

Jeong Yushin, holding the torch, silently watched from the side.

Ret.

He was the surviving human who had joined the mid-tier exploration party and then became the sole survivor.

Not only that, he had also obtained the seal of the genius swordsman.

There were some people in life who were incredibly lucky.

Some bought an apartment, only to have the subway line announced right in front of it, causing the property value to skyrocket, making them millions.

Others bought stocks at rock-bottom prices, and a mindless rally began, allowing them to make an easy fortune.

Ret seemed like one of those types of people.

He was the kind of person who, when falling backward, didn’t break his nose but instead landed on a soft mattress of money.

But.

That was Ret up until now.

No one knew what would happen in the future.

If he lost his insight because of luck and made even the smallest mistake, that would be the end of him.

These doubts were justified.

Because his party had strange members.

The suspicious man wearing an iron mask, reeking of chemicals.

The dwarf in a thong.

The rat beastman hadn’t stolen anything yet, so that could be excused.

But there was certainly hesitation about extending a hand of cooperation.

Especially for Ret, a novice explorer.

Yet, Ret was unfazed.

‘Something smells fishy.’

Unlike Jeong Yushin’s thoughts, the Iron Mask nodded.

“...Let’s confirm first. We’ll think about whether we trust your party later.”

“Do as you please.”

“Mas, can you scout the central road?”

“Sure.”

“Please.”

“Skar, can you follow along?”

“Of course.”

Jeong Yushin nodded.

“Hey, wait a minute!!!”

Ret suddenly raised his hand and shouted.

“What is it?”

“Skar. Skar. I’ve heard that name before. Are you the half-blood barbarian Skar?!”

‘My name has been sold a lot.’

After all, Ret had first seen him at the exploration guild in the southern district, so it wasn’t that surprising.

“That’s right. Do you have something to say?”

“What, trying to keep it quiet? You’re quite the sneaky one. Just because you’re covering your face with that helmet doesn’t mean I can’t tell. Let me guess, these people, are they your ‘females’?”

Ret said, looking at Jeong Yushin’s party members.

The dwarf, rat beastman, and Iron Mask all fell silent.

“...”

A cold silence settled in the area.

Jeong Yushin suddenly opened his mouth.

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“You fucking bastard.”

“What?”

“Hey, you asshole. Why are you picking a fight all of a sudden? Are you out of your mind?”

Jeong Yushin gripped his sword hilt.

That was the signal, and Ret and the Iron Mask’s party members each grabbed their weapons.

The sudden tension filled the area.

Someone placed a hand on Jeong Yushin’s shoulder. It was the Iron Mask.

“Skar, calm down. There’s no benefit to fighting here.”

“...Huff.”

Jeong Yushin glared at Ret’s face for a long time before releasing his grip on the sword.

“Ret, apologize. Insulting party members like that is hard to overlook as a leader.”

“Sorry, sorry. I went too far with my words.”

Ret said casually, waving his hand as if it wasn’t a big deal.

‘Fuck.’

He didn’t even signal before crossing the line, and though he wanted to slap him half to death, Jeong Yushin restrained himself.

“But isn’t it true? Barbarians are known to be crazy in the hole, aren’t they? I don’t think our Ret was wrong in saying that.”

One of Ret’s party members stepped forward and spoke.

A woman with pink hair tied into two braids, wearing a robe and holding a staff. She looked to be around Ret’s age.

“What... what did you say?”

Jeong Yushin stammered, and another female party member stepped forward.

“That’s right. Do you really think the reputation of barbarians is good? It’s laughable.”

A woman with dark blue bobbed hair glared at him. She was wearing a dagger and a small crossbow, so she looked like a guide.

Ret waved his hand, stopping his party members.

“Alright, alright. Let’s stop. What’s the point of arguing here?”

“Ret, still...”

The pink-haired woman in the robe muttered something.

Ret smiled and patted her head.

“Irene, thanks for stepping up for me, but we need to overcome this crisis together now.”

Irene, the pink-haired woman, blushed and nodded.

“Ah... I understand.”

“...”

Jeong Yushin stared, dumbfounded, watching those two flirting.

Ret turned his head to look at the Iron Mask.

“So, I’ve apologized. How about we go scout now?”

Still thinking of cooperating? What’s going on in this guy’s head? The smell of something rotten was overpowering.

“...Mas, Skar. Please scout.”

The Iron Mask looked at Jeong Yushin.

“...Understood.”

Jeong Yushin replied with difficulty and followed Mas.

Jeong Yushin and Mas entered the city gates.

Because of the light, they had no choice but to hide in the alley and cautiously move along the central road.

When Mas moved ahead, Jeong Yushin hid in the alley, covering the light with a blanket and following slowly.

Mas, who had been advancing without issue, suddenly stopped and signaled Jeong Yushin.

‘Retreat. Put out the torch.’

Jeong Yushin understood immediately, lowered the torch, and stomped it out with his foot.

Leaning against the alley wall, Jeong Yushin stood still.

How long had passed?

Not much time at all, Mas returned.

He came close to Jeong Yushin and whispered in his ear.

“The man with the sword was right. A large group of elite hobgoblins is stationed along the central road. There are at least 100 of them.”

100 hobgoblins. And elite ones at that.

“...Is there no way to turn back? There are alleys all over.”

“Do you know what it means that the hobgoblin group has come out to the central road? There will be even more of them swarming the outskirts of the city.”

‘What, are they cockroaches or something?’

If they were regular hobgoblins, Jeong Yushin could fight with his Revenger engraving. But with so many elite hobgoblins, victory was uncertain.

And he had to consider the safety of the party as well.

‘Enough.’

He shook his head, stopping his thoughts.

He wasn’t the leader. He could voice an opinion if it seemed right, but he didn’t think the Iron Mask was foolish enough to need advice.

Thud!

Suddenly, Jeong Yushin grabbed the rat beastman, Mas’s hand.

“What... what is it?!”

“Let’s go back. Stop picking my pocket.”

“Okay, okay.”

Jeong Yushin and Mas turned around and returned to the city gates.

“The leader of that party was right. A large group of elite hobgoblins is gathered on the central road.”

“See? I told you we needed to join forces.”

“...”

The Iron Mask looked at Jeong Yushin.

“Skar, what do you think?”

A sudden question.

Jeong Yushin met the Iron Mask’s gaze.

Even after their earlier conflict, he asked for Jeong Yushin’s opinion in front of everyone.

“It’s hard to go around the outskirts. There are more hobgoblins there. It’s like trying to avoid wolves by going into a lion’s den. Either we wipe them out or break through head-on.”

“See? I told you...”

The Iron Mask waved his hand, cutting off Ret’s words and continuing his conversation with Jeong Yushin.

“Breaking through head-on is difficult. It’s at least 100 to 4. Plus, it’s an open road. No matter how strong we are, if we’re surrounded, it’s over. Any other ideas?”

“Breaking through is difficult, that’s true. We could wait and join up with another party.”

“What about luring them out and dealing with them one by one?”

“There are variables, but it’s not a bad idea. If it goes according to plan.”

“In the end, we’ll have to wait and clear the path together.”

The Iron Mask reached a tentative conclusion.

“Hey, why think so hard? We just push forward and wipe them out.”

Ret finally butted in.

“How?”

“I have the seal of a genius swordsman. I can just wipe them out easily.”

“Then why did you ask for our help?”

“I’m fine, but my girlfriends are in danger, you see.”

Ret said with a grin.

“Can we trust you?”

“The dwarf there is a priest who serves the fire spirit god, right? Let’s ask him. Hey, dwarf.”

“What is it?”

“How do you feel about your party members? Swear to the fire spirit god and tell us.”

“How dare you speak of the gods under an oath? You blasphemous human.”

“You’re still sticking with the faithful dwarf priest, huh? You guys aren’t bad people.”

Ret shrugged, smirking.

Jeong Yushin, utterly dumbfounded, lost his strength.

‘This guy’s brain is soft. Is he overconfident, or does he have some other scheme?’

Is the seal of a genius swordsman really that impressive?

If it were him, he would have gone alone to clean them up, leaving the party behind.

“Well then, let me ask the reverse. How do we trust you?”

Ret scratched his head.

“A barbarian like you, doubting each other on the fifth floor of the labyrinth? Isn’t it funny? If we’re able, we team up. If not, we go our separate ways. If you don’t like it, don’t do it.”

The Iron Mask stepped in.

“Ret, we need some time to discuss.”

“Take all the time you need.”

Ret stepped back, giving them space.

The Iron Mask gestured, and Jeong Yushin and the party members gathered in a circle.

“What do you think?”

Dwarf priest Kubo cleared his throat and spoke.

“Hmph. I’m suspicious, but that human swordsman didn’t lie. We have two choices left. We either wipe out the hobgoblins, or we wait here and join up with another party to fight.”

The rat beastman crossed his arms.

“But is there any guarantee that the other party will cooperate with us? Honestly, our party might look a little suspicious, don’t you think?”

“...”

The rat beastman’s comment hit a deep chord, and everyone went quiet.

“Kubo, why don’t you wear some clothes? Don’t you think others see you in a bad light? Honestly, you look the most suspicious here.”

“Hah. You, barbarian, are talking so freely just because you’re wearing a helmet. If you take that helmet off, you’d be the most suspicious one.”

“I’m a good barbarian!”

“...Just stop talking and move your hands.”

“Sorry, sorry.”

The Iron Mask stepped in.

“Enough. Let’s do this. I think it’s a good proposal. Let’s cooperate, but we need to stay alert.”

“...What do you mean by that?”

“We need to have insurance.”

After the meeting, the Iron Mask and the party members approached Ret.

“So, have you made your decision?”

“Of course. We’ll cooperate.”

“Good idea. No need to waste time here.”

“There’s one condition.”

“...What is it?”

Ret furrowed his brow and crossed his arms.

Jeong Yushin suddenly spoke up.

“Hand over one of your party members.”

“...What?!”

Ret’s eyes widened.

“What did you say?!”

Ret asked, his voice trembling.

“I said hand them over. Your woman.”

Jeong Yushin pointed at Ret’s party members.

“I’ll protect her safely. How about it?”

“...”

In front of the city gates.

In the silence between the two parties.

All eyes were on Jeong Yushin.