How a Black-Haired Barbarian Survived the Labyrinth in Another World Chapter 147: New friends. But a little strange

A quiet evening at the inn.

Jeong Yusin sat with his arms crossed, observing the woman as she ate.

Though she appeared to be in her early twenties, the way she ate made her look like a beggar who hadn’t eaten for a month.

Several loaves of bread were spread out on the table around the woman. There was rye bread that was dark from mixed grains, all the way to white bread with a lot of wheat in it. It was enough to open a bakery.

But for the woman, it seed like an amount that didn’t even co close to being enough.

At first, she cut the bread carefully with a bread knife, watching her surroundings, but now she was tearing the bread with her hands and swallowing it greedily.

She used the bread as a spoon to scoop up the chili con carne, made from tomatoes, chili, beans, various vegetables, and beef, scraping up the leftover sauce on the plate.

But that wasn’t the end.

She didn’t even bother to chew the long sausages, swallowing them whole, and then grabbed a tomahawk steak, holding it by the bone and tearing off the at.

It was as though food was her mortal enemy, making sure to savor each bite in a calculated manner.

‘Is she filming so kind of eating show?’

The sheer volu of food the woman was consuming made Jeong Yusin’s head start to hurt.

He had only intended to serve her a simple al, but now it seed like she was planning to bankrupt the place by sitting there.

Even the other custors had stopped eating and were watching the armored woman inhale the food.

Tarman was busy running back and forth to the kitchen, sweating profusely, putting food on the table.

By the ti Jeong Yusin snapped out of his daze, there were already empty bowls piling up around the woman.

‘Ah.’

This was a loss.

“Hey, can you eat in moderation?”

“Mumumum!!!”

The woman puffed out her cheeks like a hamster and tried to say sothing. Seeing her eyes sparkle, Jeong Yusin guessed it was a positive response, but he wasn’t entirely pleased.

The unmistakable sll of eating without paying lingered in the air.

Jeong Yusin gave a sign to Tarman.

‘Block the entrance.’

‘Yes, sir.’

Tarman imdiately understood and stood by the inn's entrance.

The blonde woman, however, continued to empty every plate in front of her.

‘Does she have so kind of food fighter engraving?’

The fact that so much food could fit in her stomach was surprising. Surely, she’d be making quite a ss afterward.

When the woman finished the last bowl, she leaned back in her chair, wearing a satisfied smile, so it seed like she had filled her stomach well.

She patted her stomach and opened her mouth.

“Do you have any dessert around here?”

No, she didn’t.

“Excuse . Can you show so decency?”

At Jeong Yusin’s words, the woman gave a sheepish smile.

“Mi... sorry.”

Naturally.

She should be sorry.

She ate like a pig and still had the nerve to ask for dessert.

‘Do labyrinth explorers these days all have no conscience engravings or sothing?’

Looking at the woman’s eyes, she didn’t seem like she was planning to run away. Was that a bit of a relief? Even if she did run, Jeong Yusin would follow her to the ends of hell to get his money.

Jeong Yusin sighed deeply.

“Phew. Tarman, bring so alcohol. ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) Two glasses.”

“Yes!”

Tarman quickly ran behind the counter, grabbed a bottle of dwarf liquor, and brought two glasses.

Jeong Yusin looked at Tarman and made a gesture.

‘Why did you bring such expensive alcohol?’

‘Thank you, sir.’

Tarman winked.

Was he actually understanding Jeong Yusin’s feelings?

What an oblivious subordinate. Was it a mistake to think they had a mutual understanding?

Jeong Yusin poured the dwarf liquor into his glass first.

“What’s your na?”

The blonde woman hesitated for a mont before opening her mouth.

“Delia. I don’t have a surna.”

“You had one, but you don’t now?”

“I used to have the surna Everguard, but I threw it away.”

“Were you a noble?”

At Jeong Yusin’s question, Delia nodded.

“I once had ties with the Kingdom of Lionel. It’s already fallen. I can’t say much more.”

“Is that so? I see.”

A fallen noble, huh?

What’s it to ?

As long as she can fight well, that’s enough.

“You said you were joining my party?”

“Yes.”

“Why do you want to join?”

I was curious about why she would want to join the party of a barbarian, soone despised and called a scum in the labyrinth city.

Not to ntion, she’s soone who spat on the labyrinth council’s face, a walking bomb.

A normal explorer would avoid it at all costs.

‘She has good self-awareness.’

‘Is she starting to co to her senses?’

These guys.

The angel and devil inside Jeong Yusin’s mind were both pulling at his ego.

“...Well, the thing is.”

Delia scratched her head, looking a bit embarrassed, before speaking again.

“I got the glutton engraving from the labyrinth a while ago. It gives strength according to how much I eat, but the downside is that it drains a lot of my stamina.”

“So?”

“Unfortunately, I got the negative engraving in the last labyrinth exploration. I’ve been saving money to remove it, but I couldn’t stand the hunger. Since I’m not part of a clan of explorers, I can’t get any support, and I didn’t have any contacts to borrow money from. That’s when I heard about you.”

Is that so?

What a brave one. Is she fearless?

“Is that so? Why not sell your equipnt?”

“Never.”

Delia’s face stiffened.

“The gear I’m wearing now is a family heirloom. They’ve been with for years. I can’t just dispose of them.”

She may have discarded her family na, but she couldn’t let go of the mories attached to it?

“Let’s get back to the story. I heard that your party is looking for a vanguard. Most explorers are hesitant to support, so I thought you’d accept if I offer to help.”

She’s straightforward, isn’t she?

I liked it. There was one thing that bothered , though.

“What’s this negative engraving?”

“Well... it’s a bit embarrassing to talk about. But I can assure you, it’s not a bad engraving for labyrinth exploration.”

Jeong Yusin suddenly thought of Solline.

He was a holy knight serving the spirit of light. That guy also had a negative engraving. He left without ever talking about it.

‘I wonder how he’s doing.’

Jeong Yusin closed his mouth and recalled the mory for a mont.

Delia, interpreting his silence, suddenly beca serious.

“I swear on my family’s na.”

“Didn’t you say your family’s fallen? What aning does swearing on your family’s na hold?”

Delia’s expression darkened, and she closed her mouth.

“...”

Ah.

He had hit a sensitive spot.

Tch. The darkness of the labyrinth, once again.

“I’m sorry. Have a drink.”

Jeong Yusin grabbed the glass that Tarman had brought and poured it in front of Delia.

Slosh.

“Thanks.”

Delia quickly brightened up, drinking the liquor down in one gulp.

“Mmm. That’s good.”

What a tough woman.

Jeong Yusin nodded to himself.

“Delia, tell about your main weapon and your rank in the levels.”

“I mostly use a shield and a mace. A one-handed sword is my secondary weapon. I take the front line and usually take the hits. I’ve made it to the eighth floor of the corridor zone.”

The corridor zone, huh.

That’s good.

If Delia takes the front line, I’ll have more flexibility in choosing my gear.

With a solid tank in the front, Karin and I can take the damage dealers’ roles, which would make things easier.

Or I could place Karin as a ranged dealer, and Delia and I could both take the front line.

Jeong Yusin refilled Delia’s glass.

“Are there any conditions? Besides the loot-sharing ratio?”

“There is.”

As expected. There’s no such thing as a free lunch.

“What’s the condition?”

“Provide als. At least until we enter the labyrinth.”

Jeong Yusin’s hand, holding the liquor bottle, trembled slightly.

“...”

Is this a joke?

If she keeps eating like this, nothing will be left.

I’ve just started making so profit lately, and I sent a small amount to Darmong along with a letter. But sending more money anyti soon seems difficult.

Swallowing the rising sigh, Jeong Yusin nodded.

“Fine.”

He wasn’t in a position to be picky.

“And... also an advance, please.”

Jeong Yusin’s eyes widened.

Another condition?

“Uh...?”

They haven’t even acquired any loot yet, and now she’s asking for an advance.

“Oh! Also, sorry, but do you have a vacant room?”

Jeong Yusin stared blankly at Delia’s face.

“...”

Jeong Yusin grabbed his forehead.

‘If I hadn’t done that crazy thing back then...’

“Take everything.”

“Thanks. Just as the rumors said. Ska, you’re a good barbarian who doesn’t rape.”

“Don’t believe rumors too much.”

Jeong Yusin growled, wearing a fierce expression.

Just as Delia’s guilty expression was about to turn completely pale...

Clank!!!

The inn door opened.

Clink. Clink.

A huge figure clad in plate armor walked into the inn. Since they were wearing a helt, it was impossible to tell their gender or age.

The figure stood still for a mont, surveying the surroundings, and then slowly walked toward Jeong Yusin.

“...”

The giant in plate armor stared down at him without saying a word.

There should’ve been eyes visible through the helt holes, but nothing was revealed. There wasn’t even a sound of breathing.

‘What is this?’

A sense of suspicion slowly rose within him.

The giant in plate armor pulled out a piece of paper and a pen from the armor and began scribbling.

Jeong Yusin stared blankly at the giant.

‘Is it mute?’

The giant showed the paper to Jeong Yusin.

Are you Ska?

Jeong Yusin nodded.

“It’s .”

The giant scribbled on the paper again.

I heard you’re recruiting for your party.

Jeong Yusin stared up at the giant for a mont and then shook his head.

“We’ve already got a vanguard.”

I’m not a vanguard.

What?

How can soone in full plate armor say they aren’t a vanguard?

It was sothing that made no sense logically.

“So, what are you then?”

A priest.

“Are you serious?”

The giant in plate armor sat down at the table, seemingly preparing to introduce himself properly.

I am Barion, a mid-level priest of the Earth God’s Church.

The Earth God?

“Do you know Mion?”

Barion nodded.

I’ve t him a few tis. He’s a kind person.

“I see? But isn’t that plate armor heavy? Priests usually wear cloth robes.”

“...”

Barion sat quietly for a mont before opening the helt.

And what he revealed was an unreal sight.

Jeong Yusin’s eyes widened to the size of lanterns.

‘The helt... is empty?’

There should’ve been a face inside the helt, but there was nothing.

How can this even be possible?

It’s an engraving called Spirit of Steel. My body left the soul and resides in steel.

“W-wait!”

Jeong Yusin raised his hand.

He couldn’t follow the explanation.

Though he had only spent a short ti in the labyrinth, he prided himself on having seen many strange things. But this was beyond anything he could comprehend.

It was beyond imagination.

Jeong Yusin stared at the empty helt.

“So... where is your real body?”

It’s gone.

“Can it co back?”

I believe it will, if I erase the engraving.

“This is insane.”

Jeong Yusin leaned back in his chair and rubbed his forehead.

‘It’s dizzying.’

What is this world even?

Every ti Jeong Yusin thought he had adjusted to it, so strange engraving would pop up in front of him.

“By the way...”

Ask freely.

Barion closed the helt and looked down at Jeong Yusin.

“Do you have a brother? Blonde, missing an arm, a bit short? Uses so kind of peculiar magic?”

You seem to be mistaken for soone else, I’m an only child. I don’t have a brother.

“Ah... I see.”

Jeong Yusin let out a deep sigh.

‘That was a close one.’

“Is there a reason you’re applying to my party?”

Priest Mion spoke highly of you. He said you’re a barbarian who doesn’t judge others by appearances. I thought I’d try joining your party this ti.

So Mion praised him that much?

Jeong Yusin’s shoulders slightly lifted in pride.

Not to ntion, as a priest, Barion would be able to use various holy magic.

He would be a much-needed addition to the party, considering their lack of healing thods.

Even Delia, the fallen noble, seed pleased with his arrival.

“Alright. Do you have any other negative engravings?”

No.

“What’s your rank in the levels?”

The ninth floor of the corridor zone.

There are many corridor zones.

Jeong Yusin extended his hand.

“Accepted. Please take good care of us.”

Barion grabbed Jeong Yusin’s hand.

Likewise.

A giant in empty plate armor and a fallen noble gluttoness.

Life is full of surprises.

Jeong Yusin stopped short of pouring more alcohol for Barion.

“Don’t you drink?”

That’s right. I don’t need food or drink.

“I’ll drink enough for both of us, Barion the priest!”

Delia’s eyes sparkled as she stepped forward.

Jeong Yusin, flustered, poured her another glass.

“G-Go ahead.”

Is she the kind of warrior who doesn’t know how to refuse?

Seeing her happy face didn’t feel too bad.

Jeong Yusin set the bottle down and spoke up.

“So, shall we start by setting a goal for which zone to target?”

“Sounds good.”

I agree.

Late sumr, a quiet evening at the inn.

The empty plate armor priest, Barion.

The fallen noble gluttonous young lady, Delia.

The black-haired barbarian, Jeong Yusin.

They gathered together and started discussing their plans, heads bent close to each other.

Through the long conversation, a small smile appeared on Jeong Yusin’s face.