chapter 19
Nostalgic scenery
I sold all of my Gambisons and shoes, and this time I split the money in half. After that, I walked around the market, looked at this and that, and ate something to eat. Thanks to Shosanna, I often got things like fruit and ate them.
Hyeonjun enjoyed the relaxation he had felt for the first time in a while. It’s the first time I’ve been brought to this world. It was because he had been constantly abused by prison life, slave life, and goblin-slaying adventurer life.
Hyeon-joon, who was relieved of tension, laughed and joked around the market with Shosanna. Hyeon-jun was especially interested in the fabrics embroidered with delicate patterns. At first glance, it is not from the Southern Kingdom.
“Where do they come from?”
“What is it, first time seeing it? That’s from Sahat. It’s a desert country to the west of the empire, and they trade with Scanden.”
Hyeonjun had also heard of the name Sahat. However, I thought it was just a place name because it was only heard at a bar, but it seems to be a different country.
“Why do you want to buy one?”
“Are you crazy? What do I do with buying that? I just saw it out of curiosity.”
I’m going to fight wielding a sword, so what’s the use of fancy clothes? The price wasn’t too bad either. The cheap ones are dozens of coins, and if you want to be a little flashy, the unit is changed to silver coins. Hyeon-jun gave up his mind when he saw that the black background and gold-embroidered cloth cost more than three silver coins. It’s useless to buy anyway. Hyeonjun, humbled by the price tag, murmured to himself.
Hyeonjun, who had come back to his senses, looked up at the sky. The sun is passing by.
“Hey, shouldn’t we just go back?”
“Oh, yes. Maria will be waiting for you.”
When I returned home, Hackman was also home. Shosanna entered the house hugging Hakman again. Hyunjoon also greeted him.
“Shosanna, Maria said that you and a guest had come and prepared a big deal. Go and help Maria.”
“all right.”
Hakman sent Shosanna to the kitchen and called Hyeon-jun to sit down. He took a slow breath as if he was tired for a moment and then spoke to Hyeon-jun.
“Once again, thank you very much. Thanks to you, Shosanna was able to stay safe.”
“If you keep talking like that, I’m in trouble too.”
Hyunjoon replied with a smile. At that, Hakman also laughed a little. However, the expression soon disappeared. Hyeon-joon read confusion and fear on his face.
“I’ve been informed that Bimarn has been destroyed.”
Haqman whispered. The atmosphere instantly became heavy.
“They say it was destroyed without a hand by a black goblin and a huge monster. Information came in because there was a survivor who barely survived.”
“But since the Paladins went, wouldn’t it have been resolved?”
“It may take a little longer to find out.”
Hackman took a hard look at Hyeon-jun. As expected, it is a calm face. But there is a faint bitterness in it. Hackman buried himself in his chair and let out a deep sigh.
“Mister, I am ready.”
“Okay, go soon.”
Hackman spoke brightly and stood up. Hyeonjun also stood up and said.
“I will leave my luggage in the room.”
“Go quickly and come. Maria will be sad when the food cools down.”
Haqman carefully watched Hyeon-jun’s back as he climbed the stairs. Longsword. Hackman gave a small nod and headed to the kitchen.
“Welcome. It’s been a while since I’ve been a guest, so I tried my best.”
“It’s a sumptuous dinner.”
Maria greeted Hyeon-jun, who entered the kitchen belatedly, with a gentle smile. Meals are truly luxurious. In front of each of them is white, steaming bread, a large piece of meat, and even stew. In addition, in the center of the table are two plates of chicken cooked to a golden brown, full of butter and herb aroma, and even a fish the size of Hyeon-jun’s thigh.
“Are you worried if you can eat all of this?”
“Don’t worry. With Shosanna, there won’t be any left.”
“okay. Maria’s cooking is really delicious.”
Shosanna smiled and said. Maria smiled happily and gave Hackman a glance.
“Come on, let’s go eat. If you wait any longer, Maria will scold you.”
At the end of Hakman’s words, everyone smiled and raised the tableware. Hyeonjun tore the bread into small pieces and took a bite. soft and moist Butter flavor is good. It’s been a long time since I’ve eaten proper bread. In modern times, it could be eaten anywhere, but white bread is a luxury here. Instead of eating hard bread that needs to be melted with saliva, eating soft bread gives you a sense of satisfaction.
They dipped the bread into the stew and ate it, slicing the meat with a fork and knife. I don’t know what kind of meat it is, but it’s very juicy and soft. It didn’t use a lot of pepper like in modern times, but the scent of herbs and oil was fragrant, and the meat didn’t smell too bad.
Even during the meal, Hakman secretly watched Hyeon-joon. It seemed that such a commoner was accustomed to luxurious meals. He doesn’t follow manners too much, but he is very good at using tableware. Remove the fish bones like ghosts with a fork and knife.
In the poor days before the success of the Hackmando Company, he had never seen such a luxurious meal, and he ate the food roughly with his hands. So even now, there are times when handling tableware is inconvenient. Seeing Hyeon-jun contrasting with Shosanna, who teared up the chicken porridge with her hands and ate it, Hakman counted to himself.
“Shosanna, are you going to Hallowe tomorrow?”
“yes? yes.”
Shosanna, who took a big bite of a chicken leg, answered Hakman’s question. My mouth was full of food, so I mumbled. Seeing that, Maria let out a small sigh.
“What are you going to do?”
“I’m thinking of going to Scanden.”
Scanden is a port city located in the lower reaches of the river connected to the sea. It is also a royal decree, and there will surely be a lot of people and supplies. It would be nice to receive a request there and build up achievements.
Karma is good, but I thought getting out of F rank was the first thing. Even if one’s own strength is strong, there is little that an F-class adventurer can do.
“uh?”
Shosanna turned to Hyeonjun. look bewildered
“What, all of a sudden?”
“Do I need to ask your permission too?”
Hyeonjun grinned at Shosanna’s sad words and said, In fact, Hyeon-jun also intended to go to Shosanna’s village together at first. Even if she has the skills, it is dangerous to move alone. However, they decided to part ways here, thinking that Haqman would take Shosanna back to her hometown.
“No, well, just. Please tell me in advance.”
Shosanna said, a little downcast. It wasn’t long after they met, but as colleagues, they relied heavily on each other. Hyeonjun also felt regretful, but he had already made up his mind. Hyeonjun has to keep going, and Shosanna won’t be able to follow. Parting well here would be good for both of us.
“Didn’t you say Pyeongyama Village? I’ll go find it when I get a chance.”
“OK got it. Please come.”
Shosanna, who regained her strength, said with a smile. Hyunjoon smiled and nodded.
“If you are going to Scanden, I can help you a little. Let’s go on a boat to Sanghoe tomorrow.”
“If you do that, I will be grateful.”
Hyeonjun didn’t refuse and decided to accept the favor with a smile. The meal was held in a friendly atmosphere. Certainly, the amount Shosanna and Haqman ate was staggering. Hyeon-jun also tried to eat as much as possible to grow his body, but compared to the two, it is incomparable. Maria smiled at the two happy eaters, spread fish bones on them and cut the meat. The meal ended with everyone sharing stories with bright faces and laughter. In the midst of it, Hyeon-joon felt an unknown strange feeling. Even though we are together, it seems that we are far apart alone.
After the meal, Hyeon-jun was able to soak in hot water for the first time in a long time. Hachman’s house, though small and crude, had a bathtub. And there was a magic tool that created water, so there was no need to fetch water from the well. A complicated pattern is engraved on an iron plate taller than Hyeon-jun’s height, and when the lever is moved, a part of the lifted iron plate returns to its original position, completing the pattern and activating magic. The water pressure wasn’t strong, so I had to wait a long time to boil the water, but once I got into the hot water, it wasn’t that good.
“Huh…”
Suddenly, a sound came out and the power was released. I rested my arms on the edge of the bathtub and looked up at the ceiling leisurely. I don’t think about anything, I don’t want to do anything. Hyunjoon sang a song softly. These are songs that were sung in modern times. The language and melodies only he knew now rang in his ears from the bathroom. It’s been so long since I heard my mother tongue, and it feels unfamiliar. I won’t be talking to anyone with these words anymore. A famous song that the whole nation knows just by hearing the first line is just a hum of its own.
It was only then that Hyunjoon realized how he felt. He was missing modern Korea and the hard times together. Familiar streets, familiar faces. Familiar words and songs. friends. Ah, father. He hugged me with rough, rough hands. my only family dear father. And a long time ago… Hyeonjun buried himself deep in the bathtub. As soon as my body felt comfortable, I belatedly recalled all of those things.
‘Being a human being is so cunning.’
Hyeon-jun muttered to himself, constantly redrawing those faces so as not to forget them. My eyes were throbbing with longing and loneliness, but in the end there were no tears. He couldn’t even shed a single tear. Since when? I don’t remember very well. Hyeonjun just quietly closed his eyes and surrendered himself to silence.
“This is Doug. I will guide you to Scanden.”
“Nice to meet you. This is Doug.”
“It’s Jun.”
Hyeonjun shook hands with Doug. He is also tall and handsome. He has a smiling face and somehow feels like a friendly guy.
“It’s been fun so far. See you next time.”
“yes. Neither do I. Say hello to Maria.”
After shaking hands with Hakman, Hyun-jun looked at Shosanna.
“See you next time.”
“okay. Thank you. I will never forget it.”
“Looks like I’ll never see you again. Are you coming later?”
“A promise?”
Shosanna hugged Hyeon-jun tightly. Hyunjoon also hugged her and patted her on the back hard.
“bye.”
“okay.”
And Hyun-jun and Doug boarded the ship, leaving Hakman and Shosanna behind. A boat that goes downstream on a river. Hyeonjun waved to Hakman and Shosanna. The ship moved slowly but diligently, and soon they were out of sight. In the meantime, another boat is going up the river next to Hyun-jun’s boat. The current is slow, so if you open the sail, it will be slow, but it seems that you can go up the river.
Turning around, Doug smiled softly.
“I will be in Scanden in an hour. Would you like to take a look outside? Or there is a seat inside.”
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been on a boat, so I want to be outside.”
“hahahaha, but I feel sad when I see the scenery and there is no food to eat.”
Doug stopped the man passing by and told him something, then leaned against the railing next to Hyeonjun.
“Hey, Mr. Sang, you’re lucky to have a guest.”
“Are you lucky?”
“Today is the day when goods come down from the upper stream, so we have to work hard. It means that I caught the president’s eye, so I’m lucky.”
Doug grinned and said cheerfully. Things that would have been mean to say in the first place seemed like pleasant things to talk about when this man said them.
“Ah, by the way, when you arrive in Scanden, I need you to drop by somewhere with me.”
“Where are you?”
At that, Doug grinned and took a piece of parchment from his pocket and handed it to him.
“It’s a gift from the president.”
Unfolding the parchment, it was an adventurer’s guild request. The content of the request is to escort the top. The reward is 50 fairy tales.
“I heard that you are from Bimarn. The performance must have been blown away.”
Bimarn’s destruction spread quite a bit overnight. The destruction of the huge city and the death of the lord were shocking, but fortunately, a riot did not break out due to the message that the paladins had killed the monster. Still, no one knows now.
“Because Hackman Corporation has quite a bit of power. It will be a good performance.”
“Oops, please make sure to thank the old man Hackman.”
“Ha ha ha, there is one more. He told me to take him to the armor store when he arrived in Scanden.”
Then, he exaggeratedly puffed out his chest and punched it with his fist.
“You need to match your armor. The Chamber of Commerce will pay for it.”
“yes? That is too much.”
“No, not too much. I heard you saved Lady Shosanna.”
Lady Shosanna! What a girl! It’s a name that makes the mind go crazy.
“It is rather a small reward. Mr. Hackman decided to do only this much because he was afraid that Mr. Jun would feel burdened. Originally, he intended to give you a horse.”
At that, Hyunjoon was at a loss for words. Horses are extremely expensive animals. It’s embarrassing to hear that he was willing to give it to the pack horse, even though he carries dozens of silver coins.
“You probably thought it would be difficult to manage, so you gave up.”
Seeing Doug shrug his shoulders, Hyeonjun smiled bitterly.
“thank god. It’s overkill anyway. By the way, is it Shosanna lady?”
“Oh, didn’t you know? The successor to the High Society is Lady Shosanna. Oh, indeed. Because it was only talked about between the executives of the business association.”
I did it, but it’s true. get dizzy
“Because you are the daughter of the president.”
“Isn’t that your real daughter?”
“You’re like a real daughter.”
Seeing Doug grinning, Hyeonjun shook his head.
“I didn’t notice myself.”
“of course. It was decided secretly.”
I had a lot to say, but I decided to keep quiet. It is also strange to talk about other people’s chores. By the way, knowing that fact means that this man is also an executive at a business association. I am young, but I have already made it.
“anyway! You have to match the armor in Scanden.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Hyeonjun, who gave up on thinking, answered. They leaned against the railing and chatted over beer and dried fruit. The beer had a light barley flavor and a slight fruity taste, so it was pleasant to drink. Maybe a quality beer.
“Come to think of it.”
“yes.”
“Shosanna knew Hackman-sama’s company was a small company.”
“ha ha ha! I thought you would realize it in Bimarun, but you haven’t.”
“Why did that happen?”
Doug said, grabbing a piece of dried fruit.
“There is no store in the lady’s hometown, Pyeongyama Village. And there is only one store in the village by the river.”
“her···. So, is Shosanna’s house actually living well or something like that? They say you’re going to give your parents a present with the money you earned from your adventures.”
“Mr. Halman is an ordinary farmer. Well, it’s small, but I have land and I can afford it.”
“I thought Hackman-sama’s company was a small company, so I thought she was the immature daughter of a landlord.”
At that, Doug smiled softly.
“Even when Sang-Chief tried to help, Mr. Halman refused. In fact, it is said that the Hackman Company was able to start thanks to Mr. Halman. I heard that Mr. Halman gave all the crops to the chairman of the store after opening the store for the first time.”
No matter how close you are, how can you take care of friendship when you have to eat and live? But Halman did just that. It is said that he sold his crops for a year at a bargain price for a friend who had just opened a store.
“You are amazing.”
“Yes.”
After that, we enjoyed the scenery and talked about miscellaneous things. As we talked, I was distracted by the talk of this man named Doug, and I didn’t even notice the time passing. The funny incidents that happened at the upper house, the accidents that Shosanna had in her childhood, and the mysterious things she saw while wandering around the upper reaches. For Hyeon-jun, who has less than 3 months of experience in another world, each and every story is interesting.
“Ah, we are almost there. That’s Scanden.”
At Doug’s words, I turned around and saw the city in the distance. Bimarn was also a big city, but Scanden was not unusual even from a distance. It looks like a river runs through the middle of the city, and there is a magnificent gateway where it connects to the city, and high walls surround it.