"Thank you. Thank you so much……"

Hwiiiing.

Grains of light scattered in the wind and gradually disappeared.

In front of Callius, the child's Carcass, which had come from a corpse torn apart by the claws of a monster from the nearby forest, disappeared.

[Artemo's Carcass – Complete]

[Skill + 1]

「Callius von Jervain」

「Occupation」 – Pilgrim.

「Spirit」 – Level 4

「Divine Power」 – 2371/3251.

「Talent」 – [Bard's Blessing – Best]

「Characteristics」 – [Verse of Grace] [Nobility’s Duty] [Scapegrace Count] [Four Verse Composition] [Prodigal Son of the Order] [Gluttony]

[Ability]

Strength – 22+(10)

Agility – 15+(10)

Skill – 7 -> 8

Health – 15+(10)

Faith – 21

A forest near the metropolis Tristar.

He had rushed to complete the quests received by turning the many corpses he saw on the way into Carcasses.

Fortunately, there were no difficult requests, so he managed to complete the quests as if it was a pastime, and his abilities also went up a lot.

Strength, faith, and even skill, which was rarely affected, rose.

Even though it only increased by 1, it seemed that the technical proficiency had risen.

Of course, you would know more precisely only once you went back to practice. Still, Callius shook his head with satisfaction and asked Artemo's parents.

"There are a lot of monsters around here. Why are you living in such a dangerous place?”

"You don't know the situation, Pilgrim. There are many peasants living like this. I’ve lived here as a herbalist since the old days so I can't leave here… If we left, what work would we do to put food on the table?"

"… But you might die. If you move to the city, you at least won't die from monster attacks."

But Artemo's father shook his head, saying that wasn't the case at all.

Compared to the North, there were not many, but there were monsters here as well.

There were many examples of ordinary beasts eating humans and turning into monsters, so any other place would not be much different.

"No. Even if we became residents of Tristar, the heavy taxes would make it impossible for herbalists like us to survive…"

"……"

After all, being a resident of Tristar would cost you money, and the taxes collected would also be huge.

They would rather live comfortably outside the city, in the forest.

They were attacked by nobles inside the city, and attacked by monsters outside, so it was the same for them either way.

"Then –"

"Oh, yes. I will never forget this grace."

It was time to part.

But Callius didn't budge, as if he was waiting for something.

"Ah! Pilgrim! Are you going to Tristar?"

"Yes, yes."

"Then tell Cedric of Trish that you've come to collect the debt of the herbalist Armo!"

"… Cedric of Trish. Here it comes."

"Pardon?"

"Nothing. Please elaborate."

"Yes! He owed me a debt the other day. At that time, he said that he would pay me back! I am a poor herbalist, so I have nothing to offer to the Pilgrim, so I can only do something like this…"

"You don’t have to."

Callius replied sternly, but it was just a pretence.

There was a gleam in Callius' eyes. Cedric of Trish.

This was the reason why he had to cross the damn forest road to find that young corpse and complete the quest.

"Pilgrim! If his benefactor left without any recompense like this, Artemo will never able to rest in peace! Please accept my sincerity!"

"I can't help it if you say that. I'll go see Cedric of Trish."

"Thank you, thank you!"

After saying his goodbyes to the herbalist and leaving the forest, Callius saw a plain and a city beyond. It was Tristar, the city ​​of nightlife.

"Cedric of Trish. Good."

Cedric of Trish.

A giant figure in a behind-the-scenes organization called Krasion that existed not only in Carpe, but even extended to other countries.

"If it's Cedric, he might be able to help purchase the supplementary materials for the Holy Water."

Cedric was aggressive and difficult to make friends with.

However, once you became friendly, you could easily maintain a good relationship for a long time.

Being friends with him brought many advantages.

‘I can get a lot of information.'

He dealt with various things in the underground world as well as very private information, so you might get the news you need.

For Callius’ survival and purpose –

It was good to get acquainted with him.

"The line is too long."

As soon as he finished thinking, what he saw was a long procession towards Tristar.

Various people were lined up waiting to enter. From simple travellers to high-ranking mercenary leaders.

‘Are there any nobles?'

There might have even been unknown aristocrats mixed in.

Since it was an era with little entertainment, Tristar was always crowded with people.

Callius joined the tail end of the incredibly long procession.

The sun was hanging slightly tilted in the sky.

It'd been about two hours.

Just at the moment the people in the line ahead disappeared and it was Callius' turn.

Pak.

"… What?"

Someone tapped Callius on the shoulder.

"… What is it, you?"

"Oh, my shoulders are too broad. I'm sorry. But, brother, are you blind?"

Two people somehow bumped into each other's shoulders and started arguing.

The other party’s hair was short and his body was muscular.

The man’s voice gave was rough impression, and he was tattooed all over.

He looked like a local bully.

Callius stared at him for a bit because he felt a little absurd, when suddenly he was booed.

"What is it? If you don't want to go in, get out of the way."

"Hey, if you're going to fight, fight somewhere else. Fighting in Tristar won't get you anything."

The guard in charge of the gate into Tristar also looked at him with an annoyed expression.

The bully raised his fist at Callius, who had been standing still all this time.

"Ah! You’re annoying me!"

It was then.

"This guy!"

Chaeeng!

Suddenly, Knights of some noble family rushed in and pointed their swords at the bully as well as Callius.

‘What’s this?'

The arguing bastard was still chattering, as an aristocratic young man walked proudly among the Knights.

"Heh heh, does Tristar let in a lot of problematic people like this?"

"…… Who are you?" The guard asked.

Even at a glance, the young man’s clothes and attitude were befitting a noble, so the other guards rolled their eyes and looked on.

"I am Baldwin de Lutens, the eldest son of Viscount Lutens."

"Oh, it’s Sir Baldwin. My apologies, I didn't know."

The young man shook his head as if it was natural and began to open his mouth.

"I came a long way here to Tristar on my father’s orders to broaden my horizons, but I didn't expect to see something like this as soon as I arrived. Should I take care of these issues?"

"I'm sorry. Hey, what are you all doing, quickly take them away!"

Callius, who had swords pointed at him by the Knights, was now pulled away by the guards.

It was an unusual situation.

It was only now that Callius realized, that the bastard and the nobleman in front of him were one group.

‘In Tristar, even a nobleman has to stand in line to enter.'

But that guy forced the guards into debt as if he had solved a problem for them.

"You must know that my father has achieved many victories recently. It must not be long before he ascends to the rank of count."

"Yes, yes, of course."

"But, are you going to keep me standing here? The sun is quite hot."

"Is that possible! Please come inside."

His thoughts were right.

After waiting for two hours in line, Callius was brought away from the gate, and the nobleman who had just arrived proudly entered Tristar.

A vein jumped on Callius' forehead.

"It's ridiculous."

Why does the saying ‘got my nose cut with my eyes open' come to mind? It’s crazy.[1]

It's so outrageous that I'm not even mad.

"I'm a Pilgrim. Do you think it'll be okay if you treat a Son of Valtherus this way?"

"Valtherus?"

He’d hoped that would work, but no luck.

"Why, you want to pull out that sword? Like I said before, Lord Pilgrim. I don't know about other places, but drawing a sword won't solve anything here in Tristar."

"Keuk, if you pull out that sword, you're dead. Even if you survive, you won't ever be able to enter Tristar, so if you still want to pull it out, try it. Even if the owner of this city is Gerald of the Valtherus Church, Tristar's laws are strict."

That was sad, but true.

The Valtherus Church had long since lost all positive public opinion. Even Gerald, the owner of Tristar, who had become a Master in the Order, did not show any consideration to the Pilgrims. Rather, he hated the Pilgrims.

Tristar was such a place.

It was the city ​​of nightlife. However, the law was applied far more strictly than other places. Once somebody caused a problem, they would either be imprisoned or, in severe cases, prohibited from entering the city at all.

Once banned from entry, one would never be able to enter again. So, if possible, no one would want to cause any problems here.

Because the being who could be said to be the owner of Tristar was one of the Five Masters, a person who exerted great influence in both the Kingdom and the Church.

Because he was Gerald Gestav.

‘Gerald the Judge.'

No matter how high-ranking a noble, or how powerful a Paladin of the Church. Gerald, a Paladin who had risen to the ranks of the Five Masters, did not tolerate anybody making a fuss in his beloved city.

Besides, he was recognized by the Kingdom and even received the title of honorary marquis, so what could anybody say?

"Hey, let go of me! I can walk by myself!"

The bully was let go by the guards, and Callius walked with him away from the gate.

"Brother, think of it as just stepping on shit. If you don't have the strength, you should think with your head. If neither of them works, you should just keep your mouth shut."

Jiggle, jiggle.

The bully tossed a money bag up and down, and said words that Callius didn’t know whether were teasing or comforting him.

"If both don't work, like me, listen well and get money. Hahaha!"

"How much?"

"What, what? Oh, that noble had a lot of money, he gave me five gold coins for just this kind of work. Here, take this."

The man smiled widely at Callius, who was still looking at his money bag, and tossed a silver coin from his bosom.

Callius' lips twisted as he received the silver coin.

"I earned it thanks to you, so this is my gratitude. See you again next time!"

The moment the bully turned around and was about to disappear.

Callius grabbed him by the shoulder.

"Don't you think that’s not enough money?"

"What? I felt sorry for this bastard, so I gave him a piece of silver and it wasn't enough? Let’s see, let's see, so I look that soft?!"

I was generous and threw him a silver coin, but the other party didn’t even have the common sense to be grateful.

The bully quickly clenched his fists.

But he was one step late.

Callius' fists were faster.

"Ahh! What, what?! You hit me now?!"

In front of the screaming bastard, Callius raised his fist again with cold eyes.

"If you made gold coins because of me, wouldn't it make sense to give out gold coins instead of silver coins?"

Hearing what Callius said as if it were the most natural thing to say, the bully pulled out a dagger from his bosom.

"Damn this bastard, I almost got persuaded for a moment. Do you really want to die?!"

"No, I want your money."

"You crazy guy!!"

Whiiig! Pak!

"Ahh! Fuck!!"

He swung the dagger, but Callius grabbed his wrist and twisted it.

The dagger missed and fell to the floor helplessly, and the man was struck in the face by Callius' palm, causing his nose to bleed.

Just like a child being dealt with by an adult, the fight between the two was one-sided.

"Show me your good intentions, or don’t. I think either way is fine."

Sreung!

Callius pulled out Arsando.

Seeing the energy flowing out of the sword, the man’s throat bobbed up and down.

The bully was quick to judge the situation.

"I, I'll give it to you!"

The effect was great.

Callius got five gold coins.

He now had fifteen gold coins and one silver coin in his hand.

"Well, then I'll just…"

"Who told you to go?"

"I don’t have any more money! Let me go!"

Callius shook his head.

"I don't have any money, and, and my head is useless, Pilgrim! Even if you turn it into a Carcass, I'm sure it's going to be a worthless sword!?"

"That's not certain."

"Spare me! I'll do anything!"

Oh, finally a good word came out.

"I suffered the worst of insults today. Lutens, who dared to fuck me."

Until I find him –

"You won’t have your freedom."

The bully, Bruns, thought.

Looking at his eyes and actions, this guy was a real stone-head.[2] And Bruns had somehow got himself firmly caught by this crazy idiot.

He was really unfortunate.

Editor's Notes:

[1] 눈 뜨고 코 베였다는 -> Eyes were open and nose was cut -> proverb, like being a sitting duck.

[2] 또라이 -> Stone-headed -> i.e. one who cannot understand others, acts crazy, etc. A crazy idiot.