Chapter 48 (1/2)
Should they continue on, or go back to Zahrah?
Alex and Hugo debated for a long time regarding this crucial matter. Because the incident had taken place smack bang in the middle of the way, it was hard for them to come to a quick decision.
Seol Ji-Hu didn't try to say anything. He figured that, rather than someone like him who knew too little offering up opinions and waste time, it'd be far better to listen to the decisions of the two veterans with lots more experience, instead.
The duo talked for a while and in the end, the decision was made to go forward.
They agreed that, rather than go back and wait for another Archer and a wagon, and therefore waste even more time and money, it'd be simpler to just walk the rest of the way to their destination.
Seol Ji-Hu also agreed. He was slightly worried about walking that much distance, but he decided to trust his overall endurance, something he took great pains to train back in the Neutral Zone.
”Alright. We leave, but before that, let's take what we can.” (Hugo)
After the agreement was reached, Hugo suddenly spoke up about a different matter.
”I'm going to look at the Archer woman, so you two go rummage what you can.” (Hugo)
Hugo whistled to himself as he turned around to walk away.
”I'm going to pick up the daggers the Moles dropped, so Seol, please take care of Maktan's end.” (Alex)
Alex, too, quickly made his move. Seol Ji-Hu wondered what that guy was doing, only to see him bend down to pick up the daggers the dead Moles had dropped. Meanwhile, Hugo was dragging the corpse of the Archer woman out of the wreckage of the wagon. Only then did the youth understand what was going on here.
They were looting the dead. Indeed, they were ‘stealing' the personal artifacts from the dead.
Maktan's body was lying in front of the broken wagon, with a needle stuck in his forehead, and his eyes still wide open. Seol Ji-Hu found it hard to reach out with his hands. Rather than him feeling disgusted or scared by the human corpse, he was simply feeling apologetic.
But, he was someone Seol met only yesterday. The youth didn't really harbour any particular feelings toward the dead man, neither bad nor good.
However, this man carried out his given role right until the end. He trusted the Earthlings riding on his wagon to do theirs, too. Seol was supposed to guard him, but in the end, he couldn't protect the man.
”Mm? What's the matter? Why are you hesitating?” (Hugo)
Hugo walked up to Seol with a beaming face.
”D*mn. That girl was loaded, man. She had so much stuff on her beside that longbow! Come, take a look!” (Hugo)
The big Warrior pushed forward a handful of mixed items. Seol Ji-Hu received them almost out of reflex and then ended up frowning a little. The bow and arrows were a given, but then, he saw not only the defensive equipment, but even a ladies' underwear among the loot.
Thinking There's no way, he turned his head to look, and sure enough, he saw the completely naked back of the Archer lying face down in dirt.
It was the same story for Maktan. Rigor mortis must've made moving the body difficult, yet Hugo was expertly stripping the dead driver's unmoving body.
”Hugo.” (Seol)
”Mm? Oh, it's you, Seol? What's up?” (Hugo)
”Is there a need to strip him off his clothes, and for that matter, his underwear, too?” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”Of course. Sure, they won't sell that high, but every cent counts.” (Hugo)
Hugo replied straightforwardly as if he didn't understand why anyone would ask this question.
”Still….” (Seol)
”Still this and still that. You worried that a dead body might catch a cold or something?” (Hugo)
Hugo laughed out at his own joke, before his expression calmed down. He spoke to Seol in a serious voice.
”Look, man. You gotta be decked out in proper armours and stuff if you wanna be acknowledged as a Warrior. And when your level rises up, you need to buy new equipment, but then, their price increases by so much that they actually physically hurt you, know what I mean? Money don't fall from trees, my man. We save up every cent like this until we can afford the stuff we need.” (Hugo)
Now that Seol heard this, this notion also made some sense. Still, some hesitation remained in his heart. Hugo cackled after sensing the youth's moods.
”There ain't n.o.body here to praise you for being a n.o.ble person, Seol. What do you think will happen if you leave the corpses untouched here? The stuff will either get damaged as the wild beasts snack on the bodies, or some other lucky sobs would stumble by and loot them, anyways.” (Hugo)
”……..”
”If you still feel guilty, then think this way. You sell this sh*t and get yourself a better weapon. And then, when you encounter Moles next time, kill every single motherf*cker you see. That is the best way to appease the souls of the departed. Okay?” (Hugo)
Hugo eventually located the money purse and grinned brightly. Among the mixture of copper and nickel coins, there was a single silver coin.
”Here, take.” (Hugo)
Hugo extracted the silver coin and, after taking a look to his side, gave the coin to Seol.
”This is….” (Seol)
It was Seol's coin, given to Maktan as the fee for his ride.
”Hey, man. Hurry up. His back is turned around right now.” (Hugo)
”But….” (Seol)
”It's fine. Fine, I say.” (Hugo)
Hugo pushed the silver coin down the youth's pocket. He then placed his index finger across his lips and went Shh, with a smile on his face.
”The thing is, I also got back the payment I gave that girl when we were fooling around, you see! Ehehe.” (Hugo)
Hugo giggled and also added that, by accepting this, Seol was an accomplice now, and that they'd keep it a secret from Alex before turning around to leave.
Seol Ji-Hu was about to follow after the big man, but he stopped. His expression became complicated after looking at the naked body of Maktan.
‘….This kind of world….' (Seol Ji-Hu)
The youth slowly reached down and pulled the needle out. Then he closed the dead man's eyes. He heard others calling out to him to hurry up. He increased his pace and caught up with them.
Today, he almost figured out a little bit of what this world, the Lost Paradise, was all about.
They eventually escaped from the forest, and continued to march onwards. Walking for the whole day was never going to be an enjoyable or fulfilling experience, though.
When the night descended, Seol Ji-Hu got to experience camping outside in the Paradise for the first time. Staying up as a guard during the night was also a first since he left the military, too.
Those were probably the reason why his entire body ached and his head felt like it weighed a ton when he woke up in the morning. He hadn't experienced such stiffness and pain ever since he left the first ranker's quarters in the Neutral Zone.
He told himself that this was something he had to get used to anyways, and continued on with the march without complaining once. Becoming friendly with Hugo along the way was an unexpected bonus. He could be a bit of hot-blooded guy, but when the youth got to know him better, he proved to be as outgoing and friendly as Alex was.
Hugo, too, looked favourably at the youth. He believed in the notion that Warriors had to be tough b*stards, and so, he found Seol to his liking as the youth never once complained even when the marching speed periodically picked up without a single explanation. Also, when the big guy got bored and began talking about some random c.r.a.p, the youth listened with great interest, which meant Hugo could only grow even more friendly towards Seol.
In this fas.h.i.+on, days went by, and as the fourth day on the road was coming to a close…
The trio left the rolling hills and came to face a plain that seemed to stretch forever. And at the distant end of the road leading to the city of Haramark, the dying glow of the sunset cast its amber hue on the stone walls, so small and far away in their view.
It was Haramark.
Just as Maktan said, the unlucky trio took four days to get to their destination.
Hugo raised both of his arms up high and shouted out in happiness.
”As soon as I arrive, I'm gonna go straight to ‘Eat, Drink And Enjoy'. Oh, right. What about you two?” (Hugo)
Hugo tipped an imaginary cup down his lips and asked his companions. Alex said that he'd like to take a break and refused right away.
”But, why?! Parting ways after sharing a gla.s.s or two is manly, don't you think?” (Hugo)
”You're a Warrior, so you may have abundant stamina, but I'm a Priest, you know? And besides, I gotta stop by at the temple and make the urgent report first.” (Alex)
”Eh? It's not like we were on an expedition, so why a report?” (Hugo)
”Come on now. Moles appeared in the vicinity of Haramark. This is something I need to alert the others as soon as possible.” (Alex)
”Ahh, I forgot. You're right.” (Hugo)
Hugo ma.s.saged his forehead and s.h.i.+fted his glance over to Seol.
”Seol, what about….” (Hugo)
”Hey, you said that this is your first time in Haramark, right?” (Alex)
Even before Hugo could finish his words, Alex b.u.t.ted in first.
”Uh, yes, it is.” (Seol)
”Of course, having a cold one isn't such a bad idea, but… the ‘Eat, Drink And Enjoy' is… Hmm. Yeah, it may not suit you, after all.” (Alex)
”What are you talking about?” (Seol)
”Oh, it's just a pub. A multi-purpose pub, if you will.” (Alex)
Alex added that he'd find out if he went there personally, before smiling awkwardly.
”In any case, if you wish to rest up well, then allow me to recommend you to an inn that I know. People go there to sleep for the night, so it'll be sufficiently quiet for you. It's a bit rundown, but it should be fine for your needs.” (Alex)
”Ah, thank you.” (Seol)
”No need to thank me. Well, let's get going.” (Alex)
”Che.”
Hugo pouted unhappily. Seol couldn't help but chuckle at the antics of the big man who acted like a spoiled little kid - inwardly, of course.
If there was a meeting, then there would also be a parting, too.