"Hey, snap out of it," Carzakh called out.
" Ugh. " I shook my head quickly. I had almost slipped back into my old ways—back into the role of the scoundrel Luan Badniker.
"There is more to check than the money, so take a look," he pointed out.
Now that he mentioned it, there was another chest in the room besides the leather sack. As Carzakh suggested, I approached it and cracked the lid.
"This is..." Inside was a silver-white suit of armor that exuded an unusual aura.
"This armor is made from the Sapphire Snake's finest hide," he explained. "Impressive, right?"
I hummed in response.
Carzakh noticed my unimpressed expression and tilted his head. "What's with that face?"
"I don't think it suits me," I replied, brushing my fingers across its surface.
It was cold, almost as if I were touching ice. Beyond its defensive properties, this armor exuded an extraordinary chill. It was the wrong fit for someone like me, who practiced extreme Yang martial arts.
"Can I just sell it?" I asked.
"It's a shame, considering it's something money alone can't buy. But it's yours. Do with it as you like," Carzakh replied.
Then he reached deeper into the chest and pulled something else out. "If the armor's not your style, how about this?"
"What is it?"
"A belt."
A snakeskin belt... I eyed it with disinterest. "I don't think it is my cup of tea—"
"Forget the design. Focus on the function. It'll be useful to carry around," Carzakh interjected.
"Such as?" I asked, intrigued.
"It's naturally imbued with cold, so it'll keep you cool in the summer," he replied.
"That's more practical than I expected."
"And it's sturdy. Strong enough to use as a whip in a pinch," Carzakh added, giving it a swing.
The belt cracked sharply, scattering ice where it struck.
"See? Pretty slick, huh?" he praised.
"It looked like it just extended," I noted.
"That's one of its features," he confirmed.
I hummed. A whip, huh?
I already had the Seven Sins Sword, but this wouldn't be a bad backup. I could catch opponents off guard depending on how I used it. And frankly, the thought of striking someone with it seemed incredibly satisfying.
"I like it," I said.
"I'm glad." Carzakh nodded, then cleared his throat awkwardly. "Sir Kayan? Could you give us the room for a moment?"
"Of course." Kayan bowed slightly and stepped out as if it had all been arranged in advance.
Now it was just me and Carzakh in the room.
He looked at me like he'd made up his mind to say something, but I cut in first, "It's fine."
"I haven't said anything yet."
"You were going to apologize, weren't you?"
Carzakh scratched his head, then fell silent. Finally, he said, "Yeah. I almost ruined everything with my stupidity."
"That's true," I said half-jokingly, but he didn't react. The sulky look on his face didn't suit him, and it left me feeling a little deflated. "I know you're sorry, but you don't need to keep brooding over it."
"Because it all worked out in the end?"
"It isn't about that. You saved me in the mountains, Senior," I replied.
"But, that—"
"I don't care if it was the most reasonable choice at the time," I interrupted him. "That's all it was. Let's just say the life debt I owed you back then has been repaid."
"That's enough for you?" he asked.
"A life debt can only be repaid with a life debt," I said flatly.
Carzakh's voice was full of surprise. "How interesting. That's an old saying from the southern mercenaries."
Right. Carzakh had been a mercenary in the past. From the way he spoke, he had probably spent his early years in the South before becoming a Great Master.
Why hide it? Before being dragged to Spirit Mountain, I'd spent most of my time in that same cesspool.
Carzakh sighed. "I get it for now. But if you ever need my help, don't hesitate to ask."
"Anything?"
"Yes. Anything."
He was a light-hearted guy, but he wasn't joking about this.
I nodded. "By the way, that reminds me. What happened to my Ring Sword?"
"I'm sorry. I broke it."
"Reimburse me," I demanded.
Carzakh burst out laughing, waved his hand dismissively, and turned away.
I stared at his retreating back and said, "I want to talk about Instructor Juan."
Carzakh stopped in his tracks.
"He might not have been unhinged from the start," I said.
"Why do you think that?"
"I heard what the demon king said."
I recited exactly what the Green-Tongued Demon King, Tantata, had said.
"Yes...! The human from earlier... He said he had someone he loved..."
"W-when I asked for her heart, the human cried out, 'I-I can give you anything else...' W-well, he couldn't do that. T-the look on his face when he loses something so valuable... isn't that the most interesting part...?"
I felt no sympathy for Juan. Frankly, I thought his death at the hands of a demon king was self-inflicted. But personal feelings aside, I felt that Carzakh deserved to know the truth.
He didn't look back, but his head dipped slightly. "Is that so?"
I'd said what needed to be said. The rest was up to him.
His voice reached me just before he stepped out. "Thank you, Luan Badniker."
It sounded a little strained, but I pretended not to notice.
***
The next morning, I woke to a refreshing start for the first time in a long while.
"This is nice," I muttered.
After sleeping in the cramped, uncomfortable quarters of the hero disciples' building and the chilly, harsh outdoors, I had finally rested properly in a real bed.
Feeling rejuvenated, I left my room, stretching and cracking my neck.
A maid I had never seen before bowed to me. "Ah, Young Master Luan. You're awake."
"Yeah."
The Small Iron Hall was abuzz with activity. Perhaps everyone had already gone to bed when I arrived last night.
I glanced around to see maids and servants cleaning the hallways, wiping window frames, and watering the potted plants.
"You got up, Young Master Luan!"
"Good morning."
"Let me know if you need anything."
Whenever I passed by, the servants paused to bow respectfully. The maids greeted me with similar gestures, their attitudes a stark contrast to how they had treated me when I first arrived at the main house. It felt like a different world altogether.
Maybe I don't need to go all the way to the main house for breakfast , I thought and headed to the dining room on the first floor.
The food hadn't been served yet, but a pleasant aroma lingered in the air.
An elderly man approached and bowed. "You're awake, Young Master Luan. The meal will be served shortly. If there's anything you don't care for, please let me know in advance."
"I'll eat anything as long as it's delicious."
"Understood."
I sat down at the table and waited for the meal. As I did, Kayan entered.
"Good morning," I greeted him.
"You're awake, Master Luan," Kayan replied with a respectful nod. "Would you like some tea before the meal? We have ginger tea, which is good for hangovers."
I nodded. "Sounds great."
Kayan smiled warmly and started to prepare the tea.
Did he enjoy the tea ceremony? Watching the sturdy old man at work, I realized this was the first time he truly looked his age.
"Here you are"
"Thank you." I inhaled the aroma before taking a sip. "I'm sorry. I'm sure it's fine tea, but I'm no good with fancy words to express it."
"That, in itself, is a compliment," he said.
Soon, the elderly man served the meal, and I ate it with a relaxed mind.
After the meal. Kayan asked, "What are your plans now, Master Luan?"
"I think I'll head to the academy," I said, sipping my post-meal tea.
"Is that so? Then your break won't be a long one."
"How come?"
"The carriage to the capital leaves in a week," he answered. "If you want to start in time for the special curriculum, you'll need to be on it."
"One week... That's just right." I nodded before asking, "Do you know which of the hero disciples are going?"
"Hard to say. Applications are open until the last minute, so changes are inevitable. I do know the maximum number is ten," Kayan said.
Ten people, huh? Will all ten spots even be filled? I wondered.
"What if there are more applicants?"
"Selections will be based on the results from the training camp," Kayan answered.
It was a classic Badniker solution.
Now that I'd eaten my fill, it was time to head outside and warm up.
I stood up and asked, "What about the other hero disciples?"
"More than half left this morning," Kayan answered. "The ones who remain will either join the Hero Society through the Badnikers or head to the academy."
"They're staying in the guest rooms on the first floor, right?"
"That's correct."
Maybe I'll take a peek to see what they are up to. I am curious how many of them are actually heading to the academy.
I left the Small Iron Hall with Kayan.
The sun felt warm, but the wind still carried the chill of late winter. I strolled through the bare garden of the Badnikers, wishing I could see the flowers that had just begun to bloom. By the time spring came, I'd be at the academy.
At that moment, a loud cry reached my ears. I saw two familiar figures standing in the training ground beyond the garden—Charon and Hector.
"Are they sparring?"
"Seems like it."
"Great." There was nothing in the world more entertaining than watching a fight.
Charon was wielding two daggers while Hector's weapon was naturally a sword.
At first glance, Hector seemed to have the upper hand. This wasn't unexpected. I'd realized as much back when we fought in the cave. Hector was superior in one-on-one combat.
The spar didn't last long.
Charon was on the back foot the entire time. Eventually, Hector caught him off guard, forcing him to drop a dagger.
Hector didn't miss the chance and subdued him instantly.
Charon gritted his teeth and released his last dagger, effectively admitting defeat.
"Good match," Hector said bluntly.
Cheers erupted from the onlookers. Charles' voice rose above the rest, and just as Hector wiped the sweat from his brow with a pleased smile, she let out a jubilant cry.
Damn ladies' man, I grumbled inwardly.
Charon left the training ground without retrieving his daggers. Coincidentally, he walked in my direction. Upon seeing me, he staggered and shuddered. "You—"
"Good morning," I greeted.
When I didn't get an answer, I raised my fist and repeated, "Good morning."
"G-good morning."
He didn't even know how to greet someone in the morning? I wasn't so much offended as puzzled. At times, he seemed even more socially inept than Mir.
"I watched the spar," I told him. "You lost pretty badly."
He didn't answer.
"You're upset, aren't you?" I continued. "Before the training camp, you were definitely stronger than Hector."
Charon glared at me.
I chuckled at the look. Maybe I was more like my master than I thought.
I preferred someone whose eyes remained sharp until the very end, rather than one who bowed down after just a few hits.
Finally, Charon spoke. "Fighting people isn't my specialty. Hunting is."
"Sure it is," I said, unimpressed. "But his hunting skills are going to catch up soon."
"What did you say?"
I didn't answer. I just jerked my chin, signaling him to let me pass.
Charon clenched his fists, then brushed past me.
If he's well-polished, he could be useful, I mused.
Charon was a man full of mysteries, but I had more pressing matters to address right now.
The underground library, I reminded myself. Once I leave the main house, who knows when I'll return?
I had one week to find it before leaving for the academy.
***
Even if only temporarily, holding the position of deputy head of the family had its advantages. I could roam the vast estate as though it were my own home, and no one could stop me.
"Well, It is my house," I mumbled.
During my free time, I'd often chat or share meals with the hero disciples staying in the main house. This gave me a good sense of who was heading to the academy.
Naturally, I spent the rest of my time searching for the underground library. I didn't limit myself to just the main house but also explored the attached buildings, the living quarters, and even the storage warehouses.
Despite scouring every building, I still couldn't find the entrance to the underground library. There was a basement in the servant's quarters, but it was just filled with storage rooms.
By the third day, I concluded, "I won't find it by wandering around on my own."
It was time to start asking around.
The first person I approached was the head maid. She had alluded to something before the training camp when I was first trying to locate the underground library.
"I don't know its exact location, but I can confirm it exists," she said with her usual blank expression, as if she'd been expecting me. "Young Master Luan, just because it's an underground library doesn't mean it has to be accessed through a building."
"Ah—" A spark went off in my head.
From that moment on, I broadened my search, venturing beyond the buildings and into the entire family grounds.
Perhaps the passage was hidden somewhere in the Butterfly Forest, but if that were the case, I might as well give up. After all, how vast was that forest?
Still, I had a nagging feeling that the passage wasn't in the forest but somewhere else on the estate.
Two days later, I finally found it. It was behind the off-limits backyard, an area that led directly to the forest without any fences.
Coincidentally, it was near the cabin where I had met the Iron-Blooded Lord last time.
There was a well at the back of the cabin, but the water source had dried up long ago, and it had been left in neglect. In other words, this well was an entrance that allowed passage in and out of the underground.
Though the weather had improved, I still felt a cold draft rising from below.
Hmm. Looks like I've got no choice but to go down myself. I rubbed the back of my neck before leaping into the well.
The well was narrow, but once at the bottom, I found ample space. A rough dirt path stretched out before me, wide enough for two or three people to walk side by side. It was clear this wasn't a natural path.
It seems like this path hasn't been maintained in a while, I thought.
I proceeded cautiously, staying alert for whatever came my way.
Before long, I reached a fork in the path, where a sign stood at the center. What was written on it was bizarre.
1. Among the following, select the correct. Which is the divine beast of the Badnikers? (1 point)
① Lion ② Wolf ③ Deer ④ Owl
※Caution※ An incorrect answer results in the loss of one finger.
What the hell was this?