How a Black-Haired Barbarian Survived the Labyrinth in Another World-Chapter 144: Suddenly?

"Explorer's Guild Headquarters."

"..."

Hundreds of explorers couldn't even make a sound, their eyes fixed on Jeong Yu-shin and Astaroth.

It was hard to believe, even after seeing it.

That barbarian, Barbaroi, had spat at one of the members of the Labyrinth City Council.

It was beyond rude.

That barbarian was truly insane.

They had never seen such a madman before.

'He's completely lost his mind.'

Countless explorers shared the same thought.

Amid all this, Jeong Yu-shin’s face remained stiff.

'This is bad.'

He realized the consequences of his actions.

He should've just said something.

His anxiety had made him act before thinking.

The Labyrinth's madness had flared up once more.

But it was too late.

He had to face the consequences of his actions.

Now, in front of him, Astaroth’s face was flushed bright red. Her body trembled as well.

"...Sky, what is this?"

"...I’m sorry. I have madness."

"Aha!"

Astaroth let out a dry laugh.

Then,

She swung her fist.

Bam!!!

The punch landed, sending Jeong Yu-shin flying through the Guild's walls and out.

An unbelievable display of strength.

The power that came from such a small frame was unimaginable.

The explorers could only gape in shock.

'He’s probably dead.'

He had been sent flying through a wall—how could he survive that?

And considering the punch landed right on his stomach, his insides must've been torn apart.

"Sky!!!"

Karin rushed out.

Astaroth was even faster, darting outside the Guild building.

As Astaroth’s shadow-like figure vanished, Karin gritted her teeth and drew a dagger.

"Ugh!!!"

Jeong Yu-shin had rolled out of the broken wall, struggling to get back on his feet.

"Sky, you're insane."

Astaroth’s furious gaze bore down on him.

She was so angry that she couldn’t even wipe the spit from her face.

"..."

Jeong Yu-shin lowered his head.

Shit.

There was nothing left to say.

He had opened the coffin door and stepped inside—no words could make up for it.

Silently, he rose. Only the faint bluish glow of his aura flickered around him.

"You have nothing to say?"

"..."

"Hard to spare you."

Astaroth clenched her fist.

She had purposely reduced the power of her punch, expecting an excuse, but received nothing in return.

Jeong Yu-shin shut his eyes and reflected inwardly.

What was done was done.

There was no going back.

He would have to fight, no matter what.

The Sacred Weapon had two attribute enhancements left.

The possible traits were:

Wind Sword.

Half-Ogre Gauntlets.

He excluded the regular Sacred Weapon traits. Against such overwhelming strength, they would be useless.

"You're closing your eyes? Do you think I'm a joke?!!!"

Astaroth’s expression twisted with fury as she charged.

Boom!!!

The ground exploded beneath her feet, and in an instant, the new model of the weapon vanished.

Jeong Yu-shin closed his eyes, feeling the flow of air.

It was coming.

One.

Two.

'Now.'

He opened his eyes.

[Sacred Weapon]

Attribute enhancement.

Half-Ogre Gauntlets.

With a brilliant flash, he swung his fist.

Jeong Yu-shin’s fist collided with Astaroth’s.

Boom!!!

The sound of the collision echoed through the air.

Astaroth’s eyes widened.

With that much force, she was sure that the damn barbarian would have been left at death’s door.

'How is he holding up?'

Astaroth revised her evaluation of Jeong Yu-shin in her mind.

Still, the difference in skill and strength couldn’t be ignored, as Jeong Yu-shin’s punch was gradually pushed back.

The distance between them shrank, almost as if they were lovers.

Jeong Yu-shin suddenly spoke up, noticing the dimming ring flicker once again. His anxiety spiked.

"...Don’t fall for me."

The sudden outburst of nonsense caught Astaroth off guard.

"Huh?!"

Astaroth looked up at Jeong Yu-shin, her eyes wide.

The glowing blue eyes.

Strangely enough, seeing them up close made them even more beautiful.

Despite the pain coursing through her body, she didn’t even flinch. Instead, a sense of admiration grew in her heart, more than thinking he was a scoundrel. Not the typical explorer, was he?

Astaroth snapped back to reality and clenched her teeth.

Her heart raced faster than ever.

‘Could it be? No...’

The truth was, she had a secret mark.

The Succubus Female Corruption Mark.

If a woman were treated like an inferior being and looked down upon, this curse would corrupt her.

The only comfort was that it only activated when the person she felt attracted to showed interest.

The intense reaction came from this mark.

The conditions for the mark’s activation were strict.

First, she had to feel 'attraction' to the other person.

Second, the other person must see her as 'female.'

Third, the other person must look down on her and treat her like an inferior being.

Until now, her small and delicate frame had never made her look like a woman. Some weirdly marked guys had tried to make advances, but they were all weaklings.

Moreover, due to her status, everyone around her was terrified, so there was no reason to feel any attraction.

Because of that, she had kept her virginity for so long. She might have been too comfortable with that.

But looking into this man's eyes, she realized.

This man.

He sees her as ‘female.’

Strangely enough, the spit he spat seemed to affirm her femininity.

‘This is the first time I’ve felt like this.’

A faint, yet unmistakable attraction blossomed, as this man saw her as a female and treated her with disdain.

Such a new sensation.

‘Me?’

The realization hit her, and a shiver ran down her spine, weakening her legs.

‘No!’

Astaroth shook her head violently, denying the pounding in her chest.

The secret mark aside.

She had already been humiliated in front of so many people. If she backed down now, it would affect both her face and her position in the Labyrinth Committee, not to mention Lilith's prestige.

At the very least, she had to cripple him.

She made up her mind and raised another fist.

"Astaroth!!!"

A # Nоvеlight # Dark Elf rushed in, out of breath. Astaroth glanced at him.

"What is it?! I'm busy!"

"Ingrid has called for you. There’s a crisis at the Labyrinth entrance!"

"..."

Astaroth gritted her teeth and glared at Jeong Yu-shin.

She quickly cleared her mind and decided to delay her actions.

She was not in the mood to feel that sense of humiliation again.

"You're lucky. Follow me. If you run, you die."

"Yes."

Astaroth turned her back and sprinted toward the Labyrinth entrance.

In an instant, Astaroth vanished.

Jeong Yu-shin immediately dropped to his knees, coughing up blood.

"Ugh!!!"

After vomiting a handful of blood, Karin rushed to his side.

"Sky!!!"

"...Let’s go to the Labyrinth entrance."

Jeong Yu-shin ignored his dizzy stomach and ran toward the western zone.

After running until his feet were sore,

They arrived at the Labyrinth entrance much quicker than expected.

At the entrance, a large number of guards were gathered in a defensive formation.

The guard captain glanced at Jeong Yu-shin and waved his hand.

"Barbaroi and Karin, right? Pass through. Head toward the Labyrinth exit."

Jeong Yu-shin walked past the guards and headed toward the Labyrinth exit behind the tall black tower.

The magic circle at the exit of the Labyrinth was filled with writhing flesh.

Upon closer inspection, it was as if intestines were wriggling, emitting a stench and the scent of blood.

In front of the magic circle, Ingrid stood with her great sword embedded in the ground. Astaroth stood next to her, arms crossed, studying the magic circle intently.

Ingrid turned her head and saw Jeong Yu-shin and Karin.

Her gaze lingered on Jeong Yu-shin for a moment before quickly returning to calm.

Ingrid spoke as Jeong Yu-shin and Karin approached.

"...Sky, is that you? Karin too. Why are you two here?"

Astaroth interrupted.

"I called them."

"Why?"

"That bastard spat at my face."

Ingrid frowned.

Astaroth glared at Jeong Yu-shin with anger.

"So, how should I deal with this black-haired barbarian?"

Ingrid, who had been silent, looked down at Astaroth.

"...Astaroth."

"What? Do you have something to say? Don't worry. I won’t touch your daughter."

Ingrid shook her head.

"An explorer must bear the consequences of his actions alone. No exceptions, not even for my daughter. If he did something wrong, he must be punished."

Jeong Yu-shin stepped forward.

"Karin is innocent."

Ingrid sighed deeply.

"Ha. Spat at you? Sky, I know you didn’t do it without reason. There must have been a valid cause."

‘Though it was rather vile.’

The last part she murmured only in her mind.

It was not something to say in front of her daughter and Astaroth.

"..."

Jeong Yu-shin remained silent.

"Astaroth, reconsider."

Astaroth’s expression stiffened at Ingrid's words.

"Me? Why?"

"Sky once fought with Hans, who had turned into a monster at the Labyrinth exit, and risked his life to protect the Labyrinth. That’s no small feat. And he didn’t ask for any reward. If you, as a committee member of the Labyrinth City, understand the significance of this man’s dedication, you should be aware of it."

Astaroth looked at Jeong Yu-shin with wide eyes.

"Did he really not ask for anything?"

"..."

Jeong Yu-shin scratched his head silently.

Ingrid looked at him with a soft gaze.

"Yes. You know how many explorers turn away from jobs that don’t pay well? In that sense, Sky deserves some credit in the Labyrinth Committee."

"...I heard. It was an urgent situation, but that sympathetic fool was this barbarian? But he spat at my face in front of countless explorers! I can’t just let that slide, you know?"

"If you want something, speak up."

"Sigh. I can’t think of anything right now. My head is spinning."

"Think it through. Sky, Karin, come to my room."

"Yes."

As Sky and Karin followed Ingrid, Astaroth trailed behind.

"Astaroth, you don’t need to come."

"It seems like it's all over now, and we have to talk anyway, right?"

Ingrid sighed deeply.

"Ha. You’re right. Follow me."

Ingrid led the group into a quiet building behind the rescue center.

They sat around a table inside, waiting as Ingrid’s subordinates brought in tea.

Ingrid gestured.

"Sky, why are you sitting so far away? Come sit."

"There’s a difficult reason to explain."

Ingrid tilted her head and spoke.

"...Is that so? Let’s talk business first."

Astaroth looked curious, but kept quiet. Business always came first.

No matter what, the protection of the Labyrinth City was the most important thing.

In fact, Astaroth cared more about the Labyrinth City than the other Labyrinth committee members.

Most people marked by monsters were ostracized by those from the outside world.

With no place to stay, the Labyrinth City had become Astaroth's home.

Ingrid took a sip of her tea.

"One of the mid-level explorers in the Labyrinth received the monster mark. He was eaten by the demonic forces, so I had to dispose of him."

Astaroth crossed her arms.

"That’s a common occurrence, right? Why the fuss?"

"Before that explorer was eaten by the demon, he said that the Eldritch Wave had spread through the forest area’s level. This is not a normal phenomenon. Something is rising from the Abyss."

Astaroth’s face stiffened.

"Really?"

Sky’s earlier rude behavior vanished from her mind in an instant.

"In that case, Sky."

Ingrid’s serious gaze made Jeong Yu-shin straighten up.

"Yes. Speak."

"Be careful."

"...Yes?"

"The Eldritch Wave has already flooded the forest area. The deed has been done, so there’s no need to run to the danger. But the other areas are unknown. Pay special attention. And report any suspicious findings."

Jeong Yu-shin nodded.

"Understood. Should I report directly to Ingrid?"

Ingrid shook her head.

"By the time you exit the Labyrinth, Astaroth will be guarding the entrance. Report to her."

"Yes."

Ingrid looked around.

"The conversation is over. Everyone go. Sky, stay behind."

Astaroth frowned.

"Why does only this guy need to stay?"

"It’s personal. Mind your own business."

"Tch!"

Astaroth glared at Jeong Yu-shin before sighing deeply.

Her frustration had reached its peak, yet strangely, he didn’t seem entirely hateful.

Even though he had spat at her face.

"Ha. Sky, I’ll spare your life because you fought for the Labyrinth City without regard for your own. But don’t think I’ll let this slide."

"..."

"Later, we’ll have a meeting. You’ll explain why you spat at me. Tsk! I’ve become so nice. In the old days, I would’ve—"

Astaroth raised a small fist and then dropped it.

Jeong Yu-shin bowed his head.

"Yes. Thank you."

Is she giving me a reprieve?

I thought she might have a surprisingly gentle side. Her chest might be small, but she had the heart of a broad-minded woman.

I corrected my thoughts.

I shouldn’t discriminate based on someone's chest.

‘No. This is not the time.’

I needed to rush to the magic tool shop right away to replace the magic stones.

"Karin, you go too."

Karin frowned.

"Mom."

"It’s personal. You can’t be involved."

"Yes."

Karin stood up.

"I’ll wait at the inn. Hurry up."

"Okay."

Astaroth and Karin left the room, leaving only Jeong Yu-shin and Ingrid behind.

Ingrid tapped her teacup with her finger.

"Sky."

"Yes."

"I'm leaving now."

"I see."

"Take good care of my daughter."

"Karin is strong. You needn’t worry."

"..."

Silence passed between them.

Jeong Yu-shin watched Ingrid closely.

Ingrid’s eyes had become moist. She gazed at him as if desperately wishing for something. Her body trembled slightly.

"Is there something you wish to say?"

"Well... I have a request."

"What is it?"

Ingrid's face turned slightly red. After a brief hesitation, she finally spoke.

"...Could you give me the same massage you gave Lin?"

Jeong Yu-shin’s eyes widened.

"Excuse me?!"

Suddenly?