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Chapter 52

Chapter 52: The Judge with the Longsword (5)

‘Ugh.’

Detecting a sinister glint in Judge Shin Youngju’s eyes, Yeongwoo instinctively stopped himself from reaching for the hilt of his longsword, realizing his hand was already near the scabbard.

However, the awkward silence settled in as Judge Shin Youngju had clearly observed his movement.

“……”

“Ah, did I stare too openly? I’m sorry if it made you uncomfortable. There are so many unfamiliar gadgets here.”

Quickly shifting the atmosphere, Judge Shin Youngju offered a clumsy line, then redirected the conversation, looking towards the SUV of the Jeong family.

“You came to find their family in Chungju, right? So, Yeongwoo, are you planning to stay here until then?”

“Oh, that…”

Yeongwoo’s gaze momentarily touched his wristwatch and then shifted to the timer at the top of his field of vision.

Current time: 4:10 PM.

|Time until advertiser’s arrival: 03:56:31

‘Time is running out. The lodging will start again from 9 PM.’

Since the population check in Chungju was scheduled for 7 PM, to observe the Jeong family’s reunion, he had no choice but to stay here for the night without a break.

Of course, as long as order was maintained in Chungju, a peaceful night was guaranteed.

‘The problem is those advertisers. They might be extraterrestrial monsters for all we know.’

Yeongwoo didn’t want to involve Chungju in the ominous event of the advertisers’ visit.

Regardless of the advertisers’ personalities and tendencies, their appearance alone would undoubtedly cause significant chaos in Chungju.

Moreover, he was uneasy about Shin Youngju subtly coveting the equipment he had.

Considering the responsibilities she held, it was natural for her to have a strong desire for power.

So, in the end, Yeongwoo chose to continue heading north as originally planned.

“No, I plan to move right away. I want to reach the next city before the lodging starts.”

“…I see. Too bad. I had quite a few things I wanted to ask you, Yeongwoo, as it seemed you have more worldly experience than me.”

Shin Youngju’s mention of ‘worldly experience’ probably referred to the world after the reset.

In reality, Yeongwoo, who had traversed various regions, had much higher experience points than her, who had been confined to Chungju.

“If I had the leisure, I would have learned a lot from Judge-nim. Still, we’ll probably meet again someday.”

As Yeongwoo tried to leave with these words, Shin Youngju pulled out the early bird she had stuck into the ground, asking before him.

“Do you have other business? I thought you came here to meet a merchant, seeing you have so many pieces of equipment.”

“Ah… I did think about it.”

Since the other party brought up the merchant topic first, Yeongwoo, somewhat flustered, looked towards the dark pillar inside the city.

“Would it be okay with you? If you allow, I would like to meet the merchant.”

“Of course. I’ve bought everything that can be bought, and it will disappear tonight anyway.”

It was the first time Yeongwoo learned that even the merchant had a limited stay.

After a moment of thought, Yeongwoo nodded towards Shin Youngju.

“Then, I’ll ask for your permission.”

“Okay. But there’s one condition.”

“Condition…?”

* * *

4:31 PM.

Finally passing through the tollgate and entering Chungju City, Jeong’s family’s SUV was still full.

This time, instead of the police, Chungju’s Judge, Shin Youngju, was in the back seat, as her condition for Yeongwoo to accompany her until the merchant’s deal was done.

Yeongwoo had no reason to refuse Judge Shin Youngju’s condition, as he anticipated being under the surveillance of Chungju’s Strongest Sword during his stay in Chungju.

In fact, it was somewhat surprising for the Jeong family, as they were in a position where they had to make Chungju their base for their lives, unlike Yeongwoo.

And finally, Jongsu said.

“Um… If things go this way, do I no longer need to stay with Myeongho? We’ve already achieved a peaceful coexistence here, haven’t we?”

He was contemplating using this situation to break free from the agreement with Yeongwoo.

“Isn’t that right, big brother? If you’re going to stay here for a long time, you don’t really need a bodyguard, do you?”

When Jongsu asked casually, Myeongho nodded his head somewhat flustered.

However, this was partly sincere.

Before Chungju’s safety, Jongsu himself was burdensome.

With his large build, excessive toughness, and an intimidating presence that felt more like a gangster than just a younger brother…

There was nothing easy about him.

“Indeed, right? Yeongwoo, what do you think?”

Confirming that Myeongho’s head moved up and down, Jongsu then looked at Yeongwoo.

However, the fierce gaze he had when looking at Myeongho was nowhere to be found.

No, instead of fierceness, there was even something close to awe in his eyes.

“Um…”

Of course, even in Yeongwoo’s eyes, there was no way Myeongho could handle Jongsu.

But that didn’t mean Yeongwoo would easily abandon the agreement with Jongsu like this.

Moreover, his statement about not making someone a burden was also genuine.

“If you two have reached an agreement, it doesn’t matter how you decide. However, that doesn’t mean I’ll take in Mr. Jongsu. Having a companion imposes many restrictions when moving.”

When Yeongwoo said this decisively, Jongsu’s expression sank with disappointment.

In the meantime, a rectangular, robust building appeared on the other side of the car window.

It was none other than Chungju City Hall.

“There’s City Hall Square. If your husband is still in Chungju, he probably set up near here.”

Shin Youngju pointed to the spacious square in front of the city hall and explained.

Myeongae gazed at City Hall Square with a complicated expression.

Even though it wasn’t the meeting time yet, there were quite a few people in the square.

Unlike those in the open field at the entrance of Chungju, most of the people here were sitting or lying on the ground.

“Oh, are they waiting for monsters here too?”

Jongsu muttered, looking at the crowd gathered in the square.

At this, Shin Youngju shook her head.

“No. Most of the people gathered here are just killing time. From my perspective, it’s a ticking time bomb.”

“A time bomb?”

Myeongae asked, raising her eyebrows.

It was because she was wondering if there might be her husband among the crowd, scanning through the crowd with her eyes.

“Yes. Most Chungju citizens are trying to earn more Karma in any way possible at this time. Whether risking their lives to find monsters, challenging daily quests, or even picking up useful items, they do anything.”

Every day at 7 PM, a temporary market opens along with the gathering time.

Shin Youngju explained that even petrified items could be traded.

“Then the people there now…”

Pointing to the crowd in the square, Myeongae asked, and Shin Youngju’s expression coldly changed.

“They are people who are not implementing even minimal safety measures. When their money runs out, they have no choice but to die. Will they accept it willingly? Those people wouldn’t be strange if they turned into robbers at any moment.”

Of course, there were some people performing daily quests, but that alone was not enough, Shin Youngju added.

It was not a big problem for now, but only solving daily quests wouldn’t address issues beyond room and board, taxes, and fees.

For example, the problem of food.

“It’s been almost two days since the reset started. In other words, most people have been starving for two days already.”

“So how is Chungju managing food? Aren’t there food supplies in places like supermarkets or department stores?”

This question was thrown by Yeongwoo, likely due to witnessing people fighting in front of a mart in Gumi earlier.

In response, Shin Youngju’s gaze lifted to the sky.

“There’s nothing to manage. Everything, including marts and whatnot, was looted during the chaos of the First Strongest Sword era.”

“…Ah.”

As Yeongwoo sighed, Shin Youngju gave a wry smile.

“However, even if you have food, you can’t eat it without Karma. In the end, you have to bring it out through the market.”

“But even petrified food can be traded with Karma, so those who looted during the First Strongest Sword era would have benefited the most, right?”

At Yeongwoo’s remark, Shin Youngju squinted her eyes.

“I don’t want to admit it, but that’s the truth. It’s a realistic limitation. However, even if we forcibly collect all the food owned by individuals, it would cause even greater chaos. Perfect collection is impossible from the start.”

Anyway, it was a flaw that Shin Youngju couldn’t deny.

And in reality, she wanted to talk about something else.

“Well, shall we end this conversation here? Since we’ve arrived at the square, if you’re okay with it, let’s go see the merchant right away.”

With these words, Shin Youngju opened the back seat door, and the bustling sounds of the square rushed into the vehicle.

“Are we really parting ways like this? I feel a bit unfair…”

Turning around with a voice that seemed to express awkwardness, Jongsu looked back.

In the meantime, Yeongwoo followed Shin Youngju out of the car.

As they did, Myeongho quickly got out of the car and bowed towards Yeongwoo.

“Th-thank you for everything.”

“Is there something to be thankful for? It hasn’t been all good, and I’m also indebted to Mr. Myeongho and your mother.”

“…”

“By the way, would it be okay if Mr. Jongsu is not with you anymore? He seems like someone who would go his own way sooner or later.”

Yeongwoo glanced at Jongsu, who was just getting out of the car, and said so.

Myeongho, in turn, awkwardly smiled.

“I think it’ll be okay here. Besides, Mr. Jongsu is ultimately a stranger after all. It was a relationship that couldn’t last long anyway.”

Then, Myeongho’s gaze shifted inside the vehicle.

Seeing Yeongwoo turning his eyes in that direction, on the back seat, Myeongae bid farewell silently.

“…”

“Mother, take care. Thank you for your help.”

This was probably the last conversation shared with the Jeong family.

Yeongwoo greeted Myeongae politely and then hurriedly followed behind Shin Youngju, who was already a few steps ahead, heading towards the direction of the black pillar of light.

* * *

4:52 PM.

Not long after leaving City Hall Square, Yeongwoo sensed something strange.

Thump, thump!

Shin Youngju, who was running ahead, didn’t match the pace on this side and was moving at her own pace.

Of course, now there were no other companions, and there were only two people with the status of the Strongest Sword, so it made sense for them to move at high speed. But still…

‘No matter what, as an outsider and formally a guest, is it okay to run ahead so recklessly?’

So, in Yeongwoo’s thoughts, this couldn’t be seen as anything else.

‘Could she be trying to gauge my abilities?’

Given the situation, that seemed to be the only interpretation.

And if that were the case, Yeongwoo was making it clear that his abilities were significantly lower than those of a Strongest Sword.

If Shin Youngju increased her speed a bit, he would easily fall behind.

“Is it too fast? We’re almost there… Shall we slow down a bit from now on?”

Shin Youngju, looking back for a moment with a worried tone, asked.

In response, Yeongwoo forced a smile and looked at the black pillar of light that had already come a few steps closer.

“No, it’s okay. We’re almost there now.”

As he looked around, he felt that there were no people near them, unlike the surroundings near City Hall.

Perhaps the area near the merchant was a kind of restricted zone where even people trying to catch monsters couldn’t approach?

‘Well, merchants only sell products on a first-come, first-served basis… It wouldn’t be surprising if a restraining order was issued with the authority of the Strongest Sword.’

So why did Shin Youngju readily allow a foreigner to do business with the merchant?

Suuu… … .

Shin Youngju had stopped a little way ahead.

When Yeongwoo caught up with her, he couldn’t help but notice the unique discomfort in the air.

Shoo…

Finally, the feeling of discomfort specific to the merchant spread through the air, and the view that had been hidden by large and small buildings suddenly opened up.

They had finally arrived at the intersection where the merchant had settled.

And at the right moment, Shin Youngju, who had been running ahead, stood firmly in place.

Tap!

Then, she raised her hand and pointed towards the pillar of light in front.

“I hope there are some useful items left.”