Chapter 8: I Was Fooled

A group blocked my path, and a sly smile appeared on the lips of the thieves.

Am I getting scammed today…? It’s not easy to fight even one of them, and now five of them have surrounded me.

One of them, who looked like the thieves’ boss, spoke.

“Chuhuhu… I told you to stop.”

My vision went dark. But wait? One of them has a familiar face…

“Hey, Pizza. It’s me. Long time no see.”

“You’re… Olive?”

He looked a bit worse for wear, but there was Olive, who had left the communal living district two years ago.

“Boss, that guy is the idiot Pizza I mentioned before.”

He must have tried to say “idiot” in a lower voice out of consideration… but I heard it all.

I thought about objecting, but I clammed up.

After all, even though we ate together until two years ago, our situations are different now.

“Thieves and customers, you know…”

“Wahaha! So you’re the one he said was the most useless. The infamous guy from the communal living district I’d only heard about in rumors! Nice to meet you. I’m Edward.”

“Uh… Sorry, but I really don’t have anything.”

I remembered I had 9 silver and that line, “One hit for 10 won,” popped into my head, but this is just bluffing.

“Of course. Someone who just came out of the communal living district couldn’t possibly have money…”

‘Is Olive protecting me?’

“We’re the famous Red Beard Band.”

Edward said it, but it was the first time I’d heard of such a group…

But I should pretend I know, right?

“The Red Beard Band?”

I asked, acting as surprised as possible.

“Wahaha. So you’ve heard of our reputation too.”

Edward laughed heartily.

“There might be some misunderstanding, but we’re not thieves…”

Sensing my fear, Olive added an explanation.

“Well… Some people call us thieves, but… We’re more like mercenaries.

We’re a band led by Wilhelm, the legendary Red Beard Mercenary leader… no, the captain.”

‘If you’re mercenaries, just call yourselves mercenaries. What’s with “like” mercenaries? Are they struggling with their own identity?’

It was definitely a strange group. But from what I heard, it didn’t seem like they’d harm me right away.

That was good enough.

“Actually, we’re here to protect you.”

“You’re protecting me?”

I asked back at Olive’s words.

“Why would you protect me?”

Edward grinned and pointed to the forest up ahead.

“The nickname of this forest ahead is Dark Forest. It’s covered in giant trees, and sunlight barely gets through. In forests like this, wild animals like wolves and deer show up… Don’t be surprised. Monsters even appear here. The terrifying Kobold!”

“Kobold!”

“Hm… In my experience, Kobolds are weak monsters that show up in the early 800s… Were Kobolds really that terrifying?”

“It’s truly a dangerous forest…”

“Exactly. That’s why we’re armed and guard travelers passing through the forest. Of course, not for free—we take a protection fee.”

Turns out the Red Beard Band set up camp in front of the dangerous forest, escorting passersby and charging a fee.

Hmm… As long as it’s not forced, it’s not really bad.

They protect travelers from the forest monsters and receive a fair payment.

I felt I needed an escort myself.

“Normally, we’d just offer the escort deal to other customers. But Pizza, I want to make you another offer.”

“An offer?”

Olive spoke.

“Pizza. Become one of us…”

“Huh?”

“We want to scout you.”

“Scout me?”

“You’ve only ever lived in the communal district, so you don’t know, but working to earn a living is tough.”

I know. How could I not, when I was an orphan even on Earth…

“Some people even die because they can’t feed themselves… Before I joined the Red Beard Band a year ago, I had a rough time too. This is the Second Division’s Captain Edward, and I’m Olive from the Second Division action squad. Why not come with us?”

Aces, what’s going on…

“Wahaha! If you’re with us, at least you won’t starve. Some call us the Red Beard Band of Thieves. That means it’s a great workplace.”

“But why are you scouting me? I’m the one you called an idiot.”

“Because we’re righteous people. We can’t just let you die in the streets…”

They’re scouting me because they can’t let me die in the gutter…?

This group is weird in the weirdest way.

“So, how many people are in the Red Beard Band?”

“Us? We’re scattered at different branches, but if we all gather, I’d say about 200.”

Edward’s words piqued my interest. Using the Red Beard Band, maybe I could start some kind of business.

If not for the errand Frana Bella gave me, joining them might’ve been a good choice.

“I appreciate the offer, but I have something I need to do, so it’ll be hard to go with you. But I’ll make sure to visit later.”

I politely refused.

“Hey, Pizza. It’s really hard to find a job if you go to the city. This is a big chance. Think carefully.”

“Wahaha, it’s fine, it’s fine. If you ever change your mind, come back here. Even if I’m not around, just tell them you know Edward, and they’ll take you in.”

Edward waved his axe coolly. He looked like he was sure I’d come back.

So, we were about to part on good terms.

“Wait…”

Edward suddenly called out to me. Why suddenly?

“What did I say earlier? That forest is dangerous. You should go around or take a detour.”

“But I have to go through that forest.”

The only way to reach Wind Heaven tonight is to go through that forest.

There’s no other choice. I’m a bit scared about the monsters, but…

“Hmm…”

Edward fell silent, thinking.

“How much do you have in your pouch?”

Truthfully, I have 9 silver. But if they know I have money, who knows how they’ll change.

***

“Eh? 1 silver (100,000 won) for two hours of escort?”

About 100,000 won for two hours of escort. That’s expensive.

But if five people are moving together, maybe it’s not so bad…

“That’s too much, isn’t it? How about 50 copper (50,000 won)?”

“Eh?”

“Tsk… It’s better than hauling away a corpse. You have at least 10 copper (10,000 won), right?”

“Yeah.”

Ten thousand won, that’s worth it.

I bargained just in case they wouldn’t escort me. Not a bad deal.

“Pay in advance…”

I handed over 1 silver. Edward looked at me incredulously.

“…I don’t have any change.”

It takes about two hours to walk through the Dark Forest. I entered the forest with the Red Beard Band.

***

A dark figure was watching William and the Red Beard Band as they entered the Dark Forest.

Ssssh!

After confirming they’d entered the woods, the shadowy figure soon melted away into the darkness.

Neither William nor the Red Beard Band noticed his presence.

***

“Everyone, get ready for battle.”

At Edward’s command, the Red Beard Band put on serious expressions and gripped their axes.

The five Red Beard Band members and I watched the rustling woods with tense eyes.

Startled by Edward’s voice, a squirrel scurried up a tree.

That was the greatest danger I encountered in the Dark Forest.

‘What the… I was tricked. Dark Forest my foot…’

The forest, once inside, was actually peaceful. Contrary to the ominous name “Dark Forest,” the sunlight filtering through the leaves was warm and pleasant.

In two hours, the only animal I’d seen was that squirrel.

“Is this really a dangerous forest?”

I glared at Edward. After walking a bit more, we emerged from the woods.

‘That was a nice phytoncide forest bath.’

As we left the woods, the village entrance appeared in the distance.

“Haha… You made it through the Dark Forest. Thanks to our escort, nothing happened to you today. Well, we’ll be off now.”

It was a little embarrassing that nothing happened, but since they did escort me, I thanked them.

After emphasizing again how dangerous the forest was, Edward and Olive said their goodbyes, and I parted ways with the Red Beard Band.

Suddenly, after parting ways with them, I remembered.

“Oh, right!”

Olive, I changed my name from Pizza to William Steven…

I forgot to tell him I changed my name.

***

“Huff huff… I finally arrived.”

Upon reaching Wind Heaven, I found a statue of a warrior with a sword at the entrance.

Wind Heaven village was one of the fiercest battlefields against the Demon race, and it’s where the eight Hero Party members stopped a monster wave. The statues were made to commemorate them.

There were originally four statues. Four were demolished.

Of those, the sword-wielding hero was pointing toward the village interior with a grand pose. That hero eventually became the king of our Tutun Kingdom.

And another one became the Crown Prince who fought against him for ten years… That’s why the statue was demolished…

The Hero Party who played a great role in the war against the Demon race. A famous story.

It’s said that if not for their efforts, the kingdom would have lost to the Demon race.

‘The sun’s already setting…’

By the time I arrived in the village, it was evening, and I headed to the nearest inn.

It was a rather large inn for travelers.

The innkeeper seemed suspicious whether I had money, but as soon as I handed over 50 copper, he turned into the kindest innkeeper in the world.

For 50 copper, a hefty sum, I got a simple dinner and a room.

Finally, my long day’s journey was coming to an end.

Lying on the bed, I opened the note again.

No matter how many times I looked, it was puzzling. I read it aloud once more.

“The Wing of the Wind will guide you to the sword-bearer.”

“The traveler will drink a glass of Rum at the Shelter.”

“The bounty will change to Dead Deer’s Horn.”

The Wing of the Wind and the sword-bearer…

I thought this riddle was a hint related to the Hero Statue at the village entrance.

This village is famous as a tourist spot for those wanting to see the statues.

There must be something connected to it. I should start unraveling it from there.

I think if I solve the first riddle, the next two will link together.

Lying on my bed, I glanced at my bundle. Inside was a wooden box.

What was in it? Actually, that’s what I’m most curious about.

Should I open it?

“No… If I was told not to, I shouldn’t…”

I was tempted, but I didn’t open it.

I felt I had to keep my promise to Miss Frana Bella.

Thus ended the first day of my new journey.

Looking back, a lot happened in one day.

I left the communal living district where I’d stayed for 17 years and met the young lady, receiving a Mission.

I changed my name to William Steven.

On the road to Wind Heaven, I met thieves—no, the Red Beard Band—and finally reached my destination.

‘What a variety show of a first day…’

I’m exhausted. Time to sleep. I drifted off just like that.

***

“I solved the second riddle too!”

By the end of lunch, I finally discovered the next destination hidden in the second clue.