Side Story 8
On the walls of the city of Mezpol.
From early morning, representatives of all five merchant guilds had gathered.
They had obtained information from a spy planted in the Grand Temple.
Someone would be entering Mezpol through the city gate today.
And that person's identity?
There was a very high chance he was the leader of a bandit group.
The mastermind who had thrown Mezpol into chaos—kidnapping beastfolk laborers and looting merchant assets clean.
The owner of the giant golem that had wiped out the Black Tongue mercenary corps hired by the guilds in the blink of an eye.
That unidentified bandit leader was scheduled to meet the Pope.
At the Mezpol Grand Temple.
"A dimensional traveler, right?"
"Without a doubt. Otherwise how do you explain everything so far?"
"And the Pope summoning him personally."
"Damn it! Bastards who sniff around other dimensions looking for top-grade mana stones."
"Yeah. This time too, I bet everything started because of top-grade mana stones."
Looking at the results, that was exactly it.
Why loot the merchant guilds otherwise?
The real target must've been the storage tickets holding top-grade mana stones.
And the reason for kidnapping the beastfolk laborers was surely the same.
"Isn't it obvious? He's trying to monopolize the labor force and sweep up all the mana stones from the labyrinth."
In labyrinth exploration, laborers don't just transport things through subspace.
They detect mana stones, mine, gather, build camps—there's so much they do.
Because of the absence of beastfolk laborers, Mezpol's labyrinth exploration had been halted for two days straight.
Some adventurers and mercenaries had entered the labyrinth without laborers, but none lasted even an hour before giving up.
"We must catch him, punish him, and expel him from the Kalzenia dimension."
"And return the beastfolk to their original places."
"Oh, right. Did you contact the homeland?"
"Yes. The knight order will be dispatched."
"So will ours."
"Either way, this will be decided soon."
"Whether the Pope handles it, or the homeland does instead."
Dimensional travelers.
They were formidable beings.
Sword Masters, mages of the 7th circle or higher—plenty of monsters among them.
They crossed worlds in the first place.
If they were ordinary, that would be strange.
But they weren't unbeatable.
How many dimensional travelers had trusted only their own power, acted cocky, and ended up dead?
This one would be no different.
Killed by an elite national army, or chased out.
Dimensional movement?
Just a long-range teleport ability, wasn't it?
Of course, the situation was different from before.
Most dimensional travelers usually traveled alone.
But this one had an organization.
How he managed to bring so many subordinates along was unknown.
"That aside, when is he coming?"
"Looks like something's moving."
"Damn it! That giant golem's blocking the view."
Then—
Flash!
A brilliant light appeared beyond the golem.
"Huh?! Wh-what is that?"
"That is—?"
"…Huh?"
From behind the golem, something was emerging in lines toward the city gate—like an ant swarm.
Clack-clack-clack, toddle-toddle.
A golden tide.
"Huk!"
"Hok!"
"Hok!"
"Huk!"
Shouting short battle cries.
Brave and proud.
At the front was a fairly large beastfolk.
Behind him followed other beastfolk in four-column formation.
And lining both sides of the formation—those kidnappers and looters.
"Insane!"
"H-how dare they!"
"Shameless bastards!"
They were marching openly.
Brazenly, even.
Maddening. Absolutely maddening.
But there was little they could do.
The beastfolk's march into Mezpol.
Golden safety helmets and golden pickaxes, forged overnight by dwarf blacksmiths.
And the blood-summoned?
Of course they had to match in gold.
Plating, dyeing, items—whatever it took.
They smeared gold everywhere they could.
Juhyeok was no exception.
True to his status as Chairman of the White Tower, he wore gold dragon light armor—
defensive gear made from the scales and hide of Kaluminus, the Extreme Radiant Dragon of the 90th floor of the Black Tower.
Thus, everything became a golden tide.
Extravagant beyond measure.
Huk-huk-huk-huk!
The golden beastfolk legion shouting vigorous chants.
Golden summoners and golden blood-summoned escorting them.
"Ha! Is this a triumphant homecoming? The effect is perfect. Look over there."
It seemed so.
The people gathered on the city walls—probably guild representatives.
They were clearly visible.
Faces like they'd bitten into shit.
Clutching their heads, veins bulging, fury at its peak.
Should've treated them properly while you had the chance.
Instead of exploiting precious laborers.
The golden beastfolk legion soon arrived before the city gate.
Kosak trotted forward.
"Come on now! Open the gate quickly. We're here because the Pope summoned us. If you don't believe it, go check."
After a moment—
Creeeak.
The city gate opened.
"Unit! Advance forward!!!"
Huk! Huk! Huk! Huk! Huk!
The beastfolk laborers finally entered the city.
Along the wide main road.
Toward the Grand Temple.
Tod-dle, tod-dle.
Clack-clack-clack, clack-clack-clack.
Mezpol's citizens poured into the streets to watch.
These were beastfolk who had once stood at the very bottom of the food chain.
Imprisoned by merchant guilds, forced to work to death without compensation.
They had heard rumors of them being kidnapped by unknown assailants.
But the golden beastfolk before their eyes—
They were proud.
Free.
Marching without a trace of fear.
Suddenly!
Someone ran into the front of the procession, pointing and shouting accusations.
"Who's responsible here?! How dare you commit looting and kidnapping, then shamelessly show your faces without a shred of shame—!"
Before he could finish—
Spot!
Pow!
"Kgh!"
Whirl!
Swoosh!
The protester flew into the sky and vanished.
"Don't worry. I, Kosak, have dealt with the obstruction."
Even so, people kept rushing out.
"You lawless scum! The gods will—"
Spot!
Pow!
Whirl!
Swoosh!
"The warrior handled it."
—
"Give back my laborers, you sons of bitches!"
Spot!
Pow!
Whirl!
Swoosh!
"By the light!!! No one shall stop the Golden March!"
Amid all this, the beastfolk continued marching silently, without hesitation.
Huk-huk-huk-huk!
The guild representatives stomped their feet in frustration.
They wanted to rush in immediately and seize the beastfolk back.
But seeing people get sent flying the moment they approached, they didn't dare move rashly.
Then—
Step, step.
A man approached the procession from the front of the road.
Who was he?
His appearance was extraordinary.
Gorgeous silver armor, a shield—
And—
Ziiing.
A long greatsword brimming with killing intent.
"Greetings. I am William Garnet, a wandering knight currently in the employ of the Spire Merchant Guild."
Murmur, murmur.
The onlookers stirred.
"Wow! That's William Garnet."
"He's come out of seclusion."
"This'll be worth watching."
"A romantic wandering knight has appeared."
"He won't go down so easily, right?"
"He's on a different level from the ones who blocked the way before."
He seemed to be quite famous.
"Recently, I achieved enlightenment and reached the intermediate stage of Sword Master."
So?
"I owe a debt to the Spire Guild, and I also wish to test my realm. Thus, I ask for instruction."
Oh.
Stylish.
Romance approved.
"Anyone who wishes to fight me may step forward. Anyone at—"
In that instant—
Spot!
A pale figure appeared directly before William Garnet.
Then—
Thud!
"Kgh!"
At lightning speed, the wandering knight was sent flying—boom!—slammed into a building wall.
"…What? One hit?"
Romance revoked.
William was already unconscious, not even twitching.
"To think a mere Sword Master would dare obstruct a summoner's path."
Well, that made sense.
The one who dealt with him was the Mad Demon.
An absolute powerhouse who devoured even romance.
But he'd been in the back—when did he get there?
"I've dealt with the Sword Master, so rest easy."
Having lost his chance to act, Kosak trotted over to the Mad Demon and whispered so Juhyeok wouldn't hear.
"What are you doing, sir?"
"Huh? I just quickly dealt with an annoying bug."
"Dealt with? Why'd you leave him alive?"
"…Ah."
The Mad Demon fell silent, excuse evaporating.
"Forgiveness is easier than permission. Remember that."
"A-alright. I'll do that next time."
I can hear everything.
Everything.
Do you think whispering makes it inaudible?
Always saying your hand slipped—
Do you walk around with grease on your hands or what?
Anyway, putting that aside—
I knew this would happen.
The Grand Temple is the problem.
What? They guarantee safety?
The moment we entered Mezpol, this happened.
Just then, priests and holy knights finally came rushing over, late as ever.
"A Sword Master? Leaving him alive will only cause trouble later. A man who's roamed the martial world should know that."
The Mad Demon had his excuses too.
'Th-the summoner doesn't like people dying, you know.'
'Good grief, did you eat your age through your asshole?'
'You little—?'
Kosak looked at him with pure pity.
'You could've just scuffled a bit, then when Summoner Bong wasn't looking, gone "oops, my hand slipped," and taken his head off. Wouldn't that have been enough?'
"..."
The unit halted for now.
Let's hear the excuse first.
"I—I'm sorry for being late. I didn't expect you to come in such… such grand fashion."
Unbelievable.
Annoying way to put it.
Did I commit some kind of crime?
Of course I'd come grandly—was I supposed to sneak in and read the room?
"I'll escort you now. This way, please."
Fine.
Let it slide once.
Juhyeok nodded to Rajiks.
"Hoc!"
The dimensional laborer shouted bravely.
"Huk! Huk! Huk! Huk! Huk!"
The beastfolk followed suit.
No one stood in the way of the returning laborers.
No—no one could.
And so,
Tod-dle, tod-dle.
Clack-clack-clack, clack-clack-clack.
Juhyeok, the blood-summoned, and the golden beastfolk safely entered the Grand Temple.
Grand Temple
Juhyeok met the Pope alone.
Why had he been summoned?
Probably to mediate the dispute with the five merchant guilds.
But honestly, it made him want to watch his back.
He didn't trust the Grand Temple.
What happened during system registration was nothing.
What came after was the real problem.
There was no way the Grand Temple didn't know the beastfolk were suffering.
They must have known—and deliberately closed their eyes.
Interfering in guild affairs could bring trouble.
They also had to mind the powerful nations backing the guilds.
Still—wasn't this the Pope?
A religion that preached love, peace, and mercy.
This was no different from racial discrimination.
So beastfolk were fine to be oppressed?
"An incident occurred the moment you arrived. Regrettable, truly."
Regrettable, my ass.
"I witnessed scenes of horrific exploitation as soon as I arrived."
How could anyone endure that?
Especially when it was happening to Rajiks's own kin.
"As a dimensional traveler, excessive interference in another world is forbidden."
"Excessive interference?"
That was a bit much.
"Do you think I have no relationship with the beastfolk?"
"Th-that is…"
There was justification.
Rajiks's kin were practically my own people.
"Even so, you went too far. Attacking merchant guilds… this should've been resolved through dialogue. And then there's the looting."
Juhyeok replied coldly.
"Dialogue? If I'd tried that, do you think they'd have let them go peacefully?"
"And the goods taken were rightful compensation."
"For unpaid wages over the years, plus mental damages."
That was being generous, if anything.
They should be grateful they were left alive.
"Hoo… Very well. I acknowledge that. I sincerely apologize for the concern this matter has caused."
An apology was the bare minimum.
"However, this incident has caused severe disruption to Mezpol's operations."
"Yes. Naturally."
The laborers had gone on strike.
"How about restoring normal operations at this point? Our Grand Temple will take responsibility and guarantee the beastfolk's rights."
"That word again—restoring normalcy."
"Fair wages, guaranteed working hours, prohibition of coercive contracts—"
"Wait."
Juhyeok shook his head.
"I'm sorry, but I can't trust the Grand Temple."
"What?"
"You've done nothing all this time. And now you suddenly step in?"
"Ah—th-that is…"
Juhyeok understood what the Pope was worried about.
Resources produced in Mezpol were distributed across the continent through the guilds.
If production stopped?
The entire Kalzenia continental economy would take a serious hit.
"The empires and kingdoms won't stay idle. They'll intervene—troops are already on the move."
"I understand."
"Please, for the sake of peace, resume labyrinth exploration—"
"Understood. We'll resume."
"Oh! Th-then—"
"But I'll be the one doing it."
"…What?"
"I just founded a merchant guild a moment ago. Contracts with the laborers are already done."
He'd discussed it seriously with Headmaster Harold.
What was truly best for the laborers?
Smashing things wasn't the solution.
Rajiks's kin were natives of the Kalzenia dimension.
They'd live here their entire lives.
They needed follow-up measures—
A way to stand on their own.
And so the plan was born.
We'll do it ourselves.
We'll take over the role of the existing five guilds.
"From now on, please call me Guildmaster of the Rabong Merchant Guild."
"…Rabong?"
"Yes. It's a co-guildmaster system. There's another guildmaster besides me."
"Ah."
The Pope looked dumbfounded.
A guild, just like that?
"Don't worry. I'm confident. Mezpol won't change."
And while we're at it, we'll make money too—
Not in continental currency, but dimensional traveler currency: top-grade mana stones.
"B-but other nations' military forces might intervene—"
"Oh, come on. Worrying over nothing."
"There won't be any war. I'll resolve it peacefully."
"..."
"My nickname is Peacekeeper Bong Juhyeok."
We'll handle it before war even starts.
We've got experts in war prevention—
For example, Minister of People's Armed Forces Kosak.
The Pope could no longer object.
He'd known this was no ordinary dimensional traveler, but this exceeded expectations.
Just looking at the golden leather armor Juhyeok wore made that clear.
It wasn't ordinary leather.
It was made from gold dragon hide and scales.
And not just any—ancient dragon class.
Which meant he'd killed an ancient dragon.
'This is madness.'
A deeply irreverent thought crossed his mind.
'Why did the god Kar accept this man…?'
Couldn't they just refund the registration and permit fees and send him back?
Juhyeok finished his meeting with the Pope and stepped into the Grand Temple garden.
Rajiks and the beastfolk were still standing in formation, waiting.
Relaxed, at ease.
They weren't here to fight.
By the way—where was Kosak?
He'd given him an errand during the meeting.
Suddenly—
Spapapapat!
Kosak came running, out of breath.
"B-Bong Summo— no, Guildmaster of the Rabong Merchant Guild!"
"Done?"
"Yes, sir! Who do you take me for? Your eternal chief secretary and top salesman!"
To establish a guild, you need city approval.
It's the law.
Sure, you could ignore the law—but better to follow procedure.
It might come up later.
"Here you go. The permit."
A commercial organization license.
Name: Rabong Merchant Guild.
Founders: Rajiks and Bong Juhyeok.
Stamped with the seal of the Mayor of Mezpol.
"That was faster than expected."
"I explained things to the official very… clearly."
Explained, huh.
"…You didn't threaten him, did you?"
"N-no, not at all! D-do I look like someone who would th-threaten anyone?"
So he threatened him.
Either way, the permit was secured.
What next?
Resource extraction through labyrinth exploration.
Led by our blood-summoned and beastfolk.
We'll also carefully select decent adventurers to include.
"Let's head back to base."
"Yes, sir!"
They departed just as proudly as they'd arrived.
In ranks.
With chants.
"Huk! Huk! Huk! Huk! Huk!"
On the way out, the number of onlookers had grown enormously.
Citizens filled the space in front of the Grand Temple.
They needed to advance—but the road was blocked.
Then you break through.
"Gobang?"
"Got it."
He cast gigantification.
Swoosh! His body expanded.
"Kuuooooooooh!"
A roar mixed with the aura of a barbarian warrior.
People jumped in shock and hurriedly cleared the way.
"Unit, advance!"
Tod-dle, tod-dle.
Clack-clack-clack.
Huk-huk-huk-huk!
Hey!
Open the gates.
We're heading out.