"Status Window."
⚔ STATUS ⚔「Name: Hanson」 「Lv. 53」⚡ Strength: [24]💨 Agility: [28]✨ Mana: [7]📊 Remaining Points: [6]
My level had shot up by a whopping 6. Goblins really were a delicious source of experience. If it had been zombies, I wouldn't have gained this much.
'Time to balance things out again.'
I'd been forced to pump points into Agility because of the goblins' speed, but this imbalance wouldn't do.
📈 STAT UPDATE 📈Strength [24 → 29] Agility [28 → 29]
I could feel vitality surging back into my loosened muscles from the long battle and bath. My lips curled into a grin at the far greater power coursing through me now.
'Swordsmanship went up, that's confirmed. Fast Recovery hasn't changed much. All that's left is my gold.'
「Current Gold: 3,227G」
I'd been looking forward to seeing how much I'd earned, but this exceeded even my wildest expectations. I'd already spent 2,000 gold last night, and now I had this much again.
Splash―
I leaned back against the tub, playing in the water. My body relaxed languidly as I closed my eyes.
'I hope more goblins show up.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
I washed my face simply with the water the maid had prepared and got dressed. I'd planned to bring my sword and armor, but it felt rude, so I left them behind.
"Then I'll guide you to the dining hall."
I followed the woman down the corridor. It was a large mansion, but surprisingly few people around. Whether that was a blessing or a curse, I couldn't say.
"Here we are. The Young Lady is still getting ready, but the Knight is waiting inside."
"Got it."
The maid opened the door to reveal a spacious room with a long dining table. At the far end sat the female knight. The head seat, of course, was empty.
"You're up early."
I took a seat across from her, and she greeted me with a smile. I hadn't noticed during the bloodbath, but she was undeniably beautiful.
"I've got to meet a noble. Can't be late."
"Good attitude. If you become a knight, at least no one will call you a cripple."
"Who can't even manage that?"
"Plenty. Ones who drank till late, then crawled out in the afternoon like slugs. Plenty who knew nothing of honor."
Her face briefly twisted in contempt. Even with that expression, she was stunning.
"Well, with the world like this, those guys are probably dead."
"Still knights, though. Even idiots have a high survival rate, no?"
"I personally cut off their arms and legs. They're probably dead."
I subtly scooted my chair back at that.
"Oh, don't misunderstand. It was a fair duel."
"...That's a relief."
I'd thought she was a decent knight, but I might need to revise that assessment.
Knock knock―
"The Young Lady has arrived."
As we eyed each other, the maid's voice came. The door opened, and a golden-haired woman entered.
From head to toe, she embodied nobility. The kind of woman who seemed born to it.
'On another level entirely.'
Unfamiliar with noble etiquette, I followed the knight's lead.
"Pleased to meet you. Anne's told me so much about you."
She sat at the head and tossed out a light remark. I chose my words carefully before replying.
"It's an honor that Lady Amelia knows of me."
"You know my name?"
"I heard it from Anne when we first met."
"You remembered that all this time? Impressive memory."
The knight looked surprised.
"Well, before we get into deep talk, let's eat first. You must be hungry."
At her signal, the real food began arriving: meat-heavy stew, white bread, and jam.
'They're insane.'
Just yesterday, I'd been surviving on gamey jerky dipped in jam. Overnight, the food quality had skyrocketed.
It felt like only this place had been untouched by the world.
"I'll dig in."
I picked up the utensils as if entranced and started eating. First, the deep red stew.
"Mm."
A slight tomato tang blended with rich fat. Just the broth felt like a full meal.
Crunch―
Chewing the meat released intense savoriness, tender bits rolling in my mouth. Juice seeped out with each bite—it was perfect.
Next, bread dipped in the broth: soft, absorbent, utterly fantastic.
'Jam's meh.'
It was sweet, but nothing like OXX jam. Still, luxury enough.
I finished contentedly and looked up to find the noble lady and knight staring.
"Ah, sorry."
Real human food after so long—I'd lost myself.
"Happens. Soldiers react the same during rewards."
"Exactly. No need to be embarrassed. Now that we're done eating, shall we talk?"
Plates cleared, tea and cookies followed. I hadn't dreamed this was possible.
"What's your name?"
As I savored the treats, her voice reached me. I looked up and answered.
"Hanson."
"Hanson. Common name."
"Yes."
Like 'Min-su' in Korea.
"But the power it holds is anything but common."
I said nothing, just listened.
"As you know better than anyone, the world's in chaos. If what happened here hit the capital or big cities, countless empires and kingdoms might've fallen already."
'Impressive.'
I couldn't help but admire her. No knowledge of the zombie apocalypse, yet she'd thought that far.
Not all nobles were smart, but Amelia clearly was.
"In this situation, money and force are key."
"You think gold will still matter?"
"Yes. Even in chaos, markets persist. Can't carry goods everywhere for every trade."
"Hm."
"What? Do you think even currency will collapse?"
"What would an uneducated man like me know?"
I dodged.
'It did in Korea.'
Paper and coins lost value everywhere—they didn't fill bellies or protect bodies.
But here? Different. Medieval world had swords, shields, armor—and magic.
Same event, different environment, different outcomes. I offered no input. The situations were too dissimilar.
"To continue, I have money now. But no force."
"Isn't Anne here?"
"I'm not enough. Lady Amelia usually traveled with at least five knights."
Even more impressive than I'd thought. I'd never heard of her, of course.
"Lady Amelia, may I continue?"
"Please do."
The knight met my eyes and spoke.
"As I explained, we're short on force. Soldiers are useful now, but outside, they're just mouths to feed."
Harsh judgment.
"That's why we need you, Hanson."
"Me?"
"Yes. You add one mouth but do the work of ten-plus soldiers."
"Flattery. Maybe the soldiers exaggerated."
"Those guys?"
She snorted.
"Unlikely. Even if, it doesn't sway my judgment."
"So what do you want? Spit it out."
"We'll leave the village soon for Lady Amelia's home. Join us."
I jolted—not at the unexpected offer.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙「You have reached the first branching point!」◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Grrraaah― Slash!
I cleared all the zombies on the first floor and headed to the second. Killed everything inside and lay on the bed.
Blood and musty mold assaulted my nose, but my mind found this far more comfortable. Familiar, too.
"Branching point, huh..."
Did that mean options besides following Amelia? Or was not going at all an option?
'No clue.'
Too little info to decide rashly.
Knock knock knock―
As I pondered, a knock sounded.
"Who is it."
I drew my sword, rose from the bed, and asked. A man's voice replied.
"Sir Hanson?"
"And if I am?"
"Karoi has invited you to a banquet, so I've come to escort you."
"Karoi? Who's that?"
Never heard the name.
"The mercenary you met at the village hall. His name is Karoi."
That guy's name was Karoi, huh.
"He invited me to a banquet? Why?"
"To thank you for repelling the goblins yesterday. He said the star of the show can't miss the party."
Sounded good, but something felt off. Still, curiosity tugged.
I sheathed my sword and opened the door. The man flinched.
"Lead the way."
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