ALL NOVEL Chapter 232
Chapter 232. Kabuum
“Are the Frua Guild closing down?”
“What on earth happened?”
“Oh my goodness! The guild leader is accused of attempted murder!”
“Tsk tsk… I always knew that greedy place with expensive items would cause trouble someday.”
After the Frua Guild leader was arrested at the scene and thrown into prison, chaos erupted inside the guild, leading to its rapid collapse.
Those supplying items to the Frua Guild all halted their dealings with them.
Recognizing the guild’s unviability, the employees began leaving one by one.
“Hiring experienced workers!”
It’s said that yesterday’s enemy can become tomorrow’s ally.
Alo quickly initiated open recruitment for the now unemployed Frua Guild staff.
Thanks to this, they were able to bring in several employees with experience in long-distance transportation and distribution.
With plenty of cash on hand, the guild’s recruitment efforts were bold.
“The Frua Guild’s distribution network is being torn apart.”
“We can’t miss this opportunity.”
As a sizable guild fell, other guilds benefited from the reflections of its downfall.
Simultaneously, once word got out that the Yogo Guild was behind this event, they ceased their hostile actions toward Yogo.
They concluded that there was no benefit in deceiving them.
And then—
“Do we have to attend the banquet hosted by the nobles?”
“That’s the case.”
Alo nodded, forcing a smile.
Among the ruling class of Leron were several nobles managing the city of Laquid.
Those not affiliated with the guild didn’t seem to care much about the incident, but the nobles managing the city expressed interest in the Yogo Guild and asked Alo to attend the banquet.
“Isn’t it just a matter of attending?”
“Um… do you happen to know about the banquets in Leron?”
“I’m not very familiar.”
“The banquets hosted by nobles managing the city in Leron usually last for quite a while.”
These banquets, held about twice a year in a single city, last at least a week without any breaks once they start.
Attendees are expected to attend every day without fail during this period.
While not enforced, it is regarded as a sort of custom.
“There are even people dedicated to attending banquets as they travel from city to city in noble families.”
“Chilla! You get to eat tasty dishes every day!”
“Well, it’s not entirely great. In fact, Laquid is known for having notably long banquets.”
No matter how grand and exquisitely decorated a banquet may be, after attending continuously without breaks, one would inevitably grow weary.
Moreover, since it was Alo’s first time directly participating in the uncomfortable gatherings with nobles, the pressure felt substantial.
“How long will it take?”
“This banquet is expected to last at least ten days. It just so happens it coincides with a ritual.”
The ritual held in Kallem once every full moon.
With the red moon rising in a few days, the schedules of the noble’s banquet and the ritual overlapped.
It was expected that the banquet duration would be extended this time around.
“Because of the previous incident, the Yogo Guild has garnered the attention of the local nobles. For the guild’s growth, I cannot refuse this invitation. So, I’d like to ask… could you possibly take a trip to another region while I’m away?”
“To where?”
“To Kabuum.”
Among the Three Major Forces of Kallem, Kabuum.
It was known to hold the land considered the most blessed among all forces.
Fruits and vegetables grown in Kabuum are said to be remarkably sweet and delicious.
There are also herbs that can only be harvested from Kabuum, known for their miraculous effects.
‘It’s said to be the most closed-off region.’
Among the three forces delineating Kallem, it was the toughest to access.
Outside entities unrecognized by them faced immense difficulty in entering their area.
The Yogo Guild only attained this qualification after secretly working for it.
“But there are three teams that have already headed to Kabuum.”
“I think Ji-han’s group can join that line and return together.”
“I’ll take care of things until then.”
Thud!
Watanabe draped an arm over Alo’s shoulder.
Then, he whispered into his ear.
“I heard they’ll serve delicious drinks at the banquet?”
“Yes, yes! Laquid is known for having a particularly rich variety of drinks. Since the banquet lasts long, a different selection of drinks will be offered every day.”
“Ha ha ha! That sounds perfect!”
An opportunity to sample rare drinks from another world all in one sitting.
Given the lengthy banquet, high-end drinks would be lavishly provided.
For Watanabe, a connoisseur, this was a gathering he wanted to experience, even if it meant paying to join.
*
The party of Yoo Ji-han, decided to join Kabuum, packed their belongings.
The Yogo Guild prepared everything needed for travel, so there wasn’t much to organize.
“Chilla, is this my cart?”
“Yes, you can sit inside there.”
“It feels a little cramped! Squeak!”
“That’s because you’re the one who’s big.”
“Squeak! Do you want to be hit with the shield?”
Chilla and Kim Si-hu climbed onto the cart emblazoned with the Yogo Guild’s insignia.
Due to Chilla’s size and the shield, it seemed Kim Si-hu was a bit squished.
Yoo Ji-han and Min Yu-ri, sitting in the driver’s seat, looked down at Watanabe.
“Please drink in moderation.”
“Ha ha ha! Giants never get drunk!”
“Thank you.”
“Yeah. Safe travels.”
“Let’s go!”
Two large horses slowly trotted forward under Min Yu-ri’s instructions.
Yoo Ji-han, seated next to her, watched in fascination.
“When did you learn to drive a cart?”
“I just paid a nearby driver a little and learned.”
“Truly, someone skilled at driving is different…”
True to being someone who can drive well in Korea, Min Yu-ri’s cart-driving skills were exceptional.
The cart seemed to be exceptionally good as it shook less than normal.
Kim Si-hu, inside the cart, peeked out the window.
He was watching the citizens of Laquid pass by.
“Now that I think about it, there seem to be no other races here.”
Laquid was a city where not a single member of another race could be seen.
Considering that Fran, the dwarf, came from Kallem, it was quite an unexpected sight.
“I heard that you live separately according to race.”
“Hmm…”
Unlike Earth, where mixed races live together, Kallem was a world where each race had separate living areas.
There was rarely an opportunity to encounter members of other races in a city inhabited primarily by humans.
‘It seems discrimination is quite severe here.’
Fran had expressed a strong disinterest in even stepping foot in Kallem again due to his dwarfhood.
If someone as straightforward and kind-hearted as him displayed such an intense attitude, it was evident that racial discrimination was even more pronounced than in Korea.
“Now there shouldn’t be anyone around, right?”
After slightly escaping the city of Laquid, they entered an undeveloped wasteland.
This was the same area they wandered around in when they first arrived in Kallem.
At that time, Yoo Ji-han glanced at the Sylph tucked in his arms.
“Let’s start.”
—Finally!
The Sylph, which had been hiding its presence, sprang out of his pocket.
As the Sylph stretched, you could see vibrant green energy radiating from it, causing a gentle breeze to sweep around.
—Ji-han! I’ve been so cramped! Let me out more often!
“Think it over.”
—Ugh!
“Chilla! Stay quietly in the captain’s pocket!”
—You’re hitting me?
The Sylph, had been growling at Chilla, soon settled onto the roof of the cart.
Whoosh!
The Sylph’s magic soon enveloped the entire cart.
Kim Si-hu nodded as he watched the cart now bathed in a soft green glow.
“Let’s go!”
“Yiphee!”
Min Yu-ri urged the two horses to run at top speed.
As a result, the cart’s speed gradually began to increase.
Clatter! Clatter! Clatter!
“Yiphee?!”
“Yiphee!”
It was the horses, not the people, that were surprised by the cart’s speed.
They were running at an unbelievable pace thanks to the Sylph’s assistance.
Additionally, their stamina was enhanced by the buff, further fueling the continuous surprise.
“Are the wheels fine?”
“I’m using the shield!”
Kim Si-hu cast a spell to wrap around the cart wheels’ joints.
This was to protect the cart from friction caused by the rapid rotation of the wheels.
As a result, they were able to travel at speeds incomparably higher than a normal cart.
*
As night fell and the moon rose, Yoo Ji-han’s party sped along in the cart.
From the map, it was clear they had traveled just as expected.
If lucky, they could return before the Laquid banquet ended.
“Sister! We’ve set up the tent!”
“Thanks for your hard work. Mi-a, come here too!”
“I brought some black tea bags from Earth.”
“Oh! Should I prepare hot water?”
Just as they were preparing to camp, it happened.
“Master! Something is approaching! Squeak!”
“……!”
Chilla, holding a shield, stepped in front of Min Yu-ri.
Simultaneously, Min Yu-ri sensed something rapidly approaching from the surroundings and drew her bow.
[Eagle Eye]
Min Yu-ri’s eyes, which could disregard the darkness, caught sight of the incoming opponent’s movements.
Boom!
Her magic arrow shot powerfully from her bow into the thicket.
The arrow, bending gracefully, flew between the trees, dodging every obstruction in its path.
Just as the beautifully arcing arrow approached its target—
‘Now!’
Min Yu-ri read the signal sent from her bow.
Hers was an artifact bow, connecting her to the arrow in flight, allowing her to perceive the distance to her target without seeing it.
[Shape Change – Sea Urchin]
At that moment, the arrow transformed into over thirty sharp spines resembling a sea urchin, piercing the enemy’s body.
“Caw!”
The solid-spined magic created numerous holes in the body of an unnamed creature.
Blood poured out from its wounds as it died instantly.
However, the approaching enemies were not limited to just the fallen one.
[Lighthouse]
Pwaaaah!
Balls of light soaring high into the dark night sky.
Kim Si-hu’s magic illuminated the area around the tent.
It was as if the sun had risen in the night; everything was clearly visible even to the naked eye.
“What are all those?!”
Kim Si-hu was astonished at the revealed creatures.
Their faces resembled a hippo from Earth, yet their bodies bore two wings and thick legs covered in brown fur.
They were grotesque beings, seemingly a mix of various animals.
Squelch!
And then, that abominable creature was split in half by Yoo Ji-han.
His sword, Qudi, drank deep from the creature’s red blood clinging to its blade.
As if it were a vampire.
‘I see it.’
Moments later, Yoo Ji-han’s vision highlighted the creature’s left eye in red.
One of the abilities of Qudi, made from Drimium.
Its power helped identify the weaknesses of enemies by drawing their blood.
“Aim for the left eye.”
“Got it.”
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
As Mi-a dashed forward, swinging her fists and feet, the creature’s head burst apart with every blow.
Each strike carried explosive power as if little bombs were detonating right in front of them.
Yet she maintained a blank expression, resembling death approaching the enemy.
‘They’re predictable in their movements.’
Thwack! Thwack!
The creature seemed to protect its eyes, aware of its own weakness, but Yoo Ji-han’s Qudi shred through its tough skin alongside its weak points.
Those blinded creatures trembled on the ground before ultimately passing away.
“They’re not particularly threatening.”
“What are these things?”
“Hold on. There are more coming.”
Yoo Ji-han stopped Kim Si-hu as he attempted to investigate the newly encountered creatures creeping towards them.
“Stop! We don’t intend to fight.”
“……?”
The opponents were humans capable of communicating freely.
Muscular men clad in thin trousers with bare upper bodies.
Yoo Ji-han glanced at them warily.
“Who are you?”
“I am Tuta, a noble warrior of Kabuum!”
“Kabuum?”
“That’s right!”
Thud! Thud!
The proudly introduced man thumped his chest tattooed with markings.
Yoo Ji-han recalled the stories about Kabuum shared by Alo in the books he’d read.
‘If someone claims to be a warrior of Kabuum…’
That meant they were soldiers directly under the Kabuum force.
“We were chasing these creatures!”
“And?”
“We wish to take the ones you’ve defeated!”
The man named Tuta expressed his desire to take the grotesque creatures.
Yoo Ji-han lowered Qudi to the ground and said.
“What can you offer us if we hand them over?”
“I don’t have any money!”
“Then you want to take them for free? Isn’t that a bit shameless?”
“Well, that’s…”
“How disappointing. Are all warriors of Kabuum so lacking in manners?”
“No! Certainly not!”
Upon demanding fair compensation, the Kabuum warriors began to exchange glances.
To this, Yoo Ji-han smiled gently.
“If you want, you can put it on credit.”
“Credit?”
“Our destination is also Kabuum, so you can pay us there.”
“Really?”
“Of course.”
It seemed they would have quite a bit to gather from Kabuum.