How a Black-Haired Barbarian Survived the Labyrinth in Another World

A quiet evening at the inn.

Jeong Yusin sat with his arms crossed, observing the woman as she ate.

Though she appeared to be in her early twenties, the way she ate made her look like a beggar who hadn’t eaten for a month.

Several loaves of bread were spread out on the table around the woman. There was rye bread that was dark from mixed grains, all the way to white bread with a lot of wheat in it. It was enough to open a bakery.

But for the woman, it seemed like an amount that didn’t even come close to being enough.

At first, she cut the bread carefully with a bread knife, watching her surroundings, but now she was tearing the bread with her hands and swallowing it greedily.

She used the bread as a spoon to scoop up the chili con carne, made from tomatoes, chili, beans, various vegetables, and beef, scraping up the leftover sauce on the plate.

But that wasn’t the end.

She didn’t even bother to chew the long sausages, swallowing them whole, and then grabbed a tomahawk steak, holding it by the bone and tearing off the meat.

It was as though food was her mortal enemy, making sure to savor each bite in a calculated manner.

‘Is she filming some kind of eating show?’

The sheer volume of food the woman was consuming made Jeong Yusin’s head start to hurt.

He had only intended to serve her a simple meal, but now it seemed like she was planning to bankrupt the place by sitting there.

Even the other customers had stopped eating and were watching the armored woman inhale the food.

Tarman was busy running back and forth to the kitchen, sweating profusely, putting food on the table.

By the time Jeong Yusin snapped out of his daze, there were already empty bowls piling up around the woman.

‘Ah.’

This was a loss.

“Hey, can you eat in moderation?”

“Mumumum!!!”

The woman puffed out her cheeks like a hamster and tried to say something. Seeing her eyes sparkle, Jeong Yusin guessed it was a positive response, but he wasn’t entirely pleased.

The unmistakable smell of eating without paying lingered in the air.

Jeong Yusin gave a sign to Tarman.

‘Block the entrance.’

‘Yes, sir.’

Tarman immediately understood and stood by the inn's entrance.

The blonde woman, however, continued to empty every plate in front of her.

‘Does she have some kind of food fighter engraving?’

The fact that so much food could fit in her stomach was surprising. Surely, she’d be making quite a mess afterward.

When the woman finished the last bowl, she leaned back in her chair, wearing a satisfied smile, so it seemed like she had filled her stomach well.

She patted her stomach and opened her mouth.

“Do you have any dessert around here?”

No, she didn’t.

“Excuse me. Can you show some decency?”

At Jeong Yusin’s words, the woman gave a sheepish smile.

“Mi... sorry.”

Naturally.

She should be sorry.

She ate like a pig and still had the nerve to ask for dessert.

‘Do labyrinth explorers these days all have no conscience engravings or something?’

Looking at the woman’s eyes, she didn’t seem like she was planning to run away. Was that a bit of a relief? Even if she did run, Jeong Yusin would follow her to the ends of hell to get his money.

Jeong Yusin sighed deeply.

“Phew. Tarman, bring some alcohol. ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) Two glasses.”

“Yes!”

Tarman quickly ran behind the counter, grabbed a bottle of dwarf liquor, and brought two glasses.

Jeong Yusin looked at Tarman and made a gesture.

‘Why did you bring such expensive alcohol?’

‘Thank you, sir.’

Tarman winked.

Was he actually understanding Jeong Yusin’s feelings?

What an oblivious subordinate. Was it a mistake to think they had a mutual understanding?

Jeong Yusin poured the dwarf liquor into his glass first.

“What’s your name?”

The blonde woman hesitated for a moment before opening her mouth.

“Delia. I don’t have a surname.”

“You had one, but you don’t now?”

“I used to have the surname Everguard, but I threw it away.”

“Were you a noble?”

At Jeong Yusin’s question, Delia nodded.

“I once had ties with the Kingdom of Lionel. It’s already fallen. I can’t say much more.”

“Is that so? I see.”

A fallen noble, huh?

What’s it to me?

As long as she can fight well, that’s enough.

“You said you were joining my party?”

“Yes.”

“Why do you want to join?”

I was curious about why she would want to join the party of a barbarian, someone despised and called a scum in the labyrinth city.

Not to mention, she’s someone who spat on the labyrinth council’s face, a walking bomb.

A normal explorer would avoid it at all costs.

‘She has good self-awareness.’

‘Is she starting to come to her senses?’

These guys.

The angel and devil inside Jeong Yusin’s mind were both pulling at his ego.

“...Well, the thing is.”

Delia scratched her head, looking a bit embarrassed, before speaking again.

“I got the glutton engraving from the labyrinth a while ago. It gives me strength according to how much I eat, but the downside is that it drains a lot of my stamina.”

“So?”

“Unfortunately, I got the negative engraving in the last labyrinth exploration. I’ve been saving money to remove it, but I couldn’t stand the hunger. Since I’m not part of a clan of explorers, I can’t get any support, and I didn’t have any contacts to borrow money from. That’s when I heard about you.”

Is that so?

What a brave one. Is she fearless?

“Is that so? Why not sell your equipment?”

“Never.”

Delia’s face stiffened.

“The gear I’m wearing now is a family heirloom. They’ve been with me for years. I can’t just dispose of them.”

She may have discarded her family name, but she couldn’t let go of the memories attached to it?

“Let’s get back to the story. I heard that your party is looking for a vanguard. Most explorers are hesitant to support, so I thought you’d accept if I offer to help.”

She’s straightforward, isn’t she?

I liked it. There was one thing that bothered me, though.

“What’s this negative engraving?”

“Well... it’s a bit embarrassing to talk about. But I can assure you, it’s not a bad engraving for labyrinth exploration.”

Jeong Yusin suddenly thought of Solline.

He was a holy knight serving the spirit of light. That guy also had a negative engraving. He left without ever talking about it.

‘I wonder how he’s doing.’

Jeong Yusin closed his mouth and recalled the memory for a moment.

Delia, interpreting his silence, suddenly became serious.

“I swear on my family’s name.”

“Didn’t you say your family’s fallen? What meaning does swearing on your family’s name hold?”

Delia’s expression darkened, and she closed her mouth.

“...”

Ah.

He had hit a sensitive spot.

Tch. The darkness of the labyrinth, once again.

“I’m sorry. Have a drink.”

Jeong Yusin grabbed the glass that Tarman had brought and poured it in front of Delia.

Slosh.

“Thanks.”

Delia quickly brightened up, drinking the liquor down in one gulp.

“Mmm. That’s good.”

What a tough woman.

Jeong Yusin nodded to himself.

“Delia, tell me about your main weapon and your rank in the levels.”

“I mostly use a shield and a mace. A one-handed sword is my secondary weapon. I take the front line and usually take the hits. I’ve made it to the eighth floor of the corridor zone.”

The corridor zone, huh.

That’s good.

If Delia takes the front line, I’ll have more flexibility in choosing my gear.

With a solid tank in the front, Karin and I can take the damage dealers’ roles, which would make things easier.

Or I could place Karin as a ranged dealer, and Delia and I could both take the front line.

Jeong Yusin refilled Delia’s glass.

“Are there any conditions? Besides the loot-sharing ratio?”

“There is.”

As expected. There’s no such thing as a free lunch.

“What’s the condition?”

“Provide meals. At least until we enter the labyrinth.”

Jeong Yusin’s hand, holding the liquor bottle, trembled slightly.

“...”

Is this a joke?

If she keeps eating like this, nothing will be left.

I’ve just started making some profit lately, and I sent a small amount to Darmong along with a letter. But sending more money anytime soon seems difficult.

Swallowing the rising sigh, Jeong Yusin nodded.

“Fine.”

He wasn’t in a position to be picky.

“And... also an advance, please.”

Jeong Yusin’s eyes widened.

Another condition?

“Uh...?”

They haven’t even acquired any loot yet, and now she’s asking for an advance.

“Oh! Also, sorry, but do you have a vacant room?”

Jeong Yusin stared blankly at Delia’s face.

“...”

Jeong Yusin grabbed his forehead.

‘If I hadn’t done that crazy thing back then...’

“Take everything.”

“Thanks. Just as the rumors said. Ska, you’re a good barbarian who doesn’t rape.”

“Don’t believe rumors too much.”

Jeong Yusin growled, wearing a fierce expression.

Just as Delia’s guilty expression was about to turn completely pale...

Clank!!!

The inn door opened.

Clink. Clink.

A huge figure clad in plate armor walked into the inn. Since they were wearing a helmet, it was impossible to tell their gender or age.

The figure stood still for a moment, surveying the surroundings, and then slowly walked toward Jeong Yusin.

“...”

The giant in plate armor stared down at him without saying a word.

There should’ve been eyes visible through the helmet holes, but nothing was revealed. There wasn’t even a sound of breathing.

‘What is this?’

A sense of suspicion slowly rose within him.

The giant in plate armor pulled out a piece of paper and a pen from the armor and began scribbling.

Jeong Yusin stared blankly at the giant.

‘Is it mute?’

The giant showed the paper to Jeong Yusin.