Chapter 7

7th Episode

Hassan is now a free man.

007 – <Hassan is now a free man.>

The last day of duty.

Even though several years have passed since then, I can still vividly recall that day.

The bright sunlight.

The warm weather of the mountain village in Gangwon Province. The rice paddies spreading before us, and the distant, wistful gazes of the patrols who were watching us.

There was an ironic mix of feeling refreshed yet at the same time, a bit resentful.

A confidence that I could accomplish anything, along with an undercurrent of vague fear.

Male Koreans who have served in the military must have experienced similar emotions on discharge day.

As I walked out the gate of the battalion, I thought I would never have to experience those feelings again.

But here I was, feeling that same sensation in a world that couldn’t be more out of place, for reasons that defied logic.

Freedom.

Kolkata’s slave registry office loomed large behind me as I strode out. In my hand, I clutched the slave registry document, which was the equivalent of a discharge certificate.

Once I destroy this, I will truly be a free citizen.

First came military life, then life as a slave. What a joke—does this even happen in real life?

I feel a pang of sadness, as if I’ve thrown away most of my fiery 20s into a dark, stinking garbage can.

It feels like my life has unraveled.

To begin with, I can’t understand why I’ve had to endure such hardships. Where did this medieval world even come from?

But then the wind brushes against my face, whisking away these negative thoughts.

Rather than dwell on regrets about the past, I need to focus on deciding what to do next. This is something I have to choose for myself.

The commonality between military life and slavery is that as long as you do what you’re told, you’ll survive.

Every day, you’re assigned tasks from someone, and you’re so busy completing them that the day simply flies by.

Even if basic needs like food and shelter are provided, there is a sense of comfort in simply relying on following orders.

However, a sort of “slave mentality” develops, stifling any drive for progress.

But now, I’m a free man.

From now on, it’s all my decisions. It’s all up to me to make these choices.

Regaining my freedom feels like being cast adrift on a vast, waveless sea. It’s so expansive that it causes me panic, unsure where to go.

But I do have a short-term goal, like a compass.

I will become an adventurer.

This was my goal even before I became a slave.

Once I become an adventurer and accumulate a decent track record, I’ll gain status. I’ll be eligible for protection from various public institutions, including banking services.

No longer will I be Hassan, the illegal immigrant who trembles at the thought of immigration agents. I will be Mr. Hassan, a properly authorized worker!

“d*mn, now no one can stop me.”

Saying this with a smirk, I turned and returned to the Healer’s clinic where Finley was.

“Geometry-! Ah, Elpride!”

“Well, well, you finally made it. Where the hell have you been running around like a mad dog? I thought it would take a few more days for you to recover, but looks like you’re all healed now?”

Elpride’s eyes gleam red like flames, but the coldness in them is as sharp as ice.

Before I realized it, my courage melted like a fish thrown onto an icy rink.

I thought she wouldn’t show up for at least three more days. But seeing her so suddenly made my legs tremble, and I almost felt dizzy.

Some driver who doesn’t even use a signal.

Elpride – with no signal.

No-signals Elpride!

“No, not again. I know what you’re thinking, you b*stard. Did you just insult me? Huh?”

“Ah, no…”

“No? Don’t be impolite, kid.”

And with that, Elpride raised her hand. I shook like an aspen in winter at the thought of getting a slap from her. If I were to endure one, I might be unconscious for a week.

“Yieeek-!”

“If you’re healed, let’s go. I’ve got plenty to do starting tomorrow. We need to buy some things with the money we made from the relics sold last week. There’s a lot of stuff to move, too.”

Elpride ordered me around as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

I almost responded with “Yes, ma’am” and immediately sprang into action. The violent imprint left on a person’s body from such orders is stronger than expected.

But, but, I’m no longer her slave.

I will be the master of my own fate!

I decided to give her a cutting remark.

“Ah, Elpride… ma’am. Please listen carefully without misunderstanding. I… am now a free man.”

“What nonsense is this? Did you get a swelled head just because you got to sleep in a bed for a few days?”

“Giiik!”

Gold Wool Clinic.

In the reception room that was remodeled to welcome guests, silence prevails.

That oppressive silence makes me feel like the ceiling is about to cave in. As a result, I continue gulping from the empty tea cup, looking increasingly awkward.

“So, are you saying you’ve fully repaid your debt?”

“Y-yes…yeah.”

In response to Elpride’s question, I set down my cup and answered as confidently as I could muster.

Elpride’s red eyes gazed down at the scroll on the table with a thoughtful expression, slightly slitted.

I was practically shivering.

When Elpride was truly scary wasn’t when she was angry or frowning, but when she was deep in thought. It was obvious she was concocting some devious plan to torment me.

But I couldn’t let myself be intimidated by her forever. The story wouldn’t move forward, and I wouldn’t be able to progress either.

So I summoned my courage.

“By law, I’m free. There’s no reason for me to follow your orders anymore.”

“Yes, it’s a perfectly official document. You couldn’t have stolen it from the registry office, so you must have stolen the money to pay it off. There’s no way you could have come up with that kind of money otherwise.”

“No, I fairly earned it and paid it.”

“Hmm…”

Elpride unfurled the scroll and waved it around. Her sharp gaze darted around the room before settling somewhere, her brow furrowing sharply.

“Hh-”

At that moment, a small scream came from behind me. It must have been Finley eavesdropping on our conversation.

“Alright, I got it. d*mn, this is really funny. Pathetic. Fine, I understand. If we can get another tough slave, this will be over soon enough…”

Flurrr—

Elpride, who had been silently frowning and laughing to herself, suddenly had a flame burst from her palm. The document, my slave contract, turned to gray ash and scattered into the air.

Thus, my status was transformed into that of a full-fledged free citizen. But before I could revel in this moment, Elpride spoke.

“Alright, Hassan. That’s all. You’d better keep out of my sight from now on. If you’re ever sold to the slave registry again, I’ll chop off that thing of yours this time for sure.”

“…I’ll never see you again. You rotten witch.”

“What?”

Though it was only a fraction of the insults I had built up over time, it felt good to finally speak up, even if just a little.

And watching Elpride’s expression twist with surprise made me feel as if my stomach was full without eating a thing.

So this is the taste of freedom.

“So, what are you going to do now that you’re free, you savage?”

“Why would I tell you?”

“Hmph, I don’t care about your answer anyway. Aren’t you planning on becoming an adventurer, getting a proper status, and trying to live like a proper human being? You Samaritan…”

What the hell? How did she know?

My plan, which I never revealed to Elpride, was completely uncovered, filling me with anxiety.

Would she try to interfere?

Elpride is a veteran adventurer with considerable experience. She might prevent my entry into the industry.

As I tensely considered this possibility…

Thump.

From Elpride’s bosom, something fairly weighty was placed on the table. The old bundle and its familiar, dull weight.

I instantly recognized it as the money I had painstakingly saved and accumulated over two years.

“You can have this back. I find your filthy money unpleasant, and it’s a nuisance to keep.”

“Wh-what, really?”

“Yes, to me, a few silver coins are just pocket change.”

Hooeeeeeng—

Looking at the pile of silver coins on the table, my vision began to spin. I never thought I’d see this pile of coins again in my lifetime!

Still, without knowing Elpride’s full intent, I wasn’t eager to get into a meaningless battle of nerves.

This woman doesn’t do anything for free. There must definitely be some nefarious plan.

“What’s your scheme?”

“Scheme? f*ck you. If you don’t want it, I’ll take it back.”

“No, no.”

Before she could change her mind, I quickly snatched the money bag.

I was so pleased with the familiar weight and the jingling sound that a smile began to creep across my face.

Elpride watched me pocket the coin pouch with a narrow, calculating gaze.

She shoved her chair back and rose from her seat, speaking coldly.

“Hassan, that does it. From now on, our business is done. You’d better stay out of my sight. I recommend you leave the city, too, if you don’t want a fireball in your back. I can’t stand the sight of your face anymore. Consider this my farewell gift.”

And with that, Elpride turned and walked out of the clinic.

The conversation went smoother than expected.

Despite this, I couldn’t shake off a sense of lingering unease. Still, the thought of the coin pouch lifts my spirits.

“Ha ha, sweet!”

“Are you really leaving the city?”

Upon Finley’s question, I nodded.

“Yes, I’ve caused you a lot of trouble, Finley.”

“No, not at all. You’ve been a great help to us too. Your massage techniques have received good reviews. They’re not perfect yet…”

“Yes?”

“Yes. I think you have enough skills to get by wherever you go. I really thought it would be perfect if you worked here at our clinic.”

Finley seemed genuinely disappointed. I had also occasionally thought about settling here and slowly accumulating more funds.

But this place is soaked too deeply in that silver-haired witch Elpride.

And if I stay here, or even in Kolkata, I might accidentally bump into her more often than not.

Thus, I resolved to leave the city, start anew with the silver coins, and begin a new life somewhere else.

“I have to leave.”

“Indeed, it might be better if you leave Kolkata if you’re starting anew as an adventurer. This place has a lot of dangerous dungeons and tough work, so it might be difficult for someone who’s just starting.”

“Yes, then which city would be good to start anew?”

At my question, Finley hummed thoughtfully for a moment, then nodded and answered.

“Sodomora, of course. Lately, there have been excavations of ruins and dungeons by Babelia nearby, but there’s no place with more work opportunities than Sodomora.”

“Sodomora…”

I repeated the name of the city, which I had once heard during my slavery days, several times in my mouth. Sodomora, Sodomora.

“Will you open a clinic when you achieve silver rank, Mr. Hassan?”

“A clinic?”

“Yes, you can earn the qualification to build a clinic and get a bank loan once you achieve silver rank as an adventurer. Our director was also an adventurer who explored dungeons in the past, right? Aren’t you aiming for something like that, Mr. Hassan?”

“Um-.”

I had no idea such requirements were necessary to open a clinic.

I learned something new. As I was contemplating this minor realization, Finley added one more thing.

“You know that providing healing services personally on the streets or in public squares is illegal, right? You have to be affiliated with a shrine or a clinic.”

“What will happen if I don’t comply? Will I have to pay a fine?”

“Pay a fine? That’d be considered lucky.”

Finley smiled faintly, then fell silent for a moment. Whatever it was, it sounded like something quite terrifying.

Maybe there are laws to weed out quacks and amateur healers. I had briefly thought of making some money by acting like a street healer with medicine sellers. It felt like my plans were slightly off track.

It was lucky that I found out now. Thanks to Finley’s kindness, I survived.

“Mr. Hassan, if you do open a clinic, please let me know. I’d like to work alongside you.”

“Sniffles…”

“Um, what’s wrong?”

“No, it’s just… I’m a little moved. I’d like it a lot if we could work together in the future.”

I envisioned creating our future by opening a small clinic and growing together with Finley.

It would be nice to have a son with black hair like me and a daughter with blue hair like Finley to help with the work. Having more children would be good too. After all, it’s not like I’d have to be the one bearing them.

Following the traditions of our ancestors, we could name the children things like River and Sky, couldn’t we?

Just as I was thinking this…

“Hopefully that day comes. My son is also a talented healer, so if we work together, we can expand the clinic quickly!”

“Ah, your son…? Mr. Son?”

“Yes, he works in the morning shift. He’s not even ten years old, but he can cast healing magic six times in a day. The usual limit is five. He’s amazing, isn’t he? Of course, your secret techniques are extremely amazing too—”

Though Finley was saying something, none of it registered in my ears.

She has a son?! Is Finley married? I don’t know who this boy working the morning shift is, but apparently, she has a son. So she must be married.

d*mn, there’s no easy way to do anything, is there?

In summary, my plan to marry a local woman, secure long-term residency, perhaps even citizenship, failed even in its conception!

[Author’s Note]

When I was writing the novel, I thought about what I should say in the author’s note. But when it was time to post, I completely forgot everything! Hoohoooohhhh!

I’m always grateful for likes and recommendations! Please press them to help free the poor writer Michurin from slavery! Sniff, sniff.

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