Normally, merchant caravans travelled with at least two wagons. One for the merchants to stay in and the other was for the goods. That kind of set-up was for the merchants on the poorer side. The more wagons there are, the richer the merchant group usually is.

Because we were still in the territory of the Celestial Dragon City, our travel was peaceful. The weather was perfect and there were neither monsters nor bandits too.

Aside from the occasional time when the horses stopped to rest (as they should if we didn’t want them to die from the excessive weight,) our journey was smooth.

The sun was about to set when we arrived at the town called Jochiwon. Ever since the appearance of monsters and dungeons 50 years ago, all cities and towns were built with walls.

We stopped in front of a smithy. The sound of hammer pounding against steel indicated that the blacksmith was inside.

“Old man Han! We’re here.”

Not a minute later, a huge man with white hair came out. His body was covered with soot and his working hammer was still on his hand.

“Warrior Sheon and Warrior Kangdae, let’s call it a day.”

Namgoong Ari tossed us a silver coin each.

“There’s a tavern three shops away. You may spend the night there. Be here before the sun rises.”

“Yes ma’am.”

Happy with the huge allowance, we went on our way.

“You really became a merchant?”

The blacksmith asked as he unloaded some the goods from the wagon.

“Of course! You didn’t believe me when I said I’d be one?”

“I just don’t think you’re a good fit for the job. Are you still looking for your sister?”

Hearing this, Namgoong Ari’s face turned somber.

“It's the reason why I became a merchant.”

***

Have you ever wondered why manga artists drew big-breasted waitresses in taverns? I did. I thought it was just a fan service but now that I’m here, the idea completely made sense.

“Would you like to add more?”

The waitress leaned, exposing her cleavage, as she gave my drunken companion another glass of beer.

“One more for my comrade! Sheon, don’t refuse. This is my treat.”

With that, the tavern owner earned seven more copper coins.

“Thanks.”

“Enjoy it. That could be the last drink of your life.”

Kangdae chugged his drink all at once.

“Kahhh! That hits the spot. Sheon, why did you become a warrior?”

It was a rather personal question. Money? Power? Fame? None of that.

I was transmigrated to this world to a poor family. The original owner of this body's mother abandoned them and his siblings all died to a plague. As for the father that I met when I came here, he died a few days later, also due to the plague.

The only person that stayed with me was Dahyun, who, at that time, was already this body’s lover. We were both poor. I was sickly and Dahyun was a woman. Not wanting to be a prostitute, she chose to be a warrior.

When I recovered, I chose to become a warrior as well. It was a reader’s dream. To wield a weapon, bring forth justice and vanquish the evil. Reality was different though. It was difficult, painful and most of all, dangerous.

I slowly became the man I am, a man who sought safety over wealth and power. Despite turning into a timid person, I still remained as a warrior to keep my promise to Dahyun that when I grow stronger, it would be me protecting her.

So why am I still working as a warrior?

“I have a debt.”

A simple answer came out of my mouth. I could have rejected this mission but I accepted it anyway. I owe the Squad Leader, Jin Taekyung and Yong Wonhi for the time and effort they spent in taking care of a cripple. They had no reason to. They could have left me to die but they didn’t give up on me.

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“Don’t die until you can pay it.”

Kangdae stood up and went ahead to his lodging. I didn’t know why he asked but thanks to him, I now have a small goal to work for.

I chugged the beer and asked for one more glass. Nothing beats alcohol when you're in the mood to reflect.

'To pay my debt and to live my dreams. Not a bad goal.'

***

I began my day with the most popular exercise, the one punch routine- a hundred sit-ups, a hundred push-ups a hundred squats and a hundred burpees. I didn't want to run as to prevent danger. Like I use to say, one small misstep is a potential danger for encountering a young master.

After that, we assembled back in the smithy.

"You sure you don't want to leave the kid?"

Blacksmith Han asked Namgoong Ari.

"Can you take care of a kid?"

"Well, no. It's why my wife left me."

Han chuckled and shooed us away.

"Go on. I still have lots of work to do."

We left soon after I loaded the goods on the wagon. Inside were weapons that we were supposed to deliver to the next town.

I followed the wagon on foot. Because the horses were slow, I could keep up just by jogging. Beside me, was Keruruk, who looked like he was enjoying his time outside my shadow.

"Warrior Sheon, you'll get tired if you continue to do that."

“It’s alright ma’am. It’s my duty to protect you.”

“If that’s what you want, then suit yourself.”

Namgoong Ari played with her son.

Although I said that, it wasn’t the real reason.

[The Merchant’s Journey]

[If you have gone through body reconstruction, I sincerely congratulate you. You are now one with the nature and so, the nature will provide you with what you need. You will never be tired and your wounds will heal faster than a practitioner of ki.]

[Now that you have completed the first step. You may move on to the second step. For this step, you must train your body to its physical limits. Once your body reaches its limit, you will be able to use shizen at will just like how Peak Warriors can use ki as an extension of their body.]

'I just need to train.'

Everything was perfectly fine until we ran into bandits.

"Stop!"

Fifteen bony men led by a musclehead stood in the wagon's path. Some of them held blades, others rakes, but nonetheless, they were bandits.

"Leave all your belongings if you want to live."

Was I scared? Yes. I've been a warrior for nine years but it was my first time to encounter bandits. They looked entirely different from the losers that main characters overpower in this kind of scenarios. And so, my timid character kicked in as I mentally prepared to escape.

However, my client thought otherwise. Namgoong Ari didn't try to run away. She got down from the wagon and walked towards the group of bandits.

"Ma'am, it's dangerous."

"Don't worry. Nothing's going to happen. Watch Suwon for a bit."

She flashed her signature smile. Somehow, I had faith in whatever it is she was going to do.

"Bad mister, what's happening."

"I don't know. You should keep your head down."

I pushed the kid's head back into the wagon.

"Hello good sir, I am Namgoong Ari, merchant leader of the Sasang Merchant Group."

The musclehead eyed her from head to toe. There were none of those cliche leers that held her with lust. Instead, it was just plain curiosity.

"You say you are a merchant but you only have a single wagon?"

"Indeed good sir. We are but poor people who are trying to survive in this harsh life."

From behind, one of the musclehead's goons whispered to him.

"Boss, I don't think they look well-off."

Hearing this, the musclehead glanced over to the wagon. The two horses were panting, the coach had a deep set of eye bags (not from fatigue but from drinking all night) and the man who looked like a hired guard was a young warrior. What else could this be if not poor?

"What goods do you have?"

The musclehead asked.

"Food, medicine and weapons good sir. I heard that a dungeon break occurred near the town of Ikseong and the people are suffering."

"It's not near. It's inside the town. The people are suffering and so, I will let you pass on the condition that you swear to help the people."

"I will."

"Then you may pass."

"Thank you good sir. As a sign of my gratitude, I wish to gift you a sword for your generosity. Warrior Sheon, bring him a sword."

"There is no need to do that young miss."

The musclehead said that but his eyes were gleaming with happiness as he accepted the sword.

"By the way, have you met a woman that looks like me?"

“Hmm... I haven’t.”

“I see. Then, we shall be on our way good sir.”

Namgoong Ari gave a 90 degree bow and returned to the wagon. Needless to say, we safely passed through the group of bandits without a single drop of blood being shed.

“Warrior Sheon, do you want to say something?”

After that encounter, I often found myself staring at her face.

In every novel that I’ve read, a bandit encounter would usually end with one side getting annihilated. Heck, even the author of ‘The Merchant’s Journey’ was almost killed by bandits.

Perhaps reading my mind, she answered my thoughts.

“Wasn’t I amazing?”

“Huh, ah yes.”

"To tell you the truth, I figured that they weren't real bandits. True bandits emit killing intent. And if you looked carefully at each of them, except for their leader, they all looked like farmers. If you add the fact that Ikseong was recently attacked by monsters, you'd realize that they could be people from that town. That's also why I brought the name of the town up."

She didn't say anything else and went back to playing with her son.

As the bandit said before, the town of Ikseong was in dire need. Some areas of the wall were broken, revealing a few houses that were turned into rubble. Even the horrifying fact that the dungeon spawned inside the town was true.

Near the gate, a blue portal flickered on and off. Surrounding it were multiple warriors and a few bystanders.

Our wagon stopped in front of the town hall, where many other wagons were parked.

On a certain spot, merchants were gathered around a man. Each one of them had a voice louder than the next, such that it was difficult to understand them.

"For six crates of food, I demand 30 gold coins."

"20 gold coins for four crates of medicine. You must take this if you want the injured to live."

"A D-Class core for 80 gold coins. It's a good deal if you want to keep the dungeon close for several more days."

'These bastards.'

The man in the middle gritted his teeth. He was visibly fuming in anger but none of the merchants paid heed to it. Their eyes even seemed to mock the situation.

That was, until Namgoong Ari joined the bidding war.

"Five crates of food, four crates of medicine, two crates of weapons and an E-Class core all for 30 gold coins. That's my offer."