Maya.
The disciple of Ahiman I met through Karin’s party.
What is she doing here?
Jeong Yusin’s eyes widened.
Maya tottered over to Jeong Yusin. She looked like she hadn’t slept well, with heavy dark circles under her eyes.
“Scath, please help.”
Maya blurted out her request without even exchanging greetings, clearly agitated and restless.
“What…?”
“My teacher was kidnapped by slave hunters.”
Shit.
Why are my bad premonitions never wrong?
“How did it happen?”
“There was talk of rare magical materials available only in the East Quarter, so my teacher and I visited. While I was distracted for just a moment… they… Sniff.”
Unable to finish her sentence, Maya began to cry. Her face was twisted with guilt.
“…”
Jeong Yusin could only remain silent.
Complete cornered situation.
There was no longer any way to avoid this.
Jeong Yusin patted Maya’s shoulder once, returned to his seat, and looked toward Oswald.
“How did Maya know to come here?”
“You remember that troll mage you saw performing? He’s Maya’s teacher’s classmate. I heard they went to the same school.”
“Ah, that’s right. And since there’s no one else she knows around here in the East Quarter…”
“Exactly. That’s why…”
Jeong Yusin rubbed his forehead.
I have no idea what’s going on here.
How did such a trivial connection end up getting so tangled?
He swallowed his urge to sigh.
Ahiman, who had been transformed into a lizard, has been kidnapped.
We’ve faced life-and-death situations together in the Labyrinth. I can’t turn my back on this.
And there’s no way I’m letting those disgusting slave hunters get away with this.
“Oswald, tell me more about what happened.”
“Got it. It all started when…”
The explanation took around 30 minutes.
“…and that’s the end of it.”
Oswald fell silent.
Jeong Yusin crossed his arms on a folding chair and looked at Oswald.
“This really is complicated.”
After tapping the armrests for a moment, he spoke.
“To summarize: the assassins don’t have any knowledge about the Labyrinth City. The Lionel merchants have the information but lack the covert force needed to transport slaves. That’s where the slave hunters come in, acting as middlemen between the assassins and the merchants. Is that all correct?”
“More or less.”
“That doesn’t make sense. Aren’t these guys outsiders? Would the dark market operatives really let their people get kidnapped?”
“Of course they made a deal with the dark market.”
“But didn’t you just say you’re concerned about the people of the East Quarter?”
“Not all of them. The arena operators, for instance.”
Jeong Yusin ran his hand through his hair.
Arena operators?
“Scath, are you really that clueless about the East Quarter? Don’t you realize what side you’re on?”
“I don’t. I’m a child of Light.”
“…”
An awkward silence fell over the tent.
Everyone stared silently at Jeong Yusin.
Oswald cleared his throat.
“Hem! Anyway, this slave hunter coalition has been abducting people off the streets, taking advantage of their connection with the arena operators. Some of the arena people even helped.”
“That should be reported.”
“Some were released after complaints, but then they were ignored.”
“Are the arena operators that powerful?”
“Very much. They’re incomparable to us.”
“Are the other dark market clans just letting the arena people do as they please?”
“Officially, faction disputes within the East Quarter are prohibited. Moreover, the other clans aren’t really interested in this incident.”
Official prohibition of disputes above the surface.
In other words, there can be disputes as long as they stay beneath the surface.
Jeong Yusin exhaled deeply.
“This is complicated. Let’s recap.”
Jeong Yusin tapped his head as he continued speaking.
“The arena operators are dealing with outsiders. We want to interfere, but the non-aggression pact prevents us from overtly stepping in. Other clans are looking the other way. And even covert operations would exceed the capabilities of Clan Shadow Clowns. Is that why you called me? To ask for help?”
“Yes.”
“Aren’t there plenty of skilled individuals here in the Labyrinth City? You could hire one with money.”
“The mentally stable people living in the dark market tend to avoid these kinds of covert disputes. Fighting on the weaker side is even more rare. People from other sectors would probably cheer instead, glad to see the unsavory elements eliminated.”
Oswald continued.
“And as I mentioned earlier, you have a connection with the slave hunters. Also…”
“Ah.”
Jeong Yusin sighed, staring at the ceiling.
Oswald paused briefly and stole a glance at Delnaco.
Jeong Yusin, distracted by rubbing his eyes, didn’t notice Oswald’s glance.
“No. Scath, let’s just stop there.”
“Oswald, I’m just a novice explorer.”
“A wolf in sheep’s clothing remains a wolf. Let’s call it a day.”
Jeong Yusin straightened up, thought for a while, then finally nodded.
These are the kinds of people who deal in buying and selling people transformed into demons and animals. They’re not human.
And with the involvement of slave hunters, this can’t be overlooked.
It’s best to prevent tragedies before they happen. Proactive action is necessary.
“Alright. I have a few conditions.”
Oswald’s face brightened immediately.
“Really?! Tell me!”
“First, let’s hear what you can offer.”
There’s no way I’ll blindly follow Oswald’s wishes like a sucker.
“What do you want?”
“First, 50 gold coins.”
Oswald’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
“Wha…?”
“Not done yet. Then solve a few simple quests in my name within the city. I need to ascend to the intermediate explorer rank.”
“…”
“Also, if you have any good weapons or quality steel, hand them over. Herbs, poisons, anything rare you can find. And prepare some clothes for me. Especially plenty of undergarments. Didn’t you say the Arachnes are good at making clothes? Stock up on healing potions too. If possible, some magic scrolls would be appreciated.”
Oswald’s eyes rolled back.
“Are you out of your mind?! Your greed is unbelievable! Do you even have a heart? I already told you we live day by day!”
Oswald erupted in anger.
“Hey…so. Are you refusing then?”
Oswald’s body trembled.
“Let’s make it 30 coins.”
Jeong Yusin thought quickly.
I thought you were a generous benefactor offering that high-level magic stone.
“Could it be that high-level magic stone was actually from the assassins?”
Since you obtained it easily, you probably used it carelessly.
The stone’s origins were never properly verified, so there’s a possibility of getting entangled in trouble while selling it within the city.
In short.
You wanted to palm it off on me.
“You’re trying to shortchange me. No way. It’s 50 coins.”
Jeong Yusin’s firm refusal caused Oswald to wave his hands.
“Let’s compromise. Thirty.”
“50. Don’t devalue human life.”
“We’ll all starve to death. Let’s make it 30. Sorry, I must have lost my mind in the Labyrinth.”
“50.”
“Damn it…”
Oswald glared at Jeong Yusin with no trace of humor.
Jeong Yusin leaned back comfortably and spoke.
“Look at your expression. You’re obviously trying to avoid any loss. This is about dedication. If you want to rescue someone.”
“Is 50 coins some kind of name? Please give us a break. 30 coins.”
“Hmm. Fine. I’ll be generous and make it 40.”
“30! We’ll all die!”
Jeong Yusin observed Oswald’s expression.
The guy who was happily strumming a lute and laughing in the Labyrinth.
I thought he was some kind of dark market genius.
But now I see.
‘He’s just a mentally unstable, overacting comedian.’
I don’t even feel the urge to negotiate further.
“Alright. 30 coins. And have Delnaco deliver all the items I requested.”
“Phew. Got it. Let’s plan the operation now.”
“Why should I be the one making the plan?”
“What…?”
Jeong Yusin’s response left Oswald speechless.
“You should make the plan. What good am I supposed to be? I’m just a swordsman.”
“But if I make the plan, are you just going to follow it blindly?”
“Not quite. You make the plan, I’ll review it. Oswald, are you kidding?”
That was the final straw for Oswald, who jumped to his feet.
“You rotten son of a…! Hand over the money! Spill the information! There’s no such thing as ethics with you!! This is the first time in my life I’ve met such a conscienceless bastard. Hey!!! Let me go!!!”
Two of his subordinates quickly intervened, struggling to hold him back.
“Pl…please wait! Master Oswald! Calm down. Please!”
“If you make me angry, you’ll see. Just make a clean plan and send it over to Delnaco. I’ll review it.”
Jeong Yusin smirked.
“Hahahaha.”
Oswald collapsed back into his seat, emitting a hollow laugh, having lost all sense under Jeong Yusin’s exploitation.
“We’re leaving. Maya, are you staying here or coming with us?”
As Jeong Yusin stood, Maya hesitantly replied and followed him.
Stepping out of the tent, they walked along the eastern street.
Despite the late hour, the pleasure district remained bustling with people.
As they walked, Maya asked:
“Scath, if Oswald had refused the negotiation, were you planning to give up?”
“No. Regardless of whether Oswald accepted or rejected the negotiation, I was planning to eliminate those slave hunters. I intended to rescue Ahiman as well.”
“Is…that so?”
“Miss, we’ve been wronged by those fiends too many times. Please understand.”
Galerheim came to Jeong Yusin’s defense.
“That’s right. Galerheim, you’re actually making sense for once?”
“I’ve always spoken the truth.”
Galerheim’s nose seemed to grow as he said this.
“Master Scath, do you fully trust Oswald’s words?”
Delnaco asked.
“No. I don’t trust that guy. Delnaco, you need to verify if Oswald’s claims are credible. It’ll be a bit of hard work.”
“Yes, sir.”
Jeong Yusin and Maya returned to the inn through the eastern checkpoint.
On the way back to the inn:
He firmly warned Galerheim to keep quiet before sending him home, and dispatched Delnaco to the Demon Disassembly Site.
Once inside the inn, they sat at the counter.
“One last thing, Lin.”
The reason he brought Maya here.
Was that Maya possessed the Animal Communication Brand.
“Chirp chirp!”
Lin was still wearing a top hat, which ironically made her look rather cute, though Jeong Yusin restrained himself from showing it.
“Lin, we need to have a talk.”
“Chirp.”
“Maya, please help.”
“Understood.”
Maya extended her finger toward Lin’s forepaw while taking hold of Jeong Yusin’s wrist with her other hand.
A strange magical energy entered Jeong Yusin’s body, calm and rational – Maya’s magic.
“Lin, good heavens, tell me, what exactly happened there?”
“Chirp chirp.”
“I was wandering around the East Quarter when I saw some interesting people and followed them.”
“Dear me.”
“Chirp chirp chirp.”
“They had their faces painted and gave me food and played with me, so Lin thought it was fun.”
‘She even participated in archery training?’
That was one bold little white rat.
“And? Are you saying it was all fine then? Shouldn’t you show your face? Scaring people like this all of a sudden? Do you want a spanking?”
“Chirp.”
“Yes sir.”
Turning shyly, Lin presented her plump little behind.
“…”
‘Lady Ingrid, your familiar is rather strange.’
There’s something off about everyone in the Labyrinth City.
Could I be the only sane person left?
Jeong Yusin sighed, flicked his finger, and gave Lin a light slap on the bottom.
“Chirp!”
“Yipe!”
Grabbing the back of Lin’s neck as she fell, he lifted her up and tucked her into his shirt pocket.
“That’s enough for now. Maya, please head upstairs to rest. You can take the sixth room on the left.”
“How about the accommodation fee?”
“It’s complimentary.”
“…Thank you.”
Tears welled up in Maya’s eyes. Jeong Yusin turned his head away, pretending not to notice, as he ascended to the second floor.
Inside his room, he quickly removed his sweat-soaked shirt and wiped his body with a damp towel. After changing into fresh clothes, he lay down on the bed.
Lin climbed onto Jeong Yusin’s belly, curled up on his chest, and immediately closed her eyes, clearly exhausted.
Jeong Yusin closed his eyes as well.
“Psst. I thought I could wring more out of him.”
“Chirp?”
“Not quite. Sleep.”
Soon, only the sound of quiet breathing filled the dark room.
