Chapter 18

As the sun sets, the streets are still bustling with people.

The time for unwinding after a hard day’s work.

The night streets are filled with light and energy, and those who enjoy it wander the streets, casting aside all worries and seeking amusement.

Unaware that behind the illuminated spots, a darker shadow lurks.

“Did you bring the goods?”

“Ah, of course.”

In a certain back alley in the eastern part of Herta Shi.

Under the dim light of old lamps, the dirty streets were sparsely populated with merchants dealing in stolen goods and residents of the back alleys.

The items ranged from low-quality food to junk collected from dumps, and even drugs and weapons—things never permitted in the light of day.

Though these were strictly regulated in the city, it was widely known that such regulations didn’t apply in the back alleys.

“Why so expensive? Can’t you lower the price?”

“Ah, come on. Do you think it’s easy to get something of this quality at this price in the back alleys?”

“I saw the same thing cheaper at the next shop.”

“Then go there!”

Naturally, fair trade was out of the question, and disputes between customers and shady merchants were a daily occurrence.

Thus, the nights in the back alleys were always filled with commotion, but at this moment, a group that entered the streets exuded a presence that could silence even that noise.

“Alright, alright, we’re transporting goods, so everyone step aside! Be careful not to damage the precious goods, or who knows what might happen~!”

At the sound of the voice, the merchants and customers stopped their commotion and focused their gaze.

Among the group, clearly armed beyond the ordinary, was a box large enough to hold a person.

“What’s with those guys…?”

“Shh, it’s better not to get involved.”

A shady merchant warned someone who found them annoying.

Then, glancing at the group roaming the back alleys, he whispered cautiously.

“Those guys are from the Black Bundle.”

“Black Bundle?”

“A broker organization dealing with major crime syndicates. They’re practically the largest in this area.”

“Major crime syndicates… You mean the ones following the Seven Deadly Sins?”

The Seven Deadly Sins—a title given to seven heinous criminals even the security bureau couldn’t touch.

The major crime syndicates were organizations that followed these Seven Deadly Sins, their presence so terrifying that they dominated several areas of the back alleys.

And now, passing through their midst was a broker group dealing with such large-scale organizations.

“Bold, aren’t they? Even if the organizations are big and the money’s good, dealing with major crime syndicates…”

“That’s how capable they are. Small-time merchants like us shouldn’t get involved.”

They were no match for mere shady merchants or poor back-alley residents.

As those who recognized their identity gradually lost interest, the leader of the Black Bundle, at the front of the group, smiled arrogantly and headed towards their base.

The destination was a mansion that didn’t belong in the back alleys.

Once used by a wealthy man, it had been abandoned as the area became a slum. In front of the building, two shadows awaited their arrival.

One was Yozak, the leader of the Black Bundle who had given them orders.

Beside him, wearing a black hood, was the client who had requested the goods.

“Kuh~ It seems the goods have finally arrived~”

Yozak, smiling slyly beside the client, adjusted his sunglasses and looked at the client.

“You must be pleased, client~ It seems our guys have safely retrieved the goods you ordered!”

“…I’ll check for myself.”

“Of course, of course. Alright, everyone, put the box down~”

After setting the box down, the members stepped back.

Soon, the client opened the lid of the box, revealing a woman, bound and unconscious, inside.

Her name was Jeremiah Anderson.

A very familiar figure to the client.

“How is it? Did the goods arrive properly?”

“…Indeed.”

After staring at Jeremiah for a while, the client turned to the Black Bundle members and asked.

“Just to be sure, you didn’t lay a hand on her, did you?”

“Ah, come on. We may do dirty work for a living, but we’re not so uncivilized as to touch goods before the deal is done! Right, guys?”

The subordinates nodded confidently at Yozak’s words.

Indeed, there were only signs of binding on her, so it was clear they hadn’t touched her.

“…You haven’t forgotten the terms of the contract, have you?”

At the client’s quiet question, Yozak smiled deeply and immediately replied.

“Yes, the terms are that after successfully retrieving the goods, we handle her disposal as we see fit… and you, client, will watch the entire process from start to finish.”

That’s right, the client would only watch how they handled Jeremiah.

As long as they didn’t kill her, what happened afterward—whether she was sold off or treated in any way—was of no concern to him.

“Let me say it again, she must never see the light of day again.”

“Ah, yes. Of course~ Didn’t you hire us knowing we have connections with the major crime syndicates?”

After all, wasn’t it the most heinous criminals in the city who would take her?

Moreover, if they paid a premium, they would prefer to keep her alive for a long, miserable life rather than kill her immediately.

Whether she became a prostitute in a brothel, was preserved alive as a specimen, or used as a plaything…

“But, if I may ask, are you really sure you don’t want to take her with you?”

Yozak, seemingly defending Jeremiah’s fate, cautiously probed with a question about the deal.

“If her presence bothers you, we can quietly dispose of her for you, but to just watch her be sold off to another organization without buying her yourself…”

“Killing her wouldn’t satisfy my grudge.”

A cold answer.

With that, he glanced down at the sleeping Jeremiah, then continued after a pause.

“The one I serve wishes for her to suffer a fate worse than death. And for that, it’s better for her to be in the hands of those who have forsaken their humanity.”

“Ah, I see. If that’s the reason…”

“And I’ve emphasized this many times, but until the buyer arrives, I will ensure her safety. No objections, right?”

“Ah, of course. We’ll find the buyer, so until then, rest assured and stay inside. Guys, what are you doing? Escort the client!”

“Yessir!”

Closing the box, the subordinates moved towards the abandoned mansion.

Following them, the client’s gaze remained fixed on Jeremiah inside the box.

“…Miss Jeremiah.”

A hint of guilt in his voice.

With that bitter mutter.

****

After concluding his conversation with the client.

Yozak returned to his room and used the communication stone there to search for a buyer.

The process was carried out with extreme caution.

The buyers he dealt with were some of the city’s biggest figures. The rewards were great, but the slightest mistake could cost him his head.

-If the compensation we offered isn’t too disappointing, we’d like to proceed with the deal…

“Ahaha~ If you’re offering that much, we’d be more than happy to welcome you~!”

At the end of the successful negotiation, Yozak, unable to contain his excitement, continued the conversation.

“Wow~ Others showed interest, but I never expected the ‘Crimson Artist’ to invest this much. Did the fact that she’s from the Anderson family give you some brilliant idea?”

-Haha, as soon as we heard the news, the Artist showed interest. After all, humans with unique stories make for the best material.

“Ah, yes. Humans with stories make for better material… That’s quite an interesting philosophy.”

-Haha, I’d like to try my hand at creating art with such a woman someday. Born as the daughter of a swordsman, living a life of oppression… What kind of work would that produce, don’t you think~?

“Um, yes. Then we’ll proceed with the deal when you visit. That’s all for now…”

Yozak cut off the chattering buyer’s communication.

Then, wiping the smile from his face, he looked up at the ceiling and let out a deep sigh.

“Lunatics.”

The Crimson Artist. One of the Seven Deadly Sins, who used people to create art, preserving them as exhibits in a gallery.

Naturally, those who followed the Crimson Artist admired him, kidnapping people or engaging in human trafficking in the back alleys to pursue their art.

Bone sculptures, piles of organs and flesh as objets d’art, paintings made with blood and brain matter…

But the city’s security bureau couldn’t easily intervene.

What mattered to them was the peace on the surface; what happened in the back alleys was of no concern.

“Well, it’s thanks to their indifference that merchants like me can make money.”

Though the people he dealt with were all lunatics, their willingness to spend money to express their madness meant that with a little effort, he could make a fortune.

How much effort and risk had he taken to build such connections?

Moreover, the one involved in this deal was none other than the daughter of the empire’s greatest swordsman, Anderson.

Such a background alone held astronomical value to the heinous criminals, and this opportunity could be a stepping stone to greater heights.

“Haha, if this deal goes well, it might not be a dream to run a business on par with the major crime syndicates.”

Burning with such ambition, Yozak wore a bitter smile.

But soon, he noticed the communication stone in front of him vibrating.

The signal came from one of his business locations.

Assuming his subordinates had contacted him for some business, Yozak grabbed the communication stone and brought it to his mouth.

“Yeah, it’s me. What’s up…”

“B-boss! We’re in big trouble! Our business is being raided by outsiders!!”

A frantic voice.

Frowning, Yozak immediately questioned him.

“Calm down and report. A raid? Which organization sent them? How many are there!!”

Daring to target his business, which had connections with the major crime syndicates.

They must either be incredibly bold or have significant backing.

Expecting as much, Yozak pressed seriously, but the subordinate answered with a strained voice.

“O-one person.”

“…What?”

“One person! A man in a butler’s uniform suddenly stormed in and took us all down…”

*Crash!!!*

A deafening noise.

Followed by screams, Yozak gritted his teeth and shouted.

“Hey, what’s going on!? What do you mean one person…”

“Pardon me.”

A voice came through.

A man’s voice, completely different in tone and demeanor from the one he had been speaking to.

“I came here on business, but when I asked to speak to the person in charge, the resistance was fierce, so I had no choice but to use rough methods. I hope you can understand.”

The voice was gentle, but Yozak immediately understood.

Like the many villains he had encountered in the underworld, the person speaking to him now was of the same ilk.

“…Who are you?”

Yes, this person was dangerous.

Dangerous enough to single-handedly take down his business.

“Which organization sent you? What are you after, pulling this kind of stunt…”

“From the way you speak, it seems you consider yourselves the victims?”

*Chuckle.* A mocking laugh.

Along with the words aimed at him, there was a deep sense of disgust.

“Let’s cut to the chase.”

The man stated his business in that tone.

“My master seems to have been taken by you. Could you kindly return her safely?”

“Haha, well. I don’t know who you’re talking about. We handle so many goods here.”

“Then it seems you do this often.”

“Yeah, who knows? Maybe your so-called master has already been sold off or is better off dead.”

Yozak tried to maintain his composure.

But cold sweat dripped from his forehead, and his neck muscles stiffened as if about to choke.

“…I hope that was just a joke.”

Instinctively, he understood.

This person was a follower of Jeremiah, whom he had just kidnapped, and would soon come here.

“Then let’s end the pleasantries here. I’ll be visiting shortly. I hope she’s safe…”

The communication cut off abruptly.

Taking a deep breath, Yozak threw the communication stone aside and hurriedly left the room, shouting at the members stationed in the abandoned mansion.

“Call everyone available! We’re about to be attacked at this mansion!”

There was no way he could just hand her over.

After all, the one who wanted her was one of the Seven Deadly Sins.

If the goods he wanted were rendered unsellable, Yozak would surely face retribution.

“Whoever you are, you picked the wrong opponent… Do you think doing business in the underworld is easy?”

Over a hundred armed men were stationed outside the mansion. Their equipment exuded lethality.

From weapons banned in war to magic tools with excessive output, illegally modified mechanical devices…

Unless a major crime syndicate came knocking, this force wouldn’t be breached.

‘Come on, come. Whoever you are, I’ll slaughter you the moment you arrive…!’

Boasting, Yozak watched the troops stationed around the mansion from the window.

The anomaly at the mansion’s gate occurred not long after.

*Crash!!!*

A loud explosion, and the mansion’s gate flew off.

Not just broken, but literally blown away.

“W-what!? What’s… Eek!!”

The voices of those who tried to aim their weapons were filled with terror.

Even armed with all sorts of vicious weapons, they couldn’t muster hostility towards the being that had just burst in.

Weapons were meant to be aimed at humans. They weren’t designed for beings that weren’t human.

*Growl…*

Yes, at this moment, what had entered was a predator that had crawled up from hell.

*Roar!!!*

With a flash of red light, it roared and opened its mouth towards them.

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