Chapter 49

A few weeks later.

“Haam…”

“Bro, are you really tired?”

“Just tell me what you want to eat.”

After receiving a mission from Astra, I started wandering the slums every night to gather information.

“Just the usual, bro!”

“An iced Americano and a hot chocolate to go?”

“Yes, sir!”

‘Of course, there was no progress.’

Most of the drug addicts were already out of their minds.

So I tried to catch a drug dealer while undercover, but…

“Here you go.”

“Thank you, bro!”

The drug dealer was nowhere to be seen.

‘Whether they figured out their actions were exposed or there’s another reason, I don’t know.’

Anyway, even though I disguised myself in clothes other than Maker’s uniform, it was useless.

So, I’ve been hitting dead ends for weeks.

“Sigh…”

“Huh? Bro, something bothering you?”

“Never mind…”

I waved my hand at Han Mir, who was looking at me curiously.

“Just been tired lately from some stuff.”

“Then shouldn’t you rest?”

“Tomorrow’s the weekend, so I’ll rest then.”

And after a good sleep, I’ll head back to the slums.

The mission was annoying, but there was no choice.

‘If you think about it, it’s partly my fault for not checking properly back then. Plus, this case is likely related to the organization from the original story.’

Of course, this is still just speculation.

Anyway.

After shaking off unnecessary thoughts, I kicked Han Mir out to close the shop.

“It’s about time to close up.”

“Ah, I’ll head out then!”

“Alright. Mir, don’t wander off. You might get seriously hurt messing around like that.”

“Eh, bro! Do you think I’m some weakling like Gayeon?”

“I’m not a weakling, you jerk.”

When Gayeon glared, he just laughed it off.

“Anyway, don’t worry, bro! Check out these muscles! See?”

“Yeah, I see them just fine, punk.”

“Anyone who messes with me gets it! Got it?”

Han Mir rolled up his sleeves, showing off his arms and making a big show.

‘Maybe I worried for nothing.’

For a moment, I felt regret, but…

“Clown.”

“Eek! What do you mean calling me a clown, Gayeon! You’re hurting my feelings!”

“Jerk who calls me a weakling deserves to be hurt.”

“That’s too much!”

Well, as long as Gayeon’s happy, right?

“Anyway, be careful. There’s been some unsettling rumors around F Zone lately.”

“Got it, bro~ You worry too much, huh?”

Han Mir nodded.

With a wave, he opened the door and left.

***

Night again.

I started wandering around the slums.

By the way, I didn’t bring Gayeon along.

No need to risk her getting traumatized or causing trouble.

Plus, Gayeon’s age and appearance would make her an easy target in the slums.

“Hmm.”

‘As expected, no clues.’

After checking a few places, I sighed deeply while walking down the street.

Loan sharks, scammers, gambling addicts…

Just the usual bunch of losers.

No sign of any drug dealers.

‘Am I missing something…’

Since this case wasn’t covered in the original story, I didn’t have a clear method.

I thought it would end with stopping Blue Scope, but…

Anyway, even though I’m searching like crazy, the fact that no dealers are showing up makes me think my vision isn’t the problem.

‘Or is it my outfit?’

I looked down to check what I was wearing.

Black joggers, a white hoodie, and a blue jacket.

Overall, it was comfortable and trendy.

‘Definitely different from Maker’s vibe.’

You might think it stands out, but not necessarily.

The slums aren’t just full of beggars; villains sometimes hide there temporarily.

So, the outfit wasn’t out of place.

‘Then, there shouldn’t be an issue…’

Am I missing something?

“Kyaaaa!!”

As I was pondering while walking, a woman’s scream echoed.

“Ugh! Ugh! Ugh!!”

Looking into the alley, I saw two figures.

“Ugh! Ugh!!”

“Kyaaa!!”

A woman who seemed to have just screamed and a man drooling, threatening her.

“Woman! Breed! Ugh! Mate!! Mate!!!”

“Kyaaa!!! Get away!!”

Anyone could see the man was acting strange.

‘Overly swollen muscles, speaking in broken words, and laughing like a maniac.’

“You too! You too! Eat this! Feel good! Let’s feel good! Do it! Do it!!”

Yep, he’s definitely on drugs.

Seeing the white powder he was trying to shove into the woman’s mouth confirmed it.

“Hmm…”

What’s the best way to handle this?

I’m currently hiding against a wall.

I could help if I wanted, but it’s not like I have to.

‘Leaving him like this… I feel bad for the guy who can still talk.’

Out of all the addicts I’ve seen over the weeks, he seemed the most coherent.

If I can catch him, I should.

‘A few shots to the limbs should do it…’

Alright, let’s subdue him first.

With that in mind, I made a gun and slowly entered the alley.

“Ugh! Bleh!!”

“Wasted drugs!! Why spit it out!! Wasted drugs!!”

The man was furious, thrashing around.

“Get, get away!!”

“Bad woman! Stupid woman!! Feel good!! Rejected!! Rejected!!!”

As the man raged, I was about to pull the trigger when…

“Stop right there!!!”

A voice called out.

And suddenly, a figure appeared in front of the woman, staring down the man.

“You scoundrel!”

The figure wore a white traditional mask, a straw hat, and a flowing hanbok.

“Ah, how dare you try such a despicable act in this safe place?!”

“Eek!”

The figure stepped closer to the man and raised his voice.

And then.

“I, the Taoist Uchi, will stop you…!!”

“Move!!!”

Wham!!

The man’s punch sent Uchi tumbling into a wall.

‘…What is this guy doing?’

I was a bit dumbfounded.

Usually, in these situations, the hero easily defeats the enemy, right?

“Ugh!! Damn it! He’s strong!”

While I was lost in thought, Uchi suddenly got up.

He quickly ran back and stood between the drugged man and the woman.

“But! You won’t withstand my secret technique! Here goes! Secret Technique-”

Wham!!!

And he was knocked down again.

‘…What is this guy?’

I looked at him rolling on the ground, utterly baffled.

***

A while later,

The fight between the drugged man and the masked figure was still ongoing.

“Eek!! Move!”

“I can’t do that! As a true man, I can’t ignore a woman’s scream.”

The man frowned deeply and swung his fists wildly.

The man who called himself Uchi.

“Hoit!”

Whoosh-!

“Huh!”

Whoosh-!!

“Cha-!”

He started dodging the incoming punches.

Considering he was getting hit every time at first, it was quite an improvement.

“Uhaha! I can easily dodge such clumsy attacks! That’s Uchi for you~”

And Uchi, realizing it himself, grinned smugly.

“Ahh! Coward!!”

“Cowardice is just the loser’s excuse~”

Uchi smirked confidently at the man.

The man, provoked, turned even redder with anger.

From the outside, it looked like Uchi had the upper hand.

‘His bluffing skills are top-notch.’

But from a distance, I could see Uchi’s legs trembling.

‘Enough watching, time to step in.’

Click.

I aimed my gun at the man.

Bang-!

I pulled the trigger immediately.

Bang! Bang! Bang!!

“Kyaaa!!!”

Holes appeared neatly in his elbows and knees.

I confirmed the sight and walked over to them casually.

“Who, who are you?”

Uchi was on high alert at my appearance.

“Thanks for the help, but if you have any ulterior motives! Uchi will definitely stop you.”

“No ulterior motives, so rest easy.”

I spoke in a low voice, looking at Uchi indifferently.

“Is that so? Then that’s fine!”

‘Easy.’

Uchi instantly relaxed and laughed heartily at my words.

If you trust people that easily, what are you going to do?

As I was dumbfounded, he reached out his hand for a handshake.

“I’m Uchi! What’s your name, young master?”

“No reason to tell you.”

Sorry, but I’m too busy for this.

Ignoring his words, I started bandaging the man’s wounds to stop the bleeding.

“Quite the cold young master, aren’t you?”

Grumbling, Uchi brushed off the dust on his body.

Meanwhile, he locked eyes with the woman trying to leave.

“Ah, miss! Are you okay? Are you alright?”

“Ye, yes… Th, thank you…”

“Hehe! No problem! Me and this young master will handle things here, so you can go home safely!”

Ah… Thank you!

It’s nothing!

But still!

Really, thank you!

After exchanging pleasantries, the woman eventually turned and left.

“Take care!”

Meanwhile, while Uchi was chatting away, I focused on bandaging the man’s limbs.

In the end, I succeeded in stopping the bleeding, but…

“……”

“Tsk, it’s too late…”

The man had already turned into a babbling idiot.

I clicked my tongue and got up.

“Done with your work?”

As if waiting for me to get up, Uchi laughed heartily at me.

This guy’s still here.

Ignoring his question, I asked what I wanted to know.

“…Are you a hero?”

“Me? Hah! I’m not bound by such trivial things!”

So, not a hero.

“Seeing you all covered up with a mask and hat, aren’t you in a similar situation?”

“Don’t lump me with you.”

“Such a picky young master~”

Sigh…

Ignoring Uchi’s whining, I started walking through the slums again.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

Clomp! Clomp! Clomp!

“……”

Thud.

Clomp!

“Why are you following me?”

I glared at Uchi, annoyed, trying to shake him off.

“Haha! Isn’t meeting like this fate?”

“So?”

“I like you, young master! How about becoming a hero protecting these slums with me…”

“Not interested.”

Too busy looking for drugs to bother with that.

Too annoying to deal with.

I ignored Uchi again and kept walking.

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