Chapter 389
Chapter 389
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 389
Chapter Title: Colors from Outer Space
-----------------------------------------------------------------
And my hunch was spot on.
"Get the hell outta here! This is our turf!"
"We got here first! Bullshit, we've been waiting since the day before yesterday!"
"Day before yesterday my ass! We've lived here for generations! Hell, we're the natives!"
The whole situation was a total shitshow.
We'd arrived at the village as directed, crashed for the night, and set out in the morning. Everywhere we went, fights were breaking out over whose turf this was or calling others trespassers.
"Natives? What kinda bullshit is that?"
"Talking like trash! That's all you outsiders, huh?"
"Crazy old fuck calling me an outsider! I'm a local too, asshole!"
Young bucks and geezers from different groups were yelling their heads off at each other. We'd run into crap like this every hour or so.
"Who the hell are you?"
"Who're you?"
They spotted us interrupting their brawl and glared over.
"Meteor hunters."
I sighed as I answered, and their faces twisted up instantly. Then they started "politely" explaining—nonstop bullshit about how this was their turf.
"Th-this is our area! We'd appreciate it if you'd leave!"
"No, it's ours! Anyway, it's ours, so please turn back!"
Everyone claimed to be from some big-shot city group or another, talking out their asses. Hard to just deck 'em with so many witnesses around.
Using violence in a crowded spot is just stupid.
Besides, they weren't really threatening us, so we could ignore them.
"Fuckin' hell."
Wonder if we'll even find this damn meteor at this rate.
We pushed past them anyway.
"Our turf! Scram!"
"Green kid like you...! Maybe complain to your guild to knock some sense into ya?!"
"Please do! Go complain!"
The second we passed, the yelling started up again behind us.
These assholes were everywhere—a whole truckload of 'em.
Word of the meteor drop had drawn scavengers from all over, forming their little gangs and claiming territories.
It was the age of warring cliques.
Cash and greed from the stars had turned the world to mud.
If Buddha saw this mess, he'd uproot the Bodhi tree and beat these fucks into ground beef himself.
"Hmm... I didn't see this coming. Not to this extent."
Winia sighed.
None of us had expected this shit. We figured grab a base camp, scour the hills, snag the meteor, done.
"Who'd guess human greed ran this deep? Whatever, what can ya do? Let's try somewhere else."
Human greed knows no bounds.
From what I'd heard, this area wasn't under a lord—it fell under the free trade city's jurisdiction. So these turf-claiming parasites could get away with it, no big issue.
No lord in a free trade city means tons of guilds, merchant houses, clans—profit-driven groups everywhere. Even without nobles, the big ones lorded over everyone like aristocracy. That's free city life.
Anyway, with all these assholes swarming for a piece of the meteor pie, chaos was inevitable.
Capital from the rock could boost their group over rivals. Eyes blazing, they hunted it down.
Even outsider adventurers and dream-chasing drifters banded up for a cut. The whole place was a pit of desire.
"Felt the same when ancient ruins popped up in the desert. People everywhere act the same, huh?"
"Even there? World sucks."
Desert folk ain't any different. We kept moving, heading to emptier spots.
Time dragged on.
We scanned the ground now and then, picking up rocks to check if they were the meteor.
"Meteor, huh."
I grabbed a smooth stone and examined it.
Of course, not it.
Just a pebble.
Can we even find this thing—
"Ahh! That guy's stealing the meteor!"
What? Who's jacking the meteor?
Before I could think, a crowd rushed in—urrr!—surrounding us in seconds.
"Thief!"
"Stop right there!"
"How dare you!!! Steal our meteor!!!"
What the fuck are these idiots? I pocketed the pebble to use as a projectile and drew my sword.
"Blackie, what'd you do?"
Winia gripped her staff, on guard. Stealing a meteor? Who’s got the balls?
"Didn't do shit."
"Why're these fucks freaking?"
"Dunno. Probably morons."
"Figures."
Shing.
Claudy drew her blade too.
Then a bushy-bearded uncle from the crowd stepped forward, bellowing.
"You there! Stealing our meteor? Hand it over unless you wanna die!"
"Meteor? What bullshit is this?"
"Don't play dumb! We saw you pocket something!"
Ah, my pebble inspection caused a misunderstanding. A murder-level one.
Daring to call saintly rogue Kim Katt a thief.
Unforgivable.
"It's a fuckin' rock, moron. Move or get smacked."
"This ain't fun... Our nerves are shot right now... Got a mage? Don't mean shit! Cough up the meteor!"
Don't care? Then you all die, assholes.
His face twisted like an old man's in rage. Meteors must be worth a fortune—everyone's on edge. Eaten by greed.
They surrounded and threatened us. Could wipe 'em guilt-free. But that'd cause issues.
Random bandits or heretics? Fine. But city group members? Not smart.
Especially with witnesses everywhere.
Unless slaughtering them all, better avoid fights. We're here for the meteor. Incidents mean investigations.
Our party's unique—easy to track.
Meteor's gone then.
Unlike outlaws beyond law, civilians under protection are a pain.
"Mage don't scare us? Who the fuck are you? Challenging the Magic Tower? This won't do! Wanna die?!"
"Th-thief's the one yelling?!"
"Ain't a thief, you dumb bitch! This a meteor?!"
I pulled out the pebble. He glared, eyes gleaming, and yelled again.
"...You switched it! Submit to a search!"
"What the fuck, psycho?"
"Procedure to get our meteor back! Cooperate or regret it!"
Obviously.
Protected by law or not, rudeness ain't excused. I've compromised enough as a civilized guy.
"Fuckin' eat shit. Want compensation? Take this meteor fist, you fuck!"
Whistle!
I hurled the pebble at his gut—no kill shot, just belly.
Thud!
"Hurk?!?!"
The rock slammed home; he clutched his stomach, retching, collapsing.
"G-guild master!"
"No way!"
"What the hell is this?!"
The crowd pointed and snarled. Smart enough not to charge, though.
"Gahhh!"
I grabbed his hair, yanking his head back.
"Listen, fuckface. This look like a meteor? Huh? You just shaking us down?"
"Ugh...! Such brutality! Do you know who I am!!!"
"Who?"
He'd said "guild master," but he was out here working, in cheap-ass clothes.
Not high up.
And even if, non-noble can't dodge Kim Katt's judgment.
"Guild master of the City Fruit Sellers! How dare you!!"
"Fruit sellers? Lowlife trash?"
"Tr-trash?! You insult our guild?!"
"You started it. Fuck! Rude bastards! Accusing me of theft and demanding a search? Pisses me off now!"
I slapped his face hard. Smack, smack! Lips split, blood spraying each hit.
"Uh, ugh! Stop! Please!"
"You uncultured shit! Show some respect! Barbarian!"
Words fail? Violence it is. I slapped till his cheeks were mush.
Why am I beating people instead of hunting meteors?
Beyond me.
"Aaaah!! My bad!!! Stop!!!"
"Heh heh, fucker. Good behavior gets you off with compensation. Now scram."
"Kuh...!"
Won't kill, but gotta smack for face. If they'd listened, no. But these crossed lines.
Others just yapped turf; these threatened and demanded search.
Clear crime.
I'm no serial killer over peanuts. Not psycho.
"This is my compensation."
Rifled his pockets, snagged a coin pouch.
"Guh...! How dare you rob me...!"
"You tried first."
"Lies! You'll regret this!"
"Regret what?"
No murder, just a scuffle. Issues? Maybe. But justice's on my side.
I kept it lawful as possible.
"Stole the meteor and robbed us!"
"Real robbery? You'd all be dead. Fuck, take more. Still clueless!"
Rage hit; I kicked the downed fucker a few times. Words don't work in this world.
"Gack!"
Korea with mandatory education's full of idiots too.
"Wake up, asshole! Keep it up, you'll die for real!"
"Aaaah!! Stop hitting! My fault!!"
Beat him moderately, then bounced.
His fruit guild cronies watched terrified, frozen.
"G-guild master..."
"...What now?"
"He started the bullshit... Everyone's meteor-crazy..."
"True, but... look at him..."
I roared at the murmuring fucks.
"Move!!!!!!"
"Eeeek!!"
Terror-struck from the beatdown, they parted. Big money draws every twisted idiot.
I yanked Quetes through.
"Heh heh heh, Katt. How much this time?"
Handed the pouch to grinning Claudy.
Quick count: about 3 silvers.
"3 silvers. Good haul."
"Blackie, won't those guys cause trouble?"
"Bound to. But fuck it. Insulted the Magic Tower too—couldn't let it slide."
"Heh heh. Yeah. Fruit peddlers sassing a mage?"
"Heh heh heh, right?"
Law and protection.
Unlike lawless scum you can slaughter free, city economic players got safeguards.
Kill 'em? Murder charge.
Assault? Yeah, but no reason to bend.
Just stay within bounds.
Fear violence against line-crossers? Can't survive this world. Kim Katt, Heavenly Demon, has the refinement to judge that.
Wanna sass me? Get stronger first.