Chapter 16
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Thief! #2
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“Really? You're selling something from Narakje for just 100 Ether?”
“Oi! That's what I said! Come on, you can't trust people like that.”
How am I supposed to trust you?
He looks like a sewer rat.
No proper belongings, just a mat with empty bottles scattered all over the floor.
This shabby old man claims to have something from the self-proclaimed emperor, 'Narakje'?
A hundred out of a hundred times, it's a scam.
But thinking coldly, an old man like this could be considered upper class in back-alley life.
Most back-alley folks die young after one big score.
'Surviving means you're strong.'
Beware of children and the elderly—
That's the saying.
So, this old man might look sloppy, but he's no pushover.
'Does that actually make him more trustworthy?'
As I was thinking that,
the Old Man rummaged in the corner and laid out some items on his mat.
One unlaced shoe, a holey glove.
A needleless compass, a rusty throwing knife, and so on.
Heh heh heh heh—the Old Man laughed.
“I already sold all the good stuff to people who came before you. This is what's left. Still, these aren't easy to find anywhere else. I only sell them here.”
“Aren't these all junk? This shoe doesn't even have a match; it's just one.”
“You noticed the shoe first? Good eye. That shoe? Narakje wore it back when he was a rookie. It's enchanted with powerful magic that lets you walk upside down on walls!”
“Really?”
Just in case, I tried it on.
It fit my foot size perfectly, like it was made for me.
“Whoa, perfect fit. Guess it was waiting for you.”
“Alright then—”
Wall climbing.
Like ninjas in comics or movies.
I wondered if I could do it, so I dashed—
Sliiiiide—
I slipped right off the wall.
“Damn, it's only one shoe, so it doesn't work well.”
The right foot with the shoe really stuck to the wall, which was amazing.
But as soon as I extended my left foot, I fell right off.
“Useless.”
“Hey, it's all about how you use it! Try finding one like that for 100 Ether anywhere!”
Fair point.
It's tricky to use, but selling it for 100 Ether is dirt cheap.
My eyes turned to the holey glove next.
“What's this?”
“What do you think? Guess.”
It was a fairly thick leather glove.
But the fingers were exposed, and there was a metal plate on the wrist for decent durability.
Still, it was ragged as hell.
Smelled weird too.
And only one for the left hand.
Nothing normal here.
“Looks sturdy enough, but just a regular glove.”
“That's all you'd see. It's a set with this throwing knife. Put on the glove and throw it. Aim for that empty bottle over there.”
The throwing knife was diamond-shaped with a handle, like a ninja tool.
I'd seen it in Naruto.
I picked it up and flung it—whoosh—crash, the glass bottle shattered.
“Whoa, you hit it on the first try?”
“Heh heh heh, I'm pretty good at slinging stones.”
Feels good to get praised.
As I scratched my nose, the Old Man grinned, showing his missing teeth.
“Throwing knives and stones have different weight and flight paths. Looks like you trained under a good master. What's your master's name?”
“Oi, let's not pry into each other's business.”
Phishing scams start with personal info.
I still didn't trust this Old Man.
He clicked his tongue at that.
“Then spread your palm with the glove on.”
My palm?
Curious, I did—and something amazing happened.
Whoosh, snap—!
The throwing knife that shattered the bottle flew back like a yo-yo, sliding right into the glove.
The feel of it was unreal.
Like a catcher snagging a pitcher's super ball?
“Oh? Ohoooo!”
“Not bad, huh?”
No need to look at the other stuff.
This is all I need.
Endless possibilities.
“You're really selling this for 100 Ether?”
“Yeah. That was the deal.”
I was feeling good.
Until his next words.
“But if you buy the glove, no throwing knife.”
“Huh?”
“Vice versa. Knife's 100 Ether, but then no glove for you. If I sell it anyway, it'd be about 100 million Ether.”
Fuck, 100 million what?
With that money—
Whoa, my head's spinning.
Of course.
Pulling this stunt.
The Old Man chuckled—huh huh huh.
“'Thunder Gauntlet' and 'Thunderbolt Throwing Knife.' That's why these are still around. Useless without both.”
“What if I want both?”
“Try it. I'm curious what'll happen.”
The Old Man snorted indifferently.
A chill ran down my spine, and I had to set down the knife and gauntlet.
“Damn, this is annoying.”
Basically, buy something else.
But after seeing those awesome items, nothing else caught my eye—
“…What's this!?”
A black bundle with a star drawn on it.
That star—pentagram?
Feels familiar.
“Is this a 'Black Satchel'?”
“Oh, you know it? That's right, 'Black Satchel.' You can stuff all sorts in there. Far as I remember, it fit two bulls.”
Oh! Ohooooo!
Like Hermit's pointy hat?
But I thought 'Black Satchel' was originally for something else.
—Fairy City!!! Black Satchel released!!! Fuck who did it!!!
In the game, 'Black Satchel' held powerful monsters inside—a consumable.
Releasing in newbie town? Disaster.
Here, it's a magic bag.
Whatever, I knew what to buy.
“I'll take this 'Black Satchel.'”
“Got it. 100 Ether.”
Rustle rustle—
I dug in my pocket for coins, and the Old Man's eyes widened.
Then he grabbed my wrist.
“Wait wait wait wait waaaait! That in your pocket. 'Edelbyte's Erotic Scroll,' right? No way you have that! L-let me see! Just a peek! Come on! Peek!”
“Hey, what's your deal! Gross!”
His sticky hands groping my pants creeped me out.
Finally, he yanked out the scroll with naked women drawings from my pants.
“Whoa, the real deal. Real thing! Never thought I'd see this before I die! Hiyaaaa!”
“Oi, seriously, what's so great?”
“It's 'Edelbyte's Erotic Scroll'! Fall asleep looking at it, and you'll have wild erotic dreams. Fun stuff like that. To see it here—huh huh huh.”
The Old Man stared holes through the crude drawings.
Lust flashed in his eyes.
Tongue flicking like he might lick the picture!
“Give it back! Back! Ugh, your spit!”
Whoosh—
I snatched the Erotic Scroll from his hand.
Tossed him 100 Ether coins, grabbed the Black Satchel, and left.
I even ran far away in case the horny Old Man chased me!
“Who knew it was such a big deal.”
I admired the Erotic Scroll Germain had given me.
She had her reasons.
“Anyway, thanks to it, good experience.”
I inspected the Black Satchel.
With this, no more lugging Ether bundles around.
That alone made me happy, but even better—
Slide—
I pulled the 'Thunder Gauntlet' and 'Thunderbolt Throwing Knife' from the Black Satchel.
“Lesson two: don't trust your eyes— Heh heh heh, true.”
That Old Man was no ordinary guy.
Proof? Selling thief-tempting items and living to ripe old age unscathed.
Try robbing or stealing from him?
'Don't even think about it.'
But the Erotic Scroll created an opening even for that scary Old Man.
I exploited it—whoosh—
'He said buy one, but didn't say no stealing extras, right?'
I followed the rules.
Whistling happily back to base—
Rustle—
Step step—
Suspicious presence behind me.
Pissed Old Man coming to kill me?
Nah.
These footsteps were heavier.
The Old Man stepped on wet floors without a splash—light as a feather.
“Come out.”
“Good senses.”
“No wonder Germain has her eye on you.”
“You just met 'Old Man,' right?”
Faces covered in masks.
Not proper men.
Hiding faces means that.
“Met a stinky old boozer, yeah. So what.”
“Playing dumb. Only one reason to meet the ex-guild leader.”
“What you bought for 100 Ether.”
“Hand it over and scram.”
Fuck, three guys, perfectly in sync?
Long-time crew.
This'll be a pain.
What to do—
As I racked my brain, they laughed—kik kik—feeling superior.
“Look at him freeze.”
“Baby-faced punk as Sewer Emperor's heir?”
“Snag what he bought, and it's our chance.”
Not good.
Chatty guys.
Real masked thieves or bandits? Quiet.
Avoid exposing identity.
But yapping like that?
—They plan to kill me.
Dead men tell no tales.
'No way they'd let me go even if I hand over the Black Satchel.'
Worst case.
But in worst cases, options open.
These guys? Likely answer anything I ask.
Why?
Dead men don't talk.
They think no one'll hear.
“Having this makes you Sewer Emperor's heir?”
“None of your business.”
“…….”
“…….”
Huh?
Clamming up even now.
Bought time anyway.
Scanned surroundings quick.
Germain's beer mug training paid off.
Whoosh—!
I hurled the knife in my hand.
“Watch out! He's got throwing weapons!”
“Uh!”
“…Hah…!”
They dodged nimbly.
But I wasn't aiming at them.
Clang—!
Knife hits stone wall, drops.
Candle snuffed instead.
Sewers no sunlight—rely on wall candles.
Five around here.
One out—four left.
Slide—
Palm out.
Knife snaps back into hand.
'Fucking awesome.'
“Fuck, what? 'Thunder Gauntlet' and 'Thunderbolt Throwing Knife'!”
“Thought Narakje's treasures were singles only?”
“K-kill him! Take 'em no matter what!”
Whoosh, whoosh whoosh— whoosh—
I played solo catch, snuffing all nearby candles.
Pitch black instant.
“Fuck!”
“Light! Lights!”
“Wait!”
Whirr—
My 'Black Eye' pierced the dark.
“Hand over everything, you thief bastards.”