Chapter 24
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 024
Chapter Title: Soul Stone Carving #3
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Bellger was a thief of the human-killing butcher variety.
At that point, wasn't he just a straight-up murderer rather than a thief?
They called thieves like him, reeking of iron and blood, "Desperados."
"Does that mean you want to make a proposal to me?"
One of those Desperados raised an eyebrow at me.
With his squinted eyes, you couldn't tell where he was looking—damn suspicious guy.
It made me tense for no reason.
But he had to be feeling the same way.
'The card I need to play here is our numerical advantage.'
We clearly outnumbered them.
We still held the upper hand.
So I asked him with feigned confidence.
"Bellger, you can't pick this chest's lock, can you?"
"Why do you think that?"
"Heh-heh, no need to waste time between folks in the know. That guy out there who stepped on a trap and keeled over—he was probably the lockpicking expert!"
In my mind, this guy came to explore the temple as a duo.
Bellger handling the muscle.
And the corpse out there pierced by arrows managing traps and such.
Bellger grinned at my words.
"You're a 'Trickster,' aren't you?"
"I'm Yor."
"I'm talking about the way you walk the paths of the night. People skilled at deception, theft, and sabotage are called Tricksters."
"I'm innocent and honest, so I guess I'm not one."
"...I don't usually deal with Tricksters. They're too unpredictable, and it rubs me the wrong way."
"Is that so? Then we'll be on our way."
"—But as you said, I can't open this chest alone."
Yeah, I figured as much!
Just as I cheered inwardly, Hermit spoke up.
"Rookie, what are you planning?"
"Quiet. I've got this all figured out."
I held out my hand, showing five fingers.
"Fair and square, fifty-fifty. Five for us, five for you. I've thought this through and made plenty of concessions, so no haggling. If you refuse, we're gone."
"That's all?"
"And one more thing. After I open the chest, take our share, and leave the room, then you grab what's left and go. Got it?"
"What's to guarantee you'll leave my share in the chest?"
"Nothing. But deals require trust between both sides. Just like I don't trust you, don't trust me. That's how trust is born."
"Rookie, what the hell are you talking about?"
Hermit poked my side.
I ignored her.
I didn't even know what I was saying.
Words didn't matter anyway.
Bellger's smiling face was hard to read.
But he had to be plenty suspicious and confused.
"From our side, Bellger, the last thing we want is you flipping out the second the chest opens. That's why we take half, put some distance, and let you grab your share."
"That's a fair point!"
Hammer backed me up.
"Bellger, do what Yor says. Otherwise, we walk—no deal. We've already filled our quota; we don't desperately need this chest."
I'd noticed it before, but Hammer didn't match his stiff, blocky build—he was pretty sharp.
That's probably why he was the leader.
Hammer added.
"No matter how confident you are in your skills, coming out with just two means you were desperate for Ether, right? Word is, even Narakje demands quite the tribute—"
That bastard Narakje even takes tribute?
He really is the emperor.
Bellger raised both hands.
"Fine. We'll do it your way."
Yes!
I crouched in front of the chest.
Then.
I fiddled with it here and there.
"This is a 'silver chest,' so it won't be easy to open. Hmm... This'll take a bit. About five minutes. No, maybe ten? Hang on."
"Ten minutes? Rookie, you—"
Thwack.
Hermit started to say something, but Felix smacked her side with his sword hilt.
"Ow!"
Hermit yelped.
She glared at him from under her conical hat, but Felix stayed calm.
'Felix isn't clueless either.'
Ptooey, ptooey.
I spat on my palms and rubbed them together.
Everyone should get the signal.
"How much longer?"
Bellger asked me.
Second time already.
'He must be getting antsy.'
I recalled what the one-eyed guy had told me last time.
"My blessing isn't all-powerful, you know? For a 'silver-grade' chest, even using it gives less than a 1% chance of unlocking. If you're pissed, you do it."
After that, I checked the exit.
Where we needed to escape.
Sniffing, I caught an oily smell from the door.
Probably lubricant on the mechanism that opens and closes it.
Listening closely, I heard a faint ssshhh—like sand trickling.
'Sand timer?'
Clank.
About ten minutes later.
"Ahem. Here goes."
I opened the chest and stashed my share in the Black Satchel.
Bellger, watching intently, eyed my satchel with interest.
"I see. So you're a candidate for Narakje."
"Hey now, back off. Back up. I might just lock this thing again. Then we're both in a world of hurt."
I threatened Bellger as I slowly backed away from the chest.
Without a word, Felix, Hammer, and Hermit all aimed their weapons at him.
Stepping lightly.
Once we'd retreated out of the room.
Bellger peered into the chest.
"Yor, the chest is empty."
"Well—"
I didn't even get to respond.
A warm beam-like heat grazed my throat.
Whoosh—clang!
It was a dagger.
Bellger had drawn and thrown it at me at invisible speed.
Lucky me, it only nicked my skin.
"Haa... This is why you shouldn't listen to Tricksters."
"Heh heh heh, reflect on that facing the wall!"
I yanked the lever by the door.
Rumble—thud.
The stone door that had risen slammed shut fast.
"Done!"
What opens is meant to close.
This secret room seemed to have the same door mechanism as the boss room we'd explored at the academy last time.
That one opened and closed too.
So I figured this would—and I was right.
"Run! I checked—no door mechanism inside the room! Once it closes, you're stuck!"
I'd taken everything from the chest.
And locked that monstrous human butcher in an empty secret room!
In my mind, it was just a temporary measure.
I doubted that butcher would stay trapped long.
If he had a 'return scroll' or something, he might escape and come right back.
"Hammer! To the exit!"
"Go! It's nearby! The exit's close!"
A full-on jailbreak.
We bolted straight to the temple room with the escape route.
"Carvar!"
"Dot'raki!"
Stone statues popped out along the way.
But Felix and Hammer turned them to dust with every swing.
"Hey! Yor! What are you doing!"
"Gotta pick up the Ether!"
Leave Ether on the floor?
No way!
My feet wouldn't move!
"You crazy bastard!? Hey! Get over here!"
Hammer scooped me up under his arm.
I struggled, but his grip was iron—no escape!
"Gaaah! My Ether!"
Clink.
Clink.
Watching the Ether hit the ground tore my heart out.
If I had the magnet pet, I wouldn't be suffering like this!
Gotta figure out how to hatch it from the egg soon!
We reached the exit.
Hammer worked the mechanism quick, and next thing I knew, I was standing in the temple full of decapitated statues.
【Blessed One, that was reckless.】
I turned to see Ashibar perched on a fallen pillar, clicking his tongue.
He hopped down and approached me.
【Don't pick fights with Gaija's Blessed Ones if you can help it.】
"What's a Gaija's Blessed One?"
【Gaija's one of the Three Evils from ancient times. Obsessive and brutal—and most of his Blessed Ones are the same.】
Swoosh.
Ashibar pointed at my neck with a finger.
【Look. He's already marked you.】
It was the spot where the dagger had grazed earlier.
【The moment you enter the Night Land, that Bellger will track you easily. That's the blessing. A curse for you.】
"Eek—"
That human butcher can track me now?
What a psycho choice for a blessing.
Stalker psychopath!
Now I'm actually scared!
【A perfect lesson for your recklessness.】
【Bring Ether next time. I'll upgrade your Black Eye.】
"Black Eye's already great. What does upgrading it do?"
【No fun if I spoil it all.】
【Kek kek kek kek—!】
Weird laughter.
I offered Ashibar a stone statue fragment.
Figured since I'd met the idol, I should give him something.
【Stone statue rock? What am I supposed to do with this crap?】
"Sabrannik seemed to like it."
【Even the Three Evils are relics of the past.】
【Heard an amusing tale, so you're free to go today.】
I opened my eyes to the strategy room.
Hammer, Felix, and Hermit stood beside me.
"You—"
Felix glared and stormed off.
"Hammer, what's his deal?"
"Yor, you ignored the retreat signal. He's pissed about that."
Hermit chimed in.
"No one got hurt, and we made bank. What's he griping about? Annoying prick!"
True, but now that the adrenaline faded, my actions were pretty reckless.
It was a gamble.
Party hunts involve a lot to consider—tricky stuff.
"So, rookie, what'd the 'silver chest' give? Hope it's another skill book like last time."
"Gotta prep the soul stone carvings, divvy up rewards—ugh, so much to do! Yor, you've made things hectic since you joined! Kahaha!"
What had I put in the Black Satchel?
I'd have to check.
As I reached in with anticipation—
"Thief Yor, back already?"
A bunch of strangers barged into the strategy room.
All wearing sun-emblem cloaks over shoulders or necks.
Hammer tsked at the sight.
"Damn, the inquisitors are here already."
"Inquisitors?"
"Probably about the Ertdari incident last night."
Come to think of it, bounty hunter D.S. griped about the military coming down hard too.
As I eyed them, Hammer whispered.
"Yor, don't start trouble with those guys. Ever."
"How do I avoid trouble?"
"Argh... Just answer all their questions honestly! And act nice, anyway!"
Asking me to do the two hardest things.
If I could, I wouldn't be here.
Step, step.
A tall woman with long black braids dangling forward and striking purple eyes approached through the cloaked men.
She loomed over me.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Inquisitor Captain Jeremiah Dantes."
"Dantes?"
Wait, wasn't that the noble family name that tried to send me to the gallows?
Chills ran down my spine as she inspected her fingertips with a stoic, expressionless face.
"I'm going to ask you a few questions now. But before you answer, you'll swallow this pill."
"What is it?"
"It's eggs of burrowing worms. They hatch at body temperature, so within five minutes of swallowing, they'll worm into every corner of your veins."
"Ew—eek, no thanks."
"They're called sense-feeder worms. They react to extreme tension, fear, that sort of thing. If you lie with them inside—"
"...What happens?"
"You don't need to know, Yor. You'll just tell the truth, right?"
Not confident!
"Relax. After a few questions, I'll give you the antidote."
Tough bitch.
I glanced at Hammer; he crossed his arms, tapping his fingers.
Meant I should take the deal unless desperate.
"Or there's another way. Easier for me, more painful for you."
"Screw it, gimme that."
Gulp.
I swallowed the pill-sized thing.
Right away, my stomach bubbled like something boiling—
"Five minutes up. The worms should be in your veins now; you might feel a tingle. Right?"
Tingle?
No clue.
Ah—wait.
'Maybe the worms all croaked thanks to Serpent's Blood?'