Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Call Me Godfather
“…Those guys are definitely following me.”
On my way out after selling the magic stones, two men had been trailing me ever since I left the stall.
Maybe it was just coincidence—
but my instincts said otherwise.
Click. Click.
I clutched the money pouch and slipped my hand inside my coat, loading bullets into the revolver.
“…Just a little further.”
The exit of the black market was close.
Once I passed the sewer-like alley, I’d reach the main road.
The two men still followed.
For a moment, I considered stopping and letting them pass.
So I slowed down—
and they slowed down too.
“…Damn it.”
It wasn’t coincidence.
It was a tail.
Around me, people were casually going about their shady business.
Rough looks, rough speech—
but otherwise normal.
Yet somehow—
I was the only one being hunted.
I glanced back.
Knives at their waists.
“…If they’re climbers, I’m in trouble.”
They didn’t look that strong—
but still.
Then I entered the narrow alley.
A filthy passage connecting the black market to the outside.
Freedom—
just ahead.
But—
“Heh…”
“Kekeke…”
Three more blocked the path.
Smaller.
Younger.
Barely more than teenagers.
But that didn’t matter.
Their scarred faces said enough.
Rusty daggers in hand—
one stab and infection would be guaranteed.
“Get him!”
The men behind me shouted.
The boys rushed in.
“…Shit!”
I turned and ran down a side path.
Thankfully, it wasn’t a straight corridor.
Still a dead end—
but better than being surrounded.
“He’s faster than he looks!”
“Doesn’t matter—corner him!”
They chased desperately.
Surprisingly slow.
Good for me.
I reached the end—
and turned.
“Hand it over. We might let you live.”
One of the original men spoke.
Older than the rest.
I didn’t answer.
Instead—
Click.
I drew my revolver.
This would be the first time I fired at people.
But hesitation—
was pointless.
I had seen enough death already.
“You should be the ones turning back.”
I lowered my voice.
Cold.
Firm.
“Heh…”
“Doesn’t listen, does he.”
One of them lunged—
dagger flashing.
The others followed.
I pulled the trigger.
Bang!
It happened instantly.
Before he could take another step—
his head snapped back.
Blood sprayed.
A clean headshot.
“…Huh?”
“W-what?!”
“Magic?! He’s a mage?!”
They froze.
They didn’t understand guns.
To them—
this was magic.
Good.
Fear is stronger when unknown.
“Who’s next?”
My voice dropped further.
The remaining four trembled.
Then—
one of the original men dropped to his knees.
“I-I didn’t know you were a mage! Please spare us!”
“Please!”
The others followed instantly.
“Spare us!”
“Please!”
“Ghk!”
A complete shift in attitude.
I kept my tone cold.
“Pathetic. What made you think you could target me?”
“We—we didn’t know…”
“So weak people can be robbed freely?”
“I-it’s our fault!”
They bowed repeatedly.
Something felt off.
They looked dangerous—
but weak.
Too weak.
“What are you?”
“…Just street rats.”
Beggars.
Runaways.
That explained the weapons.
“Then why target me?”
“We go after people selling magic stones…”
“Only them?”
“Yes… it’s rare for climbers to use the black market.”
“…I see.”
Climbers don’t need it.
Only suspicious people come here.
Thieves.
Scavengers.
“So you thought I was one of them.”
“…Yes. You didn’t look like a climber.”
Fair.
Even at level 5—
I’m still just human-level here.
“I rely on the gun.”
Not strength.
“Anyone backing you?”
“No… we’re just orphans…”
They explained.
Runaways from an orphanage.
Surviving together.
The dead one—
Mike.
“….”
Even the one who laughed earlier—
just had damaged vocal cords.
“…Tch.”
I was about to leave—
then stopped.
An idea formed.
“These worthless rats…”
“W-we’re sorry!”
They slammed their heads into the ground.
Even into Mike’s blood and brain matter.
Desperate to live.
“…Good.”
I stepped closer.
“I can kill you anytime. Anywhere.”
“Ghk—!”
“Please…!”
Fear rooted them in place.
“Disobey—and your heads explode.”
They believed it completely.
“…Perfect.”
Enough fear.
Now—
useful.
“You. Name.”
The older one.
“Z-Zik!”
“Zik. You’ll follow my orders. No questions.”
He nodded frantically.
“Move to a city near Haiger territory. Wait.”
“…Yes!”
Perfect tools.
Disposable.
Unknown.
Ideal for selling magic stones.
No more risking exposure.
I tossed a pouch.
“Take it.”
“…Why?”
“To keep you alive until I call.”
“…Thank you!”
Then—
“W-what should we call you?”
A name.
Something safe.
“…Call me Godfather.”
“…Yes, Godfather!”
He tried to ask more—
I cut him off.
“Did I permit questions?”
“S-sorry!”
“Never seek my identity. Just obey.”
“Yes!”
That was enough.
I left them behind—
heads still pressed to the ground.
From now on—
selling magic stones would be much easier.