Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Black Market, Plaism Bandit Group
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Black Market, Plaism Bandit Group.
They were a band of thieves who primarily targeted those who frequented the Empire's auction house.
The Bloodless Sovereign didn't allow any other groups to cause a ruckus within the black market.
However, that only applied inside the black market.
She couldn't care less about what happened outside, even if it involved VVIP guests.
That was why bandit groups had sprung up to prey on those leaving the black market.
In the midst of all that, one person caught the eye of Jack, a member of the Plaism bandit group today.
'Not a noble, and from the looks of him, just some guy who got his hands on good materials and sold them off.'
Black hair with a blue sheen toward the inside.
Those were unmistakably the traits of a Dark Elf.
But his skin was too light—he was a Half Dark Elf.
Maybe because of that.
The guy looked downright menacing, making a mockery of his Dark Elf bloodline.
'No way that mug belongs to a noble.'
Jack had good instincts.
In fact, it wasn't just instinct.
He had a skill called Premonition [D].
Premonition allowed him to get one gut feeling about a target once per day.
'Even Premonition confirmed he's no noble.'
If he wasn't a noble, there was no reason to hold back.
Jack immediately led his bandit crew after the man.
The man was alone, without any escorts, and throwing money around like water.
Seeing that, Jack's grin stretched from ear to ear.
'Jackpot.'
But he made one fatal mistake.
Instead of judging whether the man was a noble.
He should have judged whether he was dangerous.
At that moment, the menacing Dark Elf up ahead suddenly halted his steps.
The Sword-Tooth Clan kid did the same and bolted with him.
As the two suddenly took off running, the bandits reacted.
"They noticed us. Chase 'em!"
The bandits hurriedly gave chase.
Just then, Leyzon and Hanok rounded the alley corner together.
The moment the bandits rushed around the corner after them.
Leyzon and Hanok had vanished.
The dimly lit alley barely let in any light.
An eerie darkness lingered there.
"Damn it, did we lose them?"
The bandits scanned the area for Leyzon.
"...Where'd they go?"
"Let's head deeper in."
Urged by the guy behind him, one bandit stepped forward.
The rest followed suit.
Thud—.
A boy appeared in the spot they'd just entered.
Black hair with perky ears.
And three tails whipping behind his back.
The Sword-Tooth Clan boy Leyzon had bought earlier.
Hanok Wilbria.
He was standing there.
For some reason, he was staring intently at the shadow on the ground.
Then, as if chilled to the bone, his tails shivered.
Hanok suddenly unstrapped his shield.
Thump!
After setting the shield down, he tossed aside the one-handed spear at his waist.
The bandits eyed him curiously as he ditched his weapons.
Whether they did or not, Hanok cracked his knuckles.
He stretched his arms out and twisted his waist side to side.
Then he let out a light breath.
"C-Come on, then."
But despite the warm-up, fear was written all over his face.
The bandits looked incredulous.
"...Hey, that kid's gearing up to fight us."
"Looks like his owner's using him as bait and bailed."
The bandits snickered.
"Pfft, cheeky little brat."
One bandit drew his sword.
"Hey! Bring your master, punk!"
Crack!
In that instant, the bandit's head snapped back hard as he lunged at Hanok.
Crash!
He crumpled to the ground.
"S-Sorry."
Hanok stammered an apology.
His words and expression screamed terror.
But those legs of his were steady.
They were the legs of someone who'd floored countless foes.
The bandits' faces turned strange.
They glanced at each other and whispered.
"You coming or not?"
Hanok slowly tilted his head to the side.
Only then did the bandits realize.
He hadn't ditched his weapons out of weakness.
He was confident he could take them all barehanded.
Realization dawned, and the bandits' faces twisted in anger.
"A mere slave playing games with us?!"
One bandit yelled, drawing his sword and swinging at Hanok.
"Hey, hold up!"
Jack tried to stop him, but it was too late.
Hanok looked at the bandit charging right up to his face.
The fear in Hanok's eyes vanished in an instant.
As the bandit swung his sword.
Hanok was already above his head.
The bandit couldn't track Hanok's movement at all.
Hanok's leg traced a perfect arc.
Crack!
"Guak!"
Pain exploded from the bandit's head.
His eyes nearly bulged out from the shock as he staggered.
"H-Hey, don't come this way!"
"It's too cramped!"
His stumbling turned him into an obstacle in the narrow path.
Hanok's eyes locked onto it.
In a single moment.
No trace of fear or cowering remained.
He moved like a predator pouncing on prey.
In front of the bandits whose view was blocked by the staggering man.
Hanok's fist filled their vision.
Splat!
"Kheuk?!"
One punch shattered his nose and caved in his face, eliciting a scream.
He toppled, tangling up the men behind him.
"Damn it, get out of the way!"
A bandit kicked the fallen man aside and brought his sword down hard.
"You orphan bastard!"
Hanok angled his gauntlet and thrust his arm upward.
Clang!
The sword clashed with the gauntlet, sparks flying from the friction.
"Ugh!"
The bandit grunted from the recoil.
Proof that Hanok's strength far outmatched his.
He winced at the numbness in his arm.
"H-How'd you know?"
Hanok stared at him in surprise.
The bandit who'd just hurled the orphan insult froze.
"Uh, s-sorry."
As he reflexively apologized, Hanok whipped his leg around.
Crunch!
The heel of Hanok's boot sent the man flying.
Thud!
He tumbled across the ground.
The bandits' faces drained of color.
They were hardened thieves in their own right.
But they saw no way to beat this Sword-Tooth Clan kid.
It was only natural.
They didn't know what the number of Sword-Tooth Clan tails signified.
They were at best around three Ascension levels.
An insurmountable gap yawned between them and Hanok.
The bandits began edging backward stealthily.
As the situation soured, their flight instinct kicked in.
The moment most of them decided to bolt.
Thud!
Hanok stomped the ground threateningly.
Killing intent poured from him, sweeping over the bandits in an instant.
"Ugh!"
The terrified bandits turned and ran all at once.
"Hey, where the hell are you all going!"
Jack shouted in panic at the sight.
After coming this far, letting them flee would ruin everything.
True to form as thieves, their heads weren't screwed on right.
And that poor judgment hit rock bottom.
Boom!
Suddenly, the ground beneath the fleeing bandits collapsed.
"Ack!?"
The sudden event left no time to react.
All the bandits plummeted downward.
Jack stared blankly at the scene.
The floor had just caved in out of nowhere—he couldn't process it.
Thud!
In that moment, a blow to Jack's back sent his body lurching forward.
He belatedly realized Hanok's fist had slammed into him.
"S-Sorry."
Hanok's apologetic voice rang out.
But his actions showed no mercy.
"Keurk!"
Jack screamed as he was flung into the pit.
Crash!
Dust billowed up from inside the pit.
At that instant, something rose from Hanok's shadow.
It was Leyzon.
"Well done, Hanok. You're exceeding my expectations."
Leyzon praised him after watching the fight.
But Hanok's fur bristled at the sight of the bloodstained shadow.
He'd subconsciously sensed the presence within.
Then, an eye peeked through the shadow and winked.
"Y-Yeah, I did my best."
Hanok reverted to his usual timid self and appealed eagerly.
Leyzon might not notice, but that shadow felt like it would devour him someday.
Leyzon walked slowly to the pit's edge.
This pit was a trap Leyzon had dug.
He glanced back at Hanok.
'I thought he was just a scared kid at first glance.'
His combat skills and senses were anything but ordinary.
A Sword-Tooth Clan through and through.
'Pretending to be scared might actually be the devious part.'
His timid act made opponents drop their guard without thinking.
And Hanok never missed that opening.
'Got myself a slave with personality.'
Whether intentional or not.
Leyzon liked that he used every trick available.
Leyzon looked back at the pit.
While Hanok stalled against the bandits.
He'd filled the ground below with Fierce Poison Spread.
Then blasted it open with Fierce Poison Explosion to create this.
Leyzon swept his gaze over the bandits in the pit.
"P-Please spare us! There's gotta be some misunderstanding!"
Jack shouted desperately.
Leyzon turned away indifferently.
"Syria, clean up."
[Got it!]
And above the bandits' heads.
A fanged shadow appeared.
Thud!
It crushed them instantly.
And that was the end.
The surroundings fell eerily quiet, as if nothing had happened.
'Not bad.'
Leyzon gazed at the pit with a blank expression.
Whether he could harm people or not.
This was a crucial factor for navigating Dungeon Replay ahead.
Dungeon Replay wasn't just about fighting Phantasmal Beasts.
'Other people can become enemies at any time.'
Even party members could betray you right after forming a group.
In those cases, you'd have to fight your own allies.
'After shedding blood once like that, I started constantly watching party tendencies.'
That's why Leyzon tested it here.
In this world where the brutal game Dungeon Replay had become reality.
Could he harm people?
'...Yes, I can.'
Leyzon had modern morals too.
He'd help someone in trouble.
But.
He could harm those who tried to harm him.
The life he'd lived hadn't been merciful.
He didn't expect gifts without strings.
Nor did he want to be robbed.
Those who hurt others don't change.
He knew their nature was rotten to the core.
Mercy often turned to poison anyway.
Better to crush them so thoroughly they couldn't even dream of revenge.
'Better to be the killer than the killed.'
Leyzon's eyes gleamed coldly.
This resolve—to use any means necessary.
To prepare for Dungeon Replay's ending.
And the Empire's downfall.
'Thanks to these bandits chasing us, my hesitation's gone.'
Leyzon viewed the incident positively.
Even crap had its uses, they said.
And the bandits had served theirs.
Leyzon dusted his hands and started walking.
Hanok quickly grabbed his shield and one-handed spear and followed.
"U-Um, Leyzon."
"Yeah?"
"You're a Necromancer, right?"
Leyzon froze.
He'd have to reveal it eventually if they entered dungeons together.
But he hadn't expected Hanok to figure it out before he even said anything.
This was trouble.
Soldiers hunting Necromancers might spot him the same way.
"Hanok, how'd you know?"
Leyzon asked urgently.
If there was something to watch out for, he needed to remember it.
Hanok panicked at Leyzon's intensity.
"W-Well, the mana smelled different when you used magic."
He answered cautiously, fiddling with his ears and tail.
"Different mana smell?"
"Sword-Tooth Clan have good noses. Once we smell mana, we can tell it apart.
I-I've met a Necromancer before too."
Having encountered one, Hanok could distinguish by mana.
Leyzon touched his chin, realizing this.
'Can he tell mages from Necromancers by mana?'
This was new to Leyzon.
The game never explained it.
'Like how eye colors differ by element, mana has unique scents.'
Good thing he'd learned it early thanks to Hanok.
"Hanok, is that just Sword-Tooth Clan?"
"N-No? Any race with a sensitive nose could probably do it."
Mages probably couldn't, though.
Leyzon nodded, deciding.
'No magic in cities from now on, if possible.'
Or.
Eliminate anyone who sees it.
Leyzon smiled faintly.
"Thanks, Hanok. You taught me something new."
He ruffled Hanok's hair.
Hanok let out a short squeak and squirmed.
Things to watch out for kept piling up.
Since reality differed from the game, he had to be even more cautious.
"N-Now I get why you bought me and want to take me into dungeons."
Hanok said, fixing his mussed hair.
Leyzon smiled wryly.
"Yeah, sorry for the late intro. I'm a Necromancer, and my undead's with me under the shadows."
Leyzon's shadow twitched faintly.
Hanok flinched instinctively every time he saw it.
His sharp senses must have picked up on Syria's presence subtly.
"The Empire's hunting Necromancers, so I was in a rush."
He couldn't enter dungeons alone forever.
Especially high-level ones—they needed a party.
"That's why I bought you, Hanok."
Hanok nodded vigorously.
"I get it now."
He tucked his tail and looked up at Leyzon.
"I-I'll work hard so you don't need undead."
Too many Necromancer prejudices.
"If you don't use me as disposable bait and let me grow without limits.
I can help you my whole life!"
Hanok appealed eagerly.
Leyzon caught something in his words.
'He has his own goals.'
He didn't know what yet.
But Hanok's eyes held sincerity.
He'd repay sincerity in kind.
Leyzon was good at reading people.
Life's hardships had honed his instincts.
"I'll be your vanguard, Leyzon. S-So, can I grow with you?"
Hanok bowed his head deeply.
If Hanok's tails increased, he could shatter the slave contract.
Leyzon knew that.
But that's why.
They needed real trust, not some spell.
Leyzon's goal was reaching Dungeon Replay's ending and returning.
For that, reliable party members were essential.
"Hanok."
At Leyzon's call, Hanok slowly lifted his head.
Leyzon smiled at him.
"I need a party member to conquer dungeons with me from here on out."
Leyzon extended his hand to Hanok.
Hanok looked at it, then slowly raised his own.
And clasped it.
Warmth flowed from the grip.
The warmth of trust.
"I think you can see the benefits of partying with me without another slave contract."
Leyzon gripped tightly.
"Looking forward to it, Hanok."
Hanok's fearful face softened into a smile at Leyzon's words.
Smiling suited him far better than fear.
"Leyzon, I'll do more than you believe in me for."
A symbiotic bond.
A new relationship formed for their respective goals.