Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Using Others' Things as My Own (4)
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In the middle of this vast capital, she figured the man had no way of finding her.
"Don't even think about running."
At that moment, the man spoke as if he'd peered right into her head.
"Those two from earlier will be gunning for you hard."
"Ah......"
Now that she thought about it, that was true. Tom and Jerry must be searching for her with fire in their eyes.
Jack spoke in a pitiful voice.
"M-My lord. Could it be......"
"Your situation is none of my business."
The man's abrupt interruption was so indifferent it nearly choked her.
In her despair, Jack's head drooped toward the ground. The man glanced at her.
"For now, just do what I tell you well. Who knows? Your sister might take a liking to you."
"Yes......"
Even those words, tossed out like charity, failed to lift her spirits. As an orphan street kid with no money, this was just how her life was.
'Before I go home, maybe I should find something to pad my clothes with......'
Jack swallowed a long breath and asked.
"By when should I finish the task you gave me?"
"Come by tomorrow at 2 in the afternoon."
"Uh, but taverns are usually closed at that hour."
At Jack's question, the corner of the man's mouth curved into a smile.
"It'll be open."
With that, the man waved her off.
"Go on."
❖ ❖ ❖
"What a cheeky little brat."
I chuckled as I watched the kid's retreating back.
Trembling in fear of me, yet still speaking her mind. Quick calculations and survival strategies even in a crisis.
I liked that about her.
"Kids who start from the bottom know how to survive."
Still young, with endless potential for growth. Her youthful appearance would be perfect for lowering others' guards.
Above all,
"She smelled it."
The kid's nose was exceptionally sharp. Especially unique how she sensed my killing intent as a scent.
If I put that ability to use, I could handle my plans even more efficiently.
"You showed up at just the right time."
I was planning to expand the guild's manpower anyway. Decent pickpocketing skills and quick wits—she had plenty of uses.
"Well, Elice will put her to good use."
Assessing people's talents and placing them where they can grow—that's Elice's role.
It's what she does best, too.
I smiled, thinking of Elice. I had a pretty good idea what she was up to right now.
"Digging into my background, no doubt."
Of course, she'd find not a speck of dirt. If she dug up that I'm a deranged psychopath, that'd be lucky.
"Still, I'm curious how far she'll get."
I decided to look forward to just how much she could uncover about Abel Ovest Kindriel.
"Time to go."
Once the kid was out of sight, I turned around. Now it was time to fulfill the purpose of coming here.
The alley the kid had pointed out was incredibly narrow. Barely enough for one person to squeeze through.
"Fat folks couldn't make it, huh?"
Grumbling, I reached the end, and a completely different scene unfolded.
A space naturally formed by surrounding buildings.
There, stalls lit by single candles stood in a row. Some shaped like carts, others just goods spread on mats.
"They deliberately keep the lights dim."
Behind them stood merchants with shady vibes you'd run from if you saw them at night—or even in daylight.
Darkened faces, eyes sizing people up, the cowardly demeanor typical of illegal traders.
"They're wearing 'black market dealer' signs on their faces."
I clicked my tongue and looked around.
Most people here, like me, had their hoods pulled low. As if they didn't want anyone knowing who they were.
"Yeah, that's a black market for you."
I nodded in satisfaction.
Black markets like this have always existed, no matter the era. Because there are always people smuggling goods the state monopolizes or bans.
"Hey, young man, interested in some drugs?"
"Pepper from the East! Pepper! Way cheaper than market price!"
No guarantees on quality since it's not through official channels.
But items too expensive at regular prices, or controlled by the empire, circulated openly here.
For instance,
"Cheap, cheap! Orc toes! Freshly harvested yesterday!"
"Goblin nails too! Tough as iron!"
Disgusting ingredients sold outright. Excuses like good for virility or ingredients for love potions.
"How do they even buy stuff in this darkness?"
Grumbling, I headed deeper into the black market.
Judging product quality objectively is tough here. Defects or side effects might show up after purchase.
But you can't complain to the seller.
The blame always falls squarely on the buyer. That's the black market's rule.
"Even if you come back, good luck finding the seller."
Illegal trades are all like that.
"Hmm."
I brushed past the hawkers and passed stall after stall.
"It should be around here somewhere."
Searching for what I wanted.
My eyesight pierced the street's darkness like daylight.
"Probably with some old geezer......"
I scanned sharply for my target.
It wouldn't be on the stalls. More likely around the seller......
'Found it.'
My eyes sparkled at the discovery.
I approached leisurely, not wanting to seem hasty.
"You little shit, spit it out already?!"
Where I headed, an old man sat behind a mat, fuming.
"Spit it out, I said!"
He gripped a finger-thick little snake.
The snake had something much bigger than its head in its mouth, struggling to swallow it down its throat with gagging sounds.
"Damn it, you idiot! That's not food!"
The old man clutched the snake's neck below the head, preventing it from swallowing.
"You stupid snake brat, why won't you eat the live food and go for weird crap?!"
His words were rough, but his grip was gentle. Carefully adjusting force so the snake's bones wouldn't break.
But the snake's body was so small, and it kept wriggling its neck, making it tough.
"I'm trying to save you here, you fool! Argh, this is infuriating!"
So engrossed in wrestling the snake, he hadn't noticed me approaching.
"Hey."
I called quietly, but he was too focused to hear.
Thud!
Frustrated, I stomped my foot.
"Whoa! What the—?!"
The old man jumped in shock. In the process, something slipped a bit down the snake's throat.
"Damn it, nooo!"
He hurriedly grabbed the snake's neck. Wiping sweat from his brow, he looked at me.
"Come on in! Sorry 'bout that. This guy's got me all worked up......"
Even flustered, he didn't let go of the snake. Holding it firm with one hand, he shuffled closer on his butt.
"So, see anything you like?"
At his question, I pointed at the item with a finger.
"This."
"......?"
Confusion flickered in his eyes. I wasn't pointing at the stall.
His gaze followed my finger slowly.
"Eh?! You mean this guy?"
It ended at the snake in his hand.
"No, see, this one's not for sale."
"You raising it?"
"Yeah. I like these slimy critters."
He cackled and held out the hand gripping the snake.
"Isn't he cute?"
I nodded perfunctorily, and his face lit up with a grin.
"Heh, you got an eye! Some say what’s good about these cold things, but that's 'cause they don't get their charm!"
Suddenly excited, he spat as he preached the cuteness of reptiles.
"Yeah, yeah, got it."
As he rambled, I cut him off.
"Why are you holding that snake so tight?"
"'Cause it ate something it shouldn't. Why does it keep swallowing damn rocks?!"
Now he vented in another direction.
"Trouble getting live food, so I got this Egg-Eater Snake."
Egg-Eater Snake.
A breed that eats eggs instead of live prey. Swallows them whole, then breaks the shells inside to consume the contents.
"This thing keeps eating nonsense, giving me a headache. No wonder it was cheap."
His eyes gleamed menacingly.
"Dared to scam me? Whoever it was, next time I see 'em, I'll beat 'em senseless."
As he raged, the snake blinked innocently, oblivious. Still no sign of spitting out the rock.
"How much'd you pay?"
"For this guy? Around 50 silver, I think."
I rummaged in my pouch and said.
"Sell that snake to me."
"Huh? This one's not......"
Clink.
His eyes snapped to the item dropping on the stall. A gold coin spun a few times before stopping.
"But I went pretty far to get this one......"
Clink.
"Considering all the trouble I've had with it......"
Clink, clink, clink.
"Take him quick."
He politely offered the snake with both hands.
"Good choice."
I gently pinched below the snake's neck with my fingers. Careful not to crush it—unlike the old man, this was sensitive for me. My grip strength far outmatched his.
"Cold."
"Snakes are like that. But pet it a bit, and it's oddly addictive."
The snake wriggled a few times, then slowly coiled around my hand.
"Hoo."
From the back of my hand to my wrist, wrapped in its sleek body.
Not as creepy as expected. The soft, cool sensation was quite pleasant.
"Yeah, it is."
"Right? That's why I keep snakes. And look how cute its face is. Round eyes, so innocent."
I peered closer at the snake.
Black glass-bead eyes, round head typical of non-venomous ones, glossy yellow scales shimmering.
"Yeah, definitely pretty."