Chapter 99
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: Friends Aren't Eternal. (11)
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The wound on his forehead.
The name Marco.
And the sketch that still faintly resembled his childhood appearance, along with his estimated age range.
It's certain.
The leader of the criminal organization 'Scar' was from the back alleys of one of the cities in the marquisate where I used to live, long ago.
There's no doubt it was Marco, the one I was with back then.
We weren't that close, but he was the only kid my age, so I remember him well.
A while back, the thought crossed my mind briefly, so I asked Marquis Harkur if it was okay to bring along a friend and went to the back alleys.
He was already gone by then.
Who would've thought he was here.
Normally, you'd think he died.
It's not a place where a kid could survive for long.
But I always thought he wouldn't die.
Because...
B-rank Swordsmanship aptitude, and even aptitude for Leadership.
On top of that, he had a rough, action-oriented personality.
Martial prowess, leadership, charisma. A wild temperament.
He had the talent to survive anywhere, not just the back alleys.
As expected, huh.
He even became the boss of such a massive criminal organization.
...What a shame.
If only I'd found him sooner back then.
If I'd brought him to the Harkur family sooner and we'd grown up together.
He surely would've put those abilities to good use.
"...Hoo, no use thinking about it now."
Too late is too late.
Honestly, our bond wasn't deep enough for me to go searching high and low for him.
Still, as the only peer I had in the back alleys.
I wanted to see his end.
But well... nothing to be done.
I didn't want to go that badly, especially after Miss Rin asked me to wait at the adventurer guild since it could be dangerous.
For now, I'll just stay quietly at the inn and wait for them to return.
Yeah, at least I know now where and how he died.
No, more than just knowing—I'm indirectly involved.
"If Marquis Harkur hadn't saved me, would I have died just as pointlessly somewhere?"
No, if it were me, I probably would've died as an nameless slum kid in the back alleys, without achieving anything.
In that sense, Marco's impressive.
As I was thinking that.
Shweeeek—
"...!!"
Suddenly, a sharp whistling sound came from outside the window, and I twisted my body in a hurry.
Kwang!
A dagger embedded deeply into the inn's wall.
"...Ambush...!"
I jumped to my feet right away.
Are these the ones targeting Miss Rin...?
Did they send a new assassin after learning the one I killed is dead?
Damn... I was an idiot.
Why did I think Shassen was safe?
These guys attacked without hesitation even in Colphid.
Even if Shassen is closer to the center.
Even if we've already met with the adventurer guild and the Mera Federation central council members.
The enemy is connected to demons, or is a demon itself.
They wouldn't care about that.
Besides, in a situation where the Mera Federation might be the culprits themselves.
I was too complacent.
No, honestly, I let my guard down thinking I'd be safe.
I figured demons had no reason to target me.
But thinking about it, I'm a perfect hostage to use against Miss Rin.
If things go wrong, I could hold her back...!
What do I do?
What do you mean, what? I have to run now.
If the opponent is a demon or someone with demonic power, they're too much for me.
I've gotten stronger, but still just a bit above average adventurer level.
The moment I thought that, I leaped out the window.
The cramped inn room didn't give me space to maneuver.
Thud!
Ugh... jumping from the third floor makes my legs ache.
But since I've trained my body well, it's fine.
Before, I'd have broken a joint or cracked a bone.
As soon as my legs steadied, I started running.
Get out of here first and head to the adventurer guild...
"Hey, where you off to in such a hurry, Kane."
"...?"
Then someone called my name.
I reflexively turned my head, and there...
"...Marco?"
A man stood there with a huge scar on his forehead, looking intimidating.
Marco.
The boss of the organization 'Scar.'
And... my peer from the back alleys.
"Man, long time no see. You're completely different from back then. You were all skin and bones. Looks like you've been eating well and living large, huh?"
"......"
It's certain.
The tiny possibility it wasn't the Marco I knew vanished with that conversation.
And more than that.
...He knew me too.
I thought someone as unremarkable as me would've been forgotten.
"Never thought I'd meet in person the guy I've only seen in the papers. Heh heh, this calls for catching up with old alley buddies over drinks at a tavern or something?"
Not just knew of me.
That relaxed tone.
He knew I was in the city and came looking on purpose.
"How was my greeting earlier instead of a hello? Like it?"
He held up a few daggers.
...So the one that flew at me was his doing.
Should I be relieved it wasn't the ones after Miss Rin?
No, can't be sure.
Can't rule out that Marco—or 'Scar'—isn't connected to them.
Right now, consider all possibilities and act accordingly.
So, should I run from here?
Or talk to Marco and fish for info on whether they're connected or not?
No... he threw the dagger right away.
He might not even talk, let alone give info.
One thing's clear: he's hostile.
And him being here, not at the hideout Miss Rin and Soma went to.
He already knows we're adventurers here to wipe them out.
...Info leaked.
The Shassen adventurer guild branch might be in on it too.
...That's going too far.
Don't overthink it.
"...You haven't changed a bit."
At that, Marco's face twisted sour.
His already vicious look grew even more menacing.
"You've always been like that. Never saying what you're thinking. Never properly talking. Just quietly sizing up the situation by yourself."
"......"
"I hated that so much. A punk who can't do shit, just thinking in his head. Can't even hold a proper conversation. Damn it, I'm talking to you now, you retard! Look at me! Talk to me!!"
Shweeeek!
He threw a dagger.
I saw the motion right in front of me, so dodging was easy.
No, he threw it so I could dodge on purpose?
"Keh, heh heh. Whatever. You're dead anyway. You pissed me off. You're dying right here."
Shling—
He sheathed the dagger and drew the sword from his waist.
...Holder of B-rank Swordsmanship aptitude.
Plus, climbing to that position from rough back alleys means his real combat experience is top-notch.
He's seriously strong.
Can I... win?
"Dieee!"
Tat-tat-tat—!
He charged fast.
I hurriedly drew my dagger from its sheath at my waist and blocked his rush.
Clang!
"Oh ho, you've trained some, huh!"
Bam!
"Guhk?!"
A kick...?!
I couldn't react in time and took a solid kick to the gut.
Ugh...!
Feels like my stomach contents are coming up...!
The moment I blocked the sword, he followed with his foot.
Such quick improvisation...!
I never expected a kick right then.
My physical abilities have improved a lot.
I've learned plenty of techniques.
Especially martial arts, the basics of close combat.
Yet I couldn't react to something this simple.
...Come to think of it, have I ever truly fought for my life against another person...?
Until now, my opponents were mostly monsters, and even then, I rarely fought up front myself.
Sure, I've sparred with people, but that's just sparring.
Not real 'combat' staking our lives.
In other words... this is my first real PvP.
Get your head straight.
Otherwise, no escaping—you die right here.
"What're you spacing out for, punk!"
"...!!"
Swish!
I barely dodged Marco's downward slash.
Calm down.
From his moves so far, he's clearly weaker than Veronica.
Soma? No, not even that level.
I can win if I fight smart.
Doesn't seem like he has minions... he's alone.
Probably figured he couldn't beat Miss Rin or Soma, so when he heard they were coming, he evacuated the others.
And came alone to kill me.
Impressive dedication.
He could've just run.
Does he want me dead that badly?
"...Why are you trying to kill me?"
"What?"
I was genuinely curious.
We only hung out briefly in the back alleys as kids; no deep connection.
Does he have some grudge I don't know about?
I lived quietly there, didn't do anything.
"Ha, damn punk."
Marco snorted in disbelief.
Then.
"I hate punks like you the most."
He narrowed his eyes, glaring at me, and opened his mouth.
"Ones who just got lucky, strutting around like they earned it... Yeah, filthy noble trash like that."
"......"
In other words, he sees me as.
Just lucky, strutting on others' backs.
Filthy trash.
"If Harkur hadn't picked you up, you'd have starved to death after botching a theft... Living off others' scraps. Climbing high on strength others gave you. Praised for others' achievements. Damn, you happy living like that?"
His face twisted viciously.
Sneer? Or jealousy?
Hard to tell.
...Yeah, honestly, I admit it.
I was just lucky.
If Marquis Harkur hadn't found me.
Hadn't brought me to the family.
Hadn't given me the chance to learn.
I probably would've died starving in the alleys, unable to even steal properly, just like he said.
But.
But.
"You're nothing. Just lucky trash mooching off others and bragging."
That's why you'll die by my hand.
...Marco added.
But.
"......"
I don't know what life Marco's lived.
I agree he deserves judgment as a criminal.
But I won't criticize his entire life as the head of a crime syndicate committing atrocities.
But isn't it the same for him?
'A mere commoner.'
'How dare a fake teacher try to instruct us?'
'What? That guy's an academy instructor?'
'Heh heh heh, I put toilet water in his food.'
'Ew, gross. But suits a filthy commoner punk.'
"...You don't know what kind of life I've lived."
Yeah, I admit I got lucky.
But at least one thing I can say.
"I've done my best, in my own way, getting knocked around."
Not to survive the brutal alleys, maybe.
But for the one who saved my life, who gave me this 'luck.'
I've given my all.
"You have no right to mock that."
Shhh—
Slowly, I move my feet.
Circling the ground.