Chapter 506
Chapter 506
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 506
Chapter Title: God's Atlantis
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Zone 5,709, the Lawless Zone.
After receiving a mission from Helten for the first time in a while, I appeared in this place called the Lawless Zone. In terms of size, this zone is on par with a major city.
However, upon closer inspection, it falls short of being called a proper metropolis.
And that's inevitable because this is the Lawless Zone.
It's an area where the system cannot enforce laws.
A place beyond the reach of the Yustria Empire's influence. Instead, there are only unwritten rules akin to laws. Most of the residents here are criminals, fugitives, slaves, and the like. It's the final refuge for those whose lives have hit rock bottom, unable to live in other zones.
'It's not quite metropolis level, but the living standards are higher than in most small cities.'
No sane merchant would set foot here. A merchant who does might as well advertise themselves as easy pickings.
'And yet, hilariously, there are filthy rich black market dealers everywhere.'
Thanks to the black market dealers, the city's living standards are high. They sell daily necessities to criminals and illegal weapons and drugs to visitors.
'Another nickname for the Lawless Zone is Atlantis's premier black market.'
The Lawless Zone also attracts a lot of outsiders. Mostly for two reasons.
Hit contracts. Or the black market.
'My task is to find the bastard who betrayed Helten and make him pay.'
The price of betrayal is, of course, death.
Helten forgives failure but never betrayal.
'To start, I should check out one of the countless taverns or an information guild.'
I walked down the street. Even in broad daylight, the city felt dark. Trash littered the roads everywhere, and there were an unusual number of alleyways shrouded by buildings.
"Hey. Clown."
My feet stopped. I turned to the alley on my right where the voice came from. Three men in their mid-to-late twenties lurked in the shadow of the building, grinning menacingly at me.
"Wearing a clown mask on the street? In a city with no kids? What a funny bastard. Hey, which family are you with?"
"……."
Being picked on wasn't unusual. Walking alone in a vicious city like this invites underestimation. Plus, my reputation hasn't spread far and wide yet.
"Oh? Now you're ignoring us? Wait, you're the guy who just arrived, right? No affiliation, huh?"
"If it's your first time, you gotta go through initiation. Jealous? What if we are?"
"Got a lot of money on you?"
The men brandished their weapons, threatening me one by one.
Their demeanor screamed street thug, but their eyes were brutally fierce—too much so to compare to mere thugs. They've killed before, and they kill without hesitation.
"Perfect timing. I'm looking for someone. You'll help me out."
I stepped into the alley, clenching my fists.
Heavenly Demon Divine Art: Heavenly Demon Asura
Heavenly Demon energy ripples from the fists
The men flinched but didn't back away. Their atmosphere grew far more serious.
"Ah, shit. Feels like we picked the wrong guy—a super rookie."
"Don't chicken out. He's just some poser wearing a fancy mask, pretending to be a Helten exec. We can take him."
"Yeah. Think we can't use sword aura? Let's show him what this place is really like."
Sword aura flickered to life on their weapons.
'I'll hold back on Dragon Fist. Don't want to cause unnecessary uproar.'
They clearly have solid skills to survive in this zone.
"Arrogant prick... Wherever you're from, I'll make you regret it!"
They coordinated with professional precision and charged at me. No doubt they've killed plenty in groups.
'No need to drag this out. Let's end it quick. Snap.'
In the slowed world, my fists moved.
1 minute.
That's how long it took to beat them all down. Not quick. Even using Snap, it took a full minute.
Even without my big Heavenly Demon Divine Art techniques, a whole minute.
"P-please... I'll tell you anything... Spare me..."
I grabbed the last surviving one by the back of his head with one hand. With my strength, I could crush him instantly.
"Barden. Know him?"
"B-Barden..."
"Don't bullshit me. Answer straight. Plenty more in this city to ask anyway."
"I know him! Yeah! The one-eyed blue-eyed guy! The one always in blue clothes, right?!"
"Right. You know him well. Heard he's famous here."
I'd gotten basic info on Barden from Helten before coming, but over half was fabricated, so it wasn't reliable.
"Where is he."
"I-I don't know!"
"You joking?"
"Really! He was acting all high and mighty, then poof—disappeared! Either went into hiding or he's dead!"
"So you're useless. Die."
Bam!
I slammed his head into the ground, shattering it. If he'd given solid info on Barden, maybe. But this worthless trash? No mercy.
'Even robbers pick targets wisely. How dare they try me...'
I ignored the three corpses and exited the alley.
Glance.
I looked at my left forearm. My sleeve was torn, skin gashed. This mission won't be easy.
'If things get messy, just blow it all away.'
I entered a tavern reeking of alcohol.
All eyes inside turned to me. Unusually quiet for a tavern. Because this was an info shop disguised as one. And such places are inevitably tied to assassin guilds or bandit crews.
"Clown mask... The Heavenly Demon stirring up the west lately. What brings a desert hick like you here?"
A middle-aged man at the bar smirked at me, flaunting their intel. Obvious intent: to intimidate me.
Intangible energy poured from my body, dominating the tavern.
"Ugh..."
Patrons groaned softly, assuming combat stances. I ignored them all and glared at the bald middle-aged man before me.
"No time to brawl with you lot. I'll pay fair for info. Where's the one-eyed blue guy, Barden?"
"...Damn, you got a killer vibe. What's your name?"
"Heavenly Demon."
"Real name, not that. What parents name their kid that crap?"
"Not chatting. No games. Sell the info. Said I'd pay proper."
"No info on Barden. That bastard's gone deep underground this time... Same result anywhere else."
I clicked my tongue. Didn't seem like a lie.
"Hunting Barden to kill him...? Far as I know, no connection between Heavenly Demon and him. Whose commission?"
"Info broker instinct? Always prying for more."
"Instinct. Instinct."
I turned to leave. Better than wasting time here—hit another shop. They all clueless too? Bullshit. Can't trust a guy peddling garbage.
'Worst case, he left before I arrived.'
Mission failure then.
"Desperately hunting Barden, huh. Advice: he hasn't left the zone. Too much he's built here."
"……."
"As one who desperately wants that fucker dead, no charge for advice."
"……."
No value in responding. I left the tavern.
I leaned against the wall and checked my status window. No matter how many times I look, it's satisfying.
'Need to focus more on Agility and Stamina.'
As I leisurely reviewed it, I abruptly leaped up. An iron bar flew and embedded where I'd been.
"There you are! Heavenly Demon!!"
"Thought you'd live easy after touching the boss's woman?!"
"I'll cut off your head and send it to the desert!"
I considered fighting but turned tail seeing over 30 foes. Better avoid a frontal clash even if fighting.
'They've been tailing me like leeches since yesterday. Set a trap and wipe them? But their tracking's too good; simple traps won't work...'
Serigeo Family.
Simple reason they're chasing me: I fucked their boss Serigeo's girl. No time for sweet-talk seduction, and stressed from hunting Barden, so I raped her on sight. Problem? Serigeo saw it.
While fleeing wildly through alleys, I collided with a man.
"Gah!? Heavenly Demon! You're here... Aaaagh!"
I punched a hole through his solar plexus without hesitation. Kill one whenever chance arises. That's how you thin the herd.
'Haa. Tired. Where the hell is Barden?'
After successfully shaking the Serigeo Family, I returned to my stolen hideout. But unlike usual, someone was inside.
Over ten people.
Armed to the teeth, exuding sharp hostility.
I narrowed my eyes. At their center, on the sofa where I usually lounged, sat a beauty with long orange hair, bold as brass.
Black leggings hugging her lower body, tank top exposing abs. Undeniably gorgeous face. But her exposed arms, abs, and face were covered in big and small scars. It gave her an incredibly fierce aura.
"Waited two hours. Why so late?"
"...Acting right at home in someone else's place."
"Don't bullshit. Knew it wasn't yours when I came. Asshole."
"So who are you. Not here for fun."
Normally, I'd fight on sight. Hate intruders in my hideout. Isn't there that saying in America about shooting home invaders?
But she was a beauty who caught my eye. Reason enough to talk.
I approached and sat opposite her.
"Oh? Muscles are nice too? Most run in this situation. As expected of the hot topic Heavenly Demon."
C-cup breasts. Estimated to be very springy.
"I'm Heavenly Demon. Who are you? State your name if you're here to talk."
"Olivia, boss of the Olivia Family. Anti-Demon. Heard you're chasing Barden? Got a proposal."
"...What kind?"
"I owe that damn one-eyed fucker too. Roughly know where he is... But shit got complicated, need someone strong like you. Team up till we find and kill Barden. Heavenly Demon."
"……."
I fell silent, staring at Olivia.