Heatherlock
Heatherlock
He have no intention of causing an unfortunate situation.
The mission is simply to find out who Heatherlock is, and it turns out that it's an organization, not an individual.
It appears though that they're up to some sort of shady business.
Figuring that out is not really his job, and it's not something he'd want to do as a Special Task Forces 7th Division member.
Above all, there was little benefit from stepping forward.
Redin doesn't know who was behind the Heatherlock Organization, nor do he know what variables will come into play. If he rushes in and takes on more than he can possibly handle.
This can be problematic in its own right.
So, Redin stopped Rebecca from attacking Heatherlock's stronghold right away and sent her out of Colloum.
“First of all, let’s start with the report. If an order for further investigation comes, let’s move then.” said Redin to Rebecca.
"... Okay." came the disheartened reply of Rebecca.
* * *
After splitting up like that.
The only one back in the room was Redin. Someone had to gauge the mood, in case further investigation fell through.
While remaining as quiet as possible.
"It's weird to see Bahad lose this time."
"The opponents for Bahad are all weird lately. Is there a shortage in species availability?"
"This is getting... boring."
He stayed in Colloum for now, and was in and out of the arena to get hints about the pinnacle.
Tsk.
The three duels Redin had recently have all been terrible. He doesn't know if it's because of the growth in his skills, or if his opponents are really weak.
It wasn't quite as easy to reach and hold, which was a little disappointing.
"Huuuu...." exhaled Redin
'Let's not get impatient.'
He's getting stronger fast enough now, and there's still a few dungeons to go if he wants to.
It will fill up when he kills a Boss Monster.
* * *
After roughly brushing off the sticky blood of his opponent, he made his way out of the arena, but someone blocked his path on the stairs.
"Mr. Bahad?"
A black suit and sunglasses.
The man in the small brimmed hat slid his sunglasses up with his fingertips and smiled.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Heatherlock."
"Heatherlock?"
"I'd like to talk to you for a minute, do you have a few minutes?"
Is this the one?
The one who provided drugs to the nobility.
If he's openly calling himself a heatherlock, he's probably got some sort of position in the organization.
'Let's get this out of the way first.'
"I hope this isn't a boring conversation."
"I think you'll find it very interesting."
Redin steps out of the arena with a man who identifies himself as Heatherlock. They were alone, and there were no other people around.
But
He could see everyone in the arena, including the betting man, deliberately averting their eyes.
Perhaps this isn't an impersonation.
"By any chance, have you ever heard of me?"
"A little."
"Oh. Where have you heard of that?"
After hearing those words, Redin remembered something from a few days ago.
He overheard some strangers talking about Heatherlock in the waiting room. Nothing too significant.
They were talking loudly as if it was deliberate in trying to get people to listen.
No way.
Have they been watching since then?
"The fighters in the arena have been talking about how good your medicine is."
"Ugh. I'm flattered. Let's get into the details, you're going to love it."
* * *
Redin followed him to the place where Rebecca stayed. The man stood in front of him for a moment, and then he rolled his eyes.
It's a strange atmosphere.
It looks like the man wanted to see how he would react. This made one thing clear. They're suspicious of him.
Since when?
The only time he had direct contact with Rebecca in Colloum was when the Beastman slave had a mishap.
Or are all outsiders who came in around that time put on surveillance?
Calmly, Redin activated the Eye of Arrakis. There was no immediate threat of death.
"Please come in."
If it's just a suspicion.
There is a way out of this.
He followed the man who called himself Heatherlock into the inn. He entered Rebecca's quarters and sat down in a chair.
Inside the room, men in black suits like heatherlocks surrounded Redin.
Redin made his way to the center and sat down across from Heatherlock.
Clap!
As Heatherlock clapped, a man nearby brought a small bag.
"I don't like to talk in circles. If you've followed me here, I'm going to assume you know what we're dealing with."
Heatherlock smiled and reached into a small bag. He pulled out a small vial. Inside, a small purple orb.
He shook it around.
The small beads crumbled and turned to powder.
"Is that the drug the fighters were talking about?" asked Redin while observing the vial.
"That's right. Jaino Two. It's a drug that acts fast and strong, but with extremely reduced side effects of the original."
The corner of Heatherlock's mouth lifted.
Removing the cap from the vial, he used his wrist to scatter the powder inside into the air.
Powder that comes in with a puff.
Redin's body heated up with the powder coming up his nose. His head pinged and spun, and he felt better than ever.
His body becomes limp.
It feels like he's just floating around.
Thanks to his [Strong Mind] and [Cold Heart], he was able to maintain his sanity, but laughter spilled out of him.
"Heh."
"Take care of him." ordered Heatherlock to the person besides him.
Crash!
The men in black suits around Redin walked over and grabbed his arms, pulled off his hood, and removed the helmet he was wearing.
Swish!
The guy shaking the medicine bottle approached.
“Damn, I guess you feel good. I wonder if you want me to make you feel even better?"
Is this how they do things?
First getting the person addicted to the drug, and then getting them to want it again so they can get their fill.
'What does he want from me?' thought Redin.
Drugs don't work on him because of the [Fire of Purification], and Redin doesn't see anyone stronger than him in the group of men.
'So let's play nice and find out what you want.'
"Tell me, does it make you feel good?"
"Hehehe"
"Where did you come from, you're in league with that woman who was looking for us, right?"
Redin had a hard time answering so he shook his head.
"No? Really? If you're lying, you're not going home with the pill."
Redin wonders if this can be called blackmail.
The moment he thought that, my vision went white as the drug pumped through my body. At the same time, lightning flashed through his mind.
Pleasure flowed out like a waterfall along with the thrill.
If it weren't for the skills Redin had, He would have opened his mouth right away.
"Hmph!"
"Tell me what's going on with that girl. Maybe I'll help you feel better."
The man pulled a Jaino Two in a little bag.
If it can act as a confession agent, Redin no longer needs to play with them. He can use it to get information back in reverse.
[Using Fire of Purification].
Sswaa!!
Redin regained control as a refreshing energy spread through his body. There are five of them in the room.
He activated his mana hole.
With a hard tug on his arm, he released his restraint. With a quick spin of his body, he extended his fist. Pow, pop. It hit them both in the jaw.
They crumble to the ground, showing the whites of their eyes.
One by one, he plucked the daggers from their waists. He spun around again and slashed at those standing at a distance.
Bam!
It hit straight into the heart.
As he collapsed in a heap, screaming his last words, Redin struck Heatherlock in the throat in front of him.
"Kirk!"
Watching the gurgling Heatherlock with both hands clutching at his throat, he reached into his small bag and pulled out the pills inside.
He shook it lightly and popped it into his mouth.
When he tried to spit out the pills, Redin forcibly grabbed his jaw to prevent him from opening his mouth.
" Eep! Ugggg!"
Redin checked the status window of the struggling guy.
[Jaino].
Power: E
Agility: E
Stamina: D
Mana: D
Luck: D
Talent: C
-Possessed Skills: Drug Making (A), Corrupted Soul (A), Devil's Whisper. (B), Slavery (B)...
Every single thing he has is vicious. Despite his lack of physical abilities, he possesses a skill in mind manipulation.
[Devil's Whisper.]
A skill that saps a target's mental strength. That's what that momentary boost of joy was for.
A corrupted soul is like a stigma given to those who have committed numerous crimes.
Blood trickled from the corner of Jaino's mouth.
The slaves behind him.
Whether it's a spell, a curse, or something else, it means they're dependent on someone.
"Who's the Master behind all this?"
"Cough cough... Do you know who made this drug? It doesn't work on me."
Either it's the pain that erases the high. Or maybe he's already taken so many drugs that he's developed a tolerance.
All right.
There's no such thing as excessive.
Redin pulled out another Jaino Two from the small bag and shoved it into his mouth.
"Eup! Eup!”
Jaino shook his head more harshly than before, but Redin's physical capabilities are superior.
Resistance is meaningless.
"I ask again, who is the mastermind?"
"G-good… It feels great! Hehehehehe.”
"It's totally fucked up."
Jaino drooled and showed the whites of his eyes, his body shaking and laughing like a madman.
Redin used his [Purification of Fire].
Slowly, it drove the drug out of him.
When a person experiences a strong stimulus, if they receive a lesser one, they will crave it more.
That's exactly what Redin did.
"Oh... no! Stop! I need my meds... I need my meds..."
"If you answer my question properly, I might give you what you want."
He shook the one remaining pill.
"W-what is?"
"Speak of the master with whom you have a subordinate relationship."
He must have ordered these things.
"Tervis."
"Tervis?"
"Yes! Tervis. So, could you... could you please give me some medicine."
"Tell me the full name."
"It's......."
Redin opened the vial cap.
“Should I throw it away?”
"Tervis Zerbin. Okay... okay?"
The name sounds familiar.
One of the characters in my Burning Hell Prison walkthrough. A Necromancer who would be locked up on the sixth floor of the dungeon in about two years.
The corner of Redin's mouth lifted slightly.
Not only is there a bounty on his head, but he's also being sought by the Arrest Department. If taken care of, he can get some good credit.
In addition, Tervis's items can be obtained.
"Where is he?"
"A cave in the mountains behind the Colloum."
The guy stretched out his hand.
Redin asked, pulling the pill back slightly.
"From now on, I'm not going to bother asking you one by one. Just tell me what you know. If I don't like it, I'll just throw it away." says Redin while smirking.
"Ahh... okay, I'll tell you everything." came the desperate pleas of Jaino.