Chapter 3
Chapter 3
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Alley Ambush
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If he’d known this would happen, he should’ve grabbed him back at the shop—that’s what Guchi thought as he glanced around. Lander was nowhere in sight.
The guys who’d chased after Lander when he left the shop were gone too. With countless alleys snaking between the shoddily built houses, it was hard to just charge ahead blindly.
“Ness.”
Guchi called out to Ness, who was sitting in front of the shop across the way, an old pipe clenched in his teeth. Ness raised a hand and spoke.
“Long time no see, Guchi. Good haul?”
“The take’s always hit or miss. More importantly, did you see the guy who came out of Lewis’s shop? He left just a bit ago.”
“If you mean the cloaked one, he headed down that alley.”
“Thanks.”
“You chasing him? Better give it up. He had a whole tail of followers on him.”
“I’m heading out to shake that tail for him.”
“So you know the guy.”
“Just met him.”
Guchi moved into the alley Ness had pointed out. Instead of sticking to the main road, he was veering into the backstreets. Fearless, just like a naive friend would be.
Deeper in, he spotted footprints pressed into the sticky ground. A traveler wandering alone with expensive handicrafts—climbing a wild mountain smeared in blood would’ve been safer.
He followed the tracks. Luck was on his side; the prints were clear as day, like they were meant to be followed.
“You know, about that necklace—I realized it’s the one I lost last time.”
The voice came from an alley bordering the brothel district. A place where a clueless traveler could vanish without a trace.
Guchi gripped the hilt of his sheathed sword on his left side and stepped into the alley. His eyes landed on the men surrounding Lander.
Lander stared at them with the same relaxed expression he’d worn back at the shop, like he didn’t grasp the situation. Did honest country folk lack any sense of danger even when facing robbers? Guchi approached, thinking this was one hell of a friend.
“Hey, Lander. You can’t just bail in the middle of a conversation.”
He brushed past the glaring men and stood beside Lander. Two daggers were visible right away. The two against the left wall looked unarmed.
Guchi scanned for escape routes first, then considered the fight. Talking it out would be ideal, but expecting mercy from daylight muggers was a stretch.
“Butting in during a conversation isn’t polite.”
The man with the notably small left eye spoke up. Guchi smiled back at Squint-Eye.
“Touching someone else’s stuff isn’t polite either, is it?”
“Who says it’s someone else’s? You must not know, but that necklace is mine—I lost it a while back. This guy had it. What’s wrong with an owner reclaiming his lost property?”
“Where’d you lose it that it ended up in a traveler’s hands?”
Squint-Eye smirked.
“Who knows. Anyway, once it’s back in my hands, that’s that. Speaking of, aren’t you two strangers? Overheard you chatting at the shop—didn’t sound like old pals.”
“We’ll call it a recent friendship.”
“Nice personality. Chasing after some rando you just met. Or do you have other motives? Like us, eyeing the necklace for a score?”
“Sorry, but I make my money honestly. Robbery’s not my taste.”
“This line of work does take a certain taste.”
The men shifted bit by bit, centering on Squint-Eye. They were cutting off the retreat, herding them into the alley’s corner.
Not their first rodeo. Clueless travelers had probably lost their money here—maybe their lives too.
“Great spot to quietly bury someone.”
Guchi said.
“You know it. Don’t worry, though—we’re not killers. Real civilized with folks who talk sense. We don’t ask for much. Just have your buddy hand over the necklace. No need for messy blood.”
A hand axe appeared in Squint-Eye’s grip. Well-maintained—not for show. Guchi clocked it instantly.
“Who usually cleans up the bodies?”
Guchi asked.
“Plenty of obedient kids in the brothels. Might as well be their dad. Give ’em scraps to eat, and they’ll lick the blood off the alley clean.”
Squint-Eye tossed the axe in the air and caught it. The surrounding men readied themselves, poised to charge on his signal.
Guchi glanced at Lander, then spoke.
“He’s a friend from the sticks. Knows nothing. Can’t you let him go as a life lesson?”
He asked Squint-Eye directly.
“Sorry, but we’ve got mouths to feed. Isn’t that the head of the house’s job?”
“Fair enough. Let’s call it light post-meal exercise.”
Guchi drew his sword. At the same time, he told Lander behind him.
“I’ll clear a path on the left alley. Run when you see the gap. I’ll hold them, but don’t count on it too much.”
He was stepping back to position himself protectively in front of Lander.
“Is that you, Guchi?”
The man to Squint-Eye’s right spoke up.
“Not famous enough to be recognized.”
Guchi shot back.
“Guess it is.”
The man whispered something in Squint-Eye’s ear. Squint-Eye lowered his axe and asked.
“Mind showing your pass?”
“Mine?”
“We can end this with words. Or keep going if you’d rather.”
Squint-Eye extended the axe. Guchi sighed softly, reached into his pocket, pulled out the guild-issued pass, and tossed it to Squint-Eye.
“Guchi Antos Dena. Been to the Crimson Forest and Lake Korn.”
“Job takes me places.”
“No blood today, then. Bad for business. Everyone, stand down.”
At Squint-Eye’s word, the men sheathed their weapons and moved to his side. Guchi caught the tossed-back pass and pocketed it.
“Go on. Can’t shed brothers’ blood over a living.”
Squint-Eye said, picking his nose.
“Thanks for the mercy.”
Guchi lowered his sword.
“Don’t make a habit of it—hate losing out. So why help this guy? Planning to claim the necklace as a rescue fee?”
“If that was the plan, I wouldn’t have bothered talking.”
“You really just came to save him?”
“Didn’t want to. Had to.”
Squint-Eye let out a hollow laugh.
“Whatever. Kid’s lucky. Hey, country boy! Shove that necklace deep in your pants next time. Or folks like us’ll keep coming. Flaunting valuables is a crime.”
Squint-Eye waved them off—business done, get lost. Guchi nodded to Lander.
Back-alley types smiled while sticking knives in necks. No relaxing until they had distance.
“Don’t sweat it. No plans to tangle with you here. You’re 4th-grade merc level—I wouldn’t last.”
“Appreciate the assessment.”
“Hope we don’t cross like this again. Once is friendly; twice, pride won’t allow it.”
“I’ll remember.”
“Take care, Guchi. Lander, right? Village kid, safe travels.”
Squint-Eye turned first. The men followed him into the brothel alleys.
“Out to the main road first.”
He didn’t sheath his sword until they’d exited the alley.
“I’ve wandered far and wide, met all sorts, but you’re the first dummy like this.”
“Is that so?”
Lander replied without a hint of tension.
“You know you nearly got in deep shit? Without me, you’d be one or the other: beggar or corpse.”
“Life’s unpredictable, so yeah, possible.”
“Not possible—guaranteed. Those toys they pulled look like playthings to you? Frustrating guy.”
Was he clueless about the world, or did he have a screw loose?
He looked his age, but acted like people couldn’t be terrifying.
“Follow me for now.”
Just before entering the tavern, Lander spoke.
“May I ask why you helped me?”
“Not ’cause I like you. Three meals. That’s your life’s price. And once inside, thank Lewis. He saved your skin.”
“I see.”
They entered the tavern together. His eyes met Lewis’s, who was clearing an empty table. Lewis winked and guided them to the bar.
“No trouble, right?”
Lewis asked.
“I wouldn’t be here if there was.”
“Good.”
“If you’re worried, don’t ask for this stuff.”
“I only ask you. I trust you, old-timer. Lander, right? Neighborhood’s not all bad, but some folks are. Be careful next time.”
As Lewis finished, Lander spoke.
“I heard from Guchi. You saved my life, Lewis.”
“Nah, that was all my uncle. He seems cold and cynical, but he’s got a soft heart. And he’s a great fighter. All the regulars know Uncle Guchi—that’s why they behave when he’s around.”
“Flattery gets you nowhere.”
Guchi rinsed his mouth with the wine Lewis poured. Cheap stuff made from windfalls, but tasty.
“Have some too, Lander. To celebrate coming back in one piece.”
“How much? Will my change from earlier cover it?”
Lander eyed the dented glass. Lewis laughed.
“On the house. But sounds like you’re short on funds. Don’t tell me that payment earlier was everything.”
“Sadly, yes. Those change coins are my whole fortune now.”
“Even solo travelers need travel money. Sleeping rough every night wears anyone down, tough body or not. Uncle Guchi’s freakishly healthy—could probably sleep outside in midwinter.”
“Not quite that tough.”
Guchi muttered, glancing at Lander, who sipped his wine gratefully.
“No cash on hand? Sell that necklace. I can hook you up with a good buyer. For a small fee, of course.”
“This one?”
Lander pulled the necklace from his pocket. Definitely crafted from a white-horned deer’s antler.
Crude workmanship, low artisanal value, but the raw material was priceless. Even quick sale would fetch a fortune.
“No plans to sell. It’s a gift.”
“Gifts get sold when needed.”
“I was trying some scheme to turn it into funds, but thanks to you, I’m broke again.”
Guchi frowned.
“My fault? What’d I do?”
“You helped me in the alley.”
“Lewis, you get what this guy’s saying?”
Lewis shook his head with an awkward smile.
(To be continued next time)