Chapter 6
Chapter 6
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: The Necklace Pursuit
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Chapter 6
The man and Squinty-Eyes headed up to the second floor. Squinty-Eyes opened the door and bowed his head. The man, dressed in his uniform, stepped forward leisurely, as if such treatment was only natural.
"Bank. Who are those two?"
Guchi asked, watching the door close.
"Those two? One's the lady's man I mentioned, and the other's just the local errand boy. He handles odd jobs for the rich folk. But why them?"
"We got acquainted during the day."
"With who?"
"Squinty-Eyes."
"You mean Well."
"Well, huh."
Bank handed over some documents. It was a simple report. He picked up a pen.
"How was the Crimson Forest? Is it really red because it's covered in human blood?"
"No way it'd be covered in human blood in a place with no people around. It's just a forest thick with crimson moss here and there."
"Talking about an unexplored region like that—is that guts or bluff?"
"A bit of guts and a whole lot of bluff. It was dangerous. Right after Rappa's guidance ended, one of the group got bitten by something unknown and dropped out. It looked like a tiny bug, but the moment it bit, he convulsed and collapsed."
"You can tell the Rappas are impressive. Guiding through unexplored lands isn't something just anyone can do."
"Even those Rappas waved their hands no when it came to the forest's center. They said all sorts of magical beasts pop out, and they couldn't guarantee their lives."
"Magical beasts, huh. Even beast hunters avoid the Crimson Forest, right?"
"Guys who hunt monsters in unexplored zones are either crazy or suicidal. Those types would charge into the Crimson Forest or anywhere else without a second thought."
"And here you are, making money going in there yourself. Calling them crazy is a bit much."
"I'm fine since I stick to the safer known areas. Beast hunters have to poke around places where even compasses go haywire. That's no job for a human."
Guchi set down his pen. Bank took the report and skimmed it with his eyes.
"No special notes. Well, if there were, you wouldn't be here. What about the collected items?"
Guchi untied the small pouch from his thigh and placed it on the desk. Inside were moss from the Crimson Forest, dead bugs, and unidentified creature droppings.
Bank glanced inside the pouch and pushed it aside.
"You sticking around here for a while?"
"My contract with my partner ended. Need to find a skilled mercenary, but there aren't any here. Planning to rest up at Luis's and head to the Holy City."
"Luis won't like that."
"What can he do? I'm the customer."
"Why not grab a decent woman and settle down? If you drop dead from overdoing it, who's gonna handle your funeral?"
"If I die, I'll think about it then."
"You're hopeless as ever. Watching you, maybe staying single is better. Ruining some poor woman's life is worse than dying alone."
"Thanks for the advice. If I die, I'll grit my teeth and make it to your doorstep, so handle the cleanup then."
"Don't even think about it. I won't have time to deal with some guy's corpse."
While Guchi was recounting the Crimson Forest events to Bank, a door opened on the second floor. As the uniformed man descended the stairs and left the building, Squinty-Eyes kept his bowed posture.
"Bank. Mind doing me one favor?"
"A favor? Let's hear it."
"Can you find out what that guy's up to?"
"Well? Why?"
"Just a bad feeling. That combo of the rare-item-loving lady and him feels off. And there was that daytime incident."
Squinty-Eyes came thumping down the stairs. He looked in a hurry.
"With the lady's people involved, digging into it might be tricky."
"Is that how the guild's local rep operates?"
"Friend, remember how this branch is treated in the guild? It's a dead-end post, practically a nursing home. Getting assigned here means kissing success goodbye forever."
"You sure drag out the 'my life's ruined' bit. Didn't you call yourself a capable drunkard?"
"Being capable and climbing the ladder are different things. You wouldn't get it, never done org life."
Bank chuckled and stuck a cigarette in his mouth.
"Let's check it out anyway. What happened during the day to get you interested in the local errand boy?"
Guchi explained the daytime run-in with Well.
"A necklace made of white horn. No wonder the lady wants it."
"That lady—does she have to have everything she wants?"
"Not sure. If I knew the tastes and trends of the high-and-mighty, I wouldn't be exiled here. But if her attendant's moving personally to talk to Well, odds are the necklace is the target."
"He said it was a gift and he wasn't selling."
"Throw a mountain of gold at it, and minds change. She's not got a terrible rep, so don't worry. You know how nobles' pride works, right?"
"Yeah. They'll treat you well until things go south, then chase you down with knives in the dead of night—that nasty temperament."
"So keep them sweet. Tell the necklace owner too. If the lady offers first, saying good things are good, don't refuse. You can haggle once to up the price, but not twice. Twice cracks their pride."
"I'll pass it on. But doubtful he'll listen. Seemed pretty stubborn."
"Even brick walls soften for money."
Bank snapped his fingers. A man who had been oiling the wooden floor approached with a sour face.
"Josh. Ease up that scowl. I'm still the branch head here."
"What is it? I'm busy."
"Yeah, can't hold up a busy man. That guest who came with Well earlier—who's handling their mediation?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Come on, Josh. Be nice. Even if I'm a screw-up, I'm your boss."
The man called Josh sighed and spoke.
"Mr. Ans."
"Our de facto captain's on it. Any idea what it was about?"
"Ask him yourself. He's coming down now."
Josh nodded and turned away. Guchi alternated glances between Josh and Bank.
"Nice horizontal dynamic. A boss getting the cold shoulder from his subordinate."
"I'm a ghost here anyway. Probably easier for them if I just drink quietly outside. By the way, asking that woman directly would be awkward."
Bank said. He turned to see Ans descending from the second floor. Ans, rubbing his tired eyes, spotted him and greeted.
"Long time no see, Mr. Guchi."
"Likewise. How are the kids?"
"The eldest is still out of touch. Our second cute daughter keeps me going somehow. Speaking of which, you'll get tired because of my husband. He'll throw a fit to go hunting once he hears you're back."
"If it's Perun, I'll handle him fine. No worries."
"Who said I was worried about that guy? Just thinking you might be tired, that's all."
Ans smiled, then looked at Bank. The smile vanished. Bank shrugged and lit his cigarette, as if even talking to Ans was exhausting.
"Got a question."
He said, looking at Ans.
"For me?"
"What did the man with Well talk about?"
Ans glared at Bank before answering. Bank gave a small fake cough and turned away. Ans rubbed his brow with his fingers and spoke.
"I'll tell you briefly, assuming the branch head takes responsibility. It was about whether to buy a certain necklace. Well said he wasn't the owner but could mediate."
"Thanks for letting me know."
Guchi stood up.
"I'll visit your place soon. Tell Perun I'll drop by."
"Sure. I'll let the kid's dad know."
After greeting Bank too, he left the guild building.
He spotted Well waiting out front, craning his neck toward the street's end. Looked like he was waiting for someone.
Guchi headed straight to the tavern. Entering, he saw two people wrestling with the shelves.
"You're back?"
Luis said. He nodded and approached Lander.
"What if someone shows up offering big money for that necklace?"
"Like I said, not selling. If I need money, I'll earn it some other way."
"Fair enough."
Sensing something, Lander asked.
"Any trouble?"
"Someone who wants your necklace might come here. Fine if it's ordinary folk, but..."
"A high-and-mighty?"
"Probably."
"That guy from the alley must've peddled my necklace."
"Yeah. Could get messy, so if you're not selling, better leave town."
Luis, having listened, chimed in.
"The owner's refusing—what's the problem?"
"Some types don't care and force it."
Lander gathered his unclasped cloak.
"Mr. Luis. I'll come again."
"You're leaving?"
"Best to avoid trouble. The food was delicious."
Quick thinker. Fix that odd tendency to solve everything with fights, and he'd never come to harm anywhere.
"Thanks for the help today. Next chance, I'll treat you to dinner."
Lander said. Guchi shook his head with a smile.
"Wanderer's life—doubt we'll meet again."
"You never know with people."
"If we do, I'll freeload. Off you go."
As Lander said, avoiding trouble was best. Dealing with special-status folk was always a hassle.
"Good thing you hurried back."
It was when Lander opened the door. A man blocking the other side spoke.
Guchi narrowed his eyes. It was Well and his gang. Behind them, three men in light armor. Intricate patterns on their breastplates. Looked like private soldiers of the elite.
"Almost missed a good deal if you'd been late. Felt it the moment I saw you, Guchi, so I rushed over."
Well stepped in front of Lander.
"Not urgent, right? How about waiting a bit?"
"Just about to leave. Business next time."
"No, no. Has to be now. I'm fine waiting, but the esteemed one says no."
Well nodded toward the soldiers behind. Quiet exit was off the table. Well entered with his entourage.
"Not proper etiquette receiving you in a place like this, but what can you do? The lady wants to see the goods right away."
"If it's the necklace, I'm not selling."
"Minds change easy, right? Wait a sec. Someone's coming to buy it at a fair price."
As Lander turned to pass Well, the three soldiers reacted in unison. They gripped sword hilts and blocked the way. A conversation even a fool would get.
"Don't upset these gentlemen."
Well bared his rotten teeth.
(To be continued)