Chapter 156
Chapter 156
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 156
Chapter Title: Hassan and the Nine-Headed Thief #7
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Sodomora was a fairly large city even within the kingdom.
The evening scene was quite lively.
Even late at night, drunken revelers and off-duty workers bumped shoulders on the dark streets, while tavern and inn workers, who busied themselves at night, called out to passersby.
Brushing past them were adventurers, mercenaries, and hunters returning from completed quests.
Their hands were laden with trophies from the day's labors, making them look heavy.
Their bodies were caked in mud and weeds, but their expressions were generally bright, and their steps light.
“I took down three goblins all by myself!”
“Kid, how many times do you have to say it? Let's just go grab a drink already.”
“We've got to hunt goblins again tomorrow, so save your money for potions.”
They were probably in high spirits at the thought of downing a drink and passing out soundly in a soft bed.
The happiness of people in this world was as simple as eating well, resting well, and sleeping well. There was no complexity in that.
Of course, those folks had their own troubles too, but the tavern district in the evening was overflowing with bright faces overall.
Watching the crowds flow by, I realized it was time for our promised evening meetup. Now, it was time to head underground.
Underground, I would meet the thieves.
My heart raced a little.
I was so tense that I found myself staring at strangers' faces more than usual, just to distract myself.
“Phew...”
“It'll go fine if we stick to the plan, Samaritan.”
Hippolyte slapped my back, as if trying to ease my tension. It felt like she'd infused me with the blessing of Mars' blessing or something—my nerves loosened a bit.
The plan was simple.
I'd throw myself into the thieves' gathering spot to draw their attention, while Hippolyte and Luna raided the place.
A straightforward plan.
But with nightfall weakening Hippolyte and soft Luna having to take on the thieves, I wasn't sure they'd manage.
“Hassan, I'll show you the power of the new Silence Totem! Heh heh, it'll be terrifying.”
“Thieves are nothing.”
Luna and Hippolyte brimmed with such confidence that I couldn't say more. It would've been nice to call in reinforcements from others.
But that would cut our pay and risk the info leaking, so no go. In the end, the only help we summoned was Paranoya and Malco.
These two were at least trustworthy on that front.
“Lord Hassan could handle it alone...!! Show those filthy thieves what for...!!”
“After it's done, let's grab a drink, brother.”
Were they really trustworthy...?
Anyway, the dice were cast, and like it or not, I had to move forward. So, I slowly descended into the underground beneath the central square where the thieves would gather.
Past the stairs like a grand subway entrance, through the market area, and I arrive to a maze of underground passages that felt surprisingly complex.
Narrow corridors lit by a few flickering lanterns—like Pluto's underworld.
Of course, what emerged here wouldn't be monsters, but bandits and thieves. In some ways, that made it worse. Bandits and thieves had a reputation for being underhanded.
Rustle.
I unrolled the scroll from Dorthea under a lantern. It detailed the underground layout like a blueprint or map.
Sodomora Market - In -
Below it was stamped the seal symbolizing Sodomora. This had to be an official document from the government office.
Even in this disorganized world, getting hold of something like this wouldn't be easy. The thief guild must wield serious influence. Bribing officials, probably.
If we wiped out a criminal group like this in one day, the fallout would be massive. People connected everywhere would drop dead.
Of course, that wasn't my concern.
I just had to do my job today.
Just do my part well.
Swish.
I tied the black cloth I'd used to cover my eyes yesterday over my face like a mask.
“Wh-what the hell.”
“B-bandit!”
With my big Samaritan build and the mask, I must've looked intimidating.
People I passed bolted away in panic. Felt a bit unfair, but better than getting dragged into trouble.
I kept walking deeper into the underground following the map. It was more complex and vast than expected, which was a problem.
To avoid the thieves' suspicion, Hippolyte and Luna would join later. Even with a copied map, would they find their way?
“What the hell is this.”
Midway, following the map, I hit a four-way intersection not marked on it. Dark, pitch-black corridors branching off.
Had I misread the map? Or was the map wrong?
This made finding the meeting spot impossible.
So, I lifted the yellowish camel-leather scroll and rubbed it against my hair. Same-material attraction, right?
Sure enough, rubbing it to generate static made the scroll flutter, pointing one way.
Damn, without a thief guild exec, even finding the spot was impossible.
For the late arrivals Luna and Hippolyte, I pulled charcoal from my pocket and marked the wall. The deeper I went, the more it felt like a labyrinth, my heart pounding.
Thump. Thump.
How long had I walked?
Following the weird magic scroll led to a wide cavern-like space. Open and high ceiling, like a small arena.
And there, several people in black clothes and masks. Builds varied—tall, short, lanky, stocky.
“You're here.”
A deep voice echoed from the underground depths. Probably the guy in the corner, leaning against a broken lamppost.
“You're the ninth, the last one. Impressive build. We'll need strong arms for tonight's job. And for what comes after.”
Swish.
He stood.
His black outfit blended into the shadows, hard to see, but his bulk was huge. Like me, maybe bigger.
That guy's the leader.
I asked.
“You the Thief King Hydra?”
He replied.
“We are Hydra. And I am Ismail, son of the King of the Mountain. Thief of thieves, stealing humanity's greatest treasure: life.”
Swish.
His eyes gleamed red beneath hood and mask.
And from what I'd seen, red-eyed humans in this world were often crazies.
“Tonight, our thief guild Hydra will steal lives and hope, spreading fear across the earth. We thieves will no longer steal mere goods—we'll make murder our trade.”
See? Total weirdo.
But I wasn't the only one against this madness. A masked man as burly as Ismail spoke up.
“Murder as a trade? Insane. That's not thief work. It's romantic because we steal only goods, harming no one.”
I'd heard that voice before. The overseer whipping from the iron bars, urging lockpicking—Big Joe, a guild exec.
He clearly didn't like his current leader, Ismail.
According to Dorthea last night, besides her and Big Joe, quite a few opposed the current boss.
But Ismail didn't budge.
“The boss's orders are absolute, unchanged by time, Big Joe. Still sore about me killing your father, the previous boss? Killing the boss is a legitimate tradition.”
“...”
“It was his fault. My father, King of the Mountain, was a natural assassin blessed by night and death. A monster graced by different gods. Thus, I, his son, am a monster too.”
He rambled on, calling himself a monster. He did look strong. Could I win a fight?
Unsure how much my newfound strength would help. Fair fight, he'd give me trouble.
“No more holing up in this sunless underground. Tonight, we take Sodomora. And the first sacrifice will be—”
“Can't stomach it.”
Someone cut off Ismail mid-boast. A familiar woman's voice—Dorthea, probably.
“Dorthea. Can't stomach it? What do you mean?”
Ismail asked the air, and a slender figure emerged from the dark shadows.
Black-dyed cloth clothes, but her slim waist exposed for recognition.
“We're not surfacing tonight. No assassinations either.”
“Everyone obeys the boss's orders. Or do you want a seat-stealing duel? You know my power.”
“By the rules, when all nine execs gather, three can nominate a new boss.”
“You remember well. But does any of you have the guts to face me?”
Swish. Thud.
Boss Ismail smashed a pillar with his fist.
Chunks crumbled to the floor. Punching through stone—insane strength.
The power display chilled the mood.
“So, Dorthea. What were you saying?”
“...I'll nominate that new ninth head as the next boss.”
All eyes turned to me at the woman's voice from the shadows. Murmurs followed.
“Nominating some guy we just met? Even thieves have roots—this is too much.”
“Who the hell is he? Am I the only one clueless?”
“Agree.”
Not great reactions. Expected. Dorthea suggesting a total newbie like me was odd.
But my job was to stall. More chaos, the better.
“Then I, Big Joe, will nominate him too. Anyone's better than this moron lording over us.”
Nominations by two people.
Up to here.
Dorthea said Big Joe hated the regime, so he'd back me for sure.
Pre-planned to this point. The issue was next.
Three consents start the seat fight, buying time for Hippolyte and Luna's backup.
“...”
They just eyed each other—no third.
Of course, nominating a newbie was weird.
Dorthea added.
“The ninth is blessed by night. True orthodox heir. More legitimacy than some self-proclaimed son of the first.”
“Is that real?”
A tall, skinny man spoke. He'd leaned on a pillar, seeming bored, but “blessing” piqued interest.
Dorthea continued.
“Yeah, Astrid. His skills outdo mine. Great hands—passed my test in under a minute.”
“Hoh, under a minute? Impressive.”
As they marveled, burly overseer Big Joe chimed in.
“That's not all. Broke a titanium lock with raw strength. He's strong.”
“That lock, by force? Fun. Astrid casts a vote too.”
The lanky man nominated me.
Thus, the three nominations to change the thief guild boss were set.
“You bastards, stirring trouble on the big night. Fine, per rules—we steal each other's lives.”
Word was, title matches for boss used anything goes,
And the last one standing wins—no rules.
Like a gladiator pit.
“Fun. New ninth comrade joins, and I kill him myself. Better to leave the spot empty.”
Shing.
Ismail drew a sharp dagger from his belt.
“Come at me, punk.”
Dagger for that build? Long reach wins fights usually. No clue his style.
“Or I come first!”
Thud.
His massive frame charged. I hadn't even drawn yet. Damn, no signal—just lunges.
“Die!”
Reverse-grip dagger slashed down hard at my neck. I raised my hand to block.
Kagagagak.
Gauntlet of solid metal screamed against the blade.
“Ow—your gears not bad! But you lack iron platings!”
He booted my gut hard.
“Gahk—.”
Caught off-guard, the solar plexus kick floored me in pain. Breath exploded out, vision spun, back arched.
But couldn't curl up.
His dagger slashed mercilessly left-right, no pause.
Eek.
Eek!
Each air-slice rang in my ears. One graze, fatal.
“Dodging well for your size. But how long? One hit, and you're done. Hydra poison on this blade!”
Poison? Sneaky bastard.
“Fucking coward!”
“Dodging won't save you—you'll get caught!”
“Fuck off, coward!”
One touch kills—total cheat. I dodged wildly, smashing wall lanterns with my mace.
Crash.
The cavern darkened progressively; now, only vague outlines visible.
I got cornered.
“No more running. I'll kill you, Hippolyte, Actaeon too. City falls to chaos; I'll laugh from the ashes.”
“Not my problem, asshole.”
“Right, not yours. You're dying.”
Crescent red eyes.
Red eyes.
Reminded me of Elfriede—terrifying. Gruesome smile under that mask, sadistic joy in torment.
No more toying. Here, end red-eye fear.
Swish.
I hefted the mace high, hurling it at Ismail's head.
It spun like a shuriken—grazed, but he tilted aside effortlessly.
“Discarding weapon? Terror broke your mind?”
“Not discarding, criminal scum.”
Crash.
Last lantern shattered by mace. Instant total darkness blanketed the cavern.
Shing.
I drew my stored dagger. Used it countless times—extension of my arm.
Invisible, but length and edge etched in mind. Gripped tight, I said.
“Now you won't see a single hair on my head. Idiot. Victory's mine.”