Chapter 22. Horompel's Secret
The morning in Horompel greeted them from the surface with utter peace and coziness. The red-haired mage, Ludvine, gazed out at the beautiful cityscape, feeling her heart swell with joy. If only I could keep living here... The hospitality was top-notch too. Maids came running like dogs at the slightest ring of a bell, the meals were exquisitely luxurious, and the bed was so damn comfortable. After scraping by on cold, hard dirt floors with nothing but a thin mat, this place felt like paradise. Fuck, this is too good.
Truth be told, she wanted to check out the underground too, but that kobold Jepopo had scared the shit out of her yesterday, killing any urge to venture out. Sure, she could go if she really wanted, but imagining getting kidnapped and gang-raped to death by the mine slaves made her knees weak. For some reason, the word "underground" just amplified the terror. Trapped like a caged mutt, she was stewing in her room when someone came knocking.
Ludvine's face lit up, thinking it might be the boss, and flung open the door—only to see it was that weed-smoking bitch Grace. Her expression soured instantly, pure disinterest.
"...Well, look who it is."
"What do you want?"
Grace's mood twisted slightly, but she extended some magnanimous patience anyway. ...Of course, if it weren't for our esteemed boss's request, I wouldn't have bothered coming at all.
"Not in the mood for sightseeing? ...Fine then."
"Ah—!"
Ludvine, who'd been playing it cool, jumped up. She plastered on a sweet smile and clung to Grace's arm.
"Come on, sis."
"Sis? Gross, kid."
"Hehe, you know that was all a joke, right? Yeah? Fuck, it's all those assholes' fault. Scaring me with their bullshit for no reason, right?"
"No idea."
"Okay, okay, fine. ...Sorry. Happy now?"
"Fuck yeah. You little shit, so cocky. Do it again and I'll rat you out to the boss."
"...Ugh, fine..."
That foul-mouthed chain-smoker Grace was just as fiery as Ludvine. The redhead shrank back, gauging her reaction. For some reason, this tough bitch always had the edge on her. There was something unhinged about her—like the kind of crazy that could spell real trouble if you poked it wrong.
"But... isn't two people kinda risky?"
They were the two most vulnerable roles: healer and mage. To Ludvine, it felt no safer than going alone.
"Don't worry. You think I'd drag you out solo?"
At the end of the hall, the orc Grendal waited with a gentle smile, waving at Ludvine.
"Ah—!"
Only then did the redheaded virgin fully relax.
"Grendal—!"
"Grace asked me."
"This is perfect—!"
Now she had zero worries. With a massive orc who could probably punch out a tank glued to their side, what could go wrong?
The trio headed for the underground passage entrance in the castle. Over ten soldiers stood guard with sharp eyes, vigilant as hell. Luckily, entering from the castle wasn't too strict. Coming back up? That was another story.
Underground always conjured images of dark, gloomy terror for Ludvine, but this was the total opposite.
"Ah—."
Stepping into Underground Level 1, she realized why the surface felt so serene: everyone was down here. It bustled like the capital, a melting pot of every race imaginable.
"Hey, don't act like some country bumpkin. Snap out of it. Embarrassing."
"Bumpkin? I'm from the capital—! I was just a little surprised. Totally fine now."
"Pride's the one thing you've got going. ...Follow me."
"Where to?"
Grace smirked slyly and lit her pipe again. "Grown-ups' playground."
...Grown-ups' playground?
Ludvine's heart pounded. For a girl whose only rebellion was masturbating to novels, those words hit like a drug. The redhead trailed eagerly after the smoking bitch.
The three soon arrived at a casino on Underground Level 2.
"Ah—."
The vibe was different here, steeped in that decadent aura Grace always carried. This was a high-end joint—entry fee of ten gold per head.
"Ten gold—?!"
Ludvine yelped. Ten gold just to walk in? Insane.
She grabbed Grace's arm in shock. "Sis, let's not."
But Grace paid nonchalantly—for all three.
"Let's go."
Ludvine stared blankly at Grace's back before scurrying after her. She'd known Grace was noble, but it hit different now. Nobles and commoners really did see money worlds apart.
...Fuck, that's why they flaunt the noble shit.
The foul-mouthed smoker scanned the room expertly and claimed a table. Ludvine stood rigidly behind her like a maid. Grace shot her a what-the-hell look.
"What? Sit next to me."
"Uh? Me? I, uh, don't have any, money..."
The freckled mage fidgeted with her few silver coins, chewing her lip. That was her entire fortune.
Grace chuckled, dumped her pouch on the table, and spilled its contents. A hundred-plus gold coins glittered.
Gasp, holy fuck, how much is that...!
Ludvine had never seen so much cash. Grace split it roughly in half and shoved some toward her.
"Sit already."
Ludvine wanted to beg for it all—just assume I'll lose it—but knew this bitch wouldn't bite. She sat.
Grace puffed her pipe and signaled the dealer to start.
"I don't even know how."
"Watch and copy. Bet wherever you want. Even-odd's safe, or pick a number. You're smart—figure it out in a couple rounds."
"...What if I lose?"
"Lose it all, I don't care. Relax and have fun like an adult. You wanna stay cooped up playing kid games forever?"
Ludvine nodded firmly. "Got it."
She bet half her stack. Grace's eyes widened. This girl's got balls. From trembling over entry fees to this?
But Grace said nothing—it was her money anyway, win or lose.
Grendal, watching, tried to intervene. "First time—maybe not so much?"
"Nah, I feel it. Right here."
While Ludvine fixated on the dice cup, Grace and Grendal exchanged glances. Grace just shrugged. Grendal backed off.
"Come on, come on, show me. Yeah, it's coming. Watch—it's spot on. My gut's screaming. Fuck yeah, nailed it."
Ludvine's eyes burned with intensity. Grace sat this one out to see.
Clatter clatter. The dice rolled. Ludvine licked her upper teeth nervously. The lid lifted—even.
"Fuck yeah, see? Nailed it—my gut was dead on—!"
Grace shrugged. "Lucky. That's how it's done."
"Again."
Ludvine bet it all on a number. Grace freaked. "Hey, odds on that's are shit. Stick to even-odd."
"Just watch. It's this one. Come on."
Has she lost it? Grace snorted. Reckless types never lasted. She bet even-odd herself.
"Let's go, yeah? Fuck, it's this."
Ludvine wiggled excitedly. Grace didn't expect much, propping her chin and smoking lazily.
Clatter clatter. Lid up.
"No fucking way—!"
Grace shot up, stunned. Eyes turned. Ludvine whooped maniacally, slamming the table.
"Told you—fuck yessss—!!"
Her pile exploded. Grace lost. Grendal laughed heartily, clapping.
The freckled redhead bellowed confidently. "Woo—! I'm wrecking this casino today, fuckers—!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Before entering the Catacomb, Kang Ji-hyuk stocked up on supplies. Prices were double the capital's, but what choice? This was the only spot.
Busy till noon, he returned to the inn. Team was out. He lounged by the window, sipping a maid's drink, enjoying the view—until a knock.
"Who is it?"
—It's Katrine Omez. Hero Kang Ji-hyuk...? Right place?
Katrine? Here? Familiar name, voice. What a coincidence. He opened the door.
A woman extended her hand firmly, eyes clear, posture restrained. S-rank hero Katrine. Who'd have thought?
His lips curled unconsciously.
"C-rank hero Katrine Omez. Nice to meet you."
He shook it. "C-rank hero Kang Ji-hyuk. ...Small world, bumping into a fellow hero here."
She glanced inside, then at him. He gestured her in.
"Come in."
She entered but planted herself by the door—no further. Short talk only, it seemed. Not here for chit-chat—this rigid woman had business.
"What brings you here...?"
She paused, then spoke. "Sorry to interrupt your rest."
"No issue. Don't worry."
She licked her dry lips—nervous. Ji-hyuk recalled her past.
Something's tugging at memory...
"Do you know anything suspicious about Horompel?"
"...Pardon?"
The righteous Katrine clenched her fist. "What’s happening in the underground mines."
Ji-hyuk stared piercingly. Now he got it—why she was here. The depths of those mines.
Not for slaves' rights, though. Her "justice" was continental, not modern.
"What... kind of thing?"
"Dark sorcery."
His brow twitched.
"Necromancy, I suspect."
...This is getting tricky.