Back Alley Ambush
Thud— roughly what you'd expect from the back alleys. Malkor slipped quietly out the front gate, gripping the child's hand. His steps were leisurely, his expression perfectly natural. Even if he ran into someone, he'd look like a wealthy man out for a stroll with his kid.
Things are going too smoothly. It's almost anticlimactic…
Those idiots were so sloppy, it was laughable. He quietly curled his lips and chuckled to himself.
"Sis said not to go this way…."
"Charlie, the director said it was urgent. It's fine if we're a little late, right?"
"But that's not okay…."
"See? Let's hurry."
A flicker of anxiety in the kid's voice, but to a seasoned criminal like him who'd seen it all, handling one child was child's play. It was his job, after all. Watch the boy hesitate from unease and suspicion, yet follow along at the mere mention of the "director."
Perfect pick.
Too old, and they get clever; too many, and it's a hassle. Spending this much time on one kid felt wasteful, but rushing always ruined things. For a test run, one was plenty.
"Hurry up."
Just one for now. But this was only the foundation. In his mind, plans bloomed after extracting info—a big score, then blow it all wildly…!
"Charlie, what are you doing here?"
The sudden voice from behind made Malkor freeze for a split second.
…Who? No one was tailing us.
Got lost in the fantasy? No—he'd already used his Authority to scout everyone's positions nearby. No one could catch up that fast….
Various thoughts flashed, but turning cautiously, he felt foolish for tensing up.
What. It's just a brat.
The one grabbing his arm was a girl with sparkling silver hair. She looked the part, but no remarkable power, not even a whiff of mana. That's why he'd overlooked her.
But the moment he saw her, trivial thoughts vanished.
Jackpot… This is an absolute jackpot…!
Unknown background or name, but obvious at a glance. Some things can't be hidden. Her shabby clothes didn't match her sharp features and poised gait—nothing like ordinary kids. People have an innate essence, and dignity doesn't hide easily.
Where had he seen it? Noble blood…!
Those types he'd spotted in the city! Meeting Kiara, the rumors of late clicked into place. A remote orphanage on the outskirts. Sudden aid for the orphans. The director's thawed attitude. Why was the rundown place suddenly splurging, clothes clean, faces filling out?
If some noble stashed a bastard here.
Noble funds the place to hide the kid, and this girl proves it? No pittance payoff—this was life-changing. He had to take her now. Reversal of fortune right in front of him.
"Kiara sis! Where've you been? The director sent me on an urgent errand—gonna take a while!"
"Really…? But mister?"
"Yes?"
Subdue her? Or bide time? He pondered.
"Mister, he's too dumb to handle the director's job properly. I'll go with you."
"Pfft… really?"
"…."
"…Sorry. You're such a sweet sis. Couldn't help laughing—it's just so admirable how you look out for your brother."
Today, his luck was unreal. Or maybe fortune favors the prepared. Exactly.
Slum rats or nobles, all the same. They just delude themselves into thinking they're the smartest, know everything. But hey, someone's gotta profit from that stupidity for fairness' sake.
"Shall we go, then?"
The three quietly left the orphanage, heading deeper in.
"Charlie. Stick close to sis."
"Yeah, stay right with your sis. Just in case."
Malkor walked ahead, but all his focus was behind. No escapes allowed.
Damn… can't stop grinning….
Deeper in the alleys—his turf. No need to hide the leaking smirk now. Kids liked indulgent smiles, right?
"Sis…."
Seeing Malkor's grin, Charlie awkwardly mirrored it. Unnatural, but when had Malkor seen real kids' smiles?
"It's okay."
"Yeah…."
The tight grip loosened at Kiara's words.
It's fine. Just this much. Kiara sneered inwardly at Malkor's hideous grin.
…Disgusting….
Probably no one heard the kid's final mutter.
"Alice… what're you doing?"
"Director…!"
I sorted my mana and descended to the first-floor garden, where Alice waited with a tear-streaked, pale face—like a ghost haunting the wilted yard.
"My brother's gone. He was playing in the garden…."
"Your brother?"
"Charlie! Charlie…!"
"Ah… It's fine, calm down. Charlie seemed like he went out to play."
[Probably that presence I just felt….]
'High chance, yeah….'
[Baptized by another outer god? His mana wasn't normal either.]
Ominous, repulsive mana. The ones called Evil Gods. We agreed that creepy presence—and the rumored Malkor—was one of them.
But I couldn't blurt out "your brother's kidnapped" to his sister like some psycho.
"I'm heading out anyway—I'll grab him on the way."
"Director. Let me search too…!"
"It's almost night. If we all go and miss each other, it'll be worse."
"But it doesn't feel like he just went playing."
Family intuition, huh. In reality, a mere upper elementary kid's instincts sharpened razor-like for kin. Admirable, but I couldn't indulge everything.
"Think about kids like you wandering at night."
"…."
"Trust me—I'm the adult."
Alice looked like she had more to say but held back. Patiently. After a moment, she bowed her head.
"P-please… bring him back safe, Director."
"Got it. Be back soon."
Maybe right now, she was the adult here. No time for send-offs anyway—I hurried off.
"At least it's not far. Lucky."
Deeper into the city's outskirts led to the slums' "back alleys." Close to the orphanage—no long trek. Good the kid hadn't strayed elsewhere.
"That bastard's holed up here, right?"
[Yep. Even sewers have tiers—this is the worst sludge pit.]
"True…."
With mana flowing, I sensed it: beyond appearances, a thick malaise and disgust. All crammed here.
"Not the time or place, but… can we win?"
[Among back alley small-timers, he's got decent pull.]
Charge in! …No grander plan.
No guards patrolled tax-dodging turf like this, and begging the church was suicide squared. Only choice, so picking fast was smart, right?
"Not stopping me, huh?"
[Want me to?]
Hmm. Not really. But for obvious recklessness, a brake pedal seemed right…? Honestly, after dying once, I'm numb to this stuff. Even huge peril? Eh, could happen~ and move on.
Fine for me, but this is your body? Expected pushback, but it's lukewarm. Bafflingly so.
[You can use mana, right?]
"Yeah, right now?"
[Nah, just confirming you can.]
"Oh…."
Mid-boss nonchalance, huh. 'Handle 10% of my power and you win!' vibes.
[Don't flatter yourself….]
"If push comes, eat a finger and bail me out?"
[Focus.]
"Yes'm."
Entering the alley, eyes locked on instantly. One more step—another world.
Men staring like this? Pass.
Ape-like thugs, especially the cocky blond-tanned ones, approached. Waving cash, weird finger signs—ape rituals hard for humans to parse.
[Now to find the guy….]
"Got a way?"
[Dunno where, but the one's in front of you is his lackey.]
"Aha. Perfect."
Gorilla head to my fist: ideal distance. Punchable sweet spot.
[Remember how to use mana?]
'Thankfully.'
Luckily, not so dense as to need repeats. Body remembers best once felt.
'Thanks for slacking.'
Mana flow. Spread wide—but this time, focus sharper than before. Untried indoors.
Pinpoint concentration.
"Always wanted to try boxing."
"You punking me? What the hell is this bitch—"
Prime target. No shatter worries—full swing okay.
I threw the punch.
Thud!
"Gaaah! Arm! My arm…!!"
Flesh-on-flesh, but vicious sound.
[Don't kill. Need him.]
"Got it."
Blood sprayed plenty, but not lethal. Probably. But the dripping blood writhed unnaturally, forming letters.
[Commission.]
"Sis. We gotta run."
"…."
"I'll distract him— you escape."
"Aww… sweet thought, but how many seconds you buying like that?"
Too late for flight. Should've before bindings.
But maybe run? Charlie yanked Kiara's hem desperately. Please go. Apology and thanks for following him here.
Kids plotting? Malkor ignored. His office center: empty spot sacred for worship only. He prayed—not to game directors or the church's Goddess, but another.
"I thank my Master for today's success."
Even young Charlie sensed wrongness.
Orphans learned from birth: world guarded by the benevolent Goddess, invaded by outer-dimensional Evil Gods. Their director hated the topic, but common knowledge.
Before Malkor: inverted Goddess statue.
Blatant heresy.
"No… work's not done…."
Praying Malkor twisted unnaturally.
Goddess took faith and mercy; Evil Gods demanded tangible payment.
"Already hungry…."
Goddess wanted belief; Evil Gods, sacrifices.
"Sacrifice… need more sacrifices…."
"…Charlie, stay back."
Minutes since arriving. But Malkor shriveled like starved for ages. Payment due.
"Yeah… two anyway—one for chow fine…."
Thank success. Show sincerity.
Muttering alone, meaningless. Eyes mad, body lunged at Charlie.
The magic circle….
Crisis moment.
Thud— Malkor halted.
Kiara instinctively checked Charlie—unhurt, not tough enough for that noise.
Someone else.
"Greetings, brother…?"
"…Ah, Shasha. Same kind? Felt off…."
To Kiara, a familiar face. Green-haired woman lightly crushed the shattered door, muttering.
"Guess the 'kill' target's him."
"…Shasha might not get it, but seems like your rival's calling."
Like a madman. Like the Evil God before her.
Intruder muttered alone. Hair wild from rampage, body blood-soaked. Unaware, head-voices and hallucinated letters felt natural only to her.
How she looked? First-loop possessor sadly oblivious.
"Sis…."
Charlie's hand clenched again.
Squeeze—
Pure instinctual revulsion.