Chapter 316
Chapter 316
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 316
Chapter Title: Sent to the Deep Sea
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Blood Howler's leader, Pendrick, had been in a foul mood since morning.
It was because of what had happened the day before.
"Those damn fools have made things complicated."
"Rumors are spreading through the city. They say the beggar kids have gone missing."
Pendrick frowned at his subordinate's words.
Kidnapping orphans and selling them had been a lucrative side business for quite some time. It wasn't hard work, and the pay was substantial.
Thanks to that, Blood Howler had risen to become the biggest force in the area.
Take this castle, for example. How could they, who weren't even a major guild, possess an entire castle? It was all thanks to the massive income from their various ventures.
"What do they say over there?"
"They told us not to handle things in a way that causes a fuss."
"A warning, huh."
"Yes. If something like this happens again, they'll take action."
"They won't cut us off completely. They can't easily find trading partners like us. They'll probably just revise the terms a bit."
He said it casually, but it stung Pendrick inside. He was the type who would sell his soul for money.
"Still no sign of that girl?"
"They're looking for her now."
"What are you all doing? Send every last one out and find her quick!"
"If we do that, the rumors will only get bigger. You know this business thrives on secrecy."
"Urgh..."
Pendrick groaned at his subordinate's response. It was undeniably true.
They needed to find Laura to cover up the orphan kidnappings, but making a commotion in the city to search for her would defeat the purpose.
That little brat was causing no end of trouble, running around the streets looking for her siblings.
"That damn bitch. Once I find her, I won't let her off easy."
Pendrick vented his unwarranted anger at Laura. He genuinely believed it was her fault for not being caught quietly.
It wasn't said for anyone in particular, but Pendrick sensed the room had gone strangely quiet. Normally, the subordinate beside him would chime in with agreement.
He turned his head and felt bewilderment.
The subordinate standing next to him was glaring at him with angry eyes.
"What are you doing?"
The gaze was insolent. It irked him that this guy, who usually groveled, was now looking at him so provocatively.
"What did that child do to deserve you talking about chewing her up?"
"What?"
Pendrick rose from his seat and approached the subordinate.
"Say that again."
"It doesn't matter. You won't find that child anyway."
"You must have lost your mind—"
He was about to explode in rage when Pendrick suddenly recoiled in shock.
The movement was swift; despite his protruding belly, the man had real skill.
"Who the hell are you?"
Something felt off, and sure enough, the subordinate's face changed.
The monstrously altered face lost its eyes, nose, and mouth. Pendrick shivered at the eerie sight.
He had approached disguised as Pendrick's closest subordinate.
If the intruder had ill intentions, Pendrick would have been dead long ago.
"Who the hell are you?"
"Isn't 'bastard' a bit much for someone you've just met?"
"First time or not, would you speak politely to someone whose face you can't even see?"
"Fair point."
The one who had approached with a covered face was Ye-ryeong. After pondering how to alter her face, she had chosen to make it identical to Pendrick's.
Seeing someone with his exact face made Pendrick shiver again.
He reflexively shouted.
"Guards outside! Come in and drag this guy out!"
Pendrick called for the subordinates outside.
Blood Howler's castle housed hundreds of guild members. No rankers, but their numbers rivaled any guild.
"Shouldn't you hear why I came before deciding whether to drag me out?"
"Do you think anyone with their face covered has good intentions?"
"That guy would feel hurt hearing that."
But it was true enough. In reality, Ye-ryeong hadn't come to invite him for a meal as a friend.
"I know you've been kidnapping children and selling them."
"What the hell are you talking about, you lunatic."
"Tell me where you sent them. Then I won't kill you right now. Well, you'll pay for your crimes eventually."
Pendrick snorted derisively.
Pay for crimes? That phrase was distant from his life. He had spent it doing whatever he wanted, good or bad.
And to come alone spouting such nonsense. He was certain his subordinates would swarm in and drag out this arrogant fool.
Yet...
"...Why aren't they coming?"
No one entered.
"You idiots! I said drag this guy out now!"
"It won't work."
He instinctively realized it. His voice wasn't reaching outside.
If sound wasn't getting out, he'd go out himself. Pendrick hurriedly waddled toward the door, his belly jiggling.
But then...
"Should I cut off your feet?"
A chill ran through him.
Ye-ryeong's single sentence halted Pendrick's thudding footsteps abruptly.
It wasn't intentional. His instincts had stopped him cold.
He mustn't move. It wasn't a joke or mere threat.
A few steps—no, even one more—and his feet really would have been severed.
Gulp.
Ye-ryeong flashed a bright smile at Pendrick, frozen in place like ice.
"That's more like it. Now we can talk."
"W-what do you want?"
"I already told you. Where did you send the kids?"
"I-I didn't do anything like that!"
Pendrick shouted hysterically. He was probably hoping someone outside would hear and come in.
But naturally, the sound didn't carry. Ye-ryeong's magic was blocking all noise.
"Really?"
"Y-yes."
"Then there's no need to keep you alive."
No killing intent laced the words, yet it sent shivers down his spine. It was more terrifying than any threat.
Pendrick, who had done every evil under the sun, could tell.
The opponent was highly skilled and accustomed to killing. Perhaps even a master in that field.
It wasn't his exceptional instincts telling him this.
To put it simply, it was the atmosphere Ye-ryeong had intentionally created. She preferred instilling deeper fear than threats with words or blades.
The impression that she could kill him at any moment.
Even rolling in dog shit was better than death, and greedy types like Pendrick especially cherished their lives.
"Well, can't be helped then."
A dagger had appeared in Ye-ryeong's hand. The moment he sensed it nearing his throat, Pendrick cried out desperately.
"I-I'll give you whatever you want! Just name it!"
Pendrick had spent his life instilling fear in others through evil deeds. He lived close to terror but had no resistance to it himself.
"I told you already. Where did you send the children?"
"I-is that really why you're here?"
At his implication that she might be after his money, eyes formed on Ye-ryeong's faceless visage.
Gleaming blue irises. Meeting that gaze made Pendrick flinch again.
"Yes. That's exactly why."
Pendrick realized she was serious. She truly had no other motive for coming here.
She had come purely to rescue the children?
Pendrick, who had lived the opposite life, couldn't comprehend it. Why would someone of her caliber move for mere orphans?
And worst of all, it was the most critical matter for him.
"I-I'll give you money!"
It wasn't about the orphans themselves. It was where they were sent.
Leaking that information would mean annihilation for Blood Howler overnight, no matter how big they were.
But Ye-ryeong didn't withdraw her dagger at Pendrick's plea.
No.
"Eek!"
The dagger was now aimed at his throat in an instant. In the blink of an eye, Ye-ryeong was behind him.
"H-how much do you want? Just say it! Or if it's not money, something else..."
"Cut the crap."
A firm reply that she wanted only one thing.
Soon, the cold metal touched his throat.
"The Deep Sea!"
The terror of death pried open his clam-like mouth.
"I've been sending them to the Deep Sea! It's true!"
"The Deep Sea?"
Deep Sea.
The name literally meant the depths of the ocean, but it referred to a shadowy underworld, deep and dark.
Centered around the black towers shunned even in Runeterra, it was a lawless world where all manner of dark deeds occurred. If the kidnapped children had been sent there, their fates were all too obvious.
"You mad bastard—"
Ye-ryeong nearly exploded but swallowed her anger.
She could vent later; interrogation basics started with concealing emotions.
Besides, the Deep Sea was too vast. She had asked for a location, and he gave a whole nation.
"Where in the Deep Sea?"
"I don't know beyond that. I swear!"
"Sure you don't."
"W-wait...!"
Ye-ryeong unhesitatingly drew the dagger across his throat.
Slice.
"Aaaagh!"
Pendrick screamed and collapsed, clutching his throat. But soon, he realized his head was still attached.
"Wh-what?"
He frantically felt his neck.
Not even a drop of blood. Looking up in confusion, he saw the dagger's blade in Ye-ryeong's hand was dull.
It could have cut if she tried, but...
'She never intended to cut me?'
Ye-ryeong scratched her head with the dulled dagger, muttering as if inconvenienced.
"Guess you really don't know. This just got more troublesome..."
Pendrick's face was ashen. Though not a real cut, he had brushed death's door.
Then, a subordinate's voice came from outside.
"Leader, guests have arrived."
Whoosh.
The moment the words were spoken, Ye-ryeong vanished from sight.
Pendrick knew she hadn't truly left. She was hidden somewhere before him.
As if confirming his thought...
Ye-ryeong's voice whispered in his ear.
Pendrick nodded. Knowing she could slit his throat anytime, he had to act normal.
"Who is it?"
"The usual visitors."
"Usual...?"
Pendrick's face hardened.
Of all times, they had to come now?
He thought his luck couldn't get worse. But he had no choice anyway.
Creeeak.
The door opened without permission, and they entered.
They were robed figures with covered faces. As they entered, Pendrick forced a bright smile and welcomed them as always.
"Welcome. You've come at the perfect time."
Deep down, he hoped they would notice Ye-ryeong first, giving him a way out.
"What brings you here? If you'd contacted me ahead, I could have prepared a grand welcome."
But their reaction dashed his hopes.
"This guy?"
"Yes."
"Indeed, he looks greedy and filthy. Tsk."
"...?"
Pendrick looked puzzled. The robed figures' attitudes were different from usual.
And sure enough...
"The leader of Blood Howler, Pendrick, who has long kidnapped poor orphans and engaged in human trafficking to the Deep Sea."
They had come for a reason far removed from the usual.
"We shall execute you here and now."