Chapter 13
Chapter 13
Chapter 13.
‘Border City’.
It earned that name because it was located in the exact center of the continent.
To the northeast lay the Rutian Theocracy.
To the northwest, the United Kingdoms.
To the south, the Barren Plains, the Badlands, which Gunter’s party had traversed.
Every day, an immense crowd, regardless of nationality or race, flocked to the city, so the checkpoint was always packed, with no room to spare.
‘Neutral zones are always popular, no matter where they are.’
Of course, it wasn’t just because of its location.
This was the only city on the continent where Magic Engineering had reached a high level of development.
‘Thanks to the Labyrinth.’
The Labyrinth was the engine driving the economy of this vast city.
Cores harvested from the Labyrinth, byproducts of Aberrations, Transcendent Materials…
Because of the Labyrinth, an innovative civilization where magic and machinery replaced every aspect of daily life could flourish.
A level of development incomparable to other regions.
This was why tourists and immigrants never ceased to visit.
It was also why it took until dusk for Gunter’s party to finish their checkpoint inspection.
[Mid-level passage has been approved. Please proceed]
Surprisingly, the owner of the voice was not human.
It was a ‘Golem’ attendant, its body made of metal with a blue Mana Core embedded in it.
It scanned them with mechanical movements and then granted passage in a cool voice.
Ryan looked at the attendant with curious eyes.
“Magic Engineering, huh. Outside, just taking one of its parts would fetch a fortune.”
[Warning! Do not touch the attendant]
[Warning! Smuggling Magic Engineering parts will result in a maximum sentence of 500 years]
“Oops.”
At the sharp warning, Ryan chuckled sheepishly and stepped back.
He seemed to be in a better mood than before, perhaps due to the excitement of entering the Border City.
“That piece of junk is so fussy.”
[Warning! The checkpoint is crowded! If your inspection is complete, please proceed into the city quickly]
“Ah, I get it already!”
Just as Gunter and Ryan, having left the line, were about to move forward, a group appeared from behind them.
They were the upper class, dressed in flamboyant clothes and adorned with sparkling jewelry.
Their faces were as white and smooth as porcelain, their hair as fine as silk, and they even carried a pleasant scent.
They looked so different from the others in line that they seemed to be of a different race altogether.
[Welcome, esteemed guests of the Bellamore Family. Upper-level entry has been approved. For smooth passage, you will be guided via a separate route]
The Golem’s voice suddenly became saccharine, and Ryan let out a hollow laugh.
“Unbelievable. They don’t even have to wait.”
The attendant politely guided the VIPs through a side door.
That door was much wider and brighter than the one Gunter’s party had passed through, and a magnificent private Magic Lift was waiting inside.
…It was a scene that clearly showed what kind of place the Border City was.
“I’m already liking this city.”
Ryan said sarcastically.
“We go through the door for pigs and dogs, and the golden angels get a door to heaven…”
…It was then that the steps of one of the golden angels abruptly stopped.
Ryan clamped his mouth shut as her gaze turned towards them.
She was a woman with eyes that looked as if they were set with red jewels.
“……”
Without a word, she stared at Gunter for a few seconds, then offered a faint smile before boarding the lift.
It was a gaze filled with blatant greed, difficult to mistake.
From behind, Ryan muttered.
“Ah… I hate Gunter.”
[The Red Street Pillar asks if he is sleeping on the upper level tonight]
But Gunter only moved forward with a grim expression.
“Why is he like that….”
[Warning! Please exit the checkpoint quickly]
“Ah, I get it already! Hey, Gunter! Let’s go together!”
Gunter walked quickly, his gaze fixed on the rising lift.
A hollow laugh escaped him.
‘It really hits me now that we’ve entered the Border City.’
Meeting villains the moment we arrived.
Bellamore.
The host of the cannibalistic banquet and one of the influential figures who secretly sponsored the Rutian Theocracy.
If his Charm stat had exceeded 60, he would have received an invitation just then.
Though it would have been an invitation to a den where he couldn’t survive for even three seconds with his current specs.
‘The scenarios I’ll face from now on will mostly be like this.’
The fanatics of Rutia, seeking to gather quality offerings for the descent of the Evil God.
It was the ‘Protagonist’s’ role to purge them and purify the Border City.
Naturally, this was impossible to do alone.
Clatter-
Gunter watched the retreating procession of the Silver Compass Merchant Guild.
Eddie and Yor, along with other Guild Members, waved subtly, but Kalian was nowhere to be seen.
He was likely agonizing over how to manage his revealed identity.
Even in a neutral zone like the Border City, it wasn’t entirely safe from Rutia’s clutches.
The Silver Compass Merchant Guild would likely be disbanded within a few days.
‘Well then.’
In truth, he had to move just as busily and cautiously as Kalian.
The most urgent matter was to make contact with ‘Night Crow’.
And…
‘First, I need to talk to Ryan.’
There was something essential to do before he could officially begin his Order activities.
“Hey, Gunter.”
Ryan, who had been walking ahead, turned back and called him.
They were in front of the entrance to the mid-level.
He grinned and said.
“Let’s split up here.”
……?
[The Red Street Pillar is speechless at the unexpected turn of events]
Gunter was also speechless for a moment.
It was because the words he thought would require a long persuasion came out of Ryan’s mouth first.
Ryan chuckled and continued.
“What’s with the surprise, man.”
“……”
“Don’t misunderstand, I’m not saying this to make you feel better. This is purely my judgment. Solely.”
Though the words were a bit awkward, Ryan trusted and relied on Gunter more than anyone.
He would try to accompany Gunter on any commission.
That’s why Gunter couldn’t easily believe his words.
“…Your judgment?”
“Yeah, my judgment that I don’t want to hold you back.”
Ryan’s eyes were serious, devoid of their usual playfulness.
“I already know you have things to do in the Border City. And I know my skills won’t be of any damn help with those tasks.”
“Ryan.”
“That’s why you kept saying we had to come here, but never breathed a word about why, right?”
Gunter, whose core was hit, couldn’t answer.
But Ryan was unfazed.
He even smiled.
“Hey, do you want to jump into the big leagues with a burden on your back?”
“What are you talking about….”
Gunter tried to retort but closed his mouth.
Then, with a faint sigh, he turned his gaze away.
Yes, he knew.
This was a necessary farewell.
He couldn’t drag the guy into the main scenario.
From now on, his path would be filled with dangerous situations that an ordinary Mercenary wouldn’t survive for even a moment.
The Evil God and his Apostles.
Vile and fanatical followers.
And unimaginable calamities.
Ryan might be an excellent Mercenary, but… those battles were outside his domain.
‘If we continue together, he’ll surely die a dog’s death.’
Knowing the subsequent scenarios, Gunter was certain.
Regression wasn’t a panacea.
Someday, a situation would arise that even regression couldn’t solve, and at that time, he would have to collect Ryan’s body with his own hands.
Therefore, parting was inevitable.
He just hadn’t expected to be beaten to the punch like this.
“Why the long face.”
“……”
“Did I say we were parting forever?”
That familiar smile was filled with optimism, as always.
“Just wait. I have plans too. I’ll work hard to catch up, and then we’ll conquer this damn city together. Mmm-hmm.”
“…You crazy bastard. Such ambitious dreams.”
“You have to think big, man.”
Thump-
Ryan extended his fist.
Gunter quietly looked at it.
A hand that was stained, rough, and unrefined.
But it was a hand that had fought alongside him without ever running away during the past eleven regressions.
Ryan grinned.
“Whatever it is, do well. You always do.”
“……”
Gunter understood.
This consideration wasn’t born from some superficial increase in affinity.
Ryan Parker.
He always offered Gunter his favor without expecting anything in return.
It was something Gunter had rarely experienced, not just in this world, but even in his past life.
Gunter silently bumped fists with him.
Thump-
Amidst the noise of the street, their parting echoed quietly.
“See you again.”
Gunter stood blankly until Ryan’s waving figure completely disappeared into the crowd.
.
.
.
[The Ninety-Nine Overlord Knight King states that companions who understand without words are rare]
[The Addict Saintess expresses surprise, having not known Ryan had such a side]
[The Red Street Pillar pulls out a mystical Tarot Card and predicts the probability of seeing Ryan again]
Gunter pushed through the bustling crowd and let out a short sigh.
‘What a damn long day, seriously.’
The day, stretched out by regression, had brought immense fatigue.
As had the farewell with Ryan.
He desperately wanted to find lodging and sleep, but he couldn’t yet.
There was a place he had to go.
Gunter fiddled with the ‘Card’ in his hand as he walked.
Kalian had given it to him earlier.
[Admission Ticket (Haven)]
A deep, dark black background.
At the top of the card, the name of the members-only bar, ‘Haven’, was inscribed in small silver letters.
“It’s a good place to shake off your travel weariness. You should visit sometime.”
Of course, it wasn’t just a bar.
Haven was one of Night Crow’s secret hideouts.
It was a place where secret commissions, information exchange, and black market dealings took place.
It was also where the ‘Protagonist’ received various commissions from the Order in the main story.
Even if reality was different, in-game, visiting it was essential for the subsequent scenarios to progress.
Strike while the iron is hot, Gunter intended to visit Haven today.
‘Is it around here.’
After wandering through the maze-like alleys several times.
It was the moment Gunter discovered the bar with no sign.
“Hey, who are you? How did you know about this place?”
Someone blocked his path precisely.
It was a man of immense build, staggering like a drunkard at the alley entrance.
…Of course, there was no smell of alcohol at all.
“Someone told me to come.”
When he showed the admission ticket, the guard grinned and stepped aside.
The Magic Gun holstered at his waist glinted in the light.
“Ah, you’re a customer. Sell a lot of drinks.”
Gunter passed the guard without hesitation.
He walked down the dusty corridor and arrived at a dim hall filled with boisterous noise.
“……”
After a brief silence, barely noticeable, liveliness returned.
“One beer.”
Sitting in a corner, Gunter surveyed the crowded hall.
Indeed, it looked like an ordinary bar from the outside.
The customers all seemed to be engaged in casual conversation and gestures.
However, Gunter knew.
All of it was a well-orchestrated system of signals and codes.
The angle of a single finger, the subtle rotation of a wrist, even a blink of an eye-.
Within those unspoken signals, someone was likely being instructed on a target for assassination, and someone else on an item to be stolen.
…Of course.
Information about him, a ‘new recruit candidate,’ would also be actively exchanged.
Stories like ‘he defeated a Paladin in one blow,’ or ‘he saved Kalian’s life.’
Some were even openly scrutinizing him from head to toe.
“…Tsk.”
He saw some who showed a hint of subtle disappointment.
Perhaps, despite being evaluated as a ‘Special Class’ talent by Kalian, they couldn’t find anything particularly special upon actually seeing him.
“Hmm.”
But Gunter, instead of being intimidated by those subtle evaluative gazes, leisurely sipped his beer.
This was a place he had visited countless times in-game.
Knowing what was going to happen, there was no need to be nervous.
‘They’ll be here soon.’
Swish-
Someone sat down opposite his table.
It was a middle-aged man with a beer droplet clinging to his beard.
“Handsome young man, who introduced you to this place?”
As if he didn’t know.
Gunter clinked glasses with the man.
“Kalian.”
“Ah, Kalian! That fellow hasn’t been seen around lately, and he was hanging out with young folks.”
This man, who spoke with easy familiarity, was Dane.
A member of Night Crow’s Intelligence Unit.
He was also a Rank 3 Rogue.
Gunter recognized him immediately, as he wasn’t much different from his in-game model.
[The Grave Robber waves]
“Hi, honey? Can I sit too?”
“Oh my, thanks to this handsome friend, such luck finds me again.”
Next, a robed woman with a flirtatious smile asked to join them.
Her lower face was completely covered by a mask, but her large, striking eyes were prominent even in the dim lighting.
Maya, from the Combat Unit.
A Rank 3 Berserker.
[The Harvester of Iron and Blood shows interest in your physique]
“Wow, with all the regulars gathered, I can’t not offer some service, can I?”
The bartender, with a cool smile, placed a large pie on the table.
Jeremy, from the Support Unit.
He was also a Rank 3 Mage.
[The Endless Improver observes your equipment with a curious expression]
These three were all veteran executives within their respective units.
‘…They’re here to observe the new recruit candidate.’
Interactions with them in-game were very important missions.
They influenced which unit he would be assigned to after joining.
However, Gunter just sipped his drink alone, without conversing with them.
“Hmm…”
“He’s a man of few words, isn’t he?”
After a few attempts to engage him, Dane and Maya seemed to lose interest and began talking amongst themselves.
After a few more awkward toasts.
Gunter downed the rest of his beer and looked up at the ceiling.
“……”
There was nothing to see in the cobweb-filled, dusty space.
To others, he probably looked like he was taking a break, tipsy.
But for some reason, a strange atmosphere settled over the table.
As eyes, filled with the thought ‘Could it be…,’ poured onto him.
[The Demon Behind the Moon tilts its head at your gaze]
Bingo.
Gunter’s mouth opened.
“Come down.”
Dane and Maya’s conversation stopped.
So did the conversations at other tables.
“Dust is falling into the drink.”
.
.
.
Jedriel, a Rank 5 Assassin and the ninth wing of Night Crow, laughed in admiration.
‘Look at this guy?’