Chapter 18

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Translator: Ryuma

Chapter: 18

Chapter Title: Nobira Transportation Escort

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Meanwhile, two men had been watching the conversation between Kang Seol and Aden.

One of them pointed at Kang Seol, who was trying to slip away.

"Hey."

"What?"

"See that?"

"What?"

"That guy over there."

"Oh! Yeah, the one in the robe?"

The man nodded.

"Yeah, he thinks he's hiding it, but his gear is shining way too bright. I overheard every word of his chat with that merchant guy using my scouting skill. Figures... you gotta pull tricks like that to score top-tier equipment, huh?"

"He looks strong, though..."

"Strong my ass. He's just been here a month—playing like a noob. Poke him with a sword, and he'll fold."

"What about his guild? If he hooks up with a big one, it'll be a pain in the ass..."

"Meerkats in a pack are still just meerkats. You forget? In a lawless dump like this, who really runs the show?"

In a place without order, the most dangerous ones were always ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠those who craved chaos.

"No strings attached. Perfect."

"Right, you're spot on. But to pull this off, we need two more."

"Just borrow a couple from the guild."

"Deal."

The two men were Seo Jin-cheol and Baek Sang-gyu.

Trash through and through from the start.

Pros recognize pros.

They'd hit it off quick after arriving in Kongori.

And soon, others with matching twisted values formed a guild.

The guild roster was a rogue's gallery.

Full-face tattoos, deep knife scars, doughy ears with necks thick as rhinos.

Faces that'd make you piss yourself just looking.

And among them, a few kindred spirits stuck close to Seo Jin-cheol and Baek Sang-gyu.

This crew had killed before in Kongori.

All for the gear and coin on some poor bastard.

But unlike on Earth, no punishment, no investigation.

They paid zero mind to transferred folks' safety here.

Once hyenas tasted easy prey, they never glanced back at the thorny path.

Here, they figured they were kings.

"You go grab two from the guild. I'll chat 'em up."

"Got it."

Seo Jin-cheol slithered out of the association with snake eyes.

Baek Sang-gyu, left alone, approached Aden mid-talk with Kang Seol.

"You don't seem like your average joe. What's your business here?"

Aden greeted him with an inscrutable smile.

"Do we really have to go?"

"Feels like walking to our deaths..."

"I checked—it said this adventure's easy. Don't sweat it."

As the deadline loomed, folks got jittery.

A day, a few days. Or half a month, a full one.

Each adventure had its timer.

No more stampedes into the city gates like stampeding buffalo.

'A bit harsh, yeah.'

The adventures were rough, but the real killer was downtime.

A full month of rest sapped tension from body and mind.

Get used to it, or every outing feels like strolling into hell.

Kang Seol, though? Way more chill than most.

He at least knew the road to his hell.

"Don't die! Got it?"

"Don't jinx it!"

"We'll meet back here. Right?"

Transferred folks bawled like parting lovers, then light swallowed them.

Ziiing—

'Three days. At least the first one's smooth.'

Kang Seol skimmed the overview, then scanned around.

Aden was directing a porter to load the last cargo onto a wagon. Spotting Kang Seol, Aden spread his arms wide.

"Hahaha! Right on time, perfect!"

Kang Seol's gaze drifted farther.

Four rough-looking guys stared back.

'Those guys?'

The man from the association, eyeing him sneaky-like.

Somehow knew, brought his whole crew for this adventure.

"Your companions for this job. Four in the party, so no badmouthing behind backs—they hear everything."

"...Understood."

Baek Sang-gyu eyed Kang Seol like a shark, then tossed out.

"They call me Furious. Take care on the road."

Nickname over real name from Baek Sang-gyu.

Transferred folks often went by handles.

"Snowman."

"Say your greetings too. Anyway, no drama, keep it quiet."

Kang Seol exchanged names, then listened with them to Aden.

"It's called an escort, but you're reserves."

"...What?"

"Reserves?"

Everyone but Kang Seol blinked. Aden chuckled awkwardly.

"We got enough guards already. But plans go sideways, right? Hired extras just in case."

"So we...?"

"Hang back, jump in if shit hits. We handle scouting and watches."

Seo Jin-cheol whispered to Baek Sang-gyu.

"Jackpot? Knew it when that punk solo-picked. Hogging the easy gigs."

"Total sleaze. Stick to plan: loot 'em, shank 'em, dump 'em off the wagons."

Aden missed the whispers, dropped a line, and bounced.

"Hop on the wagon with three ribbons in the middle. Won't call unless chow time—nap or whatever."

"Whoa... perks are lit."

Baek Sang-gyu thumbed the wagon behind as Aden left, eyeing Kang Seol.

"Load up. Three days—we'll be buds."

"......"

Kang Seol followed silently aboard.

Wagons rolled out soon.

En route, Kang Seol scoped the scene.

'Don't know their game, but they're glued to me.'

Their speech, moves, stares—pure revulsion.

Big talkers, but cautious as hell.

Plus, that association gawker on the same adventure? Suspicious AF.

'Troll? Or murderer?'

Trolls crashed parties for lulz, wrecked runs.

Murderers killed for gear.

Both toxic, but motives differed.

Trolls chased chaos highs; murderers eyed loot—easier than grinding.

Some twisted ones killed for kicks alone.

Heavenly Realm had 'em too.

No one partied with killers; they'd mask up, rename, repeat.

'Can't rule out murderer.'

Kang Seol stayed wary but relieved.

Normal party? You'd fret dragging them down.

These? Expendable.

'Idiots. What do they think this adventure is?'

Joining blind? Either beasts or braindead.

'Bet it's the latter. Regrets incoming.'

No ordinary run.

Linked adventures often spiked difficulty.

Start easy, end nightmare.

Baek Sang-gyu's crew burst laughing.

"Hahaha! Lying down eating rice cakes—freebies!"

"One scaredy-cat, easy ride. Right?"

Scaredy-cat: Aden, probably.

They yapped on, then remembered Kang Seol, turned.

"Yo, dude, what's your class?"

"Class?"

"We all ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠got one transferring. Yours?"

"Summoner."

"Ha! Haha! Lame-ass class even exists?"

"Kukuku... Stop. Embarrassing."

"Aw, whatever! Man's in opportunity land—dream big! Fists, spears, swords—so cool. Hiding behind summons? Nah."

"Kh... Sorry, real sorry. Buddy's blunt as hell. Take it easy—ace skills, trust him."

Squinty-eyes sidled up, tossed another.

"Anyway, guilded up?"

"Not yet."

"What?"

Smiles crept on all four, including Baek Sang-gyu and Seo Jin-cheol.

No backup? Instant relief.

"Aw, man needs a crew."

"Join one when you get back. Predator Guild—we're it. Swing by if interested."

"Noted."

That "get back" twice? Like vowing he never would.

Constant condescension, dismissals.

Kang Seol? Zero reaction.

'Annoying.'

But their chat confirmed shady schemes.

Their plots wouldn't fly, though—screw their plans.

His passive vibe made him seem ripe pickings.

No clashes with Baek's crew the whole way.

Evening hit; Kang Seol steeled himself.

First and second chars? Trouble night one.

'High odds again. Near certain.'

Designed that way.

"Oi, come out for drinks!"

"Drinks? Hell yeah!"

"Smooth sailing—no watch for us, cheers time."

"This place rules?"

Baek's crew hit the camp around halted wagons. Kang Seol trailed.

Groups roasted meat, swigged booze.

"Hot brew—down it quick. It'll wreck you good."

Cups passed all around.

Kang Seol eyed his.

Kang Seol casually tilted back, faking a chug.

Actually, Shadow Hand slurped it all, seeping into earth—unseen.

"Kuh... Killer."

"This joint's decent now. Got perks like this."

Baek's gang downed one, grabbed seconds.

'Aden's dropping the pitch soon.'

On cue, vibe ripe, Aden pitched weird.

"What? Detour before Nobira?"

"Boss's call. But pay triples."

"Triple? How much?"

"600 gold each. Deal?"

600 gold for babysitting?

Obvious red flag, but boozed judgment nodded.

"Sweet!"

"Hahaha! Good, good. So we're heading to..."

Then—

Kang Seol yelled sharp.

"Duck!"

"Huh?"

Pssshhhhw!

Dozens of arrows slammed the caravan.

Puk!

Thuk!

"Gaaak..."

"Guhk!"

A message flashed in Kang Seol's view.