Karmic Retribution
"You..."
"Ho? That box?"
As I stared blankly at the owner, the drunken old man hiccuping away suddenly lit up and reached for the box in my hands.
"Why are you here?"
"Egh..."
I shot him a wary look and pulled the box back, causing the owner to lose his balance and flop face-first onto the counter in the same reaching pose.
"You little shit, I'm the owner of that box you're holding."
"You are?"
As I scowled at him, an astonishing declaration slipped out.
Was this staggering, booze-soaked geezer in front of me really Rosinante, the legendary master craftsman who ran the item shop in the first game?
"You really do look a lot like Hanbyeol... though your hair color's different, of course."
"What?"
As that thought crossed my mind, the old man started spouting nonsense.
"What the hell does that—"
"Never mind that. Just hand over the work already. You know damn well everything I make comes with a price..."
I tilted my head, about to question his mutterings, but he cut me off with an irritated expression and launched into his spiel.
"Here's the jade plaque."
"Damn. I hate jobs that don't turn a profit."
I handed over the jade plaque I'd gotten as payment, and he snatched it irritably before grumbling.
"So, what do you want made?"
"Not making something new. I need repairs and modifications."
I held out the bisected Deception Mask, and the owner smirked disdainfully.
"What is this? Some hack job?"
"Hack job?"
"Yeah. If I'd made trash like this, I'd have died of shame."
He scowled fiercely as he said it, then smashed the mask to pieces with a hammer from the counter.
"Did you have to break it?"
"The magical effects on it's top-tier, so I'm recycling it, you idiot."
"Hack job, my ass."
"I'm a craftsman, not a mage. Can't make magic tools without materials, obviously."
His gruff response to my jab was surprisingly patient. That was when it finally hit me—this guy was really Rosinante. His features and personality matched exactly what my ancestor described in the Prophecy Book.
"Are you... actually alive right now?"
"What if I am? Life and death mean nothing to you."
"You know who I am?"
"Dunno. But you're my customer, that's for sure."
I started probing him seriously, but he just gave cryptic answers or dodged.
"This is annoying."
"Then get out. You walked into my shop on your own two feet."
I'd long since grown sick of profound setups and "facts," so I scowled, and he shot back curtly.
"Speaking of, aren't you gonna return my stolen box?"
"...Here."
"Good. Let's get to work, then."
I handed over the pilfered box, and like a switch flipped, he grinned and headed behind the counter.
"Won't take long. Sit there and wait! I'll make something great out of that mask you gave me!"
"Wait, I just wanted the mask repaired..."
"I'll make something way cooler than that mask. Don't worry about it!"
His booming laugh echoed as I sighed quietly and tossed out a question.
"Ever thought about being my exclusive craftsman?"
"I'd love to, but I can't!"
He glanced back with a chuckle and vanished into the counter area.
"...Kania, you hear me?"
I stared after him for a moment, then slipped out of the shop and murmured.
Her voice rumbled low from the communication magic tool in my hand. Smirking triumphantly, I thought back.
"Come to me right now. Found the owner."
Her calm reply made me grin as I cut the connection and sank into thought.
If that owner's really Rosinante... I can't let him slip away.
According to the Prophecy Book, my ancestor said to secure him at all costs if possible. He could understand and enhance system items, so I'd have chased him anyway—but with the ancestor's emphasis, it was even more critical.
So, Kania, beat the crap out of Rosinante for me... no, secure him. Theoretically possible, even if I failed. You can do it.
Something about the ancestor seeming to hold a grudge felt like imagination.
"...Well, if Isolet couldn't handle him, a little intimidation should do?"
Beating up a white-haired old man would weigh on the conscience. So, I'd stall until Kania arrived, then threaten him.
"...Right. Let's check his info window."
Idly waiting, curiosity got the better of me. I crept toward the counter.
"Hey, owner. Look at me a sec."
"........."
"Owner?"
No answer. I hopped the counter, tilting my head.
"...Kania, don't come."
Stepping into the back room, I muttered in defeat.
"Too late now."
All that remained was a pendant and a note.
Order received. Item will be delivered to the mansion soon.
"...Oh ho."
My sullen expression cracked into a smile at the note.
At least he won't stiff me.
Repairing the mask was off the table, but a system item as material? No ordinary goods. And he'd bragged it'd be several times cooler. Cranky personality aside, his skills were legit—worth the hype.
"...Hm?"
Grinning, I spotted a small pendant beside the note and tilted my head.
Easter Egg
"This?"
Puzzled, I examined it, then scowled at the attached memo.
Damn Easter egg. Should've been a legendary weapon or something. What is this crap?
I gingerly picked up the pendant to open it, but...
"Nngh..."
It wouldn't budge.
CRASH!!!
"What the...?"
Thinking my strength had weakened, I lightly smashed the desk—it splintered to bits. My power was fine, so this tiny pendant was tougher than that?
BZZZCRACK!!!
Yanking futilely, I even drew my sword and slashed—but everything around shattered, not the pendant.
Shaking my head, I pocketed it with a sigh and headed out, eyes lingering on the shop's tempting wares.
Grab one?
Hand outstretched unconsciously, I pulled back.
No. Mask's held hostage... if he doesn't deliver, I'm screwed.
Smacking my lips regretfully, I exited.
"...Huh?"
Stepping out, it wasn't the soft wall I'd entered—it was a shabby building's door.
"Weird."
Curious, I reentered: ruins and dust greeted me.
Shaking off the wonder, I scanned the bustling street.
This is...
The market street near the Back Alley's entrance. Where Isolet and I got mobbed by beggars last time.
"Fresh veggies~!"
"Potatoes here~! So tasty~!"
"...Hm?"
Judging my bearings, I walked, then my gaze snapped to a distant voice.
"Working hard..."
Quietly observing the cute girl and boy from afar, I unknowingly wore a dad smile—but...
"What the hell are they doing...?"
My face hardened coldly as I headed their way.
Looked like they needed immediate help.
......
"Radishes~! Leeks~! Onions... cough! Cough!!"
"Sis, don't push yourself. You'll catch what I have."
The girl hawking diligently started coughing, and her brother fretted beside her.
"But... a little more savings, and we can afford your treatment."
"Still, Ruby sis gave us that gold coin last time! Take it easy!"
Her brother's sparkling eyes made her nod proudly.
The merchants and passersby felt the same. They'd become the street's official mascots.
"What? Taking it easy on business?"
"These kids lost their minds?"
"......!!!"
But the heartwarming vibe shattered.
"When are you brats paying up?"
"S-Soon! Just a bit more time, please..."
BAM!!
"Eek!!"
Muscular, ugly thugs started causing trouble.
"Stall rent's months overdue... tired of your excuses."
"P-Please, just once more!! We're begging!!"
"No can do. Mercy has limits."
The kids knelt pleading, but the thugs ignored them, smashing and stomping piled veggies.
"N-No!! How can you ruin them like that!!"
"Told ya to pay rent."
"But we need to sell them to pay rent!! Why...!!"
"Oh? This brat's got mouth."
"Hyak!!"
The boy couldn't watch his precious veggies trampled; choking back tears, he charged—but got kicked sprawling.
"Kgh... ugh..."
"Please!! Forgive us!! If he doesn't get treated this year, my brother's in danger!!"
"Not our problem."
His sister hugged the clutching, agonized boy and cried out, but the thug replied coldly.
"A-Anything!! Just this month, please!!"
"...Anything?"
The thug approaching for another kick smirked and whispered to his buddy.
"Fine then, kid... just sign here."
"S-Sign...?"
After huddling, he pulled a paper and coaxed.
"Yeah, write your name on this... and we'll look the other way for a month."
"R-Really? Just that?"
Suspicious contract with a sinister magic circle, but the illiterate girl hesitated then reached for the pen.
"........."
Merchants and passersby watched silently.
This poor market bowed to might over law. The thugs had solid backing—even law was on their side.
No heroes emerged from the powerless. They were dead or jailed; no one could step up.
"There ya go..."
Another flower about to wilt—
SMASH!!
"...Gahk!!"
A flying bottle smashed the thug's bald head.
"Which crazy fuck—!!!"
Clutching his skull, staggering, he whirled murderously—but froze.
"Pfu... you just cussed me out?"
"...!!"
Spotting the thrower, he paled in horror.
"H-Hello, sir Frey!!"
"Ow... my head."
His buddy yanked him down, bowing frantically, as the drunken-stumbling Frey griped irritably.
"Why block the road...?"
"W-We were, uh... 'working.' Heh."
"Working...?"
"Y-Yeah... you know, sir. This is Count Yustiano's turf."
"Ah... the Back Alley Emperor..."
The thugs sweated as Frey nodded slowly, then snatched the dropped contract and scanned it.
"...Yustiano's sticking his nose in the slave market too, huh."
He muttered coldly without thinking, then schooled his glassy eyes.
"Got it. Then..."
"Yes sir! Have a good one!"
"...Scram."
"Pardon?"
"I said scram."
Thugs blinked blankly; Frey grabbed the dropped bottle and bellowed.
"GET THE FUCK OUTTT!!!"
"Y-Yes sir!!"
Frey's drunken rages were empire-famous; terrified, they fled, muttering.
"Damn, missed extra pay."
"Can't we just kidnap 'em? Such a hassle."
"Dunno... self-volunteers fetch higher prices than forced ones."
As they vanished, Frey's icy gaze shifted to the terrified girl approaching her.
"Th-Thank you..."
"Shut it."
As she started thanking, he cut her off sharply and seized her arm.
"You're pretty cute."
"E-Eh?"
"Come with me."
Dragging her, the fallen boy scrambled up, blocking him desperately.
"L-Let my sis go!"
"...Why?"
"T-Take this! Please...!"
He offered his one-ever gold coin—from Ruby days ago.
"With this crap...? Huh."
Frey scoffed, about to toss it—but froze, muttering.
"What is this..."
"P-Please... cough! Cough!!"
Staring long at the coin as the boy tugged his pant leg pleading, Frey said lowly.
"Then you come too."
"Huh?"
"Come on, you too."
Dragging the arm-bound girl away, he quietly infused Star Mana into his hand, murmuring.
"...Who did this?"
His Star Mana reacted with the boy's coin, spewing ruby smoke.
......
"...Haa."
Meanwhile...
"Ruby! You okay? No more blood?"
"What do we do... she looks so pained; must be serious..."
"Ruby sis... don't die..."
Bedridden Ruby, surrounded, looked deeply troubled.
"I'm fine. Really..."
"Hang in there!! We're pooling money to call the Church saintess!! She'll come in days!!"
"N-No need!!"
Feigning smiles at first, real panic hit when they mentioned the saintess; she flailed.
"See? She's worried about us..."
"Sun God... why trial such a kind soul..."
"Ruby sis is too good for this world..."
Ignoring her protests, she ground her teeth unseen and whispered.
"...What did you do?"
Nothing happened. Coldly:
"You have help functions... you owe me answers."
Your stats took a massive hit from the previous quest failure penalty—including Luck.
"...Ha."
And even without that, it's all your karma.
Ruby laughed incredulously at the messages.
"........."
A short distance away, Glare glared silently at her.