Into the Lawless City
"You must know as well, Lord Adel. Just who the demons are connected to."
"Yong-a, are you saying even this incident was orchestrated by the Forgotten Ones' cult?"
"That's why you need to head to Ruinxen to investigate, Lord Adel. Reports indicate that Mahal Arram of the Chan Kingdom is a follower of the cult."
"Is that certain?"
Yong-a nodded at Adel's question.
"Nine out of ten, yes. It's reliable information, but it still needs verification."
"Meaning there's a one-in-ten chance it's not."
Adel eyed him closely.
"That sounds like you're leaving some suspicious loose end dangling."
It was a piercing question, but Yong-a swallowed his words instead of answering.
"Hmm. Fair enough. But we started in the Principality—why suspect Chan Kingdom's Mahal Arram? Unless those conspirators who fled the Principality are hiding in Ruinxen."
"A reasonable doubt. The reason we focused on Mahal Arram of the Chan Kingdom is that he's actually been excommunicated from his family."
"Excommunicated?"
"Yes. Within his family, he was nothing more than a worthless wastrel not worth mentioning. Being the third son made succession unlikely, but more than that, his own skills lagged far behind his brothers'."
"And then?"
"When he returned to the family last year after leaving, he'd become a completely different person. In just three years. And he was selected as the family heir."
"How?"
"Because his two brothers died."
Yong-a shrugged at Adel's question.
"Hmm..."
Adel stroked his chin thoughtfully and nodded.
"But what does that wastrel suddenly getting stronger have to do with the monster rampages?"
"He's right in the path of the contagion's spread. Reports say that after his succession was confirmed a year ago, he headed to the Principality."
"So you're saying he's the one spreading the plague?"
"We need to confirm that."
"Understood. Nice and clear mission. Find the bastard and check if he's the ringleader. That's it, right?"
"It's not that simple. We may need to gather circumstantial evidence on whether he's the culprit, or find concrete proof."
"There are ways to do that, but there's another method too."
"Hm...? What would that be?"
Without hesitation, Adel swept aside the tent flap of the command post.
"Just grab him and beat the truth out of him."
"You took a mission? And you're leaving without a word to anyone?"
After briefing Yong-a on the report about the Forgotten Ones from the gorge incident, Adel prepared to depart. He didn't have much to take. Aside from the third bow Myurn had brought, just some preserved food and a bit of coin.
Ulan tribe hunters were flashy beyond compare when hunting monsters, but when heading out on missions, they moved with utmost silence and secrecy.
"The Nine Central Nations are at war, but they always keep an eye on the desert. They see it as a greater threat than the Principality—any force that could strike them."
Adel gave a light wave to Kasla and Harun, who had come to his tent.
"I don't think there are central spies in the tribe, but better safe than sorry. I planned to slip away quietly."
"That doesn't mean you had to ghost us too. We're not some central tentacles."
Kasla pouted at Adel's response. He looked at her in surprise at her unexpectedly sulky demeanor.
"What? Want me to pick up something while I'm out?"
"...You're impossible."
She tsked at his reply, and Harun shook his head watching them.
"Take this. I know you don't use daggers, but you never know. Better to be prepared."
Kasla pulled three thin, feather-like throwing knives from her bosom and tossed them to Adel. Each bore the black wings emblem of the Gal Black Crows.
"Didn't get permission from Dad, but it'll be fine. These were given to me, after all."
As he reached to touch the feather edge, Kasla spoke up.
"Better be careful. They're coated in deadly poison. Save them for life-or-death moments."
"Thanks."
Her expression soured a bit at his dry response, but Adel stared at the knives with an oddly intrigued look.
"We'll stay behind. When Nazan returns, we'll testify as witnesses to this incident. To reestablish ties with the Great Plains."
"That's why you're saying goodbye before I go."
Adel smirked at Harun's words.
"I'll be back anyway. No need to worry."
"How could we not? Even for you, Ruinxen... You know what it's like. 'Free city' doesn't mean hopeful."
"True. Humans without rules just turn into beasts."
"Be extra careful there. They hate hunters. Hunting hunters is an honor to them."
Kasla and Harun looked at him with worried eyes.
"Oh? Then I'll bring back a few heads as souvenirs."
He said it in jest, but they paled, truly believing he might.
"Harun, watch Ragnal while I'm gone."
Ragnal was Adel's kargon.
"Can't take Ragnal— it'd scream desert tribesman."
"Got it."
Adel regretted leaving behind such a perfect mount, but it couldn't be helped.
Next time through the center, grab a transformation scroll.
He quickly corrected the lazy thought.
Stupid. Don't change the kargon's appearance—make it so traveling openly doesn't matter.
To do that, he knew this mission couldn't end as just a mission.
"Be careful."
"Yeah. I'll be back."
Adel tucked the throwing knives into his bosom, slung his light pack and bow over his shoulder. Ruinxen was a true lawless zone, teeming with human scum who killed like breathing—the most dangerous place on the continent, just as Kasla and Harun feared.
But unlike their worry, Adel brimmed with anticipation.
Finally, a chance to train Kalderet's God's Blessing freely without holding back.
That alone was enough. His contract with Garon had forged the minimal vessel for an ancient god. Plus, he'd subdued the rampaging divine power with mana waves from essence energy.
I've gained everything I needed here. Just couldn't open it yet due to circumstances.
Much to do. In this window of freedom, he'd tackle everything he'd held back.
And Ruinxen? I know it better than anyone.
In his past life, before regression, Ruinxen had been like a twisted hometown to him—familiar in the worst ways. The city's sights flashed in his mind. He chuckled at his own nostalgia for that lawless hell.
Lots of faces I miss.
His first foray onto the continent beyond the desert.
"Hoo."
Adel headed straight for Ruinxen. Though weary, the city's vibrant energy lifted his spirits upon arrival.
First stop there.
His destination was set. And in Ruinxen, finding it was no trouble.
"Haha, hear that? The bounty on my head doubled!"
"Idiots!! Upping the gold won't help if no one can catch us. While they're busy scrapping in the center!"
"Damn right. I ain't losing to those nobodies!!"
It was the noisiest, most chaotic spot in the city.
"Booze tab's short—how about I chop your head off to cover it?"
"Puhahaha!! Good idea. While you're at it, lop yours off too and stack 'em on the table. Hey, pour some booze over our heads up there."
"Dumbasses. You're both dead—why waste good liquor on your skulls? Gimme."
"True! Spot on!"
"What?! You drinking my booze? Wanna die?"
Bam—!!
Chairs flew as bottles shattered everywhere.
"..."
The server wiped plates with a deadpan face, unfazed by the daily uproar.
It was the place for the world's most pathetic banter, where one or two died every day.
"I'll bet on Yuman!"
"Rute for me!! Fight proper—no wimpy deaths like those losers!"
Instead of stopping it, patrons cheered excitedly. Corpses piled untouched in one corner.
Creeeak.
The door opened.
"Water."
Adel, hood down from his sand-crusted cloak, red-faced, sat at the bar.
"...Damn. Too peaceful. So damn peaceful I thought I was dying."
The server shot a puzzled look at the sudden kid—peaceful with corpses piled up?—and set down a cup.
Gulp—gulp—gulp—
"Another. No, bring the pitcher."
He downed it in one go, shoved the cup aside with a flushed face.
"Not a single bandit pack in the desert... Fucking criminals. Holed up here boozing instead of working."
The two ready to brawl scowled at his mutter.
"Hey, brat. What'd you say? No bandits in the desert? Be grateful. Know what happens if guys like us rampage there?"
Thud—thud—
Yuman hurled the table aside and stomped toward Adel, floor shaking like an elephant.
"Desert hunter trash would dry up. That's what. They even know how to make fire? Living in tents, probably just gnaw raw meat."
"Kuhahaha! Worse than us, huh? Yuman, your bounty goes to them."
"Yeah, yeah."
"Shut it, morons. Kekeke."
His massive frame boomed with each step. Yuman grinned toothily amid the raucous laughter.
"How much?"
"Bronze 1 coin."
"No, the bounty on that guy."
The server glanced at Yuman's face and murmured low.
"Gold 30 coins."
"Why ask my bounty price? Bounty hunter or something? Ooh, scary. Might piss the bed tonight."
"Puhahaha!!"
Adel smiled faintly at their laughter. Same as ever, past life or now.
"Come on, take my head..."
Yuman clapped a huge hand on Adel's head, leaning to his ear.
But his noisy words ended there.
"...Huh?"
"Never changes. Same predictable idiots. That's why I like it."
Adel lightly smacked Yuman's hand off his head.
"No need to hear more."
The massive hand fell limp, as if weighted. Yuman's bulk collapsed with it.
"Cough... cough..."
Yuman clutched his throat on the floor. A small dagger pierced his windpipe.
"Half the bounty to you, plus a decent inn and meals for a bit."
"We don't take bounties—it's the rule. Chase that gold, and I'd end up like him. But I'll hook you up with lodging and food. Just 1 silver service fee."
"Whatever."
Adel nodded at the server's crisp handling. He grabbed Yuman's legs and dragged him to the corpse pile.
"From the desert?"
For the first time, the server asked something personal. Mentioning non-orders meant recognition.
"Crossed it, yeah."
Adel answered vaguely. The grizzled server got the hint not to pry.
"What brings you here?"
He pulled the dagger from Yuman's throat and offered it. Adel waved it off casually. The server wrapped the blade carefully in a cloth and stowed it.
"No poison, don't worry."
"Thanks for the heads-up, but don't take it personal if I don't trust blindly."
"Wouldn't dream of it."
Patrons laughed and drank as if nothing happened. A death barely registered here. Blind trust in such a place was foolish.
"Don't know what you're after, but try the Pit for anything. Everything connects there."
"People too?"
"People especially. Even corpses work."
Adel nodded.
"Things just got easier."
"Ahem... Know the way to the Pit?"
The server asked as Adel stood.
"Not clueless. Just line up the inn."
"Impressive... Gonna stir up a storm. Got it. Meals ready on return. Won't eat if you come back a corpse."
"Naturally."
Ting.
Adel placed coins on the table instead of replying. 5 silver—covering meals and stay.
Meaning he'd return, of course.