Chapter 2
Chapter 2
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: A Humble Beginning (2)
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Han Yuseong and Kalrix rode a carriage toward Kalita.
The trip was only two days by road, so the carriage felt a bit excessive, but it wasn't my money, so I didn't care.
"Once this war ends, the organization's gonna get a full overhaul. That means openings for guys like me to climb up."
Kalrix chattered nonstop the whole way to Kalita. Even though I barely responded.
"And get this—I got orders straight from the boss himself? All those years wiping his feet finally paid off."
Wiping feet or whatever, it was probably just a few minor errands, nothing dangerous.
Word was the Masked Gang's leader thought pretty highly of Kalrix.
"Why do you keep saying that stuff like you want me to hear it?"
I snapped, a hint of irritation creeping into my voice.
The ride was bumpy enough already, and with him yapping in my ear, how could I not get annoyed?
"You got no idea why I'm saying this?"
"None."
"Huh. Kinda disappointing if that's true."
Kalrix crossed his arms and shook his head. Then he got serious and said,
"Han Yuseong, how about working under me?"
"What bullshit is that?"
"I'm dead serious. How long you gonna keep scraping by like this? Don't you think it's a waste of your talent?"
"Talent? Give me a break."
I snorted at his words.
If I really had talent like he said, would I be living like this?
"Behind your shack, second tree, five steps forward."
"...What?"
My body froze stiff.
That was exactly where I'd buried my savings.
How the hell did that bastard know? Wait, no—had he touched my money?
No way. Not yet, at least. I'd checked and added to it at dawn.
"You've been in this city about two years, right? Thirty silver in that time... Not bad at all."
"You son of a—"
"Calm down. I didn't touch a single coin. Not worth beefing with you over pocket change. So ease up on that killer glare."
"Better be true. Or Masked Gang or not, I'll rip your fucking mouth off."
I meant every word.
That money was scraped together eating tasteless rations and biting back the urge to hole up in a warm inn over winter.
If someone stole it, I'd lose my shit.
"I get it, I get it. Damn, you're intense..."
Kalrix cleared his throat awkwardly and continued.
"Anyway, from what I've seen, you can see the future."
"Saving a bit of cash makes me clairvoyant? By your logic, everyone's talented in that city over there."
"Those guys have homes. Steady jobs. You? One rundown shack and no real gig. Pickpocketing? You've dodged getting caught so far, but how long you think that'll last?"
"..."
"Even in that mess, you saved up. That's impressive. If it were my buddies, thirty silver? Hell no—they couldn't scrape ten copper. Boozing and whoring, those idiots."
His tone got rougher talking about his men. Clearly didn't think much of them.
"So you sold them out? Your own guys?"
"Huh? Oh, that? Yeah, sold 'em. They're probably shivering in some hole right now, can't even escape."
Kalrix chuckled like it was hilarious.
"Don't get the wrong idea—they were friends, not underlings. I wouldn't sell my own men."
"Isn't it usually the other way around?"
Kalrix shrugged.
"Point is, you can think ahead. Got execution too. Perfect for one of my guys."
"Write a damn novel."
I closed my eyes and leaned back, signaling I was done listening.
But Kalrix ignored it and kept talking.
"Idiot. How long you gonna pickpocket crumbs? You're a man—aim for silver at least."
"I said no. My mind's made up."
Joining Kalrix's crew? If his story about the reorganization was true, it might not suck.
The Masked Gang boss liked him, and Kalrix had decent skills.
But I had a clear reason for turning it down.
I didn't trust the bastard.
Just look at how he sold out his own crew this time. For profit, he'd ditch anyone.
He called them friends, not underlings.
But I'd seen him work them with my own eyes. It was a joke to me.
"Fine, my offer stands. Hit me up anytime. Though once the org reshuffles and I'm an officer, no soup for you—better speak quick."
With that, Kalrix finally shut up.
The carriage stayed quiet until we reached Kalita.
We headed straight for the Masked Gang's leader's brother's outfit upon arriving in Kalita. No time to sightsee in my first city.
"Gilric sent this?"
Yulbert, a bald guy with one eye covered by a patch, shook the letter.
"Yes! The boss is real worried about those troublemakers lately. So he thought you'd lend a hand..."
Kalrix rubbed his hands and bowed repeatedly.
Is the sycophant pose universal? Seeing Kalrix like that made me think so.
But Yulbert's face soured as he read. Irritation etched on it.
"That fucker ignores me when I ask for help."
Yulbert tore the letter to shreds and tossed it in the air. Kalrix and I gawked.
"Hey, what the hell?"
I elbowed Kalrix and whispered. He looked panicked too.
"No clue! Boss said just deliver the letter..."
'No way...' Kalrix muttered. What, you're disposable too?
Some boss, some underling.
I slowly eyed the room.
A window three meters to the side. Could I jump and run?
No, third floor. Might not die, but the landing would hurt like hell. Dodging thugs like that? Near impossible.
Front door then? I recalled the building's layout from coming in.
"Fuck it."
Yulbert swung his legs onto the desk and leaned back, apparently cooled off while I plotted. His face had softened.
"Fine, pin some debt on 'em while we're at it. Dex!!"
A skinny guy burst in at his call.
"You rang?"
"Round up the off-duty guys. Expedition time."
"Expedition?"
"Yeah. To Bachran. Get details from these clowns. Out."
We sighed in relief outside.
"...Thought we were dead."
"I trusted the boss."
"Bullshit. I saw the sweat on your neck."
"..."
Kalrix scratched his head sheepishly.
"Kalrix, you piece of shit."
I'm trudging down a sun-baked road. We came by carriage—why walk back?
"Why no damn carriage..."
Kalita had only one. It left full with Kalrix, Yulbert's men, and his crew. No room to squeeze in.
So the carriage ditched me.
Now I'm sweating buckets on an unwanted hike, pack and all.
"Damn... Should've grabbed all my money."
If I'd dug it all up, no need to go back. Just stay in Kalita.
The shack was a shame, but it was barely more than a lean-to anyway. Wouldn't miss it.
"This the right way...?"
Hours in, and it's just endless road. Doubt crept in—was I even headed right?
"Water's gone too..."
Empty canteen fueled the anxiety.
Should've rationed it.
Regret didn't help.
What now...
Pondering, I spotted a side path off the road.
"This... leads to a village, right?"
A beggar who'd roamed cities told me: small paths off the main road go to villages.
I hesitated, eyed the canteen, and turned onto it.
Just refill and go. Fine, right?
I curse myself from hours ago.
Side path for water, and now hours more walking.
Should've stuck to the road.
But payoff: village palisade in sight.
Sun dipping, I hurried.
Fully dark, and gates might lock.
Luckily, open.
"Who're you?"
The guard at the gate said.
No leather armor, just regular clothes and a spear.
"Traveler passing through. Hoping for some water."
"Water?"
"Yeah, ran dry..."
I pulled out the canteen and flipped it. A few drops fell from the empty bottom.
"Hmm... Alright. Come in, wet your throat."
"Thanks."
I bowed and moved to enter, but he stopped me.
"No inn here, no place to stay. You good?"
"Oh... Really?"
"Head to the village chief's once inside. He'll sort you out."
He kindly explained the way. I bowed again and entered.
First, the well. Cool water down my throat revived me. Refilled the canteen full.
"Now to the chief's..."
Ideally, leave without bothering anyone. But night was falling.
Wandering dark roads alone here? Suicide. Better crash one night.
I followed the directions.
But as an outsider, folks stared.
'Kinda uncomfortable...'
I sped up to the chief's. But someone grabbed my arm.
What? Startled, I looked.
A healthy-looking woman with brown hair tied back gripped me.
"From outside?"
She asked.
"Uh... Yeah."
Words failed; short answer.
She lit up anyway.
"Then..."
"Kara! What the hell you doing?!"
"Gah..."
Kara winced like she'd bit something sour.
Who'd make her react like that?
I turned toward the voice. And froze.
The woman was stunningly beautiful.
That too, but something deeper.
The moment I saw her, a blue window popped up in my vision.