82 – [‘Runaway Ninja Gale Battle’ Begins] Episode 82. Welcome to Yongjugol (1)
Even the lazy Neo-Neo-Solitron fell asleep in the dark night. Two men in cloaks stood in front of an old man who was tidying up a carriage on the street.
Neo-Neo-Solitron.
The city, which was undergoing redevelopment after suffering a major blow in a massive battle three years ago, bore the name of this metropolis.
“There are two of them. Get ready to depart.”
A large man made a clinking sound with his armor and handed a purse of money to the old man.
As his cloak slightly fell, revealing the symbol engraved on the shoulder of his armor. It was an illustration of a mammal with black fur and long ears.
The symbol of the Moon Rabbit Knights.
“Got it.”
The old man glanced at the symbol and cleared his throat with a feigned indifference.
The Moon Rabbit Knights.
They were not a group of knights who illegally shared comics, but a group formed by the order maintenance soldiers who had scattered when they lost their focal point, the Jade Swordswoman, in the past.
“We won’t take any more jobs today.”
The old man ignored them as he carefully saddled the horse. Bruce, a member of the Moon Rabbit Knights known for his hot temper even among the knights, shot a sharp gaze at the person next to Hans, a large man.
“What?! You beggar… talking back?!”
“I’ll triple the price.”
Before Bruce, trembling with anger, could speak further, Hans stepped forward.
“Well, in that case.”
The old man nodded as he lifted the saddle onto the horse’s back again.
The two knights boarded the carriage slowly.
“Where shall we take you?”
“…To the slums.”
With that short conversation, the carriage set off.
“We have arrived.”
“Good work.”
Hans handed over the money and walked through the slums with Bruce.
They entered a deserted corner and stopped in front of a building with no windows.
It wasn’t an old wooden house like the ones in the slums, but a solid brick house.
It was the headquarters of the largest crime organization in Neo-Neosolitron, so it was naturally not an ordinary building.
Hans and Bruce of the Night Rabbit Knights were among the most frequent visitors here.
It wasn’t for the sake of maintaining public order and enforcing justice, but for the “goods” held by the crime organization.
“Looks good.”
Bruce couldn’t hide his excitement and smiled.
Until three years ago, the Order Maintenance Army used to execute the criminals they caught themselves.
There were a few who felt reluctance to kill unarmed people, but most were the opposite.
Just like Jade, who had a twisted sense of justice, the Order Maintenance Army was a group of similar-minded individuals.
To them, murder was like playing soccer. They even held execution ceremonies after meals or before going to bed.
If there were half-and-half scoundrels, they would have some fun with them before killing them.
They executed people who committed various crimes in various ways, from those who killed others to those who were caught stealing a single bread.
They had been doing this until Jade died, and until the downfall of the Red Whale Matop.
The current Kingdom of Irgal, which does not tolerate even small-scale wars, let alone cruel execution ceremonies, was a very boring place for Hans and Bruce.
Yeah. It was boring to the point where they wanted to die.
The Moon Rabbit Knights, who had secretly formed a connection with the human trafficking organization, had been killing people who were lured to this hideout and drowning in debt.
They were people who could disappear without anyone noticing, so they thought it would be a good idea to satisfy their murderous desires.
In a peaceful era where even the leading minds of the war had disappeared due to the breath of whales. But there are some villains who raise their heads in such times.
“Wait.”
Hans stopped Bruce, who was about to knock on the door of the hideout.
“I don’t sense any presence.”
“What?”
Hans ignored Bruce’s question and sharpened his senses.
Hans, who belonged to the top ranks of the Moon Rabbit Knights, had a remarkable ability to sense presence.
“Exactly. It’s as quiet as if no one’s here.”
It felt artificial. Hans frowned.
“Weren’t we supposed to see them today? They’re like sharp knives…and they said the goods were ready.”
Bruce scratched his head and glanced at his superior.
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They had had this secretive meeting dozens of times, but this was the first time it felt like this.
…
Hans fell into thought.
Did those disgruntled criminals get caught? It was impossible.
While the Moon Rabbit Knights and this criminal organization had a vertical relationship rather than a horizontal one, it didn’t mean they unilaterally exploited each other.
In exchange for turning a blind eye to the small jobs they were doing in Neo-Neo Solitron, they had agreed to receive “goods” that would satisfy the knights’ murderous desires.
“It’s strange.”
What could it be if it wasn’t the wind?
Was it the crime organization and the security forces plotting and trapping themselves? That also didn’t make sense.
“No way…”
Considering various possibilities, Hans thought of a man. He had never seen him in person, but he had heard that the man had killed his comrades.
Until a few years ago, he was not a particularly famous figure.
There were rumors that he had saved a local territory and defeated one of the Seven Swordsmen, but most people considered it more as material for poets or urban legends rather than something serious.
Even when he killed the Jade of the Red Whale Matou, it didn’t create much of a buzz.
The Red Whale Matou controlled the information, and the breath of the whale launched in the capitals of all kingdoms took all the attention.
It was the same when he killed the Red Whale Matouju.
There were few people who witnessed the battle firsthand, and Lilia Chastein, who became the ruler of Irugal Kingdom, restrained herself from mentioning it.
It was only after some time had passed that his identity became known to the world.
– The student who scored a perfect score on the Apprentice Knight Exam… Lukas, please come up.
The words spoken by the student who scored a perfect score on the Apprentice Knight Exam after 10 years were like a fuse.
The person she mentioned as the knight she admired the most, receiving attention from various groups, was none other than…
– The runaway ninja.
She said quietly.
– Which knight’s affiliation are you from?
– Ah, you don’t know… They’re all just humans scattered everywhere.
– …A great person?
– Someone who once… pursued justice.
– Ah… I see…
– It must be difficult to understand… ‘Justice’ in this day and age…
– …
The top-scoring student who only spouted incomprehensible words left and joined the Hongyeomryong Knights.
Rumors about the runaway ninja started spreading from that moment.
From defeating the Marauders’ gang in Goldon, killing the Byungum Gyeong Jade, and taking down three Chilgum Gyeong members at once, to slaying the Red Whale Matapju, the news spread quickly.
The lords who were trusted and relied upon by the people had long since disappeared due to the great destruction caused by the breath of the whale, and there were many who sought the symbol of hope.
The Choin, who defeated the evildoers who inflicted violence upon innocent people.
Isn’t it a perfect concept for the foolish people to be enthusiastic about?
The rumors spread and became legends, and those legends reached even the young children.
Of course, it was only a matter of time before the runaway ninja appeared in Gant, the national card game loved by people of all ages.
– Sacrificing the Byungum Gyeong Jade to summon the runaway ninja, and using the summoned runaway ninja to attack the Red Whale Matapju.
– Wow! Runaway ninja!
– Wow, why did the runaway ninja come out there!!!
Many people came to love him and wanted to see him. However, since the battle that took place at the Red Whale Matapju, the runaway ninja has not revealed himself to the world.
– Where is the runaway ninja?
– Today, Patrick Yeongam took all my money! What is the runaway ninja doing? They don’t catch those addicted to Gant!
The runaway ninja defeated the Red Whale Matapju and became one with the White Dolphin Resistance, achieved tasks, and ascended to the sky. These rumors were circulating.
– Today, we have the renowned philosopher from the Banks, Mr. Chesapuho.
– Nice to meet you. This is Chesapuho.
– Everyone is curious about the true identity of the fugitive ninja. Can you tell us anything about it?
– I think it’s a symbol created by the resistance. A fake hero made for propaganda and incitement.
– How would you explain the actions that the fugitive ninja has actually taken?
– Killing the Changeling Sword Master and the Red Whale Matapju, is that what you mean? Of course, there must be someone who killed them. It could be one person or several. I personally believe it’s the majority. Anyway, the common factor that people have seen in the fugitive ninja is the black uniform and hood, right? Anyone can dress like that.
– I see.
– The whereabouts of the fugitive ninja cannot be logically explained. Just a few days ago, the fugitive ninja was seen in Goldon out of the blue, and then a few months later, they were suddenly witnessed in the Aioji Mines? And then they kill the Red Whale Matapju after killing the Changeling Sword Master? There is no consistency in their actions. It can’t be an individual.
– The Changeling Sword Master even revealed the name of the fugitive ninja and issued a wanted notice. What do you think about that?
– Since they have been causing havoc all over the country, they must have wanted to capture a specific member of the resistance.
– There are also people who claim to have seen them firsthand.
– I think it’s a fabrication created by people who are unrealistic, illogical, and unable to adapt to the real world. They only care about their own interests and want to be recognized. There isn’t even anyone who claims to have fought against them, right? They caused chaos everywhere, so how can there be no one who clashed swords with them?
– According to their words, the fugitive ninja doesn’t let villains live.
– It’s a plausible lie. Do you think it’s that easy to eliminate someone?
And so, after two years, when the image of the fugitive ninja was slowly being engraved in people’s minds as a mythical being like a dragon, a watcher, or an ancient warrior, adventurers who claimed to have seen the fugitive ninja near the unexplored territory of the Watcher’s Gorge began to appear one after another, and public opinion flipped.
– It’s true, I saw them with my own eyes!
– There was also a woman wearing a golden armor with them!
The most decisive testimony came from Agatha Gumbleton, the leader of the Crimson Flame Knights, one of the Seven Swords of the Swordsmanship Tournament.
– It’s a bit late to say this now, but I have fought against them. I narrowly lost by a hair’s breadth. The reason I kept it a secret until now was to protect their identity. Everyone who was present at the Red Whale Matapju battle agrees with this.
– So, is the fugitive ninja’s name really Robin? Where are they living now?
– That’s a secret.
– Yes?
– I won’t give you the answer you want.
But isn’t it a ridiculous thought that this runaway ninja has come all the way to this slum to wait for someone to kill him?
“That can’t be true.”
“I’ll go in.”
Hans trembled and passed by Bruce.
Regardless of what happens, he had to see it for himself and report back.
Click-!
The hideout was as dark as pitch.
Somewhere, there was a strange, familiar stench…
Hans narrowed his eyes.
“Lantern.”
“Here it is.”
Bruce, who followed behind Hans, lit the lantern and raised it.
…!
The sight of the hideout revealed by the small light was even more gruesome than Hans had imagined.
Corpses. Corpses. Corpses. It was nothing but corpses drenched in blood.
“Oh no!”
Sensing danger, Hans snatched the lantern from Bruce and raised it towards the ceiling.
“Nin-nin.”
Surprisingly, there were people dressed in blue robes hanging like bats there.
“Ah…?”
A saber was stuck in Hans’ forehead as he made a dumb sound.