41 – Cleaning the Dark Forest (1)
41st Chapter
“…It’s here, right?”
“Shh, do you want to get caught?”
“No, do we have to do it like this?”
Pray answers my question as if it’s obvious.
“When in Rome, do as the Romans do. In the underworld, you must follow the laws of the underworld.”
“How do you know about Rome? Do you only know it from games?”
“That law is this disguise…?”
“If we had come looking exactly like that, wouldn’t we naturally be suspected?”
We were currently disguised. Instead of our usual attire, we wore clothing similar to traditional Indian or Southeast Asian garments.
There was a reason for wearing something like this. It was the popular attire of the kingdom of Shajar.
We were currently in Mahendra, a notorious lawless city in the kingdom of Shajar, searching for a lost gemstone.
The opinion was that we should avoid attracting attention as much as possible by wearing our regular clothes and masks, so as not to appear obviously like a group of warriors.
However, my thoughts were a little different.
“…In my opinion, this seems to attract more attention.”
Their appearance was not ordinary, and they all had beautiful and elegant looks. So if they had worn armor or robes like adventurers, there would have been a sense of adventure. But now, they seemed like nobles from the Kingdom of Shahr.
Especially Clara and Kaisius had a strong tendency due to their unique and calm atmosphere. Clara’s grayish skin and golden eyes matched her current clothes, giving off a similar vibe to the Middle East…
“What are you talking about? Of course, we’re attracting attention, but we haven’t revealed that we’re an adventurer party, have we?”
“…”
Frey, who spoke like that, was wearing clothes similar to those of a dancer.
With a cropped top-like upper garment, a short skirt, and a translucent veil covering her mouth. It was typical attire for a dancer that one might see in a Middle Eastern-themed medium.
…It seems like you just proposed wearing revealing clothes because you wanted to.
“So, where did you say it was?”
“I said it’s on Mahendra 13th Street.”
This was the information Erin obtained from interrogating that collaborator. However, the reason Frey answered instead of the person involved was that we were currently splitting up and moving in two directions.
We, who were accompanying Caius, planned to raid the organization and prevent Erin, Letitia, and Serra-Aria from escaping. On our side, there were me, Frey, Clara, and Caius.
It might seem okay to divide our forces, but truthfully, this combination allowed us to enter the dungeon without any difficulties.
A priest capable of long-range firepower, a tank that could handle both close combat and ranged attacks, an assassin, and a useless baggage carrier.
“….It feels like I’m the only one useless here.”
“If Alan is not here, the plan cannot even begin. What are you talking about?”
Yeah, if I were to find one useful thing, it was that the dealer who could do both short-range and long-range attacks could only hear my words. It’s like any other game summoning profession. They say that users who play as summoners enjoy wielding such power, but I can’t really relate to that feeling.
Still, I was grateful for them telling me the story like that. I hope that eventually these stories becomes tales of my skill.
“…It’s around here. Mahendra Street, number 13.”
Just as Clara said, there was a sign with “13” a little further away. I nodded slightly and asked about the mission details again.
“We go in head-on, while Erin blocks off the escape route… Would this really work?”
“What else do we need?”
The mission doesn’t have enough specific details.
Before we left, I asked for specifics, but these guys ignored my opinion that we needed to know more details.
I don’t know if it’s because they’re confident in themselves or if they just don’t have any thoughts…
“Don’t worry, Allen. I’ll take care of it myself.”
And thanks to this guy’s dragon being too invested in eighth-grade syndrome, and agreeing that the simple plan was better, I had nothing to say.
There’s someone who can perform the actual role, so I’ll just follow orders.
“…Alright, got it.”
With half my heart worried if things will really be okay, and the other half thinking it’ll work itself out, I entered the alley of 13th street along with my group. As soon as we entered the alley, not only me, but also my companions were a little surprised.
‘Proper dark alley.’
Despite the sun having risen, the alley was still dark due to the shadows of the buildings.
In such a dark alley, it was hard to tell if the figures laying lifeless or asleep were beggars, and surrounding these beggars were the tattooed gang members who laughed at them.
There were also those who looked different, with strange glints in their eyes as they casually held weapons, and thin women who flirted with such men.
It was easy to tell right away what kind of people lived in the darkness. No matter how well we disguised ourselves, we stood out as soon as we entered such a place.
“What are they?”
“Hey, if you took a wrong turn, get lost quickly. What are you staring at?”
“Wait a minute, those girls are worth looking at. I’ll make some money by selling them. We don’t need men, so kill them.”
It felt like we hadn’t been there for more than 30 seconds, but they were already discussing the brutal calculation of killing me and taking the others to sell.
“Really…the saying that humans are the scariest creatures isn’t for no reason…”
“…Caius, handle things so they don’t end up dead.”
“You’re making annoying demands.”
“They might not even be the people we’re looking for. No need to hold back once you enter the organization building.”
“Understood.”
As Caius stepped forward, each man took out their weapons and approached. One of them had a basic knife while others had sharp swords, fierce-looking curved swords, and even bloody axes, as if they had already committed murder.
After seeing that, things changed a bit.
“…No. Just do whatever you want.”
“Is that really okay?”
“Yep.”
They were the kind of people who harmed others. To those bastards…
“No need to be gentle.”
“It’s good to have convenient orders.”
Just a moment ago, Cassius had lost interest and had a cold look in his eyes, but now he quickly extended his hand towards the approaching man.
Swoosh!!
In an instant, Cassius drew out his claws and tore apart the man’s abdomen.
“aaargh!”
“W-What the hell, b*tch!?”
“This damn psycho…!”
From the center of the ship to the side, the appearance of being torn apart in an instant was honestly a grotesque and cruel sight, but I didn’t feel any remorse.
As the leader of the group fell in an instant, the two men could only stumble and step back. But Kaius, who had already received his orders, didn’t stop.
“Do you think those pests can escape by running away?”
…He still hasn’t fixed his way of speaking. I’ll have to knock some sense into him.
While Kaius was dealing with them, I spoke to Clara.
“Clara, go find the entrance.”
“…Okay.”
In the blink of an eye, Clara swiftly climbed up the wall, unseen by the naked eye, and started exploring every corner of the alley, jumping over the walls on both sides.
“… It’s almost eerie.”
“We have nothing to do, Allen.”
Indeed.
The waiting time was not very long. Clara soon returned quickly and said,
“… Over there.”
“Alright, Caius. Let’s go there!”
“Hmm, understood.”
Caius had already slain all three men by now. Even though they were young, dragons were still dragons.
Following Clara, they moved and arrived in front of a tall wall. It wasn’t a door, but a wall…
“Where is the entrance?”
“Here.”
Clara said that and took out a disassembly tool from her pocket, then swiftly inserted it between the bricks. After fiddling with the bricks, I pushed various tools back and forth in a manner I couldn’t understand.
Then, with a creaking sound, some of the bricks moved inwards and split apart, revealing an entrance on both sides.
To me, it seemed like she was just messing around, but apparently, it was disarming a trap. As expected, disarming traps requires expertise.
“You said they moved it to the underground warehouse.”
“That’s right.”
“Kaisius, take care of anyone coming out. We’ll move to open the underground warehouse right away.”
“Understood.”
“And try to act as dragon-like as possible.”
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Caesius nodded slightly.
“That won’t be a problem.”
“Good, let’s go.”
It was still before sunrise.
We stepped into the building of the organization that stole the Jade Jewel, “Teen Tala (Three Stars),” also known as the shadow organization of the Shazahr royal family.
The leader of Teen Tala, Barman, was experiencing a satisfying morning. When he received the order to infiltrate the Bastian Kingdom auction and reclaim the Jade Jewel, he had thought that this mission might be impossible.
That would be the case, as it was Erin’s party that was monitoring the auction house. They were quite famous as the only party of warriors in the Deren Empire.
They quickly became a renowned party among warrior parties by appearing like a comet in the diplomatic relations with the Deren Empire, which had weaknesses due to the lack of warriors, and rapidly establishing tremendous achievements.
Among the warriors, Erin was selected as the best among the swordsmen, known as the “Holy Sword,” and she was even the sole inheritor and wielder of the cursed sword.
To infiltrate an auction house where such a warrior existed was practically no different from ordering them to die…
“I can’t believe they stupidly left their position.”
Even if someone claimed that they created a tunnel in an instant using spirits, they would have been caught if that warrior was nearby.
But guess what, the most troublesome warrior actually left their position vacant. Thanks to that, they were able to swiftly execute the operation and seize the Dragon Stone.
He locked it away in an underground warehouse, the deepest and most secretive place in the organization, where only he and his brother, Dock Master Baburman, could enter.
When the incident involving the jade was forgotten, all he had to do was trade the jade in the black market and hand over the money to the royal family. Then it would be over. They had promised to grant him a staggering one-third of the amount, a sum that made him burst into laughter at the mere thought of a shining future.
Although two members of the organization had been caught, their loyalty was sufficient, having been nurtured in the shadows of the royal family. They would probably not betray him and choose to end their own lives without flinching.
…It should have been so clear.
“Boss! Boss!!”
One of his subordinates urgently knocked on Babur’s door.
“What is it? Why are you so frantic?”
“It’s a big problem! The agents from the kingdom have come to find Yong-ok!”
“…What?”
That couldn’t be true. The organization’s location had never been revealed, and anyone who was caught would have chosen self-destruction, so there was no reason to worry.
But why…
However, Baraman didn’t know. He meant that heroes were quite experienced even in torture. They would even remove the poison pouches hidden in their fangs, prepared for suicide.
“Block them immediately! And divert their attention so they can’t go to the underground warehouse. Since they won’t know the way to the warehouse, luring them in the opposite direction will buy us some time.”
“Understood, boss!”
“I’ll try to contact the royal family. Tell Babur about this too. If you encounter the enemy, do your best to stall for time!”
“You be careful too, boss!”
The path leading to the underground warehouse was extremely complex. The floors above ground were connected by normal staircases, but the underground level was not.
The basement of this building was like a labyrinth, prepared for any potential intruders. It was the kind of place where even high-ranking officers could get lost.
“Why on earth… how do I find my way here…”
There was only one possibility to consider. They had either failed in their suicide attempt or had opted not to commit suicide.
However, the latter seemed less likely, so Barman muttered that it must have been the former.
“You figured that out…? It wouldn’t have been obvious from the inside of your incisors or the surface of your face.”
Although he didn’t fully understand, the deed had already been done. Yet, as long as Barmann could protect Yongok, there was still hope.
Barmann never had any intention of handing over Yongok. This life, which had endured all sorts of dirty deeds, might finally have a chance to encounter a ray of light.
“By growing the organization a little more and rising to a solid position even in this underworld, I will be able to enjoy a very rich life without any shortage of being called a shadow of the royal palace. Maybe I can get rid of the shackles of the royal palace with that money.”
Yong-ok was a savior-like object for Baruman and the organization in many ways. He never thought of putting it out.
“Anyway, you won’t be able to find it there …”
“Hyungnim!”
“Barbur?”
Then the sub-leader and his younger brother, Babur, came in. This time, Baruman opened the door himself and greeted Babur.
“No, Babur. Haven’t you received an order from me? Why are you here?”
“That’s not the problem, hyungnim! A dragon has entered the building now!”
“What? Dragon?”
“It’s real, hyungnim! It looks like a person, but it has horns on its head. It’s a polymorphed dragon!”
“Is it true that a dragon suddenly appeared in a place like this? According to the official announcement of the Bastian Kingdom, the hero party killed the dragon and obtained the dragon stone.”
“…You mean they didn’t kill the dragon?”
“What? That can’t be…”
“Oh, come on! If that dragon came here, it must have made some kind of agreement with the kingdom….”
Barman, who was speculating about the background, paused for a moment. Then he muttered,
“…Can the kingdom really tame a dragon? Even if the hero party helped, a proud dragon wouldn’t bow down to a weaker existence.”
“What are you talking about, brother?”
“No, think about it. How can the dragon be suppressed and tamed by the Bastian Kingdom, which doesn’t even have any heroes?”
Upon Barman’s question, Babur slightly lowered his head.
“Even if it’s a young dragon….”
“…Barburr! We need to grab everything here and run away right now!”
“What?”
“It’s a hero party!”
Barman quickly deduced the answer.
“Just as you said, it doesn’t make sense that even though it’s a young dragon, it subdued and tamed the dragon with the kingdom’s forces! The hero party didn’t kill that bastard, but they are using it to attack us!”
“…So we have to run away!?”
“That’s why I’m saying we need to gather things quickly and escape! Let’s go to the royal palace. Then, how will he help us?”
“Oh, I see!”
Barman and Barburr didn’t even consider opposing them. It didn’t matter if it was a dragon gem or something else. If the hero party had arrived, their lives were in immediate danger.
Like the shadow of the royal palace, both Barman, the leader, and Barburr, just below him, had excellent skills, but that didn’t mean they could match the hero party.
“They quickly gathered the treasures they had been safeguarding as emergency funds and prepared to escape. There was a secret passage known only to the two brothers in Barmann’s office.
“…They’re coming this way?”
But why? A young girl was blocking the entrance to the escape route.
“hehehe, creating such a clandestine path… what an ingenious idea♡”
“What does this brat think she’s doing here… Can’t she just leave?”
“Barburr, run to the opposite side immediately.”
“What?”
Barburr looked at his brother with a puzzled expression. However, Barmann shouted with a grave face.
“Run away now…!!”
“W-What are you talking about, brother!”
“I will go this way, so run away over there! Quickly!”
The Barman brothers were quite meticulous, and there were two escape routes. Even if one was blocked, they could escape through the other.
“Tongue, brother, you must survive!”
Babur quickly fled towards another alley, and Barman wiped the cold sweat off his forehead and saw a small girl in front of him.
Barman knew exactly who she was. It was his first time seeing her in person, but he was familiar with her features from what he had heard.
Sparkling platinum hair and eyes resembling amethysts. And despite her small stature, she had a disproportionately large chest. All these elements pointed to one person.
“Warrior Erin….”
“You called for me~?”
Erin was a knight of the Holy Sword. She smirked as she looked at Varman, who recognized her.
“And now, I wonder what will become of you~♡”
“…I won’t be taken lightly.”
Varman drew a mismatched pair of daggers from his waist and crossed them.
“If you underestimate the leader of the Tin Tala, your neck will be gone in an instant…”
“What did you say~?”
Erin chuckled with a sneer.
“I can’t hear you properly because it’s just nonsense from a pathetic bastard~♡”
“…How arrogant!”
Barman moved quickly. With the shadow of the royal court, it was an extremely agile and unconventional spell. Anyone who faced him might not be able to discern his movements and could surrender their neck to his dagger.
However, coincidentally, the person in front of him happened to be the one who represented the exception to those nine.
“Kick♡”
A light laugh. And Barman could only widen his eyes in response.
In an instant, the sword was drawn and precisely sliced through the spot where Barman was about to step next. Barman’s leg, which had tried to move forward, was cut off, causing his posture to naturally waver and collapse.
And then, Barman saw it. In the moment when his posture crumbled, a pure white blade descended upon his head.
“…Oh, no.”
Thud!
With a clean cut sound, Barman’s vision was dyed dark red.
“Pathetic piece of sh*t~♡”
Through the gaps in his sight covered with his own blood, Erin, laughing softly, appeared. With that, Barman’s consciousness soon faded away completely.
As Barman collapsed, a short scream could be heard from the direction where Babur had fled. Then, Letitia walked out from there and looked at Erin.
“Oh, it’s over there too.”
“Yeah~.”
Erin laughed lightly and spoke.
“Now we just need to find the pathetic one, Yong-ok~♡”