It is difficult to find one person in a city where a huge number of outsiders come and go every day.
If he had been in his previous life, he would have been able to borrow the power of the Adventurer’s Guild, but even if that wasn’t the case, he could have directly requested the mobilization of troops from the lord.
Do-jin’s words must have been weighted by the reputation he had accumulated by subduing countless monsters and solving quests, and his position as a first-class adventurer.
However, the current Dojin was only a 10th level adventurer.
It means that no one will believe Do-jin’s words, whether it be the adventurer’s guild or the lord’s castle.
If you shout out that there is a priest of the Church of Destruction who is trying to destroy the world in this city, if you are lucky, you will be thrown at the door.
So what should I do?
The answer was simple.
There is no need to explain the situation in every word, just go find the guys who will move if you ask for it.
Even in Do-jin’s experience, he was much better at finding people.
To find such a great helper, Do-jin headed to the darkest part of the city.
The so-called back alley, a slum and a crime zone where people living a low life are gathered.
Even in the morning, the alley is as dark as the sun has set.
As soon as I entered, the silent gazes of the tramps scattered here and there gathered.
Eyes resembling dead fish, devoid of life.
Dojin ignored their gaze and moved deep into the alley.
‘How should I open the entrance to this neighborhood?’
Then, I looked everywhere to make sure it wasn’t obvious.
It is a matter of course that those who have formed a force in the shadow of this anywhere, but they are the ones who have a bad back.
That’s why, if someone I haven’t seen before enters my area, I’m always on my guard.
Then, if they seem easygoing, they will rob their wallets and internal organs, and if they look awkward to touch, they will hide deeper.
If you can’t decide whether it’s a hukou or not, or if you want to find out the purpose of the person’s visit, it’s usually… … .
“Aren’t you a brother who doesn’t fit in a place like this? This is a very dangerous neighborhood, what’s going on? If you are looking for a woman, I can introduce you to a good place.”
Someone approaches in this way.
It’s normal to be a kid begging or a bully to argue with, but sometimes women sell themselves in this way.
Of course, we can’t rule out the possibility that she really approached for sales, but this woman doesn’t seem to have a high probability of that.
Seeing that even while wearing revealing clothes, it shows that he cleverly hid his armament.
Even the calluses on her hands proved that she was a swordsman.
“Oh my, I must have guessed right, seeing as I was blatantly skimming? By the way, if you’re going to buy a girl, it’ll be much safer uptown over there. Why did my brother come to such a remote place? huh? Did you come here to buy something not for sale?”
A woman approaches with a smile on her face.
Dojin stepped back and asked.
“Not for sale?”
Well, I can roughly predict it, but conversations are originally like this.
Especially when talking to the opposite sex, I remember hearing somewhere that if you use the words the other person spits out, the atmosphere will be much better.
“Not for sale is not for sale. In the upper town over there, even if you have money, you can’t live. A bit too young or something. Even if you treat them harshly and play a little wildly, you don’t have any problems as long as you pay extra. why? Are you the kind of person who likes extreme things, too?”
Then don’t be shy and tell me. There are even things that can be completely broken. Even if you kill them while playing, we’ll clean up the aftermath. Of course, the price must be right
Do-jin heard the woman’s unpleasant words with one ear and let them out with the other.
On the outside, he put on a look that seemed a little interested.
Then, at some point, the woman stopped talking and brought up the main topic.
“It’s an interesting topic, but unfortunately, I have more urgent things to do right now. My purpose is to find one.”
“… Person?”
The woman’s eyes changed.
It seemed that they had misunderstood that they were trying to raid this place to find the criminal who committed the crime at the word ‘person’.
Do-jin subtly dissuaded the woman from putting her hand under the piece of cloth covering her chest.
It’s because taking out a weapon and swinging it causes headaches. Fighting at close range with a swordsman who doesn’t know his level or power.
As a wizard, I had to avoid such situations whenever possible.
“Ah, don’t get me wrong. I’m not looking for people from this town. What I’m looking for is an outsider, and I’m here to find someone to help me with that. Of course, I will pay generously for the labor force.”
The woman’s eyes softened a little at the words she hurriedly said.
However, the vigilance was not completely relaxed.
“Hmm, but what? The shop I work in is one that sells one night romances for lonely guys. It has nothing to do with finding people, right?”
You’re not looking for people in criminal dens. It’s a story that a passing dog would laugh at.
Dojin laughed and said in a tone to stop talking nonsense.
“I don’t think the place you work is simply a store that sells women. They said that it was not for sale or that it would be disposed of, but in the end, they said that they would do the illegal slave trade and dispose of the corpse as long as they paid for it… I don’t think there’s any way you wouldn’t be looking for people for money in a place like that, right?”
Sheesh, the woman clicked her tongue.
The woman who erased the pretentious smile scanned Dojin up and down.
Then, nervously, he tousled his hair.
“ha. I was scared and said to go home. Tsk. Did you drink too much yesterday? I said something I shouldn’t have said.”
The woman who blamed her slip on alcohol raised her eyes sharply.
“So you’re sure you have no direct interest in this town?”
Dojin nodded.
“If it’s a lie, it’s no fun, oppa. Judging by the drab robe and the tattoo on his right wrist, he looks like a wizard. If you look at the world with a little magic… Is it possible to have a hole in the body that is not needed in an instant?”
Saying that, the woman held out a thin dagger that she did not know when she had taken it out.
Natural and fast movements that are difficult to react to.
This alone made it clear that this NPC’s level was quite high.
As the level of the region increased, the level of the NPCs who made combat as a business also increased accordingly.
‘This is enough… It’s not a small fish. In this neighborhood, it’s almost the upper level.’
Estimating the opponent’s ability, Do-jin pushed the dagger that touched his stomach to the side.
“Like you said, I am a wizard. I know very well that a swordsman like you is my nemesis even if I don’t warn you, and I’m not stupid enough to do anything stupid in a town full of deadly dangers.”
“huh. It’s stupid to even set foot here. In any case, if you want to entrust me with a job, come with me.”
Do-jin silently followed the woman who turned around and walked away.
As I went deeper into the alley, the stinging eyes I felt around me increased.
Rеаd at ոоbӏеmtӏ.соm
Murderous intent without the will to hide would be an unspoken means of intimidation.
Then, in front of a shabby, disgustingly messy building, a woman went down the stairs.
“It’s me.”
When the woman spoke in front of the blackened wooden door, the door swung open.
“Who is that guy behind you?”
A man who seems to be a gatekeeper asks Do-jin with a wink.
“client.”
“Hmm… … .”
The man, who had stroked her chin in disbelief, exchanged glances with the woman a few times before stepping aside.
When I entered the door, I came out into a hallway without a single light.
“Huh… … .”
As I was walking down the hallway, I heard someone moaning somewhere.
When Do-jin reflexively stopped walking, the woman turned around.
“why? Are you starting to get scared when you hear that sound?”
kick kick. The woman laughs mockingly.
“What are you talking about?”
“What are you talking about? It’s the sound of the products we sell. Looking at it earlier, he didn’t seem very interested. Wanna see you later? Even if the price is a bit expensive, they are just good things to play without worrying about it?”
After looking in the direction of the sound for a moment and organizing his thoughts, Dojin smiled and nodded.
“Then, after leaving the task of looking for people, shall we take a look around for a while?”
“Also. Guys with bad eyes like to play rough.”
“is it? I live my life thinking that I look gentle.”
“… Are you kidding?”
Shrugging his shoulders, Dojin had other thoughts in his mind.
‘Anyway, if we don’t solve the problem on the Church of Extinction, they’ll all die, but if we succeed in stopping them, we’ll at least save those caught here.’
One of the reasons for thinking this way is that there is a high probability that this world will recognize it as a quest and reward it if you do something righteous, but even if it’s not necessary, it’s better to solve this case and pass it on if possible.
If you pass by without knowing it, if you just pass over the awkwardness that has come into your eyes without knowing it, it will accumulate in your heart without knowing or knowing it, and it will come back as stress later.
‘Even if it’s something like poking around by yourself, it would be impossible to save people, so I’ll have to think about how to rescue it… … .’
No matter what method you use, it would be good to know as much as you can about the location of the rescue target and the internal structure of the hideout.
It was a time when I was closely examining everything that caught my way of walking with 「Suggestion」 for that purpose.
“Here.”
A woman walking ahead pushed a stone wall in an unexpected place, and a very neat and spacious bar appeared inside that was not suitable for a messy back alley.
It was full of men who looked menacing at first glance, with ‘I’m a criminal’ written on their faces.
“Vicky, what is the parasitic brother wrapped in a black scroll behind it? He probably didn’t bring you to play with him tonight.”
The woman called Vicky smiled at the bartender who asked the question.
“Just kidding. I am a customer. Did you come to find someone?”
“… That’s what brought you here? It must be a joke.”
Vicky pointed at Dojin.
“Listen and see. Whether you have a plan, you’re on the hook, or you’re just a customer looking for someone, why not bring them here and find out? It’s a place where screams don’t leak out.”
chin. Vicky sat down on an empty chair and took out a dagger.
Other men likewise take out blades, wary of Do-jin.
In an instant, all directions were filled with knife holders.
In such an overbearing atmosphere, the bartender, who seemed to be the boss, looked at Dojin and snapped his chin.
Like if you have something to say, say it.
So Do-jin said what he had to say.
“I am looking for someone. There is a high probability that he entered this city roughly a week to ten days ago, and he is wearing a white priestly uniform with black gypsophila patterns embroidered on it.”
hahahaha. The bartender laughed dryly.
He said while wiping his glass.
“Thank you for overestimating us, but it’s impossible to find a person in this big city with barely any clothes on, young man. To put it bluntly, just changing into a white outfit doesn’t make it any less distinctive.”
“It’s overrated. It’s just an accurate assessment. You guys, among the people who come and go in this city, don’t you check all the distinctive people? Check it because it looks dangerous, check it because it looks easy, check it because it looks like money. Priests on pilgrimage fall into the third category. Priests who travel tend to take care of their traveling expenses.”
“… Certainly, the priest who seems to be on pilgrimage stands out. If the pickpockets had been paying attention, it might not be difficult to find. but… … .”
Before the bartender could talk further, Dojin put a heavy bag on the table.
“1,000 gold. it’s player money When you finish the request, I will pay the same amount once more.”
Vicky whistled as she swung her dagger around.
The bartender also raises one eyebrow in surprise.
Well, it was only natural that he would spend this much money just to find someone.
“I’m afraid to brag about how much money I have in a place like this… What if we just kill and steal without receiving a request?”
The bartender spoke in a tone as if concerned about the naive country youth.
Here is an important aspect.
If you look easy at this moment, you will be branded as a hukou, which is money and internal organs.
In order not to do that, bluffing was necessary.
Dojin laughed intentionally and spoke arrogantly.
To give the impression that the believer corner is holding up very firmly.
“You don’t have to think. As you think, I’m just a worker who came out to get things done. Honestly, if I had given you a penny, I would have just thrown it away, right? Laughing at an unknowing mage walking stupidly on a limb.”
“Funny. I thought that all the magicians would be ignorant of the world because all they do is study darkly in their closets.”
The bartender accepted the money bag that Dojin put down.
After that, I passed it to the back, but the woman who didn’t know when she appeared checked the money and disappeared in the back.
Now that I looked, I saw an obscure door.
“It is true that we do a rough check of the people entering this city. However, it is not systematic. Pickpocket, fruit shop clerk, bar waiter, city gatekeeper… … . It means that informants who are entangled like a spider’s web pour in information at random. So what I mean is, it takes some time to weed out the person you are looking for from the accumulated information.”
“How long will it take?”
“Hmm, it takes about an hour or two to weed out the pile of notes, and another hour or two to spread the contents of the request to the informants in the city. And I think we’ll find it in another hour or two. Even if that priest or something is in this city.”
“I want you to solve it as soon as possible. If you reduce more than two hours from the expected time, you will pay an additional 500 gold.”
“It looks like you’re serving a master with a fairly generous wallet.”
“depending on.”
“Okay, where should I send the news after processing it?”
Before Do-jin could answer the bartender’s question, Vicky interrupted.
“Nothing to worry about. That brother will be playing here.”
“What do you mean, Vicky?”
“That oppa said he wanted to look around our stuff while we were looking for people.”
At that, the bartender looked at Do-jin as if he was surprised.
“Contrary to appearances, you seem to have quite luxurious tastes. Or is it your master’s preference? I hope you like it either way.”
After speaking, the bartender gave Vicky a glance and opened the back door and disappeared.
“Follow.”
Dojin walked along with Vicky.
Retrace the dark hallway, pass through the side door, and walk through the hallway again.
The more I did, the more the unpleasant sobs got closer.