As a result, I ended up staying in Yongmun for another two years.
"I didn't expect you to grant that so readily, Moejang."
"For two reasons. I judged that leaving you here would be more advantageous."
"And what are those two reasons?"
"First: to entrust the intelligence gathering on and the purge of the Black Cloud Society to the assassin Baekhyun."
"Wait… assassin?"
"Yes, lackey. From now on, you'll bear the title of killer."
I suddenly understood why they call it being a killer—you earn that name by cutting down anything in your path… ah, so that's it.
"Anyone from the Sword Sect who saw that scene would call you a killer. You even cut down those you didn't have to kill."
I almost blurted out that it wasn't me… but I swallowed the words, afraid they'd brand me a delusional emo.
"You're now hired as a mercenary in the Yongmun Guard's Violent Crimes Unit. Can you handle that?"
"Of course. Just leave it to me!"
"And under no circumstances are you to cut down anyone not in the Black Cloud Society."
"I'll… try my best on that."
Given that the last purge inflicted heavy civilian casualties and the public was all eyes on that excess, it's a fine opportunity to practice nonlethal cuts.
"Then what's the second reason?"
"Simply put, I wanted to broaden your horizons while you're still young. That's all."
"..."
"…I was supposed to quip something like 'Huh? Did someone call?' right about now."
"I concur."
Achoo!Sniff…
"Are you catching a cold…?"
"No. My nose just twitched at the sound of someone calling."
"Haha! That was a clean cut! When we return… Otis will be gone!"
"…They'll all be okay, right?"
"Faust knows the three of them aren't an easy match."
"I suppose…?"
"Of course. Now then, let's head back."
"Hmm… two years. Long if you think of it one way, short if you think of it another."
"You can use the Guard's barracks for lodging, or I can secure you a private room."
"The pay is guaranteed, right?"
"I don't like talented people going unpaid. Don't worry—I'll compensate you fairly."
"In that case… oh, before we part, could I ask one last favor?"
"As long as it's within my power."
"Then fetch me the finest liquor Yongmun can offer."
"…It's none of my business, but drinking at your age…"
"Oh, it's not for me. I remembered a promise to give it to someone someday."
"…Hm. Well, I won't meddle in personal affairs. That should be easy enough."
I'd remembered promising to treat Ling to a drink.
"Then rest easy and enjoy yourself tomorrow. I'll have the contract ready before your guardians depart."
"Very well then~"
"Wait, you're eating that and still going for dried persimmons?"
"Why? I'll give you one too, Otis, so don't complain!"
"Ugh… fine."
"…Moejang, want one too?"
"I'll gratefully accept."
"Dried persimmons… yeah, they're perfect in winter."
"What?! I never said I'd give you the boss!"
"Don't be so stingy; wouldn't it be better to share?"
"Swaye… here, you take one too."
"Huh? Me too?"
"If you don't want it, don't eat it. Tigers and persimmons are natural enemies. You might hate it…"
"I never said I wouldn't eat it! And who says this snack is a natural enemy?"
Wah… my dried persimmon. The joy of my life, the light of my days, my salt…
"Fifty-eight… fifty-nine… Happy Christmas, folks?"
"Happy my ass; you're flat on your back in a hospital bed."
"Now, as a Christmas gift, take my card."
"Whoa, suddenly everyone's happy. Is this what capital tastes like…?"
Tomorrow Wei Yenwu's toast, lol.
"Alright then, thanks for everything."
"You heading out?"
"Well, I've completed my discharge paperwork. Take good care of that tiger over there."
I'm leaving, but Swaye, thanks to her grandfather's worry, is stuck in bed today—finally, I'm free! Ah, the sweet chill of the winter wind!
"By the way, there are so many presents."
"Well, after that incident, everyone's sending gifts to get on our good side. If you want one, take it."
Each gift is more expensive than the last. From the look of it, none are anything but luxury items.
"No thanks. I'm not going to steal someone else's gifts. Besides, I have this."
It's the card of the head of Yongmun. It'll cover a day of splurging.
"Then I'll head out. Get well soon."
"Sure. Have fun… by yourself."
"You know where to find me if you're upset, right?"
Thump!
"Ah, I'm sorry."
So excited, I crashed into someone standing at the door. I didn't really see who it was, but I assumed it was a scion of some large corporation waiting to court her favor.
"Um, you dropped this…"
"I'm in a hurry, so… bye!"
The scent of freedom is calling me—how could I not hurry! Oh, Yongmun, I'm really leaving!
"Ugh… I'm hungry already. I thought I ate enough persimmons yesterday…"
I could use the card to stuff myself with something expensive, but something in my pocket caught my eye.
"This is… good. Now I know where to go."
"Welcome~ Ah, you're the one from before…"
"Hey. It feels like it's been a while."
It's only been three days, but I appreciate the recognition.
"Is this still valid?"
Mr. Dong's Double Coupon
"Ah, just a moment… yes. It's valid."
Nice, it works?
"Then I'll have the Lin-su Fishcake Soup—"
"Hey, Dong, you there~"
Why does the world only throw events at me when I order Lin-su Fishcake Soup? And what's a heavyweight like that doing in a place like this?
Even someone away from the game remembers major NPCs: the Penguin Rapper Emperor, Wei Yenwu whom I met this time, and now the ruler of the Yongmun slums right before me.
Rat King. Why is he here…?
His fur is slightly more black than gray, and his posture is a bit more erect, but this is indeed the Rat King. Still, why would a heavyweight of the Yongmun slums enter a tiny shop like this?
Is Christmas Santa trying to assassinate naughty children or something?
Oh, I remember now. This "Dong" was once a subordinate the Rat King cared for.
"One bowl of Lin-su Fishcake Soup, please."
"Huh? If that's the one, I can cover it."
"Huh? Are you talking to an old man like me?"
"Here. I ordered two of the same menu with this coupon, but since I can't eat both, I'll give you one."
"Haha! Well now… thank you. This old man has nothing to give in return. Is there anything you want?"
"Hmm… spare my life."
"Hahaha. You're audacious. You've figured it out?"
With so much sand caught in Shei's detection range—the resulting storm overwhelming even my modest breeze—how could you have missed it?
"May I at least ask why you want to kill me? I was only trying to enjoy a delicious breakfast, you know?"
"How old do you think I was when I started this line of work?"
"Well… probably around my age?"
"Not far off. But after years of cutting down the strong and discarding the weak, I developed one exceptional talent: the ability to discern whether someone is a threat to me."
"You mean I'm a threat to you?"
"I just mean you might become one in the future."
"So you won't grant a plea for mercy?"
"Well… I'm not keen on seeing blood this early in the morning—especially after being treated to fishcake soup. But if I put a price on your life, it feels too trivial…"
So does that mean I fight? No. Think clearly. Don't rush in just because breakfast hasn't landed.
He's the absolute lord of Yongmun's slums and a veteran among veteran Arts casters. A heavy hitter leagues above that clown. In the game, maybe you'd click Surtr, click Pingu, and cheer—but here, even caster mooks are rare and dangerous realities.
And even if a miracle upon miracle let me take him down, could I handle the aftermath? His loyal subordinates would chase me relentlessly through Yongmun, and in the vacuum left by a fallen sovereign, the imprisoned strong would raise their heads once more—among them my target, the Black Cloud Society. Not even Wei Yenwu could cover for me then.
'How should I play this…?'
I entertained a fleeting hope that he was mocking me, but I couldn't lower my guard on that basis alone.
Gasp… Gasp… "Hey, over there."
"Huh? Me?"
"Lin? Didn't you say you were off to meet a friend?"
"Oh…? Come to think of it, I bumped into you earlier in front of the ward!"
The Sarkaz girl Lin Wuxia, with mid-length hair between violet and pink. A 6-star caster and the Rat King's only daughter.
"I told you you dropped this…"
"This is… a card? Huh? When did it slip out of my pocket?"
"When we first bumped into each other. I called out but you didn't answer and left."
Oh yeah—I recall now. That was it: my dropped card.
"Thanks! Without this, I would've starved!"
"What? You tried to buy this old man a meal even though you're strapped for cash?"
"Anyway, I got it back now. Let's have a drink~"
"Here are two bowls of Lin-su Fishcake Soup! Enjoy your meal!"
Ah… just look at that color. I don't know why, but seeing it again feels so welcoming.
Grrr-rrrk!
Huh? Is that my stomach?
No. My stomach is hungry, but not loud enough to set off my internal alarm. Then it must be that giant rat? Impossible. That sound couldn't be so small. So then…
"No, this is…"
"Ah, I'm starving! I'll dig in!"
One thing I quickly learned from being with Swaye is that if you pester a lady, you'll end up more bothered yourself.
"Lin, want a bite?"
"…Just a little."
"Alright. You kind little one, enjoy."
And when I met the Rat King's gaze, I knew.
'Consider yourself lucky to have cheated death.'
Phew… damn, I survived.