Chapter 185

Chapter 185

185: Trick and Treat // I stroke my lips thoughtfully, looking at Aiden straight ahead. “Hmm…” “….” Aiden, holding a fist-sized black sphere, frowns, staring intently at it. He glares at it for a while. Zzzzz. A faint wave resonates, and the black sphere vibrates slightly. For a fleeting moment, a faint crack appears in the air— —Swish. The crack that appeared disappears again. “Looks like it’s not working out so well.” “…Haa. Why is this happening?” “It’s structured differently from the Shadow Cloak. That’s a simple magic tool with only two settings, on and off, but this requires setting the range and coordinates of where the sub-space opens.” “What are you talking about?” Should I explain? Well, Aiden isn’t a mage. I sigh and continue explaining. “On the surface, it looks like the sub-space can open anywhere, but that’s not actually the case. The direction and range in which the sub-space opens are the inscribed circles on each face of a regular dodecahedron centered around the magic tool. So, there are a total of 12 entrances to the sub-space.” “….” “Simply put, think of the commands for using the sub-space as a matrix of 3 rows and 12 columns.” “….” “The first is the designated sequence for the corresponding face of the regular dodecahedron. The second is the distance between that face and the magic tool, and the last is the diameter of the circle. If you accurately emit those three commands with your thoughts, the sub-space will unfold.” “…Ah.” “The reason you can’t unfold the sub-space right now is because you can’t properly match the pairs of thoughts that make up the 3-row command… probably, that’s all it is.” As I finish explaining, Aiden nods. “Ah, I don’t understand any of it.” No, it’s simple. Wasn’t he a high school student in his past life? Why can’t he understand? “….Haa.” As I sigh again, Aiden continues in a low voice. “But I can tell you seem a bit smarter than I thought.” “Of course. I told you, I learned magic.” “I heard that from you, but you haven’t shown me anything. To be honest, you just seemed like a mindless, stupid slut.” “…Well, that’s true too.” As I calmly admit it, Aiden makes a strange expression. From that expression, I read some emotion and immediately throw a question at him. “Why, do you suddenly want to fuck me now that I seem smart?” “…Huh?” In his bewildered expression, there was a hint of agreement. Noticing that, I grin and ask Aiden. “Should I get naked now?” I’m always welcome to it. As I speak with some anticipation, I suddenly notice the sunset outside the window. “….” After looking at the window, which is wide open without glass, I soon realize that there is something I need to do. “No, I think I’ll practice a bit more.” “…Alright. Then practice until I get back.” “…Wait, where are you going?” At my sudden words, Aiden asks back. Perhaps he feels strange that I, who was just talking about sex, am suddenly leaving. My explanation was lacking. I felt the need to explain in more detail. “Yeah, it suddenly occurred to me. I think I should go find that friend I mentioned before.” “…It’s going to be night soon, though?” I am well aware of how dangerous the night is in the underworld. At least the brothel area is safe because there are many customers, but the slums are different. If you wander around aimlessly in a place full of people living only for today, you could be killed or raped. Of course, I won’t be killed by the slum dwellers, but that’s not what Aiden is worried about. We have things to do in this city. “Don’t worry. If someone attacks me, I’ll just let them rape me quietly. I won’t make a fuss.” “…No, you don’t have to go that far.” “Well, I’ll do what I can. Anyway, my friend is also an underworld person, so they might be wandering around at this time.” At my words, Aiden seems to think for a moment and then asks. “Is that person essential to the plan?” “No, not really.” Keir’s help is not essential to stealing the Etheric Herb. “…Not at all necessary.” Rather, it might be a minus. In fact, from the perspective of the Lakers natives, there is no reason to agree. If we succeed in stealing the herb, this underworld will be completely replaced. That’s why I’m trying to get Keir out. “They’re an underworld person, though. If we succeed, what do you think will happen?” “…I see.” I don’t want to kill him with my own hands. Whether directly or indirectly. “You must have been close.” “Well, we were close when we were young.” “‘Were’?” Perhaps sensing some doubt? Aiden asks back suspiciously. “Yeah. They changed a bit as they grew up. I’m a whore, and they’re a member of the organization, so they played with me a lot.” “…How?” “They would call me when they were drinking with their friends or seniors and make me get gang-banged, and they would often pounce on me as soon as we met, asking me to drain them. Oh, and before I left, they put a piercing in my nipple.” Of course, I soon took it out. Looking at Aiden after finishing speaking, he had a rather dumbfounded expression. “…That’s your friend?” “We were close when we were young.” “Isn’t that just trash?” “That’s… true, but they used to treat me well. And we slept together quite a bit. There’s some affection left from our physical relationship.” As I finish speaking, Aiden makes a complicated expression. “…Are you some kind of pushover?” “Well, only to a few people.” I chuckle and answer, then continue. “What does it matter? I don’t like being treated too badly, but to some extent, it’s okay.” “…How far is ‘to some extent’?” “I won’t say.” Of course, I didn’t just say that. Keir and Aiden. I hope the two of them don’t meet, but I can’t guarantee it. And if they do meet, I can’t expect them to get along. If Aiden has any expectations of Keir, it was good to tell him what kind of person he is right now. “The point is, it’s okay anyway.” As I say lightly, Aiden nods heavily. “…You have a really strong mentality.” “More than that, it’s because of the martial arts I’ve learned.” Aiden doesn’t have a normal mentality either. He cherishes Emily, who is also his friend from his past life, and silently endures her being held by other men. Wouldn’t that be impossible for an ordinary man? But there’s no choice. There aren’t many ways to learn martial arts in this world, and the Yin Demon Art is one of the absorbing martial arts that can accumulate true essence and true energy, which make up the vessel of martial arts. Aiden can’t handle the demand alone, so making Emily be held by men is an unavoidable problem. “….” The moment I think of that, a hypothesis flashes through my mind. ‘Could it be that the reason Aiden is trying to steal the Etheric Herb is…’ It was a rather convincing hypothesis, but I soon bury it in my mind. That’s unlikely. Aiden made the plan before he met us. There’s no need to worry about it. After all, it’s something that aligns with our goals. “Then, I’ll be back. Practice on your own.” “…Okay.” As I speak, Aiden answers in a dejected voice. Emitting thoughts is not difficult. There is a concept of the upper dantian in martial arts. Of course, since thoughts themselves are simple enough that they don’t even require opening the upper dantian, Aiden will be able to do it without difficulty. “I might not be back today, so don’t wait up.” “…Lila. Don’t do anything dangerous either.” “What dangerous things could I possibly do?” I chuckle at Aiden’s concern and leave the room. // On the darkening street, the density of people walking is gradually thinning out. “….” Occasionally, guards patrol, and residents hurry home. From their movements in the twilight, I don’t feel any sense of unease or urgency.

-Thud, thud.

The guards’ steps are still relaxed, and their numbers are small. “….” The city’s scenery was exactly as I remembered it in Lakers. There was no state of emergency or any busy movements. ‘…Is it because the convoy is still far away?’ I can’t be sure. The Etheric Herb is a royal business. The business led by Zersian, the first prince of the Kilkard Kingdom, is for the knights inside the royal palace. Naturally, there is no need for many people to know. The royal family won’t lead a grand army and transport the herb with fanfare. The intermediate stopover is likely just a resting place for the arriving dragon knights and a place to provide food for the wyverns. The city’s guards are still the same because of that. Sometimes, reliable security is better than clumsy protection.

-Thud, thud.

I move my feet, heading towards the slums along the path in my memory.

-Swish.

On the way, I hide in the shadows and don’t forget to change my appearance to the blonde hair and blue eyes that the original me had. “….Hmm.” I take out a mirror from my chest and look at my appearance, and it doesn’t seem much different from two years ago. Lila Freeman when she left Lakers. Exactly the same appearance. ‘Will they look at me strangely?’ Originally, I was at an age where I would be growing, but after receiving the Doppelganger’s core and genes and undergoing a metamorphosis, my growth stopped. Of course, it doesn’t matter since my appearance changes freely anyway. And getting older isn’t a good thing anyway. Besides, this is easier to recognize. If there is someone who remembers me, they might talk to me first. “..Good.” I clap my hands lightly and cover the hood of the robe I was wearing. It loses the meaning of changing my appearance, but bright blonde hair stands out especially in the dark. The guards won’t leave a woman heading to the slums alone, so it’s better to walk secretly. //

-Thud, thud.

The slums of Lakers are no different from what I remember. Shabby houses and warehouses. Old buildings infested with rats and bugs are the hideouts and homes of beggars and gang members. Listening quietly, I can already hear unfamiliar voices from the windows of the buildings.

– What’s that?

– Looks like a woman…

– Alone?

Hmm. It seems they noticed faster than I thought. It would be nice if the other party was the Lockerd Family. They would remember me. Of course, the fact that the memory is a bit bad is troublesome. Before I left, I was a good toy and a sex object for them. If they find out who I am, there is almost a 100% chance that I will be dragged away and gang-raped. ‘…Well, that’s not bad either?’ If I can get information about Keir by being raped a few times, it’s not a bad deal. I can escape anytime, and my goal today is to find Keir. Moreover, I can’t cause problems in Lakers ahead of the great task of stealing the Etheric Herb, so I was thinking of actively using my lower hole instead of my fists. ‘I hope I can find him as soon as possible…’ At some point, I discover my expectant self and smile bitterly. I’m curious. What kind of reaction will he show when he sees me after a long time? In fact, either way would be fine. It’s okay if he hits me, saying, “Where did you run away to, you slut?” It’s okay if he punches me in the stomach or steps on my head. Even if I’m tied up and raped by dozens of people all day long, it wouldn’t be bad either. Anyway, if I’m alive, I can rest assured.

– Thud, thud.

– Tap.

As I’m thinking and walking, footsteps mix in from behind. They’re walking carefully in their own way, but with my senses sharpened by martial arts, I can clearly hear the sound. What should I do?

“….” I glanced around, but there was no one in sight. No guards, no other gang members loitering about. Perhaps this was the perfect place to get kidnapped. I came to a decision and slowly turned around. “….” There, a strange man was looking at me with a greasy smile. “Hmm…” I didn’t recognize him. Maybe he was from the Rockard Family. Another gang member? Or someone new? “…What is it?” I feigned surprise, acting innocent as I asked, and the man who had been following me replied with a sly grin. “Oops, you caught me.” “…Who are you?” I asked the approaching gang member, pretending to be clueless. However, the man, who was at least two spans taller than me, approached me with a leisurely gait. “Well, are you curious?” “….” Of course, I was curious. I pressed my lips together and glared at the man, and he scratched his head as he looked down at me. “I’ve never seen your face before…” “….” Did he not know me? Well, I suppose it was possible. My connections in the underworld were limited to the Rockard Family, so it was only natural that he wouldn’t know me if it wasn’t news from the same organization. “Miss, why did you come to the slums?” “…I’m looking for someone.” “Someone? Who?” Surprisingly, the man had a kind side. His eyes were still full of lust, but he seemed to be the type to play with his food before eating it, answering my questions faithfully. Then, would he answer this too? “Keir. Keir of the Rockard Family.” “…Hoo.” Upon hearing the familiar name, the man scratched his chin and gave a vague answer. I sensed something in his reaction, as if he knew something. …So, he’s still alive? In any case, the fact that he hadn’t been forgotten in the underworld meant there was a high probability he was still alive. Even if it had only been two years, ‘Oh, that guy, whatever happened to him?’ was a common reality in the underworld. “Do you know him?” “Yeah, I know him well.” “Then, can you take me to him?” Of course, he wouldn’t, and I wouldn’t actually go, but I asked just in case. But the man nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “Miss, you’re lucky, you know.” “…Pardon?” “There are a lot of dangerous guys around here. If you run into the wrong one, you won’t even have bones left to pick up.” …That includes you, doesn’t it? “Well, this is a pleasant surprise. To know Keir.” The man said that and readily turned around. As if to emphasize that he was safe. “….” I hesitated for a moment, then followed the man.