episode_0002

Calix and I took a carriage and headed to Kalita.

I thought the carriage was a bit excessive for a two-day trip, but it didn’t matter because it wasn’t my money.

“Once this war is over, the organization will be completely reorganized. It means that there will be a place to attack and move up.”

Calix chattered the entire way to Kalita. Even though I don’t respond.

“Besides, I even received orders directly from the boss? It’s rewarding to be the boss’s foot-sweeper for several years.”

Washing feet isn’t a dangerous task; it’s just a few minor errands.

From what I heard, the leader of the Masked Group cares a lot about Calix.

“Why do you keep saying that as if you want me to hear it?”

I said with a bit of annoyance.

The ride was already so uncomfortable that I couldn’t help but feel irritated by the constant chattering next to me.

“Don’t you have any idea why I’m saying this?”

“Not at all.”

“Well, if that’s true, I’m a little disappointed.”

Calix crossed his arms and shook his head. Then he said with a serious face.

“Han Yu-seong, aren’t you interested in working for me?”

“What bullshit.”

“I’m being serious. How long are you going to live like that? Isn’t your talent worth it?

“What is talent?”

I snorted at Calix’s words.

If I had talent like he said, would I have lived like this?

“Behind your hut, five steps in front of the second tree.”

“…What?”

For a moment, my body stiffened.

This is because the place Calix mentioned is where I buried the money I had saved.

How does that bastard know that? Or rather, did you touch the money?

no. At least not until dawn. I checked it early in the morning to put the money away.

“You said it’s been about two years since you came to this city? 30 silver in 2 years… that’s a lot of money saved up.”

“You fucking…”

“Calm down. Because not a single penny of your money was touched. I don’t want to lose weight with you just for a few bucks. So, let go of that cruel expression.”

“That must be true. If you don’t, I’m going to rip your ass off no matter what.”

I meant it.

This is the money I saved by eating tasteless food like dry food and suppressing the desire to go to a warm inn in the winter.

If someone had stolen that kind of money, I might have rolled my eyes.

“I understand. To be brutal…”

Calix cleared his throat and opened his mouth again.

“Anyway, from what I’ve seen, you know how to see the future.”

“What is the future with the money you have saved? If what you say is true, all the people in that city are talented people.”

“They have a house. I also have a stable job. On the other hand, what about you? My only home is a dilapidated cabin, and I don’t have a stable job. pickpocket? It seems like I’ve never been caught out until now, but you don’t know how long it will last, right?”

“…”

“Even in that situation, you decided to save money. That’s pretty amazing. If it were my friends, 30 silver would be bullshit. I guess I couldn’t even collect 10 coppers? Drinking alcohol and hugging women. Bastards that look like idiots.”

Calix’s tone became a little harsh when talking about his subordinates. It seems he didn’t like it to any degree.

“So did you sell it? Your men?”

“Huh? Ah… that? Yes, I sold it. You’re probably shaking by now, unable to get out?”

Calix chuckled, wondering what was so funny.

“Oh, don’t misunderstand. Because they were my friends, not my subordinates. There’s no way I could sell my subordinates, right?”

“Isn’t it usually the opposite?”

Calix shrugged his shoulders.

“Anyway. You know how to think. It also has the ability to execute. It’s said that he is perfect as my subordinate.”

“Write a very novel.”

I closed my eyes and leaned back against the backrest. It was a gesture that he didn’t want to hear any more.

However, Calix ignored my gesture and continued talking.

“You idiot. How long are you going to live off fairy tales? If you were born as a boy, you should at least touch a silver coin.”

“That’s it. My thoughts remain the same.”

The option of becoming Calix’s subordinate. If Calix’s words about the organization being reorganized are true, it might be okay.

The leader of the Masked Group also cares about Calix, and Calix is also reasonably capable.

However, the reason why I decline the offer is also clear.

I don’t trust Calix.

As you can see from the way he sold out his subordinates this time, he is a guy who will sell everything, including his wealth, if it makes a profit.

They say they are friends, not subordinates.

But to me, who had seen them do it in person, it was a joke that wasn’t even funny.

“Ha, my thoughts won’t change, so tell me anytime. I will accept it. Of course, after the organization is reorganized and I become an executive, there will be no more money, so it would be better to speak quickly.”

After saying those words, Calix did not open his mouth any more.

The carriage was quiet until we arrived at Kalita.

* * *

When we arrived in Kalita, we headed straight to the organization of the younger brother of the leader of the Masked Group. Thanks to this, I didn’t have time to see the city I had never seen before.

“Gillick sent this?”

Ylbert, a bald man with one eye covered by an eyepatch, waved a piece of paper and spoke.

“Yes! The boss is really worried about those troublemakers these days. So, I need a little help from Yulbert…”

Calix rubbed his hands and lowered his waist.

Is the attitude of a traitor the same regardless of the world? That’s what came to mind when I saw Calix’s posture.

However, Yulbert’s expression as he looked at the letter did not look good. There was irritation on his face.

“That fucking bastard gave a damn when I asked for help.”

Ylbert tore up the letter and scattered it in the air. Calix and I looked at the scene dumbfounded.

“Hey, hey. What is this?”

I whispered, poking Calix with my elbow. Calix also looked very embarrassed.

“I don’t know either! The boss said I just had to deliver the letter…”

‘No way…’ Calix muttered softly. What, did you get thrown away too?

Fuck that subordinate and that boss.

I slowly opened my eyes.

There was a window 3 meters away to the side. If I jump down there, can I escape?

No, this is the 3rd floor. Even if you don’t fall and die, the area where you hit the floor will hurt a lot. It is nearly impossible to escape from the gangsters in that condition.

So should I just run through the front door? I remembered the structure of the building I looked around upon entering.

“Ah fuck.”

At that time, Yulbert put his legs on the desk and leaned back on his chair. He must have lost his temper while I was thinking of an escape route. The expression was better than before.

“Okay, let’s at least write down the debt at this point. Dex!!”

At Yulbert’s call, a withered man came running in from outside the door.

“Did you call me?”

“Get all the kids ready for break. It’s an expedition.”

“Expedition?”

“Yes. I’m going to Bahran. Hear more details from them. Just leave now.”

Calix and I breathed a sigh of relief after coming out at Yulbert’s order to congratulate the guests.

“…I thought I was behind.”

“I trusted the boss.”

“Don’t be a damn thing. Because I saw cold sweat running down the back of your neck.”

“…”

Calix scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.

* * *

“Calix, you fucking bastard.”

I am now walking along a sunny road. I’m sure I came by carriage, but why do I walk when I leave?

“Why is there no carriage, damn it…”

This is because there was only one carriage in Kalita at the time. With Calix and Yulbert’s men riding in that carriage, there was no room left.

The carriage was so narrow that there was no way to get there.

Eventually, the carriage left me and took off.

Thanks to this, I am going on an unprecedented backpacking trip while sweating profusely.

“Fuck… If I had known this would happen, I would have brought all the money.”

If I had taken all the money I had buried, there was no need to go back. Just stay at Kalita.

The hut is a bit of a waste, but honestly, it’s more like a shack than a hut. Even if there is no problem, there is no problem.

“But this is the right path…?”

I’ve already walked for several hours. Nevertheless, what I could see was an endless road. I started to get a little anxious, not sure if I was going in the right direction.

“I drank all the water…”

The empty canteen spurred my anxiety.

I should have drank more sparingly.

I regretted it, but that didn’t change anything.

What should I do…

As I was walking along with that thought in mind, I found a small path leading from the road.

“You said this was definitely a road leading to the village, right?”

Among the beggars, there was one who went around various cities begging.

He said that the small road leading to the other side of the road was the road to the village.

I thought for a moment, then saw the empty canteen and walked away.

Just fill up the water and let’s go. That would be fine.

* * *

I curse myself from a few hours ago.

I took a small path to get some water and ended up walking for several more hours.

If I had known this would happen, I would have just followed the path.

Still, it was worth walking for several hours as the wooden fence surrounding the village began to come into view.

The sun was starting to set, so I hurriedly ran.

If the sun had completely set, it would have been impossible to even enter the village.

Fortunately, the door to the wooden fence was open.

“Who are you?”

The man standing guard in front of the wooden fence said.

The man did not even have basic leather armor. He was just wearing casual clothes and holding a spear.

“I am a passerby. I came here to see if I could get some water.”

“Water?”

“Yes, we ran out of water…”

I took out the canteen and turned it over. Because it was empty, only a few drops of water fell on the floor.

“Hmm… I understand. Then go in and quench your thirst.”

“Thank you.”

I bowed my head once and tried to go inside. But the guard caught me by talking to me.

“But there is no inn in our village, so there would be no place to stay. Are you okay?”

“Ah… Is that so?”

“When you enter the village, find the village chief’s house. He’ll find you a place to stay.”

The man kindly explained where the village chief’s house was. I bowed my head once again and entered the village.

First, I found a well and quenched my thirst. As the cool water entered my throat, I felt like I could live a bit. After quenching my thirst, I filled my canteen with water.

“Now I have to go to the village chief’s house…”

In my mind, I wanted to leave without causing trouble. But the day was already getting late.

Wandering alone at night is tantamount to suicide in this world. Instead of thinking about nothing, it would have been better to take a day off and go.

I walked along the road, remembering the location the guard had told me.

But perhaps because I was an outsider, people passing by kept staring at me.

‘It’s a little burdensome…’

I decided to walk quickly to the village chief’s house. However, I had to stop because someone grabbed my arm.

what? I looked at the arm that was caught, slightly embarrassed.

A healthy-looking woman with brown hair tied back was holding my arm.

“Did you come from outside?”

the woman asked.

“Uh… Yes.”

I was trying to say something, but I couldn’t think of anything to say, so I answered briefly.

The woman’s eyes lit up, as if she was satisfied with just that answer.

“Then…”

“Kara! What are you doing now?”

“Keck…”

A woman named ‘Kara’ made a chewed-up face at the shout she heard from behind.

Who owns the voice and makes that expression?

I turned my head in the direction I heard the voice. And I couldn’t help but be surprised.

Because the woman in front of me was very beautiful?

That’s true, but there was a more fundamental reason.

[System synchronizing…]

The moment I saw her, a blue window appeared before my eyes.