Rioshuko (1)
Chapter 181
Rioshuko.
As a city known for mercenaries, it was a place where quite rough currents flowed. Although the city’s size had grown to the point where its own set of rules had formed and order was somewhat established, its harsh roots hadn’t changed.
With the increasing number of mercenaries in Rioshuko, the numbers of women selling their bodies and orphans also grew.
Not all wandering children were born into prostitution. There were countless cases where mothers abandoned their children after their mercenary husbands died in the Forbidden Forest.
In any case, orphaned children survived by doing odd jobs, serving as errand boys for mercenaries, or begging.
After entering Rioshuko and frequently encountering unpleasant scenes, Ray muttered,
“Here, there are too many orphans…”
Ray continued to look around, unable to let go of his old habits.
This place could almost be called a prime farming area. Though he wasn’t sure what the probability of finding Rare Orphans might be.
Luna quietly observed Ray’s wandering gaze before speaking up.
“Mount Rioshuko.”
“…”
“Looking for Rare Orphans?”
“…Wait, Luna.”
Ray was so flustered that he ended up calling her by her real name.
“Luna, uh, where did you learn such bad words? Uh? You shouldn’t use those bad words.”
“…”
Luna stared at Ray with cold eyes.
Of course, Ray didn’t openly talk about Normal Orphans or Rare Orphans in front of children. However, Luna possessed near-perfect memory abilities and could piece together fragments of Ray’s careless mutterings to deduce the full picture.
Ray sweated nervously, vowing to be more careful with his words moving forward.
“I, first, we should take care of the horses.”
Ray forcibly shifted the topic.
The group entrusted their horses to a decent inn and walked towards the gathering place for mercenaries, the tavern ‘Wypor’s Nest,’ which Ulte was also said to have frequented.
However, the city was wider than expected, causing them to wander a bit.
Ray approached a mercenary who was beating a child in the middle of the street.
“Hey, where’s Wypor’s Nest?”
“Damn, can’t you see I’m busy…”
The mercenary, about to lash out, noticed Ray’s group and the air they carried, then cleared his throat.
“So… if you walk over there and turn left…”
While the mercenary kindly gave directions, the child who had been struck suddenly got up and ran away.
The mercenary shouted curses at the fleeing child but made no move to chase.
Out of pure curiosity, Ray asked the mercenary,
“Why were you beating the kid?”
“Pickpocketing. He tried to steal my money pouch while I was distracted.”
“Pretty lenient, aren’t you?”
Ray genuinely thought so.
If an aggressive mercenary was provoked, even a child could lose their wrist in an instant.
To Ray’s backhanded compliment, the mercenary smirked and shook his head.
“It’s not that I’m lenient; it’s because of the rules here.”
One couldn’t cause fatal harm that would lead to death or serious injury.
That was the rule of this place.
Though children weren’t always protected just because they were kids, one couldn’t kill them just for petty thievery.
The mercenary continued, looking at Ray.
“Judging from your appearance, you seem new here. Breaking the rules will bring trouble. Especially at Wypor’s Nest, don’t cause any disturbances.”
“Thanks for the advice.”
Ray tossed a coin mixed with a small amount of silver to the mercenary and continued walking.
Ray intended to observe Wypor’s Nest calmly first.
He understood that causing unnecessary problems could complicate matters further.
“Aha, here it is.”
A sign engraved with the words “Wypor’s Nest” came into view.
It was an enormous tavern, with the raucous sounds of mercenaries spilling out onto the streets.
As Ray approached the entrance, a towering guard blocked his path.
“What are you?”
The guard scrutinized Ray’s face.
Due to a magical transformation, Ray looked younger than usual, though his altered appearance still suggested something off.
The guard extended his hand toward Ray.
“Soldier Card.”
“I don’t have a Soldier Card, but I do have an ID.”
The guard smirked.
“Only those with a Soldier Card can enter here.”
More specifically, only those with Soldier Cards issued by the Rioseuk Soldier Guild could enter.
To obtain one, one had to prove their identity to the Rioseuk Soldier Guild and perform errands for senior mercenaries for a certain period.
Only after completing that process and obtaining the Soldier Card could one join the experienced mercenaries’ community.
And surprisingly,
Ray had absolutely no intention of following that procedure.
“Do you know a mercenary named Hophe?”
At this abrupt question, the guard’s brow furrowed deeply.
“Say good-bye nicely. Or bring a Soldier Card.”
“Do you know a mercenary named Hophe?”
“This little punk really…”
The guard, wielding a massive iron mace matching his build, raised it to threaten Ray.
Seeing this, Ray turned to Bang and Jetteu standing behind him and chuckled.
It was blatant mockery.
The guard, who usually strutted around confidently, couldn’t contain his anger and swung the iron mace at Ray’s shoulder.
Crack!
“?!?”
A wooden staff intercepted the guard’s mace.
The guard was greatly startled when a solid counterforce, akin to striking the ground, reverberated through the mace.
Ray, having forgotten a spell earlier, now recited it late.
“Hard Stick.”
“?!”
Wham!!
Ray forcefully struck the guard’s temple with the staff.
Another guard-turned-mercenary rushed over but was slammed to the ground by Jetteu grabbing the back of his head before reaching Ray.
Boom!!
“Sigh…”
Letting out a sigh, Ray lifted his staff.
Attempting to handle things quietly was ruined, so making a bigger scene might be faster and easier.
A large ball of fire formed above the staff.
The mercenaries who had been cautiously approaching quickly scattered upon seeing this.
Without hesitation, Ray launched the fiery ball towards the building’s entrance.
Bang!!
The door blocking the entrance shattered completely.
Holding the unconscious guard by the collar, Ray instructed his companions,
“You three, wait here.”
Bang slightly bowed his head but looked disappointed as he closed his mouth.
Bang had anticipated this mission to be more covert. Thus, he had prepared thoroughly, secretly expecting to showcase his skills.
For example, Bang wore tough threads around his arm that could silently incapacitate or kill someone whenever necessary.
Although it wasn’t knightly behavior, Bang took pride in his activities in the shadows.
However, contrary to Bang’s expectations, Ray wasn’t moving stealthily but was instead openly causing chaos.
While Ray’s judgment was understandable, Bang was inwardly regretful for missing the chance to display his abilities.
On the other hand,
Upon entering Wypor’s Nest, Ray threw the unconscious guard aside and spoke up.
“Now, everyone’s attention.”
Right after Ray said that, an ambush came from behind.
Without turning around, Ray stomped his heel on the ground.
Whoosh!!
A freezing wind condensed and swept Ray’s attacker all the way to the wall.
Clang!!
The half-frozen mercenary fell unconscious, rolling on the floor.
Other mercenaries who attempted to confront Ray hesitated and retreated.
The mercenary who had just rolled across the floor was a strong warrior nearing Expert level, considered quite powerful among mercenaries.
Since such a formidable warrior fell without even swinging his sword, everyone was understandably terrified.
Seeing this, Ray smirked.
No matter how arrogant these mercenaries appeared, they were ultimately of this caliber.
Even those drinking and reveling here were far less skilled compared to Jimy, who used to be a working mercenary.
Mercenaries with Jimy’s level of skill would have already secured a position or be polishing some noble’s rear to gain one.
Ray lightly tapped the ground with his staff.
“Everyone, pay attention.”
Murmurs abruptly subsided.
Ray rummaged inside his robe, pulled out a pouch, and flipped it over.
Tinkle tinkle!
Silver coins from the kingdom spilled out and rolled across the floor.
They were funds Ray had extracted from Comet.
“First, I apologize for the disturbance. As an apology, I’ll buy everyone drinks today.”
Ray could wield both the carrot and the stick.
Seeing the silver coins on the floor, the mercenaries’ hostility diminished. After all, there were no mercenaries who disliked money.
Feeling the atmosphere lighten a bit, Ray spoke.
“I’m looking for a mercenary named Hophe. A man who wields a bow like a ghost. But that guy stole a valuable artefact and fled, so I’ve been tracking him.”
Walking steadily, Ray stopped in the center of Wypor’s Nest and looked around at the mercenaries.
“I tracked him here, but he disappeared. I must catch that guy… Does anyone know Hophe’s whereabouts or anyone who recently traveled with him? I assure you, I’ll definitely compensate for any information.”
Ray pulled out another pouch of money and shook it.
Bribing mercenaries with money was quite effective.
Mercenaries who knew something about Hophe began to speak up one by one.
However, the information provided wasn’t as helpful as expected.
Hophe generally worked alone.
“I… It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen Hophe around here, Mage sir.”
“He was offered to join our party due to his great skills, but he refused.”
“I once crossed paths with him while camping. Hophe often ventured deep into forests where even seasoned mercenaries wouldn’t tread. Perhaps he was eaten by demons?”
“…”
Ray scratched his brow.
It seemed Ulte had indeed operated here, but there was no clear information on why he went missing.
‘I need to at least know which section of the Forbidden Forest he explored.’
As Ray pondered, an older-looking mercenary raised his hand high.
“Sir Mage, I know a guide who briefly traveled with Hophe.”
Ray flicked a silver coin to the mercenary who had just spoken and asked,
“Where is that guide?”
*
In the middle of a vast square surrounded on all sides,
A shadow knelt before luminous pillars that shone so brightly they seemed to ignite the eyes.
“I apologize, I haven’t yet found that mercenary.”
“…”
Something humanoid emerged between the light pillars and spoke to its subordinate.
“If he doesn’t reveal himself first, it will be hard to find him.”
“I apologize.”
“There’s no way someone possessing such an artefact is merely a common mercenary. Under no circumstances should he be allowed to escape. Thoroughly monitor this area to ensure he doesn’t leave.”
“Understood. However… a mage searching for the mercenary has appeared in Rioshuko.”
“Mage?”
“Yes. This mage claims the mercenary stole the artefact and is investigating throughout Rioshuko.”
“Who sent him?”
“He’s said to be from the Blue Magic Tower, but it might be a disguise. His group consists of four people, all at least Knight-level. How should we proceed?”
“Kill them.”
A gaunt, dark red hand stretched forward, dropping a blue bead onto the kneeling subordinate.
“The Unity is near.”
If there had been more time until the Unity, a more cautious response would have been necessary.
But now, it wasn’t.
Regardless of the true identity of the mercenary or who sent the mage pursuing him,
If silencing them temporarily solves all issues, cutting their lives short would suffice.
“Soon, the ancient destruction shall return.”
The fall of Alimo was imminent.
