NOVEL NEXT chapter 30
30. Reunion with Rainer
We head to the location written on the invitation.
Passing through the noisy yet vibrant shopping district, we navigate through the winding alleys, arriving at the place mentioned in the invitation, where an old homeless man resides.
“What do you want?”
The old man glares at the two of them.
Wide and Ayla exchange glances and present the invitation.
“Oh? From the magical item guy, huh?”
The old man assesses us as he speaks.
“Well… if it’s his introduction, I suppose there’s some expectation. Fine, follow me.”
The old man turns and gestures for us to come along.
—
Two people follow along
They pass through an even narrower alleyway,
and arrive at a certain place.
The old man crouches down and lifts a tattered cloth that had fallen to the ground.
Beneath it lies a metal plate.
With practiced hands, the old man moves the metal plate aside.
Underneath, there are stairs.
“Come on, follow me,”
the old man leads the way, illuminating the path with magic.
The two also create their own sources of light with magic.
Rustle, rustle, squeak, squeak—
Insects and rats squirm in the gaps of the walls.
Seeing this, Wide looks a bit uneasy
and glances at Ayla. Ayla descends the stairs calmly, causing Wide to lose a bit of confidence.
As the entrance fades from view and their only light source is what they hold,
a door comes into sight.
“We’ve arrived.”
The old man opens the door and invites the two inside.
“What is this…?” “What the…?”
Wide and Ayla gasp in surprise.
Inside is a rather spacious area, with a stage at the center. Surrounding it are mercenaries, adventurers, and even bounty heads all jumbled together. The reason no trouble seems to be brewing is likely because everyone is fixated on the man in the center.
“Come on, you two, hurry up and go.”
The old man urges them on.
Wide and Ayla don cloaks and focus on the man in the center.
The man sits cross-legged, his clothes disheveled, yet his physique is clearly well-trained. He has yellow hair with black mesh woven in, and his eyes are yellow.
Then the man opens his mouth.
“Looks like everyone’s mostly gathered now.”
He begins to speak.
“Well, I think the people of this country know, but I’m called Rainer.”
At those words, several people murmur in awe.
“That’s Raijin…”
“The man said to be the best in the Holy Kingdom…”
“The reason I gathered you all here is that I want your help with a request I received.”
Rainer begins to speak with exaggerated gestures.
“Actually, it seems a prominent figure in the neighboring Magic Empire has been brainwashed, and this person is said to be quite skilled, you know? Our goal is to rescue them.”
At those words, several people express their doubts.
Among them, a hot-headed bounty hunter raises his voice.
“Hey! Rainer! If that’s the case, can’t you handle it alone!? Tell us why you called us!!”
A rough-looking man with a blonde mohawk shouts out.
“Well, I don’t really want to say this, but it seems this person is a magician, and they’ve set up quite a few traps, so it’s tough for me to do it alone.”
“So, if you’re a coward with no confidence, you can just disappear.”
Rainer says, looking down at the mohawk man.
Perhaps angered by those words, the mohawk and his companions climb onto the stage.
“What do you mean, coward!?”
“In the end, you’re asking for help because you lack confidence, right?”
“Aren’t you the real coward here!?”
They complain loudly as they inch closer.
“Ugh, this is why I hate idiots.”
“Idiot!?”
The man snaps back.
“We are the B-rank bounty head, Golden Head, you know!”
Seeing this, Rainer yawns and says,
“Yawn, well then, come at me. You seem confident in your title.”
At those words, the mohawk group, enraged, charges at him.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you when you regret it!!”
They rush forward, using body enhancement.
“I thought it was just a name, but it seems they can actually fight…”
The moment Wide says that,
A flash of light runs through, and he closes his eyes.
Crack! Rumble!
The roar echoed
When I opened my eyes
“That’s just ridiculous.”
Three charred figures stood, while Lynel remained unscathed.
At those words, the venue erupted with excitement.
“100 million gold? I’ve never heard of such a request…”
Wide said, sweating nervously.
“That’s right, and I couldn’t see any movement at all.”
Aira trembled in fear at Lynel’s power.
“Alright then! Everyone! The gathering is tomorrow at noon!
At the Lead-colored Tavern!!”
And with that, it was dismissed!
Saying so, Lynel shone once more and vanished.
“Now then, you all, come this way.”
The old man who had first guided them beckoned.
Wide and Aira followed the old man
And set off on their way home.