NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5 - In the Slums (5)
Chapter 5 – In the Slums (5)
Han Aejeong didn’t like the current situation.
“Wh-what should we do, boss? Maybe we should run away now…”
“No, first we need to hide the orphans!”
“Hey, you fools. Didn’t you hear what the boss said? He’s a hero! Do you honestly think it’s possible to hide them?”
Yes, she really didn’t like it.
She didn’t like any of it—the sudden arrival of a hero from the Association, the old man informing them of this news so late, none of it…
‘These stupid bastards…’
But what she disliked most were those idiots running around in confusion, spouting nonsense.
‘I was in a hurry for money so I just gathered anyone I could’
Couldn’t they at least think a little?
They couldn’t even suggest a proper plan,
Looking at their eyes all fixed on her, she felt the urge to gouge them out right then and there.
‘I guess vermin born in a garbage place like this can’t escape their origins’
No…
He was an exception, though,
Even in this situation, thoughts of Yu Siwoo appeared in a corner of her mind.
A boy who had changed her evaluation that some men could actually be decent creatures.
‘No, what am I thinking right now’
Han Aejeong shook her head.
‘A mid-rank hero… B-rank, he said?’
News that had arrived about 20 minutes ago.
A call had come from the old man who had handed over Yu Siwoo.
A hero from the Association would be barging in, he said.
‘If they sent him this urgently…’
It meant he had arrived so quickly that even the old man couldn’t track him.
It could be a simple inspection, but since there would have been an official notice for that, she was certain they had sent him to dispose of them.
If it were the usual three people, they would need to flee immediately, but
‘Just one person…’
This meant either the Association was short-staffed or they had sent someone reluctantly.
In other words, she guessed they hadn’t been monitoring this place continuously but had come urgently due to a sudden report.
‘Did someone expose this place…?’
They always thoroughly checked the belongings of the orphans, including Yu Siwoo, so there was no way those kids could have done anything.
She looked at her subordinates with cold eyes for a moment, but then dismissed the thought.
Even though they were idiots, they wouldn’t do something that stupid.
After all, people with nowhere else to go wouldn’t cut off their own source of food.
‘In this business, it’s natural to make enemies. It’s more plausible that someone bribed the Association to send someone here.’
More importantly, how to deal with the hero was the priority.
‘This might actually be for the best.’
This was a place that needed to be cleared out eventually.
Although I was still lacking in preparation, if I combined my accumulated wealth with various other resources, I could establish connections with the Mine Guild.
‘I’m not the kind of talent who should be stuck in a place like this.’
Her eyes gleamed chillingly.
‘But even a fallen hero is still a hero. Even an incompetent association wouldn’t send just one person unless the woman they sent this time is quite the veteran…’
What should I do….
She pondered for quite a long time.
Then she remembered something she had obtained long ago, and a good idea came to mind.
“Everyone, attention”
At Han Aejeong’s words, the noisy men fell silent.
“As you know, a hero will soon come to subdue us. If we’re caught, we’ll all rot in prison for the rest of our lives”
Her subordinates flinched at her words.
“There’s only one way.”
Instead of speaking, she drew her thumb across her throat.
At this gesture, they became more restless than before, murmuring that we couldn’t win,
and even if we killed her, the association would track us down afterward, scraping at her nerves.
Thwack!
Then the man called Gumrum struck the back of the head of the guy who was questioning her.
“Hey, you idiots. When the boss says to do something, you just do it!”
After angrily huffing and puffing, he immediately grinned and said,
“You have a plan for everything, right, Boss?”
He looked at her with eyes that sought praise.
“Of course I have a plan for everything.”
Inwardly sneering once more at these idiots,
she took out a small bag from the drawer.
“These are awakening pills I’ve prepared long ago in case something like this happened. In 10 minutes, all your abilities will double. Just kill her somehow, and I’ll take care of the aftermath”
“B-Boss, are you sure you can give us something so valuable?”
“Of course. Take one each and when she arrives, pretend to surrender. Then seize the opportunity and rush her all at once. Ah, it probably won’t work, but just in case, set some traps too’
“What about you, Boss…?”
“Once you guys distract her, I’ll finish her off with a surprise attack. You know my skills, right? Just buy me some time”
Clap! She clapped her hands,
“Now everyone move! She’ll be here soon. Prepare as quickly as possible! Four of you set up traps here, and two of you hurry to move those orphans to the warehouse! We can’t afford to be discovered in the middle of this!”
The subordinates who had swallowed the pills responded vigorously,
and went outside.
***
‘Has it begun’
I was eavesdropping on their conversation from a short distance away.
Normally, one would have to press their ear right against the door to barely hear,
‘The risk is too great’
Han Aejeong, with her keen senses, would detect me immediately.
But I had an additional function I received as a special privilege.
Looking at the window floating in the air,
I adjusted the setting labeled ‘Sound Configuration’ back to its original state.
It was a trick that existed in the original work, a function that amplified the sounds in the surrounding area.
It’s useless in noisy places, and since it continuously rings in your ears, it’s not something you’d use often,
‘This is not the time to be picky about such things.’
The situation was worse than I thought. I expected them to send at least 2 people, but
‘Just one person’
Being a mid-range hero, they should be able to fight comfortably against everyone including Han Aejeong, but if it’s an ambush, that’s a different story.
‘They won’t fall for such an obvious move. But who knows what else Han Aejeong has prepared.’
Awakening pills, was it?
‘Since I haven’t seen them directly, I don’t know exactly what effect they have’
From what I remember, she had no sense of camaraderie.
Would someone like her distribute something as valuable as awakening pills to all her subordinates?
‘Suspicious… I might need to step in if necessary.’
As much as I wanted to figure out what she was plotting, I had something else to do first.
I got up from my seat and quietly followed the two men who had gone out to move the orphans.
“Hey, where did they all go!?”
“What are you talking about? They should be in the slaughterhouse!”
“You idiot, I’m asking because they’re not there! Not a single one is in sight right now!”
“What?”
It seems Changsik managed to move them somehow.
I observed the two who were panicking.
‘Their stats haven’t particularly increased.’
As expected, Han Aejeong wouldn’t give them such things.
I compared the enemy’s status with mine through Observation and was confident in my advantage.
‘Good’
[Equipping Scout Orc’s Shinbone (Blunt Weapon)]
[Using Lu Spider’s Poison Sac, Boad’s Eyeball,
Poison Goblin’s Heart.]
[Strength and Agility temporarily increased by 3.]
[Dexterity temporarily improved.]
[Health temporarily increased by 3.]
[Receiving stacked poison attribute attacks ×3]
[Descendant of the Brand buff effect activated
(Health/Mental increase)]
[Miserable Adaptability (D+) is in effect.]
[Face of Plausibility (C)’s mental and physical effects are in effect.]
In Ernel Saga, the corpses of some monsters could increase stats for a limited time when consumed raw.
However, without processing, the disadvantages outweigh the advantages, so it’s rarely used.
‘I’m different’
While not completely immune to the effects of poison, thanks to the adaptability I’ve cultivated here bit by bit, I could withstand most poisons and drugs with little effect.
Simultaneously, my adaptability stat increases due to being in a poisoned state.
And I raise my abilities based on the mark buff.
‘Of course it’s still lacking, but’
It’s enough for those two unremarkable guys.
I gripped the bone so hard it nearly crushed.
Quickly running forward and pushing off the ground,
I struck the back of the head of the one behind me.
Thwack!
“Ugh!”
I turned my gaze away from the guy sprawled on the ground, part of his head caved in, possibly dead instantly.
“W-what…”
Whoosh!
I rushed at the remaining guy before he could gather his wits.
“Y-you orphan bastard!”
The guy swung the whip in his hand, timing it with my approach.
Normally, I would have been hit and rolled on the ground, but,
‘Slow’
My doped-up body responded nimbly, and I could clearly see the movement of the whip across my entire field of vision.
I use my small frame.
Lower my body.
Slide in like I’m diving.
Whoosh!
Feeling the sound of air being cut above my head, I accelerated further and drove my shinbone into his knee.
Crack!
With the sound of breaking bone, his body crumpled.
Crunch!
Before he could scream, I smashed right into his head.
“Huff… huff…”
I looked at the blood and yellow brain matter flowing on the ground.
My first murder…
Surprisingly, my body didn’t tremble nor did I feel the urge to retch.
‘Is it because my face’s plausibility is maintaining my sanity?’
Whatever the reason, it’s fortunate for now.
I put the bone away and dragged their bodies
Splash!
Pushed them into the sewer for disposal.
‘They’ll be discovered soon’
It won’t last long.
Even if the blood and debris scattered on the floor are thought to be from monsters, they can’t possibly miss that two people have disappeared.
‘It doesn’t matter’
Right, it doesn’t matter.
Everything ends today anyway.
Bang!
The sound of men shouting came from the next building.
‘Has it already started?’
It seems the hero arrived earlier than expected.
‘Now’s the time’
Taking advantage of this commotion, I needed to get that item from Han Aejeong’s room.
‘The second hidden piece’
Through regular observation, I had already figured out its location in the room.
This was my opportunity while she was away. I headed toward the room, checking my surroundings.