Chapter 53

◈ Chapter 53: James Moriarty (3)

Hans didn’t bother to ask why Rudger had given him the wolf’s tooth.

After all, he knew his own constitution better than anyone else.

“Well, even if I go alone, the atmosphere won’t be right. I need someone with a bit of bulk to put on a show from behind.”

“…If a fight breaks out, I’ll run away immediately. I can’t help it.”

“You don’t need to worry about that part.”

“Phew.”

Hans sighed, then clutched the wolf’s tooth in his hand and pierced his palm with it until it bled.

Squish.

Immediately, black fur began to sprout from Hans’s body, centered around the wolf’s tooth.

The genetic material contained in the tooth had come into contact with his blood, triggering his unique constitution.

“Is it done?”

“Hmm. Not bad. Well, if I had to say, I wouldn’t need pants at all….”

“…That’s a bit much, don’t you think?”

“True. I can understand that part.”

After all, if he transformed and the transformation wore off, and he was left without pants, that would be a terrifying situation.

Hans sighed in relief.

“That’s a relief.”

“Hmm. Your build isn’t bad either. It’s clear that the type of animal tooth used makes a difference.”

“…Well, that’s something I’ve learned through countless, often unpleasant, experiences. I didn’t want to know, but….”

“Pity. If I could get my hands on a bear or tiger’s tooth, you’d be even stronger.”

Hans doesn’t need to be bitten by an animal directly.

His constitution only activates when the animal’s essence comes into contact with his body internally.

In other words, as long as the tooth of the corresponding animal is used to create a wound on his skin, the transformation condition is met.

“Still, this wolf’s tooth seems particularly impressive, right?”

Hans muttered, looking at his current form.

Having unwillingly transformed into various forms before, he could feel just how special his current appearance was.

His body was overflowing with strength, and his muscles were almost 1.5 times thicker than usual.

He was certain this wasn’t just any ordinary wolf’s tooth.

“Indeed. It’s the tooth of a Black Fen, which exists in the Northern Continent.”

“Huh. One of the most dangerous beasts, known for their ferocity? No wonder. I feel an overflow of strength compared to usual.”

“Even compared to what you’ve transformed into before, this should be one of the best. Of course, if you use the ‘thing’ I gave you as a gift, you’d be stronger than anyone.”

At the mention of the ‘thing’ from Rudger, Hans’s face, even in his wolf form, clearly showed his displeasure.

“Brother. Even if it’s dangerous, using something like that is a bit… I might be overwhelmed by my wild nature.”

“I gave it to you just in case. You never know what might happen. If your life is in danger, use it. It’s better than dying.”

“That’s true, but….”

Hans thought of the enormous canine.

It was so large that it had been fashioned into a dagger.

It was a special gift from Rudger to Hans.

Although Hans considered his constitution a curse, he still kept the tooth, despite his unease.

“Shall we go then?”

“I’ll say it again, if a fight breaks out, I’m out of here.”

“I said, you just need to set the mood. I’ll go in first, and you follow my signal.”

“Hmph. Got it.”

Dressed in black, Rudger and the black-furred Hans disappeared into the darkness of the alleyway.

* * *

The Forsythia family, located on the outskirts of Leatherbark, was famous for its many shops, restaurants, and music halls.

In some areas, there were workshops that made mechanical wind-up devices, so it was a place frequented not only by adults but also by children.

Deep within such a Forsythia street.

At the boundary between the bright city and the back alleys.

A large tavern, known to everyone, was now filled with men of sinister appearance, maintaining an uncomfortable atmosphere.

“Damn it!”

Among them was a red-haired man who was drinking straight from a bottle.

He wasn’t particularly outstanding in build compared to the muscular men around him, but his face was different.

With a long beard and a large scar running across one eye, his sinister appearance stood out.

When he got annoyed, his subordinates only watched nervously.

Then, a subordinate who acted as an advisor mustered the courage to speak up.

“Boss, are you okay?”

“Do I look okay right now?”

“…To be honest, it’s hard to say.”

The man was Dootry, the leader of the Red Society.

It was understandable that he was angry.

Belbort Rickson, the Red Society’s biggest financier and benefactor, had died suddenly.

For Dootry, who had grown the Red Society by relying on Belbort’s influence, it was like losing a major pillar of support.

While there were still a few other pillars supporting them, the problem was that the Red Society had invested a huge amount of money in Belbort’s business before his death.

With the business leader dead, it was clear that all his assets would be scattered.

Most investors would divide the spoils, but for Dootry, who dealt in illicit funds, recovering the principal would be difficult.

While the Red Society wouldn’t go bankrupt just from this, the atmosphere would inevitably become tense.

“Still, we can endure for now. We should look for new opportunities.”

“Indeed, that’s why I called you all here. We need to expand our business soon.”

Business expansion.

Though he said it that way, it would likely involve some blood and violence.

They might even have to fight with other organizations that had only been eyeing each other warily until now.

But no one was worried about that.

They were the Red Society, and in terms of brute force, they were the best in this part of Leatherbark.

“First, we need to suppress the Black Roses….”

Just as Dootry muttered this,

Creak.

The tavern door creaked open, and a person entered.

“Huh?”

“What is it?”

At first, they thought it was a late-arriving member, but they soon realized it wasn’t.

The man was too neatly dressed to be a member of the Red Society.

He wore a black Inverness coat, held a cane, and had a black silk hat on his head and a monocle over one eye.

He looked like a well-to-do gentleman with plenty of money and leisure.

“Who’s this kid? Hey, don’t you know the shop is closed?”

Dootry glared at the uninvited guest, his face flushed from drinking.

The man, seemingly unfazed by the glare, brought a nearby empty chair and sat in the middle of the tavern.

Sitting with his legs slightly apart and supporting himself with his cane, he exuded an indescribable dignity.

“Who’s this guy?”

“Is he crazy?”

The Red Society members all glared at the uninvited guest.

Dootry, after finishing his bottle, stood up abruptly.

“Who are you?”

“Dootry, right? The leader of the Red Society. Correct?”

“Yes. And you… I don’t recognize your face. Are we acquaintances?”

“First meeting.”

Dootry chuckled, as if finding it absurd.

“Really? You came here alone, knowing we’re the Red Society? Sir, do you have some confidence?”

“Confidence? That’s why I came.”

Despite the hostile gazes from all around, the man remained completely unafraid.

Dootry felt a strange sense of unease.

It didn’t seem like the man was putting on a show.

Having spent a long time in the underworld, Dootry could distinguish between the bravado of the incompetent and the confidence of the truly capable.

The man in front of him was the latter.

‘His clothes look expensive, and the aura he gives off is not ordinary.’

This person had come to find him?

Dootry thought it was worth listening to what he had to say.

“Hmm. What brings you here, sir?”

“I’ve only been in this city for a short while. I’m looking to start a new business.”

“Oh! Business! Great! You’ve come to the right place.”

Dootry clapped his hands in delight.

While the man talked about business, no one in the room was unaware that it would involve money and, more importantly, dirty work.

His attire and demeanor suggested as much.

Given that he seemed to know what he was looking for, this man was likely in the same category as Belbort Rickson.

A wealthy merchant with a lot of money and a dark heart.

A customer who wanted to make money by any means.

‘A money source we must secure!’

However, Dootry didn’t get overly excited. It was a rule in this world to be cautious and not trust someone blindly, especially when you didn’t know much about them.

You never trust someone you don’t know.

Even if you know them, you only trust them halfway.

Betray before you are betrayed.

That was the way and the rule for those who lived in the gutter.

“So, what’s your name, sir?”

The man replied in a rather gentle tone.

“I’m James Moriarty.”

“Huh? James Moriarty?”

Dootry felt a sense of déjà vu. He had heard the name before, but couldn’t quite place it.

At that moment, his right-hand man and advisor seemed to recognize something and hurriedly approached Dootry, whispering in his ear.

‘James Moriarty! That’s the man!’

‘Who is he?’

‘He’s a big shot who once dominated the underworld of the Delica Kingdom.’

‘Ah.’

Dootry finally recalled the name.

James Moriarty.

Known as Professor Moriarty.

A notorious crime consultant who called himself a professor in the underworld.

The Iron Kingdom of Delica, which had seen remarkable development in the steel industry.

This man had controlled its darkness, standing just below the light.

The rumors about him were so famous that they were almost legendary in this field.

‘But is it really him?’

Dootry was skeptical.

Professor Moriarty had disappeared from Delica a few years ago.

According to rumors, he met his end at the hands of a famous detective of noble birth.

Some said he was rotting in a deep underground prison in Delica, while others claimed he had chosen death before being captured.

Otherwise, there would have been some news over the years.

Perhaps the Moriarty in front of him was an imposter.

‘Well, we can verify that.’

Dootry cleared his throat and greeted him.

“Professor Moriarty. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“I’m glad you recognize me.”

“Hmm. But isn’t this a bit ambiguous? Whether you’re the real Professor Moriarty or not is a bit unclear.”

“Do you think I’m an imposter?”

“After disappearing suddenly a few years ago, you suddenly appear in front of me like this.”

Moriarty glanced around the room.

His subordinates were slowly drawing their weapons from their waists.

Judging by their size, they were more likely pistols than daggers.

The faint smell of cheap gunpowder confirmed his suspicion.

The fact that even the low-level members were armed with guns made Dootry realize how large the Red Society truly was.

“Let me give you a warning.”

“Go on.”

“I recommend not drawing your guns unless absolutely necessary.”

Moriarty immediately raised his right hand.

Click!

At the same time, countless subordinates drew their guns and aimed at Moriarty.

If he made even the slightest suspicious move, he would be riddled with bullets.

But Moriarty showed no fear.

His calm demeanor, as if daring them to try, made Dootry increasingly think that the man in front of him might be the real deal.

“Quite a show.”

Some of the Red Society members bristled at Moriarty’s provocative tone.

They looked to Dootry for a signal.

Dootry, after a moment of thought, nodded slightly.

The subordinate, confirming the signal, slowly pulled the trigger of the gun in his hand.

Aiming not at the head but the shoulder.

A shot might reveal his true nature.

Click.

But no bullet was fired.

“Wh-what?”

“The gun didn’t fire?”

It wasn’t just his gun. All the guns of the subordinates in the tavern were jammed.

“Didn’t I warn you?”

Amid the confusion, Moriarty smiled quietly.

“Not to draw your guns.”

“Sorcerer!”

Dootry knew what it meant when all the guns suddenly jammed.

It was undoubtedly the spell [Silence of Fire] used by sorcerers.

That meant the man in front of him was definitely a sorcerer, if nothing else.

At that moment, Moriarty whistled.

The sound echoed through the tavern and beyond.

Soon, the tavern door burst open, and a giant man stormed in.

“Gah!”

“What the hell is that!”

The giant man was a massive wolf walking on two legs.

Covered in black fur, standing over 2.5 meters tall, and with sharp claws on his arms.

No one was unaware of the werewolf incident that had recently caused a stir in Leatherbark.

The werewolf, slowly entering the tavern, stopped behind Moriarty.

As if to protect him.

Dootry immediately changed his stance.

“Oh, it’s really you. I didn’t recognize a distinguished guest.”

“Is this enough proof?”

“Haha. More than enough.”

“Then we can have a serious conversation now.”

“Yes. What kind of business are you looking for? What do you need from us?”

“First, I have a message to deliver.”

“A message?”

Dootry’s eyes widened at Moriarty’s words.

“I don’t particularly like dirty and sordid things.”

“Pardon?”

“What I mean is, the Red Society will disappear from here as of today.”