Chapter 8

"Whatever I think about it, this must be the reason."

【Soul Board】Hikaru

Age 15, Rank 4

4

The points on the Soul Board suddenly increased.

What's different from last time is the number next to "Rank."

"When did my rank go up? I thought it only went up when I defeated a monster..."

He has no memory of defeating a monster. He picked some poison plants, but he didn't wither them.

What he killed—what he murdered was a human.

"Wait a minute..."

The definition of a monster is "whether it is harmful to humans."

That's all there is to it.

"It's not about whether I killed a monster, but whether I killed a creature with a certain level of power..."

In other words, his rank went up because he killed Count Murgstadt.

"..."

He decided not to use these points right away.

He needed time to think.

"...Is this the way?"

Following Gloria's directions, he walked to a place where the cobblestones were gouged out and a water channel flowed.

Descending the half-collapsed stairs, a pungent smell filled the air.

"Is this it?"

The underground passage connected to the water channel—the underground sewer area.

"Whoa!?"

Something rustled inside.

"Bats...?"

Hikaru used all his Stealth-related skills. His presence became faint.

The bats and rats in the sewer tilted their heads.

There was definitely a human there, but—

(If I catch a strange disease, I'm in trouble.)

He sneaked in quietly.

The water flowing from the sewer wasn't very dirty, but the smell was still strong.

He recalled Roland's knowledge.

In major cities, the sewer system is well-developed. Waste and sewage are collected in one place underground.

There, a monster called a Kova Slime absorbs it and purifies the water.

The Kova Slime excretes nitrates and fertilizer as byproducts, which are regularly collected by merchants.

(Does that mean this water is what the Kova Slime excreted?)

Hikaru walked along the path next to the water channel, which was barely maintained. In some places, the stones had collapsed, exposing mud.

It was dark.

He hesitated about whether to turn on a light. He had bought a small lamp in the morning.

Even with Stealth skills, turning on a light in the dark would be noticed.

(...I'll go as far as I can without it.)

He decided and moved cautiously.

(Still, who is this Kerbeck who lives in such a place? He's a magic item maker, right? So he's a man who makes magic items.)

Just then.

(!)

Two people with lights were walking behind him.

"---So---"

"---Really? Easy job---"

Their voices echoed.

Could they be the Kerbeck he was looking for?

But they didn't seem friendly.

The two had obvious "thugs" with scars on their cheeks.

What could they be doing in the sewer? They didn't look like merchants collecting fertilizer.

The most plausible explanation was "thieves."

Hikaru hurried forward.

Midway down the path, there was a collapsed area about three meters deep.

Should he hide and wait?

Or should he keep going?

He thought and, of course, chose to "hide."

He stepped into the collapsed area, crouched down, and held his breath.

"---Did you meet the client?---"

"---Sure, they said you did a good job this time---"

"---Stealing is easier---"

"---Hey, no killing---"

"Of course, I hate blood and guts."

"Wrong. Killing brings in the law."

"Really? Boss usually---huh?"

"What is it?"

The two stopped just in front of Hikaru.

"...What are these footprints? They're small."

They must have left in the mud. Even with Stealth skills, leaving traces was meaningless.

(Hmm, they noticed the traces.)

This was one of Hikaru's experiments.

Would Stealth affect "himself"—that is, the traces he left behind?

The answer was no.

"...There have been more orphans in Pound lately. They must have entered the sewer."

"Probably..."

The two seemed to think it was just a child who had wandered in.

It was a bold experiment, but it led to a different conclusion.

"Let's go. Mr. Kerbeck is waiting."

"Sure. Boss is scary."

They passed in front of Hikaru, completely unaware of his presence.

(They just said "Mr. Kerbeck.")

Hikaru followed them.

This time, he was careful about the "footprints."

* * *

In a corner of the sewer area, there was a residential area unknown to the administration.

"Wha---? You're five minutes late, aren't you?"

"Sorry, this guy hit on a girl on the way."

"Wha!? What are you saying about your partner!"

"Shut up, it's joint responsibility!"

A high-quality table, as if it didn't belong in an underground setting.

A man with both feet on the table, leaning back, had a red, flame-like tattoo running from his forehead to his right cheek, neck, and body.

Across from him were the two men Hikaru had encountered in the sewer.

"J-Job's going well, I guess."

The two men looked relieved.

"Then we'll be off."

"Sure. Good luck."

The two men were escorted to the door, and the man with the red tattoo turned around—frozen in place.

"Hello."

"!?"

No one should have been in the room—yet a boy was sitting at his desk.

"Who are you!!!!"

"Whoa, no violence. I'm unarmed."

Unarmed—indeed, his posture was completely that of a civilian. He had no martial training.

But he was well-equipped.

"Where did you come from!"

He might be a mage.

The man, not letting his guard down, readied his dagger and looked for something to use as a shield.

"Don't worry. I'm not a mage."

"...Creepy kid."

"I have a delivery."

"Huh? A letter?"

The boy held something out.

For a moment, he thought it might be a magic scroll disguised as a letter, but there was no point in pretending. If it were magic, he would have used it already.

"Hmm, don't want it? I'll be in trouble if you don't take it."

He looked genuinely troubled.

It was ridiculous to be so cautious of such a boy.

"Damn."

Putting away his dagger, he approached the boy.

He snatched the letter.

"Huh? It's from the Adventurer's Guild. ---Hmm. I see."

He quickly read the letter and glanced at the boy.

"You, I have a question."

"How did you get in here?"

"If you know, it's easier. Sit down."

He pointed to a chair next to the table.

"Is there any benefit for me in this conversation?"

"I'll report you to the Adventurer's Guild. Your kid broke into my place."

"Ah, well."

The boy sat down obediently.

"Name?"

"Hikaru. You're Kerbeck, right?"

"Right. You knew that, didn't you?"

"I wanted to confirm, but no one would talk to me."

Kerbeck had short red hair and a rugged appearance, typical of a "veteran mercenary."

That's why kids who were glared at by him usually trembled in fear.

But this boy was different.

"No one would talk to you? ...Wait a minute."

Kerbeck stood up and left the room—only to return quickly.

"You were right. To get here, you have to pass through three rooms, all of which have hidden surveillance."

"Hmm?"

"...You didn't notice? Each room has surveillance. I'm pretty important, so I have to protect myself. But—none of the surveillance noticed you. What does that mean?"

"Maybe it was just luck."

"Ridiculous..."

Kerbeck was getting uneasy. This boy was unpredictable. But he was definitely from the Adventurer's Guild, as the letter's content confirmed.

However, normally, a messenger from the Adventurer's Guild would be questioned at the entrance by his subordinates. If they were suspicious, they would check with the guild. Even if they weren't suspicious, they would still check.

This boy had "walked right through" to get here.

Kerbeck suddenly noticed the boy's clothes.

"...I see, it's the equipment, right? I thought it was Night Wolf equipment... but it's the evolved version, Dark Night Wolf. Perfect for hiding."

Hikaru's eyebrows twitched.

It seemed he hit the mark, Kerbeck thought. Of course, he didn't imagine the boy was a master of stealth.

"Did you think you might be involved in 'this matter'?"

"..."

The boy showed him the letter from the guild to Kerbeck.

The content was very short.

"To the renowned magic item maker, Mr. Kerbeck,

I recently acquired a magic item you made, but I don't know how to activate it.

Please guide me."

That was all.

"I'm not involved. I have nothing to do with it."

"I see..."

Kerbeck pondered for a moment.

"That equipment is impressive. But your presence isn't just about the equipment. It's about your courage. You don't flinch in front of me, Kerbeck."

"Alright. I need your signature."

Hikaru calmly handed over the request form.

Kerbeck took it with a sigh, signed it, and then pressed his guild card—apparently a Soul Card issued by the temple—against the form. It glowed slightly, confirming his identity.

The delivery was complete.

"Alright."

"Hey, wait a minute. ...What do you think I am?"

"A magic item maker—"

Hikaru smiled.

"—and a member of an underground organization, right?"

"..."

Kerbeck was silent.

Because it was the right answer.

"That letter was interesting, wasn't it? The sender is listed as the 'Adventurer's Guild.' They want to contact you through the guild. So, they want to maintain their anonymity. A letter that needs to be sent this way—"

"Is dangerous."

"Right. But I'm not interested."

"Not interested?"

"Not really. I prefer to live in the sunlight."

"Hah. What a face. Know this. We're called the 'Thieves' Guild' on the surface. But we don't steal from the poor."

"Of course. Otherwise, I would have been attacked by now."

"If anything happens, you can use my name. I'll help you—of course, for a price. It's give and take."

"That case."

Hikaru pointed to the letter still on the table.

"Is the recipient a noble?"

"...Why do you think so?"

"Because only a noble can use the guild as a go-between and order them around."

"Hmm. Probably. So what?"

"I think you need help more than I do."

Kerbeck looked annoyed.

"Don't get cocky, kid."

"Ah... Adults always treat me like a child. I'm 15, you know."

"That's still a kid. Alright, go."

"Sure, sure."

Hikaru left the room.

"...Creepy kid, but... he's got some potential."

Kerbeck muttered.

When Hikaru returned to the surface, it was already evening due to his experiments and other activities.

Back at the Adventurer's Guild, there were hardly any adventurers.

"Huh?"

Hikaru quickly realized why there were so few people.

"Here, it's done. Go home and rest early, okay?"

"Are you free after this, Gloria? How about dinner—"

"Go home and rest early, okay?"

"No, I mean dinner—"

"Go home and rest early, okay?"

"...Alright."

She repeated the same words with a smile.

Her concern for the adventurers was impressive.

When pushed this far, the adventurers felt uncomfortable and left the guild early.

In the evening, many adventurers return from their quests, and Gloria processes them quickly. She's efficient and fast at appraising materials.

Seeing this, Hikaru felt better.

He quickly reached Gloria's desk.

"Next—huh?"

Gloria's eyes widened when she recognized Hikaru.

* * *

(Why...?)

The Adventurer's Guild had closed for the day.

Gloria, closing the armored door, was deep in thought.

(Kerbeck is a face of the Thieves' Guild, like a "branch manager" in Pound. It's not easy to meet him... If I entered the sewer as a messenger from the Adventurer's Guild, I would be captured by the Thieves' Guild's subordinates...

If Hikaru was captured, the Thieves' Guild would check with the Adventurer's Guild for information on the adventurer.

I planned to intervene and negotiate as a representative of the guild—especially in a guild of this size.

The poor Hikaru, captured by the Thieves' Guild, would feel grateful to me for rescuing him.

Then I could extract information from him.

(How did he meet Kerbeck? He doesn't give me a clear answer...)

Hikaru only said things like "I met him normally" or "He wasn't a bad guy."

There were other adventurers waiting behind Hikaru, so they couldn't talk further.

(...I'm even more curious now.)

Gloria smiled to herself, a dark smile.