The Slum (1)
I was silently walking in a very narrow alleyway. As I walked, almost everyone stared at me intently. Their curious gazes pierced through my back but I kept my composure. I was trying to find the trading area. Fortunately, the slum was not so big.
What I was trying to find was actually a small boy living in the slum. Right now, the (S)-rank martial art was in his hands. He had found the martial art by pure luck. While the boy was collecting some fruits in the wilderness, he came across a narrow cave, in which he found an old tome covered in dust.
Thinking it may worth some money, the kid brought the (S)-rank martial art in disguise of an old book with him. He wasn't aware of the fact that it was actually an (S)-rank item because he hadn't awakened yet. Only awakeners can inspect an item through the use of status screen.
After that, the boy tried to sell the martial art but no one bought it since books were not filling their stomach, no one except one of the Ralph's loyal dogs. That loyal dog had come to the slum to have some poor people do their dirty works in exchange for money.
The little boy also tried to sell the book to the servant. After taking a glimpse of what's the book about, the servant's eyes wide opened in surprise. After learning what it actually is, they forcefully took the martial art from the boy without paying a penny.
My objective was to find that kid before anyone comes to know of the existence of the martial art. I looked around the trading area, trying to find a kid. Not long after, I caught a glimpse of a kid with brown hair, running around with a basket of wild berries. The basket had little holes on it. The kid's worn out clothes was covered with dried mud and had a long, scattered brown hair. It seemed his eyes had already lost their colors a long time ago.
I calmly approached him from behind and touched his shoulder. The kid jerked, then turned towards me.
Clearly displeased how I touched him without a warning, the kid gave me a fake smile. Theodore's cloth proved he was not from the slums, and since only nobles came here to get their dirty jobs done, the kid inferred that Theodore was most likely a noble. Everyone in the slum knew disrespecting nobles was wishing to die.
"How can I help you mister?"
"I am searching for a kid just like you who owns an old book? Do you happen to know the kid I just described?"
The kid's expression became troubled. He was hesitating whether he should tell the truth or not. He couldn't completely trust the nobles after all. Most of them were corrupted inside.
"Well, I guess you don't know. Such a shame, I was even going to buy it for a thousand BS." I said with a disappointed tone.
The kid's eyes was wide-open. He was stunned by what he just heard. A thousand BS was enough to eat three meals everyday for one month in the slum. The huge amount of money shut down his reasoning.
"Mister, now that I think about it, I think m-my brother had brought an old book a few days ago. W-Would you like to take a look at it? It should be at home but I can bring it to you right away."
"No need. Just lead the way to your home."
"O-Okay mister."
***
It took 15 minutes to arrive at his house. It was a shabby house, or rather a shack. It looked really pitiful. If someone said this house was abandoned 10 years ago, I would probably believe them. There were countless cracks on the walls and the windows were shattered.
"Is this your house?"
"Y-Yes it is. I know it's in a really dire condition but p-please bear with it mister."
"No problem. As long as you show me that book, nothing matters."
The kid threw me a weird look as if he was unable to understand what's happening. Following the creepy creaking sound of the door, we entered the house.
"Mom! I am back! I brought a mister along with me."
The kid quickly run towards his mom who was lying on a floor bed. His mom's situation wasn't brilliant. She was badly ill. Malnourishment had caused her cheeks to become sunken. Her complexion was pale. Basically, she was in a serious condition. But she could still talk somehow with a weak voice.
"Welcome back Edward. And who is that mister you are talking about?"
"He is a noble who has come to buy that old book I found! He said he would pay a thousand BS."
His mom's jaw dropped at those words. But the next instant, her eyes turned sharp, staring at me. Her suspicion towards this rather young man was only growing bigger. His mother instincts told her that there were a lot more to this man than meets the eye.
"Mister, may I learn which household you are from?"
"You are mistaken. I am not from a noble background. I just happened to hear a rumor about a kid selling a mysterious book. So I wanted to check it myself to see if it was true."
"You are not a noble?" She said with a surprised face.
"I am not a noble." I shook my head.
After a brief moment of silence I clapped my hands to draw the attention back to me.
"Alright then. Let's talk about the deal, shall we? Can you show that book to me?"
"Ah. Sure! Wait a moment."
As Edward went to bring the book, I glanced at his mom again. Her condition was really bad.
'No wonder Edward needs money so desperately.'
If the protagonist was here, maybe he would help this poor family. But I wasn't a hero nor a saint with pure heart. Associating myself with these people would only bring more responsibilities and problems on my side in the future.
"Here it is, mister."
Edward stretched his hands holding the old and thick book. As soon as I grabbed it, a blue semi-transparent screen appeared before my eyes.
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-Martial Art-
Shadow Blade [(S)-rank]
A martial art created by an unknown assassin, who used the power of darkness to kill his enemies and the stealth of shadow to hide himself. He wrote down this masterpiece with his last breaths. The art focuses on concealment, speed, and hitting vitals. The assassination techniques are shaped around these three key points. There are 5 known signature moves of this art. As you practice it and understand the art more comprehensively, you will gradually be able to use the signature moves.
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