Chapter - 9 - To Rutherglen [2]

During the rest of the trip, there was a melancholic atmosphere in the cart. No matter how joyous they were feeling about their profit, nobody believed that it would be right for them to celebrate it when they lost their comrades they were conversing with an hour ago.

Thankfully, even though the sun has long since set when they arrived, they didn't encounter any other beasts, making their ride peaceful.

"We'll go and sell those 〔Canis Rufus〕corpses to the [Adventurer Consortium], what about you guys?"

"Oh? I was planning on touring the city for a bit so how about we meet up afterwards? I heard there is a good weaponary near the centre."

"What a coincidence! I really wanted to visit there at least once!"

The moment they got off the cart, everybody started to converse between themselves, with Lucas being no exception. Taking advantage of this situation, Joshua tried to sneak out but was stopped by a man with a cigar. It was the man he talked to right before meeting Lucas.

The man kept on opening and closing his palm repeatedly as if he was demanding something. Seeing that Joshua didn't get what he was saying, he spoke up irritatedly.

"The cost. You didn't do anything during the attack either, did you? Don't think I'll let you off the hook just because of your age."

"...I wasn't completely useless."

"Oh yeah, what did you do?"

Joshua wanted to refute the man but kept his mouth shout. After a while, he murmured under his breath.

"...The bandages."

The man looked at him with ridicule, causing his cheeks to redden. After thinking for a while, he looked at the man and asked.

"How much?"

"Well, 2 gold coins should do. Of course, you can choose to pay in another way if you don't have enough money."

As the man kept talking, his voice kept on going slower and slower. He had a wry smile on his face which made Joshua shudder. He was reminded of a memory from that year and a half he so-wanted to forget.

Just as he was about to reach his bag, Lucas intervened out of nowhere. Unlike his usual gentle tone he used while talking to others, he spoke firmly.

"Hey, all you want is money, right? I'll pay in his stead so let him be."

Joshua was flabbergasted. In both of his lives, the number of people who stood up for him was miniscule. More so, there wasn't a single person who would do that when they knew him for less than a day.

Did Lucas think he wouldn't have the money or did he just not like the man in general?

It seemed like the man was very unhappy about this intervention as he shot a glare at Lucas. He turned his hand to his side with a mocking grin.

"3 gold coins."

"Why don't you just go and rob a bank?!"

Lucas growled under his teeth in disdain.

Even he paid 10 silver coins which already more than the original price but the guy wanted 30 times the amount of that.

What type of beauty filter was this guy looking at the world thorough?

While the two were busy arguing, Joshua took out a silver necklace from his bag and put it on the man's palm. Originally, he was planning on paying with the gold coins but seeing Lucas' expression, he knew doing so would be more trouble than its worth.

He still wasn't sure about do-s and don't-s about this world so observing other people was his only choice and luckily, it didn't seem like it was all for naught.

Receiving both the man and Lucas' attention, Joshua quickly came up with an excuse.

"It was my grandmother's, you can say that it is a family keepsake."

The naive Lucas seemed to have bought it immediately as he looked at Joshua with wet puppy eyes. Unlike him, the man was gouging Joshua up and down with his eyes.

Not minding him even the slightest bit, Joshua grabbed Lucas' wrist as he walked up to the gate before him swiftly. As long as they passed the gate, they would be in Rutherglen.

Unfortunately, the man didn't seem to be fooled twice. He grabbed Joshua by the shoulder. He didn't put much strength to his hand but with Joshua being extremely weak, he staggered as his body turned 180 degrees.

It looked like the man didn't expect such reaction either but before he could say something, Lucas looked to him dead in the eye.

"He already paid more than enough, what do you want?"

His voice was loud enough for the adults near to hear. Including the five Lucas was talking to a minute ago, everybody stopped what they were doing as they looked at what was going on.

"Is Jake still bullying little children? What a lame guy."

"We're already going to profit more than what we thought, why not let them go?"

"Will this guy never change? My god..."

Jake felt so ashamed that he accidentally dropped the cigar on his mouth. Since Lucas and Joshua were close to him, they could easily see the rage on his face. They took a few steps back in fear. Joshua held onto his dagger in the bag tightly. If the man chose to attack them, his needles wouldn't be of much help because of two reasons. Firstly, he needed time to send his mana to control them and secondly, with many people around them, it would be a dead giveaway. There wasn't even a need to talk about Lucas as his proficiency laid in long-range.

The God Of Fortune, Joshua's destined enemy, seemed to have answered his prayers for once as the man backed away instead of choking them right on the spot. His hands were placed on his waist as his head was arched away as he laughed maniacally.

"Hahaha!"

"Did he finally lost his mind?"

Joshua could hear Lucas' frightened murmur from his side as they both backed away. He couldn't come up with anything to do in this situation. He looked at the gate, thinking it would be the best for them to leave as quickly as possible but unfortunately, they were surrounded by adults on all sides, leaving them with no escape. When he looked back at Jack, he could see him wiping the tears that were streaming down his face.

'Is he laughing or crying?'

Jack's weird show didn't last for long as he walked over to the adults. Slapping one of the man who talked a bit ago on his shoulder, he said with a laughing face as if he heard a funny joke.

"My my, pft-haha! That really was funny, Oli! Do I really look like such person, my god... I was just about the ask them if it was okay to give such important necklace. The guy said that it was a family keepsake."

"Oh... I see."

A look of understanding appeared on the face of the guy who was massaging his shoulder. Hearing that, many people nodded their heads approvingly. Joshua was irritated to his core but there was nothing he could do. He let go of his dagger and held Lucas' wrist and looked around. With many people starting to go their way, they now had a way of escape. Lucas, who was grabbed suddenly, looked over to the gate confusedly. It didn't take long for him to understand what Joshua was thinking.

While the two were slowly making their way over to the gate, Joshua looked behind and saw the five Lucas was talking to making their way over to Jack. He couldn't make out their expressions clearly but he felt like their mood was a bit solemn, not sure why.

[*]

"Okay... the results will be out in a minute. Please take one candy of your choice in the waiting room."

"Alright."

Both Joshua and Lucas nodded their head as they were headed to the waiting room the nurse talked about. They pressed a piece of cotton on their right arms.

On their right, Lucas could spot a plate of candies full of colours. He took a sky blue one and Joshua took a grape coloured one.

"Wow. Since they called it 'checking'. I thought it would be much... different, you know?"

"Yeah..."

With Lucas starting to blabber on about this and that again, Joshua thought back to the test they have been through.

Rutherglen was a <D> grade city, meaning it was divided to 3 pieces with walls in between. To pass these walls, you needed to go through the 'gates' where you could take a test.

Since Joshua and Lucas were only entering the [First District], all they needed to do was to get their blood checked to see whatever they were a human or someone from another race. The First District was like the slum of the city where criminals or such resided.

In between the second and the third gate stood the biggest region, the [Second District]. It was where civilians, merchants, guilds etc. lived in. To enter there, one needed to get their identification checked and pass through a certain 'test'. The test would determine whatever the person had enough qualities to live in the city. With Rutherglen being a <D> grade city, one could pass the test as long as they were stronger than the <D-> rank. There were also minor details about their past and stuff but it could be ignored easily if the said person was strong enough.

Finally, after the third gate stood the [Third District]. Not even Joshua knew much about there as it was only known for being the place where important figures such as the minister, aristocracy and politicians lived. It didn't have an important role in the storyline so he thought it wasn't as important as people deemed it to be.

Joshua looked at the candy in his hand before swallowing it.

Most people thought that the first check point was only about your blood but it actually wasn't so. With how the technology envolved in the recent years, the humans were aware that there were some substances that the other races could use to lie about their race for a short time. The main point was the candy they offered afterwards. Each of them had different colour but their insides were the same.

"Ugh.. sour."

"...It didn't taste like blueberry at all."

Following Joshua's complaint was Lucas' dissapointed tone. He really looked like he wanted blueberry.

...In any cases, this candy contained a dissolvent for that specific substance. It wouldn't work if the substance was a highly concentrated one but it was effective against most. The moment an imposter takes the candy, their real identity would be revealed and the guards stationed around the room would enter and capture them on the spot.

It sounded over excessive but...

... okay, even I have no way of supporting humans in this case.

A minute after they swallowed the 'candy', the same nurse with long brown hair and white clothes entered the room with a gentle smile.

"The check was successful. You kids can enter the First District now. Follow me."

While following the nurse, they turned through lots of corridors that their heads were starting to spin. In those corridors were rooms that were the same as they were in before with many people in it. Joshua could easily count more than 300 people.

..After few dozens more turns, they were finally out.

"Ugh."

The second the nurse left, Joshua felt his legs gave in as he fell down to the floor. Lucas was fine since he had a well-built body but the same couldn't be said for him, whose body was the same as a stick man. Trying his best to breath for a minute, he got up, only to notice Lucas looking at him.

"What?"

"Hm?"

Lucas also seemed to be confused by his confusion as he tilted his head.

"Why are you still here?"

"Should I not be here?"

Hearing what Joshua was saying, Lucas tilted his head more than before.

"...Didn't you say you came to Rutherglen to make money or something? Aren't you going to go to Second District?"

"Yeah, I will. What about it?"

Joshua couldn't help but shake his head. It seemed like he and Lucas weren't on the same page. He pointed to the ground as he looked at him.

"I have a business to take care of in First District. So, you should go to Second District already."

Lucas was caught completely unhanded as his eyes went round.

"What? What kind of business can you have with the criminals here?"

"That is something for my concern. But I won't deny that meeting you was a nice experience, I mean it."

"Wait. Why are you talking like we won't meet again?"

"Hm?"

When Lucas said hurriedly, it was now Joshua's turn to look at him blankly.

"I mean aren't you going to come to Second District? Don't tell me you are planning to stay with the criminals here! I may not be strong but I can still talk to Nolan and others to drag you with us!"

Joshua didn't know who 'Nolan and others' were but if he were to guess, they should be the group of five Lucas was talking to before they left the group.

"No no. I will come to Second District, I am planning to join the [Adventurer Consortium] after all."

Hearing his words, Lucas felt relieved as he slapped Joshua's back softly. He knew how weak he was so he made sure he controlled his force.

"Then, let's meet up there, alright? Here, give me your phone. I already saw you take it out after the fight against the wolves so don't even think about lying~."

"Uh? Yeah?"

Before Joshua could even refute, his phone was captured by Lucas as he entered his contact information. He alternated between the phone and Lucas for a little bit before saving him. With how happy Lucas looked, he didn't want to upset him for something so little, especially since he was sure that Lucas was being geniune.

"Then, let me know when you come to Second District, alright?"

"Yeah, I don't plan on staying long here either. A day at most."

"That's great. I'll go to the second gate, then! See you later!"

"Alright, bye."

Watching Lucas' departing figure, Joshua waved for a little bit before heading to the opposite direction.

"Now... time to look for that bar."

In front of him laid a bunch of decadent buildings with some of them even being ruins. He activated his [Observation] skill, his view turning black and white. He looked at the people who were either busy running as if they were chased by something or slowly walking with some of their limbs being broken down. Seeing how most of the people wore cloaks, he decided to take out his. But instead of the one he had prepared in his black bag, he took out the one Averie gave to him.

====================

〔Shadow Cloak <E> [Growth-Type]〕

This item erases one's presence slightly and reduces noisiness, making it harder to spot them. It is recommended to use this item in dark places.

⯮ This item shows great compatibility with the skill, [Stealth].

====================

Covering himself with the black piece of cloth, Joshua looked like a kid wearing his dad's clothes. Thankfully, the streets were full of dark gray fog, making it harder for people to spot him. If Joshua didn't have his [Observation] skill, he couldn't see a thing.

As Joshua walked through the ruins, he had witnessed various scenes of violence but did his best to avoid them before he finally stopped in front of a certain building.

Just like any other, this building also looked ready to collapse at any second. Not minding its appearence even a second, Joshua looked at the sign in front of the building.

[Mika's Place]

"This is it."

Without hesitation, Joshua entered to bar. The moment he did so, he had to hold his nose dearly. Not only was the scene in front of him full of colours, it also radiated an odor full of lust. Trying his best to not look at what was happening, he ran straight to the bartender.

"Hm... a kid? Were you strayed away from your parents?"

"No. I'm here for the coin."

"...Coin, you say?"

"Uhm, sir."

The old man looked at Joshua weirdly. He was contemplating about the chances of a kid he never saw before knowing about what laid 'underground'. In the end, he decided it would be much easier to ask the kid about the password itself.

"The sky grew darker, painted blue on blue..."

"...one stroke at a time, into deeper and deeper shades of night."

The old man was surprised but that was it. There were some cases when parents or bosses sent their children and lackeys to get some stuff in their stead, even though it was rare. He placed the glass he was wiping as he hold onto another.

"Go down the staircase on the right. There would be someone who would escort you."

"Thank you,sir."

"For advice, you should be careful to not provoke anyone downstairs."

"Uhm. I'll be careful. Thank you again, sir."

"Geez... I'm too old to be called 'sir', kid. "

Joshua looked back at the old man for a second before going down.

"Then, I'll be careful about it next time we meet, old man Mikael."

Even though he said so with all the courage he could muster, Joshua was still frightened to anger the old man as he basically ran down the stairs.

Most people thought of that old man as random nobody but he was nothing but that. He was the real owner of this bar and the [Dark Auction] that laid downstairs.

After breathing a sigh of relief, Joshua's heart was about to skip a beat again thanks to the masked girl that appeared in front of him. Before he could steady his breathing, the girl looked at him for a second. She couldn't see his face but she felt a bit perplexed about his height. After that, she pulled a vase with a single black rose in it. The second she did so, the brick wall before them slowly started to open up, revealing a dark corridor that went downstairs.