Picky Fifty

"What happened, huh."

Grabbing the tea in her hand and sipping into it, I answered while gently turning the page of the book resting on my lap, "Nothing in particular."

Bringing the cup down, I looked at her, "About the group Fuego belonged to, any updates about them?"

As if she decided to let her thoughts aside for now, Maria let out a small breath as she adjusted her tone to a more respectful one, "Yes, sir. We've managed to pin their location down. Do you want someone to finish them off?"

"Don't bother." Putting the book down on my desk before stretching my hands, I yawned, "It's fine. I'll do it myself."

…

'Woah, this is an elevator?'

As far as I knew, the setting of this novel isn't set in the medieval period but wasn't also an advanced future where a.i was rising and taking over the world.

'I guess a fantasy is a fantasy…'

If I had to describe it as the author of this world, let's say it's a setting of the Earth but a completely destroyed one where fantasy elements have a mix of it.

And one of those fantasy elements is the elevator on my front.

It wasn't like the elevators on Earth but this technology had a lesser design. It had a crappy layout but the use of items was good enough so that people who used it will be safe when being operated.

But since this is the underworld where the poor usually goes to survive, knowing they couldn't survive the harsh outside world, the line on this elevator is pretty much nonexistent.

No one was there to stop you.

Clink—!

After paying the person in charge of guarding the elevator, I entered the engine and didn't say a word.

There are only two destinations when using this machine and it's above and below, and vice versa.

Clank—!

The elevator does its magic as a few gears were shifting with the mana infused onto a piece that was placed above the door glowed.

It started going up.

Clank—!

After a minute of using the elevator that was going up in a steady pace, the view of the biggest underworld of this world surfaced.

"Beautiful…"

The underworld was reaching as far as the eye could see. It was just that enormous. The gloomy and joyful emotions were mixed into this place, forming a sense of serene and chaotic appearance.

There were different kinds of infrastructures that were high, almost reaching the above surface, towering fortresses that belonged to one or more groups, and gemstones that attached to the earth that illuminated the whole underworld.

it was unbelievable enough that a gigantic city existed under a nation. Someone wouldn't believe it unless they see it for themselves.

Another minute passed and finally, I was above the underworld. There, I was met with a rowdy bar with people varying from adventurers to common ones drinking with their hearts out.

It appeared rather elevated of joyful emotions to this catastrophic world. Even with that such a bright situation, there are still people in this bar that abhors such a thing since some people are struggling to just survive.

I silently exit the elevator while tossing a gold coin out at the guard outside.

It was only obvious that this kind of pay was to happen since this is a few of some private entrances inside.

"Thank you."

Nodding once without looking back, I started walking around the place. If I was correct, I was still inside the nation's land and the information my group had stored with Fuego's faction is outside.

Well, their whole base was in the underworld. It's just that the very important member of the group was outside which is a very smart strategy.

You are safe from ambushes that your group will be facing since you aren't there in the first place.

'But before doing the job, I should eat first.'

A meal isn't very bad to start the day.

…

"Good sir, we've reached your destination."

While gratifying the fresh air I was breathing, the carriage driver informed me.

"How much?"

"Just one silver coin."

The currency of this world was easy to understand. It varies from cents to copper to silver to gold coins.

Hey, it's not like I don't have any creativity on this. As the first novel, I was inspired by the other books and since I can't create a new system such as their currency, I made it simple as possible knowing the focus plot will be the story itself.

But anyway, here's how it works.

One cent is the lowest currency there is and forming twenty cents is equivalent to one copper coin. That value of money can buy a lot of sustenance already. In this dire situation of times, even one cent had its worth.

When riding a carriage, it is expected that you have to at least prepare one or two copper coins. If you have nothing to pay or similar to that value, expect some backlash from the driver.

Anyways, ten copper coin is equivalent to one silver coin and ten silver coin is equivalent to one gold.

There's a clear gap between the cents and copper but that's just it.

"Here." Handling the old man a gold coin, I added, "Keep the change. I've enjoyed the stable ride."

"Ohh…" Clasping the gold coin in his hand, the carriage driver replied enthusiastically, "Thank you, good sir."

The driver was definitely happy.

Walking down the carriage while heaving a soft sigh, I moved forward to the inconspicuous-looking house that settled on my front.

Its windows are open and there wasn't anything to hinder my way as it was like any other houses I've passed through a few minutes ago.

"Okay..."

I've prepared anything I will need for this.

And it will all start with a small knock on this door.

Tap—!

With light tapping from the wooden door, I waited for someone to respond. It only took a few moments till I heard the sound of footsteps rushing through the door.

Clank—!

Watching the knob getting twisted, I swiftly grabbed the revolver inside my coat before pointing it inside the house.

Clink—!

"Good morning, what can I—"

The person who greeted me was left petrified as he froze on the spot.

"Morning."

Entering inside the house, I continued pointing the gun at the person's head before closing the door, "I'm here with some inquiries."

"I-I don't know why you need to point a gun at me… Can you lower it?"

"No. Sit down."

Signaling my hand for him to move towards the table, the man hurried his footsteps and seated down on a stool.

"Leader of the Picky Fifty Gang. Mr Paparano."

"!"

"Let's make a proposal. Hand over everything you possessed in the underworld, as well as the other real estate you had on the outside. Your life will be the proposal. You know what that means right?"

The leader of the gang picky fifty, Paparano, appeared visibly shaken as his eyes were unfocused.

Yet I wasn't done yet as I applied more pressure.

"But first, you have to answer this question of mine." Closing the gun barrel on his head, adding some pressure, I inserted with a more cold tone, "What kind of deal were you having with the Fiend? What was the purpose?"

Even if I was the author of the novel, some things are unknown to me, such as this.

Fiend dealing with humans.

Take note that humans and fiends are mortal enemies the moment they assaulted this world. Their purpose was to invade worlds, which they successfully did for so many unaccountable years.

Even the desperate people and low-rated gangs in the underworld knew that making a deal with these things are terrible.

Worst of all, it's not a simple deal between these creatures. They are obviously trafficking humans to them, mainly the poor and desperate people.

And since The Administration has a lot of things on its hands, it can't focus on such another major problem one after another.

Of course, even though the times were tough, they still cared for all the people. It's just that, there's just a lot of them.

"Just who the hell are you?"

"I'm the one asking here. Give me another stupid answer and the bullet goes through your head. Well, as an example."

Swiftly aiming at Paparano's knee, I pull the trigger.

Bang—!

It all happened in a span of a few seconds as I went back on aiming at his head while he was grimacing in pain.

"Ughh!"

"Lower your voice."

"Urghhh!"

Watching him scream as his eyes appeared bloodshot, I let out a small sigh before shooting the part which I've just shot him once again.

Bang—!

"Aghhhh!"

Falling down to his knees as he stumbled on the ground, I watched him with indifference. There's no need to take pity on him when the same victims he had trafficked felt the same way.

"You just don't listen, do you? I said to lower your voice, you increased it." Kneeling one knee down on the ground, I looked down at him while speaking with ridicule, "And when I said you answer, you gave me a crappy reply. Very funny."

Tap—!

Suddenly, I heard a creaking sound above the floor. Glancing slightly at the staircase, the sound of footsteps continued receding until tiny feet started walking down from it.

"Father?"

A small boy watched us with a stunned expression while calling out his father which I assumed to be Paparano.

'He has a son?'

I might not be sure but I felt my face contorting at the scene I was witnessing, knowing for a fact that on the information I've surmised from Maria, Paparano having relatives wasn't there, much more having a child.

"Go up, kid."

"Father?"

Instead of listening to me, the child was still calling to his father. Paparano, whose face appeared shaken just earlier, was excluding confident aura as he looked at me.

"Yes, my son?"

"Is that guy a bad guy?"

Bang—!

Having an ominous feeling from the child, I aimed my revolver at the kid before pulling the trigger.

"He's a bad guy."

The child, who had a hole in his right eye, smiled, revealing pair of fangs in his mouth. The part where I shot him formed a circle which is creepy to look at.

"Bad guy… bad guy…"

"…"

"Prepare to die… hehe."