Chapter 13: Arrived at the City

~Soul POV~

Carefully walking behind this TM guy as he shows me the correct path towards this sewer place he mentions about Kuchinashi. Still, I have to keep my guard up against this guy seeing that smile of his just screams fake to me for some reason.

But more so the words he mentioned were still lingering in my mind.

Hana and Wave.

He mentioned those two so I can assume they are some kind of gang or crime syndicate of sorts that reside inside Kuchinashi at least that is a safe assumption seeing how damaged the guy was when I found him.

Continuing to walk behind the guy I asked some questions since he seems to take a liking to me but could be fake as I tried to collect some info about the place, "Ok then mister… TM what exactly is this Kuchinashi exactly? You seemed very surprised by my lack of knowledge in this?"

Not bothering to even look behind or take a glance at me he began to reply to me in an uncaring tone as he spoke as if it was fact, "Hmm…? Oh, well I guess it was surprising that there are dumbasses that go here. Kuchinashi is the home of every pirate, brigand, assassin, thief, vagabond, and evil-doer for hundreds of miles around. Basically, the area where the big bads are around."

What?

Feeling my stupidity getting over me I have just agreed to enter this city because I thought it wasn't going to be bad…

Nope.

It's a lot WORSE for my situation to casually go inside without knowledge into a literal den of criminal activity I just wish to go back and time and tell my younger self to not go to the south.

No, wait focus Soul!

I have to gather info on what TM said about Hana and Wave first since I'm lacking info some forewarn knowledge would help me out.

Shaking my head at the predicament I'm wandering into I began to question TM about what he mentioned earlier about the groups he mentioned in a curious tone, "Ugh.... sounds like I made the wrong choice coming here. But I'm not going to stop now however, TM you said something about this Hana and Wave groups right?"

That was when I saw little reaction as he took a side glance towards me then back to the general direction as he replied to my question in a matter-of-fact tone with me, "You are from the boonies ain't ya? Guess ain't no harm telling ya who controls Kuchinashi better to prepare you for the trouble ahead."

Now that wasn't ominous whatsoever.

That was when TM began to give me the rundown on these so-called Crime Guilds currently active inside the city. There were few in the past but new ones and old ones do come up often in this place since stability is very rare for these types of guilds.

I can agree since Crime Guilds like them could backstab one another if a deal is too good for them to appear suddenly one day that killing their families would be worth it. I can see that happening.

But the info he gave me about the Crime Guild were at least useful from the info he gave to me on a silver platter or is it even common knowledge once entering the city?

Starting off the Wave group is a crime family in Mistral located in Kuchinashi, known for dealing in stolen goods like Atlas Military technology among other things. Quite honestly that is a bit disturbing how this group can even get advanced technology scary.

The Wave from what TM described to be happened to be a relatively young criminal syndicate founded in the Kingdom of Mistral, operating throughout the continent of Anima and centered in the city of Kuchinashi. The Wave became infamous for their dealings of stolen goods, such as high-tech Atlas Military developments, and similar merchandise.

Maybe I should pay their establishment a visit to see about getting some upgrades for myself.

And from the sounds of things, the Wave group seems to be a very profitable business in making trade deals it seems. Make a mental note to use [Harvest] to collect some more valuables later in the city.

Next was another Group that TM mentions causing me to frown on their business.

The Hana Guild, or simply the Hana, is a crime family in Mistral located in Kuchinashi, known for moving narcotics. It's an old and powerful family, and their sigil is a flower with blade-like petals.

The Hana Guild is an old and powerful criminal syndicate founded in the kingdom of Mistral, operating throughout the continent of Anima and centered in the city of Kuchinashi. The Hana became infamous for their dealings with narcotics throughout the kingdom, trading and selling opium through various dealers as well as contracting Huntsmen for illegal works. Some of their agents are former Huntsmen while others have stolen the licenses of Huntsmen that they have killed themselves.

Their sigil is a flower with various blade-like petals, which is reflected on their members, who tattoo various flower and thorn symbols on their arms.

However, in recent times it seems that the new syndicate the Waves seems to have been impeding in on their business of sorts. Their rivals are the Wave, a more recent criminal syndicate also centered in Kuchinashi that was known for dealing with stolen merchandise are messing with the Hana merchandise.

That is very troubling indeed.

With things going how they are it's only a matter of time before a gang war breaks out in this place. Hmm…

I smell a golden opportunity here but for now, getting improved of my fighting style using [Foo Fighters] and Hamon is key for now. I can worry about the Gang fights later as I need to worry about my safety first.

But…

From the sounding of this information shouldn't something like this can only be through some extensive amount of research of obtaining this information?

It sounds like something… only an info broker would know about…

Narrowing my eyes in suspicion of TM and how he acts as well add the fact he knows certain subjects like this with a calm appearance. I can safely say he's an info broker of sorts now after he spoke out knowing about them…

Wait could it be that he was silenced there because of what he knows but was lucky he met me by perchance to save him?

Is this why he seems to be more grateful for giving me these kinds of answers free of charge or is it just that common?

Uh…

I can't get a read on the guy or how he'll react… but guessing his helping or leading to a trap I can only follow for now and just when I'm out of smoke bombs too.

I need to make some reserves on this sooner or later and only having 5 rounds of bullets on my revolver isn't making it very easy as well.

But that was when my train of thoughts was interrupted as TM finally shows me the entrance to the city… which was a little bit underwhelming honestly, "Ah! Now we come to the best part of the City! The entrance to Kuchinashi little man!"

It's a cave… with a mummified Grimm attached to the top of the cave tied up doing nothing…

The literal place to a criminal place is a fucking cave-based entrance…

How cliché is this world going to be really at this point?

Glancing towards TM with a look of are you kidding me he laughed me off as he spoke to me in a funny tone, "The entrance of Kuchinashi is a dark cave, look here little man this path leads into a large archway hanging over them. On the way up to the city, a series of unkempt ropes, gates, and drawbridges are known as the famous Kuchinashi Approach. It is a part of the city's security system to keep out both Grimm and unwanted visitors."

Unwanted visitors?

The Grimm I understand but the visitor parts not so much.

Following him while being cautious at the same time I couldn't help but ask TM what he meant more on the subject as I spoke, "What do you mean by unwanted visitors exactly TM? Aren't most criminals not allowed to enter here or something? Or is it perhaps to keep out the law enforcement?"

My response was a laugh from the young man as he replied with a serious hint in his tone as he responded to me, "Hohohoho! Now that's a very funny joke little man. Haven't you heard the saying here in Kuchinashi Approach is known for? The saying goes you never enter Kuchinashi by accident, it's not the kind of place you stumble into."

Great now it makes me doubt this place even more than I should.

Then again though I'm walking into a literal criminal city here so my standards for having a normal life are gone out the window along with my need to stay out of trouble. Although the guy was right though.

There is a lot of series of unkempt ropes, gates, and drawbridges…

The more we began to walk the more I finally get to see the light again following TM traverse my way through the cave as I asked him another question, "Ah! Finally, the exit of this dreadful cave with the twist and turns. Say TM do you know any place where I can get work around here or not?"

Hearing my question he places his hand on his chin as we move forward ahead getting out of the dreadful cave he spoke professionally, "Hmm… I'd say go towards the Skillful Tavern to get some good money and work. But you need to have Huntsman License to enter the place…"

Really, I need to get a god damn license to enter that place…

Great then I just need to waste my life becoming a child super-soldier while I'm at it.

However, when I listened more he glanced at me then thought of another answer for my issue seeing the frown on my face, "Hmm… then again though if you really need to find work… to enter the Skillful, you need to show a Huntsman's license at the door, but it doesn't have to be active or originally yours to begin with–if you've obtained one by any means, then you've earned it and will be allowed inside."

My eyes widen at this info.

I can simply get one by stealing from one is he trying to say?

That was when we both stop near the entrance of the city he pointed his finger down to a sewer manhole as he spoke to me while handing me a coin with an X crossing on it as he spoke seriously, "Here you go, mate. The deal is done and saved my life. Show this to the guy guarding the entrance and tell him the favor is owed by the Taskmaster and he'll let you in. Just show your worth and you are good and dandy safe. Your healing will be way more valuable to them so I have no worries. Now then I have some business to do myself."

Just like that, he took his leave towards the city as I look at the manhole and questioned myself looking at it questioning my life choices, "Is he for real that there is a literal city under here? Where has my life gone to now."

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A/N: We finally reach the city of Kuchinashi where the MC will learn more about the place and the rules of how the underworld works.