# Chapter 24
—
Willet handed over three documents.
Arthur took them and skimmed through the contents inside.
*‘The first is an escort mission, the second is a wanted criminal, the third is support for a combat gang.’*
Arthur stroked his chin as he assessed the requests.
Each of the three had clear pros and cons, which made choosing difficult.
The first, the escort mission, offered ample pay but required a long commitment. The second had far too little information about the wanted criminal.
As for the last one, he was reluctant about cooperating with a combat gang.
*‘Rationally, the best choice is… the escort. But in this case, the combat gang request seems the most suitable.’*
It was the shortest in duration, and more importantly, the gang they would be joining had someone with quite a useful *“bloodline.”*
*‘Spatial Leap… Such an ability is rare.’*
He didn’t know the exact level, but even an average mastery would be a satisfying harvest.
The problem was that the mission required him to work with a *combat gang.*
Having thought it through, Arthur raised his head and looked at Willet.
“Have you decided which request to take?”
“No. Each one has clear pros and cons, so it isn’t easy to choose.”
Willet nodded.
“That’s true. Still, the best option is the escort mission. Guarding Director Dallas of Esca Corporation for a week. The pay is high, and the mission itself isn’t too difficult. The downside is the long duration, but if you grit your teeth for just a week, you’ll earn both the money and a connection with Esca Corporation.”
At his explanation, Arthur snapped his fingers.
“What’s the reason for the escort?”
“It seems Esca Corporation recently developed a lucrative invention. They’ve filed a patent application, but approval will take about a week.”
“Oh… So they expect someone might try to steal the invention, and that’s why they commissioned the request?”
“No.”
“…?”
“No such movements have been detected. They commissioned the request simply as a precaution, in case something does happen.”
Arthur blinked.
Willet continued his explanation.
“That’s why I recommend this request. Just close your eyes and guard Director Dallas for a week, and you’ll gain both money and connections. Among the requests you can take on now, it’s by far the best choice.”
Arthur belatedly marveled.
*‘As expected of Sir Willet. To even land such an absurd request.’*
Compared to the pay, the difficulty was far too low.
Not to mention, it was comfortable.
Naturally, such requests were hard to secure unless the broker was truly skilled.
*‘But it doesn’t suit me. The duration is too long… And above all, my goal isn’t money.’*
With that thought, Arthur pushed forward the third request.
“…You don’t like the first one?”
“I just wanted to hear more about this one.”
Willet crossed his arms.
“This is, literally, a support mission for a combat gang. In redevelopment-designated Zone C-23, a territorial dispute broke out, and they requested some capable mercenaries to aid them.”
“It’s been designated for redevelopment, so why the fight?”
“To seize the better land.”
“Better land?”
Willet took out a pipe and clenched it between his teeth.
“Good land is worth more than gold. Especially here in Arcane. Whatever you build on it will make money. That’s why they’ll stop at nothing to take the other side’s territory.”
Arthur nodded.
*‘True, rent in Arcane is murderous.’*
The cost of living in this abnormally inflated city was beyond imagination.
Especially regarding land and housing, even the wealthy clicked their tongues.
So, in that sense, it wasn’t strange for violent disputes to occur.
*‘Motives are sufficient, the pay is certain… There’s no reason not to choose it. Working jointly with a combat gang is uncomfortable, but… that much I can endure.’*
Having concluded, Arthur pointed to the third request.
“I’ll take this one, Sir Willet.”
“…Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
Willet narrowed his eyes.
“Whatever request you choose is your freedom. But if you pick this one, we won’t be able to cover you.”
“Cover me?”
“If trouble arises, our office won’t have grounds to step in for you. The principal of this request is the *Titan* combat gang, not our office.”
Arthur nodded.
*‘So since the request was handed down through them, they won’t be held responsible.’*
With that thought, Arthur smiled faintly.
Once again, he felt that joining Willet’s office had been a wise decision.
“I’ll take it.”
“…Stubborn one.”
“After weighing it carefully, this really is the best choice for me.”
“And why is that?”
Arthur didn’t answer.
Willet didn’t press further either.
Instead, he neatly folded the request and handed over another set of papers.
“This is an analysis on the Titan gang you’ll be working with.”
“Oh…”
“And this is on the Giant gang you’ll be facing. Both are battle-hardened combat gangs in this city. Especially their leader, a man named *Furis*, who, like you, possesses a bloodline.”
Arthur nodded.
That bloodline of Furis was precisely his target.
Just then, Willet stood from his seat and was about to leave the room.
“One useless piece of advice. Don’t trust a gang.”
Arthur looked up.
Willet’s gaze had sunk low.
“Whether they’re enemies or allies, it makes no difference. These men would sell their own parents for money.”
—
—
When the full moon slipped behind the clouds, Arthur left the mansion.
The knights standing watch around the Bayern estate failed to notice him slip away.
*‘This artifact Mr. Frakil had is better than I thought.’*
Not only did it render his body invisible, but it emitted no sound whatsoever.
At this level, it was practically priceless.
*‘Mm… No, this makes sense. It originally belonged to Old Man Whitebeard, after all.’*
Having safely left the mansion, Arthur headed to Zone C-23.
Since it was a redevelopment-designated area, unfinished building frames and scattered construction materials littered the ground.
Past the skeletal construction site, in front of a building that had at least a framework, a group had lit a bonfire.
Arthur instinctively knew they were the Titan gang.
And the Titans, in turn, recognized him.
“Oh… That mercenary Mr. Willet mentioned is coming.”
At those words from a man with a friendly smile, forty gang members turned their heads.
Amid the sharp gazes—none of which could be called friendly—Arthur greeted them.
“Hello. I’m the mercenary dispatched from Sir Willet’s office.”
“Nice to meet you. Hate to ask this right away, but can you show your token?”
Arthur produced the token Willet had given him.
The gang leader inspected it carefully, then nodded.
“Indeed Willet’s mercenary. Welcome. I’m Boris, boss of this gang.”
“Name’s Donn.”
Boris guided him to the bonfire and asked,
“I hear this is your debut mission?”
“Debut mission?”
“Don’t they call a mercenary’s first job their debut?”
Arthur thought a moment, then nodded.
“Yes, I suppose so. Though I did go through a test before.”
“You mean the disturbance in District D?”
Arthur tilted his head slightly.
Rather than answer, he stared at Boris.
Boris chuckled, waving his hand.
“Whoa, no need to be so guarded. Rumors spread fast in this world. And stories about someone unusual like you spread even faster.”
“What kind of rumors?”
“That a swordsman with a bloodline that turns his body into armor appeared. And that he shockingly resolved the chaos in District D that everyone else had avoided.”
Boris smirked.
“With an incident of that scale, word spreads quickly. The pay was good, but the danger made everyone hesitate—so all the more so. That’s why people are already saying Willet’s office has landed another major rookie.”
Arthur scratched his head.
“Hm… That’s an exaggeration for what little I did.”
“Just let it slide. People in this world love a good story. By the way, are you under exclusive contract with Willet?”
“No.”
At that, Boris pulled out his card.
“If you finish this job successfully, come find us sometime. Bloodline holders tend to be above average. Especially one with such a spectacular debut.”
Arthur took the card.
“Sorry, but I’m not thinking of going anywhere else.”
“Even if you don’t, it’s important to keep connections. In this world, today’s friend could be tomorrow’s enemy.”
With that, Boris turned.
Then, throwing his arms around the tense Titan gang, he shouted,
“Why are you all staring so stiffly!? Do you think this swordsman will point his blade at us?”
Watching from behind, Arthur murmured,
*‘Hm… For a gang boss, he’s… unique.’*
Gang bosses and underlings alike usually had twisted personalities.
Mercenaries were bad enough, but gangsters were worse.
*‘Mercenaries won’t break promises for the sake of their reputation, but gangs… especially combat gangs… will do anything for money. That’s why they’re untrustworthy.’*
That was why he had hesitated about this request in the first place.
But the man before him, Boris, was enough to shatter his prejudice.
*‘He’s too good-natured. Not just by gang standards—by anyone’s.’*
His open personality, coupled with his affable looks, naturally let him command forty men.
So much so that even Arthur, meeting him for the first time, couldn’t help but feel some fondness for him.
Just then, Boris spread his arms wide and shouted,
“Time for the Giants to show up.”
With that, he gathered the Titan gang and Arthur.
“According to the intel, they’ll be striking around now. If tonight passes, construction permits will be granted, and then they won’t get their pay. Meaning, we only need to protect that building behind us until dawn.”
He turned to Arthur.
“Matches the request details, right?”
“Yes, exactly.”
“Good. Then for the briefing: from now, we lie in ambush. When they appear, our goal is to stall for time. Unnecessary killing is fine—we’ve already got authorization from above.”
Boris snapped his fingers.
“The Giants number thirty. Their boss, Furis, is a blessed bloodline holder—a third-circle swordsman with Spatial Leap. The rest are just armed thugs. Take down Furis, and the request is complete.”
He glanced around.
“Furis will be handled by myself and Willet’s swordsman. Any questions?”
Silence was the answer.
Boris clapped his hands.
“Alright, then move out. Whoever survives gets treated to the finest liquor, my treat!”
At that, the gang members scattered into hiding.
Since it was a construction site, forty Titans quickly melted into the darkness.
Arthur hid alongside Boris.
Though battle was imminent, Boris showed no tension at all.
“Still some time left. How about some small talk?”
With cheerful voice, Boris threw out questions.
Do you have a girlfriend?
Why wear a mask?
What’s your bloodline ability?
Some were nosy enough to be irritating, but Arthur politely answered, sidestepping the sensitive ones.
That was how compelling Boris’s charisma was.
*‘Strange that I even feel this way. Hm… Maybe we could be friends? Even as a gang boss, this man wouldn’t be a bad friend to have.’*
That was when a chill silence settled.
Boris muttered in a low voice.
“They’re here.”
From the opposite side, sounds of movement could be heard.
Arthur naturally raised his head.
Just as Boris had said, thirty brawny men advanced, cloaked in the dark.
At the same time, the gnome and undine scouts returned.
The two spirits whispered into Arthur’s ear.
Meanwhile, Boris issued another command.
“No sound. Stay hidden.”
The gang crouched low.
Not a breath was heard as they awaited orders.
“When they’re in range, we strike at once. Do not move or make a sound until—”
Boris’s words cut short.
For suddenly, Arthur rose to his feet, pulled a pistol from his coat, and squeezed the trigger.
Bang—!
The sharp crack rang out. Both the Titan gang and the approaching Giants panicked and ducked for cover.
Boris, caught dumbfounded, tried to shout when—
BOOM—!!!
A thunderous blast shook the air, an explosion tearing through the darkness.
Boris muttered in shock.
“Magic? Did they hire a mage!?”
He turned to Arthur.
“You fired because you noticed!?”
“Yes.”
“You’re kidding me… A mage? How much money did they spend!?”
Cursing, Boris leapt to his feet and shouted at his men.
“Everyone, over here! Plan’s changed! Before the mage bombards us, we strike first! Move!”
The scattered Titans scrambled toward Boris.
With forty gathered, he smiled grimly.
“So the rumors weren’t exaggerated. Thanks, Donn. But… you use a gun too? Those aren’t easy to—”
Boris froze.
For the barrel of a gun was now aimed between his brows.
The chill of cold steel made his pupils tremble.
He hastily grabbed for his sword, shouting,
“What the—!”
Bang—!!!
The gunshot split the air.
A hole opened in Boris’s forehead, and he collapsed backward.
The Titans, unable to grasp what had happened, blinked blankly.
“Uh…?”
Only their low murmurs broke the silence.
Arthur rose from his spot and let out a bitter sigh.
“As expected, there’s no such thing as a good-natured gang boss. And of all people, the traitor had to be Mr. Boris.”
—
