**Chapter 26**
—
The moment Furis collapsed, the mage immediately began chanting a spell.
But Arthur’s trigger was faster.
Bang—!
With the crack of a gunshot, a hole opened in the mage’s forehead, and he toppled backward.
Arthur confirmed the mage’s death, then turned his head.
The dying Furis muttered,
“…I was thinking. You… stole my bloodline, didn’t you?”
“Yes.”
At the answer, Furis let out a hollow laugh.
“…I’ve met all sorts of bastards in this world, but someone who steals another’s bloodline—that’s a first.”
The laughter stopped. Furis forced his fading vision to focus as he spoke.
“You’re going straight to the battlefield now?”
“Yes. This commission isn’t about killing you. It’s about guarding the building.”
“…A lot of my boys will end up dead then.”
“As long as they don’t strike first, I have no intention of killing them.”
For an instant, Furis’s eyes gleamed.
Arthur’s gaze sharpened.
‘What’s this? Don’t tell me… he still has strength left?’
But the worry proved needless.
Instead of rising, Furis tore the necklace from around his neck and handed it to Arthur.
“Show them this, and they’ll fall back. If they don’t, tell them it’s my dying will.”
“…”
“They say money is everything in this world… but there’s no need for pointless killing, is there? Don’t you agree?”
Arthur hesitated.
Noticing his conflict, Furis quickly added,
“Besides, this necklace will be useful in more ways than one. It’s enchanted with recognition interference magic.”
“…Recognition interference magic?”
“Simply put—it blurs the structure and form of your face. Even someone close to you wouldn’t be able to recognize you.”
Arthur blinked, then murmured in admiration.
‘Oh… if that’s true, that’s actually very useful.’
Until now, Arthur had been forced to wear an ill-fitting mask everywhere, worried that his identity as the duke’s heir might be exposed.
But if what Furis said was true, he could finally do away with that trouble.
‘Hmm… assuming it’s real, it’s not bad at all. I’ll complete the commission and gain an artifact as well.’
After thinking it over, Arthur nodded.
“Understood, Mr. Furis. Just as you said, I’ll show them this necklace and deliver your last words. I’ll tell them to retreat and abandon the commission.”
“Good… and if they still refuse to fall back, just kill them. Any fool driven by misguided loyalty is bound to die soon anyway.”
With those words, Furis’s breaths grew shallower.
Death was closing in.
In truth, without physical reinforcement, his life would have ended already.
‘No… even with reinforcement, those wounds should have killed him.’
Perhaps that was why Arthur suddenly grew curious.
Why was Furis, standing at death’s door, worrying about others—
about his gang, no less?
Brutes who’d gathered only for money.
That was what battle gangs were.
Unable to hold back, Arthur asked,
“Mr. Furis? May I ask you one question?”
“…Go on.”
“Even if you’re the gang’s boss, why go so far as to protect them while you’re dying?”
Slowly, Furis turned his dim gaze toward Arthur.
“…Isn’t it obvious?”
“…?”
“Even if it’s a bond built on money… we ate and slept together. That much loyalty is worth keeping, isn’t it?”
Arthur fell silent.
Furis gently closed his eyes.
“Maybe… that’s why I’m dying like this.”
With those final words, Furis’s breathing ceased.
Watching his death, Arthur murmured quietly,
“…Mr. Furis wasn’t very much like a gang member. It was Boris who was the real gangster.”
Saying so, Arthur draped Furis’s cloak over his body, then rose to his feet.
At that moment, dawn broke.
Morning had arrived before he knew it.
Confirming this, Arthur turned his body.
It was time to bring the long battle to an end.
—
—
Arthur headed straight to the battlefield.
Fortunately, the Titan Gang was still managing to hold out against the Giant Gang.
‘So it was true when they said Furis was ninety percent of their fighting strength.’
A brilliant commander and warrior.
His absence accounted for at least half of the Giant Gang’s power.
That was why the battle had dragged on indecisively. And now, Arthur’s arrival was enough to utterly break the Giant Gang’s morale.
“…The boss is dead?”
“Yes.”
“And his last words were for us to retreat?”
“He said it was his will.”
The Giant Gang’s sub-leader let out a bitter laugh.
Then, after staring at the necklace in Arthur’s hand for a while, he asked,
“You there—what’s your name?”
“Donn.”
“…I’ll remember that. I’m not looking for revenge, but you’d best watch your back.”
With that, the Giant Gang withdrew cleanly, just as Furis had willed.
Watching them go, Arthur only shrugged.
By then, Laborde—the new leader of the Titan Gang—approached.
“…You kept your word.”
He spoke while lighting a cigarette, unable to hide his weary expression.
“To be honest, I thought you’d bolt.”
“Then the commission would’ve failed, wouldn’t it?”
“With work like this, failure’s acceptable. There was a traitor, and an unexpected enemy force not in the intel.”
Arthur shrugged again.
Laborde chuckled faintly at the sight.
“Thanks. Honestly, I thought I was done for. But you showed up like a hero.”
“Me too. Honestly, I thought you, Mr. Laborde, along with the entire Titan Gang, were going to die.”
Laborde blinked—then burst out laughing.
“…That’s a little too honest, don’t you think?”
“Uh… is it? My apologies.”
“It’s fine. I’ll take it as a joke.”
It wasn’t a joke.
But Arthur didn’t bother saying it aloud.
Meanwhile, the Titan Gang, realizing the fight was over, raised a cheer.
As Arthur watched, Laborde spoke again.
“You probably don’t care, but… looks like our former boss really did betray us.”
“Mr. Boris?”
“Yeah. That son of a bitch. He racked up massive gambling debts, and tried to use this commission to make a big score. His movements had been suspicious lately, but I never imagined he’d stab us in the back like this.”
Arthur nodded.
Such stories were all too common—not surprising in the least.
Finishing his explanation, Laborde handed Arthur a business card.
“If it’s not about money, someday I’ll repay this favor. Though… I don’t know how useful our help will be.”
Arthur accepted the card. Laborde turned and left the scene without another word.
They had endured the same night together, but there was no farewell.
Arthur didn’t mind.
That was the way of gangs.
Furis had simply been an exception.
“…Well then. I’ve ended up with both a grudge and a favor owed. How peculiar.”
Arthur chuckled faintly.
But come to think of it, it wasn’t peculiar at all.
In this world, today’s friend could be tomorrow’s foe.
And today’s foe could be tomorrow’s friend.
It was a place where nothing could be predicted—yet survival promised great reward.
‘As I thought, Arcane really is fascinating.’
Lifting his head, Arthur saw the rising sun devour the darkness around him.
He turned his body.
It was time to go home.
—
—
Late afternoon.
After resting away the night’s fatigue, Arthur visited *Manners Make the Man.*
“Good day, sir.”
At the greeting, Willet only turned his head.
Still as cold as ever. Arthur merely shrugged and followed him inside.
Unlike last time, the underground tavern was empty.
Perhaps for that reason, Willet did not head into his office, but instead sat at the bar and motioned Arthur to sit.
“Do you drink?”
“No.”
“…That was firm. Then cocktails?”
“None of that either.”
“Then what do you want?”
“Do you have milk?”
“….”
“If not, water is fine.”
Willet shook his head in disbelief, then handed over a glass of milk.
Arthur accepted it and drank half in one go. At that moment, Willet pulled something out—
gold coins.
“The commission’s base pay was six gold. But the Titan side decided to add four more for you.”
“…”
“But after putting you through all that, just four gold extra doesn’t cut it. So we compromised—half of the thirty gold they were paid. Minus the brokerage fee, your final share comes to thirteen gold. Any complaints?”
Arthur shook his head.
“No. I’m satisfied.”
“…Money is a sensitive issue. Better to say it now if you’re not.”
“No. I really am satisfied.”
Willet closed his mouth and studied Arthur for a while, then handed over the pouch of thirteen gold.
“If you need it exchanged, tell me. But it’ll cost an extra gold.”
“…I’ll ask later then.”
“Good… you did well. There were unexpected variables, but you handled them.”
“Yes. Never thought the gang boss himself would betray us.”
“That’s the nature of battle gangs. No loyalty, no trust. Just dogs chasing money. That’s why they’re called mayflies.”
Willet poured himself vodka and continued.
“So it wasn’t surprising. But why didn’t you abandon the commission?”
“…Sir?”
“The situation went south. Why did you stay to confront the Giant Gang to the end?”
Arthur blinked.
He hadn’t expected Willet to ask that.
But soon he gathered himself and thought.
This question might be a chance to narrow the distance between them.
‘If I say it was because of the bloodline… that won’t do. Then what should I say…?’
Arthur recalled his conversation with Laborde.
Donn.
The mercenary named Donn.
And the weight of a name.
After some thought, Arthur rephrased it suitably.
“If I ran from that place, my name would lose its worth.”
“…What?”
“If I can’t fulfill a commission, my name loses value. And that’s not what I want.”
Willet’s eyes opened slightly wider.
That visible shift in emotion made Arthur smile inwardly.
“…Abstract. Rational. Was that really why you stayed?”
“Yes.”
“…Your answer doesn’t sound like much of an answer.”
“Uh… but it’s the truth.”
“Well, let’s say it is. Either way, completing the job in those circumstances was the right call.”
Willet went on,
“Word is spreading that you stayed and saw it through, even after the gang boss betrayed you.”
“….”
“And that you killed Furis of the Giant Gang. Taking down a third-circle gang boss with a bloodline ability—that’s noteworthy. Your name has risen.”
Arthur’s lips curved faintly.
“Then better commissions will come my way.”
“Exactly. And your rank will go up too, meaning better rewards.”
“Then please, give me a good commission next time.”
“You *had* a good one this time too. You’re the one who refused it. Honestly, why do you—”
Willet abruptly stopped, then hurriedly changed the subject.
“Are you planning to work again right away?”
“No. I plan to rest a bit.”
“Smart choice. Standing out too suddenly isn’t good. Recuperate.”
With that, Willet stood, and Arthur followed suit.
They were about to part ways at the tailor’s when—
“Sir?”
“Speak.”
“Would it be possible to buy a suit?”
Willet snapped his fingers.
“Expensive.”
“….”
“With what you just earned, you could *barely* afford one suit.”
Without hesitation, Arthur handed over the payment he’d just received.
“Could you make one for me?”
“…Are you serious?”
“Yes. Completely serious.”
Willet was at a loss for words.
That he would burn the hard-earned pay from such a brutal battle—for a single suit?
‘Well… my suits *are* worth that much. But what on earth is this kid?’
As Willet studied him, Arthur’s gaze drifted over the suits of *Manners Make the Man.*
He recalled the appointment waiting for him at tomorrow’s lunch.
‘The Arcane mayor. To meet the highest authority in this city… I’ll need at least one brand-new suit.’
—
