Chapter 257 – Lightning Storm (1)
【… Shit. I’m going crazy.]
Zoid frowned as she distorted her face.
It’s not because the walls move and the stairs appear majestic. The reason he lamented it must be that the very existence of these stairs affirmed the shame and guilt of the Tustas Company.
─Kurrureurreung.
─Thump.
We gulped as we watched the secret stairway appear on the wall.
【… Isn’t this where the ledger is?]
【I don’t know yet. You’ll have to find out if it’s a warehouse or an escape route.]
Dana answered telepathically as she glanced at her entrance. Even if you know that there is no way the sound will leak out, it’s probably nerve-wracking to hear such a heavy sound.
【I’ll investigate.】
Fran said briefly and headed inside while checking for traps in the aisle.
The stairs were over soon. It felt like going down a little bit. It was easy to get to the end of the aisle, as there were no traps whatsoever.
When the dead end room came out, Lalilura looked inside and murmured.
“It’s bingo.”
“Yes.”
In the semi-basement single room, there was a tightly packed bookcase and a table.
I waited for Fran’s GO sign and picked up a stack of papers. It is a document written in code. However, the documents that looked like Excel tables looked like ledgers no matter how you looked at them.
【It’s more lax than I thought.】
A secret passage through a mechanical device that does not use mana.
It seemed unlikely that an intruder who relied only on inspiration or detection would not be found. Lalilura turned over some papers and said.
“It’s all coded. It’s the captain’s turn.”
… Leader?
He must have changed his name because he had Zoids. Still, it felt a bit bland.
No, is it better than being called ‘you’ or ‘you’? Thinking about that, I slapped my forehead over the mask.
‘Calm down. This is not the time.’
I started reading the papers seriously. Then, Zoid was nervous like an office worker with 20 minutes left for lunch.
【Brother. You don’t intend to decipher the code here, do you? The amount of ledger is not easy. The latest one, the oldest one, and just a few in between… 】
Zoid’s words were cut off in the middle. It must have been because I started to classify the documents I interpreted with my translation ability.
【… Ahhh. That’s right, it was. I’ve been researching how to interpret codes. Right?】
【Yeah. You’re right.】
A Zoid that makes rational inferences. I was busy using my head, so I gave a rough answer and fired telepathy.
[There are records from experiments on mixing ratios of charcoal powder that produce immediate effects to transactions with the underworld. This is a bit strange.]
【Strange? Where are you talking about?]
【Security is too lax. If all the criminal records are here, traps and alarms should have been placed in the aisles.]
【… Yes. This is not just a warehouse.]
Fran, who seemed to be overhearing the conversation, spoke.
Our franc continued to investigate the semi-basement room.
【This is probably an emergency escape route.】
─Click.
His phenomenal dexterity, which he now regrets calling himself a thief, stopped as if he had discovered something again. Veronica put the rune stone she had retrieved again this time.
[A soundproof barrier has been installed. You can open it.]
─Clap. Fran answered with actions rather than words.
But this time the grandiose entrance was not open. There was only a small aisle opened in the corner that would have been cramped even if I had bent down.
The aisle seemed too narrow even for Fran, the smallest of us!
The passageway meandered and curved several times to prevent the shooting of magic or arrows from behind. I muttered.
【It’s dwarf size, so it’s perfect. Mr. Zoid?]
【… If it’s my older brother, I’ll be able to pass.]
Say so 75% dwarf rate Mixed blood is different.
‘… I put the exit and the location of the ledger in the same place, right?’
It was an arrangement that radiated radiant confidence. A thief who stole the ledger might easily get away.
‘Then it would be correct to think that I can’t go through that passage.’
At a glance, the exit had many curves. This means that there is a lot of empty space on the wall to set traps on.
There is no guarantee of safety, and it is a place where there can be noise, so it is a bad idea to run away there.
‘More than anything, I haven’t even broken the earthenware pot at the store.’
Taking the ledger is for post-processing. Our ultimate goal was to defeat the bastard..
Retreating here is no different from doing a one-shot shot of dongchimi at a meat restaurant without even touching the seasoned ribs.
【I will set a trap inside the aisle. If the head of the Chamber of Commerce runs away here, he will be stepping into a tiger’s den to step on a trap he doesn’t know about.]
─Swipe.
Saying that, Veronica noticed. I only confirmed that the ledger was genuine and pointed to the entrance.
【Mr. Zoids. We go out and look outside. Since it is an underground room, it will be difficult if the enemies notice us and fill it with poison gas.]
【Okay.】
Me, Zoid, and Lalilu came out to the room with the secret staircase.
Of course, what I just said is an excuse. The real reason was that I didn’t want to show a scene where I put a ledger on a stone slab with space magic.
I took care of him and brought him here, but considering what happened later, it would be beneficial to both of us to just ignore it.
【… Ha.】
In the empty room, the tanned blonde sighed.
【Mr. Jade?】
【No, it’s nothing special. Just… I wonder if this is the building I know, and I suddenly felt doubtful.]
As if the feeling of wearing the mask was awkward, Zoid scratched the bottom of his chin.
【I shouldn’t have said this to my brothers, but when I left here, my brother seemed like a really nice person. Even though he was greedy for money, it was because he wanted to return the wages to the artisans.]
He glanced around the wall of the room with regretful eyes.
【By the way, my older brother said that he sold poison to other people’s families since I didn’t know the world. Besides, with that money, he even dug a rat hole for his own comfort.]
Next, it was Zoid who spat out those words in a low voice.
Was it because I had so many things to think about when I said it with upbringing? I crossed my arms.
[I think it’s pitiful, but I won’t comfort you.]
【Let’s do that. ‘Cause I’m an outsider … If I were a bastard, I wouldn’t have felt like this..】
【Thinking about that is a home that leaves only regrets.】
After serving like that, I raised my mana and built a spell.
[Rather than that, I am a guest. Get ready to fight.]
【──What?】
Regardless of whether the Zoids were burned or not, I aimed at my stunned presence and shot 〈 bolts of lightning.
─Pajijijik!
─Pippipiping!
Just one second later, even Lalilura pulled the mana thread. Lalilura, as soon as I cast her magic, she fired her arcing shot without asking or questioning.
It was a pleasure to be trusted that much, but this time it seemed that it was probably a mistake.
[Mirror! Light up the illusion!]
The arrows of 〈 Magic 〉 and 〈 Lightning 〉 flew like a shot to the entrance, and then came flying at us at the same speed. It’s like being reflected in a mirror.
‘Thunder.’
Since there was no spear, I had no choice but to set the claws of beast return.
─Kagaga River! I defended myself by deflecting the oncoming sparks. The electric orb was fine because it disappeared as soon as I cut off the mana. Even Zoids and Laliluru seemed to avoid or block them on their own.
However, the Zoids cried out as if they were in more pain than being hit by an arrow.
【Tongue, older brother!!】
[——Because you’re an older brother and an outsider, it’s no wonder that such shameless voices come out. Zoid.]
The Dwarf, who had been hiding in the dark, appeared with his armor creaking.
【Since you appeared with the rats, you can no longer be an outsider in this matter, and since you betrayed me, you are no longer even brothers.】
The dwarf was a man in black armor.
It was a nice-looking armor. Still, if someone had introduced that bastard to me as a small golem, it was thick, like I would have been fooled by it.
The hammer and large shield were polished silver that didn’t match the armor.
That mirror shield reflected our magic earlier.
【Khahaha!! It’s so fucking poignant!!]
The one who said that was a young man accompanied by a dwarf.
It’s a bastard wearing a robe with an iron mask. His impression was so blurry that he couldn’t pinpoint a definite feature, but just looking at his outfit, it seemed like he could have a party with us too.
──Of course, in order to get to know us, you would first have to decide whether the outfit was your taste or the uniform of his workplace.
【Young car. So, Noland. What are you going to do? Still, he’s my brother. Can I just kill it?]
I picked one of the boxes left over from the iron mask and squatted down there.
Zoids stiffened at that nonchalant question. However, the dwarf in armor——Jade Tustas, the president of the business, raised the hammer as if nothing had to be said.
So I asked instead.
【Let me ask you one thing too. How did you guys know we came?]
【I have a good sense. You guys also hid your voice well, but the old man’s… Can you feel the rune’s mana moving?]
Responding in 0.1 second, the iron mask left scratched the back of his neck.
【That’s also in the warehouse that Notang designated absolutely off-limits. Even though the idiots who gave me the job failed, and I came because I was wondering what kind of rat he was――]
Saying that, the iron mask stared at me. The eyes peeking out from the slit of the mask were unusual.
【──It’s a bit big for a mouse, isn’t it? If you grab it and get bitten, it won’t end with one or two fingers.]
At that, I laughed through my nose. In fact, because of the intimidation felt by the other person, me and that kid had left the outfield for a while and shared checks and boundaries among ourselves.
【… Jade Two Stars!! If you don’t consider me a little brother, that’s fine too!! Please answer my question instead!!]
As we were doing this, the half-dwarf brothers also exchanged passions and shouted.
I inadvertently turned my attention to that side for a while, but I thought I had made a mistake and quickly raised my guard, but that bastard even turned his head and showed interest in the story.
【Is what they said true!! Did you trick poison into dye and use it as a way to make money?! I mean, did you really sell your conscience to the devil for money!!
【Yes. What is the problem?】
Zoid’s face contorted at the insignificant answer.
It showed three changes of regret, anger, and sadness, and settled down with a face mixed with various emotions.
【Because!! Why did you do that!! Is it just for the money?! Was this the meaning of the question and answer when I spurned out of this building?! Were you selling poison to people on the day you let me go!!
【… It’s Zoid. Now you are the only one of my own kind, with blood mixed with me. I, Jade Twostars, learned to beat the abacus before you weaned the bottle.]
Jade, who was more than 10 years older than Zoid, raised her weapon high.
【Look. This is a relic of the golden age. Our Nidavellir arms made by the artisans of that time! But what about the dwarves now? They only pursue money and comfort, so they don’t even study their skills.]
【So you’re going to ruin it?! You’re going to turn Nidavellir into a country full of rage?!]
【It’s the opposite. The charcoal of the kiln oak is a selection.]
He held out a shield that was large enough to cover his body.
[The oak tree inheriting the lifeline of the Age of Gods–The dust of the oak tree turns people into beasts. Only those who have the faith and reason to maintain themselves even in that primitive rage are true craftsmen and true dwarves!]
Crazy guy
Thinking that, I was dumbfounded, so I had to work really hard not to relax.
I don’t know if that dog shit philosophy is based on another world science or not. Still, I’m pretty sure it’s not an ordinary crazy sound.
I woke up to see the silent madness.
‘You bastard, you’re weak too.’
Are you a drug addict dwarf who eats charcoal powder? There are some crazy people out there.
The masked man who giggled at Zoid, who had lost his words, spoke to me.
【Ah, don’t get me wrong? I don’t agree with that old talk. I think it’s an interesting idea, but.]
【Then why cooperate?】
That bastard’s horsetail felt like he was talking to a friend sitting next to him in a movie theater, so it was disgusting to say the least. At my question, he took off his hood and scratched his head.
【Eh, even if the meaning doesn’t match, the purpose is right?】
【I see. With pleasure. That guy is just an asshole, and you’re just an asshole.]
I raised the sun in the palm of my hand and crushed it. It’s not even a funny story about masked men, but I grabbed my stomach and laughed.
【Khahaha!! That’s right!! Doing crazy things sanely, I must be an asshole!! This guy has a pretty good sense of humor!!]
Your sense of humor sucks. All I wanted to hear from a criminal bastard was a will.
Zoid, who, like me, was dumbfounded by the bullshit and was speechless, said.
【Are you serious, Jade? You. Seriously, have you been putting that thought into practice for 20 years?]
【That’s your weakness, Zoid. You have an intuition to guess a crisis, but you don’t have eyes to see people. If you went out because you couldn’t accept the direction of the company, you shouldn’t have come back.]
The dwarf wearing a helmet spoke to Zoid and he looked at me.
[Is running away from home, at best imitating a wanderer, running errands for guild idiots? Doing so, but now, trusting only insignificant power like that, you’re bringing those who are messing around.]
I half-opened my eyes.
Because I didn’t know when the crouching bastard would show his teeth—and I had to explain the situation telepathically to Lalilura, who didn’t speak Germanic——until now, I had kept quiet.
Still, this was something I had to ask. After the Tustas brothers’ matchmaking, I brought up a question.
【Jade Tustars. According to your logic, what about the people of Nidavellir whose lives were ruined by the dye you sprayed? Are you saying that you don’t care?]
A black helmet dyed with kiln oak charcoal looked at me.
【Yes. How can a person who can’t even handle his own anger pass on his superior skills and superior bloodlines to the future?]
【What about humans and other races? What about animals? They must have nothing to do with your thesis.]
【Are you asking that? Even though you hold a chilling anger in your stomach, you who speak to the target of that anger without even flinching an eyebrow?]
Did you notice too Well, I thought it too, but I wonder if they didn’t know it was them.
Contrary to his self-evaluation, Zoid seemed to have no eye for people.
Enrir and I are similar? You’re talking shit
That celestial wrathful fucking rum and I don’t look like a dick at all. If we were to say that we resembled each other based on the similarity of mana, it would be correct to say that me, Jade, and Enrir were ‘all similar’.
【Yes, you drug-addicted bourgeoisie.】
I answered while sensing the mana of the Old God from those bastards——Jade Tustas and Enrir.
【Customers have come to filter claims, gay couple bastards without mothers and fathers!!!】
─Quaaang!! While exploding mana, he stepped on the advance.
I changed the counteraction of that action into the energy of the dash and sprinted. My fists burned with ferocious flames. My target was Enrir, but Jade, overwhelmed by the momentum, reflexively pointed her shield at me.
I, we waited for that gap.
─Wedge liquid!
A knife thrown from under the secret stairs aimed at Jade’s cob.
Realizing that there was no room for the shield to turn, the cub avoided her head, but the knife changed its trajectory as if it were connected by a thread, and it was inserted precisely into the gap of the helmet.
【Ouuuuu00uuuuu00uuuuu00uuuuu000uuuuu008]
Jade screaming. It was a natural result.
Didn’t you scream so much? I thought that Fran, who had excellent senses, would of course hear it and come up and hide.
That’s what caught my attention.
Since we were a couple who could communicate without words, I put on a fake to make our franc attack succeed with confidence.
【Quaaaaa!!! Aaaaa!
【The dog poop philosophy is better if it fits, you bitch!!】
A belief that violence cannot be cured is a disease. Instead of dying happily, I punched Enrir right in front of me.
That bastard was focusing on my attack, as if he wasn’t interested in whether Sang-cheol became Hahoo-don or Nick Fury. Even though he was wearing a mask, he could feel the atmosphere of joy at the upcoming fight.
Oh That kind of personality, that kind of relationship.
I got a rough idea of the relationship and personality of these fuckers and shouted.
【Fire Punch!!】
【──Thunder God’s Belt (Þunras Gjörð)!!】
─Quarrrr
As Enrir cast a spell, lightning covered his whole body.
