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    Chapter 18: Gangsters


    No matter how grand the n, I was always quick-witted.


    Even Pelleer had to admit that. I knew how to beat someone down efficiently and relentlessly.


    Of course, this was just the tip of the iceberg.


    I was already a notorious gangster at eighteen, and by twenty, I had be the king of the back alleys after taking down the two gang leaders who ruled them.


    How was that possible? I wasn’t that strong back then.


    The method was simple.


    “This punk dared to call me impotent? You’re dead meat today, you bastard.”


    “Bring it on, you impotent bastard. Today’s the day your gang gets wiped out.”


    While the two gang leaders were busy trying to kill each other, I pretended to intervene and easily took their heads.


    In short, I was a master of dirty tricks.


    * * *


    As I circled the back mountain and entered the outskirts of Khaoto, the savory smell of soup tickled my nose.


    And just then, I saw Palge sneaking into a restaurant. He definitely said he wouldn’t eat much, but I caught him red-handed.


    ‘See youter, fatty.’


    As I followed the outskirts of Khaoto and entered the main street to the east, the brightly lit buildings illuminated the street.


    The street was strangely chilly and exciting, with a mix of orange and red lights.


    I slowly looked around the street and stopped in front of a shabby cksmith shop.


    “Is the owner here?”


    “Who’s asking?”


    “I’d like to see a spear. A thin one with a sharp de.”


    A man with an impressive beard came out from inside, grumbling.


    His face was flushed, perhaps due to the heat from the forge.


    “Are you going to use it yourself? A thick ive with strong swinging power would be better for you.”


    “I need a thin one, no matter what.”


    “I see. You’re going to use it as a secondary weapon, huh?”


    The bearded man’s eyes narrowed as he looked at me, then suddenly widened again.


    “Aren’t you Krak? What brings you here? It’s not time for your tribute yet.”


    It wasn’t my name, but I nodded immediately. It meant my n was working.


    The reason the bearded man called me Krak was simple.


    『Magnus’s Illusion』


    An artifact that creates an illusionary field around the user.


    The blue light that started from my chest was enveloping my entire body.


    At my current level, it was impossible to create a field, but at least I could make myself look different to ordinary people.


    ‘This is quite useful.’


    If I were to create an illusion with magic, I would need at least 5th circle illusion magic.


    Moreover, unlike illusion magic, there was no trace of mana fluctuation, so even a skilled mage would have a hard time doubting it.


    Currently, the bearded man saw me as ‘Krak’.


    There’s an old saying that to enter a tiger’s den, you must be a tiger.


    In other words, I was currently disguised as Krak, the one who took down Lihan this morning.


    “Strange. You seem a bit different somehow.”


    “You must be getting old, owner. I’m the same as always.”


    “Whatever. Anyway, I didn’t know you were interested in spears.”


    “What was I interested in again?”


    “Are you kidding me?”


    “No, I’m not. I just want a rmendation for a weapon that suits me.”


    “Your way of speaking is a bit strange too.”


    “How did I usually speak?”


    While the bearded man gave me a puzzled look, I pretended not to notice.


    Even if he found me a bit strange, he wouldn’t be able to question me.


    “It’s just weird that someone who always asks for swords suddenly wants a spear. Anyway, choose one from over here.”


    I picked up a thin spear that was lying on one side.


    The de was sharp, and for a shabby cksmith shop, it was in pretty good condition.


    “Not bad.”


    “Of course it’s not.”


    I looked at the bearded man again, and I could see gray beads of sweat mixed with iron dust and heat on his face.


    I liked it. That’s the attitude a cksmith should have.


    I picked up the thin spear, swung it around a few times, and said to the bearded man,


    “I’ll take this one.”


    “1 gold.”


    “Is it possible to deduct it from this month’s tribute?”


    “Of course.”


    “Then let’s deduct 1 gold from the tribute.”


    “Alright. Oh, and the glove that Blok left with mest time is done. Do you want to take it now?”


    “Blok? That corpse eyeball?”


    “What are you talking about?”


    I’m sure of it. If it’s Blok, it’s that corpse eye bastard.


    The bearded man went inside and came back with a blue glove. There was a fingernail-sized magic stone embedded in the center.


    “Take it. This is the gold left after deducting the magic stone cost for the crafting.”


    “Why is there so much?”


    “It didn’t cost much. I went all the way to San Chris to get it crafted. Do you know how much it costs to use the crafting tools and the forge? You’ll know when you check it out.”


    The bearded man must have misunderstood me. I said that because the 30 gold he handed me seemed like a lot of money.


    I turned away before the bearded man could say anything else and put on the blue glove.


    The fingernail-sized magic stone in the center was B-grade.


    When I wrapped wind around my hand, I could feel a slight mana amplification effect.


    For a back alley cksmith, he was quite skilled.


    Even in the past, cksmiths with crafting skills weren’t thatmon.


    ng—


    The sound of the gold coins in my hand made me smile.


    I’ll have to help the bearded manter. I’m a person who values loyalty and gratitude.


    * * *


    I slung the spear over my back and turned west.


    After walking for a while, the streetlights gradually faded, and a familiar building came into view.


    This was the building where I fought the corpse eyeball and his gang on the day I was reincarnated.


    ording to Zion, Bayern’s territory ended at this point.


    In other words, this was the start of Khaoto’s west side, Dark Soul’s territory.


    Soon, the main street of the west side appeared. The atmosphere was a bit different from the east side.


    While the eastern district had a strong red-light district feel, this ce felt a bit run down.


    However, everyone I saw was carrying at least one weapon.


    Sharp gazes scanned me once each, but soon they dismissed their suspicions after seeing my demeanor and spear.


    As I reached the center of the street, arge four-story building caught my eye.


    [Red Sunset Tavern]


    The most famous tavern in the west, and the ce where the Dark Soul gang appears the most.


    This was the reason I came here.


    As soon as I opened the door and entered, dim lights shone eerily. For a tavern, it wasn’t very noisy.


    A gruff-looking employee approached me and asked,


    “How can I help you?”


    “I’vee to share life with my brothers.”


    “What kind of drink are you looking for?”


    “Red Dawn, 18 years old.”


    “Please go to the fourth floor.”


    As I spoke the secret code Zion had told me, the employee bowed politely and guided me.


    As I went up to the fourth floor, the eerie atmosphere grew even stronger. Looking straight ahead, there were rooms with partitions on both sides of the central corridor.


    I pushed open the door of thergest room.


    Creak—


    Three sharp-looking men in ck martial arts uniforms stopped drinking and red at me with murderous eyes.


    “Who are you?”


    “I’vee to share life with my brothers. I’ll buy you a drink. Hey, waiter. What’s the most expensive drink here?”


    As I spoke, I nced at them from the corner of my eye.


    If anyone recognized Krak’s face, I was ready to act immediately. Fortunately, they all seemed unfamiliar.


    “Burning Dawn, 24 years old.”


    “Three bottles should be enough.”


    “Three bottles, sir? The price is….”


    “What, do I look like a pauper to you? I hate repeating myself. Bring it now.”


    “Thank you.”


    As I chuckled and took a seat with a friendly demeanor, puzzled looks from everyone in the room gathered on me.


    “Hmm. A brother? I haven’t seen your face before.”


    “I serve Master Shepiro.”


    “Oh.”


    While the two men immediately dismissed their suspicions, the man sitting at the head of the table continued to stare at me.


    He was an old gangster who looked quite old.


    I instinctively sensed that he had a high position.


    The old gangster pointed at me with his ss.


    “Name.”


    “Well.”


    The old gangster’s eyes narrowed.


    “Affiliation?”


    “Is that important?”


    Suddenly, the two guys next to me cursed and pointed their spears at me.


    “This son of a bitch!”


    Third-rate gangsters are always hot-headed, no matter the time or ce.


    Not to be outdone, I immediately took out the spear from my back, swung it around, and pointed it at them.


    Just as the atmosphere was about to turn ugly, the old gangster waved his hand.


    “Enough. Now I see you were pretending not to know on purpose. You can’t fool me.”


    “…”


    “Garlic, Grid. Lower your spears. This person is from headquarters. He must be on an inspection. Judging by his spear skills, there’s no need for further doubt.”


    I nodded, not knowing what nonsense he was talking about.


    “You’re perceptive, senior. I’d appreciate it if you could pretend not to know.”


    “Just with words?”


    “Of course not. I’ll buy you a drink today.”


    “Don’t get your hopes up.”


    When the drinks and snacks arrived, the guys’ eyes lit up with greed, and they started pouring drinks as if they had hit the jackpot.


    I took a sip and found it to be quite a decent liquor.


    Yes, let’s drink a lot.


    A ss of liquor before you die isn’t so bad, right?


    * * *


    The old gangster’s name was Bravo Khan.


    He said he was in charge of Dark Soul’s military. Of course, he didn’t seem that smart. Gangsters always loved creating pointless titles.


    As the expensive liquor went down, the old gangster started to open up.


    I gave him appropriate responses, finding some parts of his story quite interesting.


    “…It seems like you’re quite frustrated.”


    “You have no idea. Our Dark Soul’s reputation in Khaoto has beenpletely ruined. Bayern keeps crossing the line without knowing their ce.”


    A young gangster named Garlic emptied his ss and replied,


    “Why don’t we just wipe them out? They’re nothing but a few mages. I don’t understand why we keep dragging our feet.”


    “You idiot.”


    Bravo Khan threw an empty ss at him.


    With a smack, Garlic’s forehead was cut, and blood trickled down.


    “Ugh, I’m sorry.”


    “Think, Garlic. With such a reckless thought, you’ll never be anything but third-rate. If we mess with those sly mages, we’ll be the ones who suffer. Besides, if we attack Bayern, what then? Urgon is behind them.”


    “Then what do you suggest we do?”


    “Our Khaoto branch alone is not enough. But we can’t just keep getting beaten up. At this point, we have no choice but to expand the game. We need to bring in the headquarters and quickly take them down.”


    ‘He’s talking nonsense.’


    I listened to Bravo Khan’s words and cursed inwardly.


    I hated seeing a gangster acting like a real military strategist.


    I was about to put my n into action, but the young gangsters’ eyes were sparkling too brightly, so I decided to wait a bit longer.


    As expected, Grid praised Bravo Khan.


    “As expected, you’re amazing. So, are we going to have an all-out war with Urgon?”


    “You idiot!”


    Smack—


    Grid’s forehead was also cut.


    “You two are especially stupid today. If we fight Urgon, you two better bite your tongues and kill yourselves.”


    The old gangster clicked his tongue, looking at Garlic and Grid with disdain.


    “There’s only one way. The best thing is to surprise attack Bayern and wipe them out before Urgon can intervene.”


    “Isn’t that what I said? Even if we wipe them out, Urgon will retaliate.”


    A strange smile appeared on the old gangster’s lips.


    “The probability of that is actually low. From Urgon’s perspective, Khaoto is just a nuisance. They just need someone to manage it for them, and it doesn’t have to be Bayern. If we y our cards right, there’s no reason why we can’t get Urgon as our backing.”


    Garlic and Grid pped simultaneously. The old gangster smiled proudly as he tilted his ss.


    “Haha, a true man should be able to envision the future from where he sits. So, what do you think?”


    Bravo Khan looked at me, who had been quietly listening until now. It was finally my turn.


    I slowly savored the alcohol and opened my mouth.


    “It’s a great n. You’re very smart. Absolutely brilliant. It’s like seeing a military strategist from a renowned family. But your n is missing one thing.”


    Bravo Khan frowned.


    “What is it?”


    “Your n is missing your own life.”


    “What are you talking about?”


    “No matter how grand the n, life is such that you could get stabbed by a random robber and die.”


    “That’s a good point. But why are you suddenly talking about that?”


    I swirled my ss for a moment before asking Bravo Khan,


    “Have you ever taken over Samael’s business?”


    Bravo Khan tilted his head for a moment before replying,


    “Samael? That’s a stupid name I haven’t heard in a while.”


    “…”


    “There’s nothing to take over. A bunch of losers like them wouldn’t have a business, would they?”


    I emptied my ss and stood up.


    I slowly red at them, twirling my wrist with the blue glove.


    Garlic and Grid, sensing something strange, exchanged nces and gripped their spears.


    “What are you trying to do?”


    “I’ve decided. I won’t kill you.”


    “What?”


    “I’m saying I’ll give you a punch instead of a stab.”


    ————