“Madam, are you really sure about this?”
Late at night.
As the long day came to a close and the precious candles burned down one by one, lights disappeared from the houses, leaving the streets shrouded in darkness.
An old man in a robe asked a woman as she walked forward.
“They might harm you, Madam.”
“It’s alright, Gordon. As you said, those who build their power by bribing the guards wouldn’t be foolish enough to act rashly.”
“Madam, they’re reckless people. They always act impulsively without looking back. It might still be wise to bring a guard escort…”
“That would make a bad first impression and could ruin the deal. Honestly, we’re the ones in need right now, so we should bend first.”
“Madam…”
The two kept walking, leaving the bustling streets and entering a damp, secluded alley that reeked faintly of blood.
“Still, I trust you to protect me, Gordon. If it were truly dangerous, someone like you wouldn’t just ‘consider’ bringing an escort; you’d insist on it.”
“Heh, reliable as ever. As a loyal hound of the Evergarden family, a true guard not only follows but protects his master, right? I don’t fully know your skills, but this time, I doubt you’ll need to use them.”
“Hah, I can never win against you, Madam. Since when have you hidden such sharp wit? It’s an honor to finally witness your true self.”
“I’m not one for flattery, but hearing it from you lifts my spirits. Is this the place?”
“Yes, according to the message, someone will greet us here…”
As they rounded a corner, still conversing, a sharp clang rang out.
“…Oh my, I didn’t expect to see them so soon.”
“Apologies, it seems we have pests aiming to harm your noble self.”
A flash of light sparked before her, and a trembling dagger with a cold blade appeared right at her feet.
In an instant, Gordon stepped in front of her, motioning with his hand, causing two sharp daggers to shoot from his sleeve into his grip, as if he had wielded them a thousand times.
“Only two of you, huh? Apologies, I was ordered by the boss to bring you both.”
From the shadows, a figure emerged, tucking his dagger into his coat as he greeted them.
“What a rude way to welcome guests. I guess no one taught these beasts any manners?”
“…I’m simply following orders. I’ll have you know I bear no ill will.”
“Just a stray mutt playing king with a gang of brats… Who do you think you’re talking to…?”
‘I thought he had decent skills, but this is beyond expectations. So this really is fantasy territory? An elite guard from the Hanseong Group wouldn’t stand a chance here.’
The once gentle and patient Gordon now spoke rough, threatening words without hesitation, like a hunting dog protecting its master.
Watching Gordon’s fierceness, she revised her estimation of his skills.
“Calm down, Gordon.”
“But, Madam…!”
“Would you mind leading the way?”
“…Follow me.”
Like placing a leash on a hunting dog ready to pounce, she diffused the situation and followed the man as he turned and strode forward.
“…Madam, I apologize for showing such a rough side, but the beasts here are purely driven by instinct and lack any human decency. Please be cautious…”
“It’s thanks to you, Gordon, that I can act this way. You’re truly dependable.”
“Haha… Even with such praise, I feel uneasy.”
Quickly returning his daggers to their hidden places, Gordon followed closely, uneasy and smiling awkwardly.
Together, they passed through the alleyways and arrived at a building’s entrance.
It was a dark, desolate, two-story building with an eerie atmosphere, appearing like an abandoned place where a ghost might appear at any moment.
Knock, knock.
Undeterred, the man walked over and knocked on the rickety wooden door.
Then.
“…Parchment.”
A crack appeared in the door, which had seemed unremarkable, revealing a small hole where an eye peered through, mumbling a cryptic word.
“Onion.”
“Enter.”
Click.
Despite the odd phrase, the lock clicked open as the man answered with an equally strange word, and the door swung wide.
‘The passcode feels oddly familiar.’
“Watching the scene, she was reminded of her days in the military. She recalled the memorable passphrase involving the word ‘octopus’ and the response ‘pearl’ as she naturally followed the man into the building’s interior.”
“Oh my, the inside is quite different.”
“There are magical devices here to conceal any presence within. It seems the building’s appearance outside is also disguised with an illusion spell.”
“They sure have plenty of money…”
Now, she noticed the bright lights and the numerous eyes fixed on her—things one couldn’t sense from the outside.
The spacious hall, filled with tables where two or three people sat drinking and feasting on meat, resembled a pub she had visited on her last outing, but the dark, suspicious glances thrown her way were entirely different.
Many bore rough, menacing expressions, some openly brandishing weapons that hinted at criminal backgrounds.
Others looked like ordinary pedestrians who would blend in on the streets, yet their presence in this organization spoke volumes about its thoroughness.
It was clear the organization was divided into action-takers and those skilled in gathering intelligence or performing covert operations.
“A noble… A real noble’s here.”
“Hmph… What on earth is the boss thinking?”
“One poke, and she’ll probably break. Is it a woman?”
“Watch your mouth; she’s a noble.”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m not about to mess with the boss’s guest. Got it.”
As murmurs and glances exchanged around her, she sensed that everyone here was already informed of her visit.
“The boss?”
“The boss is upstairs, on the second floor.”
“I see, I’ll head up.”
At the base of the staircase leading to the second floor, a man was stationed.
She was about to pass by him after the man guiding them asked about the boss’s location.
“Hold on, we need to inspect your belongings first.”
As she started to ascend the stairs, another man extended his arm to block her path.
“…These beasts must’ve been fed rotten meat together. Do you have any idea who you’re speaking to with that disrespectful mouth?”
Gordon’s patience, stretched to its limit by the threats along the way, finally snapped, and the kindly smile he had maintained twisted into a growl.
Not only had this man dared to point a weapon at his master, but now he was declaring he’d search her, something Gordon could not abide.
“Don’t you serve someone too? When your master meets strangers, do you make them meet with no precautions? You might as well go chew on a bone in the yard like a stray mutt.”
Gordon’s threat was met with a mocking reply from the man blocking their path, who flaunted his own loyalty to his master.
“A fallen hound.”
She’d already sensed something of Gordon’s true nature since he, a veteran butler of her family, had introduced her to this criminal organization. But upon hearing that nickname, she was now certain.
“Me?” Gordon sneered. “You may call me a ‘fallen hound,’ but don’t forget that if I wanted to, I could cut down every mutt in this room in a heartbeat.”
“We know. And yet, we’ll gladly risk death to exploit your weakness.”
Shing—
As the man’s words ended, those who had been seated until now rose, clutching an assortment of brutal weapons—swords, daggers, crossbows, staves, chain scythes—all aimed at Gordon.
A chilling, palpable bloodlust filled the air, thickening the atmosphere, yet Gordon’s gaze remained fixed on the man in front of him, unaffected, as if none of this was a real threat to him.
“And I trust you know that the weakness isn’t my life,” he added with a glare.
But Gordon’s words trailed off, as he noticed the murderous intent and weapons were now aimed at his master instead.