Chapter 28: Can We Even Go On Like This?

The chaos within the black market gradually died down, leaving behind a uniquely oppressive atmosphere that always followed a search.

The knights had searched every corner of the black market, and stationed guards at every entrance, yet they could not find that figure clad in a tattered cloak, wearing a mask, wielding a flaming straight sword, and exuding the unmistakable stench of the sewers.

So many men had been mobilized, all to catch that fish who had taken the bait—only to have her slip through their fingers.

They had lost the target and failed their mission; those above would not let them off lightly.

The Knight Captain led his companions to Broel’s shop, determined to push all the blame onto Broel and vent his anger on him.

At this moment, Broel was still seated behind the counter, polishing that compass.

Seeing the Knight Captain leading the team into the shop, Broel unhurriedly put down the compass in his hand.

“Lord Zach, did the operation go smoothly?”

“You!”

Zach stepped forward and slammed his palm onto the counter, making it shudder as if it might collapse. Even with his helmet on, it seemed as though one could feel the fury burning in his eyes beneath the visor.

“Broel!” Zach raised his voice, immediately throwing his weight around, trying to suppress Broel with sheer force of presence.

“Why didn’t you hold her back? Why did you let her sense something was wrong ahead of time? If you’d stalled her, we could have trapped her in the shop, and then not even wings would have helped her escape.”

Faced with Zach’s interrogation, Broel’s tone remained as calm as ever, completely unfazed by his intimidation.

“Lord Zach, I can’t take the blame for that. If your other team hadn’t made such a racket during the search and startled her, she wouldn’t have become suspicious and decided to leave so firmly. No amount of persuasion would have changed her mind.”

“What, are you telling us how to do our job now?”

“Wouldn’t dare, wouldn’t dare.”

Broel picked up the compass once again and resumed polishing, choosing to ignore the fury on Zach’s face.

“I’m just a fisherman in charge of baiting. My job is to cast the net and wait for the fish to bite.

This time, the bait attracted a big fish. For me, getting her to take the bait was already my best effort. As for reeling her in and landing her—that’s the knights’ job.

So many knights came for the netting, yet you failed to land the fish that bit the hook and instead let her escape. Surely, that’s not my fault, when all I did was prepare the bait and wait?”

“You…”

By now, Zach’s initial bluster had faded.

Underneath his helmet, his face flushed red then pale. Broel’s words pricked at the humiliation of letting the fish get away. He opened his mouth, but had no rebuttal.

The real problem had indeed occurred during the netting phase.

None of them had expected the fish to break out with such power. They thought she was caught—just needed to close the net, and she’d be theirs. Yet the fish, already seemingly in the bag, suddenly turned into a savage beast with sharp fangs, tore through the net, and fled back into the water.

Now that she had escaped, it would be much harder to reel her in again.

After finally hooking such a big fish, they had let her slip away. If those above found out, Zach could not bear the consequences.

In that case, it was best to pretend the fish died before biting the hook. A dead fish held no value for landing.

As long as no one spoke up, they could keep it hidden.

Of course, his knights would obey him; as for the only person who might leak the truth… Zach set his gaze on Broel, gripping his spear tightly.

If he could just silence the one who might betray them, then no one would ever know the big fish had escaped.

Broel noticed the shift in Zach’s attitude. Glancing at the tightly gripped spear, Broel could pretty much guess his intentions.

“Don’t worry. That big fish will swim back here.”

“What do you mean?”

“Exactly what I said. I’ll always be here, but you won’t. If it were you—after being lured into a trap and escaping—wouldn’t you come back to seek revenge when the time was right?”

At these words, Zach’s grip on his spear loosened a bit.

It sounded reasonable, but that person was all disguised; they didn’t know her real face. If she changed her disguise next time, there would be no way to tell. Even if Broel somehow notified them, by the time they arrived, it would probably be over.

“Even if she does come back, how can you be sure she’s our target?”

“Rest easy. She’s easy to recognize—she’s carrying a little gift from me. As soon as she enters the black market, I’ll know right away. When that happens, all you knights will have plenty of time to get here.

But I hope you’ll be ready next time. Don’t let the fish bite through the net again, all right?”

“You’d better make sure things go as you say.”

Leaving those words behind, Zach led his men away, leaving Broel alone at the counter, still polishing that palm-sized compass.

In truth, Yuuri wasn’t the first fish he’d hooked.

By deliberately releasing a faint trace of Abyssal Aura, any object tainted with it would naturally attract those extremely sensitive to the abyss. And who are the most sensitive to Abyssal Aura? The Cursed, of course.

So, whenever they entered the shop, they’d ask Broel about items tainted with abyssal energy, hoping it might be a lifesaving Abyssal Crystal.

Among the desperate ordinary Cursed, many coveted such things. For them, death might be a release. If they bet right, they’d live a bit longer; if not, at least it would be over.

Every fish drawn by the bait would accept a commission from him—to go to the westside sewers and seek out Kaf. After all, the reward he offered was irresistible.

But without exception, none ever came back—except for today’s visitor.

“This is the first time I’ve seen a fish return alive. How amusing.”

As for what was actually in the sewers, Broel had no idea. That wasn’t his concern; his job was just to fish. He didn’t care what the ones behind the scenes wanted him to fish for.

To him, it was simply a transaction—a deal that earned him a reward.

The fate of the fish was not his concern. As long as he made money, that was enough.

“Yuuri-chan, it’s getting late.”

With a blurry consciousness, Yuuri opened her eyes to find the little Evil God with white hair and red pupils leaning close, softly calling her.

Mmm…where was she again?

Her memory was a little foggy. She vaguely remembered leaving the black market and dragging her exhausted body back to the inn. Since her clothes were filthy, she hadn’t gone to bed, but sat leaning against the edge instead.

She’d only meant to rest a moment—yet it was already evening?

Getting up, her body still felt stiff, and the stench clung stubbornly to her.

No good… She had to go wash up immediately.

As for these clothes, a shame really. The cloak included, all were ruined—she’d have to throw them out. Just thinking about having to buy a new set made Yuuri’s heart ache.

She didn’t have much money left.

She dug a set of coarse clothes out of her travel bag for changing. As she did, she noticed Iris raise her eyebrows.

“Yuuri-chan, why are you still wearing those clothes?”

“Hm?”

Strange—why was Iris asking that?

If not these, what else would she wear?

“You’re a girl now, you know! That face, that figure—how could you wear such rags?

Now that you’re a girl, you should buy some cute little dresses and dress up!”

Dresses?

Well…she was indeed a girl now.

These clothes really didn’t suit her current body.

But she’d only just become a girl; she hadn’t even adjusted to this body yet, let alone putting on a dress… She wasn’t ready.

Of course, even if she was willing, there was still one major problem she couldn’t get around.

Yuuri pulled out her last remaining silver coin and held it up for Iris to see.

“This is all I have left. Are you sure you want me to spend it on a dress?”

She shook the coin in her hand, “If I use up my money, how am I supposed to get by after that?”