<..Hassan and the Nine-Headed Thief..>
156 – Hassan and the Nine Headed Thief #7
Sodomora is a fairly large city within the kingdom.
The evening scene was quite lively.
Even late at night, drunks and people leaving work bump into each other on the dark streets, and bar and hotel owners who get busy at night also come out onto the streets to solicit customers.
Those who pass by them are adventurers, mercenaries, and hunters who are returning after completing a quest.
Their hands looked heavy with the loot they held, the evidence of their hard work that day.
Their bodies are covered in mud and weeds, but their expressions are generally bright and their steps are light.
“I killed three goblins by myself!”
“Hey kid, how many times do I have to tell you this? Let’s go get a drink quickly.”
“I have to go hunt goblins again tomorrow, so save money for potions.”
Perhaps it’s the thought of having a drink and stretching out on a soft bed that makes you feel good.
The happiness of people in this world is eating well, resting well, and sleeping well. It is simple like this, so there is nothing complicated about it.
Of course, these people also have their own troubles, but the evening pub streets are still filled with people with bright expressions.
I watched the people passing by and realized that it was the evening I had promised. I was now going down to the basement.
In the basement, you’ll meet some thieves.
I’m a little nervous.
To relieve tension, I looked at other people’s faces, which I usually don’t look at,
“after..”
“If you do as planned, things will go well, Samaritan.”
Hippolyte pats my back as if trying to relieve my tension. It feels like I’m relaxing a little, as if the protection of Mars’ corpse has been breathed into me.
The operation is as follows.
I throw myself into the thieves’ meeting place and attract their attention, while Hippolyte and Luna raid the place.
A simple and straightforward plan.
However, it is unclear whether Hippolyte, who is weakened at night, and the soft Luna will be able to deal well with the thieves.
“Hassan, I’ll show you the power of the new Silence Totem! Hehe, it’s going to be really scary.”
“Thieves are ridiculous.”
Luna and Hippolyte were both so confident that they couldn’t say anything more. It would have been nice if they had at least asked for support from the others.
If that happens, the reward itself will decrease and the chances of the story getting out will increase, so it seems like it won’t work. In the end, the people who were called in to help were Paranoy and Malco.
These guys are pretty trustworthy in terms of reliability.
“Hassan-nim, you alone will be enough…!! You are going to show those vulgar thieves what you have to do…!!”
“Let’s go have a drink after we finish, bro.”
Is this really something we can trust…?
Anyway, the die was cast, and I had no choice but to move forward, whether I liked it or not. So I slowly walked down the main street to the basement where the thieves were gathering.
As I went down the stairs that looked like a large underground station entrance like last time and passed the markets, some rather complicated underground passages appeared.
Narrow corridors with only a few lanterns twinkling. It’s like Pluto’s dungeon.
Of course, it’s not monsters that come out of here, but robbers and thieves. In some ways, the quality here is worse. The robbers and thieves are known to be vulgar.
Chorus.
I unroll the scroll I received from Dorthea under the lamp. The scroll contains a detailed description of the underground passage, which could be called a blueprint or a map.
Sodomora Market – in –
Below that, there was even a stamp with the symbol of Sodomora. I thought that this might be an official document used in a government office.
Even in this chaotic world, it wouldn’t have been easy to get your hands on an official document like this. The thieves’ guild seems to have a lot of influence. Are they giving bribes to government officials?
If this criminal organization were wiped out in one day, the repercussions would be enormous. People involved would die here and there.
Of course, that’s none of my concern.
I just need to do what I have to do today.
I just have to do my job well.
Ssuk.
I wore the black cloth I had received yesterday to cover my eyes as a mask on my face.
“What the hell, what the hell.”
“Hey, it’s a robbery!”
Did the big Samaritan look quite excited, even wearing a mask?
Everyone who encountered me was busy running away, turning their backs. I felt a little wronged, but I guess this is better than getting involved in something annoying.
I continued walking inside the underpass following the map. It was more complicated and wider than I thought, so it was a problem.
In order to avoid the thieves’ suspicion, I decided to join Hippolyte and Luna later. Even if I copied the map and left it, I wonder if they would be able to find it easily.
“What is this?”
But as I was moving forward according to the map, a four-way intersection that wasn’t written on the map appeared. A four-way intersection that led to a dark and gloomy hallway.
I’m confused because I think I might have seen the map wrong.
Or maybe the map is wrong?
This way, I don’t know where the meeting place is.
So I lifted up a yellow camel skin and rubbed it against my hair. It was said that skins of the same type are attracted to each other.
In fact, the scroll that was rubbed to generate static electricity begins to flutter as if it is being pulled in some direction.
Sval, so in the end, it looks like you can’t even find the meeting place unless you’re an officer of the Thieves’ Guild with a leather scroll.
I took out a slate from my bosom and made marks on the wall for Luna and Hippolyte, who were coming later. The further I went in, the more my heart pounded as if I was falling into a labyrinth.
Thump. Thump.
How long did it take to walk?
What appeared after following the strange magic scroll was a fairly large space. It was an open space with a high ceiling, reminiscent of a small playground.
And there are several people there, wearing black clothes and masks. Their physiques are all different, big and small, long and thick.
“You came.”
A thick man’s voice echoed from deep underground, beneath the ground. It was probably the man sitting in the far corner, leaning his back against a broken lamp.
“You’re the last ninth. Sure enough, you look like you’re going to have to work hard. What we have to do today requires a lot of strength. And what we have to do in the future, too.”
Swish.
A man getting up from his seat.
His black outfit blended into the darkness like a shadow, so I couldn’t see him very well. He was quite large. He was about the same size as me, or maybe even bigger than me.
That guy must be the leader of these thieves.
I asked.
“Are you Hydra, the king of thieves?”
The guy answers.
“We are Hydra. And I am Ismail, the son of the King on the Mountain. I am the thief of thieves, who steals the most precious treasure of mankind, life.”
Ssuk.
The man’s eyes, visible under the hood and mask, were red.
And that’s what I felt.
There were many people in this world with red eyes who were crazy in many ways.
“From today, we, the Thieves’ Guild Hydra, will steal lives and hopes and spread terror across the land. We are no longer thieves who steal things, but murder as our profession.”
Look. Sval. He’s a weird guy.
But it seems I wasn’t the only one who disagreed with this strange opinion. A masked man with a physique as large as that man named Ismail opened his mouth.
“You make a living from assassination? You’re crazy. That’s not what thieves do. You don’t hurt anyone, you just steal things, so it’s romantic.”
That voice was someone I had heard before. It was the supervisor who had been swinging his whip at the iron bars and urging people to pick the locks, a guild official perhaps named Big Joe.
He seemed to have a negative view of his current leader, Ismail.
According to what Dorthea said last night, there must have been quite a few people who were at odds with the current leader besides Dorthea and Bigjo.
But Ismail doesn’t even flinch.
“The leader’s orders are absolute, and they never change with the times, Big Joe. Are you still angry about killing your father, who was your father? Killing the leader is a legitimate tradition.”
“….”
“The opponent was bad. My father, the King on the Mountain, was a natural-born assassin who received the grace of night and death. A monster who received grace from different gods. Therefore, I, his son, am a monster.”
The guy was rambling on and on. He called himself a monster. But he certainly looked strong. Do you think he could win in a fight?
I don’t know how useful my enhanced powers will be. I’ll probably have a hard time doing it the right way.
“Today is the end of being stuck underground where no sunlight reaches. Today, we become the masters of Sodomora. And, who will be the first victim?”
“I really can’t listen to you.”
Ismail, who had been speaking confidently for a while, was interrupted by someone. A rather familiar female voice. It was probably Dorthea.
“It’s Dorthea. You won’t listen. What do you mean?”
As Ismail asked into the air, a thin, slender figure appeared from the dark shadows.
Although he was wearing black-dyed cloth, it was possible to recognize him because his thin stomach was exposed.
“We’re not going up to the surface today. We’re not going to do anything like assassination.”
“Everyone must follow the leader’s orders. Or are you trying to steal my position by competing with me? You must know my power.”
“According to the regulations, when the nine executives are gathered together, a new leader can be recommended with the consent of three of the executives.”
“You remember well. But, is there anyone among you who has the courage to face me?”
Ssuk. Bam.
The leader, Ismail, slammed his fist against the pillar.
Then the part that collided falls to the floor as powder and debris. Breaking a wall with your hand? It seems like you have quite a lot of strength.
The atmosphere becomes cold as a result of the show of force that is like a tea ceremony.
“So, Dorthea. What were you talking about?”
“…I will recommend that new ninth head over there as the new leader.”
I felt everyone’s eyes turn to me as I heard the woman’s voice coming from under the dark veil. And then each of you said a word.
“You’re making the guy you just met your leader? No matter how thieves are, that’s a bit too much.”
“What the hell is he doing? Am I the only one who doesn’t know who he is?”
“agreement”
The reaction is not good. That’s to be expected. In the first place, it was a bit strange that Dorthea recommended me as the leader when we first met.
But what I’m going to do now is stall for time. The bigger this dispute gets, the better.
“If that’s the case, I’ll recommend Big Joe too. Whoever it is, it’s better than having that damned idiot sitting on our heads.”
Two recommendations.
Up to here.
Dorthea said that this guy Big Joe is very dissatisfied with the current system, so he will definitely agree to my recommendation.
That’s all I had planned in advance. The problem was what came next.
A fight to steal the seat would have to start with the consent of all three executives, and while that was killing time, we could wait for support from Hippolyta and Luna.
“….”
Everyone was just looking at each other, and no one else made a recommendation. Of course, it would be stranger to suddenly recommend a new person as the leader.
Dorthea then adds one more word.
“The ninth one has received the grace of the night. He is a steadfast orthodoxy. He has more legitimacy than the one who claims to be the son of the first king.”
“Is that true?”
A rather tall and slender man spoke. He was leaning against the pillar and seemed uninterested in the conversation, but the word grace seemed to interest him.
Dorthea adds a few words.
“Yes, Astrid. That man’s skills are better than mine. He’s dexterous, and he passed my test in less than a minute.”
“Wow, in less than a minute? That’s amazing.”
While everyone is admiring, the big man, Supervisor Big Joe, also opens his mouth.
“That’s not all. He broke the titanium lock with brute force. He’s quite strong.”
“By brute force, that lock? Sounds fun. Okay, then Astrid, I’ll add one more vote.”
A tall, thin man eventually recommended me.
So, we have decided on a recommended number of three that can change the leader of the Thieves’ Guild.
“These kids, on a day like today when something big is coming up, are determined to cause trouble. Then they’ll just steal each other’s lives according to the rules.”
I heard that for a title match for the leader’s seat, anything that can be used is allowed.
It is said that it is a fight without rules, where the last one standing wins.
In many ways, it was a rule that reminded me of a stadium.
“It’s funny. The ninth comrade has finally arrived. And I have to kill him with my own hands. I guess it’s better to leave the ninth position vacant.”
Sling.
Ismail pulled a sharp dagger from his waistband.
“Come at me, kid.”
Is the weapon a dagger that doesn’t match its size? It’s clear that having a longer reach is advantageous in a fight, but I can’t get a feel for how it fights.
“Or else I’ll go first!”
Tadah.
A huge lump kicked its feet and lunged at me. I hadn’t even drawn my weapon yet. Sval, I didn’t expect it to lunge at me like this without any signal.
“Get behind!”
Soon, the leader of the thieves, Ismail, came swinging the dagger he was holding in his hand at me with all his might. It seemed like he was aiming for my neck, so I raised my hand to block his attack.
Kagagagagak.
A gauntlet made of solid iron catches the blade and screams.
“Ah, the equipment is pretty good! But, it looks like we’re lacking in iron plates!”
Just then, the man kicks me hard in the stomach and pushes me away.
“Ugh-.”
Because I was caught off guard by the sudden attack, I was kicked in the forehead and suffered great pain. My breath was suddenly sucked out, and my eyes spun around.
The back is bent.
But it is not possible to just cower in pain.
The guy’s dagger slashes mercilessly from left to right and right to left, leaving no time to stop.
Shhhh.
Phew!
Every time, the sound of the blade cutting through the air was like a piercing sound to my ears. If I got cut even once, it would definitely be fatal.
“For a man of his size, he dodges well. But how long can he dodge? Just once. Just one wound and you’ll die. This dagger is coated with Hydra venom!”
This damn thing, it’s poisonous?
He’s such a cowardly little bastard.
“It’s a fucking dog!”
“But is it okay to just run away like that? You’ll end up getting caught!”
“Fuck you, you cowardly little shit!”
Even just brushing against it will kill you. This is so foul play that I had no choice but to run around. While doing so, I hit the lights on the wall one by one with my club and put them out.
Clang.
Each time, the dark space grew darker and darker, until only the outlines of people could be vaguely seen.
I ended up cornered by the guy and stuck in a dead end.
“There is no escape now. I will kill you, and I will kill both Hippolyta and Acta. The city will be thrown into chaos, and I will sit in the burning ashes and laugh at everyone.”
“That’s not my job, kid.”
“Yeah, you’re not a part-timer, are you? Because you’re going to die now.”
Red eyes that curve like crescent moons.
Red eyes.
Elfriede comes to mind and it’s scary. There must be a horrible smile underneath that mask. A sadistic smile that enjoys tormenting and hitting people.
I no longer wanted to be fooled by such laughter. Today, here, I will put out my fear of red eyes.
Swish.
I lifted the club with all my might and swung it with all my might, throwing it at the head of Ismail, the leader of the thieves.
The club flew like a javelin, spinning fiercely, and almost hit the guy on the head, but he dodged it with great ease by just slightly moving his head.
“You threw away your weapon? Are you dizzy from fear?”
“I didn’t drop my weapon. You son of a criminal.”
Clang.
Soon the last lamp hanging on the wall is blown out by a club. In that moment, the vast space is plunged into complete darkness.
Sling.
I pulled out a dagger from my waistband. It was a sharp dagger that I had used countless times, and now it was so familiar to my hand that it was almost like a part of my body.
Even though I couldn’t see it, I could picture the length and sharpness of the blade in my mind. I held the handle tightly and said.
“You’ll never see a single hair on my head again, you idiot. The health center is mine.”
—————————= Work Review ————————=
When I write about intense battles, I feel like I want to write about languid everyday life, and when I write about languid everyday life, I feel like I have to write about battles…
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