City Hunter (2)

Akanes [Selfless Coffin].

How much is all this?

I cautiously asked about the price.

The outfit reflected in the full-length mirror consisted of a vest, pants, shoes, belt, and bracelet.

A total of five Artifacts.

Well, lets see. If I calculate it

Firstly, the vest is an armor with various functions like [Environmental Adaptation], [Bulletproof], [Blade Resistance], and [Magic Resistance]. The pants have similar features.

Both have elasticity, adjusting to the wearers body, and they adapt to the environment, unaffected by temperature or climate. They are generally black, but the [Camouflage Color] is always activated, so theres no risk of looking like a spy in all black in the snow.

The shoes are military-style boots. When you walk in them, they leave no footprints or even a trace.

The belt is practically an inventory. It has an expanded space implanted, which is 2-3 times the capacity of a commercial travel suitcase.

The bracelet is a Mana Shooter. A luxury artifact that allows you to project magic in any desired shape.

I particularly like this shooter. It seems like it can synergize with my R-elixs Ancient Magic.

I dont want to miss any of them, but

Ill do it for 10 million Ren.

10 million Ren.

This price is probably discounted. Most of Akanes luxury items trigger a Treasure Hunter reaction. There would be plenty of people willing to pay 3-4 times the price.

Is a 300-month installment plan not possible?

I asked as I started to take off the equipment. Of course, it was a joke.

Akane raised an eyebrow.

Its possible.

What? Really?

40,000 Ren per month for 300 months. 2 million Ren as interest.

40,000 Ren per month. Its expensive, but its not an impossible amount like before. Ive grown too.

But it would be a huge loss for Akane.

Are you joking?

Im serious. Im so selective with my customers that there arent many who can afford to buy.

Even though 10 million Ren is expensive, your combat power will increase at least twofold. Its not bad for the price of your life.

Akane seemed to take it as a given.

I hesitated slightly, but then nodded.

Thats true.

Lets think of it as an investment.

From now on, Ill be doing quite a lot of side jobs, and there will be more fights.

Plus, keep supplying these cigarettes.

Akane pulled out a cigarette from her pouch. It was a tobacco grown in the [Ascal Farm] of Planarium.

The [Ascal Farm] is still there.

Ill give you that farm, Akane. Just sow the seeds and manage it, it will grow on its own.

Im already doing that.

Really?

No wonder, I only gave her one pack, but she kept smoking heavily.

So, since I bought these, can I wear them and go?

Go ahead.

Akane went back into her workshop, and I picked up the file again, fiddling with the equipment that was worth more than most houses.

There were two targets to deal with today.

[Lexton Welton]

222 cm. Male.[br][/br] Numerous crimes including murder, armed robbery, and arson.[br][/br] Currently seems to be working as a mercenary for the Master Cartel.[br][/br] Bounty: 150,000 Ren.

[Raphael Bartra]

181 cm. Male.[br][/br] Has been running the Lyol Church in Section D-44 for five years.[br][/br] His activities before establishing the church are unclear.[br][/br] No bounty. Has a history of fraud, but not significant.

Raphael Bartra.

He is the only religious person in Section D-44. He has been running the church for quite a while, providing free meals to the homeless and wanderers, and has built a decent reputation.

In reality, he is a dealer for the cartel.

He sells homeless and wanderers, who have no connections and no one to look for them when theyre gone, as human experiment subjects.

Lexton Welton is the mercenary who backs him up.

If I catch Raphael, Lexton will come as a bonus.

Ring~

Just then, I received a call from Kanya.

Sir Mage. As you said, I did a background check on that religious man. There are some shady points. He has a history of fraud in other countries. How did you know?

Kanya Wieder. She is willingly cooperating with me. She is trustworthy enough for me.

Not just now, but it was the same before I regressed. Of course, back then, Kanya was the boss giving orders.

Hmm. I changed my voice.

Where is the target now?

Are you going to deal with it right away?

Yes.

Hmm.

Then Kanya let out a slightly grumpy snort.

Well. Sir Mage. Im not helping you out of any expectations, but youre treating me too casually-

Ill give you a 10% commission.

What Kanya is doing now can be broadly called informer, and they usually take a 5-7% commission.

10% is quite a steal.

Alright~ Ill tell you the location~

Kanyas voice brightened.

She loves money, just like before.

Raphael Bartra is at his church~ The Lyol Church in Section D-44. Today is confession day, so it should be easy to approach him. Go late at night~

Confirmed.

I nodded and burned the file.

* * *

Raphael Bartra.

He is a pastor running the Lyol Church in the D Section of Trick City.

In Section D-44, where lifes losers, criminals, and looters swarm, he is a rare religious person.

Confession of sins is the evidence of God.

Thank you. Saint Raphael

Even late at night, the churchs confession continues.

Take a piece of bread when you leave.

He doesnt forget to offer food to the wanderers.

Saint Thank you every time

The title of saint is too much. Just call me pastor.

Thanks to his five years in Section D-44, he easily built a reputation as a saint.

Is the next person here?

Raphael had hoped for an empty confessional, but

-Thud.

Footsteps echoed. A figure sat on the other side of the veil.

He swallowed the rising sigh.

Today, of all days, the crowd was unusually large. Exhaustion was gnawing at him.

What sins have you come to confess, my child?

-

The man remained silent. Raphael stole a glance at his wristwatch.

2:33 AM.

Working late is a pain in the ass, why isnt this guy answering?

Believer?

-Yes. The congregation here says that many vagrants, homeless without ties, come to seek solace in this church.

Thats correct. The Lord always watches over us all. Even if you have nothing, the Lord loves you. He hopes that his lambs will lean on him.

-Heh.

The man chuckled softly.

-Most of them are trash, arent they? Homeless clinging to the city. Junkies addicted to drugs. Criminals whove killed and fled. They scam food like its a game I heard you were even almost robbed of your donations once.

Raphael almost smiled. It had been a while since someone understood him, but he couldnt show it.

No, every life holds equal value. Faith blooms most beautifully from the mud. Thats why weve established ourselves here.

-Value.

The man exhaled a small breath.

-When you think about it, youre right. Even a person who contributes not a speck to society can have value if used as a subject for human experimentation.

Excuse me?

Raphael was momentarily at a loss for words.

-If you sell off a few hundred of those guys and develop a new technology with the proceeds, thats a pretty good cost-performance ratio, isnt it?

What a lunatic.

Raphael pressed the button under his chair.

You seem to be in pain.

-My body hurts. Im a patient.

Yes. Lets end it here for today.

Raphael tried to stand from his seat, but-

His feet wouldnt budge.

?

He looked down at his feet.

Spiral-shaped concrete had wrapped around his feet. No matter how much he struggled, it was as if roots had taken hold

What is this.

-How is it? Much sturdier than mud, isnt it?

The flowing voice turned cold.

Raphaels face paled.

You. Who sent-

-

A quiet slicing sound echoed. A long curve tore through the air. There was no sound in the process.

Only a compressed gust of wind cut Raphael in two.

* * *

It works. The silencer.

I muttered, looking down at the already dead Raphael.

This time, I combined three formulas. Gale, High-Pressure Discharge, and Silence.

Two level 4s and one level 3, combined into my unique assassination weapon.

Boom!

Just then, the church door burst open.

I didnt need to look to know who it was.

The 222 cm tall giant, Lexton Welton. A cartel mercenary with a bounty of 150,000 Ren, he was the one watching Raphaels back.

As expected, Raphael had called him for help as soon as he felt threatened.

-Come out.

Lexton began by raising his Magic Body. He must have seen the blood trickling down from the confessional.

I placed my hand on Raphaels face.

Memory.

I muttered softly, then turned my face mask inside out. In that state, I only stuck my face out a bit.

If I went out completely, my physique would give me away.

Huh. What.

?

At that moment, Lexton released his Magic Body.

Crazy. Fuck, what have you done?

There was a bit of an accident. Some lunatic came by. I called for help to deal with this.

Who the fuck does this fucking bastard think he is, treating me like an errand boy?

The guy, having completely let his guard down, approached, swearing. I naturally moved aside.

You. Ill get an extra fee for this later, right?

Then, Lexton saw it.

Raphael Bartra, split in two. He asked in a flustered tone.

Hey. Did you have a twin?

No.

Then-

-

I discharged the Magic Spell. A high-density air blade emerged from the wand.

The same formula combination that had cut Raphael.

But Lexton managed to withstand it once. The formula had caught on his spine.

Cough-

I discharged it once more at the man who was coughing up blood.

-

I looked around at the two corpses. It was a bit grotesque, but I wouldnt bother cleaning it up. Instead, I applied magic to the pool of blood accumulating like a puddle. With it, I engraved red letters on the floor.

[SIN]

Sin.

The cartel guys would probably know best what kind of sin it was.

I immediately texted Kanya.

[Done]

Ding-

As if she had been waiting, the reply came.

[Kanya: Did you cut off his ear and thumb? Theyre necessary as proof for personal bounties.]

Ah.

I almost forgot. I cut off Lexadas ear and thumb.

Hmm.

I was about to leave as is, but I hesitated.

The word SIN engraved on the floor seemed too short for a message.

I added a few more letters.

* * *

Meanwhile, back at the mansion in the capital of Edsilla, Layla is spacing out.

Staring blankly at the ceiling.

Hey.

Hey.

Someone keeps calling from the side, but she couldnt hear them.

Hey!

The booming voice was annoying.

Layla turned her head to the side.

What are you doing? I went to the trouble after you invited me.

It was Elise. She looked at Layla with a puzzled face.

Layla pouted her lips.

I only invited you, I didnt say we were going to do anything. And the kids kept asking me to invite you. I didnt even want to have a party in the first place.

What-? You didnt want to have a party? You, Layla?

Elise distorted her face as if she couldnt believe what she was hearing. Her expression quickly turned suspicious.

Are you a spirit?

What are you talking about, Elly? Im feeling down, so could you please be quiet?

No, its just

Ah, I see. Got it.

Layla raised an eyebrow at Elise.

Elly, did you think I invited Shion too?

Elises body shivered.

She had hit the nail on the head.

What nonsense, sigh. Why would I discuss anything with you?

Do you really like Shion, Elly?

Are you crazy! You must not be a spirit after all. You cant distinguish between what should and shouldnt be said, just like Layla.

She spat out her words like a machine gun and quickly ran away.

Bang!

She slammed the door shut.

Suddenly!

What, shes opening the door again?

Layla looked at Elise.

What?

If you spread any rumors, I wont let it slide. I mean it. Dont spread false rumors. I might even sue you for defamation.

She threatened and then,

Bang!

She didnt wait for a response and shut the door.

Sigh

Finally alone, Layla let out a sigh.

Just as she was about to immerse herself in her thoughts, ring-

Her phone rang.

Ah, what now.

Layla. Theres breaking news from Trick City.

It was her AI assistant Eri.

Layla asked in a weary voice.

Whats the news? Ive already seen plenty of news

The reason she was so desolate right now was because of those news.

The death of the operator of the Ren Orphanage, a person who was like a beacon of light.

Of course, there was anger and sadness about the incident, but the sense of emptiness about public opinion was a bit stronger.

All this time, when she claimed to be a hero and saved people, she was cursed as a lawbreaker, but now that a real casualty has occurred, theyre looking for me.

Its different news. You should see it right away.

The assistant brought up the news.

What the huh?!

At that moment, Laylas eyes widened. She sprang up from the bed.

[Breaking news. Pastor Raphael Bartra of Section D-44 has been found brutally murdered]

Raphael Bartra.

Layla knew him.

She had helped him before.

In fact, in the lawless Section D, it would be quicker to find someone she hadnt helped. Especially those running religious and educational facilities.

Anyway.

As Mila, Layla had taken down the thugs who tried to steal the churchs offerings, and Pastor Raphael had given her a cross-shaped bracelet as a gift.

However, the more important issue was.

[According to eyewitnesses, a composite suspected to be Raquel Dra was found again.]

A composite that was of no help in finding the suspected culprit, just a fencing mask.

Raquel Dra.

[Also, a sentence sent by Raquel Dra to someone was written on the floor of the church.]

A sentence written in blood filled the screen.

Layla blankly read the red letters.

Mila. Do you know the sins of this man?.

Suddenly, her complexion turned frighteningly pale.

Yes. This dangerous person is calling for you, Master.

.

Layla clenched her teeth. Her tightly balled fists trembled.

[In the midst of what is presumed to be a message from Raquel Dra to the outlaw Mila, who has been operating like a vigilante in Trick City until now.]

Its the appearance of an archenemy.

Artificial secretary Eri chimed in.

Eri. This isnt a comic book.

Layla retorted.

Yes, Master. Ill give you some time to think.

The secretary quietly withdrew, seemingly proud of her demeanor.

Haah what the hell is going on.

As Layla glared at her smartphone, deep in thought-

Suddenly!

The door opened again.

It was Elise.

Ah, Elly, not now!

Layla burst out in annoyance.

Make some room.

Elise hurriedly entered and rummaged through her nightstand.

Elly. Im serious right now.

Layla crossed her arms seriously, but Elise just ignored her and continued fixing her makeup.

Ah, why are you doing this, really. Im freaking out, really aaah.

.

Aaaah

Then, Elly also glanced at her as if she was resentful.

You said you didnt invite him.

What!

Its nothing.

She glared at the mirror and corrected her makeup as gently as possible. Not too forceful, yet not too plain.

Emphasizing her soft freshness the most.

Its not that its not true, but Shion Ascal is outside right now.

Elly, youre pretty even without makeup, so get out! Do it in the bathroom!

Doing makeup in the bathroom lacks elegance Ah. Was it a play on words, makeup in the makeup room? If so, Im sorry.

Ah, what are you talking about, if youre sorry then just get out!!!

Layla shouted, almost crying.