“How does it look?”
“It seems to fit the description.”
Jeong Soo-ah’s eyes sparkled with a blue glow. After scattering the papers throughout the city, which sought information, we received quite a few tips in return.
Of course, 99% of them turned out to be useless. It would have been one thing if they were just wrong information, but most were crafted by those blinded by the prospect of rewards.
‘We have created a separate list listing out those false informers.’
I knew that over time, situations would arise that our guild can’t handle alone. At that time, we would inevitably find ourselves hiring outsiders with appropriate compensation.
However, the untrustworthy ones would be excluded. Fortunately, we could identify such individuals relatively quickly.
Amidst the sea of useless leads, a breakthrough finally emerged.
“Lee Sang-heok… was the name, right? Pay him the reward immediately.”
“Yes, but…”
“Hmm?”
I had thought this matter would be resolved by simply handing over the combat rations, but it turned out to be more complicated.
“He has asked, once his information is verified as correct, can he receive part of the reward in combat rations and the other part in different forms.”
“…Different forms?”
“Yes. It seems he wishes to engage in regular transactions with us.”
Transaction.
Upon reflection, while trading among Awakened individuals has been going on for a while, we have yet to engage in such dealings ourselves.
‘There’s bound to be items that are useless to us but could be valuable to others… and vice versa.’
Combat rations seemed to be a prime example.
There was someone who provided this information, and given that he had brought correct intel, he was somewhat trustworthy.
Moreover,
‘Rather than simply getting rations and ending the transaction, he aims for long-term benefits.’
If used wisely, he could prove to be a valuable ally.
“Convey that I will consider it positively.”
We would need to discuss it further; still, if it became a mutually beneficial arrangement, there is no reason to refuse.
By the way,
“It seems strangely quiet, but he must be hiding well.”
Nodding, I stood up, ready to move.
“Now that the info has been confirmed, I’m heading out.”
“Ah, yes! I’ll have the troops on standby.” commented Min-jae.
“No, I’ll go alone.”
“What?”
Min-jae turned to me, incredulous.
“You’re going alone…? Are you intentionally courting danger?”
“It’s not that dangerous. You know that.”
I pointed down at the shadow at my feet, and then…
– Grrrrr.
The little black figure playing around on my uniform’s chest was a miraculous creature. Depending on the environment, the troops hiding in the shadows could sometimes be entirely useless. In sunlight, for instance, they were practically useless. But this wasn’t one of those times.
Why?
Because the Gourmet Glutton was hiding right in the…
“The sewers. It’s going to get a bit dirty.”
Where I was heading was beneath the city.
Splash…
In the dark space, as I moved, the sound of water splashing softly echoed.
I stepped into the city’s underground sewage system. The pungent reek of decaying water pervaded the entirety of the area. For others, it was an unbearable stench that would have caused them to recoil.
“Compared to the smell of food waste, this is nothing.”
Given my line of work, where I frequently encountered the smell of food scraps, this was bearable.
“Surprisingly spacious.”
There were various types of sewers after all.
The location I was aiming for was where the Gourmet Glutton hid. The previous one I encountered had been enormous. If it was similar in build, I would have struggled to navigate through a regular sewer. It made sense that there was considerable width here.
Click.
I switched on the flashlight I had taken from the troops and advanced cautiously. I contemplated whether to take a bite of what I could find, but decided to hold off for being unsure.
As I ventured deeper into the dark sewer, I suddenly heard…
…Kiiick!
From far away, where the flashlight’s beam couldn’t reach, a small sound echoed.
While ordinarily, it would be impossible to see that far,
[Combat Power Evaluation]
At this moment, I could see a glimmer of that figure.
To be precise, it was more accurate to say I could sense the magical energy emitted by that monster.
As I crept closer, the creature’s form came into clearer view.
[Rashian]
[A monster that typically dwells in dark and humid environments.]
Its social behavior made hunting them rather challenging, and they certainly weren’t regarded as a favorable food source due to their poor hygiene.
A massive, rat-like entity encrusted in dirt. The aura surrounding it was… a deep crimson.
– Crackle-
– Cawww…!
[Experience points gained!]
“It’s just a minor nuisance.”
After swiftly killing the creature, I carefully surveyed my surroundings. According to the system, these monsters lived in packs. Therefore, there should be others nearby.