anwhile, in Another Kingdom...
Inside a grand, dimly lit chamber, a high-ranking nobleman sat on an ornate throne, his fist slamming against the armrest.
His face twisted in rage.
"She’s still missing!?!?"
His voice thundered through the room.
"HOW!?"
The nobleman stood up abruptly, his furious gaze sweeping over his gathered subordinates.
"I spent a fortune hiring trackers! Scouts! Assassins! Every damn resource available!"
He gritted his teeth.
"And yet, NONE of them have found her!?!?"
A nervous servant stepped forward, bowing low.
"M-My lord..."
"What!?"
"It seems... her whereabouts remain unknown for now."
The noble’s eye twitched.
The servant quickly continued before he exploded in anger again.
"However... our recently hired scouts suggest that she was last seen in the capital city of this human kingdom."
The noble’s fist clenched.
Then—
A slow, dark grin spread across his face.
"Hmph... the human capital, huh?"
He leaned forward, his voice filled with sinister determination.
"Then send our n imdiately."
His eyes glead with obsession.
"Capture her."
He gripped the armrest tightly, his knuckles turning white.
His cold eyes glead with obsession as he clenched his fists.
"Capture her alive!"
His voice was like a whip, cracking through the chamber.
"Kill her protector."
"Eliminate anyone who dares to defend her."
His lips curled into a twisted grin.
"She is MINE."
His gaze darkened.
"And her power will belong ONLY to ."
The gathered soldiers, assassins, and scouts all knelt before him.
"Yes, my lord."
The noble took a deep breath, regaining his composure.
Then, in a chillingly calm voice, he added:
"Make sure she is taken without harm."
His narrowed eyes flickered with dangerous intent.
"And ensure that no one else gets to her first."
The room fell silent.
The nobleman leaned back on his throne, his fingers tapping against the armrest.
His mind was set.
No matter what—
Ellyn would be his.
And anyone who stood in his way...
Would die.
The nobleman’s expression darkened, his fingers tapping against the armrest in thought.
He knew the truth.
It wasn’t just him who wanted Ellyn.
The other high-ranking nobles wanted her.
Even the royal family had their eyes on her.
A low, dangerous chuckle escaped his lips.
"I won’t let anyone else have her."
His gaze turned sharp, filled with ruthless determination.
"If you encounter any of their n... kill them."
The soldiers tensed.
"No hesitation. No rcy."
He leaned forward, voice cold and commanding.
"Ensure she is brought to ."
His eyes burned with obsession.
"Do NOT let anyone take her. By any ans necessary."
His n bowed deeply.
"Yes, my lord."
The nobleman leaned back, satisfied.
The nobleman leaned back, a twisted smile forming on his lips.
He knew the truth.
Once he had Ellyn in his grasp...
He would never let her go.
Not until he had tasted her—until he had taken everything from her.
Until he had unlocked the full extent of his power through her.
His fingers gripped the armrest tightly, his nails digging into the wood.
A low chuckle escaped his throat.
"Ellyn... soon, you will be mine. And mine alone."
His eyes glead with obsession.
"I don’t care how much gold I’ve spent."
His breathing grew heavier, his voice dripping with greed.
"Once I have you... the power... all of it..."
He closed his eyes, savoring the thought.
Nothing else mattered.
Not the money.
Not the bodies left in his path.
Only Ellyn.
Only the power she would grant him.
And soon—
No one would be able to stop him.
anwhile, in Yumia Town...
Hazuki was happily strolling toward the town gate, a big pouch slung over his shoulder.
His walk was filled with confidence—no, pure smugness.
He moved like a man who just won the lottery.
A little bounce in his step.
A grin that scread, "Yeah, I’m rich now."
Then—
He spotted the two guards.
Without missing a beat, he smiled and waved.
"Yo!"
The guards turned to him.
One of them grinned.
"Oh, Wheelbarrow Guy. You look a little too happy today."
Hazuki chuckled smugly.
"Well... this is !"
He puffed out his chest.
"The most positive man alive! Soon to be the legendary adventurer!"
The guards rolled their eyes.
"Yeah, yeah..."
Then—
Both of them touched their throats.
A silent signal.
Hazuki’s smug smile twitched.
"Eh? Didn’t I just give you both 20 copper coins?!"
One of the guards shrugged casually.
"Well... that drink is long gone."
The other nodded, grinning.
"Yeah, you know how it is. We’re still a bit... thirsty."
Hazuki’s eye twitched.
"Damn it."
He grumbled, pulling out another 20 copper coins and handing it over.
"Ugh! Fine... here."
The guards cheered.
"Woooo! Thanks, Wheelbarrow Guy!"
Hazuki crossed his arms.
"You better save if I get into trouble next ti."
One of the guards gave a thumbs-up.
"Don’t worry! You can count on us!"
The other laughed.
"Yeah! As long as we’re... not too busy drinking!"
Hazuki facepald.
"Damn these corrupt bastards..."
But—
"At least I have bribed connections now...?"
"Oh, Wheelbarrow Guy."
Hazuki paused.
"Hmm?"
The guards grinned mischievously.
"Where are you going after this?"
Hazuki shrugged casually.
"Hmm... nothing much, just heading to the bank and—"
Then—
His brain caught up with his mouth.
"—ops."
The guards’ eyes lit up.
"Oho~ the bank, huh?"
Hazuki took a step back.
"W-Wait, don’t get any ideas."
One guard stretched and yawned.
"Well... we’re about to finish our shift."
The other cracked his knuckles.
"Yeah, so maybe we can join you... for a drink?"
Hazuki’s eye twitched violently.
"DAMN IT, YOU TWO!!!"
The guards laughed.
"Aww, co on~ We’re friends now, right?"
Hazuki groaned.
"I hate this two..."
Hazuki sighed deeply, rubbing his temples.
"Fine!"
The guards grinned in victory.
"Oho~? That was easy."
Hazuki pointed at them.
"I’ll treat you both to drinks later."
He paused, then emphasized.
"But later! Not now!"
One of the guards shrugged.
"Yeah, yeah..."
The other grinned.
"Now go before the bank closes."
Hazuki blinked.
"Ops! SHIT!"
He turned on his heel.
"See ya guys!"
Then—
He sprinted toward the bank, full speed.
The guards watched him go, smirking.
"Think he’ll actually show up for drinks?"
"Eh, if he doesn’t, we’ll just ’greet’ him at the gate tomorrow."
"Hahaha, yeah. No escaping us, Wheelbarrow Guy."
Hazuki rushed into the bank, nearly out of breath.
Ignoring everything else, he marched straight to the counter and dropped the big pouch onto the desk.
Then, with a confident grin, he handed the clerk his adventurer card.
"I want to deposit everything inside."
He paused, then added.
"Including the items."
The clerk narrowed his eyes, staring at him suspiciously.
"Where did you get this?"
Hazuki blinked.
"Huh? That’s my adventurer reward!"
The clerk crossed his arms.
"Really now?"
Hazuki clicked his tongue, annoyed.
"If you don’t believe , ask the two guards at the gate!"
The mont the clerk heard that, his expression relaxed.
He imdiately started processing the deposit.
"Alright then."
Hazuki crossed his arms smugly.
"Hah! That’s right! Even corrupt guards are useful sotis!"
The clerk examined the contents.
"So these jewels... you want them turned into cash and deposited into your account?"
Hazuki nodded, but as he glanced inside the pouch, sothing caught his eye.
A necklace.
One that looked far too beautiful to sell.
"Ah... except that one."
The clerk sighed and handed it over.
"Fine."
Hazuki took it, examining it closely.
Sothing about it felt... special.
But—
He’d think about it later.
The clerk started counting the coins and evaluating the jewelry.
Then, he gestured toward the waiting area.
"It’ll take so ti. Have a seat."
Hazuki sighed and sat down.
( End of Chapter )
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