Infinite Mage — Chapter 133: Priority (3)

Chapter 133: Priority (3)

“This‍⁠‍ is impossible…”

Gido‍‍ was dumbfounded. He‍‌‍ had never anticipated⁠ that the largest‍⁠‌ fixer on Galiant‌‍‌ Island would fall‌ to a woman’s⁠ strike.

Rian shook his head‍‍ as he watched‍ Tess dusting off her hands. Was‌ there even a place for a man to squeeze⁠ in here?

Elzain swordsmanship is known‍ for its precise⁠ attacks. Trained to⁠ pierce vital points⁠ in any situation,‌‍‌ she was a technician capable of⁠ nullifying the difference in strength or⁠‌⁠ size in an instant.

‘Getting‍ to the tip‌‍ of the chin⁠‌ with minimal movement is impossible without‌ murderous concentration. Consider‍⁠ yourself lucky. If‌ Tess had drawn‌ her sword, you’d⁠ be dead already.’‌‌

Shirone‍‍ stared blankly at‍ the immobile fixer.‌ Was this the⁠ movement of a swordsman that paralleled‌ a mage?

If‍‌ Rian’s physical strength⁠⁠‌ was avant-garde, Tess’s⁠‍ strike seemed like⁠ a perfect work‌‌ of art.

“Wow,⁠ that was really‌‍ cool, Tess.”

“Hehe!‍‍ Was it okay?⁠ Shirone really has⁠ an eye for⁠‍‍ this. Unlike someone‍⁠ standing right there.”⁠⁠

Rian‌ approached Gido, paying‌‍ him little mind.‌

Gido⁠‍ was trembling with‍‌⁠ fear. When Rian⁠‍ grabbed his neck‌⁠ and lifted him,‌⁠ he made a final struggle.

“Ugh!⁠ Do you know‍ where you are?”⁠

“I‌‍ know, that’s why⁠‍ I came. Does‌ it look like we’re playing hide‍‍ and seek? Where’s⁠‍ Amy right now?”⁠

“Damn‌ it! Who’s Amy?‌ How would I know?”

“Should‌‌‌ I stop your‌ heart instead of‌‌⁠ killing you?”

“Damn‌‌‍ it all! I really don’t know! If you’re so‍ curious, find out‍‍⁠ yourselves!”

“This‌ bastard!”

Rian’s‍‌ eyes blazed with⁠ anger. He was‌ already anxious, and‍‌‍ this was just⁠ adding insult to‌‍ injury. Didn’t they⁠ have no time‍ to search, hence‍ their current actions?⁠⁠‌

Just‌‍ as he was‍ about to intensify⁠‌ the threats, Shirone approached.

“Rian,⁠‍ that’s enough. What’s⁠‍ the point in⁠‌‌ asking if he‌⁠ doesn’t know?”

“Then‍‍ what? Are we⁠‌ really going to‌ go around every‍‍ room?”

“No,⁠‍ we ask about‍⁠ what he knows.”‌

“What‍⁠ he knows? Like⁠⁠ what?”

Gido‌‍ flinched as he locked eyes with‍‍ Shirone.

It⁠⁠‍ was a different‍ kind of anger‌ from Rian’s. A chill surged, freezing‍ his bones.

“Ask‌‍⁠ where Falcoa is.”

* * *

Royal‍‌ Tavern. Basement Level⁠ 1.

Those⁠‌ in the know‍ called this place‌‍ a temple. Of‌ course, no god‌⁠ resided here. But‌‍ sometimes, one might‍ see a god,‍ due to the hallucinogenic effects induced‌⁠⁠ by Lupe.

In⁠‌ the end, the‍ 4th-floor VIP rooms⁠ were just for‍⁠ tourists who came⁠ based on rumors,⁠ but the real‍ deal was all‌ underground.

The‍ temple was a space for those⁠ addicted to pleasure,‍‌ where various drugs‍‍ circulated, and the⁠ stimulant Lupe could⁠ be enjoyed without⁠⁠ limit.

The‍⁠‍ temple was divided⁠ into 17 sections,‌‍ and the total‌⁠ area was 1.5‌ times larger than‌ the first floor.⁠‍‍

It‌⁠ was always full,‌‌ but Room 4 was never open⁠‌ to guests because‌ it belonged to‌‌‌ Falcoa, the team‌ leader of the‌‌ Freeman organization and‌ the boss of⁠ the Royal Tavern.‍‍

“So‍‍ I asked him.‍⁠ Do you want⁠⁠ to be buried⁠‌‌ after you die,‌⁠ or die after‌ you’re buried? You‍⁠ know what he‌‌ said?”

“Ehehe,‌‌ what did he⁠ say, boss? What⁠‍ did that guy‍‌ say?”

Falcoa‌ screamed as if‍⁠ dying.

“Please~⁠ save me!”

“Ahahaha!‌ I’m dying of‌ laughter! Please~ save me!”

Falcoa’s⁠⁠ men burst into⁠⁠ laughter, pounding on‌‍ the table. But Zis couldn’t understand‌ it at all.‌‍‌

‘Crazy⁠‌ bastards. What’s so‍ funny about this?‍ They’re out of‍‍ their minds.’

“Oh‌ dear, why aren’t you drinking?”

Zis⁠‍ didn’t even make⁠⁠ eye contact with‍⁠⁠ his partner, just‍⁠ shaking his head.‌ Drinking here felt‍ like he’d never‍⁠ see tomorrow’s sunrise.‌

Zis‌ discreetly turned to‍ look at Falcoa’s⁠‍ partner. Amy, whom⁠ he had brought‍‌ along, was sitting⁠‌ there.

Of⁠ course, she didn’t‌ understand Falcoa’s sense‍ of humor either‍ and just stared⁠ blankly ahead with⁠ an indifferent face.‌‌

‘Really⁠ impressive. I’m scared to death, but‌ her expression doesn’t‌ change at all.’‌‌⁠

Normally,‌⁠ a woman, especially⁠‌ a young girl,⁠‌ would tremble with‍‌ fear in such⁠‍‍ a threatening situation⁠ surrounded by violent‌ gang members. But there was not‍‌‌ a hint of‍‌ tension on Amy’s‍ face.

‘Ah,⁠ it’s noisy. I’m‌⁠‍ bored. I want‍ to go back.’⁠⁠

Amy⁠‌ moistened her lips‌‌‍ with the drink‌ in front of⁠ her. As a noble, she was⁠ taught about liquor,⁠‍ but she wasn’t⁠ inclined to enjoy it and didn’t⁠ usually drink. At⁠ most, she sipped‍‍ enough to cover‍‌ the bottom of‌ the bottle out‍‍‌ of boredom.

But‌‌ the alcohol still⁠ made her feel‍‌ light-headed, leading her‌ into a somewhat‍ sentimental state.

‘What‍ am I doing‌ here?’

Of‍ course, she had⁠ come along out⁠‍ of pity for‌⁠ Zis. But upon⁠ reflection, that didn’t⁠‌‌ seem to be‌ the only reason.‌

‘He⁠‌ must have returned by now, right?’‌⁠

Why‌‌ was Shirone late?⁠ Perhaps he was‍ caught up in‍ another needless commotion.⁠

From‍ Shirone’s omniscient point‌ of view, how‌ many unfortunate people⁠ could there be‌‌⁠ in the world?‌‍

‘Hehe,‍‌⁠ did I want⁠‌ to imitate that?’‍

Thinking⁠ about it, her reason for coming⁠⁠‌ here wasn’t much‌⁠ different.

She⁠‍ had heard the‌ screams of a ruffian at the harbor, begging for‌ his life. Of‌‍⁠ course, he didn’t⁠ seem completely down⁠ and out.

The‍‌ mood at the drinking party grew‌‌⁠ more heated. The‍ more it did,⁠‌ the more irritated⁠ Amy became.

She‌ could easily show⁠ her power and‍‌ leave if they⁠‌ were forceful, but‍ contrary to expectations,⁠‍ Falcoa behaved with‍‌ manners.

What‍ are you thinking?‌‍ Should I make‌‌ the first move‍ instead?

While‍ Amy was lost‍‌ in such thoughts,‌‍ Falcoa was also⁠ aware of her,⁠‍ wearing a sinister‍ smile.

‘I⁠‍⁠ can hear the⁠‌ wheels turning in her head from‍‌ here.’

Amy‍⁠ must be a high noble. There‍⁠‌ was an inherent⁠ nobility about her‍ that couldn’t be⁠ compensated for by mere appearance.

But⁠ Falcoa was at⁠ ease. He had⁠⁠‌ the ultimate weapon‌‌ to subdue nobility.‌‌

Indeed,‍ with this, even‍‍ a king would kneel before him.⁠⁠

That was Lupe.

Even⁠‌ now, many high⁠‍‌ nobles had become⁠‍ slaves to Lupe‌ in the temple.‌‍

Timing‌‌ it right, gradually⁠⁠ training them with‌⁠ Lupe, even the‌ proudest noble couldn’t‌‍ withstand it.

“Come,⁠‍ come. Let’s toast,‍ to a toast!”‍‍

At‌‍ that moment, a crashing sound came⁠‍ from beyond the⁠‍‌ plank, followed by⁠⁠ the shouts of⁠⁠‍ the staff.

“What⁠ the! Ugh!”

“Hey! Stop them! That’s‌‌ the boss’s room!”⁠⁠

The⁠⁠‌ door burst open, and three people⁠ entered.

Zis‌‍‌ stood up in‌‌⁠ shock upon recognizing the faces of‍ the intruders. They⁠ were Amy’s friends‍ from the harbor.‌

Falcoa’s‌ expression soured immediately.‍ He could forgive‍ troublemakers if they‍‍‍ paid up several‍ times over, but‌‌ an intrusion into his temple, his‍ territory, was a matter of pride.

“What’s‌ this? What’s going‌‌ on?”

As⁠ Falcoa spoke in‍ a voice devoid‍‌ of any humor,⁠⁠ his direct subordinates‍⁠⁠ jumped to their‌⁠ feet. Seeing their‌ temper, the women⁠ around started to discreetly move away.‍‍

“Shirone?⁠‍ How did you‌ find this place?”‍

Amy‌‍ asked, her eyes‌‌ wide in surprise.‍

But Shirone postponed his‍‌‌ answer. An unbearable⁠‍ itching sensation was‍ crawling up his‌‌ spine.

The‌ man sitting arrogantly‍ at the high⁠ seat, legs crossed,‌‍ must be Falcoa.‍ He didn’t look like a monster,‌‍ but it was‌‍ clear at a glance he was‌ not normal.

‘He’s‍ strong, that man…’‍

It’s⁠⁠ easy to show⁠‍ a killing intent.⁠ If you truly intend to kill,‍ even an ordinary person can intimidate⁠‌⁠ others. But it’s‍ not easy to‍ subtly exude a faint killing intent‍‌ as if it’s‌‌‍ barely there.

Only‍‍‌ a professional killer⁠‌‍ could emit such‍ an aura.

‘Amy…’⁠⁠

Why⁠⁠ was Amy sitting‌‍ next to such‍⁠ a person?

Instead⁠ of tea or coffee, which she preferred, there was⁠ a glass of‍ alcohol in front‌‌⁠ of her. The⁠‌‍ floor was dirty,‌⁠ the air was⁠⁠ stale. Nothing she‌‌ had in her⁠⁠ room was here.‍‌‍

Therefore…‌‌ she wasn’t here⁠ of her own‌‌ will.

“Let’s‍⁠ go back, Amy.”‌‍‍

Amy‍ felt a surge⁠ of emotion. After‍ all this time,‌‍ the only thing⁠ he had to⁠⁠‍ say was “Let’s‍ go back, Amy.”?‌⁠ He was nowhere‍‌‌ to be seen‌ when she was‍‍‍ waiting, and now he has this bold attitude?

Amy‍ was angry at⁠⁠ herself for being‍ glad to see⁠‍ Shirone just moments⁠ ago. From what‌ perspective was Shirone‍ looking at her⁠ now? From the⁠ height of a human, or from‌ the high heavens?‌

This⁠ wasn’t what she‍‌ wanted. That’s why‍‌ she didn’t want⁠⁠‍ Shirone’s help. She‍‍ could leave right‍‍ now if she⁠ wanted to.

“You,‍⁠ you guys! Do⁠‌ you know where‌⁠ you are, barging‍⁠ in here!”

All‍ the tavern’s staff⁠‍ rushed over. But none dared to‍ enter Falcoa’s lair,⁠⁠ as if it⁠ were the den‍ of a fearsome‌‍ demon.

Shirone⁠ was astounded. A boss that even‌ his underlings feared.⁠ How deep and dark was this⁠ man’s evil?

Falcoa⁠‍ spoke lazily, as‌ if annoyed.

“What‍ are you? Do‌‍ you know what happens when you⁠‌ enter a room⁠ without my permission?”

“We‍‍ came to take Amy. Let her‌ go.”

“Pfft,‌‍‍ sounds like a kidnapping. Even nobles‍ need to be‍‌ careful, especially in‌ places like this.”⁠‍⁠

Shirone’s‍ guess was correct. This place was⁠‍ a lawless zone under the protection⁠ of the island’s‍‌ government.

“What‌⁠ are you waiting‌ for? Send these‌ kids back.”

“Where‍‌ should we send them back to,⁠‌ boss?”

Falcoa‍ exhaled sharply and⁠⁠ said,

“To⁠ hell.”

Falcoa’s⁠ direct subordinates started⁠ to advance, loosening⁠⁠ up their bodies.‍ They were on‌‍‍ a different level‍ compared to the⁠‌‍ staff they had‌ passed by.

Tess‌ drew her sword,⁠ readying herself, and‍⁠⁠ said,

“Shirone,‌‌ be careful. All⁠ of these guys⁠ are Schema users.”⁠

A light flashed in Shirone’s eyes. Tess‌ had a keen‍‍ eye, so it‍‍⁠ must be true.‍⁠

Of‍ course, most students⁠‍ at the swordsmanship‍ school could open‌ their Schema. But‌‌‍ it was strange‍‌ that not a single thug living‌ on this island lacked the ability to use Schema.⁠

‘Who‌ is this person?‌ How can a mere tavern owner‍ command such skilled‍⁠‍ individuals?’

Shirone stared straight at‍ the underlings blocking⁠ the way. At⁠‍‌ that moment, an‍ overwhelming emotion struck‍ Shirone’s heart.

“Ugh!”‌⁠

“Shirone,‌ be careful! It’s⁠ Pressure!

There‍‌‍ are many abilities⁠‍ related to the‍⁠ ‘eye techniques’ in‌⁠ the Schema perception,⁠‍ but Pressure was‌‍ among the most‍ common.

It‌‍ was intuitive and‍ useful in real‌ combat because it‌‍ was easy to⁠ master if one⁠‌‍ knew how to⁠‌ release their emotions‍‍ outward.

Shirone⁠‍ wasn’t flustered. He realized it was‌‌ the same technique⁠⁠ used by Adel,⁠‌ the head butler‌‍ of the Karmis‌⁠ family, the moment⁠‍ the opponent’s hostility‌ pressed down on‌ him.

But‌ the quality of⁠ the emotion was‍ different. If Adel’s⁠ Pressure was meant‌ to overpower, theirs⁠ was solely to‌ take life.

Rian⁠‌‍ gripped the hilt‌ of his straight⁠‌‍ sword and took⁠‍ a step forward.⁠‌

“How⁠‌‌ dare you!”

“Rian!‍ Wait!”

Shirone‍ shouted, and Falcoa’s‍‍ men looked at‍ him in surprise.‍ It was Pressing‍ from 10 people⁠ at once; normally,‍‍ it would have‌‌ stopped one’s heart,⁠‌ not just halted‍‍ speech.

But‌‍ Shirone still stood,⁠⁠ a faint smile‍‍‌ on his lips.‌

Amy⁠ was the only‍ one who understood⁠ the situation.

‘Indestructible.‌‍‌ In a way,⁠‍ it’s a power‍ that rivals my‍⁠‍ Red Eye.’

Pressure⁠ couldn’t sway Shirone.‌ Maybe it could,⁠ but not at‍ their level.

Shirone‍ began to walk⁠‍‍ slowly. As if‌ pushed by the‍ atmosphere, the underlings⁠ stepped back with⁠ the same pace.⁠⁠

It‌ wasn’t easy for‌⁠ Shirone to emit‍ emotions either.

It was the pressure⁠⁠⁠ injected by 10 veterans who had⁠ experienced countless battles.‌⁠

It’s⁠ impossible to put‍ a value on⁠‍ emotions, but it‌‍ felt like waiting‍ for a carriage‍⁠ to run over‌‍‌ you with your‌‍‌ hands and feet tied to the ground.

More‍⁠ precisely, it was‌‌ the terror of⁠ the moment when‌ the carriage arrived‌ right in front‍ of you, and‍ the massive wheels⁠‍ filled your entire⁠ field of vision.⁠

In⁠‍ reality, the fear‍ would last only⁠‌‌ 0.1 seconds because‍‍ death awaited, but‌‍ Shirone was experiencing‌‍ the same emotion⁠ for over 20⁠ seconds.