There Is No World For ■■
Chapter 140: City Of The Wretched (4)

* * *

Yeomyeong slowly lowered his hand, drew the Handle of Uragan from his pocket and raised it above his head.

The beautiful ivory-colored rod was clearly visible even in the darkness of the sewer.

It was the most expensive item Yeopmyeong had purchased from Joseph at the Incheon black market, and it was also the item that led him to form a connection with Seti.

Joseph raised his eyebrows slightly, seemingly recognizing the Handle of Uragan.

“Could it be… the one Mr. Jang Man brought along…?”

“…It’s been a while.”

As soon as Joseph heard Yeomyeong’s voice, he let out a hollow laugh.

“Well, it’s a damn small world, isn’t it?”

By this point, Joseph’s subordinates began to sense the strange atmosphere as they glanced at Yeomyeong and Joseph alternately.

The silence grew long, and just as the squeaking sound of the Rat Beastfolk beyond the sewer drew closer—

Joseph spoke.

“Everyone lower your weapons. I know this guy.”

“But, boss, he’s a Superhuman…”

“He’s a friend of an elder I respect. Just do as I said and lower them.”

The armed subordinates hesitated but slowly lowered their weapons.

And just as Yeomyeong and Seti were finally able to relax…

Bang!

One of the subordinates fired his gun. Was it aimed at Yeomyeong or Seti? No, it wasn’t. The barrel was aimed at the floor of the sewers.

It was probably a simple accidental discharge, but the consequences were anything but simple.

“You fucking idiot…!”

The moment Joseph smacked the head of the subordinate who had accidentally pulled the trigger—

- *Sound! Squeak, human scent.*

The Rat Beastfolks took notice of the group and began tracking them with both their ears and noses.

And not long after, they spotted Yeomyeong and the others standing across the sewer and began to scream.

- Humans, ah, f-female!

- Female! Female! I-I want to eat her!

- Eat! Eat!

Dozens of eyes shining like beasts began to move in unison, and the sound of their squeaking breaths filled the sewer.

“Damn it.”

Following Joseph’s curse, his subordinates started to raise their guns again, but Yeomyeong drew his sword first.

Seeing the sharp sword gleaming even in the darkness of the sewer, Joseph looked impressed while the Rat Beastfolks bared their large fangs.

- I-I don’t mind the male either!

Unlike Corvus, they were just beasts, thought Yeomyeong when something suddenly came flying in from among the Rat Beastfolks.

Yeomyeong simply caught the metal ball, to be precise, a steel ball shot from a slingshot aimed directly at his forehead.

- *Squeak?*

Did they not expect someone to catch the steel ball with their bare hands? Seeing the Rat Beastfolk with the slingshot tilted its head in confusion, Yeomyeong returned the steel ball with a full swing.

The rat didn’t even have time to scream. Well, it was only natural, considering that it had a hole blown through its forehead.

As it fell limp, not only did the charging Rat Beastfolk but also Joseph, who was reloading his gun at the back, widened their eyes in confusion at the sudden turn of events.

- *Squeak… squeak*? *What’s this? What’s happening?*

Instead of replying, Yeomyeong kicked at the ground. His first target was the bastard drooling over Seti.

The creature swung its claws instinctively, but they were no match for Yeomyeong’s Mountain Tear.

Its hand and body were sliced simultaneously, and as if that wasn’t enough, its torso couldn’t withstand the Sword Aura and began spraying blood everywhere.

Flesh, blood, and filth.

Standing over the corpse, painting the sewer floor in a familiar mess, Yeomyeong motioned toward the rest of the rats.

“Let’s end this quickly.”

The Rat Beastfolks didn’t ignore the provocation. Instead, their eyes turned blood-red in response.

- Human, knight!

- Eat! Let’s eat!

- Kill!!!

As the footsteps of the Beastfolks got closer, the light bursting from Yeomyeong’s sword illuminated the sewer.

* * *

Two hours later, after slaughtering dozens of Rat Beastfolks.

Yeomyeong was drying his wet hair with a towel at a small inn in the Dreitherial Highlands.

Perhaps because this was the first time that he had washed up in days, he was feeling somewhat refreshed.

…Of course, it should feel refreshing.

He had spent days in the desert, covered in the filth and blood from the Academy’s sewers, only to end up soaked in blood and grime again in this city’s sewers.

It was only after he had used up an entire bar of soap that he managed to scrub off all the dirt and grime that accumulated on his body.

And more importantly…

The Player.

The moment he thought of that name, Yeomyeong found himself at a loss for words, his hand coming to a halt.

And before the heavy silence could fill the room, he stood up and opened the window.

The scene outside, with the sun covering the city, looked pretty much the same as what he saw on Earth.

The court city loved by the emperor, the city of scums, and the largest city in the south.

Dreitherial was utterly chaotic, almost as if to prove it was the rightful owner of all those titles.

Buildings abandoned mid-construction due to the aftermath of the economic depression were scattered throughout the city.

The sight was reminiscent of a post-apocalyptic city straight out of a movie. Yet, city dwellers still found practical uses even for those abandoned buildings.

Most of the unfinished buildings were covered with makeshift tin roofs, while others without roofs were used as open-air markets or gardens.

And beneath those unfinished buildings, grid-like structures, a chaotic blend of Earth’s architectural technology and the aesthetic sense from beyond the Dimensional Portal, occupied the land. At least that sight was something Yeomyeong was familiar with.

Just like the shantytown in Incheon’s most run-down area…

“What are you doing?”

As the door to the shower opened and Seti’s voice filled the room, Yeomyeong snapped out of his thoughts and turned his head.

Seti, having finished with her shower, stood there in casual attire, drying her hair.

“…Just looking at the view outside.”

“Your expression seems rather disturbed for something like that.”

“I bet you’d make the same expression if you saw the scenery outside.”

Seti simply chuckled and walked up to the window to join him in taking in the view.

After a while, she uttered a short comment with an ironic laugh.

“…Guess the drama prettied things up a bit, huh?”

Yeomyeong had never seen the crime dramas she was talking about, so he merely shrugged, playing along, while Seti slammed the window shut.

With the outside world shut out completely, Seti flopped onto the bed, sprawling out.

“…Well, we somehow got here, one way or another.”

As she stretched out, her navel peeked through her clothes.

Averting his eyes, Yeomyeong cleared his throat, and spoke.

“We can just take the train back to Earth.”

“That’s tempting, but doesn’t it feel like something’s missing if we just leave like that?”

“Well… you’re right. We need to find out why the Korean government’s shepherds are in a city like this before we leave.”

This was information she and Yeomyeong had managed to uncover by torturing the desert Wraith, Dagal. Hence, he didn’t reject her proposal.

After all, with Player dead, the Korean government was his greatest enemy.

When Yeomyeong fell silent for a moment, Seti suddenly sat up from the bed and asked.

“Oh, right. What did Joseph say?”

The arms dealer from Incheon they’d met in the sewers.

Before he could even ask what an Incheon person was doing here, Joseph showed him to this place and then left.

Apparently, they managed to deal with the rat bastards quicker than expected, thanks to Yeomyeong, and now there was something else they had to take care of.

Joseph left with just one parting message.

“…He said he’d send someone over in the evening so he can treat us to dinner.”

“So, we still have some time left?”

“Why? Do you want to go sightseeing?”

“What? Absolutely not!”

As if asking, ‘What are you saying?’ Seti raised her delicate eyebrows, then patted the bed with her hand, signaling for him to hurry over and take a seat.

But seeing Yeomyeong pretend not to notice, she gave him a serious look and said,

“Come sit here.”

“…Why?”

“Just come, hurry.”

Yeomyeong was about to retort, but her intense gaze made him sigh in resignation.

Having no real excuse to refuse, he sat down beside her.

And the next moment, she wrapped her arms around him tightly, burying her face in his chest.

Ah, could it be… Yeomyeong’s mind began to race, imagining all kinds of things.

He even thought back to that… creative (?) water pouch they’d used in the desert…

“Seti?”

The strength of her embrace relaxed, her breathing steadied, and soon, she slumped against him, fast asleep.

“…So, she was exhausted.”

Yeomyeong held the sleeping Seti close, patting her back gently.

For some reason, the image of the Saintess came to mind, but he didn’t dwell on it for long.

Holding Seti in his embrace, he matched his breathing with hers—quietly and carefully.

Soon, only gentle, synchronized breaths filled the small inn room.

And they continued until evening fell.

* * *

Lights began to illuminate various parts of the city as the sun dipped below the horizon.

The person sent by Joseph was the same subordinate who had accidentally fired his gun back in the sewers.

Perhaps because he’d seen Yeomyeong skillfully take down the Rat Beastfolks, he bowed respectfully to the two and explained.

The boss has invited the both of you to the most expensive restaurant in this city.

He then mentioned that upscale restaurants had dress codes before handing Yeomyeong a pure white suit and Seti a black dress.

It was a bit of a hassle, but neither of them declined.

Partly because the subordinate looked at them pleadingly, as if begging them to accept, but also out of curiosity as to why Joseph was here instead of in Incheon.

So, after dressing up and carrying their weapons and pouches in hand, they followed him.

A while later, they arrived at a luxurious building, not by car but by carriage, that contrasted sharply with the city landscape.

A massive statue, surrounded by bright lights, guarded the entrance, with soft music playing in the background.

“Reservation for Table 11. Confirmed.”

As they followed the staff inside, they saw the interior of the building was even more extravagant. Crystal lights floated magically, glittering from the ceiling.

Despite the city outside resembling a slum, it had a restaurant this luxurious.

Seeing the stark divide in wealth, Yeomyeong smiled wryly, and even Seti shook her head.

But still, a meeting was a meeting.

As soon as they spotted Joseph at the largest table in the restaurant, both of them wiped the smiles off their faces.

“Ah, my guests! You’ve finally arrived!”

Noticing them belatedly, Joseph opened his arms wide in a welcoming gesture.

“It’s been a while, Joseph.”

“It’s the first time we’ve met since you got me kicked out of the black market.”

After exchanging greetings briefly, they sat down across from Joseph at the table.

Joseph called for a waiter to place an order, then crossed his arms and said.

“So, both of you are the ones who wore the sun mask and… the dog mask respectively that day at the black market, correct?”

It was about the day he first went to the black market with Mr. Jang Man.

Since it wasn’t exactly something to hide, Yeomyeong nodded at the direct question.

“What an incredible coincidence. Or should I call it fate?”

Seeing his easygoing attitude, Yeomyeong decided to ask him directly, without beating around the bush.

“Joseph, why are you here and not in Incheon?”

“Well, a smuggler is essentially a merchant. And isn’t the reason a merchant relocates their base of operations obvious? Of course, it’s for money.”

“…Money?”

“Well, after the North Manchurian incident, there’s been a lot happening… And the arms trafficking business in Incheon has become unexpectedly challenging.”

He spoke while nodding slowly as if embarrassed to explain all this.

“But I can’t just sit around twiddling my thumbs… So I came here hoping to strike it big. There’s a rumor going around that this place is soon going to be a complete mess.”

“…A complete mess?”

Joseph smiled meaningfully.

“They claim to have discovered three unclaimed treasures in this city. Each of them is highly coveted. The World Tree’s crystal, an Arcane Relic of the previous Magic Tower master, and… a nuclear warhead.”

The World Tree’s crystal and Arcane Relic were one thing, but a nuclear warhead?

Yeomyeong furrowed his brows in disbelief, but Joseph was confident.

He smirked, as if expecting them not to believe it in the first place.

“Well, I’ve never seen it in person either. A nuclear warhead? Honestly, it’s probably just a rumor.”

“…But even if they’re rumors, they sound like items that could easily spark conflicts.”

Even as baseless rumors, items with such value would inevitably lead to conflict.

And where there was conflict, the demand for weapons remained constant.

“Yes, precisely.”

“…”

Yeomyeong simply gazed at Joseph before Seti slipped into the conversation.

“Why are you giving us all this information for free?”

“It’s purely out of goodwill.”

“Cut the crap.”

Hearing Seti’s sarcastic remark, Joseph laughed and added.

“Actually, I want to hire you both as my escorts.”

“Hmmm?”

“Honestly, I didn’t think much of it at first, but after seeing your skills, I was persuaded.”

“Can you even trust us enough to make that offer?”

“Isn’t this young man someone Mr. Jang Man personally brought to the black market? That alone makes him trustworthy enough.”

Was Mr. Jang Man that trustworthy? Seti glanced at Yeomyeong. But Yeomyeong just stared at Joseph in silence, neither denying nor confirming.

After a while, Yeomyeong suddenly pulled out a small pouch of gold coins from his waist and tossed it towards Joseph.

The pouch jingled as it landed on the table.

“Forget about us being your escorts; We’ll hire you instead.”

“…For just this price?”

Joseph tilted his head, looking at the small pouch Yeomyeong had thrown, which could hold fifty gold coins at most.

Was hiring him the other way around not a problem? Yeomyeong tapped the table and replied.

“No, the price I’m offering is a hundred times more than what’s in that pouch.”

“…”

“And if that’s not enough, I’ll even throw in a chest of gold bars. How about it? Is that fair enough?”

A broad smile crept across Joseph’s face. He recalled when Yeomyeong, wearing a mask, followed Mr. Jang Man to the black market.

Yes, he had been just as bold back then.

After mentally calculating for a moment, Joseph suddenly thought of a question.

“Just out of curiosity, are you related to Mr. Jang Man by any chance?”

“…No.”

“Ho, but you really resemble him from his youth; honestly, I’d believe it if you said you were his son.”

While Yeomyeong struggled to come up with a reply, Joseph picked up the pouch.

“I accept the deal. Let’s consider this an advance payment.”

He spoke as he checked the gold coins inside. A deal was a deal, but verification was still necessary.

Fortunately, the pouch was indeed filled with gold coins, all genuine ones from beyond the Dimensional Portal.

With these, he could easily get a thousand dollars per coin—

Just as he thought that, Joseph’s expression suddenly turned sour.

“Why the sudden face?”

Sensing something strange, Yeomyeong asked as Joseph pulled a coin out of the pouch

Unlike the other coins, this one had a translucent symbol on it, something that looked almost like a magic circle.

“Don’t tell me… this is tracking magic…?”

And right at that moment.

The restaurant’s ceiling exploded.

!!!!!!!!

Amidst the deafening blast that swallowed the sounds around them, stone, glass, and unidentified figures fell downward.

“Yeomyeong! Catch!”

Seti pulled out a sword hidden under her dress and threw it, and as Yeomyeong caught it, a red-haired man struck down at him with a sword from above.

The man had ears several times longer than a human’s.