Welcome to Rewind World Game
Chapter 320 - 317: "Which Side?

Chapter 320: Chapter 317: "Which Side?

Su Ming’an watched as Kassan’s somewhat hunched figure slowly walked away and heard Archilev’s voice, "The incident from thirty years ago... was it you... was it You?"

"It was me."

Su Ming’an had no need to deny.

If Su Rin was indeed the one who saved Archilev back then, this constituted a life-saving grace.

A life-saving grace, sufficient to secure the loyalty of an S-rank high-ranking member of the Soul Clan.

He had thought he would need to demonstrate something to gain Archilev’s trust, yet he did not expect the man before him to kneel down directly.

"Father."

Archilev knelt on one knee, removed his hat, and bowed his head.

His tone was tinged with a touch of wistfulness, a thirty-year search finally coming to an end.

The scene before him was somewhat eerie, an elder with graying hair kneeling on one knee before a young man who looked quite young, calling him "Father."

This "Father," just as the Duke had called Su Rin at the time, was the term of respect given by a transformed member of the Soul Clan to the Soul Clan member who had transformed them.

At that moment, Su Ming’an heard that the favorability of the old gentleman before him had soared to ninety-five.

The other’s trust was delivered remarkably fast, as though he had anticipated this answer all along.

Su Ming’an pondered for a moment, then began to inquire Archilev about the situation of the Soul Clan in Pulaya.

According to Archilev, the Soul Clan in Pulaya lived unhappily.

Since forty years ago, when Pulaya began to experience blessings from the deities, the strength of the Soul Hunters had substantially increased, forcing the Soul Clan to hide in the night.

They could not hunt openly during the day, or it would provoke a siege from the Soul Hunt squads.

Although the number of Soul Hunters in Pulaya was far less than that of the Soul Clan, the Soul Hunters wielded control over Pulaya’s large barriers. Even though humans died every day, it was impossible for the Soul Clan to rise up against them and instigate large-scale battles with humans, completely turning the situation around.

A delicate balance was maintained between the two sides.

The Soul Clan could not prey on humans without restraint and were forced to blend in and live among them.

The Soul Hunters, in turn, could not completely eradicate the Soul Clan, only to watch helplessly as ordinary humans died in the night, with frequent reports of Soul Hunters dying in the line of duty as well.

It was like an ecosystem.

The big fish ate the little fish, and the little fish would continue to proliferate, ultimately leading to a gradual balance in the ecosystem.

"...As for the ’Grid Funeral,’ it’s the largest Soul Clan organization in the Eastern District, but it’s just an unmandatory, free association. Frankly speaking, discipline among the Soul Clan is quite loose, and since there is cannibalism within our own kind, we are also enemies to each other," Archilev said, sighing slightly: "After all, the Soul Clan cannot be as united as humans... because whether it is brethren or humans, they can all be seen as food in our eyes..."

"Does the ’Grid Funeral’ have regular meetings?"

"No, we are just a very loosely affiliated organization, we only convey information in an organized way during the large-scale Soul Hunt operations," Archilev said: "—What I mainly want to confirm now is."

He lifted his head slightly, a glint flashing in his eyes:

"Which side do you belong to?"

"..."

"Or rather." He put his hat back on, straightening it: "—Which side do you wish to help?"

He stared at Su Ming’an’s pure white mask:

"I heard during the day that the Soul Hunter Department of Pulaya welcomed a young S-level Soul Hunter with black hair and golden eyes. Now it seems that must be you," Archilev said.

"It’s me," Su Ming’an didn’t deny.

"So... you infiltrated the Soul Hunter Faction as a member of the Soul Clan and then, as a Soul Hunter, you eradicated the Soul Clan’s gathering point in the Flower District. Frankly, I find it hard to understand your exact thoughts in this series of actions," Archilev looked at him. "You possess great strength that both factions need, and so far, it’s difficult for me to determine whether you truly belong to the Soul Clan or to humanity. Could you inform me... towards which faction do you really lean?"

After a moment of thought, Su Ming’an said:

"Currently, I belong to the Soul Hunt."

"Currently... I see," Archilev nodded, his expression still calm, "Then when you decide to side with the Soul Clan Faction, please come to me, and I will provide you with the best assistance."

Su Ming’an understood what he meant.

Even though Archilev knew that Su Ming’an was "Su Rin," who had transformed him thirty years ago, he was still unwilling to betray the Soul Clan and turn completely to the Soul Hunter Faction that Su Ming’an was part of.

Nevertheless, Archilev promised that when Su Ming’an chose to side with the Soul Clan Faction, he would do his utmost to help.

That way, once Su Ming’an had accrued enough Points in the Soul Hunter Faction, he could very smoothly switch to the Soul Clan Faction.

An Archilev with 95 Favorability would become his safe bridge.

Archilev handed him a wooden carving.

The lines of the carving were bold and stark; it was a human figure carved from wood, where the head occupied two-thirds of the entire piece, and the lips were carved with particular ferocity.

"I will find out where you live by tomorrow," he said. "If you decide to switch to the Soul Clan Faction, place this carving in front of your window, and I will be ready at a moment’s notice."

Su Ming’an took the carving and heard a system prompt.

[*You have obtained a special Prop (Scoundrel’s Carving)]

[Scoundrel’s Carving: When placed at the player’s residence, it continuously provides +1 Luck to the player inside. (This prop can be taken out of the instance.)

Note: The residence must be determined as an area with interior space and the ability to provide sleeping accommodations.]

...

What a great item.

Su Ming’an hadn’t expected such an unexpected boon.

In the future, he could place this item in his personal space, ensuring a safety net when drawing various Props and Skills.

He accepted the carving, bid farewell to Archilev, sent a communication message to the Soul Hunter Department, and then hurried to the Red Mansion.

On the way, Su Ming’an pondered.

He didn’t view Su Rin as a purely villainous character, nor did he see him as a bad person who would do anything evil for the expansion of the race. Otherwise, there was no need for Su Rin to cultivate only an Archilev in his sixty-plus years with the ability to expand the Soul Clan. He could have turned the whole city of Pulaya into a paradise for the Soul Clan.

...Su Rin must be plotting something.

And that matter would only become clear as the slow unlocking of the abilities related to Su Rin continued.

On Shadow’s end, the fleeing members of the Soul Clan had been completely hunted down without exception. Su Ming’an remotely ordered Shadow to act as an independent outsider and sign up for the Soul Hunter Faction, to earn Faction Points simultaneously.

He stepped out of the wooden house; the figures of Kassan and little Na had disappeared into the night.

The Soul Hunters must have already implemented their lockdown plan by now.

He had taken the initiative to destroy the most densely populated gathering place of the Soul Clan and had occupied the strongest Archilev. As long as the Soul Hunters didn’t completely fail in their ability, this mission wouldn’t fail either.

He charged out of the pitch-black alley and noticed that the people on both sides avoided him like he was the plague.

He carried with him the pungent stench of Soul Clan blood, and a sword was still in his grasp—such a sight was foreign to these pleasure-seeking, wine-bibbing commonfolk.

Amid the fearful glances, he forcefully pushed aside the still-oblivious greeter at the entrance of the Red Mansion, hopped over the threshold, and leaped into the second floor, where he caught Lv Shu and Lin Yin in a disgraceful scene.

This meeting seemed somewhat comical.

...

"Soul Hunter, sir."

The man waiting at the door as he stepped out of the Red Mansion wore a black uniform and sported an A-level Soul Hunter Medal.

In the time it took for Su Ming’an to save Lv Shu and Lin Yin, the nearby streets had emptied. Those who received the news and could run had fled, none daring to linger in such a dangerous place.

When Su Ming’an looked towards the once-bustling street, all that remained were a few corpses and the sour stench of cheap liquor.

A Soul Hunter squad was securing the area, vigilantly wielding their weapons, inspecting suspicious individuals with the Stone of Inspection.

As Su Ming’an exited, their gazes swept over him, mixed with various emotions.

They could probably guess that Su Ming’an was that S-level Soul Hunter who had preemptively destroyed the gathering point noted in the intelligence reports.

To the side, the man in the black uniform approached, his voice was calm and gentle:

"Thank you, esteemed S-level Soul Hunter, sir. The action you took to destroy the Soul Clan stronghold went remarkably well. Our men are currently sweeping up the scattered remnants of the Soul Clan trying to flee. We believe it won’t take long before the Soul Clan in the Eastern District start to lay low."

Su Ming’an glanced at him, "There’s a problem with your Soul Hunter intelligence."

The man’s expression stiffened slightly.

"That gathering spot had superior Soul Beings with strength not inferior to an S-level Soul Hunter," said Su Ming’an. "If there’s a problem with such critical intelligence, then there’s quite a serious issue within the Soul Hunters themselves."

"We’re terribly sorry, indeed there was a mishap with the intelligence division of our second line," the man’s smile faded as he spoke, "I understand. I will report this matter as it is. However, you could also personally discuss this with the leader."

"What?"

"Leader Aelas, having received news of your excellent performance on this task, wishes to meet with you," he said.

Su Ming’an eyed the sky.

"...Of course, now is not a suitable time. Nighttime is fraught with danger and is also when Soul Hunters work; the leader is busy too," the man explained. "Would you be available tomorrow morning?"

"I have time."

"Good. At any time tomorrow morning, you may come to the Central Soul Hunting District. The location of the Central Soul Hunting District can be directly accessed through any of the three waterways. The leader will wait for you there. Your points for this task and any additional rewards will also be distributed by that person."

...Central Soul Hunting District.

Su Ming’an memorized the location. It seemed his abilities had surpassed the expectations of the Pulaya Soul Hunters to an extent that even the top leader desired a meeting with him.

"I understand," he replied.

"Then." The man stepped aside and bowed slightly:

"...May you have a safe night."

This was the blessing of the residents of Pulaya.

To them, having several peaceful nights, free from Soul Clan attacks, was the best and most tangible blessing.

In the varied glances of the Soul Hunters, Su Ming’an boarded the vessel for his return trip.

The boatman began to row.

The night in Pulaya was exceptionally dark, as if a massive hand had wiped out all the light around them. Without turning on any lights, what met the eyes was an extremely somber darkness.

Night in this place wasn’t so quiet; seated on the small boat in the river, Su Ming’an could hear rapid footsteps and bursts of gunfire from both banks, as if intense battles were raging.

These sounds of combat would likely continue until daylight, until the sky turned bright.

The dead would become corpses, and those waking in the morning light would bury them.

Soul Clan and humans, Soul Clan and Hunters.

The distinct division between the races had created today’s Pulaya, where in the bloody combat, both sides fought for their basic survival.

He listened carefully to the noise on the shore and suddenly, from ahead of the small boat, came the boatman’s somewhat fleeting words:

"Sir, have you just completed a mission?"

Most Soul Hunters in Pulaya carried out their missions at night, and, as a result, there were quite a few bold boatmen who dared to navigate their boats at nighttime.

The reason was simple; higher risk meant they could charge multiple times the usual rate.

Ming’an responded with a sound, not saying much.

The cold night wind brushed past his ears, and in the profound darkness, the small boat drifted on the waves, rising and falling, like a comfortable cradle.

"...It’s thanks to your kind that Pulaya can be this safe," the boatman’s voice floated over.

...Safe?

Perhaps, for some residents under the protection of Soul Hunters, it was indeed so.

"I’ve heard that the Flower Street area is chaotic, always having residents die accidentally there. Despite this... the Soul Hunt never seems to dispatch anyone in time to stamp out the threat, as if they’re allowing the residents to continue dying there. Even just now, at the shore, I heard you mention that there are issues with the intelligence at the Soul Hunter Faction... that’s the most crucial intelligence department, and for issues to arise even there..."

The boatman went on, and Su Ming’an suddenly noticed something off about him.

The other’s speech was too smooth, the direction of his words very pointed; he didn’t at all seem like a boatman who made his living on the riverbank.

The small boat drifted slightly on the river, and he steadied himself against the gunwale, ready to use Spatial Displacement to leave at any moment.

He had no confidence in underwater combat since none of his skills afforded him underwater vision or breathing. Should this impostor boatman make a move, he wouldn’t stay and wait for the boat to capsize.

"...Soul Hunters risk their lives in defense of Pulaya, striving to keep the residents safe. And yet, such a sizable error has emerged in the Soul Hunter Department responsible for dispatching missions... How then can Soul Hunters entrust their precious lives to such an organization..."

As the boatman spoke, the oar in his hands came to a halt.

The boat had arrived.

Su Ming’an jumped onto the riverbank and saw the boatman, with a round cap whose brim shaded his eyes, toss him something.

"Ting-a-ling!"

The object hit the ground, and in the faint glow of the oil lamp, Su Ming’an could see it was a golden gemstone.

"Tomorrow night, on Hua Street in the Southern District, you may carry this token inside, and no one will stop you," the boatman rowed, the light swaying dimly.

As the boat moved away with the current, the voice of the boatman floated back with a hint of mirth:

"Duke Sevya of the Soul Clan, looks forward to your meeting."