Chapter 19: The Various Factions

Page 1/3

The dream ended, and Rien was able to resume his usual morning exercise, beginning the rhythm of a new day. The lives of those candidates—their entire life trajectories—had already been completely disrupted and rearranged.

“The legacy of the heroic soul? Am I even qualified...”

“Bonebreaker” Damon awoke from his sleep, but the rebellious spirit from his dream was gone. The former boss’s room was grand and luxurious, but he was not used to such comfort and still chose to live in the kitchen where he once worked as a cook.

The wooden bed creaked under his heavy frame, cold sweat covering him as memories of death surged through his mind, reminding him of the reality of it all.

“...Was that a dream, or was it real?” Even though his rational mind told him it was real, he was still shocked and found it hard to believe. The heroic soul, the world’s crisis, the kingdom’s future—these were all far removed from someone like him, who had been wallowing in the mud.

Though he had fiercely confronted the paladins, as the only non-supernatural individual and a gray figure, he had always been hesitant and uneasy inside.

Could someone stained with blood and filth like him truly be worthy of inheriting a sacred legacy on the divine altar? Having heard many fairy tales and epics as a child, he knew what it meant to be an epic hero who emerged from ancient history—and what such a legacy signified.

Many epic stories begin with an ordinary person receiving a legacy from history... but was he worthy? He was neither a noble prince nor a simple village boy, but a gang member stained with blood—often the minor villain in most legendary tales.

“Boss?”

But from the moment he severed the former boss’s head yesterday, there was no turning back.

“The tail-hunting incident—any news? Has anyone tried to stop you from investigating?” That case was the beginning; his family’s ordeal made Damon fully understand what it meant to be kind and yet bullied.

A cook could not protect his family, but a rogue could.

His first order as boss was to have Bonebreaker’s men investigate his brother’s case.

“No, everyone’s cooperating. The leaders of the various gangs know that this increasingly deranged killer is a continuous threat...”

“Going smoothly?” The seemingly crude yet meticulous Bonebreaker frowned. This was not what he had hoped for.

His hesitation was not because his men had failed to uncover useful information.

“Anyone you sent out get into trouble?” He never expected to get direct information from them.

Those goons were good at extortion and causing trouble, not crime investigation or tracking killers. They were meant to scare and pressure the enemy into making mistakes.

In his view, the killer’s ability to rampage here without being caught indicated local forces were aiding him.

Therefore, his men should have been stopped by someone; any resistance would reveal who was behind it.

But so far, nothing had happened... Other gangs and organizations in the dock area were surprisingly cooperative. Could it be that they were truly uninvolved?

Then how did the killer manage to come and go without a trace? Even supernatural stealth has limits and leaves many clues.

He had even prepared for the worst: if something happened to his men, at least someone would pass the intelligence to... that young paladin who had come to mourn one day.

Probably, in the entire dock district police station, only that paladin, already considered mad, was trustworthy.

“Let them continue, but be more aggressive...” Perhaps the pressure wasn’t enough? Perhaps the probing wasn’t heavy enough, and he needed to intervene personally?

At the same morning hour, in a far wealthier district, a fierce family quarrel was reaching its peak.

Inside a house many times larger than Rien’s, a father and son... or rather, daughter were embroiled in a heated argument.

From outside the master bedroom’s closed door came loud disputes, frightening the servants into silence.

Occasionally, things shattered inside. Finally, with a bang, the door was flung open, and an angry young paladin stormed out.

Inside the open door remained only the old spider—angry, frustrated, and helpless.

“Smash!” Growing more furious, he threw all the ornaments on the table to the floor.

“Find out how she knows! Who told her?” Baron Labor was utterly enraged this time.

Meanwhile, in another corner, the small dragon girl still slept.

She was the last to leave and, as a dragonborn, always enjoyed deep, restful sleep.

It was already past ten, yet she showed no sign of waking.

Finally, when the door opened and the maids entered, she was still wrapped in blankets, sound asleep.

The black-haired, glasses-wearing head maid first drew back the curtains, letting sunlight flood the bed, and saw the girl clutching a pillow, rolling on the bed.

She took out a pocket watch, waited patiently for a while, but still no response, so she reluctantly called out.

“Miss, miss, wake up! It’s time—the Viscount Sudar is here to visit...”

------------

For a professional warrior, a day without training dulls the hands.

Morning practice was routine. After sword training, Rien didn’t rush out to patrol the streets.

Good deeds to boost satisfaction still awaited; Rien needed to strive for higher-level “rewards.”

Especially the soul ability—how much of it would remain was uncertain... Brother Sul might no longer be awakenable, but the heroic soul was still watching over him.

[Sync Rate 42.6%, Satisfaction 25.6%]

The sync rate had risen significantly again, and satisfaction increased slightly, but still limited.

“Trying to get sync past half and satisfaction over thirty before it ends... past half should bring higher-level rewards, if I were designing it.”

As an examiner, Rien was still Sul’s disciple; he had to prove he deserved the legacy.

But with some secrets unveiled and some matters no longer ignorable, some troubles could no longer be evaded.

“Time to take a look...”

Returning to the bathroom attached to his bedroom, Rien closed the door firmly and gave himself a bitter smile in the mirror.

“I must admit, it’s very likely the previous Rien Su... wasn’t a good man.”

Page 2/3

New intelligence confirmed some suspicions.

“The missing hero...” Heroine Raina disappeared two years ago and was now trapped within her own compendium, half mad.

Who attacked her? Why? If the compendium truly bound to Rien Su, then the possibility that the previous Rien Su was responsible was extremely high.

“If it really was him, the active period must be recent.”

This was a huge problem—Rien Su, potentially aligned with evil, was still stirring trouble two years ago.

It was entirely possible; experiences shape character. If, like Sul, he only regained full memory at death, falling to a dark path was plausible.

Now he could only hope the culprit habitually concealed his face or had severe bestial features, making identification difficult.

Touching the ancient compendium, the spatial rift opened again.

Even as a spatial tool, this book was invaluable.

But now, Rien had no time to consider such fancy tricks...

“Roar!!”

A sudden beastly roar echoed, like an ancient monster's furious cry.

She’s awake?!

Rien’s expression grew tense, yet he had no reason to retreat.

He stepped into the spatial rift, slowly entering the crimson corridor...

“Red... wait! It’s scorching!!”

The walls were like molten lava. A brief touch burned him.

He gritted his teeth and pressed on...

“Ugh, it smells bad... my hair’s on fire?!”

After just two steps, Rien turned and fled.

This was no ordinary heat; his skin and clothes were burning, and the air ahead was distorted by extreme temperature.

The beastly roar continued to echo, but Rien clearly could not proceed.

The corridor seemed like a living volcano, radiating deadly heat.

“...Wait until the paladin armor arrives, then try again.”

In the end, Rien had to give up temporarily.

He was soaked in sweat and slightly burned.

After washing and applying medicine, the guest he had arranged to meet was already waiting in the living room.

“A three-story Western-style house, at minimum you need to activate the first-floor hall, reception room, servants’ quarters, and kitchen, requiring at least one cook and one maid. If you manage the garden yourself, that saves a bit. At least two maids are needed for cleaning and care, one male servant for errands, plus gardener and guards...”

The trade guild’s hired butler services made Rien increasingly sweaty.

This was one of the rules of the age: noble mansions and large houses must employ several servants for appearances.

And this wasn’t even at the count of a count’s heir—it was already a fallen noble’s calculation requiring at least a dozen servants.

The most expensive were skilled personnel like butlers and guards, especially professional guild guards paid in gold.

Meanwhile, Rien’s outsourced consultant job paid weekly in silver.

“I don’t think I qualify as nobility anymore, more like commoner standards...”

“Commoners can’t afford your house.” The other party smiled politely; this was a three-story house with a courtyard in good condition, over twenty rooms. Commoners could only manage a single cottage.

Rien suspected they thought he was an easy mark.

He had only planned to hire one or two “nannies” for occasional cleaning, hence contacting the local trade guild’s agency.

Because he couldn’t adapt to local cookware and ingredients, maybe just one cook.

“Merchants have big houses too, right...?”

“They live far more luxuriously than minor nobles. Such houses can be packed full, with young maids and coachmen, stables and servant quarters in the yard.”

This world was profoundly unfair, and at this moment Rien witnessed it again.

He merely asked the guild about how many staff were needed to operate the house, but they casually quoted a huge bill.

Not wanting to put on airs, Rien was candid about his situation, requesting minimal staffing.

Noble appearances seemed irrelevant.

“For minimal operation... hire one cook-maid, an older but nimble one, and one cleaning maid. You could also buy our guild’s regular cleaning service. This way, one or two maids for personal care will suffice.”

The agent was professional, advising that many rooms on the second and third floors could be unused, only the first floor and a few rooms on the second needed activation.

If female servants, middle-aged, efficient, and cheap.

Reality was harsh—even in a fantasy world, cute silver-haired red-eyed cat maids were nonexistent; those affordable were likely burly middle-aged women.

Rien inquired; young pretty maids cost far more, and those hinting at certain “services” were several times more expensive... Rien had no interest, just curiosity.

“Actually, you could consider buying slaves. Though the initial cost is high, soon...”

The guild apparently offered such services.

“No.” Without hesitation, Rien refused.

“No matter what, you’ll need guards for a house like yours. This world isn’t safe...”

Rien understood this.

To avoid thieves sneaking in at night, big households needed armed protection.

In uneasy times, “wealth” itself was a crime.

Page 3/3

He pondered and planned to refuse, but the agent made a suggestion.

“Our guild also offers intermediary services. You know, the most valuable industry in Glowing City is underground exploration. Every year countless outsiders come, and we have dedicated training institutions...”

There were many newcomers like Rien.

Living long-term in inns wasn’t ideal—both expensive and risky for information leaks.

This guild provided intermediary services, offering long-term rentals to reputable adventurers.

“You have six empty guest rooms, enough for seven or eight long-term tenants. Our adventurer clients are honest and trustworthy; having them stay provides some security, saving on guard costs.”

Rien’s house could house one or two adventurer teams. Being spacious, dilapidated, and in the outer ring meant rent was cheap, suitable for cash-strapped adventurers.

He considered declining—their secrets were many and not for sharing.

Besides, he had many chaotic matters to handle...

“Rent is over four gold coins per month. As a paladin, many teams have high standards for landlords’ character. With you, rent could be higher.”

“Limiting to five residents won’t affect your daily life. You can also hire more servants to operate the house... maintain your noble dignity; paladins are treated as nobility here.”

In this world, one gold pound equals sixteen silver glimmers, over 1600 copper coins. Rien’s weekly salary was 5 silver 50 copper, already a high income for the outer ring.

A rough calculation showed rent would be three to four times his monthly salary.

“...Show me the tenants, but no riffraff.”

Indeed, even crossing to another world, being a landlord earned far more than working.

Rien couldn’t refuse—after compensating the Will family, he truly had no money and no visible way to earn.

Expenses were many: equipment, professional training, racial ability development—all costly.

He realized the agent’s polished, successful business demeanor indicated they weren’t just selling servants to him.

They earned commissions from renting to wealthy adventurers.

That sum was irresistible; he understood well—being broke was unacceptable.

On the other hand, Rien was somewhat interested in those exploring the underground world... theoretically, as a paladin, he was a supernatural professional but lacked knowledge in this field.

“Perhaps an opportunity to make contact.” Rien thought it over; acclimating himself to local life might not be bad.

Well, frankly, it was about the money.

When you have 2,000 in savings and a weekly salary of 1,500 but don’t know how many weeks you’ll get paid, a monthly rental income of over 10,000 is tempting.

Even a righteous hero has to eat.

Still, he made some demands, such as no villains...

“Don’t worry, we know the name of the dock district’s righteous mad paladin. No one foolish enough to come here to die. In fact, some come because of your reputation. They care about their safety more than you do. Even the strong can die in their sleep. Having a morally upright landlord is a huge plus.”

Rien worried about tenants causing trouble; tenants worried about malicious landlords. Tenants were the weaker party.

After requesting the guild send one cook-maid and one maid to start operating the house, the brief episode passed, and Rien went to work.

Though curious about the new Bonebreaker gang in the dock district, he didn’t pry recklessly but followed his prior patrol route to narrow down the killer’s possible activity area.

Considering recent crime frequency and the need for Diego as a transporter, Rien guessed the culprit likely lived in the outer ring as well.

He already had a plan and just needed to wait for backup.

He went about his usual activities, doing various “good deeds”... Anyone who’s won the lottery knows that in an unsafe environment, to live well, besides claiming anonymously, it’s important to maintain past habits for a while.

He wanted to pretend normalcy, but someone wouldn’t let him.

“Team leader Rien, team leader Rien, there’s trouble! Someone’s come for revenge!”

His teammates rushed in.

“It’s... it’s...”

“It’s Labor, very strong, beautiful sword, beautiful person!”

“...Spider...”

Just arriving at the special case unit, Rien was stunned by the two kids.

What? Revenge? Labor came straight here? Their skills weren’t that rough; even if an assassin came, they wouldn’t openly confront him.

But soon, he underestimated the paladin’s straightforwardness...

That tall, handsome figure stood in the street, locals pointing and whispering. The radiant silver armor starkly clashed with local style.

Her six arms all gripped her sword as she howled to the sky!

“Tail-hunting villain! I, Larry Labor, swear to hunt down you fiends!”

Her voice echoed throughout the neighborhood, leaving everyone dumbfounded.

What? You’re not here for mad paladin’s revenge? You’re here to investigate the real culprit?

“Tail-hunting villain! If you aren’t cowards who only bully the weak, come find me! I’m waiting here!”

She kept going.

Is this how you investigate? Cursing in the streets and inviting public mockery?

Well, Rien really underestimated a paladin’s honest recklessness.

[Flyer No. 3 Satisfaction Increased, Compatibility: 31%, Satisfaction: 30%]

Wait, Brother Sul, you’re going to scold her? You can’t praise this!