Previously: The men who barged into the slum festival were from the Underground Guild.
“The Underground Guild…”
Lily muttered, gazing at the men who had suddenly barged into the slum’s night festival.
“The Underground Guild, as in that Underground Guild?”
“Yeah, the illegal guild that does anything for money.”
At Zenos’s words, Lily gulped audibly.
The lowest level of the Hazes Kingdom, the slums known as the abandoned city.
And within those slums, the people who lurk in the darkness, in the area known as the depths.
The [Guide], who was involved in the Golem incident, was also a member of that guild.
Zofia, standing at the front, spoke with her arms crossed haughtily.
“Huh, I wonder what kind of wind blew them out here to cause trouble, when they should be sneaking around in the underground.”
The large man with greenish skin grinned.
“It’s a problem, you know? When you have such a large-scale ‘getting-along’ event.”
“Oh, are you sulking because you were left out?”
“Huh?”
At Zofia’s words, the man’s brow furrowed.
“Ringa thinks they’re like children,”
“If you want to be included, we can include you. There is no need to throw a tantrum”
Zofia was joined by Ringa and Reve.
“I’m saying you’re interfering with our business!”
The man punched a half-destroyed food stall.
The pillar creaked, then snapped in the middle.
Looking down at the collapsing stall raising a cloud of dust, the man cracked his knuckles.
“We, the Underground Guild, live in chaos. Murder, kidnapping, revenge-for-hire, drug dealing. The more the town falls into disarray, the more dangerous requests we get. We can’t have the slums turn into a gathering of peace-loving fools.”
“I see, so that’s what it is.”
Zofia let out a small sigh, still with her arms crossed.
“Well, I can’t say I don’t understand how you feel. I used to think that a thrilling way of life suited me. But…”
After turning to look at the festival venue illuminated by the lamps lining the street, Zofia said:
“Being a peace-loving fool isn’t so bad, either.”
“Hah, how stupid.”
Looking at the Underground Guild man who scoffed, Zofia lowered her arms.
“That’s why I’d like you to leave peacefully, if possible.”
“We’re not kids running errands. Do you think we’ll just leave because you told us to?”
“It can’t be helped, then. Then, we’ll have to force you to leave.”
The tension between the two groups rose sharply.
“We’re not exactly saints here. We’ll do everything we can to brush off any sparks that fall on us.”
“Ringa hasn’t fought in a while, so it’s been a long time.”
“It looks like it’ll be just right to get rid of my lack of exercise.”
Ringa and Reve cracked their necks.
The demi-humans waiting behind them were all filled with bloodlust. Zofia glanced at Zenos.
“These guys are complaining about the festival we organized. I don’t want to bother the unrelated sensei, so we don’t need your help.”
“…Well, alright. Lily, stay behind me.”
“O-Okay…”
The moment Zenos stepped back, the large man from the Underground Guild gave the order.
“Get them!”
Twenty or thirty strong men rushed forward at once.
Zofia, Ringa, and Reve, leading the demi-humans, stood in front of the festival venue.
Angry roars and the dull thud of flesh being struck echoed around them.
The enemies were strong, as expected of those who made a living out of conflict.
But…
“Out of the way!”
“From Ringa’s perspective, their movements look like they’ve stopped.”
“You guys are light. Are you eating properly?”
Zofia dodged, Ringa ran through the enemies like the wind, and Reve knocked them away with her strong arms.
The demi-humans, who had long been fighting for dominance in the slums, showed no sign of backing down, as if they were used to fighting.
The struggle continued for a while…
“Gah, damn it!”
“These guys are strong!”
The men from the Underground Guild were breathing heavily, falling to their knees one after another.
Zofia looked down at the men, and with a calm expression, she declared.
“You underestimated us. Did you think you could do something to us with just twenty or thirty people? If you don’t want to die, get out of here.”
“…”
The large man at the front gritted his teeth, then smiled defiantly.
“…Hehehe, you’re better than I thought. I thought I’d let the newbies play around, but they’re useless and disappointing. You guys are getting punished later.”
The faces of the men on their knees were dyed with fear.
“Well, whatever. Playtime is over. See ya.”
The large man said this, then took something out of his pocket and threw it towards Zofia and the others.
It was a red, glowing stone, flying through the air in an arc.
“Oh no, it’s a [Bomb] magic stone! Everyone, get away!”
Reve, who makes a living mining magic stones, shouted.
There are magic stones with various effects.
[Bomb] is a high-level fire-type magic stone that causes explosions.
“Gyahaha! The reason we started a skirmish was to gather you all in one place and wipe you out in one fell swoop. Die, you fools!”
The man laughed loudly. The demi-humans hurriedly turned their backs.
Then, a man wearing a black robe slowly stepped forward.
“That would be a problem.”
Healer Zenos caught the flying [Bomb] magic stone in his right hand.
“Huh?”
In front of the wide-eyed large man, a loud “BOOM” echoed around them.
When the black smoke cleared, Zenos stood there as if nothing had happened.
“Wh-What the hell?”
“Sensei!”
To Zofia, who came running up to him, Zenos said calmly.
“I blocked it with protective magic, so it’s okay. I was going to stand by and watch if it was just a skirmish, but as a healer, I can’t overlook people dying in front of me.”
“Wait, how are you unharmed?!”
The large man, showing his agitation, threw more magic stones.
However, they all landed in Zenos’s palm and were unable to harm anyone.
“What… what the hell are you?”
“Just a humble, backwater healer. It seems one was a dud, so I’ll return it.”
When Zenos pretended to throw back the magic stone, the men from the Underground Guild let out small screams and fled.
The large man turned his back, pointed at them, and opened his mouth.
“…Remember this. I won’t let this go.”
“How dare you say that after you picked a fight with us. That’s our line. We won’t go easy on you next time.”
Zofia’s words were met with a click of the tongue, and the men from the Underground Guild disappeared down the street.
A faint, suspicious smell.