Midnight.
The Black Cat began to ascend to the Outcast Inn without making a sound.
Fourth floor.
Yu Sa-yeon’s private space.
As if waiting for someone’s visit, the door was already open, and with a soft gesture from the Black Cat, the door slid open without a sound.
“Did you come?”
The Black Cat nodded silently and closed the door.
“You didn’t talk about yourself. Isn’t it surprisingly loyal?”
“Hmph, that damned bastard.”
Yu Sa-yeon sighed.
“He’s really an inscrutable guy. Suddenly started using the term ‘comrade’ and then establishes Class Order Culture… Even the day Miss Yeo Il-ye appeared, he went to the gambling den and wasted his money.”
“Class Order Culture is a classification system used in the military. Could he be a former soldier?”
“Maybe he is. He shows an unusual hostility when it comes to military matters.”
Yu Sa-yeon looked at the Black Cat. It had been quite a while since their transaction, but it wasn’t someone she could trust. The face wrapped in the Black Shadow Qi Technique and the fact that it hadn’t revealed a single name were concerning.
It was understandable that Ho Cheon-an had refused for five whole days; the suspicion was thick.
Even to a woman, it was hard to fathom how such a body could exist, and nothing sat well with her. With such a large chest, the waist looked like it could wrap around a handful. How could someone with such a large frame have that body shape?
“Ho Cheon-an is really a peculiar guy. Knowing he’s an Iryu martial artist, just showing such pathetic behavior makes me wonder if he might actually know my realization?”
If asked whether he could truly provide realization, would he answer?
The Black Cat seriously pondered.
Wanting to be the best Sacheon Outcast wasn’t entirely a lie.
If she became the representative of the Sacheon Outcast, she could collect enticing information without restraint.
Deceiving others was like a daily routine for the Black Cat, without a hint of conscience.
However, there was a lingering feeling that Ho Cheon-an shouldn’t be deceived.
Was it because Ho Cheon-an was treating the Black Cat with seriousness?
‘It doesn’t seem simply like that.’
“Don’t forget my goal. If you show even a trace of neglect as promised, it’s over.”
“I’ll remember that.”
The Black Cat smiled sweetly and extended a hand.
A handshake.
Yu Sa-yeon frowned in disdain as she took the hand.
“Heh heh.”
* *
As soon as work resumed, intermediaries swarmed in like a pack of wild dogs.
“Hey Outcast!”
“Hey Warrior!”
“This one is really urgent!”
Gyaaak. Guwaak. The overwhelming crowd made me lose my mind.
Anyway, after dealing with a hodgepodge of requests today, only four tasks were left that were doable. I simply summarized today’s requests like a quest log.
[Deliver Martial Arts Manual to the Resonance Faction]
[Risk Level: Low]
[Difficulty: Low]
[Gyeongsu Market Black Bandit Elimination]
[Risk Level: Medium]
[Difficulty: Medium]
[Retrieve Spirit Herb from Black Market]
[Risk Level: Low]
[Difficulty: High]
[Recover the Missing Snow Leopard]
[Risk Level: High]
[Difficulty: High]
“So these are the tasks I can handle today. Any questions?”
“If it’s the Snow Leopard, isn’t it just a cat? Looking for a cat in Sacheon City, so even if the difficulty is that, why is the risk level high?”
“Because there’s a weird rich man in Sacheon who insists that a tiger is just a cat.”
In truth, the only feasible task was eliminating the Black Bandit in Gyeongsu Market. The rest could be done, but some consideration for the newbie was necessary. Just as in heroes’ tales, starting with slimes is the common rule.
And… well, reality must be faced.
This morning, the Black Cat and I had made a pact. First, the reward would be half mine, half the Black Cat’s. Instead, the tasks would focus on what the Black Cat could gain experience from. Additionally, if anything arose that could bolster the Black Cat’s reputation as an Outcast, it would be done in their favor.
If it became a long-term or significant issue that affected my livelihood, we agreed to negotiate compensation.
By chance, the request from Gyeongsu Market was the one arranged by that overly bloated intermediary. I really didn’t like that beaming smile on their face, but since we’d agreed, there was no choice.
“What kind of place is Gyeongsu Market?”
“Just a typical market.”
In the Central Plains, a market is a quite simple concept. Merchants refer to those who own shops, meaning they have land rights and operate on it. Those without shops aren’t called merchants. Thus, street vendors don’t count as merchants.
A market is where such vendors gather. However, much like how muddy water flows down a road, those born in Sacheon usually have a designated area, even if they’re vendors. Therefore, a market is a place where newcomers with no commercial foundation in Sacheon, drifters, and those who come to sell produce or crafts conduct business.
Because of this, markets seem like a goldmine to petty thieves. After all, those without any local backing or out-of-towners have no consequences to worry about. It is notoriously chaotic and messy, making it easy to slip away.
“That’s how the Black Bandits keep popping up.”
“I see….”
The Black Cat dragged out its words, seemingly dubious. Did it not hit them that something was off? Yet, the Black Cat didn’t ask any questions, nor did I respond.
“Your gaze… is fierce.”
“Well, it is.”
Gaze is violence.
As a Sacheon Outcast, that’s something you feel to the bone. Just by using Black Rib, everyone’s eyes on me change. They look at me with disdainful, loathing eyes as if I were filth. I knew this from gaming knowledge, but experiencing it is a whole different ballgame.
Yet overcoming is the individual’s responsibility.
“Today, your task is simple.”
“What is it?”
“Just watch from behind, and when I signal, quietly disappear.”
“…What did you say?”
“If you can’t slide away smoothly, just run.”
The disbelief in the Black Cat’s demeanor was clear, but I ignored it and turned toward the alley. I intended to kill time there until the Black Bandits showed up.
“Explain it. Aren’t we just killing time until those Black Bandits show up?”
“Just, enjoy watching today. If it were that easy to resolve with just an explanation, why would there be a preference for experienced ones? Just watch and decide if it works or not.”
The Black Cat, filled with dissatisfaction, crossed its arms and leaned against the wall. I, too, pulled out [Martial Arts Battle – 7] from my pocket and began reading.
About two hours passed.
Slowly, it seemed the Black Bandits were arriving.
One muscular head bandit, ripping his sleeves to show off his tough look, accompanied by three ordinary goons trying hard to look intimidating. They strutted around as if they had just started going to the gym last week.
Looks like these were the ones troubling the market, as people openly avoided them.
“Is that them?”
Before I knew it, the Black Cat was right next to me. A scent that couldn’t be described well tickled my nose. Seriously, could they dial down the charm a bit? That appearance just makes my heart race.
After calming my heart and shooing away thoughts of that beauty, I turned my attention back to the Black Bandits. Seeing those filthy guys made my heart settle down immediately.
“What did I say earlier?”
“You told me to just watch.”
“Right, when things seem to escalate, just run.”
“Got it. Now show me a demonstration, senior.”
“Alright, watch well.”
As I burst onto the main street of the market, people gasped.
“Black Rib!”
“It’s the Sacheon Outcast!”
I pretended not to look and quickly surveyed the surroundings. Apples? No way. Don’t drop them. Grains? This would take forever to gather if dropped—pass. The cloth would be just fine, but it’s nowhere to be seen…
Then I spotted a basket full of chestnuts. Perfect, this is passing grade!
Today’s successful item is the chestnut basket!
My right foot cheerfully kicked the chestnut basket away!
Chestnuts scattered everywhere.
“Oh my goodness!”
“Ouch, ouch!”
“Y-you little rascal!”
“Annoying.”
After exuding charisma while conveying, ‘I am the Sacheon Outcast, and if the chestnut basket gets in my way, I’ll kick it ruthlessly,’ I turned to the glares of the Black Bandits.
They glared with widened eyes toward me.
This was going to be an easy task.
The fact that the Black Bandits didn’t flinch at the sight of Black Rib meant they were just pups who’d never encountered a Sacheon Outcast in their lives.
“Heh heh.”
How should I smear some misfortune on those pups so that the Black Cat praises me afterward?
