Giving a little and getting a lot in return.
Night falls on every city.
And with it, the streets of the night come alive.
The night streets. Known by many names—red-light district, slave market—but most simply call it the night market, a place that awakens when the city sleeps.
The night streets are vast and varied, but if you had to sum them up in one word, it would be desire.
As mentioned, at first, you encounter brothels and gambling dens. Venture deeper, and you find black markets and hired assassins. Go further still, and there are arenas and slave markets. It’s a place where the dark desires that can’t see the light of day come to life at night.
No city is truly without its night streets, though the degree varies. Some cities permit them, while others do not. But for those who seek them, it’s a minor inconvenience. With warp gates connecting cities like a spider’s web, if one city allows it, that’s all they need.
In this context, the city of Koran in the southern region is the most bustling night street in the northern continent. While Monica strictly bans such activities, Koran was the first to embrace them.
Despite occasional criticism from cities that don’t allow such activities, Koran responds with, “Mind your own business.” As a result, it boasts the most vibrant night street in the northern continent.
In the small southern city of Koran, buildings compete for attention under the seductive glow of red lights. Some lure customers with their extravagant facades, while others entice with suggestive gestures. Of course, many willingly enter on their own.
“Hey, this one’s not bad. Looks young, smooth skin. I like it. How much?”
“Uh, well, this one isn’t fully trained yet… It’s been less than three months since he left the academy.”
“Oh, come on! You know I like them fresh. Look at him, all embarrassed. So innocent and modern. Hohoho.”
“Ugh… Fine! 100 gold coins, no, 200! Not a coin less.”
A plump man clicked his tongue, drawing a V with his fingers to emphasize his firm stance on the price.
But his eyes widened in surprise when the woman, instead of haggling, casually handed over two platinum coins, murmuring, “A bit pricey, but okay.”
As the young man was reluctantly handed over and led away, the plump man watched in a daze.
“Wow, up close, you’re even more adorable. Don’t worry, we’ll have fun today, and I’ll send you off nicely. Let’s go, hohoho!”
The woman laughed, pulling the young man along. Despite his reluctance, there was a hint of anticipation on his face, likely due to the woman’s striking beauty.
Yet, the plump man’s heart was heavy. He knew the woman well, a regular with peculiar tastes.
She had a penchant for watching men together. The young man was likely to play a passive role, while she’d find a burly man to play the active part. The plump man spat on the ground, cursing his luck, and turned back inside, taking out his frustration on a shy woman at the entrance with a harsh slap.
Meanwhile, another man, who had been quietly observing, moved as soon as the plump man disappeared inside. Cloaked in a faded robe, his face was hidden, but his tall stature was evident.
His attire would draw suspicion anywhere else, but not here. In the red-light district, such appearances were not uncommon, though not particularly welcome either. They often signaled trouble, and brothels preferred to avoid them unless they entered willingly.
Once inside, the man was greeted by the sultry music and lively noise that filled the air. He glanced around briefly before slipping through a side door.
Thump, thump, thump, thump!
“Nice moves!”
“Hey! Shake it more!”
Inside was a large space, a stage bathed in soft red light where scantily clad women danced provocatively. Around them, patrons cheered and tossed coins.
The man smirked briefly before closing the door and heading to the counter, where a woman in a revealing outfit greeted him with a businesslike smile.
“Welcome, handsome! Thanks for visiting Eve! Is this your first time here?”
”…Yes, but I’ve heard enough. No need for explanations.”
“Got it~. So, do you want to watch the show, or are you looking for a private room?”
“A room.”
The woman nodded enthusiastically.
“Okay. A room it is. The base price is 50 gold coins, with additional charges for extras. Any particular style you prefer?”
“Hmm. Sexy face, slender but with a full chest.”
”…We have plenty like that~. Could you be more specific?”
“Alright. How about someone unforgettable, someone who’ll haunt my thoughts at night?”
The man’s request was oddly specific, yet the woman’s eyes briefly flickered with interest. She quickly assessed him, though her smile never wavered.
She handed him a small crystal, which he accepted without a word.
“Second floor, third room on the left. Wait there.”
“Thank you. By the way, you’re quite pretty.”
The woman chuckled as the man swiftly ascended the stairs. The soundproofing kept the noise at bay, but the hallway was filled with an inexplicable heat.
He moved quietly to the designated room, took a deep breath, and pressed the crystal to the doorknob.
With a click, the door opened, and he stepped inside.
In that instant—
“Mmph!”
No sound escaped, but a gentle hand covered his mouth, pulling him close. His heart raced as he turned his head slightly.
In the dim light, a shadow flickered like a mirage.
“Did you meet Park Hwan-hee?”
“Yes. It makes things easier. Hmph.”
As soon as I spoke, Go Yeon-ju’s languid voice filled the room. Her nasal tone hinted at her irritation, likely because I asked about the progress right away.
But I wasn’t in the mood to care. I felt a twinge of guilt, but I ignored her reproachful gaze and turned my attention to the desk.
(Typical. So clever. And everyone knew, didn’t they? Yes, I orchestrated the mercenary incident. But you all knew, didn’t you? And you said nothing, just turned a blind eye…)
On the desk lay two crystals, both glowing softly as they played a recording.
The recording was of a meeting of the Southern Free Alliance.
I had listened to it once already, after hearing what Go Yeon-ju had discovered, and this was the second time. Each time, the words grated on my nerves.
”…They’re insane.”
Unable to hold back, I muttered, and Go Yeon-ju, after a few moments of silence, continued.
“As I mentioned, once I found out about Kim Soo-jung and Song Hee-sun’s connection, the Southern Free Alliance naturally came under suspicion. So I thought, why not use the contact Su-hyun planted? I reached out.”
”…Did he help without question?”
“Did you hear that? What’s with that old-fashioned way of speaking, like you’re over forty? Anyway, there was a lot of back-and-forth, but in the end, I did what I was told. What else could I do? If it weren’t for Suhyun, I’d probably be wandering around aimlessly by now. Don’t you think?”
“Hmm.”
“By the way, Suhyun is really something. Honestly, when I first decided to back him, I didn’t understand why. Did he somehow foresee all this and prepare in advance?”
”…Who knows.”
I deliberately gave a vague answer. Go Yeonju’s question was related to the first round, and it was also a kind of insurance.
I was well aware of what kind of people the Southern Free Alliance were. They played a significant role in bringing about the Warring States period.
So, I thought it would be wise to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, and that’s when Park Hwanhee caught my eye.
Park Hwanhee had lost everything—comrades and foundation—after the war with the allied forces, essentially hitting rock bottom. Remembering his attitude and disposition from the User Academy, I decided, after much deliberation, to support him. Not through our clan, but via the Southern Free Alliance.
As Go Yeonju said, the insurance of having Park Hwanhee for the first round paid off. Even this crystal sphere could serve as solid evidence. Yet, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. It was like having the answer right in front of me but not understanding it.
“Every attack has a reason.”
Recalling Salmun’s words, I began tapping my fingers on the desk.
The Mercenaries and the Southern Free Alliance hadn’t been particularly close, but they weren’t on bad terms either.
Given that the cities were different, we didn’t meddle in each other’s affairs. Even though many users disliked our actions, considering the Alliance’s power, there wasn’t much to regret.
”…”
No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t figure it out. The only connection seemed to be the upcoming selection of a representative clan in the western city, which I had just confirmed in the crystal sphere.
But even that seemed odd. They had officially announced they weren’t interested in Halo, as they were focusing on the magical city of Magia. So unless these guys were deaf…
“Oh.”
“Why? Did something come to mind?”
It was then.
A fleeting thought crossed my mind, and I stopped tapping the desk. Ignoring Go Yeonju’s curious voice, I bit my lip.
Could it be… they’re doing this because of that?
As the thought struck me, a sudden, inexplicable laughter burst out.
“Hahaha! Hahahaha!”
For the first time in a long while, I laughed heartily.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
I’ve made some significant decisions recently, so my mind hasn’t been at ease. Am I on the right path? I think I need some time to gather my thoughts. Hahaha.