Episode 36
Chapter 14. The Lawless Zone of Mamit (1)
Mamit’s lawless zone was a gathering place for every kind of lowlife criminal imaginable.
It was said that even weeds refused to grow there, poisoned by the dark aura radiating from the terrible people who dwelled within.
And this wasn’t just a rumor. In reality, Mamit was a barren wasteland, utterly devoid of a single blade of grass.
The scorching sun beat down relentlessly.
Beneath it, the small city teemed with villains packed in like insects.
At the city’s entrance, there wasn’t even a gate to mark the boundary. Just a broken sign, crusted with filth, and beyond that, you were in Mamit.
“Fresh meat, you worthless scum! Step right up!”
A hulking man shouted as he stomped into the tavern at the city’s center. A fearsome iron mace, fitting his brutish appearance, was strapped to his back.
“Heh heh, fresh meat? That guy’s back again because he’s wanted, isn’t he? Damn it, what is he, a salmon? Always coming back?”
Everyone inside the tavern seemed to know him well, greeting him with mockery. They laughed until their throats were raw, pointed fingers at him, or tossed their entire mugs of beer his way—a uniquely Mamit way of saying hello.
Clang! Clang!
Thick glass mugs shattered against the giant’s head and chest, shards mingling with spilled beer on the floor. Not a single staff member bothered to clean it up.
The giant, grinning with delight, bent down and picked up a shard of glass.
Crunch.
What followed was a scene you’d expect only from a circus act: the giant bit down on the glass and swallowed it whole.
“That’s right! Like a salmon! This Tonk’s true home is right here in Mamit! Drink up, everyone! Tonight’s on me!”
“Hey, Tonk. What kind of trouble did you stir up outside this time? Spill it, quick.”
“Hahaha! This time, I had some fun with a highborn lady from the Ekan Kingdom.”
“Oh? Who was she?”
“Don’t know, just some noblewoman. And I killed five guards who came after me. Can you believe it? They keep sending more, thinking they can catch me as just a regular soldier.”
“Heh heh, what idiots.”
“Pfft, so I just crushed them all like potatoes. About fifty of them. I was so busy smashing that I didn’t even realize I was heading back to Mamit…”
“To Tonk!”
“To Tonk! Welcome back!”
Gulp, gulp, gulp!
The men drained their mugs in one go.
As the raucous noise died down and only the sound of beer sliding down their throats remained, the tavern door creaked open.
A man in tattered robes stepped inside.
It was Jin.
“Huh?”
“Looks like a real rookie this time.”
Tonk and the others exchanged glances, silently asking if anyone knew this newcomer. Everyone shook their heads.
Thud, thud. The worn boots of Jin hit the floor with a dull sound. Without a word, he crossed the tavern and sat down beside Tonk.
“Cold water. And something light to eat.”
Jin flicked a silver coin from his pocket toward the barkeep.
“Heh.”
The barkeep took the coin with a bemused chuckle, prompting sighs and murmurs from around the room.
“Wow!”
“Man, I thought he was some kind of novel protagonist. The way he carries himself is something else.”
“What’s with you? Who are you, huh? A nine-star knight or something?”
“Must be a legendary swordsman! Hah!”
The men who had been mocking Jin suddenly changed their expressions. They closed ranks around him, exhaling sharply in a show of intimidation.
“Ah, new guy. Tonk’s in a great mood today, so let’s not start any trouble. If you drop to your knees and lick each of our toes, maybe we’ll forgive you… ugh.”
Tonk collapsed mid-sentence, never to speak again.
Jin had just plunged a dagger into his neck. Tonk had been too close, and he never expected this young kid to stab him without hesitation.
“Gah… grrr.”
As Jin withdrew the dagger, blood gushed from Tonk’s neck.
A heavy silence fell. No one spoke. Jin silently snapped his fingers, signaling the barkeep to hurry with the cold water and food.
“He’s gone!”
“Tonk’s dead!”
“I knew this would happen, haha.”
The men who had surrounded Jin dispersed.
As if their previous camaraderie with Tonk meant nothing, they gathered in small groups again, guzzling beer. No one paid any attention to Jin anymore.
It was just another day in Mamit. No matter how warmly they greeted Tonk, there was no real friendship among them.
‘Just as my master said, this place is full of lunatics.’
Their brief interest in Jin was only because he looked so weak—barely out of childhood, and no one knew how he ended up in this den of scum.
But their curiosity was quickly satisfied.
Jin had killed Tonk in one swift move, earning the lawless denizens’ grudging respect. That was the true “welcome” in Mamit.
‘In my past life and now, I owe a lot to my master. I hope I can repay him someday.’
Click.
The barkeep set a glass of cold water on Jin’s table.
“No poison.”
“I know poison is taboo around here.”
“You’re a kid who knows Mamit well. Are your parents or siblings from here?”
“None of your business.”
Ping.
Jin flicked a gold coin this time. The barkeep shrugged.
“What do you want? Drugs? There’s a new product in Mamit that’s causing a stir. Or are you looking for someone?”
“The latter. Is this not enough?”
The barkeep rubbed the gold coin with a handkerchief, weighing it carefully. It was a genuine coin.
“Well, that depends on who you’re after.”
“Is there anyone here who goes by the name Hister?”
“No. I’m sure.”
Jin clicked his tongue in disappointment.
“I see. Bring me something to eat. And recommend a place to stay. Somewhere bugs won’t crawl in.”
‘A bug-free room’ meant the safest inn in Mamit.
“There’s only one. On the west side of town, there’s an inn called Moonlight Well. The kings of Mamit stay there, so no need to cause a fuss.”
“Thanks.”
Jin finished the dry bread and bacon the barkeep brought and left the tavern.
The Moonlight Well was a stark contrast to the tavern, reflecting the presence of Mamit’s strongest. It was a surprisingly clean and orderly inn, hardly what you’d expect in Mamit.
Not comparable to a proper city’s luxury inn, but at least you wouldn’t run into low-level outlaws barking like wild dogs.
‘Though she’s the concubine’s lover, she’s still a count’s bastard. There’s no other place for Alkaro Chendler to stay.’
There was no need to scour the underground black market and pay exorbitant prices for information on Alkaro.
The documents Jin had received from his family made it clear: Alkaro was no one who’d stay in a filthy, damp, low-class inn. He was a pampered brat who’d never known hardship.
Alkaro Chendler was weak to the strong, cruel to the weak, a lowlife who loved all things luxurious, obsessed with pleasure and entertainment. His only assets were a decent face and noble blood.
The reason Alkaro lingered in this dangerous city was simple.
He was trying to get the attention of Talaris, the concubine, who had recently been neglecting him for another lover.
‘“I’m here in this dangerous place—are you really going to ignore me?” That’s his childish ploy.’
If the concubine ever came here herself, the next chance to assassinate Alkaro might never come. If she personally protected him, even Luna wouldn’t be able to get close.
That was why the Chendler family urgently requested an assassination in Runkandel.
‘Starting today, rumors about me will spread through Mamit. Some crazy kid just arrived, killed a guy on the spot, and is looking for a man named Hister.’
Jin’s ruckus in the tavern was all part of the plan.
He made as much noise as possible in a place crawling with low-level informants, spreading false information: “I’m looking for Hister. I came all this way to find him.”
Within a day, the rumor would reach the concubine’s guards protecting Alkaro. They scrutinize every newcomer, dozens daily.
Naturally, Jin would be excluded from their main suspects. No assassin targeting Alkaro would move as clumsily as Jin.
‘All previous attempts on Alkaro were by skilled mercenaries. But I deliberately looked sloppy, so suspicion falls elsewhere.’
The guards only worry about those with clear motives and who act like they own the place—not someone like Jin.
In fact, it was precisely those who reeked unmistakably of Mammit—like Tonk—that the bodyguards kept a close eye on.
Assassins usually preferred to blend in naturally, like locals. In other words, Jin had made the mistake of standing right under the lamp, drawing all the attention.
But Jin’s strategy had worked perfectly.
Several men from the Moonlight Well, who had been watching him closely all day, noticeably let their guard down as night fell.
“Those three must be the bodyguards assigned to protect Alcaro… Their skill level is probably six stars or higher. If it comes to a direct confrontation, I don’t stand a chance.”
Maybe if he unleashed all his magic and spiritual energy, he could take down one of them somehow, but more than that was hopeless.
A full day had passed, yet Alcaro hadn’t appeared. Jin was certain Alcaro was holed up inside, living off the food the bodyguards brought him.
“Killing him by barging into his room is impossible. There’s probably a guard stationed inside at all times. I’ll have to wait for the moment he steps out.”
Jin recalled Alcaro’s personality from the files once more.
“Alcaro Chendler is the type who’s obsessed with pleasure and indulgence.”
Then a sudden thought struck him—something a tavern waitress had mentioned.
“What do you want? Drugs? There’s a new product that’s wiping out Mammit these days.”
The chances were high that Alcaro was locked away in his inn room, doing drugs.
With that in mind, Jin wiped his forehead and headed down to the lobby. He planned to have a cold beer and observe the people there a little more closely.
But the moment he stepped into the lobby, Jin had to hide the smile threatening to spread across his face.
“Why the hell not?! You were able to get it for me just fine yesterday!”
“No more. It’s not possible.”
“Damn it! I said get it for me!”
The young man shouting in the middle of the lobby was none other than Alcaro Chendler himself. Jin had memorized his face beforehand, so he recognized him instantly. Judging by his mood, the bodyguards must have refused to get him any more drugs.
“What a cliché, run-of-the-mill spoiled brat,” Jin thought to himself, a small smile tugging at his lips.