98 — Beating Up The Thugs!

Morning in the Royal Capital.

While preparing to open the shop, Edgar arrived, so I met with him.

The tall, lanky Edgar scratched his messy hair and said,

“Morning, Alec.”

“You’re early. Perfect timing.”

“What’s up?”

I took a handheld device out of my pocket and handed it to him.

Last night I planned to beat up whoever cursed Liricia.

But since I couldn’t contact Edgar, it fell through, so I vented my anger by clearing a dungeon.

—I acted on impulse. I don’t regret it. But I do feel a bit better.

I explained to Edgar.

“This is a magic item that lets you contact me. You can call me directly, or if I don’t respond, leave a message with Kou the dungeon core. Makes communication easier.”

“Convenient, thanks… huh, it’s got puzzle games too.”

“Wait, really?”

“Yeah, here.”

Edgar showed me the screen.

Sure enough, colorful flashy screens appeared.

There was a game called Puzzle & Dungeon, where you used five god cards to form a party and match puzzle orbs to attack enemies while clearing dungeons.

There was also Minesweeper, where you catch hidden book-loving girls.

I thought it was just a communication device, so I hadn’t touched anything else.

Didn’t know it had hidden entertainment functions.

“…Looks kinda fun. I’ll try it when I have time.”

“I’ll play too.”

“So why’d you come before opening?”

Edgar’s playful smile vanished and his face tightened.

“Today, first thing in the morning, the underworld thugs are coming to harass us. They also plan to poison the Puchi Eli stock.”

“I see. Then we crush them now.”

“Huh?”

“You’ve already identified their crimes and location, right?”

“Perfectly.”

“Then we end it. When they come, we act.”

“Roger.”

Edgar grinned.

Just then, the door was banged loudly.

“—Already?”

Edgar moved to the door and unlocked it with frightening speed despite his lazy attitude.

“Alec! Morning! You there!?”

It was the landlady.

Both Edgar and I slumped.

“What’s wrong?”

“I secured a store location. Can you deliver Puchi Eli?”

“Sure. To your house?”

“No, my warehouse. Close by.”

“Got it. 1,200 bottles, right?”

“Payment later.”

“Edgar, watch the shop.”

“Roger.”

The landlady jumped when she noticed Edgar.

“Whoa! Someone was there!? I didn’t feel your presence!”

“People say I’m forgettable.”

“He’s my adventurer acquaintance, Edgar. She’s the landlady.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“You’re too skinny! You gotta eat! —Alright, let’s go.”

“Be right back.”

I followed her to the riverside warehouse, a sturdy red-brick building.

I took out Puchi Eli from my magic bag and packed the boxes.

“Oh right. The new Puchi Eli has the Crown Mark.”

“So I heard! The king loved it. Royal supplier now—raise prices?”

“Yeah. 20,000 gold ends today. Dungeon town gets 30,000.”

“Still cheap.”

“If it’s too high, people can’t afford it… Also, opening a new bottle makes a sound.”

I opened one.

Pssh!

The landlady widened her eyes.

“That’s impressive.”

“You can detect tampering instantly.”

After finishing, I headed back through alleys and met Cheryl and Teti.

“Good morning, Lord Alec.”

“Training at the guild?”

“Yes. Starting from basics.”

“I’ll do my best!”

“Anyone come to the shop?”

“Edgar was there.”

“Then not yet… good luck.”

Back at the shop, Edgar and Liricia were waiting. Rana sat on her lap.

“Welcome back, Master.”

“Doesn’t seem like they came yet.”

“Rana seems motivated though.”

“Kyu!”

Edgar tilted his head while gaming.

“Strange. They said morning.”

“Never thought I’d wait for thugs.”

“Hope never again—oh, rare card.”

Then—

BANG!

Two men barged in.

“Hey! Sell us Puchi Eli.”

They glared and approached the counter.

“How many bottles?”

“Sell all this can buy. At least 100.”

They tossed a single large silver coin.

Liricia frowned.

“That’s a joke. One bottle costs 20,000 gold. Two gold coins.”

“Too expensive! Just potion! 1,000 gold is enough!”

They laughed crudely, one leering at her body.

Edgar silently moved, flipped the sign to “Closed,” locked the door, and shut the curtains.

“Rana, go to the back,” Liricia said.

The men panicked.

“W-what are you doing!?”

“You think you’ll get away with this!?”

I asked Edgar,

“You got proof?”

“Yep. One robbery, one kidnapping.”

They paled.

“What proof!?”

We approached from front and back, cracking knuckles.

I spoke low.

“Honestly, proof doesn’t matter. Since last night I decided to wipe you out.”

I punched.

They stiffened in shock.

They tried to counterattack, but were sloppy.

I deflected and smashed his ribs.

“Gagh!”

He collapsed. I grabbed his belt and slammed him down—instantly unconscious.

Edgar silently dropped the other one just as easily.

We tied and gagged them.

“13 left,” Edgar said.

I nodded.

“Let’s go. Liricia, inform the guards.”

“Roger.”

“Yes, Master!”

We left the shop.

—To make sure the underworld would never oppose us again.