Chapter 5

After successfully entering the town, I found myself walking through a dim, dilapidated district—the slums.

The buildings were so old they looked ready to collapse at any second. Trash was strewn everywhere, and a foul stench lingered in certain areas. Occasionally, I’d pass figures slumped on the ground, so still it was impossible to tell if they were alive or dead. It was a place entirely divorced from concepts like safety or cleanliness.

I was there to conduct inquiries with the locals. My goal was to find someone knowledgeable about magic.

The main streets were too crowded, and it was a hassle to keep scaring people off with my rifle. Plus, reinforcement soldiers kept showing up, which made my investigations inefficient. Compared to that, the slums were quite comfortable. It was basically quiet. Occasionally, I’d hear someone’s manic laughter or a scream, but that was within the margin of error—think of it as a bit of edgy background music.

As long as you had thick skin, this place might actually be easier to live in than it looked. Surprisingly, many of the people I encountered were harmless. Most were drunks or children, and they answered my questions quite readily. I couldn’t be more grateful.

As for a place to stay, I’d found plenty of abandoned houses nearby. I could just pick one. With so many empty homes, I doubted anyone would complain.

I’d learned a few things from my inquiries so far.

First: mages do exist in this world in fair numbers. Their abilities vary widely, and the types of magic they can use depend on individual aptitude.

Types that interfere with space—like summoning or return magic—apparently have almost no practitioners. Furthermore, they are classified as “Greater Magic,” requiring appropriate facilities and materials. Crucially, the procedures and magic circles for such spells are kept secret by the state, making it nearly impossible for an individual to perform them.

To be honest, most of the information wasn’t exactly great news. But it was information I needed to have. I’d sensed that returning home wouldn’t be easy. Moving between worlds is no small feat. Still, having a concrete plan was progress enough: search for someone with an aptitude for return magic and prepare the necessary facilities and materials. The road to realization was long, but I’d persevere.

As I walked while lost in these thoughts, I came across a group of about ten men ahead. Their clothes were a bit too clean for them to be vagrants. Slimy gazes watched me closely. One man, resting his hand on his clothing, made a slightly unnatural movement. It seemed he was concealing a weapon.

They were loitering in a way that occupied the entire alley. Predictably, they were positioned to block my path. There were no side streets nearby. Turning back now would be a waste of time.

I walked up to the men and spoke. “Excuse me, but could you clear the way? I have business further down.”

As soon as I said that, the men moved in unison. However, they didn’t move to let me pass. Instead, they silently surrounded me, cutting off any chance of retreat.

As a dangerous tension began to fill the air, a large, bald man stepped forward and held out his hand. “Pay the toll. This is our turf.”

I nearly let out a sigh. A toll in a slum alley? Talk about stingy. Since they called it their “turf,” I wondered if they ran the slums. It seemed these types existed no matter what world you were in.

“Hey! Hand it over, now!”

While I was reeling at their logic, someone suddenly shoved me from the side. I stumbled right into another waiting man.

“No use acting tough!”

He grabbed my shoulder and pushed me back. I nearly fell over in a pathetic display. Crude laughter erupted from the men. Honestly, I didn’t see what was so funny. I wished they’d stop treating people like idiots.

Surrounded by their mockery, I reached into my chest pocket. I was sure I’d put something in here after I bought that bottled cola…

“Here you go, brother. Sorry, but I don’t have any of this country’s currency. Is a dollar bill okay?”

With that, I pulled out a crumpled banknote. The bald man snatched it away roughly.

“What is this scrap of paper? You mocking me…? Don’t screw with me!”

The man tore the bill to pieces in a fit of rage and swung a punch at me with no telegraphing. I wiped the smile from my face and blocked with one arm. It made a surprisingly loud sound, but strangely, it didn’t hurt at all. It felt about as significant as being poked with a rolled-up piece of drawing paper.

The bald man, on the other hand, was clutching his fist in pain. The others nearby looked on, bewildered. Based on the dynamics, the bald man seemed to be the leader.

“You piece of shiiiiiiiit!”

His face turning beet-red, the bald man took a running start and launched a kick. This time, I deliberately left myself undefended and took it, stumbling back a few steps.

“…Hmm.”

I patted my stomach where the kick had landed. Just as I thought—no pain. The way I took that hit, I should have had at least a few broken bones. It was likely the Level correction. In gaming terms, my Defense was simply too high. It was possible that even bullets wouldn’t wound me anymore. I wasn’t about to go out of my way to test that, but I’d keep it in the back of my mind.

“This guy… making a fool of me…!”

The bald man, having wasted two attacks, was still fuming. The others were radiating murderous intent now, too. They looked ready to pounce at any second.

I picked up the pieces of my dollar bill and put them back in my pocket. “You should take better care of money, you know? Treat it poorly, and your luck will run out.”

As I spoke, I pulled out my knife. The atmosphere grew even tighter. The bald man glowered at me, trying to intimidate me.

“You think you can take on this many people alone? Don’t push your luck. Apologize now, and I might just spare your life… Now give us the money.”

“You’re the ones who shouldn’t have any regrets. Though, even if you apologize, I’m still taking your lives.”

“You bastard…!”

The bald man’s eyes widened, and he drew a curved sword from its sheath. At that signal, the other men drew their weapons as well.

I smiled, even as I was bathed in the murderous intent of a dozen men. I was honestly getting sick of nothing but dry inquiries. This was the perfect time for a little change of pace.

“Ever heard the phrase ‘reaping what you sow’? It’s an idiom I picked up from an acquaintance. It fits this situation perfectly, don’t you think?”

I spoke to the bald man lying at my feet. He glared up at me, his eyes wide with rage. It was a terrifying face, but since I’d sliced the tendons in his arms and legs, he was utterly powerless. He could do nothing but tremble with frustration.

The area was littered with the corpses of his men. The variety was impressive: slit throats, gouged chests, heads blown clean off. I had done it all. It was simple work, really; I’d managed to annihilate them as if I were multitasking.

Part of it was the level gap, but their combat techniques were honestly pathetic. There was no substance to them. Their “strength” was only ever meant for bullying the weak.

Interestingly, the men were all wearing matching badges. They were likely members of some organization. Not that it mattered to me. If I ever ran into the rest of them, I’d just blow them all up together.

Glancing over the bodies, I suddenly remembered something.

“Oh right, the toll. How about this? I’ll extend your remaining lifespan by exactly three minutes. You get to live a little longer despite the circumstances. Don’t you think that’s an exceptional offer?”

“Guh… quit screwing around… Do you have any idea who we are? You think you can get away with—”

I stepped on the man’s chest and shoved the muzzle of my rifle into his mouth. With a dull impact, I heard something snap—the sound of his front teeth breaking. I hooked my finger around the trigger.

“Whoops. Don’t answer a question with a question. Think carefully before you speak. Your lifespan might drop from three minutes to three seconds.”

“Ah… agah…!?”

The man groaned around the barrel of the gun. He looked incredibly pained, his immobile limbs twitching uselessly.

“So. Do you want to live?”

“……..”

The man gave a tiny nod. When I pulled the muzzle out of his mouth, a flicker of relief crossed his face.

“Good. Now, use that extended life to answer me. Are there any talented mages in this town? Someone incredible who can interfere with space.”

“M-Mages… you say?”

“Yeah. I’m looking for one for some personal business. Know anything?”

Faced with my question, the man thought desperately. Finally, he answered in a trembling voice.

“…T-That witch… maybe she can use space magic. I can’t be sure, but…”

“That witch?”

“The alchemist woman who lives in this town. She makes a living selling magic tools and potions… There are rumors she has terrifying power. Every thug who tried to rob her never came back… No one wants to go near her now.”

A few interesting keywords popped up. Intrigued, I continued.

“Where is she?”

“A mansion on the border of the slums and the main district… She’s a shut-in. Sh-She has brokers come and pick up the products she makes…”

“I see.”

I stroked my chin, thinking. An alchemist, huh? Based on his story, she was a magic-related craftsperson. There was a high chance she possessed specialized knowledge. She might know something about return magic—or she might even be able to use it herself. At the very least, I wanted her professional opinion.

“Any other candidates for mages?”

“Th-The witch is the only one I can think of… People with an aptitude for space magic usually become Court Mages in the Imperial Capital… You’d have more luck searching there.”

I let out a dry laugh at that. The Imperial Capital had already been erased. There was no point in looking there. On the flip side, it made sense that they could perform a Summoning if they were hoarding all that talent.

Regardless, I’d finally gotten some decent information. It was a hassle starting with zero prior knowledge. I’d probably be better off learning the common sense of this world. I don’t think ignorance is a sin, but it certainly makes things complicated. Since I’ll be living here until I return, I should gradually increase my knowledge.

After that, I squeezed the exact location of the alchemist’s mansion out of the man. I memorized his verbal directions and mapped out the route. Apparently, it was close. Even better.

That covered everything I wanted to know. The rest I’d have to figure out on-site. Having made my decision, I shoved the muzzle back into the man’s mouth.

“Ugh, a…!?”

“Don’t panic, brother. You’ll ruin that handsome face of yours.”

I soothed the man as he squirmed violently. I really wished he wouldn’t thrash around like that; it made it too easy for the trigger to slip. Suppressing a laugh, I spoke casually.

“Now that my information gathering is complete, you’re officially surplus to requirements.”

“A-goa… gah…”

Tears streaming down his face, the man shook his head. I knew exactly what he wanted to say.

“You want me to let you go, don’t you?”

“……..”

The man nodded silently. His “tough guy” face had turned pathetic, looking like a child lost in a shopping mall. I let out a deep sigh.

“I guess I have no choice. In honor of your sincerity in providing information, let’s play a game of chance.”

I pointed to the rifle. The man didn’t seem to understand the proposal yet.

“The question is whether there’s a bullet in here or not. I used it when I took out your friends, but I don’t remember if I reloaded. Do you remember?”

“U… a, guo…”

The man shook his head, his eyes filling with despair. He seemed to realize what was about to happen. Ignoring his fear, I continued.

“Let’s ask this gun whether you live or die. If there’s no bullet, I won’t reload, and I won’t fire a second shot. I swear it to God. If there is a bullet… well, you’re heading to the afterlife.”

“Gura, aga…!”

“No right of refusal here. Come on, steel yourself. Ready?”

“Gah, goe, a, AAAH!”

He was a sore loser. To think he’d start resisting now when it was already too late. I pinned the struggling man down and pulled the trigger.

Click.

A hollow sound echoed. There was no bullet. I let out a whistle.

“Heh, look at that. You’re one lucky boy. It seems the gun has forgiven you.”

“……..”

Immediately, the man went limp. He was drenched in sweat. Even while breathing raggedly, a look of intense relief began to wash over him.

Then, his expression froze.

Surprised by something, the man slowly shifted his gaze downward. The knife in my hand had pierced straight through his chest. As I twisted the handle, fresh blood began to spill out.

I spoke to him matter-of-factly.

“Ah, the gun definitely forgave you—but I didn’t.”

I pulled the knife out the moment I finished speaking. The blood surged out in a violent spray. The man began to shudder uncontrollably. Eventually, his movements grew weak, his eyes rolled back, and he died.

I stood up and flicked the blood off the knife.

(Honestly, in this world, people pick fights with me just for walking down the street…)

And it was always troublesome people. By necessity, I had to get my hands dirty. I don’t think I’m a thrill-killer. I just pick up the fights that are sold to me and retaliate with a little “nuisance fee” included. I just can’t stand being looked down upon.

Oh well. Being picked on wasn’t all bad. In exchange, I’d gained some high-quality intel.

“An alchemist, huh?”

I had to go see her. As of now, she was my only clear destination. I wondered what kind of person she was. I’d be happy if she were cooperative, but based on the rumors, that seemed unlikely. There was a distinct possibility she was dangerous.

Still, there was no denying she was important to me. Even if things got irritating, I’d have to try my best to endure it. I’d aim for a heart as deep and wide as the ocean. It wasn’t my forte, but I’d put in the effort.

It was all for the sake of returning to my original world. With that secret vow, I left the scene behind.