Chapter 138 – Light and Shadow (One)

Ray gazed with dry eyes at the black ashes scattering into the sky above the wall.

Swish.

Lowering his gaze, he saw an alley filled with scorch marks.

‘Four organizations.’

He organized the information extracted from those who had existed in this world until just moments ago.

The underworld across Sector 37 was largely divided and controlled by four major organizations.

The Amon Family in the east.

The Nostra Clan in the north.

The Thorns Cactus in the west.

The Camoli Family in the south.

Each organization had between 200 and 400 members.

Each group could be considered a large-scale entity on par with or even surpassing Nisohwa.

‘And they said each organization possesses Wizards.’

The seven men who had pursued him were low-level operatives of the Nostra Clan.

Perhaps because they were low-level, they didn’t know much about Wizards.

The most meaningful information he obtained was…

“……”

Ray looked down at the leather glove in his hand.

It was a glove that all the enemies had been wearing without exception, with red Mana flowing over the wrinkled leather.

It was Enhancement Magic.

Enhancing the wearer’s physical strength.

Ray recalled the previous conversation.

「Did you think you could catch me relying on this?」

「Y-yes…! W-well, you also looked young…」

The man kneeling on the left, while trembling, stole a glance at Ray’s face.

He seemed unable to believe that the opponent before him was a child.

「I’ve seen these gloves a few times on the streets too. Did you make them?」

「N-no, not us. I’ve heard there are sometimes technicians who directly craft Magic tools on the Black Market, but basically, most items circulating in the market are mass-produced goods.」

As the man continued, the manufacturer’s name was stamped on the glove’s cuff.

In truth, by Ray’s standards, it wasn’t that impressive an item.

「Even wearing this, it doesn’t seem like your strength increases that much.」

「Uh… yes?」

It fell far short of directly using Enhancement Magic.

It might be useful in daily life or fights among ordinary people, but it was an item of little significance against a Wizard.

However.

「But it’s still a very expensive item. The released quantity is so low it’s practically unavailable. Even selling it second-hand would fetch at least 100,000 Shillings…」

「10,000 Shillings?」

「100,000 Shillings.」

「Hand.」

「Huh?」

「Hold it out. It’ll be easier to take off that way.」

Ray collected seven pairs of gloves, including those from the deceased.

He wasn’t particularly greedy for money.

It was merely a precaution against the low, but possible, chance that John and Skyle’s accounts were empty.

Afterwards, the information Ray quickly gleaned through physical interaction was this:

That they usually tailed targets and only struck when a solid estimate was confirmed.

The reason they rushed the job today was partly because they underestimated the opponent as a child, but also because the organization’s funds were drying up and they urgently needed an infusion.

And that the financial trouble arose from being severely pushed in a power struggle with the eastern Amon Family.

‘This might be a bit troublesome.’

It wasn’t his concern what relationship or situation the two organizations were in.

However, the problem was that the resulting effects could spread elsewhere.

「To be precise, the Cube’s location falls within the Nostra Clan’s territory. Being faster than anyone and handing over cards to users in a way different from others was one of our main businesses.」

But as the power struggle dragged on, problems arose in the business.

To choke the Nostra Clan’s funding, the Amon Family began either recruiting or killing all Card Technicians within Sector 37.

「Most guys have switched to Amon’s side. Those who haven’t have stopped their activities and are lying low.」

In other words, it was like this.

Even if you obtained a card, the situation had become extremely difficult to find a technician who could make it usable.

“……”

Ray fiddled with John and Skyle’s Black Cards inside his pocket.

After a brief moment of organizing his thoughts.

He turned and exited the alley.

Since he had fought with a thin layer of Mana enveloping his entire body, no blood had splattered on his clothes or face.

Ray entered the clothing store with the same clean appearance as when he had left.

“I’m here to pick up the clothes I left.”

“Ah! You’re the person from earlier. Here they are!”

He went into the changing room, changed back into his original clothes, and came out.

Rustle—

“You can take the clothes you purchased in this paper bag… uh, uhh?”

The boy’s eyes and hair, now white again.

The store owner’s movements froze for a moment.

“I’ll make good use of the bag.”

Ray took the bag, packed the clothes inside, and quickly left the store.

Creeeak—

—White, black, white again? Am I a bit too tired today?

Leaving the store owner’s dazed voice behind, he crossed the plaza with quick steps.

Suddenly feeling dizzy, he took off Philip’s glasses, which he had been wearing.

‘Philip manages to wear these just fine.’

He intended to maintain his disguise whenever he had to act alone.

If he went around leaving traces in his original appearance, there was a risk that his companions Philip and Veronica might be endangered.

However, to use glasses as a disguise item, it seemed he would need to get a pair without prescription separately.

Tap tap tap tap tap tap—

Ray’s steps were unwavering.

Through Binding Magic, he could sense Philip and Veronica’s location.

It wasn’t too far.

Probably a nearby commercial district.

Judging by their lack of movement, it seemed they had settled into lodging.

After walking for about 10 minutes like that.

He saw an inn with a sleek exterior, with a Rickshaw parked outside.

It was an excellent base—located in the sector’s center for easy activity, yet with a high fence to avoid unnecessary attention.

“Ah! Did you finish your business well?!”

Jang, who had been resting with his upper body leaning forward while sitting in the Rickshaw, sprang up to greet Ray.

“Are the two inside?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

Ray tilted his head.

“If you’re resting, wouldn’t the rear seat be much more comfortable than the driver’s seat?”

“Ah, well…”

Jang hesitated to answer.

It was obvious that a wide seat would be more comfortable than a narrow saddle.

However, Rickshaws were practically exclusive vehicles for the wealthy.

Moreover, this was the heart of the commercial district.

It was as clear as day what kind of looks a lowly laborer would receive if seen sitting comfortably in the customers’ seats.

“Well, if I sit in the back…”

Jang was momentarily flustered.

Living in the sector, everyone naturally internalized the differences in social strata and the corresponding order.

It was as natural as breathing, and until now, not a single person had ever questioned or challenged it.

At least, not within the confines of the life of a man named Jang, whose only pride in life was an age slightly above the slum average.

“If you sit in the back, then…?”

…But the boy before him was different.

He asked a question whose answer was so obvious it shouldn’t be surprising.

As if he truly didn’t know.

As if asking for an explanation.

His flat tone held no hint of mockery or teasing.

A type he had never encountered before.

“If I sit… that is, if I sit…”

A sudden cognitive dissonance.

While Jang’s thoughts momentarily hit the brakes.

Thump.

Ray grabbed Jang’s wrist.

“If the answer is uncomfortable, you don’t have to give it. Let’s go inside first. You need to replenish your strength with a meal so you can pedal later.”

Ray began walking towards the inn entrance, pulling Jang along.

Jang reflexively tried to shake off the boy’s hand.

He had stubbornly refused the same offer Philip and Veronica had made earlier.

“Uh… uhh…”

But for some reason, the grip was impossibly strong; he couldn’t shake it off at all.

It felt like being dragged along by a Giant’s hand, and Jang, still disoriented by the cognitive dissonance, found himself entering the inn before he knew it.

The first floor combined the counter and a dining area.

Veronica and Philip, seated at a window table, raised their voices upon spotting Ray and Jang.

“Ah, Ray’s here! Over here!”

“The mister came too. When we asked him to eat with us, he wouldn’t budge an inch.”

Ray pulled Jang over and sat him down at the table.

“Uh… uh… I, I should go…”

Jang looked around with trembling eyes, unable to sit still.

He couldn’t gather his wits at all.

That’s the kind of man a Rickshaw puller was.

A man who believed his secret to longevity was knowing his place and limits early on, without harboring vain dreams.

In other words.

He had never crossed the line.

“H-here is n-not, not a place for, for me.”

But right now.

He had firmly crossed the line.

The upscale facilities in the commercial district were only for admiring from the outside while waiting for customers; he had never actually set foot inside like this.

His eyes spun in the luxurious, spacious interior.

It felt like all the first-floor customers were staring only at him, making his face burn.

Moreover, the sunlight streaming through the window kept stinging his eyes, blurring his vision.

“I-I’ll wait outside!”

Feeling as if his body might explode any moment, Jang rose from his seat.

Springing up!

But immediately.

Thud.

He sat back down.

It was because Ray’s Weakening Magic had sapped the strength from his body.

“I don’t belong here…!”

Springing up!

Whoosh.

Thud!

“I’ll just be a nuisance…!”

Springing up!

Whoosh.

Thud!

The same situation repeated several times.

From Ray’s perspective, it was like a vehicle needing refueling repeatedly trying to close its fuel cap on its own and reverse.

‘Why is he doing this?’

‘Why are you doing this?’

While the boy and the Rickshaw puller looked at each other with questioning and confused eyes.

Tap— Tap—

The ordered dishes began to arrive.

As plates rapidly multiplied, Jang looked back and forth at the group, at a loss for what to do.

“The tenderloin dish here, the sauce…”

A server, noticing Jang’s shabby appearance, trailed off.

A sweeping gaze up and down.

Jang hung his head low.

Like someone who had committed a grave sin.

He was still confused and disoriented, but he instinctively knew what behavior was required in such a situation.

“…you can dip it. Then, please enjoy your meal.”

“……?”

Contrary to Jang’s expectations, the server left without any particular remark.

Philip’s whispering voice reached over Jang’s still-lowered head.

“It’s okay. As long as you’re with us, no one will openly say anything.”

Then, in his lowered field of vision, he saw Veronica’s delicate hand placing a fork and spoon before him.

“You can wash your hands with the wet towel there.”

Jang slowly raised his head.

Ray’s voice came from beside him.

“Eat. You should eat while it’s warm for better digestion.”

Then came the clatter of cutlery.

Jang sat stiffly, dazed for a long while.

Everything was unfamiliar.

The scenery, the food, the sentences.

Even the something that suddenly pricked his churning heart, all of it.

“Thank you… thank…”

As Jang suddenly began shedding tears drop by drop, Philip and Veronica were taken aback.

“Uh, wh-why are you crying all of a sudden?”

“Here! Here’s a tissue!”

Ray also reacted immediately to Jang’s tears, moving the soup bowl aside just as tears fell perilously close to it.

“Thank you… truly, thank you.”

Jang didn’t know why he was crying.

He didn’t know what he was thankful for.

It just felt like the thing to do, and the sunlight from the window was too dazzling to keep his eyes open.

While Veronica pulled out tissues one by one to help Jang wipe his tears.

Ray asked Philip.

“Why is he crying? I don’t see sad emotions in his Vessel.”

“Uh… I’m not sure, but I think he might be crying from happiness.”

“Crying because he’s happy?”

“People don’t only cry when they’re sad or scared. Sometimes they cry from being too happy, from their hearts being too full.”

At that moment, a small realization dawned on Ray.

‘They don’t only cry when sad or scared.’

It felt like he had discovered a great secret of the world.

The street children used to cry when hit with fists; there was a possibility they were actually doing it because they were happy.

The boy resolved.

‘From now on, I should hit them harder.’

With that, he intently observed and tried to understand the wave of emotions rising in the Rickshaw puller’s Vessel.

The boy’s concentration was deep.

And because of that, he failed to notice.

The fact that the dot of Mana orbiting his heart to complete the 3rd Ring was racing at a speed faster than usual.

“Sniff… thank you… truly, thank you.”

“Veronica, is there a Magic to forcibly make someone stop crying?”

“Uh, uh, something like pouring electricity on them?”

A faintly warm sunlight was streaming through the window.

Although not very bright.

Its direction was exceedingly clear.