Chapter 22: The Black Society and the Cooperative Society

The Guard strode purposefully into the Shadow Market.

Clutching his twin blades, he was feeling a considerable amount of confusion.

It was all because of the news that had come from deeper within the Shadow Market.

‘That noble brat cleaned us out, and left us penniless?’

So now they were saying they had to recover the pot by any means necessary?

Was that even possible?

Every Dealer in the Shadow Market was not only an expert gambler, but also a consummate con artist.

No matter the situation, they did their utmost to fleece the customer in front of them, draining every last drop from any fool who crossed their path.

‘And yet, we got taken for a ride?’

It was absurd.

Of course, it wasn’t like it never happened.

It was rare, but sometimes gamblers from other regions would try to rob this place blind.

And even more rarely, there were those bold enough to actually succeed.

‘So is that guy a gambler too?’

You couldn’t tell just by looking at him.

His appearance and his companions didn’t give off that vibe, and above all else…

‘Those eyes.’

He recalled that clear, serene gaze.

It was nothing like the crazed, desperate glint of those addicted to gambling, the kind who’d throw away everything for money.

It was the exact opposite—a gaze that belonged to people on a completely different side.

The Guard knew that look.

‘It was just like those Cooperative Society types.’

There were two major organizations in the back alleys of Aurax.

The Black Society and the Cooperative Society.

Both ruled the underbelly of Aurax, but their principles were utterly different.

First, the Black Society focused on making dirty money through operations like the Shadow Market and other such venues.

They would do anything for profit, legal or not.

On the other hand, the Cooperative Society didn’t pursue money.

‘Those guys call themselves righteous outlaws.’

The Cooperative Society wouldn’t hesitate to break the law for the sake of their own justice.

If need be, they’d even cooperate with the City Guard—making them a group with values completely opposite to the Black Society.

Naturally, the two clashed at every turn.

Just a few days ago, members of the Cooperative Society had raided outlaw bars run by the Black Society, extorting money.

Rumor had it that the Cooperative Society was running low on funds and equipment lately.

‘Wait. Could it be?’

A plausible suspicion flashed through the Guard’s mind.

That noble brat—could he be a pawn for the Cooperative Society?

Those clear eyes certainly suggested it.

And the fact that he’d targeted this place only fanned the flames of suspicion.

After all, for someone in need of money and equipment, there was no place more tempting than the Shadow Market!

‘Just in case, I’d better focus on capturing him alive!’

The Guard quickened his pace.

If he caught the guy alive and brought him before the boss, he’d surely be rewarded handsomely.

The Black Society, always at odds with the Cooperative Society, would gain a powerful card.

‘If I do this right, maybe I’ll get promoted to the upper ranks.’

Dreaming of a rosy future, the Guard drew his twin blades.

The Shadow Market’s ant nest-like corridors stretched out before him.

Then—

“Uwaaahhh!”

“Hey hey hey hey!”

…Huh?

“Move! Move, you bastards!”

“Waaah! Why are you running? Help me!”

“How am I supposed to help you?!”

…What the?

Strange screams were rushing toward him from the other end of the corridor.

The Guard, startled, slowed his steps.

“What the hell is that?”

The source of the commotion soon revealed itself.

Barreling toward him was a tangled mass—a ‘pile of people’ all jumbled together.

The Guard froze on the spot.

“…Am I dreaming?”

He couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

A bunch of burly thugs had clumped together like a snowball and were rolling down the corridor, all of them screaming at the top of their lungs.

“B-boss! Help us!”

“They used some weird magic on us!”

Magic?

What kind of magic does something like this?

But there was no time to think.

The human snowball was rolling madly toward the exit.

“Run for it!”

“Aaaaaagh!”

Those not yet swept up by the snowball were running for their lives.

They shouted desperately at the Guard, who stood frozen in their path.

“Boss! Move!”

“Huh?”

“Get out of the way! Move!”

“Turn around and run, you idiot!”

Desperation gave rise to curses and shouts.

‘I’m the boss here!’

But there was no time to argue.

The human mass rolled right up to him in an instant.

Faced with this horrifyingly ridiculous sight, the Guard instinctively turned to run.

“Uwaaaaah!”

He bolted at full speed, along with the others.

“Boss! Help us! Hey!”

“S-shut up!”

His underlings’ desperate screams stabbed at his back, but he didn’t care.

First, he had to get away from this bizarre thing.

If he got caught, he’d become part of it!

“What the hell is going on here?!”

“Does it matter right now? Just shut up and run!”

Chased by the human snowball, the Black Society thugs sprinted madly for the exit.

“…Wow, they run pretty well.”

Step, step.

And the one responsible for this spectacle strolled casually down the escape route.

“They’re a healthy bunch, aren’t they? Must work out a lot.”

It was none other than Third Prince Gilloshian.

Karls, Tirvaen, and Irgal followed behind him, all looking completely dazed.

“Lady Sui, is this really okay?”

“Don’t ask me, Sir Silion.”

“What kind of crazy strategy is this?”

They all shook their heads in disbelief.

Just five minutes ago, the situation had been completely different.

The door hadn’t even been opened yet.

“N-nari, are you sure this will work?”

“I told you, it’ll be fine.”

I calmed Thomson, whose hands were trembling with fear, and turned my head.

Karls and Tirvaen, though silent, were clearly tense as well.

Especially the little witch, who had no experience fighting in such a confined space.

She was so nervous she didn’t even notice the magical wrinkles on her face fading away.

‘This one really has no idea how to use the Rosary of the Forest, does she?’

In that case, it was time for a one-point lesson.

I turned to Tirvaen and spoke.

“Master, the Rosary of the Forest isn’t a combat artifact, is it?”

Tirvaen blinked and nodded blankly.

“Huh? Well, yes, that’s right. It’s a sacred relic of the Green Elf, so it supports wood-attribute mana amplification and…”

“And what else?”

“What else? Ah! It also contains ‘Root Defense Spell,’ which can solidify an ally’s formation and maximize group defense. It’s a magic befitting the peace-loving Green Elf clan.”

“Yes, that’s exactly right.”

I smiled.

‘Just a little nudge and she rattles off the specs.’

As expected of an Elite Witch—a perfect explanation.

[Accessory] A precious rosary crafted by the forest folk. While worn, increases wood-attribute mana recovery and magic efficiency by 50%.

Allows use of the bound skill ‘Root Defense Spell.’

The ‘Root Defense Spell’ was, at its core, a war magic.

As Tirvaen explained, it strengthened the formation of allies, buffing the entire group’s defense.

‘That’s all most people know about it.’

But I knew how to use this spell offensively.

Especially in a blocked corridor like this.

And if Karls and Irgal lent the power of the Shield of Balance…

‘It’s not lethal, but it’s a combination move that’s a nightmare to deal with.’

I gave Tirvaen her instructions.

“As soon as Thomson opens the door, cast Root Defense Spell on him. As much as your mana allows.”

“You want me to pour all my mana into it?”

“That’s right. But leave us out.”

“…Huh?!”

“Just cast the defense spell on him alone.”

I patted Thomson’s shoulder, while Tirvaen looked completely baffled.

“W-what are you saying? You want me to use the Root Defense Spell at full power, but only on this man? Did I hear you right?”

“Yes, you did.”

“Why? Then we won’t get the defense buff! This is a spell meant for the whole formation!”

It was a fair question.

From her perspective, there was no reason to waste magic in such a strange way.

“I know. But just do it.”

The reason would soon become clear.

“Karls.”

“Yes, Nari.”

“When Master casts the spell on Thomson, hit him with your shield and send him flying. Toward the enemies blocking the way. Got it?”

Thomson’s eyes went wide as lanterns.

Ignoring him, I signaled to Irgal.

“You can join in if you’re bored. In case you didn’t know, ‘Roll by Striking’ is 1.5 times as effective when two people do it together.”

[Armor] A shield crafted for the referees of the no-holds-barred arena. Designed to be small and easy to use with a sword, but heavier and sturdier than it looks.

Allows use of the bound skill ‘Roll by Striking.’

As the name suggests, you roll by striking.

That’s what ‘Roll by Striking’ was.

If Tirvaen cast Root Defense Spell at full power and Karls struck Thomson with his shield…

Thomson would magnetically draw in his own people, forming a snowball that would roll down the corridor.

‘If he doesn’t pick up enough speed, Karls can just hit him again.’

From the start, Thomson’s allies were those on the other side—not us—so the Green Elf’s defense magic would work perfectly.

With this, our escape route would open up on its own.

“Ohh, what a creative use of magic!”

“Wow, so that was your plan!”

Tirvaen and Karls finally understood, nodding in admiration.

Irgal had a similar reaction.

“I didn’t know you could combine skills like this…”

He looked at the Shield of Balance in his hand as if it were the most fascinating thing in the world.

But did he really not know about this?

Using a buff spell on the enemy as a disruption tactic was one of the advanced techniques in .

You had to know the magic’s properties and use it in the right situation.

But for veterans, it was a fairly common trick.

‘Maybe he’s not that familiar with the game?’

It was hard to judge, since I couldn’t even see his expression right now.

“Nari! You said you’d spare me!”

Thomson, having caught on to my plan, was pale as a sheet.

“You won’t die—you’ve got the defense spell. Don’t worry.”

“B-but!”

“You don’t trust our witch? Want to get sent flying without the spell?”

“Waaah!”

“And your HP is full, isn’t it? What are you worried about?”

“…HP? What’s that?”

Oops.

I was saying all sorts of things to an NPC.

“Anyway, you won’t die from something like this.”

I grinned and added,

“And you should make the most of this opportunity.”

“Huh? What opportunity?”

I grabbed his hand and placed it on the doorknob.

“It’s your chance to change your back-alley life.”

“…!”

Creak.

The door to the corridor swung open.

“Hit him!”

“Take them all down!”

With savage shouts, a swarm of thugs charged at us.

But our plan was already in motion.

[Defensive Magic: Root Defense Spell]