Chapter 169 - Chapter 168: The Fake "Dispeller" Incident 3
Clack, clack, clack... hard footsteps echoed.
Mika descended the stairs to the basement, stifling a yawn.
This was a detached house in District 3, borrowed from the Master of the Assassin's Guild.
Although there were apartment buildings nearby, it was a eerie area with almost no sign of human presence.
There were windows from which the faint light of lamps leaked, suggesting people lived there, but everyone seemed to be holding their breath.
At the bottom of the stairs, a sturdy iron door stood before him.
Mika used one of the keys to open the door.
The keychain given to him by the Master had two keys.
One was for the front door of this house.
And the other was for this iron door.
(I thought the rent was quite high, but I didn't expect it to come with a basement.)
With service this good, he feared what might come later.
He felt like he was being seen as owing a favor.
(Depending on the job, I might lend a hand.)
If it were a request to punish evildoers, he would gladly help.
A melody of "Charara~n" played in Mika's head.
He recalled a masterpiece period drama about an incompetent police officer, bullied by his wife and mother-in-law, who secretly led an assassination group.
(The gap between the laid-back daily life and the secret business is what makes it good.)
Thinking such things, Mika opened the creaking iron door and entered.
Inside was a confinement room with bare concrete walls.
The facilities were perfect, with chains attached to shackles connected to the concrete walls.
In the center of the room, a small man lay bound hand and foot with rope.
The man's name was Concorado.
Concorado did not move a muscle.
(...Don't sleep so carefree. I'm the one who wants to sleep.)
After running around all day during training, he was being forced to do extra work.
He was already irritated, and his frustration was growing even larger.
But in reality, Concorado was not sleeping.
He was unconscious.
After losing heavily at a gambling den in District 3, drinking casually at a tavern, and walking home nicely drunk, he had been attacked by Mika.
While walking down an alley with no proper light other than the moonlight, he had suddenly taken a liver blow, and when he crouched down, he was punched in the jaw.
It was quite unreasonable for him to say he wasn't sleeping when he had knocked himself out.
But that couldn't be helped.
Anyone becomes unreasonable when they are angry.
By the way, Mika had naturally used flight to bring Concorado here.
He had also used "Absorb Wing," which would have been extremely conspicuous in the dark alley.
But Mika had taken perfect precautions.
He had covered himself with a black cloth.
It was a so-called substitute for a balaclava.
It was a style of just hiding his face.
Mika looked down at Concorado with cold eyes and let out a soft sigh.
(...He had some interesting things on him, so this looks like it will be a long night.)
Thinking such things, he pointed his left hand at Concorado.
Splash splash splash splash splash splash splash!
Mika doused Concorado with a large amount of water using "Water Splash."
"...Gwah!? Cough... what... gwah...!"
Woken by the sudden deluge, Concorado was confused.
Mika watched Concorado's state coldly, and continued to douse him with "Water Splash" for a while longer.
The basement floor had a slight slope.
Thanks to that, the drainage was good, which was helpful.
It was probably built with water play in mind from the start.
"Cough... hack hack...!"
Even after the "Water Splash" stopped, Concorado continued to choke for a while.
Mika silently kicked Concorado.
"Guh!? Cough cough...! W-what!?"
Confused, Concorado twisted his body, trying desperately to grasp the situation.
But Mika did not allow it.
He kicked Concorado over and over again.
Then, when Concorado could only groan, Mika used [Heal].
"...Ah... aah...?"
Stunned, Concorado let out a weak voice and looked up at Mika.
Mika silently looked down at him.
(I knew that tormenting him wouldn't relieve my anger...)
Even so, he needed them to serve as an example.
To ensure that no more fools appeared who would dare to impersonate Mika.
He had thought that venting his anger directly might relieve some of it, but it was futile.
Of course it was.
Mika was holding back.
If Mika had unleashed his anger in earnest, he would have likely killed him instantly.
Even without using [Physical Enhancement], just by punching and kicking.
"...You know my face, don't you? Do you have anything to say?"
Even though Mika said this, Concorado remained stunned for a while.
Then he raised his voice with a "Huh!?"
"Y-you!? Why are you here!"
Concorado flew into a rage.
"You bastard! Stop messing around! Undo this!"
Saying so, Concorado twisted his body.
Even after noticing Mika, there was no fear or apology.
On the contrary, he was still trying to intimidate him.
Just from this, it was clear how much he was being looked down upon.
Mika ignored Concorado's abusive language and created an "Ice Javelin."
Then, he pressed it against Concorado's stomach.
"You bastard, do you want to be killed! I told you to undo it quickly! You brat!"
Mika gradually applied force, pushing the "Ice Javelin" into Concorado's stomach.
"It hurts, you bastard! Let go!"
Ignoring the intimidating Concorado, he silently pushed.
And finally, it exceeded the critical point.
"I said it hurts! Hey, it hurts! It hur—gyaaaaaaah!?"
With a squelch, the "Ice Javelin" pierced the skin of his stomach and slowly entered Concorado's abdomen.
Mika ignored the screaming Concorado and slowly, slowly pushed it in while grinding it in a circular motion.
The screams echoed in the confinement room, and since it was too noisy, he lowered the volume with "Big Ear."
"Haaaaah!? Hiiiii! Gyaaaaaaah!!!"
Mika held down the writhing, screaming Concorado, and ground the "Ice Javelin" thoroughly to make him savor the pain.
When Concorado lost consciousness, Mika threw away the "Ice Javelin" and cast Heal on him.
――――And so, it returns to square one.
"Demsoric and Yorkades."
Mika extracted information from Concorado, who still had an "Ice Javelin" stuck in his stomach.
He had repeated the process of stabbing the stomach about five times, grinding, losing consciousness, [Heal], and dousing with water.
He ignored Concorado, who was screaming, begging for forgiveness, and saying he would tell everything, and continued the torture.
Now, they were in the middle of the sixth round.
Finally, seeing Mika's attitude of willingness to listen, Concorado began to speak desperately.
The man from the Information Broker Guild had been right; there seemed to be two other accomplices besides Concorado.
"...So, Demsoric prepared this guy."
"Y-yes! No, that's right! S-so, please, heal me quickly!"
Mika ignored Concorado's words and looked at the card in his hand.
It was engraved with 'Name: Mika Noisheim "Dispeller"'.
Apart from this card, Mika properly possessed his own guild card.
This card was something Concorado had been carrying.
(Forging a guild card... With this, it's no wonder the victims believed it.)
Not only had they prepared a mediator, but even such props.
Moreover, the man named Demsoric who prepared this card was said to be an active guild employee.
(...This story is getting quite big.)
If Concorado's story was true, it seemed they were not specifically targeting Mika, but simply doing it to earn money.
Since they had a guild employee as an accomplice, they thought it possible to pin the crime on Mika.
In fact, this man named Demsoric had confidently said so.
And once a criminal record was established, it would be even easier to pin things on Mika in the future.
That was the plan, according to Concorado.
Mika extracted the specific circumstances and methods of the fake "Dispeller."
It was Demsoric who had approached him with the offer.
Although they hadn't spoken much before, he had invited Concorado, who was short on money, saying it would be "good money."
He had thought that Concorado, a perennial D-rank who never amounted to anything and was always struggling with debt, could be easily drawn in.
And so it happened.
Yorkades, the mediator, was a guy who was also short on money, frequenting the same tavern Concorado did.
Apparently, he had easily agreed when approached.
The method was as follows.
Demsoric, the guild employee, would select several target candidates.
These were people who had recently tried to request a "Dispeller," only to return disappointed because receptions were suspended.
Yorkades would approach the targets by various means and strike up a conversation with, "Oh, was that item yours?"
Then, pretending to be kind, he would introduce them, saying, "I know a 'Dispeller' well."
Concorado would gain their trust with the forged card, and appeal to his conscience by offering a discount, saying, "Since he introduced you, I can't refuse."
Then, he would take something appropriate from the mansion and fabricate a story, saying, "This was cursed."
He said they had conducted several trials starting a few months ago, and had started earning in earnest around last month.
By the way, he said they had run away with their tails between their legs from requests involving "Wraiths" wandering around.
Hearing the story from Concorado, Mika was dumbfounded.
(Usually one million Raatz, but now it's eight hundred thousand Raatz. A limited-time, special price, huh.)
It was the very technique of television shopping.
No, television shopping probably exploited human psychology even better.
"Fabricating random items... I'm surprised you could deceive people with such a thing."
When Mika said this, Concorado, while enduring the pain, showed a vulgar smile.
"If I just said, 'It's already dispelled,' no one suspected a thing. ...Sir."
When Mika glared at him, Concorado averted his gaze.
In the case of normal "Curse Removal," one confirms the curse with [Appraisal].
But if it has already been dispelled, [Appraisal] cannot determine that it "was cursed."
"You used people's trust to do as you pleased."
Crack!
"Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
Mika kicked the "Ice Javelin" stuck in Concorado's stomach from the side.
The "Ice Javelin" broke in the middle, but Concorado screamed from the severe pain caused by the vibration.
(Well, I think I understand the general outline now.)
With only a one-sided story, there might be hidden parts.
But he had learned roughly what he wanted to know.
Mika used the shackles connected to the wall to restrain Concorado's legs.
After doing so, he untied the ropes.
"I will verify if your story has any lies. If I can verify it, I might bring you some bread. But if you lie..."
"I-I'm not lying... Believe m—"
Thud!
Mika kicked Concorado.
"Don't talk nonsense. Do you think I believe even a fragment of your story?"
Saying so, Concorado distorted his face in pain and fell silent.
Mika pulled out the "Ice Javelin" stuck in his stomach and cast [Heal] on him.
"I'll bring you some water later."
Leaving those words, Mika left the basement.
After extracting the story from Concorado and returning to the first floor, dawn had broken.
Although it was a shabby house, it was equipped with a usable bath.
Mika washed off his sweat, changed into his academy uniform, and headed straight for the academy.
He stuffed himself with breakfast at a cafeteria on the way, and slowly headed to the academy.
It was quite early before classes, but the instructor in charge of opening the gates seemed to have already arrived at work.
Mika went straight to the classroom and slept with his head on his desk.
When his classmates arrived at school, he unilaterally asked them to pass on the message, "I'm not feeling well. Tell Homeroom Teacher Colina," and went to the lounge.
There, he was finally able to lie down and sleep.
And so, he slept all day until the academy ended.
(Yawn... I slept well...)
Mika got up and stretched his body on the bed.
He heard from the instructor on duty in the lounge that girls who seemed to be Rimliche and Cleiria had come.
But whether they were relieved or dumbfounded by Mika sleeping soundly, they had apparently returned as they were.
And after leaving the academy, he went to the tavern where he had an appointment with the information broker.
When he entered through the back door, the man was already waiting.
"Yo, I've been waiting."
Sitting in the same seat as yesterday, he urged Mika to sit next to him.
"I found out about the two people I mentioned yesterday."
"I heard. Their names are Demsoric and Yorkades, right?"
"You made them talk."
Saying so, the man laughed.
"It seems the ringleader is a guy named Demsoric. What did your investigation find?"
"I couldn't find out that much. But judging by the method, it's certain that he plays an important role."
The forged guild card must have been an important factor in gaining the victims' trust.
Without it, who knows how much they would have trusted a "Dispeller" who was all talk.
Above all, the victims had just been rejected by the guild when they tried to make a request.
Such information would have been useful for exploitation.
"The other one, Yorkades, can wait. Give me information on Demsoric. I'll deal with him first."
"I see."
And so, he received information about Demsoric.
"He spends money recklessly, and it seems he was often borrowing from money lenders."
"Him too, huh."
Mika made a dumbfounded face.
"And as usual, he's been spending lavishly lately."
Yes, the man grinned.
Demsoric seemed to be an employee of the Second Branch in the Royal Capital.
In other words, there was a high possibility that Mika had met him.
"His position is Deputy Manager, in charge of all counter-related duties."
"Deputy Manager!?"
Mika inadvertently raised his voice.
It was a position he had heard about recently.
"He handles inquiries about requests and complaints. It seems to be a department with a wide range of responsibilities, taking care of both clients and adventurers."
Come to think of it, hadn't he heard a story recently about someone stopping complaints?
Recently, or rather, just yesterday.
"His father is at the Adventurer's Guild headquarters. He seems to be a fairly high-ranking executive."
He also got the information that he was a nepotism hire.
"Due to his father's pressure, even the Branch Manager at the Second Branch seems to watch Demsoric's mood. It's said that only the Vice Branch Manager who was there until spring could keep him in check. Since he was transferred, everyone seems to be troubled."
Chirensta-san...
He must have persisted in doing what should be done, without worrying about the mood of those above.
With the reliable Chirensta transferred, there was no one left to stop this guy.
"And it seems they are filling the vacant post of the Vice Branch Manager by promoting people from below in order. Of course, he was promoted too. By the way, it seems his father's influence is involved in that as well."
He was probably pulling up those who sided with him.
"Who is this father, anyway?"
"As I said, he's a big shot at the Guild Headquarters. He's said to be the right-hand man, or perhaps the right foot, of the Vice Guild Master."
"Vice Guild Master..."
...What is a right foot?
But really, the world is small.
Everything connects to stories I've heard recently.
Well, yesterday, to be precise!
"...Hey, are you okay?"
The man looked at Mika's face and asked.
"What is?"
"No, well... you're making a scary smile."
Realizing what was said, he noticed.
The corners of his mouth were raised.
"Ah, I'm fine. More importantly, you're tailing him just like yesterday, right?"
"That's perfect. We've grasped his behavior patterns. He'll probably go to his usual shop for a drink and then go home today."
And so, he asked for the connection method with the person tailing him, his house, and his usual shop.
He thought it was likely the man he expected, but he wanted the Information Broker Guild people to tail him just in case, to ensure there were no mistakes.
It would be pitiful if he raided the wrong person's house.
"Leave Yorkades for tomorrow. Investigate the details."
"Well, I have most of the information already. Alright, I'll look into it."
"And investigate Demsoric's father too. Especially any shady stories."
"The father too?"
The man looked surprised for a moment, but immediately agreed.
And so, Mika told him, "Same time tomorrow," and left the tavern.
He would return to check on Concorado for now, and give him only bread and water.
And so, he would invite Mr. Demsoric.
The method was the same as when he had invited Mr. Concorado.
However, unlike District 3, it was a reasonably bright place, so there was a possibility of being seen by someone.
He had done it in an alley with no foot traffic, just in case.
Well, since he had worn a balaclava and kidnapped him in an instant, even if seen, they would probably think it was an optical illusion.
Currently, Demsoric was lying on the floor, just like Concorado yesterday.
And Concorado, still chained, was cowering against the wall.
"Is this your accomplice?"
When Mika spoke to Concorado, he nodded vigorously.
Mika nodded satisfactorily and splashed water on Demsoric.
"Bfuh...! W-what!? Cough cough...!"
After he woke up, he doused him with water for a while longer, and then spoke.
"Geh, cough...! Cough!"
"Yo."
He looked down with cold eyes at the nervous-looking man who was choking.
The man who had called Mika out yesterday, intimidated him, and tried to make him admit to twenty-seven counts of fraud.
As expected, this guy was Demsoric.
"Cough... Y-you bastard!?"
Demsoric, while choking, tried desperately to glare at Mika.
"Do you understand what you are doing! This is a crime!"
The ringleader of the fraud was saying something.
Mika silently pointed to Concorado with his chin.
Demsoric didn't notice at first, but when shown again, he understood the intent and looked at Concorado.
At that moment, his expression distorted for an instant.
But he quickly put on a composed face.
"I-is there another person imprisoned! What a heinous criminal you are!"
And so, he put on a splendid performance as a victim.
"Not admitting your own crimes, and resorting to such crimes out of resentment for disciplinary action, what a selfish person you are!"
"...Disciplinary action?"
When Mika asked this, Demsoric distorted the corner of his mouth for an instant.
But he quickly put on a stern expression.
"Yes, because I cannot overlook a criminal like you! I submitted a request for disciplinary action yesterday!"
Oh dear.
It seems a request has already been sent.
"Your disciplinary action has probably already been decided at the headquarters today. Now, do not add more sins, and surrender yourself cleanly!"
Demsoric continued to play the role of a virtuous employee.
But hearing this story, Mika started to find it a little amusing.
(I thought forging the card alone was a big deal, but if a disciplinary action based on a false charge goes through, that becomes a problem for the Guild Headquarters, doesn't it?)
A fraud case involving an active employee, forgery of a guild card, and disciplinary action based on a false charge.
Moreover, there is a big shot from the guild among his relatives.
What if that big shot was involved in the disciplinary action based on a false charge?
(It would be a huge scandal. Would it be more interesting to overturn it after the disciplinary action is confirmed?)
Such thoughts came to mind.
How should he move from here?
He also thought about the people he should involve in his head.
""Ice Javelin.""
The moment Mika muttered and produced an "Ice Javelin," Concorado became terribly frightened.
While surprised by Concorado's panic, Demsoric's face twitched, not understanding the reason.
(Will it be more interesting to keep this guy alive? Or is it better to kill him? I'm not seeking repentance.)
Thinking such things, Mika held an "Ice Javelin" in one hand and approached Demsoric with a smile.