Chapter 12

Chapter 12
## Chapter 12

Finishing touches (2)

A crowd of people lined up outside the massive castle gates, waiting their turn as watchful guards conducted inspections at the entrance.

By discreetly pressing some coins into the hands of the stern-faced sentries, a traveler could easily gain entry and find themselves swept up in a bustling throng.

‘…I anticipated a grander sight, so why does it feel so depressing here?’

Though the town was relatively modest in scale, the sprawling cluster of buildings contained within the high stone fortifications left no doubt that this was indeed the city.

‘But why does the atmosphere feel so utterly desolate?’

Even the sentries at the gate had barely spared a glance, ignoring me completely as they muttered quietly among themselves.

‘It’s a relief that the security check wasn’t strict, but still…’

I possessed absolutely no knowledge regarding this realm.

Recalling the ambiguous, evasive responses provided by the village elders, it was clear that attempting to pass the urban sentries with half-hearted excuses would have been a disaster.

Inquiring too deeply would only invite unwanted suspicion.

‘I even went to the trouble of preparing funds specifically to bribe them.’

Despite the early hour, very few citizens walked the streets, and none of them paid the slightest bit of attention to a stranger like me.

The entire settlement felt entirely devoid of life.

‘What is causing this grim mood? Has some disaster occurred?’

Though a sense of foreboding gripped me, my immediate priority was to locate a place to stay.

Even if I chose to move on to another destination later, I needed to extract some basic knowledge about this environment first.

‘Let’s check… I wonder where an inn might be located. Perhaps I should ask that citizen over there?’

Just as I began walking toward a local resident to request directions, a sudden disturbance in a nearby side street caught my eye.

A heavily built man sporting a distinctive neck tattoo was confronting a delicate, thin girl who looked to be no older than twelve.

“Please forgive me, I beg you to grant me just a bit more time…”

The young girl implored, ducking her head repeatedly in a desperate plea to the towering man.

“I comprehend your predicament, but surely you realize my patience has its limits, right? I will grant you a three-day extension. If you fail to deliver by then, I will have no choice but to take matters into my own hands.”

Uncrossing his thick arms, he scratched his scalp and grumbled with deep irritation.

Without pausing to hear the child’s reply, he turned and stepped deeper into the alleyway.

“Do I make myself perfectly clear? Two silver pieces in exactly three days.”

The moment his figure vanished into the murky shadows of the passage, the girl collapsed weakly onto the stone ground.

She remained seated there for a brief moment, appearing utterly stunned, before drawing a sharp breath as if forcing down her sobbing. She slapped her own cheeks firmly.

Stumbling slightly, she forced herself back upright.

‘Hmm… A helpless youth targeted by local extorters. A textbook scenario.’

Given that this was a medieval fantasy setting, such grim occurrences were bound to be commonplace.

Even if I chose to champion the cause of human rights here, it would likely achieve nothing, and frankly, I had no personal stake in doing so.

As I remained in place observing the scene, the girl staggered out from the narrow passage and accidentally collided straight into me.

“Oh… please pardon me…”

I looked down at the child, who immediately bowed her head toward me in apology.

Her skin was weather-worn, and her hands were covered in bruises and thick calluses that were far too harsh for someone her age.

Her vacant gaze and the heavy, melancholic aura hanging over her were hauntingly familiar to me.

After offering her brief apology, the girl shuffled past me, dragging her feet as she walked away.

Her slouched posture and the complete absence of energy in her stride were deeply palpable.

Her retreating form lingered vividly in my thoughts.

“Right, two silver coins,” I murmured quietly, slipping a small pouch out from my coat pocket.

This was a secondary coin purse I had specially set aside for potential bribes, containing a handful of base coins along with roughly six pieces of silver.

‘I stocked it generously since I was ignorant of the local currency value. It appears silver commands far more purchasing power than I initially assumed.’

Though I had figured the funds would go to waste after bypassing the fortress gates without an inspection, this development presented an ideal alternative use.

‘Precisely when I am in dire need of a source of local information.’

A native resident who could supply vital knowledge and reliably execute tasks, all while posing a minimal threat of betrayal or deception.

It felt as though the ultimate chance had just dropped into my lap.

‘I cannot be certain if she is entirely reliable, but if a meager sum of money can secure the data I need…’

Extracting a pair of silver coins from the small bag, I tucked the rest back into my clothing.

‘Consider it destiny. In any case, employing her should prove far more practical than bribing corrupt guards.’

I quickly closed the distance between myself and the drifting girl.

Despite my attempts to catch her eye with a welcoming wave, she gave absolutely no indication of noticing me.

“Excuse me… hey, little girl?”

“…”

“Hello? I would like to speak with you for a moment, young miss.”

Receiving nothing but silence, I raised my volume slightly and gave her shoulder a gentle tap.

“Yikes! I—I am so sorry!”

Leaping backward in sheer terror, the girl’s violent reaction caught me off guard, causing me to blink in utter bewilderment.

“…”

“Um, who exactly are you?”

From this point on, she would be my employee.

I harbored no intention of offering blind charity, regardless of how heartbreaking the girl’s current plight appeared.

A fair transaction where both parties benefited was the absolute foundation of a dependable, enduring partnership.

I remained uncertain about the duration of my stay in this particular town, but maintaining my personal code of conduct was non-negotiable.

Thus, it was time to establish the boundaries of our professional agreement.

—

Following his encounter with the young girl within the settlement, Heinz effortlessly rented a comfortable room and commenced his information-gathering process with her guidance.

With a knowledgeable local leading the way, every task was completed without a hitch.

“Now then, shall I begin the task at hand?”

It was time to gather wealth!

While embarking on an adventure in a parallel reality was thrilling, securing my personal safety and livelihood remained the absolute priority.

‘However, invoking Hans directly still feels incredibly intimidating.’

I had previously witnessed his terrifying capabilities firsthand while utilizing Heinz.

‘Even so, I still possess the ‘Enlightenment Index’… it ought to sustain me for the foreseeable future.’

Nonetheless, taking every precaution, I shut my eyes tightly before calling forth Hans, ensuring that our eyes would not lock under any circumstances.

The instant the summoning was completed, an icy, bone-chilling sensation filled the room.

Even without opening my eyes, my instincts screamed that a deeply malevolent entity now occupied the space directly before me.

$$Wow, this is truly terrifying. I would never be able to show my face in public again.$$

I whispered under my breath, observing my own motionless form through the eyes of Hans.

The echoing cadence of his voice, resembling a demonic entity whispering directly into my mind, triggered a wave of pure terror.

‘Still, owing to the ‘Enlightenment Index,’ the psychological strain appears to be mitigating.’

During my initial attempt to summon Hans, the mental skill had fluctuated wildly without restraint, but I had now grown accustomed to the pressure, allowing my psyche to steady itself.

“Whew, I have regained my composure now…”

Calming my mind into a serene state, I opened my eyes, but the moment my gaze brushed against Hans’s eyes, I instantly averted my face.

In fact, I spun my entire body around and marched straight toward the washroom.

“Let us maintain a safe distance for the time being. I must step into the restroom. A sudden urgency has gripped me.”

Muttering explanations to an empty room, I placed as much distance as possible between myself and Hans.

‘The retrieved items can easily be managed by Hans.’

While I remained isolated in the washroom, Hans efficiently organized the various possessions he carried, stacking them neatly on one side of the chamber.

The haul consisted of rare precious metals and assorted enchanted implements, a couple of which were imbued with defensive wards.

I carefully gathered the defensive magical trinkets. After all, preserving the safety of my primary physical form was paramount.

Lifting my skull-topped staff, I gave the floorboards a experimental tap to test a theory.

$$Ah, it appears conjuration magic from the other realm is restricted here.$$

It seemed that bridging the dimensional void to call forth the restless dead from that alternate world was an impossibility.

I remained uncertain whether it was feasible to manifest a personal dimensional pocket tethered exclusively to Hans to store such entities, but I lacked the magical expertise to attempt such a feat at present.

‘Well, I will undoubtedly unlock greater capabilities as my power advances.’

For the moment, the current setup would suffice.

There was absolutely no reason to rush the process.

Beep beep beep—click.

Just as I concluded my business in the lavatory and grew increasingly comfortable with Hans’s distant presence, the main entrance swung open, and the proxy body that had been dispatched for physical training stepped back inside.

Though I was still brainstorming a grand, fitting title for it, this proxy possessed the “Acceleration” ability, allowing it to multiply its velocity in an instant—making it an incredibly practical asset.

‘I went to the trouble of procuring a wooden mask that matches the aesthetics of this era, and it appears to be an excellent fit.’

Clutched in the hands of the returning proxy was a hand-carved wooden mask intended to obscure Hans’s features.

Utilizing a modern plastic mask would completely ruin the immersion of a high-fantasy setting, wouldn’t it?

Granted, it might have functioned fine, but I preferred maintaining thematic consistency.

Controlling the proxy’s movements, I lifted the wooden carving and positioned it over Hans’s face, tightly knotting the fastening cords at the rear of his head.

To ensure it would not easily dislodge, I reinforced the binding multiple times using robust leather cords.

“Oh… that creates quite an impression. It radiates an entirely different brand of menace compared to before.”

I clapped my hands in approval toward Hans while inspecting his altered appearance.

The proxy, which had spent the last hour sprinting through the local paths, suddenly focused its attention on the entity.

It was the ominous visage that Hans now sported.

A strange blue glow emanated from the dark eye slits cut into his hood, while a freezing mist seeped from between the sharp teeth visible through the mask’s parted mouth; the sight belonged in a psychological horror film.

‘Hold on, could this specific mask carry some hidden significance?’ The thought crossed my mind briefly, but I discarded it almost instantly.

The reality was that even if Hans were to don a cheerful, bright pink bunny mask, he would still radiate the aura of a depraved psychopath.

Simply masking the undeniable fact that he was an undead entity was more than enough to justify the accessory.

‘Hmm… so long as the bare skull remains hidden from view, I can likely deceive ordinary onlookers.’

Deliberately looking away from Hans’s terrifying skull features, I retrieved my carrying bag and deposited the heavy gold bar deep inside.

‘For now, this singular gold bar weighs roughly 3 kg. It ought to serve my current financial needs.’

Although my ultimate objective involved purchasing a secluded property on the fringes of Seoul and fortifying it with an array of protective barriers, my current confinement meant I had to execute my plans methodically.

‘I must maintain faith that my circumstances will improve moving forward. I cannot tolerate living in hiding indefinitely.’

For the immediate future, I resolved to liquidate this gold bar through standard, legal avenues.

I could easily claim that the item was discovered while sorting through the old estate left behind by my late parents.

My family background was reasonably comfortable, and under my current circumstances, converting this specific volume of gold into currency would raise no red flags.

The proxy, fully prepared to venture out, hesitated for a split second just as its hand touched the front doorknob.

Carrying such an immensely valuable object outdoors suddenly filled me with a wave of paranoia.

“It feels incredibly reckless to simply walk out into the open unprotected like this.”

Despite having equipped myself with several defensive magical charms, an underlying sense of anxiety refused to dissipate.

As I scanned the room in deep reflection, my gaze landed on Hans, who was standing perfectly still in the corner.

—

“We are deeply grateful for your business. Please have a wonderful rest of your day.”

The customer service representative at the gold purchasing establishment offered a polite, deep bow as I prepared to depart.

Just as I had calculated, the transaction proceeded without a single complication, and none of the dangerous scenarios I had dreaded came to pass.

Targeting a reputable business known for offering premium rates for precious metals had truly paid off, and a satisfied smile graced my face as I visualized the substantial funds now resting securely in my financial account.

The daylight had completely waned from the sky, and the overhead streetlamps were beginning to flicker awake along the pavements.

With a profoundly unburdened heart, I walked forward, occasionally casting a glance at the dark outlines stretching across the pavement.

One particular patch of shade seemed unnaturally dense compared to the surrounding darkness.

‘While I am unable to engage in open combat myself, it is a massive blessing that I can utilize his power in this manner.’

Concealed directly within that deep shadow was Hans, who had cast a shroud of dark magic over himself.

I had positioned him there strictly as an emergency safeguard, though it now appeared my anxieties had been entirely uncalled for.

WEEEEEEE— WEEEEEEE!

BOOM!

The very instant that comforting thought crossed my mind, the heavy security shutter of the gold shop I had just exited slammed downward, followed immediately by the violent detonation of the exterior brick wall.

‘Why is it that my worst premonitions are always completely accurate?’

Closing my eyes briefly to steady myself, I cast a sharp glance back over my shoulder.

A massive, wolf-like humanoid standing well over two meters in height, flanked by an accomplice sporting a dark face covering, bounded out from the shattered ruins of the structure and sprinted down the adjoining alleyway.

Peering through the smoke at the devastation inside the ruined storefront, I could see that the displays of precious metals had been entirely cleared out, and several employees were left unconscious on the floorboards.

By sheer stroke of fortune, I had avoided the blast entirely by exiting the premises mere moments before the assault began.

However…

‘Metahuman criminals, I take it…’

Individuals who chose to exploit their awakened supernatural gifts to perpetrate acts of felony.

Naturally, specialized peacekeepers existed to safeguard the populace from such criminal elements, but as history had proven time and again, it was impossible to shield every citizen from every sudden threat.

A truth my own family had learned far too well.

I cast a fleeting glance toward the dark passage where the assailants had vanished before resuming my pace down the street.

The immediate area had descended into absolute pandemonium, with eyewitnesses frantically dialing emergency services and capturing the aftermath on their mobile devices.

The official peacekeepers would undoubtedly take charge of the manhunt, and should the perpetrators be apprehended, they would face severe, enhanced sentences for utilizing awakened abilities in the commission of a robbery.

And if they managed to evade capture…

‘They will simply enjoy their stolen wealth, and there is absolutely nothing I can do to alter that.’

Hansung-hyun turned away from the chaotic scene and continued his journey back to his residence.

—

“Fantastic work, Wolf, everything went precisely as we plotted. The moment we reach the designated coordinates for Portal, we are completely home free so long as we break through this perimeter!”

“Grrr, we have roughly a three-minute window before the local peacekeepers descend on this sector, which is more than enough time to vanish.”

Their strategy was elementary in its execution.

The heavy muscle of the operation, ‘Wolf,’ was tasked with neutralizing the onsite security personnel and demolishing the storage vaults and alarms to clear an unimpeded path of retreat. Meanwhile, the logistics expert, ‘Porter,’ used his abilities to instantly vacuum up the cash and precious metals, carrying the loot alongside Wolf.

Their extraction specialist, ‘Portal,’ would be stationed at a prearranged coordinate, ready to activate his spatial abilities to transport them miles away in the blink of an eye.

“Hahaha! I cannot wait to picture the utterly miserable expressions on those peacekeepers’ faces when they arrive to find an empty room!”

“Grumph! Stow the chatter. We have reached the rendezvous point, so drop the payload.”

The criminal duo rapidly navigated into the interior of an abandoned construction site.

Because manifesting a spatial gateway required a significant amount of preparation time utilizing Portal’s unique ability, it was impossible to deploy the exit strategy directly at the crime scene, forcing them to secure a secluded staging area well in advance.

Thud—

Thwack!

Sprinting deep into the skeletal structure, the pair suddenly skidded to a halt as they spotted the site’s daytime construction laborers piled unconsciously in a far corner.

Worse still, Portal, who was supposed to be actively maintaining the spatial gateway while awaiting their arrival, was likewise slumped on the ground, completely unresponsive.

“What… what is the meaning of this?”

A towering silhouette loomed out from the heavy darkness, standing directly over the paralyzed form of Portal.

“Grrrrr…”

Every inch of Wolf’s thick fur stood on end, his deadly fangs and razor-sharp claws extending instinctively as he dropped into a defensive crouch and raised his tail in warning.

Yet, despite his aggressive posture, his wide eyes were undeniably radiating absolute terror.

“Uh… w-what on earth is that thing?”

Porter’s reaction was considerably more severe.

His cognitive faculties locked up entirely, rendering him incapable of forming a coherent thought.

Slowly, ‘it’ raised a single, shadowed hand, extending a lone finger directly toward the trembling pair.

The final image that burned itself into Porter’s failing consciousness was a twisted, grinning visage accompanied by twin piercing blue eyes glowing brightly from the depths of the encroaching dark.