Chapter 152 (2/2)

I twirled the noodles with my fork and looked around the crowded street.

I couldn't find any clues about my friends.

And the scroll's needle is still not pointing in any specific direction.

I wonder if we're looking in the wrong place.

Maybe they are on the edge of the continent, or on the other side of the world for all we know.

I wish there was a way I could know if they were still alive.

”Do you know of any place where we can find information on anything in this city?”

I asked the dark elf cook.

”You should go further down, to the fourth floor. There's a black market that caters to the rich and the people who hang out there are very smart. If you play your cards right, you'll probably find what you're looking for.”

”The black market...”

”But just so you know, the Redmouth family, one of the three main forces in these ruins, is in charge of the black market. If you value your life, I recommend you find somewhere else to find what you're looking for.”

The cook gave me another two plates of noodles.

The Redmouth family, huh... So people from the underworld are doing business with the nobility and the rich.

Hmm, I think I'm going to eat a double portion.

”Give me four more.”

”Isn't two enough for you?”

”No, I want four.”

I love this noodle dish. No matter how much I eat, it's never enough.

Kaede, who had been staring at me, took a sip of her soup, pondered for a while and then started taking notes.

”Sorry, big brother, I've lost sight of that boy.”

”I see. Well, that's not important for now. Where are the guests?”

”They're gathering in the back, sir.”

A few Beastkin men converse next to the food stand.

When the words ”in the back” came up in conversation, I directed my attention there immediately.

The Tiger tribesman had a scar on his cheek and a truly intimidating appearance.

He noticed my stare and then turned to look at me.

”Why the hell are you looking at me like that, human...hiigi?!”

”Brother?”

”Come on, let's get out of here.”

The tiger man tries to walk away quickly.

I got up from my seat and started to follow him. Until I got close enough to him and tapped him on the shoulder.

”What's in the back of this place?”

”Oh... So that's what you're interested in.”

”Actually, yes, I'm interested in going to the black market. I'll pay you in exchange for information and a run down of everything about this place.”

He shifts his gaze while pale faced.

He looked very hesitant, as if he had a problem.

”I-I don't know, that place is not suitable for a guy like you.”

”It's okay, I have a lot of money. Oh, maybe the amount of money I have has something to do with it?”

”Well, at least 100 million...”

”Then no problem. Are there any other conditions?”

”....Can you promise me you won't make a fuss?”

”Hahaha, unlike you, I'm an ordinary warrior, I wouldn't do such a thing.”

I smiled and patted him on the shoulder.

I have some common sense.

I wouldn't do something like that unless I was asked.

The accompanying Bear and Monkey tribesmen began to talk to him.

”Are you sure about that, brother? We don't even know who he is.”

”Don't be stupid, I can't say no to him.”

”....Really? He looks like a normal, weak human.”

”Maybe so, but I can't stop shaking. It's just like that time I was a kid and saw the ancient Demon King. Don't provoke this guy, or he'll kill us all.”

”I guess we'll take your word for it, brother. In that case, let's go back and warn the others.”

The beastmen talk amongst themselves.

I want to get an answer as soon as possible. I still have food waiting for me, and I'm hungry.

”I'll take you up on your offer. I'll tell you what you want to know in the back.”

”Thank you. Say, are you hungry? I'll buy you something to eat.”

”Oh, yes, it would be my pleasure.”

The tiger man sat down at one of the tables with us with a strained smile on his face.

And when he looked at Kaede and Frau, his expression got even worse.

The hand he was clutching his glass with kept shaking.

”Master, who is this?”

”This is the person who will lead us to the black market.”

”Amazing, my lord, you have already found a guide so quickly. Nice to meet you, stranger.”

”Kyui!”

Panda and Frau greet him with a smile.

And the tiger man replies, ”Oh, yes...”

”Are you okay? Are you having some monster trouble, or are you just having a bad day?”