Conditions

"I felt I had already shown enough sincerity."

Heka raised his head. This time, the two people who had been holding him back did not stop him.

"I've already proven my value.

"The sewers have enormous potential. I can hide in there where they won't find me, and I can bypass the people you've stationed outside the bathhouse and get in. That alone proves I have the ability to fulfill that proposal."

Heka rubbed his shoulder. Those two men had used far too much force, and his shoulder was red and swollen.

"I heard that the sewers here in Seapeak Port used to be part of the Dungeon.

"And this Dungeon stabilized a hundred years ago and stopped refreshing Demonic Beasts.

"If that's the case, why haven't the local gangs taken control of it? Why have you allowed someone with no connections like yourself to come here and discuss this business with us?"

The leader of the Black Mountain Merchants fell silent, but that did not mean Heka had earned his trust.

As the leader of the Black Mountain Merchants gave the person beside him a meaningful glance, a man with an ugly scar across his face immediately took over the interrogation.

"We want to transport goods through the sewers because someone is preventing our business from continuing by setting up obstacles along the road.

"You may not know this, but the gangs in Seapeak Port are the original inhabitants here. The moment settlements began forming because of the Dungeon's appearance, the gangs already existed.

"They are the rulers themselves, so naturally they had no need to work in a place that required precious fuel for lighting and carried enormous risks.

"Besides, as the tides move, Seapeak Port's underground water system is periodically flooded. There really isn't any need to occupy the place."

"You're making a fair point. A single route for transporting goods through the sewers isn't enough to make us risk the entire city's hostility to protect you."

The man speaking with Heka laughed as he drove down the price at every opportunity. Heka merely smiled, then turned toward the Black Mountain Gang's leader, who sat firmly in the seat of honor and watched those below.

"Boss, I have a different version of the story."

The man raised his chin, signaling for this interesting little rascal to continue.

"I found a fat sheep on the street—a young man carrying a money pouch.

"He was in such a hurry that I had my friend draw his attention.

"Then I took a money pouch from his palm, one containing twenty silver coins and some coppers.

"Twenty silver coins were enough to get my manager to kill me, so I hid in the sewers with my companion.

"Before coming here, I gave five of the silver coins to my companion. Oh, right—where are your silver coins?"

Heka turned toward Tuft of Hair, who was being held there by a group of brawny men.

"I used one to buy meat, and the other four were taken when they searched me."

Tuft of Hair hunched his neck, then pointed at one of the henchmen beside him. When everyone's attention focused on the man, he immediately gave a sheepish grin and pulled out four silver coins, placing them in front of him.

"When I bought the goods, I paid one silver coin and sixty-one coppers. Then I noticed that the shopkeeper was acting strangely, so I ran."

Seeing everyone looking at him, Tuft of Hair added that explanation.

Although he was still somewhat frightened, the boss's composed manner reassured him considerably.

"The meat you brought back was probably only worth ten coppers a pound. Even the cheese couldn't have cost more than five coppers a pound. You got fleeced—you paid too much."

Heka shook his head, then looked once more at the Black Mountain Gang's leader.

The person beside him had already opened the money pouch Heka had just brought in and counted the silver coins inside. There were exactly fifteen—neither one more nor one less."

"I told you, I like honest children."

The man stroked his chin. The three people who had been standing by immediately restrained Heka, and a wet towel was then laid over his face.

Heka closed his eyes. If I don't hand it over, there's still a chance I'll live. My gold is in my bag anyway. If they have the ability, they can take the money straight out of it.

But once I hand it over, they might decide the trouble is too great, abandon the smuggling route altogether, and simply get rid of the troublemaker that is me.

After all, the money was real and tangible, while that so-called route was merely a grand promise Heka had painted for them.

The expected rush of water and suffocating sensation never came. After a brief bout of rapid breathing, Heka immediately steadied his breath.

About thirty breaths later, Heka felt the dampness on his face vanish completely. He knew he had passed the test.

They clearly had no intention of pushing matters to the point of no return. That proved his proposal to open up an underground smuggling route had appealed to them. They were very interested.

The price of that proposal was enough to make them temporarily endure their craving for the gold.

"But I do think you're an honest child."

The Black Mountain Merchants' leader extended his hand slightly. That scarred hand came to a steady stop before Heka.

Heka smiled and clasped the large hand. The man then left the pool and waved, signaling for the man with the hideous scar across his face to stay behind and handle the arrangements.

Tuft of Hair finally had the four silver coins taken from him returned.

As soon as he was released, he hurried over to Heka, then handed him the silver coins. His gaze evaded Heka as he stepped aside.

He had not mentioned it after seeing that the boss had awakened, and now he inevitably felt somewhat guilty.

"Keep them yourself. What sense is there in taking back money once you've given it away?"

Heka waved his hand, then went over to the lavish feast laid out in the middle of the room, which had not been touched at all.

"You've just eaten your fill. After soaking in a hot bath, you have to eat some fruit and drink a little wine. That's what makes it complete."

"Deko, head of the transportation department of the Black Mountain Merchants."

The Scarface Man had now wrapped himself in a bath towel again. He sat down across from Heka, while a henchman handed Heka two clean bath towels.

"There was something wrong with this short sword, so I dealt with it for you. From now on, you'll stay with me at the Black Mountain Merchants' headquarters. You've caused a great deal of trouble, so don't go out for the time being.

"If you need anything, tell me."

Deko, the Scarface Man, confiscated Heka's short sword, then tossed his money pouch back to him.

Heka nodded in understanding. They still did not trust him, so being confined was inevitable.

"Good timing. Things outside are raging like wildfire right now, and the sewers are temporarily inaccessible anyway.

"Could you give me a small wooden sword and a teacher who understands Valin?"

"What do you need those for?"

The Scarface Man across from Heka frowned.

"The library in Seapeak Port should have records of the sewer system. Since we can't enter the sewers and put anything into practice right now, can I gather information first?

"We can't just sit around doing nothing. That would be too embarrassing.

"My literacy is limited, so I need to find a teacher and learn a little first.

"As for the small wooden sword, I won't hide it from you—I have dreamed of becoming a knight since I was a child."

"You? A knight? Heh."