Deko

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Deko (德科)
Alias(es)	Scarface; Scar-faced Deko
Species/Race	Black Mountain person
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Black Mountain Merchants
Occupation/Role	Head of transportation; Heka’s handler, escort, and swordsmanship instructor
Status	Active as of Chapter 50
First Appearance	Chapter 28

Appearance

Deko is a heavily scarred man whose facial scar makes his expressions appear especially severe. He is commonly identified as “Scarface” and is usually armed with a sword. 28 34

• Prominent facial scar
• Frequently carries or keeps a hand near his sword 35 48
• Smokes cigarettes 47
• His appearance is considered intimidating and unattractive, though Heka views him as more predictable than the Black Mountain Merchants’ leader 34

Personality

Deko is suspicious, observant, and pragmatic. He treats Heka as both a valuable asset and a potential threat, restricting his movements, monitoring his abilities, and preventing him from gaining too much combat power too quickly. 28 29 48

Despite his distrust, Deko is not needlessly reckless. He honors explicit agreements, protects Heka’s work from interference, and arranges new guards after Heka wins his duel with Kaso. 33 34 He also follows the Black Mountain Merchants’ orders even when he finds Heka difficult to understand.

Deko becomes visibly uneasy when faced with Heka’s deductions or unfamiliar environments. In the sewers, his fear of the abnormal rat swarm contrasts with Heka’s immediate recognition of the threat. 35 50

Abilities & Skills

Swordsmanship

Deko has received complete swordsmanship training and possesses enough technical knowledge to identify flaws in Heka’s stance, footwork, and blade alignment. He corrects Heka’s center of gravity and immediately improves his movements. 48

• Evaluates combat technique by observing stance, balance, footwork, and attack patterns
• Teaches foundational sword-control exercises intended to develop Sword Sense 49
• Deliberately restricts Heka’s training by assigning slow, exhausting fundamentals instead of advanced techniques 48

Tracking and Pursuit

Deko is capable of reconstructing Heka’s likely movements and tracking him through Seapeak Port. He has Heka’s companion restrained and follows the route between the library and harbor roads, correctly predicting that Heka would not abandon him. 32

• Uses a companion’s location as a guide
• Studies routes and likely behavior
• Recognizes Heka’s loyalty as a weakness that can be exploited

Field Leadership

As head of transportation, Deko directs personnel and manages dangerous operations for the Black Mountain Merchants. He organizes Heka’s escort, supervises the expedition into the sewers, and coordinates the group’s response to the abnormal rats. 28 40 49 50

• Leads the sewer expedition toward an enemy warehouse
• Assigns guards and supervises Heka during operations
• Orders rat-repellent powder used to seal the swarm’s escape holes 50
• Provides operational information about Blood Sparrow and the warehouse infiltration plan 40 49

Political and Organizational Knowledge

Deko understands the competing factions operating in Seapeak Port and the dangers created by the Black Mountain Merchants’ alliances. He recognizes the importance of Heka’s information about the city’s sewers and underground warehouses. 30 35 36

• Serves as an intermediary between Heka and the Black Mountain leadership
• Understands the merchants’ need to turn Heka’s knowledge into profit
• Uses supervision, restrictions, and training assignments to manage Heka’s development

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Sword 35 48
• Swordsmanship training equipment, including a burr-covered rope knot used to develop Sword Sense 49
• Rat-repellent powder used during the sewer expedition 50
• Cigarettes 47

Relationships

• Heka — Handler, supervisor, and reluctant instructor. Deko monitors Heka, restricts his access to weapons and training, protects his work, and relies on his sewer knowledge. Their relationship is defined by mutual suspicion and practical cooperation 28 34 48 49.
• Martin — Heka’s companion whose safety is included in Deko’s agreement with Heka. Deko helps control his movements and later has him sent away from an unsafe area 33 48.
• Riel — Senior Black Mountain authority who gives Deko orders concerning Heka and the merchants’ operations 35 46.
• Kaso — Black Mountain warrior whose duel with Heka Deko allows to proceed. After Heka’s victory, Deko honors Heka’s demand that Kaso be removed and replaced by other guards 33.
• Black Mountain Merchants — Deko’s organization and source of authority. He acts as its transportation chief and manages its field operations 28 49 50.
• Blood Sparrow — Enemy faction whose members Deko identifies and explains to Heka before their confrontation 40.

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Appointment as Heka’s handler: After the Black Mountain Merchants accept Heka’s smuggling proposal, Deko becomes responsible for him. He confiscates Heka’s short sword, returns his money pouch, and orders him to remain at headquarters. 28
• Surveillance at headquarters: Deko monitors Heka’s training and helps ensure that he does not receive advanced swordsmanship instruction. He dismisses Heka’s teacher and later disguises basic exercises as a special “Master Technique.” 29 48
• Pursuit through Seapeak Port: When Heka disappears, Deko tracks him through the rainy city by relying on Heka’s attachment to Martin. 32
• The Kaso duel: Deko permits Kaso to challenge Heka, intervening only if necessary. After Heka wins, Deko honors their safety agreement and arranges Kaso’s removal. 33
• Protection of Heka’s work: While Heka maps Seapeak Port and searches for underground warehouses, Deko drives away curious subordinates and protects his concentration. 34
• Crisis within the merchants: During attacks on the Black Mountain stronghold, Deko delays the promised doctor but assures Heka that the leader intends to honor the agreement. He also questions Heka’s suspicions about the merchants’ political loyalties. 35
• Recovery and renewed supervision: After Heka’s battle with Blood Sparrow, Deko visits him during recovery and remains close while Heka evaluates his injuries and equipment. 46 47
• Preparing Heka for the warehouse raid: Deko teaches Heka Sword Sense and reveals that the merchants plan to enter an enemy warehouse through the sewers. Heka is needed to guide them through the final stretch. 49
• Ratfolk outpost expedition: Deko leads the sewer party with Heka. He directs the response to the abnormal rat swarm and suspects that the creatures indicate a Ratfolk outpost. 50

Notable Quotes

“Let him vent, then pull them apart.” 33

“Then we’ll attack from above.” 49