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Surviving in a F*cked-Up Fantasy World Chapter 39

Blockade

After exiting the cave, we quickly gathered what we needed and headed toward the city.

 

“Let’s descend immediately.”

 

Though it was a nighttime mountain trek, the mercenaries skillfully led the injured down the path.

 

They moved as if the Kaine Mountain Range were their second home.

 

Thanks to their familiarity with the mountains, we reached the castle gates even faster than when I had descended alone before.

 

“Nighttime entry is… Oh.”

“It’s an urgent matter.”

 

The gatekeepers were the same as last time, and recognizing my face, they let me through without any hassle.

 

“…Nighttime castle entry is this easy?”

“Don’t worry about it. Go file your report.”

“What about you, sir?”

“I have somewhere else to report to.”

 

The public report was left to Jevan and the Silver Wings adventurers, while I returned directly to the mansion.

 

Despite the late hour, I headed straight inside.

 

“Rain? What brings you here at this hour?”

 

I ran into a guard patrolling the halls at night.

 

“Is Lowell awake?”

“Yes, he mentioned he’d be working in his office.”

“Then I’ll head there.”

 

…Of course, the old man has trouble sleeping at night.

Lucky for me.

I headed toward the office, thinking it fortunate.

 

Walking down the now-familiar mansion corridors.

 

Knock Knock.

 

I stood in front of the office and knocked on the door.

 

– Come in.

 

Opening the door at the sound of his voice, I found Lowell under the glow of candlelight, reviewing documents.

 

“Weren’t you out earlier? You’re back late.”

“Yes, I just returned from the Kaine Mountain Range.”

“That was quick. So, what happened?”

 

Lowell looked at me with curiosity, noting my hurried appearance.

 

It’s true. I hadn’t even changed since the battles in the mountains.

 

I recalled how the guards had glanced at my dirtied clothes earlier.

 

“Ah, that’s…”

 

I relayed everything to Lowell: the orc village in the middle zone, the captured Gold-ranked adventurer duo, the battle with the orc champion, and the discovery of the artificial well filled with corpses.

 

“They’ve been scheming in the mountains again, haven’t they?”

 

Lowell frowned as he listened to my report.

 

“Do you have any guesses?”

“It seems they’re collaborating with other devil worshippers, like the ones we found in the sewers.”

“Other worshippers?”

“Yes. Devil worshippers follow different devils or demonic factions. That’s why it’s so difficult to eradicate them completely.”

 

What a troublesome bunch.

No wonder they’ve been a recurring issue since ancient times.

 

“Do you know why the orc champion was so distorted?”

“It appears to be the power of a devil that alters the physiology of living beings. It’s a known entity.”

“How many devils are there, anyway?”

“There are countless devils, like cockroaches. Naturally, some of them possess unique abilities.”

 

Unbelievable. Aren’t devils just too overpowered?

 

Well, I suppose that’s how they’ve managed to extend their influence from deep underground to here.

 

“I’ll need to report this as well.”

“Will there be an investigative team?”

“Likely. It’ll be a lengthy investigation, as we don’t know where else in the mountains they might be hiding.”

 

After listening to my account, Lowell stood up from his chair.

 

“You should get some rest now.”

“Yes, that’s my plan.”

 

Time for a bath and some sleep.

The events in the mountains had left me utterly drained.

 

“Then I’ll be off.”

 

Lowell left to make his report, and I, after bathing in the servants’ facilities, returned to the doghouse in the yard.

 

Inside the doghouse, Whitey was sprawled on my cushion, as usual.

 

Doesn’t he sleep in his own space? He’s making mine cramped.

 

Still, I figured he wouldn’t fit in here once he grew larger.

 

Then again, his teeth might be coming in, but his body didn’t seem to have plans to grow any time soon.

 

Hah.

 

I shifted Whitey to the side and lay down on the cushion.

 

By tomorrow, there should be some news.

 

**

 

The next day.

 

“The Kaine Mountain Range is being blockaded.”

“Huh?”

 

The news Lowell delivered as soon as I woke up at noon was a shock.

 

“Blockaded entirely?”

“Likely until the investigation is thoroughly completed.”

“Is it really that serious?”
“Based on the investigation conducted last night, it’s suspected that there have been ongoing experiments on high-altitude monsters and the abduction of mercenaries.”
“That’s… serious.”

 

How did they manage to keep doing that without being caught?

 

Well, the Kaine Mountain Range is frequented mostly by mercenaries. Kidnapping one or two here and there wouldn’t raise much suspicion.

 

But experiments on high-altitude monsters…

 

“Then… could this little one be an experiment too?”

 

I pointed at Whitey, who was lying on my lap as always.

 

The alpha wolf we encountered was a bit odd.

Could it have been an experimental subject too?

 

“No, I don’t think so.”
“Really?”
“Yes, remember when Terra examined it?”
“Oh, right.”

 

Now that I think about it, Terra had definitively identified Whitey as a spirit beast.

 

With her level of expertise as a mage, she’d be certain.

 

But still, the blockade of the Kaine Mountain Range…

 

What are the mercenaries in the capital region going to do now?

 

They’ll probably have to move to other areas temporarily to make a living.

 

“Anyway…”

 

I set Whitey down and got to my feet.

 

“I need to go to the Mercenary Guild.”
“It’ll be chaotic there right now.”
“I left something there.”

 

The orc shaman’s staff—I had left it with Jevan.

I wouldn’t be able to gather materials for a while, but at least I could take that to Gareth.

 

 

Ignoring Whitey’s gaze that seemed to ask, ‘Where are you off to now?’.

 

I headed straight to the Mercenary Guild to meet Jevan.

 

Upon arriving at the guild, the scene outside was already chaotic.

 

“What’s this about a blockade?!”
“Get the guild staff out here!”

 

The place was swarming with mercenaries protesting.

 

Unable to complain directly to the royal authorities, they were taking out their frustrations here instead.

 

Well, considering most of their assignments were suddenly halted overnight, it’s no wonder they were furious.

 

“Excuse me.”
“Who the hell— Oh…”

 

I roughly pushed my way through the crowd and entered.

 

Whether it was due to my reputation or appearance, the mercenaries made way without much resistance.

 

Inside the guild’s tavern, I found Jevan sitting calmly, drinking despite the uproar outside.

 

“Jevan.”
“Oh, Sir Cain, you’re here.”
“My staff?”
“Here it is.”

 

He handed me the orc shaman’s staff.

 

The staff was quite large, fitting for the hulking shaman it once belonged to, but it was manageable to carry.

 

This should do for Gareth.

 

“You heard the news, right? About the mountain range being sealed off.”
“Yes… is it really that serious?”
“Yeah, don’t even think about going up there.”

 

I warned Jevan seriously.

 

If those people were experimenting on high-altitude monsters, there could very well be some grotesque abominations up there, like an ogre with four heads and eight arms.

 

“I see… Understood.”
“Surprisingly compliant, huh?”
“I’ll just go work in the neighboring city for now.”
“Smart choice.”

 

Yeah, better to move to another city than stick around in a capital region with a sealed mountain range until the investigation is over.

 

“What about you, Sir Cain?”
“I have to stay here.”

 

Unfortunately, I didn’t have the luxury to leave.

 

“I’ll teach you more about Fleet later.”
“Understood…”
“If you’re in a pinch, learn from the rookie over there.”

 

I pointed at the rookie sitting nearby.

 

“…Should I really do that?”
“Just kidding.”

 

Jevan seemed to seriously consider it for a moment. He must already know that the rookie wasn’t an ordinary recruit.

 

“Take good care of him.”
“Of course. We’re treating him like royalty.”
“As you should.”

 

Honestly, I still couldn’t figure out why someone with his level of skill had joined a mercenary group.

 

If he went to a rural noble family, they’d probably welcome him with open arms and beg him to stay.

 

Anyway…

 

“Like I said, stay away from the mountains, and keep updating my record with completed assignments in my name.”
“Understood… Oh, and the payment for this last job?”
“You guys keep it. The staff is enough for me.”

 

I reminded Jevan to be cautious one last time before leaving the guild with the staff in hand.

 

My next stop was Gareth’s forge.

 

“Oh, already bringing me something else?”
“Yes, here it is.”

 

“This… is high-quality.”

 

Gareth examined the staff I handed him, clearly impressed.

 

“Is it that good?”
“Yes, it’s brimming with the energy of the Lunaria Grasslands.”
“That’s good to hear.”

 

High-quality materials meant a better weapon for me.

 

“It’s so large I might need to charge you extra.”
“If you do, I’ll gladly pay.”

 

I had given up the mercenary reward without much thought, but the payment Gareth offered for materials was another matter entirely.

 

“Here you go.”

 

He handed me a hefty pouch, which I tucked into my belt.

I might as well buy Whitey some treats on the way back.

 

“By the way, did you hear the news?”
“Yes, I heard about the mountain range being sealed off. It’s going to make material gathering a lot harder.”
“It’s unfortunate.”

 

Come to think of it, Gareth would be just as affected as I was.

He probably relied on mercenaries to gather materials for his forge.

 

“Well, I’ll be off then.”
“Wait a moment.”

 

Just as I was about to leave the forge, Gareth stopped me.

 

“Is there something else?”
“Well, I was wondering…”

 

Gareth scratched his head awkwardly before continuing.

 

“You’re Lowell’s disciple, right?”
“I’m not exactly his disciple.”
“Still, he trusts you.”
“That’s true, I suppose.”

 

After all, he trusted me to handle missions on his behalf.

 

“In that case, if you happen to go to the mountain range, could you bring back some additional materials for me?”
“No matter how much trust I’ve earned, I can’t go into a sealed-off mountain range.”

 

Was he crazy? There was no way I’d enter the mountain range alone.

Without Jevan and the rookie, I would’ve bolted when facing the orc champion.

 

“No, no, I’m not saying to sneak in. If you’re part of an investigation team when they head up there, could you gather some materials for me then?”
“Materials you need specifically?”
“Yes, I’ll give you a list. If you can get any of the items on it, I’ll pay you above market value.”
“Sure, why not.”

 

I had no reason to refuse, so I accepted the list Gareth handed me.

 

I’d grab the materials if the opportunity arose.

 

Besides, Gareth was a skilled blacksmith with plenty of other sources to rely on besides me.

 

“Alright then, I’ll be going now for real.”
“Take care.”

 

This time, I truly left the forge and headed back to the manor.

 

While walking, I glanced at the list Gareth gave me.

 

This guy… he sure had a lot of demands.

 

The list included not only materials from high-altitude monsters but also resources from creatures in the middle zones.

 

He must be thinking ahead, trying to stock up before supplies become scarce.

 

Whether I’d even get the chance to gather any of these was uncertain. I’d likely be stuck at the manor for the foreseeable future.

 

On top of that, I needed to figure out how to train.

 

With Darren and Kaiden gone, it seemed I’d be stuck whacking training dummies.

 

That day, I returned to the manor and spent the entire day resting.

 

The next day.

 

“Would you be interested in assisting with the mountain range investigation?”
“Huh?”
“The Astra Trading Company has requested it again.”

 

…The opportunity came faster than I’d expected.

 

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Surviving in a F*cked-Up Fantasy World

Surviving in a F*cked-Up Fantasy World

Surviving in a Damned Fantasy World, 망할 판타지 세상에서 살아남기
Score 7
Status: Ongoing Type: Author: Released: 2024 Native Language: Korean
The world I was reincarnated in was too f*cked up to be a fantasy world.

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