The Damn Family Is Back Again

223. Source of Contamination (5)

Having acquired some items reasonably well, I thought I could just watch the highlight auction and then leave.

-Ding!

▶Traces of an ancient kingdom have been discovered.◀

▶This item bears traces from the Kingdom of Wederos and will provide significant information to players upon acquisition.◀

▶You can obtain specific evidence with certainty!◀

“It’s a bit awkward to just back out like this.”

I glanced at the status window and let out a quiet sigh.

I had managed to push through most challenges on my own, using my wits to navigate them. I didn’t shy away from entering dangerous zones, and by completing the tasks there, I was able to gather things little by little.

It’s easy enough to think that missing just one thing wouldn’t be too bad. I thought so myself. That’s why I planned to kill some time here before heading back.

But does this game really operate that way?

As I approached this situation, my thoughts shifted dramatically.

Even if we gathered all the evidence for a clue-and-prove event, there were times when we couldn’t move on to the next scene without key pieces of evidence.

Moreover, it was also possible that something unexpected could happen if we missed even one item.

The day of the final presentation would likely be even more intense.

Not knowing what kind of trouble might arise means every variable must be perfectly accounted for.

“100,000 Pesel!”

“110,000!”

“I’ll bid 120,000 here!”

It was quite a hefty sum.

Having already spent 200,000 Pesel right now left me with very little money remaining.

So then…

“That’s what you need?”

At that moment, Harnié grabbed my arm and asked me directly.

“This time you’re going to cancel your bid.”

—Hmm.

Harnier activated the bidding button with a charming smile.

“That kind of sword is usually handled quite a bit at the upper tiers, so this is my specialty, you know?”

The way she clenched her fist while saying that felt remarkably reassuring.

***

“Congratulations on your successful bid.”

The host handed the silver dagger to Harnier with eyes glistening with greed.

Harnier completed the transaction without drawing attention and subtly signaled to me that she would pass it to me later.

A wise decision.

Whether I handed her the jewels or she passed me the silver dagger, such actions would seem peculiar in this place.

Thus, we silently agreed to spend our time idly together.

In what felt like an instant, auction time had swiftly passed by.

After three rounds of bidding and finally concluding even the last ultra-rare items up for auction, it was nearly time for us to disperse into the black market’s shadows.

Harnier found an opportune moment and said to me,

“I think it’s about time we slip away. By the way, I never told you where I’m escaping from, did I?”

“No. I already know.”

“What?”

“I happened to overhear it by chance.”

As I explained what I’d heard from two nobles, Harnier nodded in agreement with my words.

“The auction ends here! You may feel disappointed; however, if you need anything else, feel free to browse a little longer. This has been K of The Jester’s Mask!”

Just hearing those words from the host made it clear that there was no need for any further confirmation; everything was as expected.

Thanks to that, I was able to escape from the ordinary auction venue with Harnié.

“Phew. We somehow made it out.”

“…No, that’s not it.”

However.

It didn’t seem like we could get away so easily.

– Kughughugh!

The ceiling we needed to walk under collapsed right before our eyes.

“Hey. There’s such a thing as basic decency. Can you really just gobble up all the good stuff and leave?”

“Well, of course. So you two were in cahoots?”

“I thought it was strange how close you were sticking together!”

Nobles who didn’t look too well appeared from behind us.

They threatened us with a few spells shot off indiscriminately and then waved their hands dismissively as they spoke.

“You know it’s understood not to conspire down here, right?”

“If you want to leave in one piece, you’d better listen to our proposal.”

I was getting tired of this type already.

But just in case, I might as well ask.

“What kind of proposal?”

“It’s simple. Just hand over whatever valuables you have and you can go.”

“If one of you gives something up, we won’t touch the other.”

“And honestly, having one of you join our side wouldn’t be such a bad deal either.”

Indeed, the premise begins with a flawed question.

These scoundrels are everywhere, no matter where you go.

“If I give one up, they’ll think they can take the other by force. What need is there for negotiation when it comes to snatching from the weak?”

They might pretend to take just one at first and then seize everything later, or they could just take both from the start.

It was with such thoughts that they blocked my path in the first place.

Now that I’ve failed to escape safely from this point onward, there’s a high likelihood of irregular actions taking place.

The crux lies in what I can do next.

– Ding!

▶ An enemy entity has appeared! ◀

▶ You may engage in combat. Would you like to proceed? ◀

– Swoosh.

Such situations have predictable responses etched into them.

“Ha. Look at this. Do you really think two of you can break through against us?”

“You should seize opportunities when they’re given. Right?”

“From what I see, you’re nothing but a lowborn noble who can’t even use magic; don’t try to mimic those knights and shove that away.”

“Well, I think this might be enough to tidy up your messy hairstyles.”

“You little brat!”

“What’s wrong?!”

Then Harniye chimed in sharply from behind me as well.

“Oh dear. To see so many holes in your magic circle… It’s quite unfortunate—like pores on neglected skin expanding wide open. Ah, are you here imagining men while looking like that?”

“That crazy b*tch!”

“Have you said everything you wanted to?!”

“It seems you’re getting riled up over a fact that’s absolutely correct. I was merely speculating.”

“Oh really? If you get caught, I’ll personally turn that plump skin of yours into the cracked desert ground.”

The brutish figures, veins bulging in anger, could no longer contain their rage and began to pull out their staffs.

“A fool who can’t seize an opportunity when it’s given deserves a good lesson!”

“Let’s die together! You arrogant little brats!”

Countless spells began to unfold.

Just by looking at them, it was clear that significant magical power was gathering.

But the magic wasn’t stable.

It was obvious where they would strike and where a misstep would lead to disaster.

-Ting, ting! Titting!

“What—what is happening?”

“How can they all…!”

“You idiots. Are we really going to step in just because you can’t shoot a single magic arrow properly?”

“Get out of the way! It’s just one person over there; we can take them down with our weapons!”

This time, those reeking of alcohol and drugs crawled forward.

The paths of their weapon swings were all too visible.

It was clear how they would swing and what they were aiming for—it couldn’t be more obvious.

They swung blindly with sheer brute force.

This kid is swinging wildly; if he keeps it up, he’s going to dislocate his shoulder.

“Ugh!”

He doesn’t even know his own limits, brandishing that massive weapon.

Since he can’t control his strength, if I dodge him, he’ll end up stumbling and taking out one of his own teammates.

“Uh, uh-oh!”

“Ugh!”

“What are you swinging at? You idiot!”

Besides that, there were those who swung their swords carelessly only to have them fly away. Some got knocked down after trying to kick someone’s knee or made grand gestures while trying to widen their stance only to get hit and faint.

This is the level they’re at.

All those who pretend to be tough are just the same.

In contrast, my fiancée was strikingly different in every way.

“Harnie. Are we ready?”

“Yes. Almost done.”

*Gulp.*

Harnie calmly neutralized the magical arrows flying toward me. Just by seeing the number of arrows diminish significantly mid-flight, it was clear she had become much more comfortable in her movements.

Moreover, she was preparing another spell through multi-casting—one that would dissolve the ground beneath our foes’ feet.

“Wait a second. This…”

“We can’t escape!”

“Who’s going to stop us!”

“aaah! Let go of my hair!”

“Then I’m going to get dragged in too!”

They were floundering in a swamp of mud, showing the worst possible connections without sparing a single soul.

To those who could do nothing, I wielded my sword. Harni used magic.

As we each took down a few, the hallway quickly fell silent.

Well. This should be enough.

Now all I had to do was escape—

“There they are!”

…What the hell?

Why are they here? I had tied them up with ropes for sure!

“That’s the one! That’s the b*stard who stole my button!”

-Ding!

▶ Episode XI. The source of contamination is currently in progress. ◀

▶ A problem has occurred in the black market! The usage time for your button has been completely consumed. ◀

▶ Escape from the black market is commencing. ◀

▶ You must exit the black market within the designated timer. ◀

Ah.

This damn game.

You didn’t tell me there was a usage time, you little shit.

“…”

“Carsein? What does that mean?”

Seeing the rushing guards, Harnié looked at me in panic.

“I’m sorry. Harnié. Just hold on a little longer.”

“Y-yes?! aaah!”

I quickly scooped her up and ran.

***

“Not here. What about over there?!”

“I can’t see anything.”

“Damn it. Did they hide back into the black market again?”

“Let’s search again. If we don’t find them, it’s going to be chaos!”

The footsteps of the guards conducting a thorough search began to fade away.

As their sounds distinctly receded and the voices of the black market guards calling out to each other quieted down, I finally felt a sense of relief wash over me.

“Hah.”

“Hah.”

The sighs were not mine alone.

Harnié was also panting, perhaps anxious about being discovered.

“Hahaha.”

As the tension eased, she began to smile beautifully.

“Do you know how fascinating it is that you make such mistakes every time I see you?”

…Tsk. Is that really so funny?

It didn’t seem like something worth laughing until tears came out over.

– Dding!

▶ Episode XI. The source of contamination has been cleared. ◀

▶ Successfully escaped while shaking off the pursuers from the black market. ◀

Well, I suppose clearing an episode like this is enough.

“It seems you can take it now, Harnié.”

“Oh, I had forgotten.”

Harnié took the box containing the jewels.

With a slightly melancholic gaze, she looked at it for a moment before opening the pendant and inserting a gem.

“Seeing how perfectly it fits, it must have originally belonged there.”

“…Yes. I didn’t expect to be putting this back on again.”

The two eyes that seemed unlikely to ever part from the pendant soon closed gently, and with a smile still lingering on her lips, she extended the silver dagger towards me.

“Here you go, Karsein.”

“Oh, right.”

I had also forgotten about that.

They said taking this would definitively secure certain evidence.

If not for that reason, I wouldn’t have even considered touching it at all.

…But this one.

It glowed with a bright light unlike before.

– Dding!

▶ You have obtained the silver dagger of the Kingdom of Wederos. ◀

▶The memorial is activating.◀

There’s no reason to think any deeper.

The memorial serves as a device that reveals the past of Karsein, and for me, it functions as a crucial clue-giving system.

So it’s clear that evidence proving the guilt of the Waggloo faction will emerge from this place.

…But then.

-Crackling, crackling. Crackle, crackle.

‘…What is that?’

A strange crackling sound filled the air, followed by an even brighter light bursting forth.

-Wham!

The background of this newly manifested memorial was strikingly different from any place I had seen before.

─Ahahaha.

─So, Mom. Here I am.

“…”

Outside the house, voices of a mother and daughter laughing and chatting drifted in through the walls.

Yes. This was an all too familiar space for me.

“Why in hell does that house have to show up here?”