ISEKAI? More like I See Crap!-Chapter 239: Shadows in the Market ( )

"Alright, kids—" Kisha clapped her hands together as the group stood in front of the busy row of shops, "since we’re going to the noble party with Mister Hazuki... and we have the money... let’s find something good, okay?"

"Okay, Miss Kisha!!" all the kids shouted in unison, their eyes already shining excitedly.

A few of the smaller ones started hopping in place.

Some were already pointing.

"That dress!!"

"Oooh, I want a jacket with fur!!"

"Look at those shiny shoes!!"

Kisha exhaled slowly.

"Please... don’t break anything. Or run. Or—never mind. Just don’t vanish."

Chasia and Elvia stayed close on either side, much calmer than the others.

"Hmm..." Kisha murmured, scanning the signs overhead.

"Sir Hansim said the shop should be nearby. Somewhere along this street..."

Elvia gently tugged her sleeve, pointing to a clean wooden sign with elegant carvings.

"That one says ’Tailor Garra’s Formal Boutique’... it looks nice."

"And smells nice too!" Chasia added with a grin and a sniff.

Kisha smiled. "Alright. Let’s go there. Stay close, everyone."

The kids surged forward like a small stampede.

Kisha sighed.

As the group stepped inside the boutique, a small bell above the door rang cheerfully.

The inside was warm and filled with the soft scent of fresh linen and lavender polish. Mannequins lined the walls, dressed in elegant formalwear—robes, suits, gowns, and frilled dresses that faintly sparkled under the hanging crystals.

A middle-aged beastkin woman behind the counter looked up from her clipboard.

"Yes? What can I help you with?"

Kisha stepped forward politely, holding a small coin pouch in both hands.

"Ah... Sir Hansim said we should come here."

The woman blinked, then her eyes widened slightly.

"Oh... you’re the ones he mentioned. The orphanage children and the caretaker, correct?"

"Yes. And... this is the money he gave us."

Kisha held out the pouch.

The woman smiled gently and nodded.

"Understood. You’re in the right place. I’ve already been told to provide your group with everything you need—fittings, alterations, accessories, and even shoes. All will be ready before the party day."

The kids gasped.

"Shoes too!?"

"I want shiny shoes!!"

"Can I get a hat!?"

"Does it come with a cape!?"

The woman chuckled softly, setting the pouch aside.

"One at a time, little ones. We’ll make sure everyone looks perfect. Now, come—let’s start with measurements."

Chasia crossed her arms confidently.

"I want something that says ’I’m the bride’~"

Elvia flushed bright red.

"T-That’s not what this is for!!"

"I know~" Chasia grinned. "But it’ll be someday~"

Kisha sighed.

"This is going to be a long afternoon..."

As the tailor woman led the kids toward the fitting area, she glanced back at Kisha with a curious look.

"By the way... I didn’t see the human around."

She adjusted her spectacles slightly.

"Is he not coming with you today?"

Kisha paused, glancing aside for a moment.

"Ah... he’s... busy," she replied softly.

The tailor nodded slowly, as if that confirmed something she expected.

"I see. That’s a shame."

She offered a small smile.

"I was hoping to ask him something. Just a little favor."

"Oh?" Kisha asked politely.

"He’s a strange one, but everyone in town talks about him. They’re saying he’s the one who saved the gates—and the forest before that. I was thinking of asking a favor from him."

Kisha blinked, then smiled gently.

"If I see him later, I’ll tell him."

The tailor nodded.

"Thank you. Now then—let’s see who’s going to be our first little model!"

"ME!!" shouted three kids at once.

"Hello there, customer!"

A cheerful voice called out from a modest produce stall near the town’s central plaza. Colorful vegetables and grilled skewers were neatly arranged in woven baskets, and the scent of roasted garlic filled the air.

One of the assassins, dressed in a worn traveler’s cloak with a basket slung over his shoulder, stepped forward casually—masking deadly focus behind a friendly smile.

"How much is this one?" he asked, pointing at a skewer of glazed meat.

"Ah, that? Three copper each," the beastkin stall owner replied, tail flicking lazily behind him.

The assassin nodded. "Oh, give me two." He smiled, pretending to enjoy a midday snack like any wandering peddler.

"Coming right up."

As the vendor began wrapping the skewers, the assassin leaned casually against the stall, eyes scanning the passersby, voice light.

"Looks like the town’s pretty peaceful."

The stall owner let out a short chuckle as he handed over the skewers.

"Hmm? Of course! Lucky our town is safe."

The assassin kept his tone even. "Oh? Something happen recently?"

"You didn’t hear the news?" the vendor asked, surprised. "Where you from, stranger?"

"Been traveling around. Last I heard, nothing big was going on in this region."

The vendor leaned in slightly, eager to share gossip.

"Macia was attacked. Big monster wave from four rifts—one on each gate."

The assassin raised an eyebrow, casually biting the skewer.

"Really?"

"Yeah. But we were lucky. The town guards, adventurers, and volunteers all stepped in. Some got injured, but not too many."

The assassin nodded slowly. "I see. That’s good then."

The vendor grinned. "And get this—" he lowered his voice, "you know who closed two of the rifts? Solo. East and west gate."

The assassin’s skewer paused mid-bite.

"...Who?"

"A human."

"H-Human?" the assassin choked slightly, trying to wipe his mouth quickly with his sleeve.

"You mean... an adventurer?"

The peddler behind the stall tilted his head curiously at the sudden reaction.

"Yeah. A black-haired guy. Real quiet, kinda weird. Talks to himself sometimes."

He chuckled.

"But strong as hell."

The assassin’s eyes narrowed for a split second before he forced a polite smile.

"Ah... I see. That’s... impressive. What was his name?"

The peddler scratched his chin.

"Don’t remember exactly. Starts with an ’H,’ I think."

He snapped his fingers.

"Hazuri? Hazuri... no, wait. Hazuki. That’s it. Hazuki."

Hazuki...

The assassin kept his expression neutral, but his heart rate spiked.

"Interesting... and where can I find this Hazuki fellow? I’d love to buy him a drink."

His tone was light, almost friendly.

The peddler shrugged.

"Good luck with that. Nobody knows where he is half the time. Some say he lives at the inn. Others say he’s crashing at the orphanage. And the guild? He barely shows up."

He smirked.

"Like a ghost with a drinking problem."

The assassin forced a quiet laugh.

"Well, thanks for the info."

He grabbed the two skewers, dropped a few coins, and casually walked off.

As soon as he turned the corner, his smile vanished.

He tapped a concealed rune on the inside of his sleeve—a silent signal to the others.

( End Of Chapter )

Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m