The 31st Piece Overturns the Game Board-Chapter 409

The train Seol had used, the Castrang, stopped at the next station.

More precisely, it had let off all the passengers there.

It seemed that the hijackers had hurt some passengers.

The only silver lining was that the guy Ur had frozen appeared to be one of the masterminds behind the incident, and he was diligently providing the security personnel with the necessary information.

Thanks to that, Seol and his group didn't have to waste time waiting for the security personnel to piece together the information.

"We're going to prepare an empty room and contact you shortly. Until then…"

"Understood."

In the end, they ended up staying in a city called Palbin, where snow was falling heavily.

"It can't be helped. Shall we move together then?"

Silvia, who had approached Seol, felt an inexplicable sense of awe toward the group that had saved her life.

'They're all amazing… even the child…'

With a gesture from the child, a large adult shattered the sturdy glass of the Castrang and fell to his death.

Moreover, even after committing murder, the child showed no signs of guilt or emotional turmoil.

Well, there was one thing.

The child seemed preoccupied with the fact that a plum had gone missing and was wondering what to do about it.

'Seol, on the other hand, seems to be on the more ordinary side—yes, that masked man must be the actual leader of the group.'

There was a chance they were a secret group of well-known mercenaries or seeing how they were magicians, important figures within the Zodiac.

If that were the case, Seol, who had the Libra emblem, might simply be a bodyguard.

'Well, anyway…'

Seol seemed to be discussing with his group about what to do next.

Silvia quickly interjected.

"I've been in Palbin often. I remember that the night market here had a lot of things to see. All the street vendors operate legally, by the way."

"…"

"I also know a pretty nice place to stay… The layout here is a bit messy, so if you're not careful, you might not be able to find a decent place to stay…"

"…"

"W-Without me… you might struggle a bit…"

Ehem…

Albert, for some reason, made an excuse and left the scene. Perhaps he felt awkward about being in the same space as her.

Never having received such treatment in her life, Silvia blushed to the tips of her ears, her face feeling like it was on fire.

"W-Would you like to explore together?"

In the cold winter, it was hard to refuse such an offer from a pear-like woman clad in fur.

- Yes!

- Absolutely!

- Let's go!

Seol thought for a moment and then answered.

"Yes, let's do that."

His cheerful response brightened Silvia's face.

"Then… just the two…"

"I think Tansia's going to enjoy it too."

"Yes…? Ah… That's right, yes."

* * *

- Die.

- Trash.

- You don't deserve to live.

- Please, let me go instead. I really love night markets.

Silvia had planned to walk through the night market with Seol to learn more about the masked man's identity and numerous other things, but unexpectedly, it turned into a family outing.

"Tansia, look at that! It's a foreign lizard!"

"Whoa! It’s colors! It’s changing colors!"

As if she were Tansia's older sister, Karen clung to her and showed her the world.

"What? It's real! I've never seen anything like this before!"

"Karen, too?"

"Yes! Not bad, lizard! Do your best!"

The problem was that she was also in the process of learning about the world.

"Candy!"

"No! Too much sugar will rot your teeth!"

Tansia opened her mouth wide with both hands, showing her cute teeth with prominent canines.

"Will my teeth rot too?"

"Huh… Will they?"

Because she had never heard about a dragon's teeth rotting, Karen gathered money and bought candy for her.

Lick… Lick…

She bought a total of three candies.

One for Tansia, one for her, and one for Agony.

"Agony! A gift!"

Surprisingly, Tansia's favorite one in the group was Agony, even more than Karen.

Agony refused the candy.

【No thanks. Candy doesn't suit my path.】

"Path…?"

【I'm a different Agony. I've been reborn through the hardships I've experienced with Seol! The great sea urchin has become an even greater sea urchin!】

Agony was making strange movements that he had learned from somewhere they didn't know. Despite that, Tansia still extended a candy to Agony.

"Yes. Congratulations, I'll give you a candy as a gift."

【Oh, a gift for the newly reborn me? I'll gratefully accept it.】

Lick… Lick…

Agony, who had quickly forgotten what he just said, hugged Tansia and licked the candy together.

【Look at this, kid!】

"Yes?"

Agony copied the face of a woman who was telling fortune.

【How about it? It looks the same, right?】

"Kyahaha! It looks the same! Yes!"

After Tansia joined, the group had found a focal point.

A child's laughter had an inexplicable power. It was probably a force stronger and gentler than any other one in the world.

Ur approached Seol and whispered.

"You felt it, too, right?"

Seol nodded at Ur's words.

"Should we kill them?"

"Leave them be for now. It doesn't seem like we're their target."

"Hmm…"

"If necessary, I'm going to step in."

"If you say so."

Ur had mentioned assassins directly without beating around the bush.

"Kyahaha! Ur! Look at this! The fish's tail is amazing!"

"Kid, there are far more amazing things in the world than this."

"Really? But still, amazing things are still amazing, right? This fish's tail is amazing, too!"

Ur looked at the small fish's tail that was glowing in all colors and said.

"Well… you're right."

Seol watched Ur's back for a moment.

He was someone that was like a sword.

He was the king he had encountered in hell and was his rival.

Such a being was gradually blending into the world. Seol sometimes felt this a bit unsettling.

The cruel Wizard who had once hated the world was now blending into it.

'Well… I guess it will be fine.'

In the past, he would have pondered about this more deeply. But now, it didn't bring him more than a brief moment of distress.

It was because he had grown strong enough. No matter how Ur changed, Seol was confident he could handle him.

They kept hanging around the night market. Karuna, Karen, Ur, and Agony stayed by Tansia as they chatted. Meanwhile, Seol talked with Silvia.

It wasn't just Silvia who had reevaluated her counterpart. Seol had also changed his assessment of Silvia.

'The Mischen family… Knowing them could be useful.'

Not all nations within the Federation held equal power. The influence of prestigious families from powerful nations sometimes extended to the Federation itself.

'From what I know about the Mischen family… They have some influence in the Federation. So if I play my cards right…'

He also couldn't ignore the information he would be able to get from her.

However, there was still something he hadn't confirmed that made him wary of her.

'Why is the Mischen family's daughter traveling alone? Those disguised bandits also seemed to be after Silvia…'

Seol didn't hesitate and asked her directly.

Silvia was momentarily flustered but answered.

"I was abroad for research. Well… It didn't go well, so I was on my way back…"

"I see."

Silvia began talking to him about things he hadn't asked.

"There are always people who target wealthy travelers… I would hire mercenaries while going through dangerous areas, but they weren't satisfactory—especially Transferees…"

She had shown signs of disliking Transferees before, so Seol asked her about that.

"They always seem to be hoping for something to happen during the journey."

"Ah…"

It was an addiction disguised as a sense of adventure. They were people who always sought that kind of stimulation. Her dislike had some basis.

Seol asked her.

"But… the people who targeted you on the train didn't seem like ordinary bandits…"

"The Mischen family is closely involved with the development of Castrang. In fact… all the other nobles who were recently attacked were also involved with it."

There seemed to be some messy affairs connected to Castrang. However, it didn't resonate much with Seol.

"Ah… About that…"

Perhaps that's why Silvia was so proactive.

"Could you persuade your group… to escort me on my way back to the Federation?"

- Hahaha.

- Not you, your summons…

- I used to love you…

Seol thought for a moment and then replied.

"Where's your destination?"

"Up to Shirlen."

It was close.

"About the reward…"

"If there's anything you want, just tell me. I'm willing to pay anything once I return…"

As their conversation was coming to an end, Karuna approached.

"Tansia seems tired."

"Okay, let's go back."

After enjoying the night market to their heart's content, they returned to their lodgings.

At the door of their lodging, Seol said to the group.

"Can you go in first? I have something to discuss."

"Alright, sure."

Ur nodded, but Tansia didn't comply.

"I want to go too!"

"But…"

"Take me, too!"

Ur said to Karuna.

"Karuna, use that method."

"Uub!"

Karuna bowed his head and lifted Tansia on his back—a piggyback ride.

Karuna carried Tansia on his back as they headed to the lodging.

"High! So high!"

Tansia laughed without resisting.

"That child… is very lively."

"Let's go… I'll walk you back."

"Thanks."

Seol headed to Silvia's lodging.

It seemed that she had rented an entire annex.

Upon looking at the lit annex, the two continued their conversation.

"As I mentioned earlier, the reward…"

"I've decided on a reward."

"Yes."

Seol said while looking at her.

"It's access to the Star Graveyard."

"S-Star Graveyard…"

It was a black market that had existed in the Federation for a long time. A place where all sorts of rare items flowed in. However, with the arrival of Transferees, even more items flowed into that place.

"You don't seem like the type to make excessive demands, so why the Star Graveyard…"

"It isn't excessive."

"What…?"

"Compared to the problem you're facing, it isn't excessive at all."

"…"

With his mysterious eyes, Seol seemed to be able to see through her hardships.

Silvia bit her lip, thought for a moment, and then answered.

"Alright. If you safely escort me to Shirlen, I'll arrange for your access to the Star Graveyard."

"Then, from this moment on, I'm hired."

"It seems so."

"It's unfortunate for someone, I guess."

"What…?"

Albert protested upon hearing the outcome of the conversation.

"Miss Silvia! Th-That's too much…"

At that moment, Seol raised a finger to his lips.

"Shh…"

"…?"

He picked up a pebble and lightly threw it toward the annex's window.

Despite the light motion, an incredibly loud shattering erupted.

BOOM—!

CLANG—!

"What the…"

Whoosh—!

"AGH—!"

Surprisingly, screams erupted from inside the annex.

At that moment, Silvia got goosebumps.

Even though the lodging should have been empty, there were people inside.

Swoosh…

Starting with the screams, a mist began spreading around them.

"Wh-What's going on? Could you explain what's happening…?"

"Ever since we arrived in Palbin, someone's gaze has been following us."

He could feel a presence in the mist.

It wasn't just one.

There were many.

Swoosh…

Gulp…

Upon realizing that he couldn't handle the assassins beyond the mist alone, he said.

"I'll clear the way. Please call…"

Seol raised his hand and stopped Albert.

"Step back."

Somehow, he couldn't argue.

Albert realized what his role was.

"Miss Silvia! Stay behind me!"

"O-Okay…"

Whir…

The blurry figures of over ten people emerged through the mist.

A distorted voice flowed out from it.

"How did you notice the ambush?"

"I have good instincts."

The opponent's voice was filled with malice.

There was no need to be polite.

"Haha… Really? Lucky you… But you know what? My luck has been amazing today. Your luck versus mine, which is stronger?"

Silvia's heart sank.

If she hadn't accepted Seol's offer, would she still be alive by now?

Situations that made her heart sink kept happening.

The opponent even tried to persuade Seol.

"Why don't you back off? There's no need to shed unnecessary blood, right?"

"Well… I just got hired. You should have said so sooner."

"You… Do you know who's behind us?"

"Right now, there isn't anyone behind you, is there?"

As Seol mocked them, the opponent began searching for an opportunity to attack.

Swoosh…

"To think you'd make jokes in this situation… You're insane."

Seol stood calmly, unfazed.

Paaf—!

The mist dispersed in an instant, revealing a dozen of masked figures.

Just as they were about to swing their weapons with fierce momentum.

"Die…"

Seol released the energy he had been concealing.

Whir…

And revealed his sticky, horrifying presence.

[Era's Giant's bonus effect activates.]

[You impose a burden equal to your Dignity upon those without Dignity.]

Crackle…

"What…"

BOOM—!

BOOM—!

In an instant, the assassins fell to the ground.

"C… Cough…"

"C-Can't breathe…"

Step…

Step…

This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom.

Seol approached the leader of the assassins while being illuminated by the moonlight.

The man struggled and used all his strength to lift his head.

"Wh-What… the…"

The sharp energy hidden within Seol's warm demeanor surfaced.

"Your fortune is a joke."

Seol murmured.

The man's eyes reflected Seol's pupils.

They were the eyes of a Dragon.

At that moment, the man recalled countless memories.

"Because you got unlucky."

[Dragon Blood Eye's first ability has been revealed.]

…