Chapter 94: Guide Ulrik (1)
I looked around.
An alley covered in mangled corpses.
The sharp stench of blood and foul odor stinging my nose.
A horrific sight that would pale even the boldest ordinary person.
Was that why?
The swordsman Ulrik, standing poised at the end of this hell, seemed to exude an even greater presence than usual.
‘How does he do that?’
I made an admiring expression.
It wasn’t Aura.
If it was about subtly projecting presence to pressure others, I could do that too.
But he was creating this atmosphere with just his eyes and expression.
To an outsider, it was a performance so formidable they’d yield without a fight.
‘No, is it really a performance?’
Could it be that the bandits underestimated Ulrik’s skills and attacked?
With that suspicion, I swung my sword to test his reaction.
“Arghhh!”
“…”
“…”
It was a performance.
Seeing Ulrik scream loudly despite barely moving, too slow to react, I felt a complex mix of emotions.
Clearly, a man with something to learn from.
But also, somehow, pathetic.
Above all…
‘He’s the one who said not to trust anyone in Kalbaron.’
After hearing that, could I recklessly trust and follow him?
On the other hand, another thought arose.
His skills weren’t that great.
Not terrible, but honestly, they didn’t match Kalbaron’s infamous reputation.
‘But if he survived 15 years in Kalbaron with such mediocre skills… Wait, is the 15-year claim a lie too?’
My head spun.
Fighting the bandits earlier felt easier than this.
Meanwhile, Ulrik, quickly regaining his composure, resumed his solemn expression and reiterated his offer.
“I’ll overlook the rudeness of testing me. But… there won’t be a second time.”
“…”
“…”
“…”
“What’s it going to be? I can guess your situation. You’re stuck, aren’t you? Can’t find a place to eat or sleep in peace? Passersby eye your healthy horse, and even filthy kids watch you like hyenas. The constant scrutiny piles up fatigue until you hit your limit…”
Ulrik gestured a slit across his throat and continued.
“…That’s when the locals strike. Wandering without a guide is that dangerous.”
“Why didn’t you tell me this when we first met?”
“No need to.”
“And now there’s a need?”
“Of course. I’m Ulrik. I’m not so heartless as to be cold to the one who saved my life.”
“…”
‘He doesn’t seem like a bad person…’
My thoughts grew even more tangled.
It was true.
Everyone I’d met in Kalbaron so far had targeted my money or life, but this man had shown a degree of kindness from the start.
His intentions didn’t seem particularly suspicious either.
If I’d been saved by someone, I’d want to repay them too.
But still…
“You said not to trust anyone.”
“Hmm?”
“Your first words to me. Have you already forgotten?”
I couldn’t let that slide.
‘Alright, what’s your move?’
I muttered to myself.
What clever response would this peculiar swordsman with his unique talent give?
If he convinced me, I’d follow. If not, we’d part ways.
With that decision, my eyes gleamed.
Ulrik’s voice came immediately.
“Do you trust yourself?”
“…What?”
“I said don’t trust anyone. That ‘anyone’ includes yourself… You didn’t realize that, did you?”
“Uh? Uh…”
“Let me ask again. Do you trust yourself? Do you believe you can find unpoisoned, tasty food and a safe, comfortable place to sleep without trembling in fear?”
“…”
I didn’t.
I’d never even thought about it.
Did Ulrik read my mind?
With a smug smile, he continued.
“In the Dark City Kalbaron, you can’t trust anyone. Not even yourself. So, the best choice is the one with the least risk. Don’t you think?”
“Are you saying hiring you as a guide is the best choice?”
“If you have other options, pick those.”
“…”
There weren’t any.
I instinctively knew I’d been utterly defeated in this debate.
‘This is the worst loss I’ve had since Sheratiya.’
It wasn’t a great feeling, but it wasn’t terrible either.
Every moment with this man had been complex and subtle.
Clap!
“Alright, it’s decided.”
Ulrik clapped his hands and extended one.
After a brief hesitation, I reached out and shook it.
The moderate pressure felt oddly reassuring.
‘No, don’t trust. Keep doubting and stay wary.’
“Just to be clear, don’t let your guard down completely just because you’ve hired me. Stay suspicious and vigilant. I’m back after three years, but… this is advice from someone who was once a Kalbaron resident.”
‘Did he read my mind?’
Slightly surprised, I nodded half a beat late.
It seemed I’d be traveling with this peculiar swordsman for a while.
***
“Not bad, right?”
“…Definitely.”
After unpacking at an inn tucked away in Kalbaron’s corner, I came down to the first-floor dining area and nodded.
The room was much better than expected, and the bathwater was prepared at the perfect temperature.
I couldn’t fully trust the horse or laundry arrangements yet… but honestly, I wasn’t too worried.
The vibe here gave me a good feeling.
“Let’s talk over some food.”
“Sounds good.”
I nodded, and Ulrik picked up his fork first.
Biting into a well-cooked sausage, he grinned.
It seemed to say, “Eat without worry,” and his charming smile eased even my poison-immune heart.
Thinking this, I picked up my fork and tasted the food.
‘…It’s delicious.’
It was better than the restaurants I frequented in Marzen.
I had to admit it.
So far, hiring Ulrik as a guide was a much better choice than wandering alone.
It meant trusting Ulrik over myself was the right call.
‘No, let’s be clear. I didn’t trust. I’m still constantly wary.’
Reaffirming my resolve, I eagerly worked my fork.
Clink clink, munch munch.
Being quite hungry, I devoured the food endlessly.
The meal continued in silence for a while.
Ulrik broke the quiet first.
After a gulp of cold water, he spoke softly.
“You’re looking for Collector Neumann?”
“…Why? Do you know him?”
“I know of him. It’s one-sided, though.”
“So, no personal connection.”
“Right. Didn’t you hear from that bandit? He lives in the inner district, not the outer. A half-baked guy like me doesn’t have the clout to meet him. Of course, the idea that he’s Kalbaron’s true mastermind is nonsense…”
“I don’t care about that. I just need to meet him.”
“Hmm.”
“Got something to say?”
“This is where it’ll cost extra…”
“…”
Hearing Ulrik, I frowned.
Not because of the extra fee.
Because I suspected finding Neumann might be harder than expected.
If it wasn’t, Ulrik wouldn’t mention extra costs.
‘Or is he just trying to scam me?’
No! My head’s getting tangled again!
Muttering inwardly, I barely maintained a neutral expression.
I’d learned from Sheratiya.
Keeping your face blank is the first step to controlling a conversation.
“…If the information’s worth it, I’ll pay generously.”
Regaining my calm, I replied in a flat tone, and Ulrik nodded.
After another sip of cold water, he began explaining.
“First, the bandit’s information is mostly true.”
“I see. Then starting the search in the inner district should lead to him quickly…”
“Hold on. Getting into the inner district is the problem.”
“Is it like other cities, requiring qualifications to enter the inner district?”
“Even stricter. It’s the only place in lawless Kalbaron where you can live safely.”
Ulrik gave a brief explanation of Kalbaron’s ecosystem.
Though filled with vile criminals, they too desired safe, prosperous, clean lives, just like ordinary people.
Especially the city’s powerful figures, who had an even stronger desire for this.
Thus, they worked hard to strictly separate the outer and inner districts.
The inner district was cleaner and safer than most major cities’ centers.
The outer district was a lawless cesspool filthier than any slum.
Was that the reason?
Only those with verified identities could reside in the inner district, and even visiting required significant qualifications.
“For example, you’d need to be at least a mid-level member of one of Kalbaron’s five major guilds to move freely. If not…”
“Wait.”
Interrupting Ulrik, I pulled something from my pocket.
The Special Gold Plate.
Proudly displaying the item proving my friendship with the Mercenary King, I asked confidently.
“Isn’t this enough qualification?”
“…”
Ulrik stared blankly for a moment.
Seeing this, I felt a touch of pride.
It reminded me of when the Jeten Guild Leader treated me well, and I had to force my lips not to curl up.
But his reaction was unexpected.
Thud.
Ulrik pulled a gold mercenary plaque from his pocket and looked at me.
“Everyone has one of these.”
“…How?”
“How? It’s fake. Half the people coming to Kalbaron carry these gilded plaques, not knowing the Red Cloud Guild Leader has a grudge against Austin.”
“A grudge?”
“Yes. Austin’s mercenary plaques are trouble whether fake or real. Though yours is probably fake… Hmm, definitely fake. You’ve got some guts. Not just a gold plate, but a Special Gold Plate forgery?”
“…”
I couldn’t dare say, “It’s not fake.”
Of course.
Why stir trouble when one of the city’s top figures despised Austin?
I sighed inwardly.
What was this Special Gold Plate even good for?
‘Did the Mercenary King scam me? Have I been too naive all this time?’
For a moment, I doubted my actions.
But the self-reproach didn’t last long.
I’d taken the request, and the reward was an Aura Cultivation Method, so I had to do my best to complete it.
Huff, I let out a real sigh this time and asked again.
“Can’t I sneak into the inner district?”
“No chance of that. Even if you could, Neumann would be on guard against someone without verified identity.”
“That makes sense. So what do I do?”
I couldn’t think of any solutions.
I couldn’t infiltrate the inner district, nor use the mercenary plaque.
The only clear path was becoming a mid-level member of one of the five major guilds, but that was impossible for someone new to Kalbaron like me.
“It’s possible.”
“Possible?”
“Yes. With a special method.”
After a pause, Ulrik leaned forward.
I did the same, my interest evident in my posture.
After a few seconds, he spoke.
“Have you heard of Kalbaron’s specialty, the underground arena?”
Ulrik’s subtle voice tickled my ears.