The three remaining adventurers did not flinch.
Whether they knew what they were getting themselves into or not, the task ahead of them was no simple matter. Killing or capturing five Underworld Overlords in the worst part of the Tianyu District was already dangerous enough.
To make matters worse, their territories were located within the Red Light District, a place notorious for its corruption, criminal activity, and lawless underworld.
The atmosphere inside the chamber grew heavier as the King continued speaking. Dante remained silent, his arms resting loosely at his sides as he listened. His eyes stayed fixed on the King, while Kaen stood beside him, looking considerably less concerned about the situation.
"As you all know, intel was confirmed that the demon who infiltrated the Tianyu Port has made its entry into the Red Light District," said the King.
His voice carried across the room with authority.
Kaen tilted her head slightly.
She scratched the side of her silver hair, her brows furrowing as she tried to make sense of the situation.
"Im confused which is the main and which is the side quest now, Nya."
The King stared at her for a moment.
Dante's expression remained unchanged, though the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
"The demon is still the main quest, that is true. But the five lords are no joke. They operate on their own turfs and will join forces if we fight back," said the King.
Kaen slowly lowered her hand from her hair.
"So we're hunting a demon while fighting five crime lords?"
"Precisely."
The King raised one hand.
He snapped his fingers.
The sharp sound echoed through the chamber.
From behind him, a Wolf Beastman stepped forward. He carried a rolled scroll in his hands and approached the center of the room with measured steps. Once he reached his position, he stopped and carefully opened the scroll.
The parchment unfurled across both hands.
Written upon it were the names, territories, and current rankings of the five Underworld Overlords controlling the Red Light District.
The Wolf Beastman cleared his throat before beginning.
"First rank is Cai Yok Tan, the Pig King. He controls the district's wealth and owns many gambling houses throughout the Red Light District, both inside and outside the Tianyu Dynasty."
Dante's eyes narrowed slightly.
"So he's the money man," he muttered.
The Wolf Beastman gave a small nod.
"Correct."
He moved his finger further down the scroll.
"Second ranking is Gui Myeong Kage, the Rat King. Black Market and Smuggling."
A Elf Lady standing nearby, her bow resting against her shoulder, immediately scrunched up her face.
"Gross."
The Wolf Beastman glanced at her briefly before continuing.
"Do not let his appearance fool you. When it comes to high value intel, smuggling, and black markets, he's that rat you can count on to bypass security checks."
The Elf Lady's expression became even more disgusted.
"That somehow makes him even worse."
Kaen covered her mouth, trying to suppress a small laugh.
The Wolf Beastman ignored them and continued reading from the scroll.
"Third ranking is Ryu Shion Meilin. She's Human and is a very intelligent woman. She controls the brothels under her webs of turf."
Dante's attention sharpened.
"Webs?"
The Wolf Beastman looked toward him.
"Yes. Webs. Her fighting art style is similar to the ways of a spider. She's also the one who serves as the neutral arbiter whenever disputes arise between the other four leaders."
He paused for a moment.
"To put it in simple terms, she's the peacekeeper."
Dante remained quiet.
His gaze shifted toward the scroll.
A woman who controlled brothels, fought like a spider, and acted as the neutral party between four powerful criminal leaders was clearly not someone who could be underestimated.
The King, however, suddenly spoke.
"And there is also a personal reason."
The room became noticeably quieter.
The King lowered his hand and looked directly at Dante and the others.
"I would have it better for you four that if you have the chance, kill her. Do not spare nor capture her. Kill immediately without hesitation."
The words came out colder than before.
Kaen's playful expression disappeared.
The Elf Lady's hand tightened around her bow.
Even Dante's eyes narrowed.
For the first time since the briefing began, the reason behind the King's words carried enough weight to make everyone in the room pay closer attention.
Yet the King offered no further explanation.
The Wolf Beastman continued.
"The remaining two lords, the Raven and the Wolf Lords, were sufficient as they rarely make appearances."
He lowered his gaze toward the scroll as he reached the final portion of his intel.
The parchment remained stretched between his hands.
With that, the Wolf Beastman ended his intel for them.
"I suppose everyone got the intel needed. You can begin right away or tomorrow. The choice is yours as to when you start your infiltration here."
The King's servants stepped forward and handed each of them a pouch containing thirty gold coins.
"Consider this an early start to your mission. Blend in, gather intel, start a duel, whatever you can do to get the Underlords' attention. Until then, you may be dismissed. I have something else to take care of."
The four adventurers gave their acknowledgements before turning around.
Dante and Kaen walked together, while the mysterious swordsman and the Elf Lady carrying her bow and arrows followed behind them. One by one, they passed through the main throne hall doors.
The massive doors slowly closed behind them.
Bang.
Silence returned to the throne hall.
The King remained standing at the center of the hall, his expression becoming more serious as he watched the doors shut completely.
Once he was certain they were gone, he spoke.
"You can come out now, Sage."
From the shadows of the throne hall, an old hag slowly emerged.
An ancient gourd hung from the end of her staff, swaying gently with every step she took. Her aged eyes remained fixed on the King as she approached.
The King turned toward her.
"Has anyone among them looked like the ones from the visions you spoke of?"
The Sage tilted her head to the left.
Then to the right.
She slowly shook her head.
"No, not one, my lord."
The King narrowed his eyes.
The Sage lowered her staff slightly, her expression becoming troubled.
"Though it is confusing... why did the visions come now, after all these years?"
Her fingers tightened around her staff.
"There has been nothing like this for such a long time. Yet suddenly, the visions have returned."
The King stared at her for several seconds.
Then his expression changed.
"Maybe it's because you're old and senile."
The Sage's face twitched.
"What?"
"Pathetic. I'm going out. Don't bother anyone until I get back."
The King turned around without giving her another chance to respond.
His footsteps echoed throughout the throne hall as he walked toward the exit.
The Sage simply stood there, staring after him with an irritated expression.
"...I am not senile."
The King continued walking.
The Sage sighed.
"At least I don't think I am."
The throne hall was once again left in silence.
Meanwhile, outside the castle, the remaining adventurers went their separate ways.
The Elf Lady lowered her bow onto her back and stretched her arms slightly, looking rather tired after the lengthy briefing. The mysterious swordsman simply walked in the opposite direction without saying much, his hand resting near the hilt of his sword.
Neither seemed particularly interested in immediately starting the mission.
They were either going to rest first or begin their investigation later.
As for Dante and Kaen, the two stood outside the castle entrance.
They looked like complete strangers now.
Their previous adventurer identities were no longer the focus. They had a mission to accomplish, and blending into the Tianyu District would be their first priority.
Kaen glanced toward Dante.
"Nya... what's the plan, Master?"
Dante casually looked toward the distant streets of Tianyu.
"We're heading to the brothels."
Kaen froze.
Her ears perked up.
"Okay, nya. Let's go to..."
She suddenly stopped.
Her eyes widened.
"MY FOOT!!!"
Several people nearby turned their heads toward her.
Kaen immediately pointed at Dante, her face turning red with disbelief.
"Master, a brothel?! Your first time in Tianyu and you wanna go to a brothel?!"
Dante looked at her calmly.
"I mean, the best intel is usually found in brothels. Where else do you expect us to go?"
Kaen stared at him.
"You could've said somewhere else!"
"The Rat King's territory?"
Kaen hesitated.
Dante continued.
"Best option is the brothel. Surely there's one here."
Kaen opened her mouth to argue.
Then closed it.
She looked away with an annoyed expression.
"...Nya."
Dante had already started walking.
Kaen noticed and quickly followed behind him.
"Ah, wait up, Master!"
Dante continued down the street without looking back.
Kaen hurried after him, still visibly irritated by their choice of destination.
And so, their first stop was a local brothel.
The two eventually made it to the Red Light District.
The moment they entered, the atmosphere changed completely.
The streets were filled with colourful lanterns, extravagant signs, music, laughter, shouting, and the constant movement of people coming and going. Behind the bright colours and lively atmosphere, however, was a darker world filled with greed, bloodshed, intel, debauchery, gambling, and countless other forms of criminal activity.
Dante calmly walked through the streets while Kaen stayed close behind him.
Unlike Dante, Kaen couldn't stop looking around.
"Nya..."
Her silver ears twitched repeatedly as she observed the strange surroundings.
"So this is the Red Light District."
"Keep your eyes forward," Dante said.
Kaen immediately looked forward.
"Yes, Master."
They continued walking until Dante stopped in front of a particular brothel. The building was larger and more extravagant than most of the others around it, with several guards positioned near the entrance.
Dante and Kaen approached.
Before they could enter, a female guard stepped in front of them and blocked their path.
"Get lost. You're underage. We have rules, peasant."
Kaen blinked.
Dante simply stared at the woman.
Without saying a word, he reached into his clothing and produced a small pouch. He casually slipped ten gold coins into the female guard's hand.
The woman's eyes widened slightly.
She immediately cleared her throat.
"Ahem..."
Her attitude changed almost instantly.
"I mean... sorry. My eyes are seeing things."
She stepped aside and pretended she had never stopped them in the first place.
Dante walked past her without hesitation.
Kaen followed.
Once they were inside, Kaen leaned closer to Dante.
"Nya... Master knows these types of tricks?"
"I've done worse than just bribery, Kaen."
Dante continued walking as he casually scanned the interior.
"For now, let's sit somewhere and order food."
His eyes moved across the hall.
Tables were scattered throughout the establishment, occupied by merchants, adventurers, wealthy nobles, and suspicious-looking individuals. Servants moved between them while conversations filled the room.
Dante spotted an empty table for two.
"There."
He walked toward it.
Kaen followed and took her seat across from him.
Not long after, a girl wearing a revealing bunny costume approached their table with a polite smile.
"Welcome. Are you ready to order?"
Kaen immediately grabbed the menu.
"NYA! I'll have this, and this, and that!"
She pointed enthusiastically at several dishes.
THACK!
Dante gave her a quick but solid karate chop directly on the head.
Kaen froze.
"Ouch!"
She rubbed the top of her head while glaring at Dante.
Dante narrowed his eyes.
"Fool. You're standing out too much."
He leaned slightly closer and lowered his voice.
"And who orders that much? We're on a tight budget."
Kaen looked down at the menu.
Her ears drooped.
"...Sorry, nya."
Dante calmly took the menu from her.
"I'll handle this."
He glanced over the selections before placing the order.
"One chicken dish, vegetables, and rice. And some fish for her."
He pointed toward Kaen.
The bunny-costumed girl nodded and wrote everything down.
"Of course."
She walked away.
Kaen immediately smiled.
"Nya! Master is the best. I knew it."
"Don't push it, Kaen."
"Nyihihihihi..."
Dante sighed.
A short while later, their food arrived.
The moment the plate of fish was placed in front of Kaen, her eyes practically lit up.
She immediately reached forward.
"Fish!"
She grabbed a piece and began gobbling it down without the slightest concern for manners.
Dante stared at her.
"This girl..."
Inside Dante's consciousness, Kilamahi was witnessing everything.
Her expression slowly twisted with frustration.
She had been watching Kaen since they entered the district, and the girl's complete lack of subtlety was beginning to test her patience.
"She's standing out too much!" Kilamahi complained.
Dante continued eating calmly.
"Sigh... leave it, Kila. I don't blame her. It's been a long day too."
Kilamahi folded her arms.
"Tch. You're going soft."
She stared at him suspiciously.
"You used to be so stoic when you first brought her along."
Dante paused for a moment.
He glanced at Kaen, who was still happily eating her fish.
"That's because I had to teach her."
His expression became slightly more serious.
"Sometimes, actions speak louder than words. I act stoic because I want her to realise that you can't always depend on or trust everyone."
His eyes lowered toward his food.
"Believe me. I once relied on someone in my past life."
A brief silence followed.
"And boy..."
Dante's expression darkened slightly.
"...I paid a heavy price."
Kilamahi went silent.
She understood that Dante was no longer talking about Kaen.
For a few moments, neither of them said anything.
Dante eventually continued eating as if nothing had happened.
Across the table, Kaen remained completely unaware of the conversation taking place inside his mind.
She happily continued eating her fish.
Meanwhile, on the tallest floor of the building, a magic mirror floated silently in the darkness.
The mirror displayed the dining hall below.
A curvaceous woman reclined comfortably upon her bed, surrounded by layers of hanging veils. Her figure was mostly concealed behind the fabric, leaving only her silhouette visible through the dim lighting.
A long pipe rested between her fingers.
She slowly exhaled a thin stream of smoke while watching the newcomers through the magical mirror.
"Who are they, you said...?"
The doors to her chambers opened.
Several guards entered.
Between them was the very female guard who had allowed Dante and Kaen inside.
She was trembling.
The mistress looked toward her.
The guard immediately dropped to her knees.
"I... I don't know, Mistress. They're new, based on my assumption. Please forgive me!"
The mistress slowly turned her head.
"Forgive you?"
Her voice remained calm.
That somehow made it even more intimidating.
"I pay you twenty silvers and five golds a month, and you got bribed for a mere ten gold."
She slowly raised the pipe toward her lips.
"Has this mistress not treated you well?"
The guard's face became pale.
"PLEASE FORGIVE ME! HAVE MERCY! HAVE MERCY, MISTRESS!"
The mistress's expression hardened.
One of the guards grabbed the woman's head and slammed it against the thick wooden floor.
THUD!
The guard cried out as a faint trail of blood appeared across her forehead.
The mistress looked down.
Her eyes narrowed.
"Great."
She glanced at the carpet.
"You messed up my favourite carpet."
She took another slow breath from her pipe.
"Send her to Cai Yok Tan as punishment. Give him the details on how to handle her psychologically in his bed chambers."
The guard's face completely drained of colour.
Cai Yok Tan.
The Pig King.
He wasn't merely a gambler and one of the most powerful Underworld Lords in his territory. His reputation for cruelty and depravity was known throughout the Red Light District.
The female guard began shaking violently.
"You will serve him for a mere week."
The mistress's voice remained cold.
"Consider that my mercy rather than death or imprisonment."
She leaned forward slightly.
"Do you deny your punishment, child?"
The guard immediately lowered her head.
"No... no! I do not dare. I'll serve Lord Yok Tan. I'll serve."
"Good girl."
The mistress waved her hand.
"Take her away."
The guards grabbed the defeated woman and dragged her out of the chambers.
The doors closed behind them.
Silence returned.
The mistress slowly turned her attention back toward the floating magic mirror.
Her eyes returned to the dining hall.
There they were.
The two newcomers.
Kaen was still eating happily while Dante sat calmly at the table, eating properly and observing his surroundings without drawing unnecessary attention.
The mistress's eyes lingered on him.
A faint smile appeared beneath the veil.
"Who are you two newcomers in Tianyu...?"
Her gaze remained fixed on Dante.
"Especially you..."
She slowly licked her lips.
"...handsome boy."
Her voice carried a subtle, lustful tone as she continued watching him through the magic mirror.
After a hefty meal, Kaen leaned back in her chair, looking as though she had eaten enough to last her an entire week.
Her stomach was visibly full, and she waddled slightly whenever she moved.
Dante stood from his seat and paid for the service and their meal.
Kaen followed him toward the exit, still rubbing her stomach.
"Nya, Master. You said we're getting information, but all we did was eat."
"I already did, Kaen."
Kaen stopped walking.
Her ears perked up.
"Nya?! When?"
Dante glanced back at her.
"Telepathically."
He continued walking while keeping his voice low.
"The people here are mostly manaless, though there are some who possess mana. And I sensed a powerful one directly above us in the tallest building."
Dante slowly raised his head.
A faint smirk appeared across his face.
High above them, inside the mistress's chamber, thr mistress was just about to raise her pipe toward her lips.
Then she stopped.
Her eyes shifted toward the magic mirror.
Through it, she saw Dante looking directly upward.
Her expression changed.
The pipe slowly lowered from her hand.
"...He noticed?"
Dante's gaze remained fixed upward.
Then his lips moved.
No sound came from him.
Yet from the movement of his mouth, she could clearly understand what he was saying.
"Iiiii... cannnnn... seeeee... youuuuu..."
Ryu Shion Meilin's eyes widened.
Then a slow smile formed beneath her veil.
"My, my..."
She leaned back against her bed, amused by the situation.
"Looks like trouble is about to arise on my turf."
Her fingers lightly tapped against the side of her pipe.
"This naughty little boy is really getting to me."
A soft laugh escaped her.
"Fufufu..."
She snapped her fingers.
Several guards immediately entered the chamber and bowed.
"Stop them before they leave."
The mistress looked toward the magic mirror.
"I would like to have a talk with this dark skinned boy."
"The newcomer?" one of the guards asked.
"Yes, darling."
Her smile widened.
"Yes. Go."
The guards immediately turned around and hurried out.
One of them raised a hand and activated transmission magic.
The magical signal spread through the building, reaching the other guards stationed throughout the brothel.
"Stop the two newcomers from leaving."
Inside, Dante and Kaen were already approaching the exit.
They had barely taken a few steps before a large woman stepped directly into their path.
"Halt!"
Dante stopped.
Kaen nearly walked into his back.
"Nya?"
The large woman crossed her arms.
"You two aren't going anywhere."
Dante looked around.
More guards began appearing from the surrounding corridors.
One after another, they formed a circle around Dante and Kaen.
Weapons were drawn.
Some carried swords.
Others held spears, axes, or various weapons suited to their fighting styles.
The surrounding customers slowly turned their attention toward the commotion.
Conversations faded.
People who had been enjoying their meals and indulging themselves within the brothel began watching the scene with curiosity.
Kaen's ears twitched.
She slowly looked around at the surrounding guards.
"Master..."
"I see them."
Dante remained completely calm.
One guard stepped forward.
"Mistress wishes to see you both."
The guard pointed toward Dante.
"Especially you, dark skinned male."
Dante stared at him for a moment.
"..."
His expression remained completely blank.
"I'm going to ignore the dark skinned comment and just follow your orders for now."
Kaen looked at him.
"Master, you're taking that surprisingly well."
"Not the time, Kaen."
The guards escorted them toward the mechanical elevator.
The two stepped inside.
The elevator was operated manually by four slaves positioned around the mechanism.
Each of them grabbed a large handle connected to the machine.
"Push!"
The slaves began moving the mechanism in a circular motion.
Clank.
Clank.
Clank.
The elevator slowly began ascending.
The mechanical gears groaned as they carried Dante and Kaen upward.
Kaen looked around curiously.
"Nya... this is pretty old fashioned."
Dante glanced at the machinery.
"At least it works."
The elevator continued climbing until it finally reached the upper floor.
The doors opened.
The guards stepped out first.
Dante and Kaen followed.
They were led through a hallway before reaching a large set of doors.
One of the guards opened them.
A thick gust of smoke immediately drifted out of the chamber.
Kaen coughed.
"Nya!"
Dante waved some of the smoke away from his face.
"It smells like someone has been smoking that pipe way too much."
The guards entered first.
"Mistress, I have brought them."
A voice came from deeper inside the chamber.
"Good girl."
Th mistress remained hidden behind the hanging veils.
She spoke again.
"Take the Sha'karr feline out. I only need to have a word with this handsome boy here."
The guard bowed.
"Understood."
Kaen's eyes widened.
"Nya?!"
Before she could protest, the guard grabbed the back of her attire and lifted her from the floor.
"Nya! Why are all the female guards here so strong, Nya?!"
She kicked her legs helplessly as she was carried away.
"Master!"
Dante looked toward her.
"Don't cause trouble."
"Nyaaaa!"
Her voice gradually faded as the guard carried her through another door.
The door closed.
Silence returned to the chamber.
Now there were only two people left.
Dante.
And the mistress of the establishment.
She remained behind the curtains.
"Now there are no eyes or ears to listen to our conversation..."
Her voice carried a playful, seductive tone.
"Who are you?"
She slowly moved her pipe between her fingers.
"You bribed my guard."
A pause.
"You ate the food and wine and paid for everything yourself despite not having any escorts to aid your needs."
The mistress gave a soft laugh.
"And judging by your appearance, you're perhaps seventeen... eighteen?"
Her tone became teasing.
"Legally, eighteen is considered an adult. You're almost there if you're seventeen, boy..."
Dante's expression did not change.
"Hoo..."
He folded his arms.
"Says the one stalking me from the moment I stepped foot into your domain."
The mistress suddenly stopped.
Dante's eyes sharpened.
"And I know exactly who you are."
He took one step forward.
"Ryu Shion Meilin."
Silence.
The mistress's eyes widened.
For the first time, her playful expression disappeared.
Dante continued staring toward the curtains.
"So..."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Care you reveal yourself, Ryu Shion Meilin?"
The woman behind the curtains slowly stood.
Her silhouette moved closer.
The curtains parted.
Ryu Shion Meilin emerged.
She wore an altered kimono styled to emphasize an alluring figure, with an open neckline and elegant layers of fabric draped around her body. Her beauty carried the mature elegance of someone who had aged like fine wine.
Her long black hair flowed down her back, dark as the shadows surrounding her.
Her lips were painted with dark lipstick.
Her brown eyes carried a sharp intelligence beneath their seductive appearance.
Ryu Shion Meilin stepped forward.
One step.
Then another.
She stopped directly in front of Dante.
Despite her height, she looked up slightly to meet his eyes.
Neither of them moved.
The atmosphere between them became tense.
Ryu Shion slowly raised her pipe.
She inhaled.
Then she blew a thin stream of smoke toward Dante's face.
A smirk appeared on her lips.
"Ara... ara..."
Her voice dropped into a deep, husky tone.
"Looks like you've been a bad boy tonight..."
She leaned slightly closer.
"...handsome boy."
Her laughter softly echoed through the chamber.
"Hmhmhmhm..."
Dante simply stared at her.
The two remained face to face.
Neither willing to back down.
---
Chapter 63 — End.