kscans

Chapter 50 - The Reincarnated Hero Hires Allies at a Dark Guild

The magical nation of Nemesis Gear. A city where steel, lightning, and human desires swirled. Hero Ares and the woman walking beside him, Tiris, passed through the city's outer gate.

Tiris. A Dark Elf female magic warrior. A lithe body, golden hair, and eyes of a lustrous crimson. But on her wrists were magic-sealing handcuffs, and she was bound by a black iron chain connected to Ares's waist.

The surrounding eyes were cold. In this city, "demi-human slaves" were not uncommon. No one thought of her as a companion. They only saw her as "property." Tiris herself simply walked in silence.

"...As I thought, he's making his move."
Ares looked up at the steel tower, Nemesis Tower.

Magic-Armored General Crow, a reincarnator. Reading the movements of the assassins sent after him, Ares made his decision.

"Get them before they get you. That's my rule."

In a corner of the city, in a dimly lit back alley, was a rundown tavern called the Scrap Note. Inside was noisy, a crossroads for mercenaries, criminals, spies, prostitutes, and denizens of the underworld.

Ares was waiting for a man at a counter seat.

"It's been a while, 'Reincarnated Hero'-san."

A muffled voice came from beside him. A thin man with his hood pulled down low, Gil, an intermediary for the dark guild Dreadbind, was already sitting in the next seat.

Ares spoke without even ordering a drink.

"I want to kill Crow Sakakibara. For that, I need some skilled guys."

"So straightforward. That helps. But before that..."

Gil glanced at Tiris and grinned.

"Fine woman you have there. That Dark Elf. She'll sell for a high price. Interested in registering her as merchandise?"

Tiris's shoulders trembled slightly. But she did not open her mouth. A slave has no right to object.

Ares's eyes pierced Gil.

"She's not for sale. This one... is my tool. I'll make her fight."

Gil narrowed his eyes.

"Hmm... with the magic-sealing handcuffs still on? Can she use some kind of explosion magic?"

"I'll remove the seal when necessary. If she runs... then, I'll just kill her."

Tiris's eyes looked at Ares for a single, cold moment. Gil shrugged and whistled.

"Fine by me. I'm used to dangerous folks. Well then, allow me to introduce them. You wanted a lightning mage and a thief skilled in code interference, right?"

● Lightning Mage, Bolt
A silent man with a cross-shaped scar over his eye approached. His right eye was artificial, his left eye was cold with killing intent.

"I'm good at burning out robots. Depending on the conditions, I'll entrust my life to you."

On the lightning rod he held were etched magic circuits and blood-soaked talismans. He was a former criminal. A heretic of lightning magic who had hunted machine-type magic soldiers.

With that one sentence, Ares decided to hire him.

● Thief, Gilliam
A man in a black hood and goggles appeared with a backflip.

"Hello there! Stealth, infiltration, and code interference, you can leave it all to Gilliam, yes you can!"

"You... talk too much."

"My apologies, yes!"

As his companions gathered, the chain on Tiris clinked softly again. She said nothing, just stood there quietly.

Ares stood up and said calmly.

"Let's go. To Nemesis Tower. Crow, I'm gonna crush you."

Tiris began to walk as if to obey, still in her chains. But her eyes alone were fixed on something.