I Became The Academy’s Narrow-Eyes - Chapter 57: The Black Witch of the Back Alleys

“Ah, welcome. The weather isn’t great today, is it?”

“I wouldn’t know, you idiot.”

“Excuse me…?”

“You live in the back alleys, don’t you? Do you think I give a damn about the weather?”

This was the last conversation, Krom, the late owner of the magnifying glass store, had with a woman.

Krom’s store was located in the most sun-deprived outskirts of District 2, adjacent to the back alleys.

If there was one major downside to this area, it was the proximity to the dangerous back alleys. But, the most significant benefit was the ridiculously low property tax because of that particular downside.

Krom was an optimistic person, so he only saw the positive side of things. There had never been any problems associated with the proximity to the back alleys, not before or after he opened the store.

However, a substantial change occurred in a place unbeknownst to Krom. The owner of the back alley, also known as the Mud Street, changed.

The previous crime organization controlling the Mud Street, One-eyed Snake, was surprisingly humanitarian for a criminal group. They chose to maintain the status quo instead of aggressively expanding their territory.

However, the Dalleye, who had swallowed the One-eyed Snake whole, was a completely different story. They were an organization of the exact opposite nature, not hesitating to do anything to expand their influence.

Krom, the owner of the magnifying glass store, paid the price for years of low property tax by losing his life and store in one fell swoop.

The Dalleye had surreptitiously taken control of the outskirts of District 2, and it had become a pathway for various illegal goods and services to be transported.

The location of the store, which used to be an antique shop, turned into a pawnshop for those willing to purchase criminal goods but short on cash.

Goran, the manager of the pawnshop and a member of the Dalleye, looked at the three people who had just entered the shop.

A simple-minded man and two elegant-looking women. The man was unsure, but the two women certainly looked like nobles.

Young nobles.

Those were the primary customers of the pawnshop.

‘Some wayward children.’

But Goran knew well that these young nobles weren’t customers.

The valuable customers of the pawnshop were fools who didn’t have anything good to show other than their noble lineage, acquired from their fortunate birth.

And, all these fools were usually under the influence of something, be it women, alcohol, gambling, or drugs.

In contrast, those who just entered were different.

Their eyes were filled with sharpness. Not sure about the simple-minded man, but the two women certainly carried an air of elegance. They were probably from a genuine noble lineage, unlike the pseudo-nobles.

Goran recalls the current trend among Arienne’s youth and clicks his tongue.

Finding lesser-known wonderful stores in Arienne and being the first to spread the word is the trend, isn’t it?

‘Such idiots. In my youth, we didn’t waste time like this…’

Even as he muttered curses to himself, Goran conscientiously did his job.

To save himself from annoying things in the future, he pretended to be the new owner of the antique shop and tried to send them away.

‘!!!’

Just then.

A necklace in the hands of a woman with orange hair caught Goran’s eye.

Being the best appraiser in this odd-ball town, he immediately recognized that the necklace was extraordinary.

And he realized that they didn’t know the value of the necklace.

It was clear.

Had they known its value, they wouldn’t have carelessly handled the necklace in such a way.

“Miss Teln, is the thing you want to be appraised, by any chance, the necklace in your hand?”

Appraisal fraud.

One of the main businesses of the Transparent Magnifying Glass, a subsidiary of Dalleye.

Goran’s eyes sparked.

He had a good premonition.

And that premonition was accurate.

“Huff… Huff…”

Goran’s heart was racing madly after finishing the appraisal of the necklace.

It was the first time in his long career as an appraiser.

“Tr… Tr… Treasure…!”

There was no need for flattery.

That necklace was a treasure.

Even if one has money and power, one can’t obtain it at will.

Therefore, the price was determined by its rarity.

A second-grade artifact.

“What… What… What should I do…”

The appraisal result was a fourth-grade artifact.

It was the situation Goran thought was most likely.

In that case, Goran planned to deceive them by passing the necklace as a simple well-made accessory and making them sell it to him.

Even that would have brought a tremendous achievement as a manager of the organization’s business.

But if he’s lucky and it’s third grade?

That would be a jackpot.

If he procures a third-grade artifact and offers it to the organization, his position within the organization would greatly improve.

Even if it’s just third grade, it would bring a great fortune that would have a great impact on his life.

But.

The artifact in his hand now was a second-grade artifact.

In any decent noble family, this item would serve as the cornerstone of their family’s heritage.

It was something that not even the ruling great family could easily obtain.

As such, the necklace was not only a significant influence on Goran’s life but also an extraordinary item that could overturn Goran’s life altogether.

Gulp.

Goran’s eyes were blazing with greed.

‘Should I just take it and run…?’

Goran envisioned himself grabbing the necklace and running away.

The imagined Goran was accepted as a noble by dedicating the necklace to the great family or became wealthy by selling the necklace and strolling around the city.

‘…’

But in the end, he’d be caught by the Dalleye and face a miserable death after everything is taken away.

‘Damn it.’

Being reminded of how dangerous the organization he belonged to was, Goran barely regained his reason and made a compromise.

To dedicate this necklace to the organization and have its merit recognized.

However,

There was a serious problem even in that case.

The owner of this necklace was a noblewoman,

Specifically Miss Teln.

Goran had planned to manipulate the appraisal results and buy the necklace at a bargain price.

If that doesn’t work?

He planned to forcibly misappropriate it even by using force.

In that case, friction with the high-ranking noble, Teln who has a strong influence in the eastern part of the continent, is inevitable.

But right now Goran was blinded by greed.

Adryn didn’t know the value of this necklace.

So if he could wrap up the situation with simple fraud, theft, or robbery while she didn’t know the value of the necklace, wouldn’t it somehow work out?

He was having such expedient thoughts.

In Arienne, where an independent power is formed centered around city nobles unless it is a great family that could put a strong pressure, it would work out somehow.

Soon, Goran’s brain, which was dominated by desire, came up with the final plan.

1. First, try appraisal fraud on Teln.

2. If that doesn’t work, attack them as they leave this outskirt and steal the necklace.

Goran immediately tried to contact the Troubleshooter in charge of this area in the organization using the magic communication device installed inside the store.

‘No.’

He stopped himself.

‘That bastard.’

Given the personality of the Troubleshooter in charge of this area, if Goran asked for help, there was a high chance that his merit would be usurped.

Even if he wholeheartedly surrendered this second-grade artifact to the organization, he would monopolize the merit himself.

‘It should be fine to be this greedy.’

‘Besides-‘

Goran recalled the faces of those people – brats from a while ago in his thoughts.

A tiny girl who seemed like she would fly away if kicked.

A country maiden-like woman giving off an awkward atmosphere, who would have never been recognized as a Miss of the Teln Family unless she hadn’t disclosed it herself.

Above all, a guy with a slitted eye impression who seemed more likely to be a nuisance rather than help if a fight were to break out.

‘I can manage such weaklings on my own.’

The fact that the Teln Family was a prestigious swordsmanship family was a challenge, but Goran’s greed, which had blinded him, made him disregard that possibility.

Goran was fully dominated by the power of the second-ranked artifact.

He had summoned the members of his organization who were at his disposal to stand nearby.

***

“I can pay more! We’re the only store that can offer you a price like this!”

“I’m sorry. I currently have no intention of selling this necklace.”

“Then why did you get it appraised!”

“Uhm?”

Haah.

Goran let out his nasty emotions hidden behind his shallow acting on them.

He rubbed his forehead and then flashed a haughty smile in their direction.

“Miss Teln. Please think carefully. I’m giving you a chance. If you don’t sell that necklace to us, you‘ll regret it.”

“…!”

Adryn’s eyes widened at his attitude.

Such disrespect even though he was aware that she belonged to the Teln Family.

“How rude. Should I take care of him?”

The tiny woman beside her said.

There was a clear discomfort in her indifferent voice.

Adryn shook her head.

“No. It’s okay. Let’s just leave. How much is the appraisal fee?”

“Heh, you don’t have to worry about it, just go.”

“No way!?”

Bang!

Adryn took out a gold coin from her pocket, forcefully placed it on the counter, and stormed out of the shop with the short girl, snorting in annoyance.

“Eh?”

Just when Goran was about to send a signal to the organization members he had on standby nearby,

The man with a slitted eye appearance was standing dull, staring at Goran.

“Your ladies already left, why are you standing gormlessly here, you ‘slit-eyed’ guy.”

There was now no reason to restrain himself anymore.

Above all, Goran never intended to even consider this guy’s feelings in the first place.

To him, no matter how one looks, the man seemed nothing more than an unremarkable commoner.

Trot…trot…

At that moment, holding back the peculiar laughter that his slitted eyes elicited, the man slowly approached the counter where Goran stood.

‘Slit-eyed guy.’

Goran retained his composure without any hint of caution as he looked straight at him.

“This.”

The man picked up the gold coin Adryn had just placed on the counter.

“I will take it back.”

Puh.

Goran snickered.

“What? You’re not even a pauper. Is such a small amount of money so precious to you, you idiot? Do you not care about the dignity of your ladies?”

Ding!

The man flicked the coin.

Then, skillfully picked it up between his index finger and thumb. He held it up like a magnifying glass towards his right eye, then said,

“This money is what Miss Adryn paid for the appraisal fee.”

“So now you are trying to take what you know isn’t yours?”

Then.

The man moved the coin aside.

Once he did, his sharp gaze, the yellow pupils hidden behind the coin, and his eyelids were revealed.

“That’s right, that’s why I’m taking it.”

“…!”

Goran was left speechless.

It was as if a giant snake had coiled around him and opened its mouth wide.

He blinked his eyes as hard as he could in his flustered state.

“Huh…?”

The giant snake which was once there, had disappeared.

And once again, there was the man with the slitted eyes.

Grin.

His slit-like eyes and thin lips curled even more, drawing out a meaningful smile.

Leaving behind those meaningful words and smiles, the man walked right out of the shop.

“…”

Goran felt a sense of foreboding he could not understand.

However, believing there was no reason for him to feel such ominous feelings, he sprang into action immediately.

“It’s those brats who have just left.”

Goran issued instructions through his magic tool to the organization members on standby nearby.

Ordering them to plunder the necklace from those brats who just left the shop.

***

“Ah, this is the worst… Why on earth did Mr. Klom…”

Miss Adryn buried her face in her hands.

Despite her hands not being very large, there was still plenty of room in her palms.

I, who joined a bit late, answered to Miss Adryn’s words.

“Well, it seems that Mr. Klom, despite having a good eye for items, lacks discernment when it comes to people.”

“That’s true.”

Miss Adryn’s face finally relaxed at my joke.

“Ah!”

Then, as if she remembered something, she glared at the necklace in her hands.

“Could it be real…? Is this necklace an artifact…? And that too a 4th class-”

“Judging by that guy’s reaction, it’s at least a 4th class. No, his reaction indicates that it may be even higher than that.”

“Then, could it be… 3rd class…?”

Gulp.

Both Miss Adryn and Miss Mizu stared at the necklace and swallowed simultaneously.

“Wait.”

At that moment, Miss Adryn, who was leading us, spread both her hands to block me and Miss Mizu.

In a street that was still dark because the sunlight didn’t reach it easily, even in the morning.

“Come out.”

At Miss Adryn’s command, seven shady characters in black robes poured out from around the corner like beetles.

The men, who had already pulled out their weapons, blocked our path.

Then, I felt a presence behind us.

It was the appraiser from just now.

The figure wearing a black robe led another group of men like a swarm of beetles.

“Ah, really, have these guys gone mad…!!! Are you all insane!? Do you even know who I am!?”

Miss Adryn, who quickly realized the situation, let out an exasperated exclamation.

Judging by her lines, she may seem like a haughty, cliche aristocrat of an extra, but right now, Miss Adryn earned the right to say those words.

The robbery attempt those guys were attempting now seemed like something you’d expect from wandering mercenaries or adventurers.

Certainly not something they’d attempt on a high-rank notable family, like Teln.

‘It’s baffling.’

Trying to rob Miss Adryn, who revealed herself as a member of the Teln family, was beyond imagination.

‘It’s not easy to adapt.’

People were enchanted by the power of the hero-grade item that was easily obtained in the game.

It seemed that the value of a hero-grade artifact far exceeded my expectations.

“Hand over the necklace.”

As the appraiser said, the vermin pointed their weapons all at once.

Even if they wore black robes that were ideal for concealment, their posture, momentum, and atmosphere couldn’t be hidden.

Wouldn’t you expect such a posture if you gave any street thug wandering the alley a sword?

Those types, even if they practiced well, wouldn’t be able to exceed one star, they were aptly described by the terms ‘dimwit’, or ‘small fry’.

“I can’t believe it.”

From the perspective of Miss Adryn and Miss Mizu, who had proven their abilities by passing the academy entrance exam with decent scores, the situation was laughable.

“What shall we do?”

Miss Adryn asked.

“Deserve to die.”

“That’s a good idea.”

“Haha, everyone, please calm down. For now, let’s be content with giving them a good scolding.”

“How much is ‘good enough’?”

“To the point where they can’t misbehave again?”

“Ah~ that sounds good.”

“Good enough. Understood.”

Just as our Group 17 was about to take off.

“Now, now~ everyone, pay attention here.”

Clap, clap, clap.

A voice filled with condescension and annoyance, as if dealing with low-intelligence beasts, caught our attention.

A woman with a ton of multicolored piercings in her ears and short red hair leaned against the wall, looking at us as though we were insects.

‘Ah, that face-’

Somewhere, it was a familiar face, and as I stared at her-

“Hmm?”

Our eyes met.

Then, the woman’s red eyebrows furrowed, revealing a sense of disdain.

“What are you looking at, you slit-eyed bastard.”

With her hot-tempered and vulgar speech pattern, I remembered who the woman was.

‘Loatheye Lize.’

As far as I knew, this woman was a fixer for the Dalleye, a criminal organization that ruled the shadowy backstreets and waste districts of the second district.

She was simultaneously a black witch.

***

One of the Dalleye’s businesses was located on the outskirts of the second zone, a pub.

The fixer of the Dalleye, Lize, was sitting there with her legs up on a table while painting her nails.

“Ah, damn it!”

Then, she suddenly kicked the table with all her strength.

“Ugh…!”

The table emitted a painful groan.

The chair she was sitting on was a low-ranking member of Dalleye.

The same was true for the table that her legs were resting on.

“You made me mess up my nails a bit!”

“So-, Sorry…!”

“Hah, you pitiful rat.”

And now.

A magical tool sat on the table, and from it flowed the voice of a middle-aged man.

– The guys who just left.

Lize smirked, curling one side of her lip.

“Crazy bastards.”

The owner of the voice was Goran, who managed one of the Dalleye’s businesses, a pawnshop, located on the outskirts of the second zone.

Lize had eavesdropped on all of the conversations he had with his subordinates through the magical tool.

“What? Rob a Grade 2 artifact from that Teln girl?”

Ha!

Lize burst into a sneer filled with scorn.

“Isn’t it just unbearable when the already stupid guys get greed in their eyes and turn into full-fledged blockheads?”

Lize kicked at the table, brought down her legs from it, and stood up from her seat.

“Ugh!”

Then, after kicking the chair as well, she took out one cigarette from her possessions and put it in her mouth.

A woman standing nearby, Lize’s subordinate, quickly approached and lit her cigarette.

Swoosh.

Ha.

Lize’s bright red lips exhaled smoke after taking a deep drag of the cigarette.

“Are you leaving?”

“I gotta, damn it.”

She spoke with an exasperated tone while watching the dispersing smoke.

“Because cleaning up the shit and piss those bastard guys made is my job.”

After taking another deep drag of her cigarette, she put it in the ashtray.

“Ugh…!”

Ignoring the moan of the ashtray, her subordinate asked, “What do you plan to do?”

“Firstly, Goran, that jackass and his underlings – I’m going to wipe them all out.”

“Do we have someone to replace him?”

“Ah, damn it, it’s annoying. Maybe I should just cut their legs so they can’t go around causing trouble.”

Interest rose on Lize’s face as she continued speaking.

“A Grade 2 artifact…”

“Is it for real?”

“If it’s real, that idiot who can only do appraisals must have caused this mess, right?”

Hmm.

Grade 2 Artifact.

Grade 2 Artifact.

Lize who’d been grumbling for a while suddenly spat out.

“This, if I let that Teln girl go as is, it seems the situation will become troublesome. Maybe I should just kill that woman too.”