Seeker 178

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Chapter 178. Tailing

We received a mission, so we decided to tail the moneylenders. 

Even though it's a small amount, we'll gain experience points by doing this. 

We operate on cash, after all. 

However, this tailing operation requires stealth, so, as usual, Kazane-san and I left Yuzuki behind with Griffin. 

Yuzuki sulks, saying, "I'm always left out.". But there's no helping it this time.

So, Kazane-san and I, activating the [Stealth] skill, followed the moneylenders who had left the orphanage. 

One of our targets seemed to be quite the adventurer.

So we couldn't underestimate them. 

We kept a considerable distance in the crowd, just enough to maintain a close eye on our target without being noticed.

At some point, the 4 men turned off from the main street and into a narrow alley. 

To ensure we didn't lose sight of them, Kazane-san and I hurriedly followed. 

They stopped at the dead-end of the alley and began a conversation. 

We hid in the shadows and attempted to eavesdrop.

The one who started talking appeared to be the group leader, a short man with a stubby beard. 

His name was Damon, I think. 

He was the moneylender, and the other 3 were likely his hired goons.

"Rodney, did you make sure to check the room where the contract is stored?"

 Damon addressed one of the thug-looking men, who seemed to possess the strength of an adventurer.

The man called as Rodney grinned.

 "Of course, Damon. So, what do you need me to do?"

"Hehehe. Tonight, you'll sneak into the orphanage and switch out that contract. Bring it to me."

Damon said as he produced a rolled parchment that looked identical to the contract the orphanage director had shown earlier.

Rodney accepted it, untied the string, and inspected the contents. 

"So, you've added something to the wording in the copy you had. Let me see. 'The creditor may demand immediate full repayment of the loan at any time. If the debtor fails to comply, the creditor shall immediately obtain ownership of the collateral by subtracting the remaining loan balance from the appraised value of the collateral.' Damn, that's ruthless. Just as expected from Boss Damon."

"Hmph, that orphanage was supposed to be torn down for use, and negotiations have been in progress for a while now. We had calculated that they would be unable to make the payment a long time ago, and they should have already vacated the place."

"Didn't we deceive that kid from the orphanage, make him addicted to gambling, and get the director to be the co-signer? And now that kid has disappeared without a trace. Boss, you're quite sinister."

"Hehehe, they're being exploited because they're foolish. Taking tuition fees like this from fools who indulge in sentimental games is kindness, teaching them the truth of this world."

"Hahaha, is the truth of this world survival of the fittest? By the way, sneaking in is fine, but I don't have the [Stealth] skill. I have some general thief skills, though. What if we're caught, even by a kid? Should I silence them?"

"Hmph, we don't want things to get too complicated. Plan so that you can hide if needed."

"Hehehe, understood, boss."

At that moment, a ping sounded in my mind. 

It seemed like the men were about to return our way after finishing their conversation, so Kazane-san and I discreetly retreated from the scene.

The message on the message board was as expected.

───────────────────────

Special Mission: Tailing the Moneylenders Completed!

Party members gain 2000 experience points each!

Current Experience Points:

Musou Daichi ... 283924 / 303707 (Next Level: 19783)

Kodachi Kazane ... 284296 / 303707 (Next Level: 19411)

Yuzuki Hotaru ... 292041 / 303707 (Next Level: 11666)

───────────────────────

Before emerging onto the main street, Kazane-san and I used our seeker's supernatural agility to climb onto the roof of a nearby residence. From there, in [Stealth] mode, we observed the four men passing by in the alley.

"Speaking of which, those guys seemed unpleasant, but they're definitely villains. Daichi-kun, what do we do? Should we beat them up here? If it's just one adventurer-level person, I think we can handle it easily."

"No. That would just make us criminals who assaulted them in the middle of the city. Let's go back to the orphanage for now."

"Yeah, understood. I'm not opposed to dealing with their wrongdoing, though."

"Well, it's hard to just turn a blind eye to this."

So, Kazane-san and I returned to the orphanage. 

The veil of night was slowly descending upon the surroundings.