Chapter 659: PAID

I left the trading company as if I were fleeing. Though I quickened my pace and created some distance, I kept glancing over my shoulder.

‘…Why isn’t he following me?’

I thought he’d chase after me and grab me by the neck any moment now, but Paejon didn’t appear.

That made it worse.

It felt as if he was silently saying, We’ll deal with this later.

‘Damn it.’

Who would’ve guessed such rumors would spread? Things were getting complicated.

“…Tsk.”

Clicking my tongue, I shook my head. Whatever. If I’m confronted, I’ll just deny it. What else could I do?

‘If I say it’s not true, what can they do about it?’n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

I decided to approach this simply, with an air of indifference.

Or I could just avoid him entirely for a few days.

Sure, that might make it worse when we inevitably crossed paths again, but it was worth a shot.

Pat, pat.

Dusting off the dirt from my hurried escape, I noticed the crowded streets around me.

“Hm.”

The streets were bustling with people, likely due to the approaching festival.

Even among the throng of commoners, I could see a growing number of martial artists.

‘And they’re strong.’

Not only first-rate warriors, but occasionally even those at peak levels.

They were here for the martial tournament.

‘There’s a lot of interest in this year’s tournament.’

And why wouldn’t there be?

It was the first tournament in years, and the prizes on the line were extraordinary.

‘Rare swords, miraculous elixirs… but most importantly…’

‘The revival of the Divine Dragon Corps.’

The elite unit under the direct command of the Martial Alliance Leader, a symbol of its might.

The Divine Dragon Corps, disbanded after a significant incident, was making its return, with the tournament marking their reestablishment.

Not only would they restore their symbolic value, but participating in their revival was an unparalleled honor.

For those who lived and died by reputation, the allure was undeniable.

And for me, this was crucial.

The Divine Dragon Corps was essential to my upcoming plans.

One way or another, I needed to make use of them.

‘There’s less than a month until the tournament. Time to start preparing.’

While it annoyed me to get started the moment I arrived, there was no time to waste.

I decided to check on the task I had assigned to Pil-Duma when—

Thunk!

“Ah!”

Someone collided with me and fell to the ground.

I looked down to see a woman sprawled on the ground.

Naturally, I didn’t extend a hand to help her. Instead, I just stared.

The woman scrambled to her feet and bowed deeply.

“I’m so sorry. I wasn’t watching where I was going. Are you hurt?”

The faint scent of her perfume reached my nose as she bowed, and I instinctively grimaced.

The fragrance was far too strong—nauseatingly so.