Chapter 52: The Rust Zone’s First Malice.
Skoll’s candid admission made Suna frown—not just at his persistence but because his words suggested he’d received a troublesome conceptual blessing.
[From what he’s saying, his first blessing is likely conceptual. If it were foresight, he’d describe visions or future events. A luck-altering blessing would tilt outcomes in his favor. To pinpoint which, I’d need to observe him in action…]
Realizing she’d have to stay close during combat to confirm his blessing, Suna also knew that since Skoll was aware of her destination, he’d likely follow secretly if she tried to stop him.
Sighing, she relented. “Fine, this is a headache, but okay.”
Skoll quickly adjusted his gear. Though clad in lightweight novice knight armor—standard issue with minimal temple markings—he wore a temple bracelet and prayer charms, which he stowed in his storage belt. Like Suna, he donned a hooded cloak to conceal his identity.
Surprised by his cooperation, Suna glanced at him but said nothing, only speaking as she moved forward.
“Ready? Follow me. And don’t tell your friends about this—they’d worry.”
“Got it,” Skoll replied tersely.
Suna led him into the Rust District.
With Skoll in tow, she abandoned her plan to enhance [Veil of Truth] for stealth, instead maintaining a moderate presence as she walked ahead.
Entering the district, they left the glow of magic stone lamps behind. The dilapidated area was cloaked in darkness, lit only by scattered torches and bonfires along walkways and low buildings.
In the shadows, countless gazes—laden with various emotions—watched the nighttime intruders.
Whispers carried on the breeze, fleeting silhouettes darted through alleys and rooftops, and the air reeked of rot, char, and rust, creating a tense atmosphere.
Suna, with darkvision and vast experience, was unfazed. Skoll, though initially stiff from nerves, followed steadily, adapting quickly and asking in a low voice, “Miss Suna, why are you here?”
Hiding some details, she whispered back, “To investigate something and find some help.”
“Help? With your status, couldn’t you request knights from the temple?”
Glancing at his puzzled expression, Suna couldn’t admit her fear of temple scrutiny revealing her mimic beast identity. Instead, she deflected with a plausible excuse.
“Think about it, Skoll. If a non-human saintess with a blessing requests knights, what kind would the temple assign?”
Skoll paused, then nodded, grasping the implication: as a half-elf saintess, her request would draw knights from rival factions to monitor and restrict her, ultimately controlling her.
“…Fair point. But what about the Adventurers’ Guild?”
As he offered another suggestion, Suna raised a finger to her lips, signaling silence.
[Skoll, someone’s approaching. No names from now on—I’m Su, you’re Kur. Follow my lead. Nod if you understand.]
Transmitting the message telepathically, she saw Skoll nod quickly.
A group of ill-intentioned gang members, armed with various weapons, closed in. Most wore vests or short sleeves, some with shoulder or chest armor. Their exposed arms bore magical tattoos glowing faintly blood-red in the dark, enhancing their menacing aura.
“Hey, outsiders. Lost? You’re in our territory,” one said.
“Crossing this checkpoint costs one gold coin each,” another demanded.
Suna scoffed mockingly. “Yikes, just toll collectors? Kur, beat them up!”
At her command, Skoll charged barehanded.
Before they could react, he floored two with a left hook and a heavy punch.
The remaining gang members, wielding spiked clubs, machetes, and short swords, swarmed Skoll and the observing Suna. Skoll retreated swiftly to avoid being surrounded.
As the gang activated their blood-red tattoos, Skoll’s punches lost their one-hit knockout power.
He weaved through their attacks, dodging nimbly and striking vital points with gauntleted fists.
Even with bone-breaking force, it took multiple hits to disable the enraged, reddened gang members.
Suna, casually knocking away any who approached her like whacking moles, quickly deduced the tattoos’ function.