Mel Carlo was standing in a courtyard, taking a brief rest to catch his breath.
The atmosphere in the city seemed much more lively.
This wasn’t an illusion, nor was it just the bright sunlight—it was truly noisier on the streets.
But just as he was about to turn back inside, an uninvited guest appeared.
A man in a leather jacket stood before him, his eyes scrutinizing.
Mel Carlo immediately sensed the shift in mood.
The scarred man was no longer in the courtyard.
He knew right away.
This was the Gang Investigator.
Still, he tried to act as if nothing had happened, turning to head back.
“Stop, kid.”
The man called out to him.
“What is it, sir?”
Mel Carlo turned back nonchalantly.
“The stolen wallet—is it on you or on Anke? I’ll only ask once. If you dare lie, I’ll kill you on the spot!”
The man’s hand moved to the short sword at his waist, his gaze growing colder and sharper.
Mel Carlo fell silent.
He didn’t know what had gone wrong.
Maybe it was when he spent money on paper and ink before—it was the only possible way he could’ve been exposed.
But hadn’t that traveling merchant left Garde Imperial City yet?
Did he want to stay in the imperial city for the new year?
“You bought something from a merchant. If I hand these 2 silver coins to the Ducal House, I think they’ll recognize them!”
The man continued to press.
Once he figured things out, he’d kill this brat.
Maybe he could even trade the wallet for another sum at the Ducal House.
Mel Carlo quickly extracted the key information.
So it was the money he spent that exposed him.
And this Investigator hadn’t told anyone else yet, which meant he must have other motives.
The matter of the wallet had long since passed—settled with the Head of the Former Leader.
Now, the only thing of any value was the 2,600 Oren left in Mel Carlo’s hand.
He originally had 3,000 Oren, but when he bought a hairpin, he exchanged 1 silver coin for 95 Oren as tribute.
Then, he spent another 3 silver coins on paper and ink.
Naturally, only 2,600 Oren remained.
“So, sir, what do you want?”
Mel Carlo put on an indifferent front.
He couldn’t show any hesitation now—life or death hung by a thread.
This man’s level was clearly 4 above his own, [LV5].
If all he wanted was money, then settling it with cash wasn’t even a loss.
“I want the truth. Hand over the money, and maybe I’ll let you go.”
The man’s ambiguous words were utterly untrustworthy.
No matter if he handed it over or not, the man had no intention of letting him live.
Mel Carlo was no real child.
He knew what danger was.
Right now, confessing meant death.
Not confessing also meant death.
The only useful skills he had left were [Throwing Blade], [Back Jump], and [Steal].
[Throwing Blade] had a piercing effect—whether aiming for the throat or heart, he could guarantee a kill unless, like in a game, a Level 1 couldn’t harm a Level 5 at all.
In that case, it truly was his death.
[Back Jump] could let him dodge an attack, but only once.
[Steal] could attempt to snatch the man’s short sword.
But its proficiency wasn’t maxed—the base success rate was only 30%, and the remaining 70% depended on the 320/10000 proficiency.
Thinking at lightning speed, Mel Carlo realized he’d reached a dead end.
This guy wasn’t after money—there was no room for negotiation.
“Sir, I’ll tell you everything!”
The moment Mel Carlo lowered his head, he activated [Steal] and [Throwing Blade] simultaneously.
He flung the dagger in his hand at the man’s throat.
The man tried to draw his short sword to block, but his hand grasped empty air.
Mel Carlo’s skill had succeeded—the short sword appeared in his left hand.
The man instinctively raised his arm to block, but the dagger pierced right through his palm and into his neck.
Pain exploded instantly.
Panic flooded him, the shadow of death overwhelming.
One hand clutched his bleeding throat.
With the other, he tried desperately to strike at Mel Carlo, but Mel Carlo dodged easily with a [Back Jump], then reversed his grip and drove the short sword into the man’s heart.
It turned out that when a person was cut in the throat, they didn’t die immediately.
He’d almost been struck just now.
Watching the health bar slowly drain, turning from red to gray, the reality of it made the game menu seem even more unreal.
“Sir, I’m glad this isn’t a game.”
Mel Carlo pulled the dagger from the man’s throat, wiped the blood on the man’s clothes, and picked up the two silver coins from the ground.
“Why wouldn’t you give me a chance? Or yourself?”
He didn’t choose to keep the short sword, knowing it could become a lead for the gang to find him.
He underestimated a child, and so the man died.
But who would have thought a six-year-old could kill him so suddenly?
Breathing heavily, his hands and legs trembling, Mel couldn’t tell if it was fear or excitement—his mind felt blank.
He wiped the sweat from his palms, breathing deeply to steady himself.
Given the situation, it was impossible to stay with the gang any longer.
He had to escape the city as soon as possible.
First, get out—if he could find the merchant, that would solve things.
If he could take Lili and Arkai with him, even better.
If not, then he could only wish them luck.
Mel Carlo ran once more.
To be honest, he was nervous when he acted—his palms were sweating.
But he had to stay calm.
Even the slightest slip would mean death.
He passed through street after street.
He didn’t know why the crowds were gathering toward the plaza, but that wasn’t his concern.
He had to find the merchant.
Otherwise, getting in and out of the city would be difficult.
“Claire, why don’t you give it a try? Maybe you’re a hero, too?”
The merchant had once urged his daughter.
Of course, he hoped she would be a hero.
There was no better product.
“Dad, do you really think I have what it takes to be a hero? Or do you?”
His daughter retorted instantly.
The man raised an eyebrow again, sitting on the Carriage and watching as the crowd suddenly started to retreat.
He felt a strange unease.
Had something happened?
He thought he heard the Knights Order drawing their swords.
His instincts told him it was time to move back.
Not long after he left the plaza, Mel Carlo found him.
Mel jumped onto the Carriage.
“Merchant, the deal you offered before—I accept. We’re leaving now! Immediately!”
“You seem in a hurry…”
“Enough, 2,500 Oren—not a single coin less!”
“Alright, get in. Hide in the barrel. I even prepared it for you.”
The merchant didn’t waste time.
The dark-skinned girl beside him looked a little surprised.
It was just as her father predicted—the child had come to them.
And they’d earn a huge fortune from him.
Even if they couldn’t sell the rest of their goods, it wouldn’t bankrupt them.
If all their profits depended on the merchandise, they’d have been ruined this trip.
This was an unexpected windfall—more profitable than their goods.
Mel Carlo hid inside the wooden barrel.
The Carriage quickly headed toward the city gates.
The earth dragon, the Carriage, and the unsold goods were all the merchant owned.
There was no need to hesitate.
“Hey, merchant, aren’t you selling your goods anymore?”
Someone he knew called out teasingly from the roadside.
“No, can’t sell them anyway. Might as well go home.”
The merchant didn’t stop.
This was his biggest haul yet, though it came with great risk.