Getting somewhere, probably

- What’s the point of magic if there are guns?! - Kai complains while the thug points at him with what seems to be a fully automated submachine gun.

Taking advantage of not being the focus anymore, the woman Kai just saved makes a hand gesture to cast a spell. A small magic circle appears in front of her right hand, and she quickly shoots two pointy white crystals, one at each of her attackers, taking them down.

- Oh… I guess that answers my question.

He didn’t realize at that moment, but as he walked closer to inspect the incapacitated men, Kai stopped in shock. The impact was so strong that the crystals penetrated their bodies, one in the chest, the other in the neck. Not only that, they seem to be still alive, agonizing as the crystals begin to turn red.

- W-what…

- Don’t even bother, they are done for… - she speaks, breathing deeply.

Snapping out of it, he approaches the woman, who is sitting with her back against the wall, still bleeding.

- Are you okay?

- The cut isn’t deep. However, I’ll need your help. Grab my bag for me, would you? - She points at a bag near the stairs.

Doing as she says, Kai retrieves her bag. The lady pulls out a flask containing a clean orange liquid inside.

- What is that?

- An anesthetic. I recommend you turn away because this won’t be pretty.

About to walk away and avert his gaze, Kai notices her anxiety. Then, thinking about how his friends, especially that fool Giovanni, would stay there for him, he crouches down, also resting one of his hands on her shoulder.

- Nah, I’ll be right here.

- Why?

- Just in case you do something stupid.

- How cute. Who taught you that? Your mom?

- A friend.

- Whatever. Just don’t puke on me.

The woman lets out a deep breath and drinks the entire flask. After feeling the effects of the potion kicking in, she snaps her fingers, creating a continuous flame that resembles a lighter. Without giving herself time to regret her decision, she presses the flame against her wound, cauterizing the cut that stretched from one cheek to the other, crossing over her nose. Throughout the process, she instinctively gripped Kai’s arm, who remained by her side, trying his best not to pass out.

After what seems like an eternity, the process is finally complete. The scar is quite noticeable, although it's better than risking further blood loss.

- How are you feeling?

- I’ll live. I just need to rest a bit.

Kai has some questions for her, but decides to let her be for now. He goes back to his previous plan of inspecting the thugs. They are no longer moving, and the crystals are completely red, resembling rubies. Still feeling very uncomfortable, he takes a good look at the gun that one of them had been holding.

- I am no enthusiast, but I’m almost sure I saw this design in some FPS games back home. Maybe Pietra can confirm it.

To avoid touching it directly and to hide it from plain sight, Kai takes off his hoodie, wrapping the firearm in it.

- I still don’t understand why a magical world would need guns…

- Hey… Why did you save me? - slowly standing up, she walks towards him with difficulty.

- First things first. I’m Kai. What is your name?

- I owe you that much. You can call me Lirika.

- So, Lirika, I overheard part of your conversation as I was passing by. I would like to ask what you know about the corrupters.

- That’s rare. Those who know about the corrupters usually want to avoid them at all costs - she replies, casually taking the crystals from the bodies and storing them in her bag. Kai wonders if getting involved with her was the best decision.

- Let’s say I’m curious about the organization in general.

- The corrupters are not an organization. In fact, there are so few of them that there isn’t much information I can share.

- Do you know why they are called “corrupters”?

- They were titled that by Your Majesty himself about six months ago. However, I don’t know the reason why the king despises those individuals so much.

- Six months? So these corrupters are a recent problem?

- They were not a thing before, so yes, probably.

Going after the corrupters sounds dangerous, but since he was mistaken as one before, Kai sees no choice but to investigate further. Also, dealing with them can be the very reason why he was summoned to this world by Rasnati. The thought of being the champion of a goddess, a hero of a kingdom, makes him look like a fool, daydreaming about nonsense.

- Hehehe…

- Are you done? I’ll be on my way - Lirika makes her way up the stairs, still struggling to walk on her own.

- Wait! We should work together. You are after a corrupter, right? Is there one here in Vatogus? - Kai follows her.

- I’m used to work alone, but I’m in no condition to decline. I guess working together can be beneficial if you don’t slow me down.

- Really? Nice. I was aiming to recruit a catgirl, yet a cool pirate giving the vibe that would step on me works too.

- What?

- Nothing. I can help you walk if you need it.

- Don’t push it.

- Never mind…

–—//–—

- Kai, where did you go?

Pietra and the others, using the string that connects them as a guide, look for Kai. Nicholas is carrying Asai on his back.

- Pia.

- Not now. This place is so crowded that I can’t see the thread properly. Unless it’s something important, please let me concentrate.

- Isn’t that the general from before?

Pietra stops. She quickly pushes a bunch of pedestrians out of her way, where Nicholas pointed. That perfectly coiffed red hair is unmistakable. He is accompanied by his subordinates, minus one.

- Why is he here?!

- Looking for us, I guess. What was his name again? Guson?

- Strabery!

- Hey, you! I finally found you! - the general calls out as he spots the group.

- Ah! What now?!

- Don’t worry, Pia. Blobfish!

- I’m on it, big bro Nicholas. - Appearing out of nowhere, Blobfish rolls in Guson’s direction.

- Wait! - he tries to say something, but is surprised by Blobfish quickly rolling over him. His soldiers look at him pitifully on the ground.

- Thank you! Let’s go! - Nicholas exclaims as the trio flees successfully.

Soon later, the entire gang reunites. After a brief introduction, they go back to Gadreas’ tavern to properly share what happened.

- Kai, you won’t believe it! We saw a group of angry pirates led by a catgirl on our way to find you. I think they were looking for someone.

- I wonder who.

- Eh? Don’t you want to see her?

- Focus, guys. That general found us. What will we do about him?

- Vatogus is a big city. He will not find us so easily - Kai tries to ease Pietra's worries.

- I can ask Mosquito and Blobfish to distract him.

- Who?

- Finding the corrupter will not be easy. I’ve been trying to meet him for the past week, and nothing - Lirika frowns.

- About that. I may have a way to help~

As if just waiting for the right time to show up, Gadreas pops out from a table behind everyone.

- You guys are looking for Roberto, huh? He’s quite the deal in Vatogus.

- Do you know him? - Nicholas says, dubious.

- But of course. It’s not that hard to arrange a meeting with him, actually. You just need to pique his interest.

- Are you saying he was ignoring all my desperate attempts to meet him personally simply because he couldn’t be bothered? - Lirika grabs Gadreas by his collar.

- You can confront him about that with all that anger of yours, young lady. I’m merely stating the facts - he smirks, without losing his composure.

Lirika let go of him.

- How can you help, then?

- Simple. I need you guys to complete a task for me, and I’ll take you straight to him. Promise!

- Sounds fishy - Pietra warns.

- Fish? - only now Asai seems interested.

- I understand I don’t have the best reputation, but I always honor my word. Ask your friend Nicholas.

- You did pay me what you promised, but I didn’t forget your twisted words or that you didn’t fight at all.

- Ah! You hurt my chest. You know what? I have some free rooms upstairs. I’ll let you stay for the night. In exchange, I only ask for you to honestly consider my offer. How does that sound?

- I hate how all our choices so far were basically: Trust this obviously shady person or die of hunger - Kai sighs.

- Fantastic. I’ll take that as a yes~

- Fish!

Asai positions herself in front of Gadreas.

- You want some fish, kiddo? I can arrange that, although you will have to pay.

She slaps his face with a dead trout.