Mob Revenge Following a Mob Escape

Sid had vanished.

Claire sprinted through the Lawless City at night, hunting for her little brother.

"Sid, you complete moron! I told you to stay put!"

The moment she’d heard Sid left the base alone, her mind went totally blank. She had already leveled one Spellsword who’d dared to sneer that the kid was probably being sold into slavery by now, and then she'd bolted out of the base.

The Lawless City at night was a death trap. It wasn’t just a simple slum. To the predators who lived here, students from the Academy for Spellswords were nothing more than easy prey.

"Have you seen a Black-haired, Black-eyed Boy about fifteen years old?!"

Claire questioned every passerby she could find, her voice thick with desperation. Any resident foolish enough to attack her was instantly cut down.

Scouring the streets based on a few vague witness reports, Claire finally spotted a mop of black hair.

However.

He was currently being gnawed on by a Ghoul in a dark alleyway.

"St-Stop it!"

In a flash, Claire drew her blade and hacked the Ghoul into mincemeat. Then, she fell to her knees before the mangled corpse of the black-haired man.

"No... it can't be..."

The black hair was matted with blood. Sid’s hair was just about this length. The body was too mangled to identify, but this was the only solid lead she had.

"I'm so sorry, Sid... It’s my fault for bringing you to a hellhole like the Lawless City..."

It wasn't a certainty that this was Sid yet. Even so, Claire pulled the blood-stained black hair to her chest and wept. She felt as if she were being crushed by the weight of her own regret.

Behind her, a shadow drew near.

"...What do you want?" Claire asked, still clutching the hair.

"Are you the one looking for the Black-haired, Black-eyed Boy...?"

"Huh?"

Clinging to a sliver of hope, Claire turned around. Standing there was a beautiful, red-haired woman holding a sword.

"Who are you...?"

"I am Milia. A Vampire Hunter. I’ve encountered two people who might fit the description of a Black-haired, Black-eyed Boy."

"Really?! Tell me!"

"I saw the first one a little while ago. He was standing in front of a rampaging Ghoul, laughing 'Fufufu...'"

Claire pictured the scene and immediately shook her head.

"No. My brother doesn't have such a disgusting, creepy laugh."

"I see. The second was a young Spellsword. He was attacked and abducted by the subordinates of the 'Queen of Blood'..."

"That's him! What did he look like?!"

"He had a plain, unremarkable look about him..."

That’s definitely Sid.

"Oh, no... Sid..."

"I'm sorry. I tried to help, but I didn't make it in time..."

"B-But if he was abducted, that means he’s still alive, right?!"

"Most likely... he..." Milia seemed to hesitate.

"What is it? Do you know something?!"

"He... will be used as a sacrifice. The 'Red Moon' will rise soon. We have to rescue him before then..."

"Tell me where he is! Where is Sid?! How can I save him?!"

Milia let her gaze wander as if deep in thought, eventually looking down at the pile of sliced-up Ghoul meat.

"Did you do this?"

"Huh? Oh. Yes, I did."

"If you're willing to cooperate... then maybe. My target is the 'Queen of Blood' Elisabeth. Your goal is to rescue your brother. Our interests align."

Milia reached out a hand toward Claire.

"Help me, and I’ll tell you everything."

Claire took the hand without a second thought.

"I'll do it. I'll do anything if it means Sid is safe."

"Follow me."

Milia led the way deeper into the alley.

Claire stood up and casually tossed the blood-stained black hair aside. On second thought, the texture was totally different from Sid’s.

Wait for me, Sid. Your big sister is coming to save you...

Then, Claire too vanished into the darkness of the alley.

◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇

I got back to the base, but my sister was nowhere to be found.

I guess we must have crossed paths while she was out for a walk. I took a seat by the window of my assigned room and looked down at the streets of the Lawless City. That distinct slum stench tickled my nose.

I knew the moment I stepped into this city and caught a whiff of the air: This place is a total nose-hair booster.

It’s a niche fact known only to those with real-world experience, but living in a place with filthy air makes your nose hair grow at double time. And if your nose hair is working overtime, that means...

Dig, dig.

"Whoa, got a big one."

It means you can harvest a massive amount of boogers.

I peered down at the street to confirm my target. Naturally, I wasn't just picking my nose for no reason. I was driven by a grand ambition.

My target was a thug loitering on the street. That guy had tried to shake me down for cash earlier. I’d managed to slip away with a MOB ESCAPE, but one should never underestimate the sheer pettiness of a mob character.

Time for some MOB REVENGE.

I took a stance in my FLICKING STYLE and took aim at the target.

Heh heh heh... eat this. BOOGER BOMBER!

I launched the projectile. It flew true, sticking right to the target's face without missing a beat.

MOB REVENGE achieved.

A deep crimson moon hung in the night sky. I really wanted to go out and play, but I couldn't go wandering around until my sister got back and fell asleep.

"Man, Sis is taking forever..."