I Reincarnated as a Mob Villain in a Game World I Had Been Playing~ Using My Knowledge of the Game, I Lived a Carefree Life but for Some Reason I Became Famous Everywhere~ - Chapter 12 - Treasure Hunters’ Association ① (Branch Manager’s POV)

Chapter 12 – Treasure Hunters’ Association ① (Branch Manager’s POV)

“Master. Who is this jet-black person who has recently arrived in town?”

“He sounds like a real badass.”

“I can’t wear my usual armor! It’s because of the attention I’m getting from the three powerhouses, all because of that jet-black presence!”

“Hey, hey, Master. When is Mr. Jet-black coming to the association? I’d like to invite him to a party.”

At the Treasure Hunters’ Association.

How many questions and complaints of this kind did the branch manager receive in just a few days, you ask?

“Hah… I want to know about that too. Why is there no information available… It’s unbelievable… Just how is he hiding himself…”

It was the branch manager’s office that leaked out such a complaint.

About three days ago, he received a report from the gatekeeper.

An official of the Imperial Capital—A member of Vertal, the secret organization, may have come to this city.

It was said that he was wearing the highest quality equipment.

He single-handedly rescued the daughters of the Aldi, Ansage, and Albrella families from the criminal organization Red Freed.

Moreover, he must have sought the help of his friends, capturing all the Red Freed involved in this crime…

The reason why this information is made public is to reduce as much as possible the number of people who commit crimes against the authorities. It is intended to create a positive impression of the city.

It’s rare for the Treasure Hunters’ Association to receive this kind of contact, but seeing the man is so capable, it is likely that he’s ‘an active Treasure Hunters’ and may visit the Association.

The branch manager’s extra task is to find out the man’s background—But no matter how hard he looks, he can’t find him. 

He can’t find any information on a treasure hunter who uses jet-black equipment.

When facing the most challenging dungeons at the highest level, it is common to use familiar weapons and armor.

And this time he was up against Red Freed. He should have been at his best, using the weapons and armor he was familiar with, but there was nothing to match.

“T-Then it might’ve been one of the top executives coming out…”

The supreme power of the Imperial Capital does not appear in the public eye, does not come out, and is kept hidden by the Imperial Capital. 

But the three daughters of the city’s three most powerful and influential families had been kidnapped. 

It is quite possible that the man was sent out for the purpose of making an example out of the damage done to this city, which is under the control of the Imperial Capital. 

The more the manager looks into it, the more credible it becomes.

“I’m begging you, just don’t mess with the guy with the jet-black equipment. Don’t talk to him, and don’t recruit him.”

That’s what the manager told all the treasure hunters, but he can be sure that he made the right choice.

In fact, he would be in trouble if he didn’t.

He heard something outrageous from his daughter and his wife.

“I got carried by a big brother dressed in black!”

If he asked his wife, who is also the receptionist of the Association, for more information… She said that a person who seemed to be jet black saved their child who had been separated for a moment when she took her eyes off of the child.

It could all be a coincidence, indeed. However, if the man was truly a high-ranking executive, he should have knowledge of the individuals in the city with high positions.

“You owe me one. Don’t bother me with trivial matters.”

It was as if the branch manager had been told that.

“I’m busy with work. Don’t let the Association’s treasure hunters bother me.”

It seemed like a warning precisely because there were so many hot-blooded individuals around.

The more the manager thinks about it, the more his stomach churns.

While his wife described the man as being “very kind,” it was clear that he was not the type of person who can be taken advantage of due to his kindness.

If the man was really an executive, he would be able to exert pressure at will with a single finger. 

Even the top 3 families in this town can’t even come close.

“(I’m grateful that you saved my daughter, but) hurry up and return to the Imperial Capital…”

Someone terrible had come to this city who was capable of making the branch manager lose his job in a heartbeat. Anyone would feel the same in such a situation.

The door to the branch manager’s office, where soft complaints were leaking out—Bang! It was forcefully opened by the receptionist!

“Branch manager!”

“!?!? W-What? At least knock.”

“I-I’m very sorry! But that’s not the point! The person who is considered to be the jet-black guy has entered the Association…!”

“Oi, oi, oi. You’ve really got to be kidding me…”

The timing made it sound as if he had even heard the previous complaint. 

The branch manager, pale-faced and in a cold sweat, got up from his chair and walked down to the ground floor.

Sneaking a peek on that floor—just as the receptionist said, there the man was.

The jet-black man was looking around the Association and doing reconnaissance.

Perhaps to avoid having to get tangled up with anyone, he released a heavy pressure.

Despite the usual bustling atmosphere, right now there was only silence.

Even the bold hunters, the ones with fiery temperaments, and the high-ranking parties have all quieted down—Every conversation within the Association had come to a halt.

The hands of the receptionist and those who were drinking stopped.

Just by standing there, the jet-black man dominated the place.

The treasure hunters who have been to the battlefield understand it.

The man was too eerie.

There was a sense of restlessness and tension, as if a beginner had just arrived, but the man’s impressive weapon and armor contradicts that greatly.

In short, everything was completely unclear.

He was the type that treasure hunters fear the most.

As the saying goes, a talented hawk hides his claws, but even if the man doesn’t show off his abilities, he exudes the atmosphere of a fierce hunter.

“W-Why, of all days, is my wife working the late shift today…”

It would have been a lot easier to deal with the jet-black guy if the receptionist had been the manager’s wife who had met him once.

“M-Master… What shall we do… Shall we see how that gentleman reacts?”

“How can we be so rude… I’m going… It’s the only way now…”

The wrong move could get the manager fired at once. 

Wiping away his greasy sweat, the branch manager approached the jet-black with agonized expression on his face.