Volume 1 Chapter 7 Port Town Shinnit
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
After walking forever through those quiet mountains full of trees, I finally reached flat land. The thick forest was now behind me. The sun was bright above, and tall grass spread all around.
It was hot. Really hot. But I kept moving, sweating like crazy.
Little bugs were everywhere in the grass. Every few steps, webs or caterpillars stuck to me. I made a face every time. I hate this kind of stuff.
The slave girl behind me didn’t seem to mind. She stepped where I stepped, so she dodged most of it. Smart move, I guess.
I turned to look at her. A giant moth, the size of a fist, sat on her head. She had the same blank face as always, like nothing could bother her. That, plus the warm weather, made me let out a long sigh.
”We finally made it, huh.”
I said, half to myself.
A few steps later, I saw it.
Port Town Shinnit.
It sat between the blue sky and the green grass like some kind of dream. A big town, full of people and noise.
This was the biggest trade port in the kingdom, even more important than the capital itself. They said half the kingdom’s money moved through this place. I believed it.
Back in the day, it was just a port. But since it connected the Four Islands, it grew like crazy. Now, it was the kingdom’s money-maker.
The mountains separated it from the capital, and only one long, annoying road connected the two. From where I stood, it looked like a perfect place to hide. No way the hero could chase me easily here.
There were checkpoints, sure. Two, I think. But maybe they’d slow down anyone following me.
Of course, I wasn’t going in through the front gate. No way I’d risk that.
This place might just be a town, but the guards here meant business. They could handle a serious fight. I wasn’t about to test that.
The kingdom’s my enemy now.
They’ll definitely help the hero. That makes anyone on their side an enemy too.
I’ve lived as a thief long enough—I can survive.
What matters now is how well-known I am.
I took the long way around, far from the main gate, and walked along the outer wall.
There was nothing special to see, but I kept looking around just to be safe. The girl tilted her head like she was confused. Then—thump—my foot hit something.
”Ah. There it is.”
I brushed the dirt aside with my foot. A wooden board showed up. I pulled it open. Below was a tunnel. A secret way into town.
This hole was one reason I came here in the first place. I figured if I skipped the front gate, the guards wouldn’t even think I was inside yet.
The guy who made this tunnel? A slimeball. He sold weapons but also smuggled people and dodged taxes. Still, he was one of my old drinking buddies from the capital. He told me about this hole once, saying, “If you ever get in deep trouble, use this.”
I owed him.
Maybe I should let him know I made it here alive. Even if he’s trash, I owe him for this.
I waved the girl forward. She went first, without a word. I followed and closed the lid behind me.
Total darkness. But the tunnel was narrow, with only one way to go.
We crouched down and moved through slowly. It was tight. At one point, the path sloped upward. She stopped suddenly. I didn’t notice in time and walked face-first into her backside.
”Wha—!” she yelped softly.
I gave her a light slap on the butt. “It’s that way. Move.”
We climbed out inside a house.
Even though it was only my second time using this tunnel, I was still impressed. Building it into a house? Smart. Outside looked like a normal field. Inside? Just a quiet old building.
Too easy. That guy really knew his stuff.
No one was supposed to live here. It was kept empty on purpose. Still, I checked.
It was a two-story place, but every room was bare. Just dust, and some old footprints. No signs of anyone coming or going recently.
Good. That meant I could rest a bit.
”Alright. Stay here. Watch the stuff. You can eat the food inside, but don’t leave.”
She nodded and sat down. Still didn’t say anything. She couldn’t talk anyway.
”Oh yeah. One more thing. My name’s John. Just John the traveler. Got it?”
She blinked at me.
Fake name, just in case. I stepped outside.
The afternoon sun hit me right in the face. The streets were busy. People everywhere.
I pulled up my hood, checked my knife, and slipped into the crowd.
Next job: find that guy. If he wasn’t around, I’d try to sneak onto a cargo ship. If that failed, I’d try to ride one for real—but I didn’t have the coin for that.
The guy I needed was Boit, the weapons dealer who built the tunnel. He owned a merchant ship. Maybe I could use my old connections to ride for free.
If that failed…
I’ll have to sell the girl.
I don’t want to, but I can’t let that hero catch me.
I walked through the market, heading for the docks.
Shinnit didn’t really have “zones,” but the main street was full of shops. Further down, the noise faded into a work area. This was the semi-industrial zone—fishermen, dockhands, shipping crews.
Not many outsiders came here. Just folks who knew what they were doing.
Guards patrolled now and then, but I knew smugglers who worked here for years without getting caught. I wasn’t too worried.
After a while, I spotted some workers unloading cargo in a big yard.
Looked like the right place.
”Hey! That’s too close to our area!”
”Oh come on, it’s barely touching your side! We’ll move it soon!”
”Barely?! You’re hogging half our spot!”
Just some guys yelling. I almost kept walking.
But then I saw him. The fat one with the beard.
Boit. I found him.
Character Notes:
• Shinnit – Located south of the royal capital of the Kingdom of Crotopone, separated by mountains. A bustling trading town and the nation’s largest economic hub, controlling the Four Islands. It is a port city with gray outer walls, known for its strategic importance and military presence.
• John – A pseudonym used by Klock.
• Boit – A merchant involved in human trafficking, with a villainous face and a loud, obnoxious voice. He is pragmatic and willing to help Klock escape the country in exchange for something. His relationship with Klock is business-like, though both are aware of each other’s illicit activities.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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