Reincarnated as Itsuka Shido: Collecting Spirits as Lovers-Chapter 173: Turmoil In The Capital

After submitting the herb, the receptionist marked the quest as completed and handed over the reward, ten gold coins. Rumia's eyes sparkled with joy. It was the first time she had ever earned money on her own. Although Shido had been with her during the quest, they were in a party, so she still felt proud of her contribution.

"Do you want to stroll around the capital, Rumia?" Shido asked.

Rumia paused to think for a moment before nodding. "Is that alright with you, Shido-san?"

"Of course," Shido replied with a smile. "We went on a quest as soon as we arrived in the city, so think of this as a reward for your hard work." He gently patted her head causing a smile to bloom on her face.

"Un!" Rumia replied with a cheerful smile.

In truth, she had wanted to explore the city with Shido from the very beginning, but they had taken on a quest as soon as they arrived, leaving little time for sightseeing. So when Shido offered to stroll through the capital with her, Rumia agreed without hesitation.

"Let's go," Shido said, extending his hand toward her.

Rumia blinked, a little flustered by the gesture, but eventually reached out and took his hand. Fingers entwined, the two began wandering the bustling streets, exploring shops, sampling food from market stalls, and even walking near the grand castle.

After a day full of simple joys and laughter, the two made their way back to the inn, bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun.

"Did you have fun today?" Shido asked.

"Yes, I had so much fun, Shido-san." Rumia replied with a genuine smile, still holding his hand as they walked.

"I'm glad." Shido said softly.

Night had already fallen by the time they neared the inn. Suddenly, Shido came to a stop, causing Rumia to look at him in confusion.

"Shido-san?" she asked, tilting her head.

He didn't respond immediately. Instead, he stared ahead with a calm yet dangerous grin spreading across his face.

"We've got company," he muttered.

"Eh?" Rumia blinked in surprise. She hadn't sensed anything unusual at all. But when she looked around again, she finally noticed something off, the lively street that had been bustling with people earlier was now eerily silent and empty.

From the shadows of a nearby alley, a man stepped out. He wore dark clothing and a green cloak, his lips curled into a sinister grin. He didn't hide his malicious intention at all.

As he approached, several others dressed similarly emerged from the surrounding alleys, encircling Shido and Rumia.

"Shido-san." Rumia tightened the grip on her hand when she saw that they were surrounded by feeling Shido beside her, her worries disappeared.

"Don't worry, I'll handle it. After we go back home I'll cook us dinner." Shido's reassuring words rang on her ears and she nodded without worrying anymore.

"Heh... confident, aren't you?" The man sneered, his grin stretching wider. "You really think you'll be able to walk away from this? Bit arrogant, don't you think?"

He chuckled darkly as the others around him gripped their weapons, ready to pounce.

But Shido didn't flinch. He looked at the man as if he were nothing more than a clown putting on a bad act.

On the other hand, Shido only look at him like he was a clown. He then used his scan to see his stats and information.

Name: Succulent

Level: 20

Age: 34

Height: 176 cm

Class: Fencer

STR: D

VIT: E+++

AGI: D++

INT: E++

CHA: E

LUK: E++

Threat Level: D

Affiliation: Six Arms

Shido had recognized the man the moment he saw him at the adventurer's guild. He didn't do anything that time so he would report back to his superior about him and Rumia. That's exactly what Shido wanted.

As expected, the man named Succulent had relayed what he saw to his boss, Coco Doll, the leader of slave trade department. It wasn't long before orders were issued to capture Shido and the beautiful girl by his side.

Now, under the quiet cloak of night, the trap had been sprung, just as Shido planned.

Shido deactivated his scan and look at the man in front of him ignoring the rest of the people in black that surrounded them.

"I was ordered by someone to capture the two of you," Succulent said with a sick grin, his voice full of malice. "So, if you know what's good for you, you'll come quietly. Otherwise..." He cracked his knuckles and leaned forward slightly. "You'll suffer. Badly."

"Oh? I'm interested what consequences you are talking about?" Shido tilted his head slightly as if he didn't know what he was talking about.

Succulent chuckled darkly. "If you don't come quietly, we'll just beat you until you can't stand. Don't worry though, we'll keep that pretty face of yours intact. It'll fetch a good price."

His eyes then slid past Shido, locking onto Rumia. His smile twisted into something vile as he licked his lips.

"As for the girl..." he paused, savouring the moment, "she'll keep us company for a night or two before we sell her off to some noble or merchant who likes lively girls."

Hearing their boss's words the rest of the men in black laughed with disgusting tone.

Rumia trembled as the vile words reached her ears, not from fear, but from pure disgust. She knew what they meant, and the repulsion twisted her stomach. Fortunately, Shido was there to give her support and warmed that ease her emotions.

"Heh? Is that so?" Shido smiled brightly when he said that. The enemies surrounding them thought that Shido would agree to follow them seeing his smile. But somehow, Succulent felt something wrong when he saw that smile and made his body cold for a second.

'It's like I'm staring into a predator's grin...'

Trying to shake off the creeping unease, he raised his voice."S-So, are you going to come quietly, or do we have to beat you down first?"

"Nope." Shido said flatly. His tone was ice-cold now, all trace of his previous smile gone. "I'll be the one beating you to death."

Succulent's eyes widened slightly. "You little-! You're seeking death, you brat!" he shouted, stepping back instinctively before snapping at his men. "Attack him!"

But no one moved.

The cloaked men remained frozen, sweat beading on their brows, their limbs trembling as if shackled by invisible chains.

"What are you doing?! I said attack, now!" Succulent roared, furious.

Before he could say more, a trembling voice from one of the men cut through the tension.

"W-We... we can't move, boss...!"

"It's useless."

"What?!"

As he spoke, Shido raised his hand and lightly tugged on a nearly invisible string that glimmered in the moonlight. The moment he did, agonized groans erupted from the cloaked men. Blood began to trickle down their bodies, thin red lines slicing across their limbs and torsos.

The moonlight caught it then, fine threads, barely visible, wrapped tightly around each of Succulent's men like the strands of a spider's web. Every single one of them was bound.

"If I pull even a millimeter more..." Shido's voice was emotionless. "Their bodies will be diced like meat in a grinder."

Succulent's blood ran cold. His earlier arrogance vanished in an instant. He could feel it this instant, this wasn't an ordinary adventurer. This was a monster wrapped in human skin.

He clenched his jaw, taking a small step back. 'I can't win here... not alone.'

He turned sharply, preparing to retreat into the shadows to report back to Coco Doll for reinforcements.

Succulent unleashed his illusion technique to escape, leaving behind a clone to hold Shido back. As a fencer and illusionist, he relied on tricks and underhanded tactics to gain the upper hand. Unfortunately, he met Shido and angered him.

With a swift, decisive motion, Shido drew his sword and slashed through the clone. It dissipated into a wisp of smoke, revealing Succulent's real body.

Succulent was shocked when he saw that his illusion that he was so proud of was broken by Shido effortlessly. He wanted to say something but he Shido had already appeared before him and stab him in the shoulder causing him a great pain.

"Arrgghhh!!!"

Succulent writhed in pain, but Shido showed no mercy, driving his sword deeper. He didn't want for Rumia to see this side of him but he was truly angry right now. He wanted to kill Succulent as soon as possible but he stop himself since he still needed him to find Coco Doll.

As Shido withdrew his blade, Succulent seized Shido's shoulder with a fierce glare. "You don't know who you're dealing with! I'm a member of the Six Arms, serving under the Eight Fingers!" he roared, trying to intimidate him.

"That's good, since I will eradicate the tumor poisoning this kingdom." Shido brandish his sword to remove the blood stain on it before he sheath it back.

Succulent was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter, shaking his head in disbelief. "Hahaha! Fool! You really think you can destroy the Eight Fingers? Hahaha! Don't you know that they had most control of this kingdom and nobles supported them?"

That's right, Eight Fingers is an underground syndicate that operated from the Re-Estize Kingdom. They controlled virtually the entire nation from the shadows. They owned many illegal industries such as gambling, drug trade, brothel and slave trading, smuggling and many more.

Though the kingdom's authorities wanted to bring them down, the powerful nobles' support kept them untouchable. Without evidence, no one dared to move against them. That's why this kingdom is bound do fall.

Shido remained silent, unmoved by Succulent's words, patiently waiting for the person he called before. Initially, he was thinking of a way to find Eight Fingers and eliminate them all at once but he didn't expect Succulent to be the one appearing in front of him. Once he found Coco Doll, the superior of Succulent that he needed to guard, locating the rest of the Eight Fingers would be a simple matter.

Though the Re-Estize Kingdom labeled the syndicate as dangerous, Shido didn't see them as a true threat. If he truly wished, he could obliterate the entire city with a single Jio Graze spell and wipe them all out without hesitation.

Lost in these thoughts, Shido suddenly heard Rumia's worried voice beside him, pulling him back to the present.

"Shido-san, are you okay?" Rumia asked with concerned, although she had seen Shido fight without the opponent leaving a scratch on him and knowing how strong he was, Rumia still couldn't help but feel concern for him.

Seeing the worry reflected in her eyes, Shido couldn't help but smile. She really was a kind girl. Gently, he patted her head and said. "I'm alright, they didn't have the ability to hurt me."

"Un." Rumia replied, her worries easing as she leaned into his chest, feeling the warmth of his body.

Shido was surprised by her sudden hug but he didn't do anything and just continued to stroke her hair gently. But then, his gaze shifted to the other side of the street. A figure was approaching, it was a woman with a playful yet slightly twisted smile.

"It's been a while, Master. I'm not late, am I?" she said, her voice dripping with mischief.