Sinner in Night's Shadow

Chapter 5

Written in 2021, uploaded to Wattpad on 1/29/2023

The lighthearted slice-of-life prequel to this fanfic, Child's Play, can be read on AO3 and Fanfiction.net. I may post it here soon.

--

A few days had passed since they had taken on the bounty request for Slick Lyro.

Naito sat at a table in the inn room that he had booked for the night.

In front of him was a map of Melomarc, marked in ink with all the places that his bounty target had hit. Some (slightly expensive) vibrant red yarn was tied to the tacks that pinned several pieces of parchment containing transcripts of various interviews.

He stared at it for what felt like hours as if he could make the map just break and share some cosmic secret that would solve this issue with ease.

Ding!

His phone suddenly went off, notifying him that his translation software was done translating yet another spellbook page.

Picking up his device, he looked at the translated document on its screen.

Beneath his bandana, the Dagger Hero smirked.

Looks like there would be no need for some super complex algorithmic solution.

A sting operation would do just nicely.

He looked at the board he had meticulously set up, then sighed in annoyance. He'd spent a whole gold coin on a spool of that thread and didn't even need it in the end.

--

"I am quite humbled to be personally asked by one of the Heros for my help, however, what can you offer me in return, dagger wielder?"

Naito now sat at a fancy table, talking to this...nobleman.

"Have you heard of the wanted criminal known as Slick Lyro?"

The nobleman scowled. "That filthy demi-human thief? It's about time someone got around to taking her down. What can I do to help?

He'd heard it many times. Just...this blatant racism against these "demi-humans," who were apparently just humans with animal parts.

Still didn't stop him from flinching quietly.

The warrior-in-training had met his few share of demi-humans back home.

Naito recollected himself, pulling out an elaborate piece of jewelry.

"This piece right here has been forged with silver from my world. That alone is worth lots, is it not?"

It was a small sculpture of intertwining silver rods, with a decently-sized sapphire in the center.

The nobleman's eyes widened in surprise. "You'd give me this, sir hero?!"

"Indeed. What I need you to do is spread some rumors. Brag about receiving this, if you'd like. Just don't mention me specifically, for I don't have the materials for commissions."

"I see, but how will this...?"

"This piece has been enchanted with a tracking spell attuned to me. We're going to use it as bait to track down Slick Lyro. Once she's apprehended, I will do my best to make sure that it gets back to you. Trust me, I will know when it is gone."

"Ohohoh! We have a deal, sir Dagger Hero! Bring that filthy subhuman to justice!"

As soon as Naito left that nobleman's property, he finally exhaled.