Endless World: The Rise of Leonard Lawson

Mirelle wanted to signal to Claudia to stop her action, lest they might become surrounded.

However, she became astonished when the guards actually softened and swiftly apologized for their demeanor.

”Pardon our behavior! Lately, things haven’t been going well on the surface level, so we needed to remain vigilant.” The guard placed a hand on their chest and bowed slightly.

”Hmph, that’s much better!” Claudia raised her chin and placed her hands on her hips. ”Our Lady also had to deal with the Crown Prince’s antics and finally got time to come here to enjoy.”

The guard nodded, not finding the reason to be out of the norm.

There had been many nobles coming back lately after the sweeping purge.

Those who survived all needed a refreshment in their mentality.

And what better refreshment was there aside from the underground slum?

Still, the guards were instructed to be vigilant in case of the possibility that the Crown Prince’s people had arrived.

Given that the Crown Prince was someone new, they definitely would try to act by the rules and not act out.

Hence, those who acted by the rules were guaranteed spies.

Therefore, when Claudia behaved in an outburst manner, even threatening to call for their leaders, it showed that these two weren’t first timers.

As if anyone could remember everyone who stumbled into the underground slum. Nobody would even dare to record the entry because of the numerous complex webs surrounding the individual.

Just one mistake and it could result in catastrophic damage.

After all, anyone who dared to come here in big stripes definitely had a major background behind them.

”Since you’re familiar with the underground slum, then I won’t bother you further.” The guard promptly excused themselves as they greeted a new batch of people.

Only when the guards’ presence was gone did Mirelle speak up.

”That was risky,” Mirelle said.

”You’re the risk liability.” Claudia rolled her eyes. ”You got the demeanor down, but you don’t have that arrogant, noble-like air.”

”Arrogant noble air?”

”Have you not noticed all nobles held the same prejudice and looked down on those beneath them as their main trait?”

”...”

Mirelle was silent. She understood how true that main trait was in this broken, endless world.

Sometime later, the two of them made their way to the Arena Section.

”Are you here to bet on our latest fighter? Their skills are top-notch and have advanced to the 11th round already.” A fatty man glanced at them and asked.

”Hoh, a new fighter? Any details about this person?” Claudia once again took the lead and inquired on behalf of Mirelle.

The fatty man chuckled heartily. They didn’t reply right away, but instead pinched their fingers in a sneaky-like manner.

Upon seeing that, Claudia snickered coldly. She turned around and looked at Mirelle with an extended hand.

’What a mess...’ Mirelle didn’t expect to be extorted this early on. The guards didn’t demand them for money because the real extortion took place once you gained access.

No wonder only the wealthy were eligible to come here to have fun.

Unsure of the currency market used in the underground slum, Mirelle took her money bag and handed it over to Claudia for her discretion.

Claudia received the money bag and retrieved 3 silver coins.

When the fatty received the money, he swiftly pocketed it and flashed a warm smile.

”Hehe, the new fighter was said to have arrived prior to the city lockdown. Further information is in this pamphlet.”

Claudia took the pamphlet and began reading through the record of this new fighter.

Because fighters were considered the money tree to the arena operation, the organizers needed to investigate them enough to ensure they didn’t harbor any ill intent.

After all, the guests who could spectate the arena weren’t some nobodies. If the fighter went rogue and attacked the guests, then even a fool could tell what the consequences would be.

”Ladies, round 12 is about to start in 15 minutes. If you wish to make a bet, then please move to table 3.” The fatty gestured his hand before greeting the next guests. He was in charge of relaying information and not the betting system.

There was a strict, systematic bureaucracy in place.

Others often held misconceptions that an underground-level organization such as this was messy, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Rather than messy, one should say the hierarchy and rules were imposed even strictly than the surface level.

Needless to say, the rules only applied to the weaklings, and not the money spenders.

”Do you understand the circumstances we are in now?” Claudia said after walking to the restroom section.

Mirelle nodded her head. She had indeed underestimated the underground slum severely. There were guards everywhere, each one no lower than a second circle mage or of equivalent power.

”Anyway, I believe this fighter is most likely Redflow.” Claudia swiftly said and handed over the pamphlet to her.

”The timing matches, and it makes sense why Redflow participated in the arena fight.”

Mirelle browsed through the pamphlet and agreed with Claudia’s conclusion.

Since Leonard had locked down the city and required identification verification at multiple checkpoints, Redflow would be dreaming if he thought he could continue to meddle on the surface level.

The risk in staying at the surface level was far too high. Therefore, Redflow could only flee to the underground level.

However, to survive in the underground slum was no easy feat either.

There was no place to stay overnight in the underground slum unless you were a fighter, worker, or a slave.

Being a worker required proof of living residence in the city, whereas a fighter would have their background investigated.

As a senior assassin, forging a falsified background was easy, but trying to get proof of living residence in the city was close to impossible.

Redflow knew doing so would immediately put him on the radar. Hence, the worker option had to be omitted.

As for the slave option, that was even more impossible because you’re required to sign the magic contract.

Therefore, Redflow could only sign up as a fighter to remain living in the underground slum and avoid detection.

”Redflow is really a cornered rat.” Mirelle snickered, her eyes glinting in a cold light.