The Onset of Chaos

Volume: Volume Two

Title: Chapter 83: The Onset of Chaos

“Yellow Oriole?”

Ewan Campbell scrutinized the figure in the distance, a slight frown creasing his brow.

Completely shrouded in a voluminous black robe, the figure revealed no discernible features. Yet, Ewan couldn’t shake a faint sense of familiarity emanating from them.

This wasn’t the first time he’d experienced such a sensation; it had occurred previously in that shady establishment. How peculiar—was he destined to encounter acquaintances every time he ventured into the black market?

However, Ewan swiftly dismissed the thought.

The likelihood of meeting someone he knew in such a place was exceedingly low. It was, in all probability, merely his imagination, for intuition was, after all, a rather unreliable guide.

“Sir…”

Ewan’s gaze swept across the figure’s chest. “You mentioned ‘Yellow Oriole.’ What exactly do you mean by that?”

The figure suddenly shivered. The hand concealed beneath the black robe clenched then relaxed. For some inexplicable reason, their tone was no longer as amiable as before.

“Hmph, still trying to play dumb? You’re hiding here precisely to wait for those fools to bash each other’s brains out, aren’t you? Then you’ll swoop in to snatch the spoils.”

“I am indeed waiting for them to start fighting, but I have no intention of picking up scraps.”

Ewan stated, “With so many eyes around, those scraps aren’t easily gathered.”

“Lies.”

The figure gestured around them, and several shadows darted past. “Look around you. These people know better than anyone that it’s not easy to pick up scraps, but has anyone given up? No. They all think they should at least try. If they succeed, wouldn’t it be an immense profit?”

“Oh? So, you mean…”

“Therefore, my friend, you seem somewhat familiar to me. I feel as though I’ve seen you somewhere before…”

The figure rubbed their hands together excitedly. “And your strength appears considerable. A late-stage Second Order realm is more than enough to dominate in a place like the Lower City. How about we join forces and seize a massive haul?”

“Familiar?”

Ewan chuckled. “Such intuition is unreliable. And how do I know you’re not trying to trick me?”

“We can sign a contract.”

The figure produced a golden piece of paper. “A Divine Contract. Once signed, it cannot be broken. We’ll cooperate first, and then, after we’ve secured the Ancient Dragon’s Heartblood, we’ll each rely on our own abilities. Wouldn’t that be delightful?”

“I see. That is quite tempting.”

Ewan nodded, yet still declined. “My apologies, but I still don’t plan to make a move.”

“Are you still waiting? Can’t you see? This tense stalemate must be broken by someone. Otherwise, chaos won’t erupt. Or are you placing your hopes on those cowards?”

The figure seemed to stomp their foot in frustration. “When it comes to ‘black-eating-black,’ timing is everything. Be patient when you need to wait, and never hesitate when it’s time to act! The moment is now. What are you still waiting for?”

“Who said I intended to ‘black-eat-black’?”

Ewan smiled. “You’ve misunderstood.”

“Misunderstood what? If you’re not here for ‘black-eating-black,’ are you here to watch a show? In that case, I recommend you walk a little further. The visibility in the mist by the river isn’t actually very good.”

“I’m not here to watch a show. I have other methods.”

“Other methods?”

The figure paused, then scoffed disdainfully. “I understand. You plan to wait until the very end, don’t you? Yes, you want to be the ultimate Yellow Oriole. I’ve seen too many like you—lacking courage, hoping to swoop in at the last moment and take everything, only to end up with nothing.”

As they spoke, the figure lowered their gaze, as if noticing something, and suddenly realized, “So that’s it. A novice just starting out in the black market? A young noble seeking thrills, perhaps? That explains it. Kid, a place like the black market is very dangerous without enough experience. I advise you to go home and play by lifting your maid’s skirt instead.”

The figure’s tone was now imbued with the seasoned wisdom and patronizing instruction of an elder.

Ewan, however, paid no mind, merely following the figure’s gaze downwards.

As his black robe’s sleeve fluttered in the gentle riverside breeze, the exquisite cuff subtly revealed luxurious golden threads. Someone accustomed to the Lower City wouldn’t possess such opulent sleeves.

‘It seems I’ll have to change even the clothes underneath next time,’ Ewan thought.

Ewan tucked his sleeve back into the black robe and chuckled, “Since that’s the case, then I, too, advise you, sir, to give up.”

“Oh? Why?”

“Because the Ancient Dragon’s Heartblood will surely be mine.”

“…Pfft.”

The figure froze for a moment, then burst into laughter.

“Such unfounded arrogance reminds me of an annoying fellow. Though that person has seemed like a changed individual lately, they’re still quite irritating.”

“Never mind. Since you feel that way, I won’t try to persuade you further. One more or one less makes little difference to me. You can just watch from here.”

The figure waved a hand, turning confidently, standing with hands clasped behind their back like a hidden master, gazing disdainfully at the hazy city under the night sky. “You just watch as I unleash my power, achieve a resounding victory, and claim the Ancient Dragon’s Heartblood amidst this chaos. And you? You’ll only be able to hide away, biting your handkerchief in silent regret! Hahaha…”

With that, the figure leaped into the riverside mist, agile as a black fish.

“I can’t help but feel this person…”

Watching the figure’s disappearing back, Ewan stroked his chin, pondering, “…is quite effeminate.”

“Could they actually be a queer?”

Ewan shivered, quickly turning and departing in the opposite direction.

As Ewan himself had said, he did intend to be the Yellow Oriole. But who said the only way to be the Yellow Oriole was through ‘black-eating-black’?

Ewan arrived at the bridge and removed his black robe.

This bridge, the largest tower bridge spanning the ancient Rhine River, served as a crucial link between the Upper and Lower City districts.

Patrol officers, mounted on horseback, patrolled the bridge daily.

Ewan tidied his exquisite collar, which had been slightly disheveled by the black robe, and walked towards the direction from which the sound of horse hooves emanated through the mist.

“Halt! This bridge is closed at night.”

The patrol officer, perched high on his tall horse, looked down at Ewan with an air of superiority.

However, upon noticing Ewan’s expensive attire, his expression immediately shifted. He dismounted, bowing respectfully. “Young master, is there any trouble you’ve encountered this late at night?”

“I need to see your superior.”

Ewan produced his family crest, flashing it before him.

“The very top one.”

****

In the alley, the standoff continued.

The leaders of the three gangs glared at each other warily, unwilling to yield an inch.

The allure of the Ancient Dragon’s Heartblood was simply too great for them.

This was a heaven-sent opportunity, and none wished to relinquish it.

Thus, as time wore on, they increasingly felt more eyes gathering around them.

Roaming wild dogs had converged, poised to strike, waiting for these three most vicious wolf packs of the Lower City to determine a victor. Then, they would feast gluttonously upon their remains.

Under such intense pressure, everyone in the alley gripped their weapons tightly, their minds stretched taut.

‘This won’t do…’

Lorenzo, the most anxious of the three, knew that prolonging this stalemate would be most disadvantageous to him, as he held the Ancient Dragon’s Heartblood.

He began to ponder whether to ally with the Rat Society and first eliminate the obstructive Hyena Gang.

After all, the Hyena Gang was currently the weakest faction. Without them, neither he nor the Rat Society could truly overwhelm the other.

At worst, he would concede five drops of Ancient Dragon’s Heartblood to the Rat Society. Compared to receiving nothing and incurring the Lord’s wrath, this was the most tolerable outcome.

‘If I have to be the scapegoat, so be it. For the eternal life promised by the Lord, what grievance can a true man not endure?’

Thinking this, Lorenzo turned to Sam Jade. “Sam, why don’t we…”

His words abruptly ceased, and Lorenzo’s face instantly blanched.

He heard the twang of a bowstring, incredibly clear in the silent night!

Before his brain could even process it, he felt a sharp sting in his arm.

A piercing arrow sliced through the air, colliding violently with his magic-infused armor, sending sparks flying.

Though it left only a negligible graze, it was enough to instantly fill Lorenzo’s mind with fury.

He immediately drew his long blade, pointing it at a dwarfish figure, his eyes bloodshot as he roared, “Sam, you despicable wretch!”

“No, it wasn’t me…”

Sam Jade’s expression also changed instantly.

“I didn’t give the order…”

But before he could finish, he suddenly felt something hurtling towards him.

He instinctively dodged to the side, and the projectile slammed directly into his subordinate beside him, splattering blood everywhere.

It was a spiked club!

In the entire Lower City, besides crude thugs like the Hyena Gang, who else would use such a vulgar weapon as a spiked club?

“Schultz!”

Sam Jade roared, “Are you seeking death?”

“I didn’t!”

Schultz’s face had just shown a hint of confusion when a figure suddenly flashed out from among Lorenzo’s elites, their great saber slashing down fiercely.

Schultz’s hair stood on end. Though aged, he had, after all, been active in the Lower City for a long time. He reacted instantly, retreating while parrying with his cane.

Witnessing a clear mark carved into his beloved gold-inlaid silver staff, his rationality was instantly consumed by rage.

“Lorenzo!”

The roar echoed through the night sky.

Although the three of them instinctively sensed something amiss in that instant, the oppressive atmosphere and taut pressure meant they no longer needed to issue commands.

Like a powder keg, once the fuse was lit, it would naturally explode!

Seeing their respective leaders attacked, those elites, thugs, and rats, whose nerves were already stretched to their breaking point, could no longer endure it. They immediately brandished their sabers and weapons, pulling their triggers!

The scene instantly erupted into chaos!

Flashes of blades, streaks of arrows, spattering blood, and the roars of thugs. The once silent alley became a tumultuous hubbub.

‘Something’s wrong, very wrong!’

Slashing down an attacking thug, Lorenzo finally calmed down. He realized someone was trying to stir up trouble. The person who had just charged out from his side was a complete stranger to him!

But when he tried to find that figure again, he couldn’t even find a ghost of a shadow. It was too chaotic. And in this confusion, a drifting voice suddenly echoed from somewhere.

“Charge! Whoever snatches the Ancient Dragon’s Heartblood, it’s theirs!”

Lorenzo’s face changed. He hid the metal container in his embrace, intending to use his subordinates’ cover to escape quickly, but another voice shouted nearby.

“Lorenzo is here!”

Coupled with despicable moves like groin kicks, had his magic-infused armor not been strong enough, he would surely have lost something!

“Damn it!”

Lorenzo was practically spitting fire. He shoved the metal container into the hands of a trusted subordinate beside him, saying, “Hold this for me first. I’m going to drag that despicable wretch out and kill them!”

“Alright!”

The subordinate smiled, revealing gleaming white teeth.

Lorenzo vaguely sensed something was amiss, but in the chaos, he didn’t think much of it. He charged into the crowd with his blade!

With the addition of Lorenzo’s powerful combat prowess, the situation stabilized instantly. Although Lorenzo still couldn’t find that despicable wretch, he did carve a path for his own teammates.

Beside him, the subordinate, kicking away a sneaking rat, walked up to Lorenzo, panting. “Boss, what do we do next?”

“What to do? Of course, protect the Ancient Dragon’s…”

Mid-sentence, Lorenzo suddenly stopped. He stared blankly at his subordinate’s hands. “Where’s the Ancient Dragon’s Heartblood?”

“Ancient Dragon’s Heartblood?”

The subordinate looked bewildered. “Wasn’t it in your hands, Boss?”

“Nonsense! I just gave it to you!”

Lorenzo grabbed his subordinate by the collar and shook him vigorously. Seeing the subordinate’s innocent expression, he seemed to realize something, and his countenance instantly changed dramatically.

“Damn it, I’ve been tricked!”

He immediately turned, and through a gap in the crowd, he vaguely saw a slender figure squirming out of the throng like a loach, tearing off the hood on their head, and bolting!

Running incredibly fast!

“Stop!”

Lorenzo’s mind buzzed. He immediately disregarded everything else, turned, and gave chase to the frantically fleeing figure.

“Lorenzo, where are you escaping to!”

At that moment, Schultz led a group of thugs in pursuit. The thugs were stained with blood, seemingly having lost all reason, completely disregarding the disparity in individual strength, and fiercely lunged at Lorenzo.

“Damn it, get out of the way!”

Lorenzo’s magic-infused armor glowed with a fierce blue light. His speed and strength instantly increased severalfold. He swung his fist violently, sending the obstructing thugs flying.

But just as he was about to step forward, a sense of crisis suddenly erupted in his heart. The sound of a repeating crossbow being reloaded rang out, and Sam Jade, along with a group of subordinates, once again aimed their magic repeating crossbows at him.

“Lorenzo, hand over the Ancient Dragon’s Heartblood!”

“Damn it, the Ancient Dragon’s Heartblood isn’t in my hands! It was stolen!” Lorenzo roared.

“Do you think I’ll believe such a clumsy lie?” Sam Jade sneered. “Where would you find such a skilled thief who could steal something right out of your hands?”

“I’d damn well like to know where that bastard came from too! But he’s already run off with the Ancient Dragon’s Heartblood!”

“Save those clumsy lies for the devils in hell!”

Sam Jade didn’t believe him in the slightest. His repeating crossbow was already aimed at Lorenzo. He refused to believe that magic-infused armor was so powerful it could withstand his repeating crossbow’s continuous shots!

“Damn it!”

Lorenzo was so enraged he nearly spat blood, only able to mutter, “Please, I’ll need your help.”

The next instant.

The airflow throughout the alley became chaotic.

It was as if an invisible force gradually converged, then, beneath a low chant obscured by the clamor, it suddenly exploded.

Accompanied by a thunderous roar, everyone instinctively looked up.

A massive fireball ascended, like a small sun, instantly illuminating the entire street.

“Shit.”

Staring blankly at the fireball, Sam Jade couldn’t help but curse again. “Lorenzo, you bastard, you actually hired a mage? And you dared to let a mage openly use magic like this? Aren’t you afraid of attracting the City Guard?”

“Don’t worry, I spent some money. They’ll turn a blind eye.”

Lorenzo couldn’t help but wince at the thought of the enormous price he would have to pay to settle this matter later. But there was no time for that now. He pointed a finger to the side, roaring, “Look at what that person is holding!”

In the darkness illuminated by the small sun, the frantically running figure had nowhere to hide, and the gleaming metal container in their hand was conspicuously dazzling.

Everyone followed Lorenzo’s pointing finger and couldn’t help but slap their thighs: the Ancient Dragon’s Heartblood had indeed been snatched away!

‘No, now isn’t the time to think about this.’

The Ancient Dragon’s Heartblood was gone; they had to chase it!

The thugs, elites, and rats, who had just been stunned by the colossal fireball, went mad once more.

The crowd erupted into chaos. Before the people in front could even take a step, those behind surged forward. The alley was already narrow, so many began to shove and push.

These dangerous individuals, armed with weapons, caused numerous injuries just by jostling. And having already gone berserk, they had no time for reason and immediately started fighting amongst themselves.

Blood splattered, and many fell dead on the spot.

“Damn it, what are you fighting for at a time like this? Go chase that person, now!”

Lorenzo dragged his elites out of the melee, once again pursuing the figure. Meanwhile, Sam Jade, in his advantageous position, unaffected by the infighting, raised his repeating crossbow, aimed at the figure, and fired a volley!

In the gradually fading light, Sam Jade saw the figure blur. Not only did they dodge his crossbow bolts, but it was as if they had explosion magic attached to their rear, as they shot far into the distance with a whoosh.

“Holy cow, they’re fast!”

Amidst the chaos, someone gasped.

“Can you pinpoint their location?”

Lorenzo stared at the increasingly distant figure, muttering again.

Auras began to drift, and blood converged into faint red threads, floating into the deep night.

Lorenzo’s expression was grim. He sharply sheathed his blade, gritting his teeth. “Chase!”

The brief light dissipated, and the night grew deeper.

Chaos and madness continued, and dawn was still far away.