The Max Level Hero Has Returned!

Ignoring the petrified onlookers, Davey firmly gripped Perserque's hand and ventured deeper into the slums. With each step they took, the level of lawlessness escalated dramatically.

Davey walked forward and Perserque quietly followed.

Her beauty was in such a stark contrast to their grim surroundings that people couldn’t help but look at her and think of the money she could bring. A man dashed forward to cover her mouth as he tried to kidnap her; however, he stopped in place as his body twisted grotesquely.

Repeated incidents like this seemed to finally alert the slum's ruffians to the lurking danger in their midst.

As Davey and Perserque passed a sewer and entered the deepest part of the slums, Davey sensed a shift in the atmosphere.

They ventured into a place even the officials and the Martial Alliance rarely dared to disturb—the origin of the slum's worst elements.

It was a human wasteland known as the abyss of the slums.

Unlike the outer areas, this part wasn't plagued by petty thieves, con artists or human traffickers. Instead, it reeked of death.

Even the dregs of the slums hesitated to enter this forsaken place.

A wary local, recognizing Davey, warned him, “The deepest part of the slums? Look here, sir. I’ve got no fondness for you, but still, a piece of advice—don't venture there. That place is so vile, they'd chop up their own family for profit. Even the regular scum avoid it. I've seen arrogant martial artists enter, thinking they're invincible, and never come out alive."

"Especially that lady behind you, with her beauty, she'd be perfect prey," remarked one of the onlookers, eyeing Perserque with a sinister intent.

The strength of the people in the slums didn't lie in martial arts. They engaged in ruthless, unscrupulous tactics, resorting to any means necessary to cripple and crush their opponents.

This place was notorious for the traffic of human flesh. Men were dissected and their organs traded like logs. Women were captured and treated in such a way that their minds would collapse within the day, and then they were sold to whoever wanted them.

Entering such a place, Perserque and Davey were met with wary looks from those around them. The onlookers’ palpable unease reflected the notorious danger of the area.

‘Why does the Alliance and the state just watch this horror unfold?’ Davey wondered.

‘The trash must be kept in the bin. Stirring them up would only spread the mess,’ Perserque replied telepathically, understanding the grim reality.

As they delved deeper into the heart of the slums, there were plenty of beggars. They didn’t seem to be affiliated with the Beggars Gang, but their gaze carried a menacing, dangerous edge.

“Sir, please, just a coin,” a beggar pleaded.

Davey cast a discreet glance at Perserque, signaling her as they surveyed the gathered beggars.

They had ventured into the deepest part of the slums for a reason.

Despite its dangers, this place was a nexus of information.

Now that it was clear the Abyss could breach Perserque’s powers, those powers couldn’t be blindly trusted; yet, they were too crucial to be discarded.

‘There, the beggar at the far left,’ Perserque quietly indicated.

Responding to her signal, Davey silently took out the pouch he had cleverly pickpocketed from the scammer earlier and scattered its contents.

"Help yourselves," he announced, flashing a grin at a beggar approaching Perserque.

As the beggar met Davey's gaze, he flinched and backed away. Davey then approached the beggar Perserque had pointed out, who was distinctively silent.

"Do you know where to find the fence, Gum Gi-Yu?" Davey asked quietly.

The beggar slowly lifted his head, meeting Davey's eyes.

"Who's that?"

"You really don't know?" Davey mockingly asked.

His grin widened as he conjured a black flame in his hand, instantly chilling the atmosphere around him.

"Look, lad. It's not wise to act tough here," warned a passerby.

"Act tough? Seems to me like you’re not getting the message," Davey retorted.

Whoosh

The flame crackled ominously.

"How many seconds do you think it would take me to take care of one piece of garbage here?" Davey asked.

The beggar fell into silence for a moment. In a world where being slow-witted could cost you your life, his hesitation spoke volumes of his caution… or perhaps his dullness.

"Make your choice. Do I burn down your entire gang, or do you just give me the information and walk away alive?" Davey posed the chilling ultimatum.

Finally, the man seemed to reach a decision, and he pointed in a certain direction.

"If you go around that corner, you'll find Warehouse Street. There’s a wooden warehouse with a red roof. Go there and you'll find the person you're looking for."

"Thanks for the info."

"Don't ever come back here," the beggar requested. It seems like he had finally understood the danger that Davey presented.

"I appreciate your ability to discern threats," Davey replied, acknowledging his savvy.

"You're the rumored Heavenly Dragon and Celestial Maiden, aren't you? I want no trouble with monsters. Leave quickly."

Although he was perplexed by the mention of a Heavenly Dragon and Celestial Maiden, Davey moved past the man without a word.

Reaching the warehouse where Gum Gi-Yu fenced his goods, he knocked vigorously on the door.

"What do you want? This is my warehouse."

"Is Gum Gi-Yu in there?"

The man's expression tightened.

"You got the wrong place," he said.

"I heard it from Cheon Ji-Ho. Don't bother denying it. I'm here to make a deal."

The man’s eyes narrowed—clearly, he recognized the name. Cheon Ji-Ho was the wastrel that Perserque had found among the beggars.

"Come in," the man finally said, deciding to let Davey inside.

"Hey, you brat! Has the Forbidden City fallen?!”

"Step on it and go full throttle!!"

Inside, several people were engaged in gambling. Looking around, Davey noticed the man engaging in a conversation with a certain young man.

“Came looking for me?” the young man inquired.

This man, heavy with the scent of blood, caught Davey’s attention.

Seeing him, Davey inquired, “I clearly said I came to meet Gum Gi-Yu for a deal.”

Their expressions hardened at Davey’s words. The young man wasn’t Gum Gi-Yu.

“Test me just once more, and you’ll pay dearly,” Davey warned him.

The man made a move to draw his sword at Davey’s comment. However, an old man who was frowning at the cards in his hand suddenly raised his head.

“Enough. Stand down.”

“Old man—”

“We have a guest. Close the game.”

Approaching Davey, the old man said, “Seems like you know what you're after. What brings you here?”

Davey directly presented his reason. “I came looking for this.”

He revealed the Absolute Gem entrusted to him by Kain.

Shiing!!

Immediately, the sound of metal scraping against metal echoed throughout the room. Occupants unsheathed their weapons, eyeing Davey warily as if they had anticipated this moment.

“You’re a dog of the Martial Alliance?”

Davey’s eyes narrowed at the absurd accusation. “No idea what you’re on about. I'm just here for this.”

“Hmph. A noble kid comes all the way here for goods stolen from the Alliance, and you expect us to think that’s not fishy?”

“What you think is none of my business.”

“…You’re buying? But it’s nothing more than a useless piece of jade.”

“Well, you got anything better then?”

Could they possibly possess the actual Absolute Gem?

The seller feigned ignorance. “I have no clue what you’re talking about. What I have is the same as what you have.”

“Really? But is it related to the Martial Alliance?”

“Well…” The seller hesitated, then admitted, “That’s where I got it.”

The fact that the item had been smuggled out of the Alliance was a ludicrous notion. Hilarious, even.

“Fine. Sell me that, at least. I’ll pay the price.”

Davey tossed over the treasures he brought from Green Forest Fortress.

It was a considerable amount of treasure, surprising some and putting others on guard.

"I wonder if this will come back to bite me."

“A rat selling stolen goods has a problem with my items?” snapped Davey.

“Well, what can I say? If the price is right, I’ll buy and sell anything, even this dangerous stuff. Wait here.”

With that, the seller disappeared into the back of the warehouse, soon returning with a small box.

Someone said, “Old timer, everything here is genuine. Take a look at this. It’s the necklace of the Heavenly Flower Monarch, rumored to have come from the Green Forest Fortress. It has found its way into our collection.”

“Looks pretty dangerous.”

The old man handed Davey the box, his words laden with caution.

“Anything else you know about this?” Davey inquired, his gaze fixed on the seller.

“Hmm…” the seller muttered, pondering the question.

“Seems like I might recall…” he eventually said, voice trailing off as he opened the drawer uneasily.

Davey seized the opportunity, pulled out more jewels from the Green Forest Fortress and tossed them onto the table.

“The Alliance was guarding it, or so I’ve heard. It seems parts of it were stolen,” the seller divulged after a moment.

“Who had it?” Davey pressed further.

“I don’t know,” the seller confessed. “It’s said to boost internal energy. Valued highly by the Alliance. Well, if the price is right, I’ll sell the thing to anyone.”

“Is that so?” Davey responded, a hint of skepticism in his voice. He pondered the new information.

That was all he could glean from his interlocutor.

The more pieces of the gem came together, the better he could track it.

One couldn’t get full in one bite.

By slowly collecting the pieces, Davey would eventually be able to grip the Abyss's throat.

Crack!!

Davey was just about to take the box when suddenly, a loud crack echoed through the warehouse. The wall shattered and an arrow flew past him, piercing right through Gum Gi-Yu’s chest.

“Ugh?!”

Shock filled everyone's eyes as the wooden wall crumbled and numerous figures stormed in.

A group of men and women clad in blue robes stood before them.

“We are the Black Tortoise Unit! In the name of the Alliance, we’ll capture those who stole the Alliance's treasures!” shouted the young man in blue martial attire.

The men inside, assuming that it was Davey who had brought the intruders, drew their swords and took a defensive stance.

“Damn! You were tailed?”

“Damn it!”

Of course, that was not the case. Davey was hardly the type to be followed without noticing.

Those gambling in the warehouse were quite skilled in their own right, but against the elite Black Tortoise Unit from the Martial Alliance, there was no contest from the start.

It was said that the leader of the Black Tortoise Unit, the envoy of the Heavenly Gate, was none other than the young lady known as the Water Dragon Sword Beauty, Yun Hee-Ryeong.

"Take all of them down, those are the ones obstructing justice," she commanded, emerging slowly amidst the group of warriors in blue robes.

Despite her diminutive stature, barely surpassing 140 cm, her presence was undeniably commanding.

Even amongst these warriors who were renowned for their striking appearances, she shone with an exceptional aura, like a phoenix amongst sparrows.

Some, oblivious to her true nature, dared to harbor sinister thoughts or blushed at her sight, not realizing the powerful being they were facing.

"Let’s get rid of these bloodsuckers who prey on the weak and break the law! Show no mercy," she ordered sternly, her fiery spirit contrasting with her cold demeanor.

"Understood, leader!" the warriors responded in unison.

"Those jerks! They've cut into my training time. Understand?! I hate paperwork!" Yun Hee-Ryeong, known for her chilly exterior, was fuming with anger.

Her fiery nature was in stark contrast to her cool facade, revealing a deeply passionate spirit beneath her disciplined warrior demeanor.

‘Davey,’ Perserque began, her expression troubled.

'What's wrong?'

'This...'

She transmitted to Davey what she had seen, but it was something she couldn’t comprehend herself. At the same time, the residual power of the Abyss within Davey linked with her strength, revealing a status window—not Davey’s, but the young woman’s.

Her name was Yun Hee-Ryeong. She was the leader of the Black Tortoise Unit, a primary disciple of the Heavenly Gate, and one of the Martial Alliance's formidable forces.

She was righteous by nature and incredibly dedicated to training.

It was not surprising that she was the great master that Han Ja-Sung had been searching for.

However, something about her name left Davey astounded.

Not her name, Yun Hee-Ryeong, but her true, hidden name.

[Isildi]