So I'm a Snake, Who Cares?

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[Bajen Bahadi] (5th class)

[Charges] 3rd-class theft.

[Danger Level] ★

[Bounty] 50 copper coins

[Points] 5 points

[Notes] Water addict

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The wanted notice the innkeeper handed over was completely different from the 1st class and above notices I'd just seen in the booklet.

The paper quality was different, and the content was utterly shabby.

50 copper coins is barely enough for one night's lodging, so he was truly a small fry.

But it's exactly 5 points.

We could become A-class hunters just by catching this small fry? Can't pass that up.

"Here's the composite sketch."

"...Isn't this too crude?"

"Be thankful there's even a sketch. We often don't even know what petty criminals look like."

"Give me another copy."

"Here."

The sketch was at a level I feel I could draw better myself.

However, the mole next to the pug nose was a clear distinguishing feature.

"He seems to be living in the shantytown on that hill. The bounty is small since we can guess his residence."

"Water addicts are troublesome though."@@novelbin@@

Oliver said this.

The 'water addict' written in the notes refers to people addicted to 'water', literally.

This water doesn't refer to clear spring water from mountainsides.

Water is a drug made by refining sewage from specific waterways in the sewers.

In other words, it's a drug that causes addiction and hallucinations.

It's ironic to call a drug made from sewage 'water', but its cheap price means there are many addicts.

The biggest water manufacturers in the sewers are the 'Heaven Medicine Party' - those suspected to be connected to Oban VanKloss.

"Being a water addict should make him easy to catch. Take it or leave it."

We took the wanted notice.

And then came to this shantytown to inquire about wanted criminals.

The first to get results seemed to be me.

A little girl with a runny nose right in front of me.

She nodded when she saw the composite sketch.

'You know him?'

Neither Oliver nor Obern were with me.

The girl nodded again looking at the paper.

'I came to catch him, where does he live?'

Since I wasn't wearing the Crown of Connection, I didn't think she'd understand me.

But surprisingly, the little girl was very brave.

She suddenly grabbed me from the ground.

"Let's go together."

'Ack, got snot on me.'

She looked about five or six years old.

Where are her parents, letting her wander alone in such a dangerous place!

The girl hugged me like a doll and started running.

The shantytown was very complex.

The little girl went inside through what wasn't even a proper alley, but more like a dog hole.

"Your name is Whitey."

Whitey, really. Call me the great Ouroboros or Black Snake King.

But actually, I don't really dislike the name Whitey.

Nanaluk used to call me that too.

The little girl seemed to indeed be a resident of the shantytown.

Where she took me was a small building among other shanties.

She slipped through a dirty door riddled with holes at the bottom.

I dangled from the little girl's hand.

I thought about breaking free and scolding her, but worried her grip might tear my scales, so I held back.

The inside was even dirtier than the exterior.

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The uncleaned house was strewn with laundry and odds and ends.

Flies buzzed around unwashed dishes left on the dining table.

The girl carried me to a desk with a frame on it.

A portrait of a young woman sat covered in dust.

She held me up and said:

"Mom, snake."

Since she wasn't calling me mom, I guess she was showing off her newly found snake to her mother's portrait.

"Whitey."

There didn't seem to be anyone else in the house.

Oh dear, have I wasted time?

「Using Crown of Connection lv3.」

'Hey little one.'

"Ah!"

The little girl was startled by heavy footsteps in the hallway and threw me down with trembling hands, curling up like a frightened hedgehog. Her golden pigtails quivered with each shaky breath.

I had no choice but to roll on the dusty floor, collecting grey lint and forgotten crumbs along my worn fabric surface. The ancient wooden floorboards creaked ominously above me.

After raising her head and looking around with wide, tear-rimmed brown eyes, the kid picked me up again with desperate fingers and went stomping into a room. Her mary jane shoes made hollow thuds against the floor, echoing in the empty corridor.

She seemed to be hiding from someone.

The room, too small even to use as storage, had one bunk bed.

The little girl crawled into the bottom bunk and pulled the blanket over herself.

Then she curled up, hugging me tight.

'Can't breathe.'

"Gasp, it talked!"

She seemed to finally realize I could talk.

"Whitey talked."

'Yes yes, Whitey is talking.'

"How can you talk?"

'You're talking too.'

Though the baby is cute, I have work to do.

Seems like I struck out, so I should head back.

'That composite sketch I showed earlier. You don't know who it is?'

"I know."

Don't lie, you rascal.

Though the little girl's face was covered in grime, her eyes were bright.

"He'll come soon..."

And just as she said that.

There were sounds of people outside.

The door burst open as people came in.

Not one, but several.

"Bahadi you bastard!"

A man shouted and there was a crashing noise.

The little girl squeezed me tight.

A mix of musty dust and child's scent wafted.

'Let me go.'

"No..."

This was quite troublesome.

"You punk, you think the Mud House is easy?"

"Sorry, I'm sorry!"

Hmm, let's listen to what's going on.

There were sounds of thumping and hitting.

Mud House was one of the empire's two major rogue guilds.

Given their size, they must have many members, so why are they beating up a drug addict?

"We're already on bad terms with Two Rings, and you punk addict..."

For reference, Two Rings is another rogue guild opposing Mud House.

"You took the tribute money and spent it on water?"

"Ugh, aaargh!"

So that's it.