The Wizard Has A Biochip

I looked at the carriage one last time.

It had fulfilled its purpose.

I approached it and began removing everything that truly mattered.

The magic books were carefully placed inside a single reinforced chest.

Beside them, I organized the boxes containing my explosive fire crystals, hidden beneath layers of scrolls and tools.

Then I took the second chest.

The most valuable ingredients were firmly tied onto one of the horses, distributing the weight so that the animal could endure the long journey.

When I finished, only one of the two horses remained.

It carried absolutely nothing.

I ran my hand over its neck.

The animal let out a low neigh.

—You were useful to me...

I slowly untied its reins.

For a few seconds, I simply looked at it.

Then I cracked the whip beside it.

—Go!

"Woooo!"

The horse dashed into the forest, disappearing between the trees without even looking back.

I calmly returned to the old carriage.

I removed an explosive fire crystal.

I observed the small red crystal for a few seconds.

I threw it inside the wagon.

Immediately afterward, I poured the remaining Odor Removal Potion that I had stored earlier over the two remaining horses.

The transparent liquid evaporated almost instantly.

I mounted one of the horses.

Without looking back...

I followed the road ahead.

...

A few minutes later...

Everything that could connect that bearded mercenary to the former George Gill would disappear in that fire.

I smiled with satisfaction.

Now there was only an unknown traveler.

Nothing more.

As I rode along the main road, signs of civilization began appearing.

Small farms.

Wooden fences.

Cultivated fields.

Shepherds guiding sheep.

After approximately one hour...

The walls of Monolith City finally appeared before me.

They were not large.

Compared to the fortifications of Arcangrove Tower, they looked almost ridiculous.

Low walls of gray stone.

Simple towers.

Rounded rooftops.

At the top of the walls, some archers watched the road.

At the entrance, half a dozen soldiers were patrolling.

When I approached, one of them raised his hand.

—Stop!

I immediately pulled the reins.

The man wore a rather worn leather half-armor.

The sword at his waist was rusty.

His gaze, however, was extremely attentive.

—State your purpose.

I smiled beneath my fake beard.

—Mercenary...

I paused briefly.

—...and merchant.

The man’s eyes immediately descended toward my horses.

Then they passed over the two large chests.

I clearly saw his throat move as he swallowed.

Greed.

But then...

His gaze found my armor.

The long sword attached to my waist.

His expression completely changed.

The greedy glow disappeared.

Only caution remained.

—The entrance fee is one bronze coin.

I calmly took out the coin.

It described a small arc through the air.

The captain caught it before it even fell.

—Here.

He quickly stored the coin.

Then he opened the way.

—You may enter.

Before I advanced, he added in a serious tone.

—Do not walk the streets at night.

—Anyone found moving around during that time will be arrested.

I nodded politely.

—Thank you.

I passed through the city gates without any difficulty.

Behind me, I heard one of the soldiers whispering.

—Sir...

—Why did you let him enter so easily?

The captain immediately answered in a low voice.

—Shut up.

—Didn’t you see how he is equipped?

—Someone who travels alone on roads carrying valuable goods...

—...and still arrives alive...

He glanced at my back.

—That man is probably a knight.

The young soldier paled.

—Next time...

—...don’t cause trouble with people like that.

I continued riding slowly.

A small smile appeared on my face.

Strength truly opens doors anywhere in this world.

The city’s streets were narrow.

Irregular.

Filled with hardened mud.

Yellowish dust rose with every step of the horses.

People stopped whatever they were doing just to watch me pass.

Peasants.

Craftsmen.

Children.

Everyone kept their distance.

It was not respect.

It was fear.

They lowered their heads discreetly as I passed.

I carefully observed the city.

Small.

Perhaps twenty thousand inhabitants.

At most.

And extremely poor.

The clothes of most people were nothing more than gray tunics, torn in several places.

Many looked malnourished.

Goats and chickens walked freely through the streets.

In many places, there were piles of freshly left animal manure.

The odor completely permeated the air.

I discreetly wrinkled my nose.

Dirty...

I looked around again.

Disorganized...

A few more meters.

A cart stuck in the mud.

Two men arguing while trying to push it.

And miserable.

That was my first impression of Monolith City.

After traveling through a large part of the streets, I noticed something else.

There was not a single remotely decent inn.

I asked an old man sitting at the door of a workshop.

I handed him a few copper coins.

His eyes immediately lit up.

He pointed toward the western part of the city.

—Look for a sign that says "Alcohol and Rest."

—It’s the only place around here that rents rooms.

I thanked him.

I headed in that direction.

The farther I went...

The more decadent the district became.

Drunks staggered through the streets.

Fights happened practically at every corner.

I saw a man pull out a knife during an argument.

Nobody seemed to care.

There were not even guards patrolling that area.

Finally, I found the sign.

Alcohol and Rest.

I imagine I won’t find anything better.

I pushed the door open.

As soon as I entered...

A wave of cheap alcohol smell hit my face.

—HAHAHAHA!

—Another round!

—Drink already!

The entire environment was filled with shouts.

Some men slept on top of the tables.

Others hugged waitresses while speaking completely drunk.

I ignored all of them.

I approached the counter.

The attendant was a blond young man.

He seemed to be the only completely sober person in that place.

He smiled.

—Sir?

—How can I help you?

I sat down in front of the counter.

—I heard that you rent rooms here.

He nodded.

—That’s true.

—We are the only establishment in the city that offers lodging.

He shrugged.

—Not that this is something to be proud of...

I smiled slightly.

—I want a quiet room.

—I also need you to take care of my two horses.

I looked at the barrels behind him.

—And serve me the best drink you have.

I placed a silver coin on the counter.

The young man’s eyes lit up.

—It will be my pleasure to serve you.

A few minutes later, he returned carrying a heavy mug.

He pushed it toward me.

—Burning Lemon Liquor.

—Our best drink.

I brought the mug to my lips.

The taste...

Was only acceptable.

Nothing compared to the refined beverages produced at the Tower.

But for a place like that...

It was enough.

While I drank, the young man explained the prices.

—Accommodation per night: thirty copper coins.

—The two horses, including food: twenty copper coins.

I nodded.

I had already exchanged a few crystals for common coins before leaving the Tower.

I placed two silver coins on the counter.

—I will stay for four nights.

The young man quickly collected the payment.

—Excellent choice, sir.

At that exact moment...

A loud voice echoed from outside the inn.

—Just look at that!

—What magnificent horses!

—Look at their build!

—Their coats!

—They are worth far more than any horse belonging to the lord of this city!

As soon as I heard that voice outside the inn, I slowly placed the mug on the counter.

The hall, previously filled with laughter and shouting, seemed to have lost some of its noise.

Some drunks continued drinking, but the more attentive customers were already discreetly looking toward the door.

I sighed.

Not even five minutes of rest...

I stood up from the stool.

The heavy plate armor softly clinked as I crossed the hall.

I pushed open the wooden door and stepped outside.

As soon as my eyes found the street, I frowned.

As I thought...

The problem was my horses.

Around half a dozen men surrounded the two animals.

They ran their hands over the coats, examined the harnesses, and, most importantly, observed the two large chests attached to the saddles.

Their eyes shone with greed.

One of them had already grabbed the reins of one of the horses, as if the animal already belonged to him.

I took a few steps forward.

My voice came out calm.

—Are you trying to take my belongings?

Everyone looked at me.

My armor immediately attracted attention.

The worn metal plates.

The long sword with an old appearance attached to my waist.

Even so...

Apparently, that was not enough to make them retreat.

A completely bald man, tall and extremely thin, stepped forward.

His left eye had disappeared a long time ago, replaced by a horrible scar that crossed half of his face.

He pointed at me.

—That horse is mine!

He spat out the words.

—You stole it from my family!

—You damn thief!

I almost laughed.

They had not even come up with a convincing lie.

The others immediately began shouting.

—That’s right!

—Arrest him!

—Take this thief to the guards!

I discreetly looked around.

The nearby residents merely watched.

Some shook their heads.

Others looked away.

Everyone knew those men were criminals.

But no one dared to interfere.

The one-eyed man pulled out a dagger hidden beneath his clothes.

He smiled, showing several rotten teeth.

—Let’s go!

—He’s alone!

He charged directly at me.

I sighed.

To me...

Everything slowed down.

The dagger’s movement seemed incredibly slow.

I clearly saw his arm moving forward.

I shifted only half a step to the side.

The blade passed through empty air.

Before he realized his mistake...

My hand had already grabbed his wrist.

I squeezed.

With force.

CRACK!!

The sound was dry.

Brutal.

The bones in his forearm broke through the flesh.

White fragments pierced through the blood-covered skin.

The man let out an animalistic scream.

—AAAAAAAH!!

The dagger fell to the ground.

He tried to pull his arm away.

Useless.

I continued holding it.

His face turned completely pale.

—Let go!

—It hurts!

—My brother-in-law is a guard officer!

—He will destroy you!

I looked at him for a few seconds.

Then I smiled.

—Really?

I slightly tilted my head.

—A guard officer?

I brought my free hand to my chest theatrically.

—Wow...

—I am terrified.

Then I twisted his arm once more.

CRAAAAACK!!

This time, his entire arm rotated at an impossible angle.

The man completely lost consciousness.

His body went limp.

He fainted before even falling.

I released him.

He collapsed onto the ground like a sack of potatoes.

I quickly observed my own hand.

Fighting normal people was practically the same as playing with children.

The other bandits paled.

—B-boss!

—Lift him up!

None of them had the courage to take a step.

I smiled.

Then I advanced.

I exploded forward.

My body became a blur.

BANG!!

My elbow struck the first man’s chest.

He flew two meters backward.

CRACK!!

My knee crushed the second man’s leg.

The bone bent to the side.

He fell screaming.

—AAAAAAAH!!

I spun my body.

My fist struck the third man directly in the shoulder.

His entire arm was dislocated.

Another one fell.

The fourth tried to run.

I grabbed him by the collar.

I threw him against a fence.

The wood shattered along with two ribs.

In a few seconds...

Everything was over.

Groans.

Broken bones.

Men lying scattered across the street.

I looked calmly around.

I was not even out of breath.

I slowly walked toward the one-eyed leader.

He was still unconscious.

I stopped beside him.

I raised my foot.

Then I lowered it directly onto his destroyed arm.

CRUNCH!!

The scream was immediate.

—AAAAAAAAAAAH!!

His eyes opened instantly.

But the moment the pain reached his brain again...

He fainted once more.

I removed my foot.

I looked at the others.

I smiled while slowly stroking my enormous black mustache.

—Take your boss.

No one answered.

—If you want revenge...

I opened an even wider smile.

—...you can come find me whenever you want.

My voice became cold.

—But next time...

—...I won’t stop at broken arms and legs.

The silence was absolute.

For the first time...

I saw genuine fear in those men.

They hurriedly picked up the one-eyed man.

The others helped the injured.

Without saying another word...

They disappeared down the street.

I watched them leave.

Then I simply turned around.

I returned to the inn.

As soon as I pushed the door open...

The entire environment became completely silent.

The mugs had stopped halfway to people’s mouths.

Some men remained with their mouths open.

The waitresses looked at me as if I were some legendary creature.

The young bartender swallowed hard.

When our eyes met...

His smile became much more respectful.

Almost humble.

—M-my... honored sir...

He slightly bowed his head.

—Is there... anything... I can do for you?

I slowly looked around.

Everyone immediately avoided eye contact.

I sighed internally.

I did not want to be treated like a monster.

But I also could not allow my items to be stolen.

In the end...

Showing strength solved the problem in the fastest possible way.

I sat down again in front of the counter.

I picked up my mug of liquor.

I took another sip.

Now no one dared even look directly at my horses.

...

2259 Words