“That’s impossible. We don’t know the time the ruins are opening; that’s top-secret information.” Ash shook his head.

“The conversation I overheard mentioned something about an ancient text. I looked through the library ever since and managed to glean off the day and time the ruins are opening. We only need to be there before them, and the rest will be easy.”

“You told me not to cross Hyde, as that would get me killed.”

“If we’re not seen or known, they can’t do anything,” Nikolai told him. “I’m weak on my own, but we can prepare properly for the ruins. I’ll have to look into the ruin’s structure to make a proper list.”

“You sound like a scholar,” Ash remarked. “I’m not sure it’s worth it.”

“Is losing your life worth it?” Nikolai sighed. “I’m offering you a future where you’ll take revenge on Hyde and grow powerful and wealthy. It’s up to you to decide.”

His words struck a chord, and Ash furrowed his brow, pondering. After a short while, which Nikolai allowed him to have, the man nodded in a determined manner.

“When is it?”

“The walls have ears. Start preparing for now, and I’ll tell you when we set off.” Nikolai smiled and walked toward the door.

“Not very trusting of you!” Ash shouted behind him.

“We were never trusting people, to begin with.” Nikolai turned and grinned. Ash sighed as Nikolai left the bakery.

After that, he went toward the market and bought a mattress, clothes, and several necessities. He didn’t want to give the shop his address, so he had to carry all of them by himself.

‘This weighs a feather.’ Nikolai smiled at his increase in strength as he carried the mattress back to the workshop. As he arrived there, he found Sergio moving in countless materials.

“Bossman! Are you moving in too?” Sergio asked in a speechless manner. “I’m not sure it fits both of us, and sleeping in the same bed is a little…”

“Can you shut your mouth for just one minute?” Nikolai sent a kick his way, but Sergio hurried to run inside. With a smile, Nikolai placed his items in the hallway of the workshop. “I’m not moving in; I’m renting the house next to this one.”

“You’re living here too, Bossman?” Sergio was doubtful. “This seems a bit below your level.”

“And it fits yours?” Nikolai was speechless. “Man, have a higher opinion of yourself. I like this place because it’s quiet and remote. Do you have any money left?”

“Aaaa…” Sergio’s eyes darted around. “There were some rare materials…”

“You bastard.” Nikolai frowned. “You spent a whole gold coin like that?” He didn’t expect this guy to be so prodigal. “Forget it, take these silvers and rent the place next to here for me. Move this stuff in before I come back.”

“Bossman, you’re treating me like a handyman! I’m a proud alchemist!”

“You know what, why should I rent a new place when I can just kick you out?”

“I’ll carry your orders even if it kills me!” Sergio snatched the silvers and ran out again to rent the house. Nikolai sighed as he suddenly felt like he had a son or a younger brother.

‘It’s time to check that place out.’

Nikolai needed to get stronger. He did have several means to get there, but he didn’t have the strength to use his knowledge. The dungeons or spots he knew would reward a lot of crystals were at least F-rank.

That’s why he decided to go to the Forbidden Forest, where spirits resided. His system offered him the choice once before, but he had no way to hunt spirits at that time.

Before he went toward the Forbidden Forest, Nikolai went to the Gunmen League to get some bullets. As soon as he walked in, a man stormed his way and grabbed him by the collar.

“I’ve finally found you, bastard!” Scarman spat each word with boundless hate. Nikolai was confused before he remembered what he did to this guy.

“Oh.” Nikolai blinked. “Thank you for the help, Mister!”

“You think I’m going to let it slide?” Scarman glared at him. “I’ll let you know what it’s like to offend our Crows gang!” Scarman made sure to reveal his tattoo, which was a black crow with red eyes.

It was to make sure no one intervened, as Hyde’s reputation of taking care of his lackeys was quite known. Nikolai debated how he should get out of this problem.

‘Why is this guy even here? He’s not a gunman.’ Nikolai frowned. ‘Is he getting stuff for someone of a higher rank than him?’

“Let’s take this elsewhere.” Scarman grabbed him and started pulling him outside. No one tried to stop him, fearing they would get dragged into trouble.

Nikolai was planning to kill Scarman without anyone finding out when a cane blocked the giant man’s path. The two turned to the one blocking their path and found The Crippled Gunman, Conan.

“What do you think you are doing?” Conan’s face contorted into a terrifying frown. “Do you think this place is your little hideout? Unhand him before I break your neck.”

“Move away, old man.” Scarman brought his tattoo forward, fearing that Conan forgot he was Hyde’s lackey. “You don’t want to get hurt.”

“I said, unhand him.” The cane Conan held disappeared and reappeared several times. Scarman’s body caved in several spots, and air left his lungs.

His grip on Nikolai’s collar loosened as Scarman fell to the ground, breathless and immobile. His lackeys ran forward to aid him.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“Take him away before I kill all of you.” Conan’s eyes were cold, promising that he would follow on with his words. The lackeys were frightened and carried Scarman away as the crowd around them dispersed under Conan’s glare.

“Follow me, boy.” Conan walked away after he told Nikolai. Looking at the limping man, Nikolai felt intrigued. He was indebted to him, after all.

He followed Conan to a room where a man was cleaning a weapon. He was about to complain before the cane was shoved in his face, a centimeter away from his nose.

“Out!” Conan said, and the man ran away. Nikolai smiled as he walked in and looked at the gunman who had taken a seat. “Sit.” Conan pointed at the chair in front of him. “Don’t try to deny it, boy. You were the one…”

“Thank you for helping me the other day,” Nikolai said without hesitation. “I’m sorry I had to use that method, but I was in a pinch.”

“Oh,” Conan was surprised that Nikolai admitted it. “Well, it’s good that you trust me that much.”

“No, it’s not about trust. I know that you wouldn’t go around getting into other people’s business.”

“Because other people are dumb. But you, boy, you are interesting.” Conan grinned. “Have you used all of the bullets?”

“No, I’m here for enchanted bullets,” Nikolai admitted, taking out the badge. “I think that’s the last I can take with this.”

“Yeah, it’ll be expiring soon.” Conan smiled. “How about I make you an offer? I heard you rejected Lady Valkyrie’s interest. A foolish choice, but I approve.”

“Maybe it is foolish, but it works for me.” Nikolai nodded. “If you know that I rejected Valkyrie’s offer, then yours must be quite different.”

“Become a knight,” Conan made it simple. “Not a normal knight, but a gunman knight. Show the world the power of these babes.” He caressed the rifle on his back.

“I have no interest in rekindling that glory, Sir Conan.” Nikolai shook his head. “And I don’t need to be a knight to prove that.”

“The kingdom thinks that the era of guns is dying, that guns are of the past. I think otherwise. It was a gun that sniped the powerful King of Beasts, my gun!”

Nikolai could see the pride in Conan’s face. Not pride in his achievement, but pride in his gun. He knew that feeling, for the world to know of your presence based on your powers, not your identity, to defeat foes without being there.

“I have no use for it.” Nikolai shook his head. Knights were the elite of the kingdom, working directly for his majesty, but he didn’t want to belong anywhere.

“Other than countless resources and a Knight’s Badge?” Conan smiled. “You know better than that, boy. Knights walk around unhindered by laws because they are the law.”