Chapter 6

Remy spent some more time looking at people until he decided he did everything he had to do here.

He decided that for now he would go to Xander's camp and set himself up with a living place or at least something close to it. In any case, he needed something stable to support him until he gathered enough strength.

Sure, working in the mine was not something he would like to do, but he needed to eat. After that he would need equipment. The Nest didn't have the best things around, but even a rusty dagger was better than nothing.

Also, he needed shoes. It was summer now, so besides being uncomfortable, it wasn't much of a problem. But who knows what terrain this place has? Especially in the mine.

Speaking of needs, his stomach has been grumbling at him for some time. He was simply too tense to notice it until now. He was lucky his taking over the body healed his wounds, but he hasn't eaten in three days. The last time this body received nutrients was before the other Remy was beaten to a pulp. Thankfully, he had been given some water to drink after waking up in the wagon.

He was honestly surprised he was feeling relatively alright. Sure he was starving, that was for sure, but he should be feeling much worse now that he thought about it.

He shrugged, it was probably the phenomenon of his soul entering this body that gave it some extra energy.

Remy squinted and looked around the trade post. Indeed, he had to get some food and water soon. He didn't know how long this energy high would last and he would rather not starve or die of thirst.

When coming inside the barrier he saw a river outside the trading post, but he doubted the water was good to drink. Food, on the other hand, would require some simple initiative to acquire.

He eyed the crates being brought in carefully. Normally, he wouldn't have had the courage to entertain such thoughts, but now that he had his [Inventory]?

As long as he's not seen, stealing would be child's play.

So he kept watching until finally deciding on a target. The incoming crates were arranged in categories and Xander's men had already finished unloading the food products.

There were guards around for sure, but all he needed was a split second to take something. He got up, not bothering to dust himself off since he was already dirty.

With measured steps he walked around the site. People threw him glances from time to time, but nothing too strong. He passed two times around the food crates before a chance had presented itself.

A worker had dropped a crate on himself and began screaming. A few others went to help him off. Remy had seen a stick being thrown into his legs before he fell, but he didn't bother to question it.

A quick glance around and he approached one of the crates. He didn't know what exactly was inside it, but was he sure it contained food. He just hoped it was nothing too basic like oil or grain.

The crates were each one meter tall and wide. Remy placed his hand around the edge of the pile, making sure not to pick one that would collapse the rest. With a quick command the wooden box instantly disappeared like it was never there to begin with.

Remy didn't check his inventory, but instead moved along just as the earlier distraction was over. The worker was fine, only a little ruffled up. What drew Remy's attention though was one of Xander's elite who was staring fixedly at the stick the worker stumbled on.

A moment later he signaled someone wearing the same armor as Vincent.

'Strikers, I believe they call themselves.' Remy watched as the man walked out of the crowd. His destination was apparently the other fresh meat that chose to remain here. He had a nervous smile on his face.

Remy saw him mouthing a few words, but he was too far to hear them. The Striker kept walking towards him, but Remy couldn't see his expression from this angle.

The elite had a bored look on his face as if he was waiting for paint to dry as he watched the two. The man's smile became increasingly strained as the Striker stopped right in front of him.

Remy eyes almost popped out of his skull as the Striker drew his sword and slashed the other man across the chest. A spray of blood flew through the air before landing ungracefully on the ground. Not long after, the soon to be corpse fell right alongside it.

Remy watched in horror as the man who had just casually committed murder began searching his victim's pockets. A few moments later and he brought out a fistful of Mithril ore nuggets.

He nodded at the elite watching before signalling some workers to get rid of the body.

While Remy was left stupefied at what he just witnessed the others acted like this was something normal. Some of them shook their heads while others just shrugged and went back to work.

Still frozen in place, Remy didn't notice that someone had walked up to him.

A hand was placed on his shoulder. "You alright there kid?"

"Fu*k!" Remy almost jumped out of his skin.

He quickly turned around and almost pissed himself in fright. The first thing that registered in his mind was the same armor that the killer wore.

"Easy, easy. Calm down, I'm not going to do anything." Remy finally recognized the voice and got a good look at the man standing before him. Vincent looked just as uncaring about everything as he was an hour ago.

Normally, Remy might ask him what he wanted, but at the moment all he could muster was:

"What the fu*k was that!?"

Vincent gave him a weird look before he seemed to realise something. "I take it you're not used to murder?"

Remy couldn't even begin to explain what a messed up question that was. Who the hell even asked that? Of course he wasn't used to it! He's just a guy who typed numbers into a computer for eight hours a day not a psychopath!

Remy's expression was a tapestry of turbulent emotions and Vincent took that as his answer. "I see. Tell me kid, what got you sent here?"

He's mind was already locked in a storm of confusion so he just answered the question. "...I punched a noble in the throat"

That actually got a small laugh from Vincent. "Ha! You would have gotten a reward if it was up to me. But, well, that explains it."

"Explains what?" He asked

"Kid, did you forget what everyone here is? The guy that died was probably a thief. The guy that killed him? Rapist. That guy who ordered him to do it? Serial killer. The worker who dropped the crate? Bandit."

Vincent didn't stop and pointed to a few more individuals and listed the reason they were in here. With each one Remy's face grew more and more pale. He knew on an intellectual level that everyone here was a criminal, but now he felt it, he understood with all his heart.

Everyone here was dangerous and capable of things he might not even think of.

"That guy tried to steal from Xander and, by extension, from us." Remy's attention was once again brought to Vincent.

"There's no Emperor here to make the rules so we make our own. And in a place where everyone is a rule breaker the moment you give a finger they'll take your whole hand."

Remy felt his new reality truly setting in around himself. He realized the full extent of this place's severity. A few more seconds passed in silence until Vincent spoke up again.

"Kid...empty your pockets."

Remy froze. The implications of what Vincent said were not lost on him. He took a deep breath in an effort to calm down and stop his shaking.

As the hand on his shoulder tightened its grasp, Remy slowly moved his hands towards the two pockets sewn into his pants. He ignored the irrational thought of something having found its way inside without him knowing.

He pulled the cloth out. There was nothing inside. Vincent's grip relaxed.

"See, I knew you were a smart lad."

Remy thanked all the gods listening. He couldn't even imagine what Vincent would think if he found out he had stolen an entire crate. A guy got killed for only a few nuggets of Mithril, what about him?

"In any case, it looks like this month's trade will last longer than usual. If you have the patience to wait until morning then you can come with us to the camp."

Half an hour ago Remy might have said yes. But after what just happened he wouldn't be able to breathe properly if he doesn't leave.

"N-no thanks, I think I'll be going now."

Vincent simply shrugged. "Suit yourself, hope to see you in the Ring."

Remy couldn't care less what this "Ring" was at the moment. He just wanted to get himself moving away from here.

He muttered a quick response to Vincent before he began walking towards the gate. His movement was stiff. The gazes occasionally directed at him didn't help either...