ISEKAI? More like I See Crap!-Chapter 291: The Vanishing Target ( )

After stopping by a few vendor stalls, Hazuki finally managed to pick up a proper long-sleeved shirt, sturdy brown pants, a new side leather bag, and a pair of comfortable, well-fitted boots that didn’t feel like walking on nails.

He stepped away from the last stall and checked the small coin pouch in his hand.

12 silver coins remained.

"...Well," Hazuki muttered, "this is enough for a month in an inn... and to eat outside. Yeah. Still good."

Ridan floated near his shoulder, arms folded smugly. "Good? That money you’ve got right now would cover someone’s salary for two months. Maybe even three, if they’re unlucky."

Hazuki blinked. "Ah... sorry. I didn’t know."

"Yeah, yeah. You’ve got swamp brain. But still—that’s more than enough, especially in this town."

Hazuki sighed and tied the pouch shut. "Still not enough to buy my dream land... and build a house for me and Ellyn in the future."

Ridan’s smirk grew sharper, his eyes gleaming just a bit too knowingly.

"Hey, it’s still far off," he said. "Real far."

He spun once in the air, grinning.

Far off, he thought, especially since you don’t know she’s nearly an adult... and a princess.

Meanwhile – Human Kingdom, Capital City

Secret underground building.

The stone chamber was dimly lit by cold mana lamps. At the long stone table, Kozan sat at the center, arms crossed, his face calm and unreadable.

Several figures in black robes sat around the remaining seats, silent.

Two Royal Knights stood behind Kozan, motionless.

"Any news about this black-haired human?" Kozan asked flatly.

One of the robed figures stood. "Here is the report, Sir Kozan."

Kozan gave a subtle nod to his assistant. The assistant stepped forward, accepted the sealed folder, and handed it over.

Kozan opened it, eyes narrowing slightly as he read.

"Hmm...? He’s currently Rank B+?"

He kept flipping the report.

"Not to mention... he finished solo against two rift monster waves from Macia Town, one at the east and one at the west gate?"

The air in the chamber tensed.

"Are you seriously saying this human—alone—was able to fend off two rifts that summoned mid to high-tier monsters?"

The report holder nodded. "Yes, Sir Kozan. According to the locals of Macia Town, they even claim he killed three high-level demons from the Demon Kingdom—the ones who summoned the rifts to break their town’s defense."

Kozan’s fingers stopped moving.

"...Didn’t you say his last recorded rank was Newbie?"

Kozan’s fingers tapped the table.

"So you’re saying this is confirmed?"

"Yes, Sir Kozan," the man replied firmly. "The Guild Master of Macia Town—a Solo Rank A+, level 92, ex-adventurer—is the one who personally approved the rank-up after the human passed the test."

Kozan’s eyes narrowed.

"If that’s true... then the men we previously sent to find and eliminate him—"

"—Wouldn’t be able to kill him," the man finished. "Or even scratch him."

Kozan was silent for a long moment.

"...Another report?"

"Yes, Sir Kozan." The man nodded and opened another folder. "According to our intelligence units, there are more than two noble houses in the Beastkin Kingdom also pursuing the same target."

Kozan raised an eyebrow. "...Go on."

The man hesitated. "Not only that..."

"What?" Kozan leaned slightly forward, his voice sharpened.

The man took a breath. "The last confirmed sighting of this black-haired human was one month ago."

Kozan’s brow furrowed.

"Then where is his current location?"

"We... don’t know, Sir. Our agents tried to track him—but he vanished into the forest. Not a single trace left behind."

The chamber fell silent again, only Kozan’s grip tightening slightly over the edge of the report.

Kozan lowered the report slightly, his voice steady but laced with irritation.

"...What am I going to tell our king about this?"

No one dared to answer.

Kozan let out a slow, quiet sigh. His eyes dropped back to the parchment, but his mind had already drifted elsewhere.

This black-haired human is a mystery.

Not only did he slip past our scouts and intelligence network... he vanished. Completely.

Even the best trackers we trained couldn’t find his trail. Not even a hint.

Kozan narrowed his eyes, thoughts darkening.

Is he... an ex-special unit? One of ours?

No...in this kingdom... no humans are born with black hair. Not a single one.

The thought lingered, scratching at the back of his mind like an itch without a source.

And that unknown... unsettled him.

Kozan stood, his gaze sweeping across the gathered men in black robes.

"Continue tracking him. I don’t care how long it takes—find him."

He held the report firmly in one hand.

"I’ll personally deliver this to His Majesty."

"Yes, Sir Kozan!" the room responded in unison.

Without another word, Kozan turned and walked down the stone hall. His footsteps echoed until he reached a heavy iron door. With a firm push, he stepped through—

—into the back room of an ordinary stone house.

He closed the hidden passage door behind him and crossed the quiet hallway.

A butler in black attire approached and bowed slightly. "Sir."

"Prepare the carriage. I need to deliver a report to the Royal Palace."

"Yes, Sir."

The butler quickly turned to carry out the order, leaving Kozan standing alone by the window, eyes narrowed, the sealed report clutched in his hand.

As the butler moved to ready the carriage, Kozan remained still, his eyes fixed on the quiet street beyond the window.

Inside his mind, the gears were already turning.

Old methods won’t work.

Tracking squads, shadows, mercenaries... they’ve all failed.

His grip tightened slightly on the report.

I need to tell the king... he must deploy stronger forces. Better trackers. People with power—enough to pin down this ghost of a man.

Then his gaze sharpened.

No... I’m sure of it.

The king will send the summoned heroes next.

A heavy silence fell over him.

I know how desperate His Majesty is to obtain Princess Ellyna.

After discovering her talent... and how unique her skill is...

He exhaled slowly.

It’s only a matter of time.

The pieces were moving.

And the moment the king heard what this black-haired human had done...

He would unleash everything.

"Sir... everything is ready."

Kozan turned from the window without a word.

"Thank you," he said quietly, then strode toward the door.

Outside, the carriage stood waiting—sleek, black, and lined with the royal crest.

He stepped up, climbed aboard with practiced ease, and settled into his seat.

"Straight to the Royal Palace."

"Yes, Sir."

The driver cracked the reins, and the carriage rolled forward, wheels clattering softly against the stone path as Kozan sat in silence, report in hand—preparing for the storm that would soon follow.

( End Of Chapter )

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