From the morning onward, after telling everyone about the plan, we observed the shop one by one, disguised as beggars asking for food. We never went too close. Suspicion was the one thing we couldn't afford.
There were too many eyes on the shop—exactly as I expected.
Everyone wanted to know which merchant was selling the salt. People connected to the Count, rich merchants, and even shop owners were watching. The salt pouches were bought by the Count's men. He never came himself.
The day passed slowly.
We observed.We talked quietly.We sat in the alley.Sometimes we ate in secret—Roberto included.
Roberto might have suspected something, but he never said it aloud.
Whenever Roberto asked about the breads, Hasami or Mineru mentioned that noble lady, Roberto would always say the same thing—that he wanted to see such a kind lady at least once. Everyone would give him suspicious looks.
They don't even bother making another story, I thought, irritation flickering across my face.Fine. Let him be suspicious.
I wanted to recruit him as soon as possible, but old men like Roberto were troublesome.I won't invite him first. I'll wait until he approaches us.
That night, while Mineru was on watch, she overheard some shopkeepers talking.
Dov had been taken to the Count.
She told us in a low voice inside the beggars' alley.
Everyone stiffened. Faces went pale. No one spoke, but the fear was obvious—we thought we were exposed.
I was afraid too.
Still, I forced a smile and spoke confidently,"Don't worry. I knew this would happen, so I planned everything out."
Mineru, Hasami, and Mac looked at me."Really?"
I nodded with a proud face."Yeah."
Inside, my chest was tight.
I thought it would go as planned.I forgot about my cursed misfortune.I made a mistake.And I dragged these three into it.
No. I have to do something.
After a while, everyone calmed down, but my mind didn't. The others chatted beside me while my thoughts spiraled.
Then—
Shouting.
Three guards entered the alley, followed by a civilian.
Fear spread instantly.
We had nowhere to run. One side was a massive wall. The other was blocked by guards.
I whispered, forcing steadiness into my voice,"Just stay calm."
The guards stared at the beggars like predators. Then they called the civilian forward."Who is it?"
The man scanned the alley slowly… then pointed."That tall boy at the back."
My heart jumped.
But it wasn't me.
It was Arim.
The guards rushed him immediately, not giving him a chance to speak. They started beating him while shouting,"You beggar bastard! How dare you steal while we're watching the city? You should've begged, you dirty asshole! You're making us work!"
They didn't stop.
Blood poured from his face as he collapsed.
When they came, I thought they were here for me, I realized.But this… this is too much.
They really don't treat beggars as human.
No one intervened. No one spoke. Even Arim's friends stayed silent.
Then Hasami stepped forward."Please, let him go. He won't do it again."
She begged them.
They answered by kicking her.
She fell hard.
Mineru rushed to her, panic clear on her face."Are you okay, Hasami?"
Anger flared in Mineru's eyes. She moved toward the guards, but Roberto and Mac grabbed her.
Hasami sobbed,"Please… someone help him. He'll die."
Mac once told me about Arim, I remembered.He grew up with us. Hasami was very close to him.
But after meeting those two and becoming their friend, he grew cold.He distanced himself from Hasami.
So they'd been stealing together.
I couldn't watch Hasami cry like that.
Whether it was kindness or weakness, I stepped toward the civilian and spoke to him quietly. After a short exchange, he stopped the guards and left the alley with them.
Arim lay there, beaten to a pulp.
Unconscious.
Hasami held him, crying. Mineru, Mac, and Roberto stood close.
People gathered, whispering."Is he dead?""He's dead for sure.""That's why you shouldn't steal.""Thieves deserve to be beaten."
There were too many people.
Even if I wanted to, I couldn't open the system to buy first aid supplies.
I leaned close to Hasami and whispered,"Let's take him to a physician."
They reacted instantly.
Mineru lifted Arim onto her back. Mac and Hasami helped. Taking turns, we carried him through the streets until we reached a physician's shop.
At first, the physician refused.
Then he saw the silver coin in Hasami's hand.
Greed flashed in his eyes, and he agreed.
Hasami, Mineru, and Mac stayed inside. I stepped out.
(They don't follow any hygiene here.)
Outside, Roberto sat in front of the shop.
I walked over and sat beside him.
Before I could speak, Roberto said,"What did you talk about with that man, Loid?"