Chapter 2
“Ptuh!”
“Hey, you bastard! If you’re gonna spit phlegm, go do it over there!”
“I just happened to have some come up!”
“You want to go back in again?!”
“What, is that place a hotel now? Always trying to lock people up? I’m going!”
“You think this is a hotel, huh? Coming in and out whenever you want? Get lost, man!”
After leaving the holding cell, Maddie brushed off the dust roughly and started walking.
She strode confidently through narrow alleys, tying up her long brown hair as she made her way to her usual bar.
The faded green sign creaked eerily in the wind.
Stray hairs stuck out from her messy bun.
She swept her hair back boldly and pushed open the bar door, shouting:
“Hey, mister! A beer! Over there!”
“You’re gambling again the moment you’re out?!”
“Trying to blow off steam! It’s not like I’m drinking for free, so stop nagging!”
“Geez, this girl…”
The bar owner grumbled but started pouring the beer anyway.
By then, Maddie had already found herself a seat.
Everyone at the card table holding their hands up acknowledged her.
“Maddie, huh?”
“Is the holding cell your second home or what?”
“Maddie! How long were you in there this time?”
Maddie dug in her ear like she didn’t want to hear it and slapped the table.
“Just one day! I blacked out from drinking too much. I swear I just wanted one bottle and then go home.”
“I thought you got caught stealing a wallet again.”
“I never get caught doing that~”
“You bring money for the pot?”
“Of course. What kind of soldier goes to war without bullets?”
Maddie pulled money from her pocket with a sly grin.
But there was someone new at the table.
As she fiddled with the cards that were dealt to her, she glanced at the unfamiliar man.
“Haven’t seen your face before.”
Just then, the owner brought over her beer and a wet towel, smacking her lightly on the head.
“Are you the owner or what? Why do you act like you know every customer!”
“Don’t hit me! Thanks for the towel though.”
Even while shouting, Maddie winked and smiled at the owner.
“You menace…”
He sighed but dusted off her clothes anyway before heading back behind the counter.
Maddie rubbed her face with the towel and chugged the beer down.
But her gaze stayed fixed on him.
His silver hair, though tousled, looked soft and noble. His blue eyes and sharp jawline clearly marked him as aristocracy—even if he were lying in a ditch.
Maddie sniffed and asked him,
“You don’t look like someone who plays cards for fun.”
“Mind your business.”
The man’s brows furrowed.
But Maddie wasn’t the type to shrink away from that look.
She was the cheeky intruder who had popped into this harsh back alley a few years ago, crashed through people’s cold stares, and made herself a fixture.
The folks in the slums secretly called her Crazy Maddie.
From minor errands to finding lost items, or even smuggling dangerous goods—if you paid her, there was nothing Maddie couldn’t do.
More accurately, there was nothing she failed to do. She was tenacious and resourceful.
And fast with her hands.
Like just now—switching a card under the table.
“Man, the holding cell must be my lucky charm. I always win money after I get out!”
“You little… You cheating again?”
“People always say that when they lose. Go ahead, check! Check!”
Maddie patted her tattered clothes daringly, inviting them to search her.
The aristocrat seemed fed up and got up from his seat.
“Leaving already? You should give me more money before you go.”
He didn’t respond to Maddie’s teasing and simply paid his tab before walking out.
Maddie kept glancing at his retreating back, then set down her cards.
“I’m out. I’m leaving.”
“Already? You just got here!”
“Come on, I stayed out last night! Gotta sleep at home at least. I’m out!”
“What home? You don’t have family! Hey! Give us back the money you won! Hey!”
Maddie ignored their yelling and stormed out the door. Then, she immediately scanned the area with sharp eyes.
She spotted the man’s shimmering hair in the moonlight not far off.
“Ahem! Hmm!”
She followed after him, coughing loudly and obviously.
The man noticed her and spoke first.
“You looking to scam me or what? Buzz off. I’m not in the mood.”
“Oh my, how rude! Is that how noblemen talk nowadays?”
He spun around and glared at her.
His tall, broad frame was intimidating, but Maddie didn’t flinch.
“I don’t have time to deal with crazy women. Beat it.”
He looked her up and down with scorn.
Layered tattered dresses that looked ready to fall apart in the wind, fingerless gloves, and wildly tied-up hair—she was a mess.
“Why are you staring at me like that?”
Maddie fanned her cheeks like a shy maiden.
She smiled, but he didn’t.
Just then, a large man came charging out of a nearby alley, shouting.
“Maddiiiiie!”
“Ugh, what the hell! Who are you?”
“It’s me! Josh from Haldecan Hardware! You piece of shit! I’ve been looking everywhere for you!”
“For me? Wow, I’m honored.”
Josh reeked of alcohol with every angry breath.
The aristocrat tried to walk away when Josh suddenly pulled out a butcher’s knife.
“Give me back my wife before I say something I regret!”
Maddie shrugged and shook her head flamboyantly.
“What wife? Sorry, but I’m not involved with your woman.”
“You crazy bitch! I know you helped her escape! Where did she go?! Tell me!”
“Well maybe you should’ve treated her better when you had the chance. She always had bruises on her face. Broke my heart.”
“This has nothing to do with you!”
“Then maybe you shouldn’t be harassing me. Pathetic little punk.”
The aristocrat was stunned.
Pathetic little punk? The guy holding a knife?
Meanwhile, Maddie was just a wild-haired woman covered in hay from the holding cell.
Josh scoffed as if he’d heard the same thing.
“Disciplining my wife is my business. Who the hell are you to interfere?”
“If you’ve got a problem, let’s settle it. I’ve got things to do.”
The nobleman didn’t want to be involved anymore.
Fights among slum folk were common, and the guards rarely showed up.
As he turned away completely, Maddie grabbed him urgently.
“Wait! Come have a quiet drink with me!”
“Buzz off. You crazy—”
But before he could finish, he clenched his eyes shut and covered his ears with both hands like something was buzzing inside.
He tried to speak but gave up.
Maddie narrowed her eyes, observing him carefully.
A potential client, perhaps.
Meanwhile, Josh kept ranting.
“Tell me where my wife is, or I’ll cut you up!”
“You’re so damn loud. Fine.”
Maddie rolled up her sleeves.
“I could beat you with just one finger. If I win, you back off.”
“Hah! You’re insane. You’re digging your own grave.”
Josh lunged at her with his knife. The nobleman didn’t even have time to intervene.
Bang!
By the time he blinked, Josh was on the ground, clutching his thigh.
Blood soaked the dirt where he lay.
Josh screamed.
“Aaaargh! That’s cheating! You can’t just shoot!”
People started pouring out at the sound of the gunshot.
Josh howled that she cheated, but Maddie stayed calm.
She fanned away the smoke from the barrel, coughing playfully.
Then she crouched beside Josh and pressed the still-hot barrel against his hand.
“Gaaah!”
“Josh, listen carefully. I pulled the trigger with just this one cute index finger. Just one, see? Didn’t I say that’d be enough?”
With a disgusted look, Maddie wrapped the gun in a white cloth and tucked it away.
“Carrying this nasty thing around makes me crave a drink.”
The slum dwellers burst into laughter.
“She’s right!”
“She beat him with a single finger!”
“Haha! That’s our Maddie!”
As Josh passed out, Maddie rummaged through his coat and held up his wallet.
“Drinks are on me—with someone else’s money!”
“Yaaaaay! Maddie! Woo!”
Amid the spit-flecked cheers, stinking breath, and grimy hands of the drunks, only the nobleman looked at her in disgust.
She’s completely insane.
He turned and walked away like he was fleeing for his life.
