Abyss System The Rise of the Lord-Chapter 123 observer

Here is a clean, professional English translation that preserves the original tone, atmosphere, rhythm, and psychological depth as much as possible:

The courtyard of Aurora’s house had sunk into silence.

Zaber slipped past the shadow of the wall. No sound of footsteps. His breathing even. Not once did he look back as he left.

He did not look back.

Because looking back is a sign of attachment.

In another corner of the city the air felt different. Narrow streets. Damp walls. Water dripping from the eaves.

"—It’s been a while," a voice came from behind.

Zaber did not stop.

"Have we met before?" he asked quietly.

"Yes."

Zaber turned.

The watcher stepped out of the shadow. Half a smile, half an assessment on his face. Only half of it was visible.

Then Zaber asked:

"Why do you want to work with me?"

A simple question. Yet it carried dozens of layers inside.

The watcher did not hurry to answer.

"For profit."

Zaber narrowed his eyes.

"If I weigh down your seal, if I kill your man — still worth it?"

"Someone has to cover the damage."

Zaber gave the faintest smile. But inside, rapid calculations had already begun.

So he sees me as a force.

Or as political pressure.

Or as an information source.

The watcher continued:

"You killed Kotib Idal right here in the city. One of the fastest men in the capital. That was no accident."

Zaber stayed silent.

"You sit in Aurora’s courtyard reading books, moving exactly as you please. She doesn’t stop you. That makes you a very special guest."

A momentary chill passed through Zaber.

So he knows even that.

"The merchants have run into trouble with the state. And there are other matters. A knight sent to resolve this problem stands before you now — that already makes you far from ordinary."

The wind lifted strands of Zaber’s hair.

The watcher locked eyes:

"Work with us. Not for the merchants. Not for the state. Work for yourself."

Zaber finally spoke:

"Are you going to teach me what I should do?"

The watcher laughed.

"If necessary — I’ll teach. And I’ll learn too."

Inside Zaber’s mind thoughts raced:

If he sees me purely as profit, then he still doesn’t trust me.

He’s looking at me as an investment.

That means I can raise my price.

"What if I refuse you?" Zaber asked.

"Then you’ll still be useful."

The reply came instantly.

Zaber stared straight at him.

"How?"

"Who knows," the watcher said lightly.

So he wants to make me the center.

Zaber took one step forward.

"What do you offer me?"

The watcher shrugged.

"Information. Timely warnings. Money. The chance to make powerful connections."

A sharp point lit up inside Zaber.

This is a weapon.

"In exchange for?"

"Only one thing I need to know: when — and on which side — you will choose."

Zaber smiled. Very lightly.

"I don’t choose."

"Then?"

"It depends on the sides."

The watcher weighed the answer.

"So we have a deal?"

Zaber did not reply.

He looked up at the sky. Then said slowly:

"For now."

It was neither yes nor no.

The watcher melted back into shadow.

"I’ll return. But next time the situation won’t be like this."

He vanished.

Zaber remained alone.

Inside him one thought began to circle:

If they see me as a powerful figure, this is a great danger. Aurora and Kotib are giving them the illusion that I am strong and important. Damn it.

The city never slept.

It only changed faces.

Zaber left the narrow street and headed toward the upper trading square. Dawn had already risen, but today’s air felt different. People spoke in lowered voices. Shops were open, yet trade moved sluggishly.

This was the beginning of pressure.

In the center of the square stood a group of armed men. Not official knights. Unmarked armor. Black armbands. Silver ring on the left hand.

The merchants’ guild’s unofficial force.

Zaber watched from a distance.

They were searching for someone.

One merchant’s shop was being sealed. The owner knelt on the ground.

"The debt wasn’t paid," one of the black-banded men said.

"Please... just a little more time." Desperation, pleading, regret — all visible at once on his face.

"You had enough opportunity."

Zaber narrowed his eyes.

So they’ve started sending signals to the city. Financial strangulation.

Zaber turned away.

He must not be seen.

In the western part of the city — the smiths’ district.

This area was close to the state. Knights patrolled frequently.

Today the patrols were doubled.

An officer shouted orders:

"Any illegal weapons trade will be confiscated immediately!"

So the state was responding too.

The merchants apply pressure. The state pushes back. The city is being torn in two directions.

The merchants strike the city financially and economically.

The state shuts down their illegal operations.

In the end — will the city collapse, or will someone win? he wondered.

Zaber kept walking.

He still belonged to no side.

Movement in the shadow.

Zaber did not stop, but he felt it.

He was being watched.

A new faction.

Light steps. Synchronized gait. Three people.

Not knights.

Not merchants either.

They were the "Grey Wings."

Information brokers inside the city.

They worked not for money — but for balance.

Zaber turned into a narrow alley.

All three shadows turned with him.

Another turn.

Then he stopped abruptly.

The three behind him stopped too.

"Who are you?" Zaber said without turning.

No answer.

"I’ve already seen you."

The one in front replied:

"You’re perceptive."

"Not as much as you think."

"Do you know us?"

"Everyone in the city knows."

"That’s not true."

"I want to ask something."

"What?"

"I need information about Aurora."

"If you can pay — fine."

Zaber spoke with an expressionless face:

"Aurora?"

The word changed the air.

The Grey Wings leader measured his response.

"She is more dangerous than you imagine."

"How would you know what I imagine?"

"I can guess."

"How?"

"She looks sweet and innocent — and everyone falls for it."

"Do you know me?"

"Your name is already known. Many are interested in you. You can trade your information for theirs — if it’s real."

Zaber’s thoughts tangled for a moment.

I could feed them false information about myself, but they’ll check. Can I solve that somehow? Interesting.

Zaber smiled.

"So everyone is after profit."

"Yes."

"You too."

"Yes."

Simple.

The city lives on interests, not ideals.

Zaber did not turn around.

"What if I change the rules of the game?"

The answer came quickly this time:

"Anything outside the system gets eliminated — wherever it is."

Zaber finally looked back.

Three figures stood calmly.

Hands close to weapons.

They did not want a fight.

They were testing.

Zaber took one step forward.

"We’ll meet again."

"Yes."

The Grey Wings leader gave a slight nod.

"Then we will meet again."

He turned.

They did not follow.

Heavy silence hung over the city.

The sun slowly rose, spreading its thin veil across the rooftops.

Zaber stood on a roof.

Below — two carts moved secretly. Sacks. Iron chests.

Illegal cargo.

The merchants were moving weapons.

So they were speeding up.

Zaber dropped from the roof.

Landed silently.

From shadow to shadow.

When the carts entered the narrow street, he leaped again from another roof.

The lead cart halted suddenly.

The horse startled.

Zaber landed beside it.

In the darkness only the flash of a blade.

One strike.

The driver lost consciousness.

The second man reached for a weapon —

Zaber struck with his elbow.

Breath cut off.

He opened the chest.

Inside — signs.

Hidden seals of the merchants’ guild.

Zaber took one.

Closed the rest.

Then — deliberately — he left traces.

On purpose.

This cargo would be found tomorrow.

And the state would accuse the merchants of illegal arms trade.

The bigger the conflict between them grew, the higher the value of anyone on either side — and Zaber would not remain on the sidelines.

He returned to the rooftops.

Below, the carts stood abandoned.

Dawn.

The city woke.

Knights found the carts. A small commotion, quickly suppressed.

The merchants began hunting for who had done it.

The Grey Wings stayed silent.

Aurora watched from the tower.

And Zaber walked the streets again.

Like an ordinary man.

But now the situation had shifted.

The merchants wonder: Who betrayed us?

The state wonders: Who gave the information?

The Grey Wings wonder: Who made the first move?

Aurora wonders: Zaber left last night, didn’t he? I was too busy to notice. Could this be his doing?

Zaber sat on a roof, watching the city.

Even in the cold air and the slow light of morning, his attention remained sharp.

Then he sensed something approaching from behind. He started to turn — but saw a sword flying straight toward him. His eyes widened.

He had no time even to think. Every second felt heavy, his heart pounding fast.

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