Kingdom of Lichstein.
Nulan Forest – Road to the city of Bourn
The once bloody atmosphere fell silent after Sam appeared, turning his gaze toward the wounded group.
Debora: —"Raymond?" — whispered Debora, trying to make sense of what she had seen.
—Hello, what's up?... You guys look screwed. Need a hand?
Sam faced Cedríc with an indifferent expression, even surrounded by dust and corpses. But the rest of the group was still panting, covered in blood, dirt, and sweat.
To them, that kid showed up with a "I came for the show" look. Innocent, calm, as if the hell they just lived through was a school play.
Jeff: —"What are you doing here?" — His words didn't sound like a question, more like demanding an explanation.
—Saving your virgin ass.
The words hit Jeff's pride like a sharp blow. He blinked, incredulous, almost blushing with embarrassment.
Brock: —"This is way too dangerous for you." — The Berserk said worriedly, pulling an arrow from his thigh.
—Relax, old man. What's dangerous are the confessions of this guy when he knows he's going to die.
With his thumb, Sam pointed at Jeff, who hid his face behind his hands full of shame.
Jeff: —"Did you hear what I said?"
—Jeff... It was impossible not to hear something like that.
Brian walked among the bodies without flinching, the groans of Cedríc's men constant, while Cedríc himself remained silent, trying to understand the situation.
Noelle: —"How did you know we were here?" — The beast-woman showed a grateful expression.
—Got here about half an hour ago. Just been watching from the bushes.
Debora: —"Then why didn't you help us earlier, bastard?" — The gunslinger instead wished she had one more bullet, just for the kid.
—For drama.
Noelle: —"Why?" — Her thankful face turned into an intimidating fierceness.
—If I'd jumped in sooner, I wouldn't have gotten to see how awesome you all look fighting together... except Jeff, of course.
Jeff: —"Hey kid, I'm still older than you." — The Half-dwarf pointed, trying to reclaim his dignity.
—Well, I'll save everyone except Jeff.
Jeff: —"W-wait... let's leave the formalities for later."
—Of course.
Neil Obraham: —"Are you really going to be okay?"
—Sure... just one question.
Debora: —"Which one?"
—Do I have to capture that guy alive, or kill him to claim the bounty?
Noelle: —"How do you know there's a bounty on him?"
—I heard it from a little bird. (Thanks, Quincy)
Debora: —"Dead... but I advise you take him alive."
—Alright.
Brock: —"Hold on... are you sure you can beat him?"
—I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that.
From his position, Cedríc kept watching. Despite the pain, groans, and disorder among his now disabled men, that's when he understood who that kid was. He didn't need explanations, but the thought lingered:
"This kid... this damn kid... how can it be?... How is it possible? That this brat is the one responsible for defeating my entire gang."
He only recognized one thing inside: this kid was not someone he could handle.
I approached where this Cedríc guy was, but he said to me:
Cedríc: —"You're betraying your own people."
—Excuse me?
Cedríc: —"I am your people. How can you side with those damn nobles?"
—I'm sorry, I'm not on anyone's side.
Cedríc: —"Then why do you protect them?"
—Because they're my colleagues.
Cedríc: —"Haha... Colleagues? Seriously?"
—Yeah... Let's finish this, shall we?
Cedríc: —"No, wait... I have something to say—"
—Too late.
Brian punched him in the face, sudden but precise. Cedríc fell unconscious to the ground. His men, still nursing wounds, were in grave silence.
Their leader, the slave who opposed the corrupt system, was defeated by a kid, a nobody.
Without further ado, Sam tied him up and covered his mouth with a dirty rag to keep him silent, then dragged him effortlessly to the carriage. He threw him inside like a sack of potatoes and said casually:
—Let's go. There's a bounty to claim.
Complete silence fell over everyone present.
Neil, Debora, Noelle, Brock, and Jeff stood stunned. Like statues. The rank B criminal.And the Platinum-level gang. They had been defeated so easily,taken apart in an instant. By a damn twelve-year-old kid.
They were five seasoned mercenaries. With blood on their hands. Trembling bodies. And the expression of those who just saw a kid do the impossible, like it was part of lunch.
No one said a word. No one could. Because everyone thought the same thing: Where the hell did this brat come from?
I looked back and said:
—We're heading to Bourn, or what?
June, the little girl the group had protected so much, peeked out with eyes as big as moons.
June: —"Oni-san, that was incredible... You beat the bad guys in no time."
—It was nothing... It's my duty to protect ladies.
June: —"Thank you, Oni-san."
—Alright guys, get in the carriage and let's go!
Along the way, they mentioned it would take a day and a half to reach the city, and Brian's pupils widened upon hearing that.
And since he was not at all patient, he used his stats and skills to drive the carriage, cutting the time down to just one hour away.
Neil's group was too exhausted and wounded to wonder how they saw the walls so quickly in the distance.
They just looked suspiciously at Raymond, who whistled to distract June.
And finally, once they entered through the city gates,
they went to Baron Clinsman's estate to leave little June at her father's residence.Their job and mission were finally done.Though their questions, doubts, and concerns were only just beginning.