Marvin wasn’t just showing off. He knew when it was time for him to undertake a task alone, and when he should optimize the allocation of his forces. The reason he sent Anna to the countryside earlier was to dispatch the garrison for the protection of the ordinary villagers.
After White River Valley got occupied, a large number of civilians ran away to take refuge in the mountain, Green Village, Fog Village, and also Disk Water Lake. Those were all part of Marvin’s territory. They were in the mountains, so it was easy to avoid the gnolls chase. Because of River Shore City’s rules, Marvin could only enter with his butler to ask for help. His garrison stayed behind in the countryside.
Those young guys had already been unable to bear waiting, wanting to kill their way back, and were only awaiting Marvin’s order.
They were all extremely loyal guys, young and strong.
However, this was still not enough.
Marvin knew that there were many shadows behind the gnoll invasion. A twenty man garrison would be unable to resist against a trained gnoll army. He had to gather an even stronger force.
And before that, he had to figure out who was targeting him.
It might be stingy Uncle Miller, but it might also be someone else.
In short, after tonight, everything would be clear.
…
Nightfall, before River Shore City’s curfew, was the time when the whole city’s sinister powers were the most active.
Every major gang accountant began counting the profits of the day, and a few novice thieves would be beaten by the person in charge for not completing their daily quota.
Soon, they would learn through the pain to improve their hand dexterity. At that time, they would be spared from the physical pain, but their share would still be merely enough to feed their family.
This was a grey area of the survival rules.
Gorgeously dressed prostitutes were standing on the alley beside the main street, a thick layer of powder on their faces. Sometimes putting on a thick layer of poor quality cosmetics wasn’t because of their average looks, but to hide terrible acne. But nothing in this job could surpass the two scariest things, getting pregnant and falling ill. Both meant they would lose their job.
…
Pyroxene Pub, backyard cellar.
The light of the candle shone on the bodies of the dancing women. Two men secretly plotting together were sitting on a sofa made of tiger skin, laughing wickedly.
“Young Master Farmar, I specifically found women fitting your tastes today. Now, you must properly enjoy yourself.”
Among them, a tall man pointed to one of the dancers with nice curves.
There was a scar between his heavy eyebrows and he had a ruthless look.
The other had a short build and a wretched look, with heavy bags under his eyes, typical of someone that had his energy depleted by wine and women.
He was unable to take his eyes off that dancer, continuously nodding, “Good good good! Mister Diapheis, as long as you get rid of that trash, I’ll go back and definitely say something good to my father, and make him increase your investment.”
Diapheis calmly said, “Many thanks, Young Master Farmar. That little kid named Marvin won’t be able to escape our grasp. We already sent a small team to hunt him down, so it won’t take long before his head floats on the Pine Cone River.”
“At that time, White River Valley will belong to my father!” Farmar fiercely continued, “Jean and his son took over my father’s territory for so long, and it’s time to get our things back!”
“Of course.” Diapheis laughed out, “That group of gnolls’ price wasn’t high; the provisions were just dispatched. Marvin will die and everything will be fine.”
The two laughed wickedly, when suddenly, a black clothed man hurriedly walked in. He crouched and whispered into Diapheis’ ear.
Diapheis’ face didn’t change after hearing the report. “Have two teams take a trip. Such a trivial matter still needs my attention?”
The black clothed man quickly left.
Just when Diapheis wanted to say something, Farmar suddenly rushed up, scaring the dancers away, only leaving that one curvy lady behind, confused.
Farmar embraced her and dragged her into a small side room.
The dancer struggled, and said in a frightened voice, “Sir Diapheis, when you looked for me, you definitely said it was only to dance?!”
Diapheis indifferently replied, “Sorry, change of plans.”
Bang!
The small room’s door was closed. The voice of the frightened dancer could be heard along with Farmar’s lewd laughter.
…
Diapheis frowned, focusing, and his expression became quite grave.
‘One team already went out for so long. How come there is no news, what’s going on?’
At that time, that black clothed man returned, and after checking the surroundings, he whispered, “Two pieces of bad news. One team was found in the grove at the banks of the Pine Cone River, all dead. The enemy used a curved dagger, and the killing skill used was very penetrating.”
Diapheis frowned.
“In addition, our warehouse in the dock area was set on fire and a crowd fight happened at the casino in the east. The people keeping the street under control didn’t come.”
Diapheis glared, “Someone is secretly picking a fight?”
“Might be the Azure Snake or the White Peacock people.” The black clothed man worriedly added, “We expanded quite quickly lately, enough to arouse their enmity.”
“No matter who it is, Acheron’s rise is already set in stone.” Diapheis suddenly stood up from the sofa and ordered, “Send three teams to check the disturbances, and kill all those who are causing trouble.”
“But in that case, there would only be two teams left here in the Pyroxene Bar, along with some average members,” the black clothed man said.
“Who is afraid, I am here!” Diapheis walked quickly toward a wall, picking up a huge axe.
At that time, a young underling suddenly rushed down from the floor above.
“No good! Boss! Someone is causing trouble above, he killed a lot of our men!”
“How many are they!?” The black clothed man asked loudly.
The young underling swallowed, scared.
“… One!”
Chapter 12: Masked Twin Blades
Chapter 12: Masked Twin Blades
Translator: Translation Nation Editor: Translation Nation
Pyroxene was the place where low level people entertained themselves in the evening.
Diapheis strictly managed every entrance to the bar, each having specially trained gangsters guarding them.
To enter, people had to leave their weapons, without exception. However, Acheron members would be in charge of protecting their lives.
This was quite fair.
Besides a few low level adventurers who didn’t know life from death, the majority of the people would comply with these not too extreme rules, and as for the fools, their bodies would be seen the next day in the drain.
Don’t provoke the local bully. This was a survival rule for adventurers.
However, Marvin had to make an exception tonight.
If people don’t offend me, I don’t offend them. This was Marvin’s principle. The Acheron Gang dared try to assassinate him, so he was about to do a psychological retaliation.
Marvin was ready as soon as night fell, all his preparations done, twin daggers in hand, two more daggers hanging from his waist, along with a spare curved dagger. This was his weight limit, and any more would hamper his dexterity.
He wore a black mask on his face covering half his face. It wasn’t because he wanted to hide himself, but from his experience, the unknown was more scary.
Today he would spread fear over the Acheron Gang’s territory as much as he liked.
…
The Pyroxene guards weren’t a problem for him as he knew of similar bars, and they usually have a weakest
spot.
The kitchen.
He had already asked around the slums, discovering that every day someone would transport fruits, vegetables, barrels of wine and other such things through the kitchen to a storeroom.
That was where the guard was the sloppiest.
At 7:30 in the evening, the cart transporting the provisions arrived right on schedule. Two guards immediately came forward and began to check the things on the cart.
At that time, Marvin used Stealth and smoothly rushed in.
The kitchen was filled with a fishy smell, and two chefs were fighting a silent battle with the side-dishes, not daring to look around too much.
From the corner came a low sobbing voice.
Marvin frowned.
There were two ordinary Acheron members in the middle of beating up a pitiful young girl!
The seemingly 5 or 6 year old little girl was very stubborn. Even facing the two adults beating her up she wouldn’t beg for forgiveness or burst into tears, only a low and involuntary sobbing sound could be heard.
“Your mother already died! Remember to roll away for I, your father! Damn daughter of a whore, both are so stubborn.”
The thin one cursed, “Actually daring to ask us for money! She would receive any customer, and now she finally died from getting sick. That whore just deserved it!”
“Swindler!” The little girl, whose hair was grabbed, angrily yelled, “She is worth a lot of money for you! She hasn’t died yet! She just needs money so I can look for a priest to heal her! Gimme some money quickly!”
“Back to your mother!” The other man ruthlessly slapped the young girl’s face.
The girl almost passed out from the slap. A huge swelling appeared on her face, blood showing on the corner of her eyes.
“Gimme my money!” Death didn’t matter to the little girl clenching her teeth as she desperately shouted.
The two men glanced at each other, and the thin one clenched his fist and nodded.
Marvin knew they were going to kill her.
Shng!
A curved dagger was unsheathed. The two chefs were terrified, trembling and deathly pale.
“Take care of your own business!” The thin one sneered, “You didn’t see anything.”
One of the chefs, the young one, clenched his kitchen knife, his fingers going white. He gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with fear mixed with rage.
“Don’t be impulsive.” The older chef dragged him away, showing a hint of grief. “This is not something we can deal with.”
The thin man holding the curved dagger suddenly grabbed the little girl’s shoulder.
She lacked the strength to struggle, but she glared at him with a look that showed that she was ready to die.
This made him feel quite uncomfortable, as if a ghost was staring at an ordinary person.
“Little whore, die for me!” The thin one shouted.
A cold light flashed.
Blood spurted out, splashing onto the little girl’s face.
The thin man’s head fell to the ground with an astonished expression on it.
A figure suddenly appeared behind his body.
[Cutthroat has been used successfully!]
[Sneak Attack bonus… Damage x2]
[Target dead! 22 battle exp acquired.]
Marvin’s all-out attack, along with the Cutthroat and Stealth bonuses, surprisingly achieved a similar effect to the 3rd rank class [Outlaw of the Crimson Road]’s super-skill [Beheading]!
Marvin’s sudden appearance caught the thin man’s companion unprepared. He was about to draw his weapon to defend himself, but unfortunately, Marvin’s left hand back slashed accurately, splitting his head open.
Humans were the most vulnerable living beings. Even if they valued their lives, once dealt a deadly blow on one of their vitals, they would undoubtedly die.
The pitiful guy’s brains immediately burst open and his body twitched and then went limp.
The two chefs were terrified.
And that young girl struggling to lift her head looked at Marvin.
Her eyes were bright with deep pupils and an uncommon red color.
“What’s your name?” Marvin asked while ignoring the two chefs hiding under the table.
The young girl looked at Marvin wearing a mask and carrying twin daggers, not scared at all, and weakly replied, “Isabelle.”
“A quite noble name,” remarked Marvin.
“My father chose it for me,” said Isabelle.
“Tell me, why didn’t you beg for forgiveness or escape when they beat you up?
The young girl clenched her teeth. “I only have this path.”
Only this path. Otherwise her sickly mother would inevitably die. She had no other choice, and she would rather be beaten to death by a gang member than not try.
“What happened?”
At that time, the two guards that were checking the cart of goods rushed into the kitchen, shocked. They had noticed a bloody smell.
Marvin quickly turned, silently walking through the shelves.
The two guards only noticed the young girl in the corner and the two corpses. They were extremely startled. From their blind spot, Marvin stepped out and did a high leap, both weapons in his hands hacking down in harmony.
With this powerful dash, the two guards didn’t even have time to draw their weapons before their skulls were cracked open.
This was the terrifying Two-Weapon Fighting! The left and right hands were in perfect sync, able to multitask and attack two targets at the same time.
The bloody smell in the kitchen was even stronger now. The problem wasn’t too big for the time being, as the people in the Bar would only think that it was due to butchering.
Looking at this frightening bloody scene, Isabelle took a step forward and asked in a low voice, “You are the Acheron Gang’s enemy, right?”
“I’ll kill them tonight,” Marvin answered.
He didn’t ignore her for being a little girl. Her stubbornness had won his respect.
“Do you need a guide?” The little girl walked over to him while staggering, and with bright eyes she said, “I know everyone in the Acheron Gang and their sinister deals.”
“I know their boss is hiding in the cellar behind the courtyard. I know the way.”
Marvin laughed and rubbed Isabelle’s head. “You are quite brave.”
After saying that, he gave her a dagger.
“Hold on to it, Isabelle. We have a common enemy tonight.”
The young girl with the dagger in hand felt like a totally different person. She took a deep breath and asked, “Where do we start? Assassination?”
“No.” Marvin kicked the kitchen door, calmly walking through the entrance with his twin daggers. “We kill them from the front.”
…
As long as he was advancing in the Bar, Marvin didn’t intend to conceal himself.
Even if he was quite good at that in the past, he was currently a Ranger, not a Thief.
His current skills were clearly much more suited for direct confrontations than in his past life. His footsteps, blade skills and experience cleanly wiped out all these gangsters that didn’t know anything past watching a few streets. He was level 3 now, so all these gangsters were just giving a flat 10 exp each, such a joke.
Just a pack of mobs.
When Marvin kicked the kitchen door, a sharp gangster immediately took out a machete and came attacking.
Gang Swordsman – Level 3 – HP 78!
Unfortunately, they were wearing plain cotton clothing, with none of them wearing armor. Human HP without armor was close to nothing. Especially in front of Marvin, this super-expert good at dealing deadly attacks.
Clang! The two blades met, and Marvin’s strength was slightly lower than that of his counterpart.
However, with a slight nudge of his wrist, his curved dagger slid down along the machete blade, and abruptly, with a strange reversal, the blade conveniently sliced at the gangster’s wrist
.
“Ah!”
The shriek attracted everyone’s attention.
The whole bar suddenly became noisy and everyone stood up!
Someone was looking for trouble! And it seemed that he was not the kind to easily surrender.
The guests retreated one after the other to the side, excitedly looking at this scene. The Acheron Gang had just risen to power, so there would certainly be some people looking at them in an unfavorable way.
They wondered which gang rose up to the task.
But when they saw that the intruders were only a masked swordsman and a young girl who had taken a beating, their excitement turned to disappointment.
“Turned out to be a reckless adventurer.”
“Looks like a dual wielding Ranger. Seems a bit skillful, but he is alone… Is he looking to die?”
“Yeah, this will be lively soon enough.”
This was Acheron’s territory after all. They had home advantage and more than 20 decent members. There were two small teams with real classes among them, Diapheis’ trusted members.
In their eyes, this low-level adventurer was screwed.
While people were talking, Marvin had already ended that member’s life.
The little girl cleverly looked for an opportunity to squeeze herself into a crack; she didn’t want to be a nuisance to Marvin.
“Kill him!” A dull voice said.
Six similarly dressed adventurers came from the crowd and surrounded Marvin. Two Thieves, three Swordsmen and one unknown, probably a rogue.
Marvin took a quick glance at them, not needing Inspect to get that information.
To anyone, six enemies would seem somewhat thorny, especially when surrounded.
“This guy is screwed!” Someone in the audience taking joy in the situation said.
Three Swordsmen roared and rushed over.
Marvin coldly sneered and suddenly dashed to the bar counter before jumping!
He leapt onto the beams.
18 points of dexterity let him achieve quite a lot of things that would be impossible for a normal person.
‘Unfortunately I don’t have Anti-Gravity Steps, or I wouldn’t have to go through so much trouble.’
Marvin got an idea, and with exceptionally nimble footsteps, he quickly jumped over a few beams before kicking one of the pillars.
Night Ranger - Full Series - 735 Chapters Page 9
