A young man with ruffled hair and sunken eyes was sitting and scribbling something on his desk. The light stone lamp barely gave off enough light to lighten up the stack of papers, but the young man didn't seem to mind.
Suddenly, a fat middle-aged man strode into the silent room without knocking on the door and screeched unpleasantly. His coat was soaked in rainwater and was dripping on the uneven floor.
- Why are you taking so long? Am I paying you for nothing?
Pedro stopped scribbling and silently stood up, unceremoniously grabbing his hat and coat.
- Hey, where are you going?!
The middle-aged man roared, appearing displeased.
- It's done.
The middle-aged man gnashed his teeth as a young man brushed past him.
- Humph.
It was raining cats and dogs outside. Once Pedro opened the door, the heavy sound of huge raindrops hitting ground resounded, before somewhat quietening down as the door was closed.
Once he was gone, the middle-aged man grabbed the stack of papers, then his furrowed brows relaxed a bit. It was a pity that his employee had fled before he could vent his spleen, accumulated throughout the shitty day.
He fell heavily on the chair and made a comparison between the original and rewritten. He grew increasingly satisfied. The majority of the common people were illiterate, so finding somebody from commoners, who were literate and that good in calligraphy wasn't easy.
- Sigh.
The middle-aged man bundled up the stack of scattered papers and then left the room after locking it with the key.
* * *
Another unpleasant day has passed. Pedro was soaked in a matter of seconds after going outside. The wind slowed his walking speed. The ground was muddy, so he had to choose his steps.
- Hmm?
He was surprised to see a figure slumped on the back of a horse.
- Isn't that...?
He recognized this person! After nearing him, he was astonished to find bloodstains on him.
After thinking for some time, he made a decision.
Their figures disappeared in the messy rainstorm.
* * *
- Where am I? Ugh...
Lorian felt pain course throughout his chest as soon as he regained the awareness.
He surveyed the dark room but found nothing noteworthy.
- You're awake.
Pedro entered the door.
- Thank you.
- It's nothing...I've heard you've been gone for a while. You are in the dark of the recent happenings, I presume?
Pedro's eyes flashed.
Lorian nodded his head and attempted to get out from the bed. He found this manageable.
- Do you know who Santos is?
- The city lord's son?
Pedro nodded his head and continued.
- He came to cause trouble. It wasn't the first time, but he went too far at that time. Genos was angered and beat him up.
Lorian's heart tensed as he listened.
- The city lord's response was expected. The army of soldiers surrounded the inn. There's some insider story. The city lord and Genos were love rivals. In the end, the woman they fought over was forcibly taken by the city lord. Genos was mortally wounded. The years passed. Genos was suppressed and stagnated while the city lord got his position. Even then, Genos wasn't let off and the feud continued, to the next generation...
Lorian felt pity for Genos. He didn't know that guy hid such a tragic story.
- What happened next? Did they...burn down the inn?
Pedro shook his head.
- Of course not. Everyone didn't back down and stood on Genos' side. Afraid of the riot, the city lord could only back down, but Genos wasn't let off and was humiliated very badly. That should have been the end of it. However, the following day, the city lord's son was murdered.
Lorian's heart fluctuated.
- Was it Genos?
Pedro shook his head.
- It's unlikely, but the city lord lost all reasoning, flew into a rage and burned down the inn. Genos fled along with his daughter after being notified.
Lorian contemplated. This event seemed to be orchestrated from the shadows. Suddenly, he remembered the circus incident. For reasons unknown, somebody was seeking chaos.
- Since then, our life got worse. We are being silently suppressed.
Lorian closed his eyes.
- I see. So we won't be let off, huh?
- Yes. We were the frequent costumers. The city lord won't hesitate to make our lives miserable. Our life is hanging by a thread. One of his whims and we and our families will be no more. We are in the same boat now.
Lorian thought for a while, then remembered something important.
- Where is Loki?
Pedro looked at him in the eyes, sighed and shook his head.
- He's disappeared.
Lorian trembled and clenched his fists, then loosened them.
- Are you guys going to go down without a fight?
Pedro didn't answer.
- ...When the sun no longer warms us up, we can only embrace the darkness.
Lorian mumbled in low voice.
- You mean...?
Pedro's gaze turned solemn.
- Are you willing to listen to my plan?
* * *
One month later...
The city lord was a middle-aged man with a robust figure. His broad shoulders, bulky frame and inherent arrogance he gave off made others fear and respect him. His head was a bit elongated. Some wrinkles had appeared on his face. His expression was pale and eyes lively and scary as they darted around from place to place. The long silver hair was scattered across his face.
- My lord...
A person entered his study room with a bent back, silently quivering. Everybody knew that city lord's temper changed for the worst in the last month.
- Speak.
The city lord, Morses ordered in a low voice.
The informant trembled as he recounted the recent happenings.
- Yes, my lord. The citizens are acting low key due to the recent influx of influential figures. The auction house had done its best to publicize the matter, but in the end, only 3 barons, 11 wealthy merchants and 4 low standing officials have been attracted.
Morses mumbled something for a while, before asking
- Are there any movements from the Unlaughing gang?
- Not, my lord. After that incident, they have gone quiet.
The city lord squinted his eyes.
- Their timing was too good. I can't help but think the appearance of the drop of snow wolf bloodline has something to do with them. Or at least their information network is not worse than ours. Keep an eye on them. You can leave now.
The informant bowed and left the room.
The city lord showed a wretched smile when he was left alone.
- I can't act rashly for now. But this is my domain. Homeless dogs, you have miscalculated. When the new faces are gone, there won't be anyone left to stop me from erasing you.
* * *
In the rundown castle
Two figures wearing masks could be seen approaching the castle, which seemed to have been abandoned for ages.
They were members of the recently established gang, Unlaughing.
This name came in a unique way. Everybody was discussing as to how to name their new alliance. Many opinions were raised and all of them were refuted.
Their leader had suggested for all of them to wear masks. Everyone bought at random, but somebody noticed, that none of the masks they had bought conveyed a happy mood. Hence, he suggested naming the gang Unlaughing. Everyone liked the idea.
- Hey Boris, do you think it will work?
One of them asked another with a bit of uncertainty and worry in his voice.
- Everything'll be fine. The kid's judgment's been great so far. We've got nothing to lose. It's better to resist than to silently await the reaper's scythe. We've been marked, but our legs are tied. We can only follow him, I believe he won't let us down.
Karl sighed and shook his head. He was feeling bitter in his heart. Their loved ones were being killed. They were being silently devoured, but they couldn't retaliate. The enemy left no clues, hence there was no evidence to rile up the crowd for the riot. Many of them were already going insane with rage and hatred.
There were only about 30 of them with 12 being at the peak of mortal realm and 3 at 1-star realm. Karl and Boris were also 1-star warriors. Unfortunately, they couldn't openly oppose the city lord, because they were simply too weak.
They could only scheme in the dark. They had been silently contacting city lord's enemies. Enemy of my enemy is my friend. It was the same principle. They had also been causing some small-scale mischiefs, but this was nowhere near enough. Two days ago, they finally exposed themselves somewhat and annihilated the gang, which had been acting upon city lord's instructions. The gang was secretly smuggling silver from another territory. They also had a foot in shady works like illegal slave trading. Their annihilation should have caused the city lord painful loss.
City lord couldn't openly retaliate either, especially when the auction had garnered so much attention of the big shots, that didn't necessarily have a good relationship with the city lord and were waiting for an excuse to appear.
*Knock, knock
The duo entered the castle and knocked on the certain door.
- Come in...cough, cough...
A hoarse voice came from the room the inside.
They entered and saw youngster wearing a wolf mask and silver robes sitting on the wheelchair. He was intently staring at the stack of papers on the desk.
- Is there any news?
- Everything's according to plan. The coliseum's staff has been bribed. The revolt is inevitable. Our spies have also been silently spreading the right information. All the people need is the spark to ignite.
Lorian nodded his head.
- Cough, cough, cough...
He started intently coughing afterward. After receiving that hit a month ago, his hidden injuries were aggravated and his health deteriorated. Even the holy water couldn't heal these hidden injuries.
- Kiddo, are you alright?
Karl panicked. His heart was feeling pained as he knew how hard Lorian had been working recently. He was thoroughly acknowledged and respected in the gang.
Lorian raised his hand. The blood had covered his hand. He quickly wiped it with a towel and said.
- Prepare an invitation card.
Boris' expression changed.
- You mean...you are going to attend the auction?
Lorian nodded solemnly.
- The main dish came from me, so I can raise the price as much as I want. I want to milk him of as much money as possible, after all, these funds are crucial for the success of our plan. There can't be any mishaps. The outsider bigshots might act cowardly, who knows. I can't let the item be sold at dirt cheap price.
Lorian truthfully spilled his thoughts.
- But...won't you be exposing yourself?
Lorian smiled under the mask.
- It's fine. We'll have to clash sooner or later. He won't dare do something to me for the time being, but when he will dare...it will be too late.
A cold smile surfaced on his lips.
- Oh, how about that mysterious robed person?
Lorian couldn't help but ask once again.
Karl's expression sank as he recounted.
- We found the clues. He's dead...
Lorian's mind trembled. He remembered his words - ''Here's some friendly advice...don't bite more than you can chew. The more you know, the less safe you are.''
He must have known what he shouldn't have, but what exactly?
- Right, boss, about the circus incident, the underground finally agreed to share some information after we paid a hefty sum.
Lorian's ears perked up.
Karl solemnly continued.
- The culprit is suspected to be a member of mysterious organization Devil's Candle. They don't have many members, but all of them has a bounty over 1000 golds! Their leader is internationally wanted by the holy church and 3 kingdoms.
Lorian tensed up. The waters in the world were too deep. He was still weak and should tread carefully, lest he is swallowed by the tide.
- The member who's behind the scenes is most likely...Mantis.
Lorian's eyes flashed as he contemplated in silence.
- Continue.
Karl nodded his head.
- The members of the devil's candle have two subordinates, called left and right hands. The circus massacre's most likely been staged by the member, but executed by his left or right hand.
...
- Anything else?
Lorian asked, thirsty to learn more.
Karl shook his head.
Lorian sighed and spoke.
- Alright, you can leave.
The duo bid farewells and left the room.
Lorian fell deep into contemplation. His brows were creased.
- Any new targets?
A bit immature voice sounded in the room. Unexpectedly there was somebody else in the room and the duo hadn't even noticed even at their power level.
Lorian smiled in response to the voice.