"Good boy." I slap him again, and then I heal him. "I need information."
"Then you came to the wrong fella. I ain't no snitch." I stab his stomach again. Harder this time, making him cough blood.
"Last time I repeat myself." I leave the dagger in his stomach and continue talking, ignoring his scream. "I want to know three things: first, there are people supposed to come here in two weeks. Who are they? Second, do you have any pieces of information on the Flolerl family? and Third, what are the weaknesses of your base here in Nargil."
I remove the dagger and heal the guy. He was already pale. "I told you. I am not a snitch. I can't be one anyway. I am not high enough in the chain."
"Meaning?"
"I was just recently initiated into the family. I know nothing important, nor can I have access to information like that yet."
"Then, you will find somebody who does and bring him to me."
"What?!!! Are you craz-"
"Or you die right now." I place the dagger right in front of his eye. It is still griping with his blood.
"Okay, okay, I understand."
I read the mind of the guy, and he seems to be telling the truth. He also plans on calling people for me when he will enter the city. I stab him again, and again, and again. Hard enough to make it painful while avoiding any possible parts that could kill him. He keeps screaming and screaming, but I don't care. After a few stabs, I heal him again. Then I whistle. K'nor comes running like a ghost in the middle of the night without any sounds. When he appears, the guy starts trembling like a leaf.
"Just try to talk about me, and this guy here will make you understand pain, eating you slowly, limbs by limbs without killing you."
"Hyaa!!" His pants become wet, and there is the odor of piss floating in the air now. Did he want to piss?
"Do you understand?"
"Y-y-yes, yes, yes. I swear, I won't say anything."
"Good. You have two days. Find someone who knows anything important enough and bring him here."
"Yes, I will, I swear."
I free the guy and bring him to the town entrance. He goes out of the forest and enters without saying anything while the guards keep mocking him for wetting himself. I observe for a bit longer, then go back and sleep with K'nor.
***
The next morning, I go to the guild to take my repaired raizen. But the girl from yesterday is not here, there is another one, taller than her, and with brown hair and eyes, a small nose, big lips, an average chest.
"Welcome. What business do you have with the guild today? Are you here to register as an adventurer? Or an explorer? We also have items to sell if you need something for your journey. Or you can set a quest if you need help for something."
The same speech as yesterday? So, I was not a particular customer or something.
"I left my weapon for repair here yesterday."
"Okay, give me a minute to go and check. Under which name?"
"Hm… I am not sure I gave my name. But it's Kevin Dragonroad."
"Okay, please wait over there." the girl shows me the tables without chairs.
After five minutes, she comes back, holding something wrapped in a cloth. She seems to have trouble holding it even with both her hands. I go to her and take it.
"Thank you. Your weapon has been successfully repaired by our blacksmith. Thank you for your business." I hold my raizen with one hand and send it to my bracelet.
The girl looks at me a bit surprised. It's my weapon, so of course, I can use it with one hand. But I am more surprised as to why she can't lift it easily. It is not that heavy.
When I go out of the guild, the new assassin guy is outside. Alone, looking everywhere like a scared puppy. I approach him, and he gives me a piece of paper furtively.
'I will bring somebody tonight.' That's all it said. The same night, I wait in the forest, and indeed I hear two heartbeats.
"Where are you bringing me already?"
"I told you. There was something weird around here." So, he did what I asked after all. I go and take care of his friend. He tells me that the guest will come in two days and not two weeks because there was a report about what happened in Vodun. Also, it is indeed somebody serving the royal family and somebody else whose identity is unknown to them. Well, that should be enough. I cut his head and burn the body.
"What will you do?"
"We will see each other in two days. You can go." This guy is not even fazed about how I just burn somebody he was probably friends with. Even reading his mind, he doesn't seem concerned or thinking about betraying me. For now, at least.
Two days later. I go to the tavern at night. There are fewer customers than my first time. The bartender comes to me again.
"A meal and water?"
"Nope. First and last whisky please." He frowns a bit.
"Okay, coming right up."