Emboldened by his easy victory over the high-ranking Brave Rock, Eddie now ambitiously targeted "Iron-Tyrant," the formidable and infamous leader of the Savage Beasts Mercenary Group in Whitestone City.
Despite being a Mid-Level Hero of the third tier, Iron Tyrant's brutal reputation was well-known, his name synonymous with terror and tyranny due to his relentless cruelty and his family's influential backing. Countless families, victims of his reign of horror, had called for his head, pooling their resources for a substantial bounty through the Assassin's Guild.
Iron Tyrant's invincibility was partly attributed to the protective umbrella of the Great Daxia Kingdom's Iron family and his manipulation of Whitestone City's ruler through unspeakable gifts.
His monstrous acts went largely unchecked, making him an almost mythical figure of fear in the city.
However, the thrill of the hunt ignited a fire in Eddie. The vast gap between a second-tier Brave and a third-tier Hero was a chasm few dared to bridge.
Ascending beyond Hero status was akin to reaching the pantheon of legends, a feat that earned both awe and dread. Yet, for Eddie, it was another exciting challenge to conquer, another powerful foe to outsmart and overpower.
As the night's cloak enveloped Whitestone City, Eddie moved through the shadows with the stealth and guile of a seasoned predator.
His heart raced with anticipation and adrenaline, not for glory or wealth but for the pure, intoxicating thrill of overcoming an adversary deemed invincible.
In the veiled alleys and the quiet corners of Whitestone City, a new legend was brewing, a story of heroism that would resonate through time.
To Eddie, a Mid-Level Hero was formidable only to the average eye. To an Innate Realm practitioner like him, anyone below the rank of a Sixth-Level Patriarch was as insignificant as an ant. His mere three months of cultivation in the Innate Realm might pale in comparison to those who spent centuries honing their skills, but he was still a force to be reckoned with.
Iron Tyrant, known as the "Ironclad Beast" and a notorious figure in Whitestone City's mercenary circles, was indeed a formidable opponent for ordinary mercenaries. Yet, against Eddie's Innate Invisible Sword Qi, he stood no chance.
Eddie, however, had no intention of using his sword qi to end Iron Tyrant's life. His plan was to capture him alive and let his Venus Thorn Trap consume him, just like Rock.
The Venus Thorn Trap hadn't mutated after devouring Rock, indicating that the path to evolving it into a mythical-grade creature, the "Golden Crown Venus Thorn Queen," was a long and challenging one.
Fortunately, Whitestone City, much like the rest of Daxia, was not short of malevolent characters to serve as nourishment.
The Assassin's Guild's list of targets in Whitestone City alone was almost a hundred names long, offering ample opportunities for Eddie to hone his skills, nurture his Venus Thorn Trap, and earn some coin.
Eddie's evening began at the Eastern Tavern in Whitestone City. Upon entering, he scanned the room, slightly disappointed not to find any woman with the "soccer ball-sized assets" he was half-jokingly hoping for.
However, several women with "papaya-sized attributes" quickly surrounded him, their eagerness palpable as they asked, "Looking for some fun, young master? Solo or duo?"
With a flair reminiscent of a classic spendthrift, Eddie casually tossed a handful of silver coins, dazzling everyone around. The women, squealing in excitement, swiftly gathered the coins with a speed that would put a thief to shame.
They then launched a full-frontal "bosom assault" on Eddie, nearly smothering him in their exuberance. The night was young, and Eddie, amidst the chaos, prepared to delve into the underbelly of Whitestone City, his true mission lurking beneath the facade of revelry.
As Eddie, accompanied by a bevy of buxom women, exited the tavern, the men inside watched with a mix of admiration and envy. Murmurs of an impending group encounter spread like wildfire, each man imagining the young rogue's wild night ahead.
Laughter erupted throughout the tavern, with some jesting that tomorrow's trash might reveal a drained husk of a man, while others wagered he wouldn't leave his bed for a month after the amorous ordeal.
The tavern's regulars knew all too well about the "papaya girls" and their legendary prowess. The thought alone of facing them was enough to send shivers down their spines.
They joked heartily, half in jest and half in genuine concern for the young man's well-being.
In a quiet corner, the sharp-eyed thief who had helped Eddie the night before sat sipping his drink, sneering at the spectacle. He was just about to order another round when, to everyone's surprise, Eddie reappeared at the door.
The room went silent, disbelief etched on every face. Whispers and snickers filled the air as they speculated about his incredibly brief escapade.
A burly man couldn't contain his curiosity and called out, half mocking, "Hey, buddy, did you even get your pants off?" Others chimed in, playfully accusing Eddie of wasting such an opportunity and offering their "help" for future endeavors.
Eddie, with a mischievous grin, responded, "Gents, I'm just a messenger boy for someone else's pleasures. Such luxuries aren't meant for a small fry like me!"
The room erupted in disbelief and laughter, as Eddie strolled confidently through the crowd, leaving a trail of amused and bewildered patrons in his wake. His reputation as a sly and elusive character only grew stronger with each passing moment in the tavern.
The realization that Eddie was just running errands rather than indulging in a lavish spree brought a collective chuckle throughout the tavern.
Considering his modest appearance, it made sense that such an extravagant night would be unusual for him. Nonetheless, Eddie, understanding the art of winning over the crowd, tossed a couple of silver coins onto the table with a flourish.
"Let's drink to chance encounters and to the one risking it all tonight!" he announced, prompting a roar of approval from the room.
The men, now regarding him as one of their own, raised their glasses in unison, the atmosphere jovial and rowdy.
Meanwhile, the sharp-eyed thief in the corner scoffed quietly, ignoring the seductively dressed waitress offering drinks.
Eddie, ever the charmer, took a seat across from him, his grin wide and teasing. "Knew I'd find you here, buddy! How about that woman with the football-sized chest? Impressive, right? Don't be shy now; someone as pure as you should seize the opportunity to learn. It's all part of life's natural course, as Confucius said, 'Food and sex are human nature.'"
The sharp-eyed thief rolled his eyes, visibly annoyed by Eddie's relentless teasing. In response, Eddie slapped his back, laughing heartily. "We're brothers in arms! Can't just sit by and watch. Let's go big tonight, your virtue won't stand a chance! Don't worry about the cost; I've got you covered!"
The tavern burst into laughter once more, with Eddie at the center of it all, weaving his way through the crowd with the ease of a seasoned rogue. His infectious energy and carefree attitude left an impression on everyone, turning an ordinary night into a memorable one.