I must be one of the stupidest people in the world. In my past life, I was just an ordinary office worker who could speak well, and now I am calling gangsters to fight me when I don't know swordsmanship.
Then one of the gangsters, who was so full of themselves, shouted, "Yo kid, you should have minded your business."
I shouted back, "How can I mind my own business when some adults are bullying a kid?"
I didn't know what was going on in my head, but I triggered the gangsters' anger. Suddenly, one of them ran towards me and was about to punch me with his giant fists. I put my hands in a cross position and covered my face. I braced myself for impact. Ten seconds had passed, and I was still standing with no injuries. I looked up and saw a shield surrounded; it was the protective bracelet given by Sir Gareth. I was saved. I thought.
Thank you, Sir Gareth. I guess I owe my life to you.
Suddenly a thought struck me: What if I used my shield as a weapon? "I can run past the gangsters, and if they try to attack me, the shield will activate," I thought, strategizing my approach.
I was born smart. I thought to myself, boasting with pride.
Without further ado, I started running toward the gangsters; they were in a fighting stance, ready to pounce on me. But once they did, they flew backward because of the shield. The sheer astonishment on their faces mirrored the effectiveness of Sir Gareth's gift.
Taking advantage of the momentary confusion, I swiftly reached the young girl, her eyes strangely open with no fear. Without hesitation, I grabbed her hand, and we bolted from the alley, weaving our way through the narrow streets as the gangsters struggled to recover.
The echoes of our footsteps could be heard as we ran for our lives. I spared a glance at the girl, her white hair flowing, as we raced through the dimly lit streets. "Are you alright?" I shouted over the clamor.
She nodded, her grip on my hand tightening, but her face was expressionless. "Thank you for saving me."
"There is no time for thanks yet. We need to get out of here." We hurried through the maze of alleys, trying to escape from the gangsters who were chasing us. Their shouting only made us more determined to outrun them.
As we turned a corner, we stumbled upon a dead end. Panic momentarily got to us, but I quickly assessed our surroundings. Spotting a series of crates, I motioned to the girl. "Climb up!"
We quickly climbed onto the crates and reached the roof of the nearby house. Using that height, we had a better view of the area just as the gangsters came around the corner. Their confusion at not finding us made us more excited as we scanned the area. I noticed a bridge that connected two houses overhead and pointed to it, saying, "We need to cross that bridge and find a way out of this part of the city."
The girl nodded; she looked the same, and there was no expression. Together, we went on the bridge and reached the roof of the other house. Then, we got down from the top of the house and ran towards the park.
As we reached the park, a peaceful atmosphere unfolded before us. We slowed our pace, ensuring the gangsters were left behind. The girl was still catching her breath and looked at me without expression. "Who are you?"
"I'm Magnus," I replied, briefly introducing myself. "What about you?"
She hesitated for a moment before answering, "I'm Alina."
Alina turned her head to the side, causing her hood to slip off and revealing her beautiful crystal-red eyes. The fiery red hue of her eyes was so mesmerizing that it was difficult to look away, and her soft, white hair cascaded down her back in gentle waves, perfectly complementing her eyes. The combination of her hair and eyes created a unique and enchanting look that was both stunning and captivating in the sunlight. I accidentally muttered, "So beautiful."
What the hell am I thinking? She is just a kid. I sound like a bastard. I thought, shaking off the inappropriate distraction.
Suddenly, Alina dragged me and pushed me against the bark of a nearby tree. The unexpected force took me by surprise as I found myself pinned, my back against the rough surface. She swiftly placed her elbow on my neck, her face angry and determined. The intensity of her gaze bore into mine, and she demanded furiously, "How do you know that code?"
I replied, trying not to look suspicious, "What code?"
She tightened her grip on my neck; her anger was palpable. "The code you used to get to the guild master."
Realizing, she wasn't planning to leave me, I decided to share a calculated portion of the truth. "I overheard it in the tavern. I needed help, and it seemed like the right thing to say. I didn't expect it to lead me to someone like you."
Her eyes narrowed; skepticism was still present. "Why should I believe you? Guild business is not something people stumble upon."
I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. "Look, I'm not your enemy. My family is in danger, and I'm trying to find out who's behind it. The guild master agreed to help me."
The pressure on my neck eased slightly, but Alina remained cautious. "Your story better check out, Magnus. Guild secrets are not to be taken lightly."
I nodded, understanding the gravity of her warning. "I don't intend to cause trouble. I just needed information to protect my family."
Alina deliberated before releasing me, stepping back but maintaining a guarded stance, and said, "Fine, I'll trust you a little bit."
She pulled my hand and drew a symbol using mana. The lines glowed as her fingers danced gracefully, creating a pattern I couldn't comprehend. "My hand, marked with the glowing symbol, emitted a soft, steady light." I asked, bewildered, "What are you doing to my hand?"
With a mysterious smile, she replied, "This is a binding rune. It means that we are both connected. If you need help, contact me through this rune."
I was surprised by the explanation. "A binding rune? What does it do to me? Wait, can you track my location with this?"
She replied with a mischievous smirk, "Maybe. Now I've got to go. See you soon."
With that, she suddenly disappeared into thin air, like magic. I stood there, momentarily stunned by her unexpected departure. As I collected my thoughts, I couldn't stop thinking about Alina and the uncertainty she has brought into my life. The binding rune on my hand pulsed with a subtle glow, a constant reminder of the shared connection.
This kid is good. I played right into her hands. I thought as I smiled to myself.
Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice calling, "Young Master!"
It was Elisa and Sir Gareth. Elisa waved at me as she approached. I greeted her with a nod and said, "Elisa."
She looked concerned. "We were concerned when you didn't come to the meeting stop, she told us."
I reassured her, "Yes, everything is fine. I just had to handle a little situation."
Elisa then noticed the glowing rune on my hand, her eyes widening with curiosity. "Young master, what is that on your hand?"
I hesitated momentarily and put my hand behind me, deciding not to reveal too much, I said. "It's just a protective charm. Nothing to worry about."
Sir Gareth, ever vigilant, raised an eyebrow but didn't press the matter.
Elisa smiled and said, "Well, as long as you're safe. Shall we head back to the carriage?"
I agreed, "Yes, let's go. We've got much to do."
Over a week passed, and a reply from the guild came. I eagerly opened the sealed envelope, and the message inside stated,
"The enemies of your father are deeply intertwined in the political web of our kingdom. They operate in secrecy, and their influence is vast. However, the guild discovered a few key figures: Count Mapisto, Lady Isode, The Crimson Hand, and Archmage Severin. Exercise caution, young lad. These are just pieces of a larger puzzle."
These people were the same villains in the original novel. Let me write down what I know about them:
Count Mapisto is the same noble who hosted the banquet where my parents were attacked soon.
Lady Isolde is a mysterious figure with connections to the dark arts and secretive organizations. She's rumored to manipulate events from the shadows.
The Crimson Hand is an elusive group of assassins and spies. Their allegiance can be bought, and they often work for the highest bidder.
Archmage Severin is a powerful mage who dabbles in forbidden magic. He has his agenda and may pose a significant threat.
All these people are dangerous. How do I defeat them and protect my family? Okay, let's start with Count Mapisto. I heard he has a daughter; maybe I can use her for revenge.