Are you kids okay?" Eagan asked as he walked into the storeroom to see the children huddled together, with a small and fierce girl standing protectively before them.
"Who are you?" Samantha asked. "Are you one of those bad guys?"
Eagan raised his hands slowly, daggers shimmering faintly in the dim light of the storeroom. "I'm not with them," he said calmly. "I'm here to help. Are you kids okay?"
Samantha's eyes narrowed, her grip on the broken chair leg tightening. "How do we know you're not lying? The bad guys talk smooth too."
Eagan sighed inwardly, understanding the girl's caution. "You've got guts, kid. But I just took out the guys outside, and you don't have time to argue with me. Whatever is coming down this alley won't care if you're armed with a stick."
Samantha hesitated, her gaze flicking to the other children, who clung to one another. A boy whispered, "What if he's telling the truth? What if he can save us?"
The tension in Samantha's posture eased slightly, though her eyes remained wary. "If you're really here to help, prove it. Get us out of here."
"On it," Eagan said, scanning the room. "Everyone, stay close and don't wander. I'll handle the rest."
As he spoke, a low growl reverberated through the alley, sending a shiver through the children. Samantha stepped back instinctively, but Eagan's stance remained firm.
"What's that?" she asked, her voice trembling for the first time.
"Trouble," Eagan muttered, his mind racing. He turned to the children. "Stay quiet. Whatever happens, don't run unless I tell you."
The door creaked ominously as Eagan shut it behind him, sealing the children inside. He stepped into the alley, the cool night air heavy with tension. His daggers hummed faintly in his hands, their magical etching glowing as Ariana whispered urgently.
"It's here."
From the shadows emerged a hulking creature, its figure grotesque and twisted. Its elongated limbs scraped against the walls as it lumbered forward, glowing red eyes fixed on Eagan. It was a Shade Wraith, a mana-infused monstrosity that thrived in dark corners of the Zones that have frequent dungeon breaks.
Eagan's heart thudded, but he steadied himself. "A Shade Wraith? Of all the luck...
The leader of the gang, still slumped against the alley wall, let out a strangled cry. "You idiot! You led it right to us! We've been feeding that thing scraps for weeks to keep it away!"
Eagan didn't glance back. "Then you should've stopped kidnapping kids."
The Shade Wraith lunged, its claw-like hands slicing through the air. Eagan dove under the attack, his daggers moving in a precise arc. Sparks flew as his blade met the creature's tough, mana-fuelled skin, leaving a shallow cut that oozed dark mist.
"Arianna," he thought quickly, "how do I kill it?"
"Direct attacks won't work for long," she replied. "Its core is deep in its chest. You'll need to expose it."
"Of course it's never easy," Eagan muttered aloud. The wraith roared, swinging again. He leapt backward, using the narrow alley to his advantage, forcing the creature to slow its movements.
With a sudden burst of speed, Eagan darted forward, sliding under the creature's sweeping claws. He drove one dagger into its knee, causing it to stumble, and used the momentum to slash upward toward its torso. The Wraith screeched, its misty form flickering as Eagan's blade grazed its core.
"That's it!" Arianna shouted. "You're close—just a little more!"
The Wraith, enraged, thrashed wildly. Its claws scraped the walls, sending bricks tumbling, one narrowly missing Eagan's head. He dove and rolled, coming up behind the creature.
The gang leader watched in horror, his defiance melting into terror. "You can't beat that thing! Run while you can!"
Eagan smirked, his eyes cold. "I don't run."
Summoning his remaining strength, Eagan leapt onto the creature's back, driving both daggers into its shoulders. The Wraith howled, its form quaking as Eagan channelled a burst of mana into his weapons. A glow erupted from the creature's chest as its core became fully exposed.
"Now!" Ariana urged.
Eagan pulled one dagger free, flipping it in his hand, and plunged it directly into the glowing core. A deafening screech tore through the air as the Wraith's body convulsed, then disintegrated into a cloud of black mist.
For a moment, silence fell over the alley. Then Eagan exhaled, wiping sweat from his brow. The system screen flashed before his eyes.
Part one of the quest completed: rescue the children from their captors.
Rewards: five thousand experience points, reputation boost, unknown item acquired: Mana Core Fragment.
Part two: Hand the children over to the authorities. Unfinished.
Eagan turned back toward the storeroom and opened the door. The children flinched as the light from the alley spilt in, but Samantha stepped forward, her broken chair leg still clutched tightly.
"It's gone," Eagan said softly. "You're safe now."
Samantha's gaze flicked to the dagger in his hand and then to the alley behind him. "The monster?"
"Dead," Eagan confirmed. "And the bad guys aren't going anywhere either."
The children let out a collective sigh of relief, though some of them still looked wary. Samantha, however, straightened her back, her defiance returning. "You're taking us to the guards, right?"
Eagan gave her a small smile. "That's the plan. Stick close, and don't wander off."
The group made their way through the quieter parts of Zone C, avoiding any potential trouble. The children clung to one another, their eyes darting nervously at every shadow, but Samantha stayed at the front, walking just behind Eagan like a self-appointed sentinel.
When they reached the guard post at the edge of Zone C, the guards immediately sprang into action, their faces a mixture of shock and concern. Eagan explained the situation, glossing over the more fantastical elements to keep things simple.
"These kids were taken by some thugs operating in the alley," he said. "I've dealt with most of them, but you might want to send someone to clean up the mess."
The guards nodded, ushering the children inside and assuring them they'd be reunited with their families. One of the guards, a stocky man with a stern expression, turned to Eagan.
"You did a good thing here," he said. "Zone C's been rough lately, and we don't get many like you willing to step in."
Eagan nodded, his expression neutral. "Just doing what needed to be done."
As the guards led the children away, Samantha paused and turned back. "Hey!" she called, her voice firm.
Eagan looked over his shoulder, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah?"
She hesitated for a moment, then gave him a sharp nod. "Thanks... for not being one of the bad guys."
Eagan smirked faintly. "Stay safe, kid."
The moment the guards and children were out of sight, a system notification appeared before him.
Quest Completed: Rescue the children from their captors.
Rewards:
Five thousand experience points
Reputation Boost
Unknown Items Acquired: Mana Core Fragment
New Quest Alert: Chain Quest Initiated
Quest Name: Hunt the Black Lion Gang
Objective: Investigate the Black Lion Gang's operations and dismantle their network.
Reward: Ten thousand experience points, enhanced reputation boost, rare equipment.
Note: This is a chain quest. Completing this step will unlock further objectives.
Eagan frowned as he scanned the system message. "The Black Lion Gang? Figures there'd be more to this mess."
Arianna chimed in, her tone both impressed and cautious. "The Black Lion Gang is no joke. They've got deep ties across the zones, and their influence spreads far beyond this little corner."
"All the more reason to shut them down," Eagan replied, slipping his daggers back into their sheaths. "Where do we start?"
"The gang leader you left behind might know something," Arianna suggested. "If he's still breathing."
Eagan turned back toward the alley, his strides quick and purposeful. The leader was right where he'd left him, slumped against the wall, clutching his side. His eyes widened as Eagan approached, his bravado completely gone.
"Wait! Don't kill me!" The man pleaded, his voice trembling. "I'll tell you whatever you want!"
Eagan crouched in front of him, his expression cold. "Good. Let's start with the Black Lion Gang. Where can I find them?