Ding~ Dong~

Barely a few seconds after the middle aged lady entered what I assumed to be the back of the stall, the door opened and a man entered.

He had a rough feature and a bad stench assaulted my nose even before I locked gaze with him.

‘I guess they don't have deodorants here…’

His clothes were ragged and tattered, and he was also wearing a cloak like I was.

I thought nothing of him at first and looked away, but then I noticed a shadow cast over me. I looked up to see three more people entering, two men and a lady.

“Where is the stall owner?” The man asked. His mouth smelled worse than his body.

“I… I think she went to get something…” it didn't take too long for me to realise what it was that was happening. Without a doubt, these people were thugs.

“Hehehe.” As if to confirm my thoughts, a chuckle escaped the man's lips.

“Guys, it seems like today is our lucky day. We not only get money, but a pretty boy. I wonder how much he would sell for.”

‘Wow. They are totally acting like I wasn't standing before them.’

I couldn't blame them though, I was so pathetically weak, I might as well haven't been before them.

But although I was weak physically, I wasn't mentally. I might not be able to run away, but I have to at least bluff my way out of this.

“Heh,” I let out a chortle. Their brows furrowed and they all focused on me, my smirk became even wider.

‘I've gotten their attention.’

“What's so funny?” One of them asked. He was an ugly looking fella, his skin was an odd grey colour and he looked like a mantis—I’m guessing his oddly shaped face is what makes him talk funny too.

“Wrong question.” I shook my head before standing up to look at their leader. I scowled, making sure to let him know I was absolutely repulsed by his odour.

This made him frown and I knew I had planted a seed in him.

Normally, a scared brat like me would try their best to hide their repulsiveness out of fear. Boldly showing mine should have made the leader subconsciously register that I wasn't afraid of him.

“What you should be asking is what isn't funny.”

Their brows furrowed and I almost rolled my eyes.

“How many times has it been now? This is probably the fourth kidnapping.” I let out an exaggerated sigh, shaking my head as I walked past the quad, subtly glancing around for anything that might help me.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“You've been kidnapped before?” The leader asked.

“Four times?” The only female in the group asked too.

“I know right? So tiresome.” I sighed once again.

“What annoys me the most is when my family finds the culprits and I have to watch their innards spill out as they are cut and minced only to be fed to my pack of wolves.”

There was a sudden silence, one that baffled me. I turned around to look and I saw that the group's eyes were slightly widened.

“Direwolves?” The last member who has been silent all this while asked.

“Of course.”

‘Isn't this too easy?’ I wondered, ignoring the audible gulp from the group as I confirmed their guess.

“Honestly, I end up having nightmares for weeks after. I always try to warn them, but I've realised that it's usually futile.”

Shit! There's nothing else I can think of. I really hope this works and they leave me alone. If not, I might just die before I even get to see much of this new world.

“So although I know you would proceed to kidnap me even after my warning, I still have to warn you that your death will be gruesome.”

I gave the best pleading look I could before adding,

“Please, I don't want to have nightmares anymore.”

The group were silent for a moment before they suddenly began exchanging glances and mutterings among themselves.

‘What the hell? What family does he come from?’

“I've never heard of such a noble family before but you never know.’

‘Yeah, he might come from one of those ancient families that even the nobles don't dare mess with.’

‘I think we should just leave this one alone, boss.’

Yes! Please leave me alone. I really hope you do!!

But I really was right, this was going too smoothly. The devil just had to have his way.

The group turned around, the one at the forefront reaching for the door when the female among the group suddenly spoke,

“Wait!”

Without even hearing what she had to say, I already felt a shiver run down my spine.

She turned around, her eyes landing on mine. No, to be exact, they landed on the brooch I had forgotten was on my chest.

“That emblem…” she began, her eyes raising to meet mine before narrowing,

“A simple blade with a starry background… isn't that the Celestial sword? The crest of the fallen House Astris?”

There was suddenly an awkward silence. I slowly began to step backwards, towards where the stall lady had gone.

“And don't they have a useless heir who looks like a sissy?”

“Hey! What's wrong with looking feminine?” I protested. My cover was blown anyway, there was no need to mince my words.

“Also, did you sell your bath too? You smell so bad, your odour can probably protect you from a dragon's breath!”

“Should I catch him?” The leader was so angry, I could see snake-like veins pulsing around his neck.

“Yess…” he replied through gritted teeth. The other two males dashed for me.

They covered the distance pretty quickly, I didn't even have time to run and all I could do was raise my hand to shield myself instinctively.

‘I guess even thugs in a magic world would be skilled.’

But the fierce grip on my body, or the possible smacking I was expecting never arrived.

Thwack~ Thump~

“Good job buying yourself some time, young lad.”

I opened my eyes to see the middle aged lady standing before me, one of the two thugs that had rushed towards me was now on the floor and the other was a few feet away, his hands crossed in a defensive position.

“Took me a while to get my fighting gloves.”