Chapter 10: I'm a Hero
-Foxy Merchant's POV-
Hahahaha! Another successful day!
Sitting atop a cart, a foxy merchant was counting her most recent earnings. She was rather famous amongst the citizens of Rohan. Through her various escapades and cunning wit, she managed to steal the hearts of countless men (along with their wallets). Her nickname was ‘Red Fox’, though she wasn’t particularly fond of that name, it was rather fitting. She had a body of a model, tall, thin, all wrapped in erotic black leather, however her most striking feature was her crimson red hair.
While roaming the crowded plaza, she made it a priority to hide her appearance. Peering from under her brown leather cloak, she noticed a rather large group crowding around the forge. Though the forge was always busy, for this many customers to be swarming the forge, the ‘Red Fox’ knew something interesting was happening. Peeking through the crowd...
“Thanks ol’man! I’m truly thankful for your gift!” (???)
“Wahaha! Put that skill into good use ya’ hear?” (Blacksmith Garat)
“I definitely will!” (???)
Oh~ He’s cute
[kyaaa~]
“He’s coming out!” (Crowd???)
“Hurry catch him!” (Crowd???)
“No! He’s mine!” (Crowd???)
The boy was quick on his feet, he slipped through the mob like flowing water as he ran straight for the alleyway.
“After him!” (Crowd???)
“Kyaaa~!” (Crowd???)
He’s fast!
Though the boy was quick, the ‘Red Fox’ was quicker! She leaped off several buildings to scale to the rooftop. She knew all the back alleyways and hidden passages, she already had a hunch where the boy was heading. Without delay, she jump from one roof to the next while keeping track of the horde of roaring girls.
Ah! There he is!
While doing some impressive parkour, she landed gracefully on a wooden barrel. She waited as the swarm of girls vanished to the next alleyway. Tiptoeing towards the garbage can, she squatted in anticipation for what was to happen next. Slowly, a head emerged. The boy shifted his gaze to the back...
“Hiya~” (Red Fox???)
“W-whaa!” (Boy???)
Startled, the boy fell over. Wearing the trashcan like a crown, the girl could help but giggle.
Awe! He’s also clumsy, so cute!
[Woof Woof!]
The boy didn't say anything while picking the banana peel off his head.
“Hi! My name is Stephanie, what’s your name? (Stephanie71)
“...” (???)
“The silent type, huh? I don’t hate that~” (Stephanie71)
“...Name’s Marcus” (Marcus)
Kyaa~ His voice is so sexy too!
“Hey Marcus, why were you hiding in the trash?” (Stephanie71)
Though it was obvious why, Stephanie was pretending this was the first time seeing him.
“Uh... It’s nothing... I’m rather busy... sorry I can’t stay and chat” (Marcus)
“Hey! Whacha doing? Maybe I could help?” (Stephanie71)
“I tried asking you last time but you wouldn't listen” (Marcus)
Tilting her head, Stephanie was a little confused.
Last time? I don’t remember meeting such a cutie before...
“Hah, really? Sorry about that! This time onee-chan will listen! Go ahead, ask me anything!” (Stephanie71)
“...Heading to Hansbridge...” (Marcus)
“Ehh!? Hansbridge? I’m going to Hansbridge! Hey, lets go together!” (Stephanie71)
Marcus was skeptical of such a good offer...
“...It’s alright, I can manage on my own” (Marcus)
“Hey! Don’t be like that! It’s dangerous heading out solo! I've traveled to Hansbridge many times before, trust me! I know!” (Stephanie71)
“Is it really that dangerous?” (Marcus)
Hehe
“Absolutely! It’s not just the monsters, but there’s tons of bandits everywhere! If you travel with me, I’ll make sure you’re safe!” (Stephanie71)
Putting his hand on his chin, Marcus was contemplating the pros and cons.
“...Alright, but I only have 10 gold...” (Marcus)
“Ehh!? Don’t worry about it! I’m doing this completely out of goodwill!” (Stephanie71)
“In that case, I don’t see the harm” (Marcus)
Yes! Gotcha!
“Kay~ but first things first, you need a bath” (Stephanie71)
Looking down, the boy had to agree.
“Come! I know a great bathhouse in district 15! Here, wear this!” (Stephanie71)
Stephanie handed Marcus the cloak she was wearing.
“What’s this for?” (Marcus)
“To cover your appearance of course!” (Stephanie71)
***
The 15th district, otherwise known as the red district, isn't the type of place an innocent boy should aimlessly wander in. Even worst, Marcus wasn't just innocent, he was naive, slow-headed, oblivious and down right stupid. But thanks to the cloak, Marcus was able to avoid unwanted attention. Marcus and Stephanie arrived at the ‘Soap House’ and was greeted by a rather plump, old lady wearing a traditional silk dress.
“Ohohoho~ If it isn't my favourite customer! A room for two?” (Oldlady?)
“Not this time Ma, a single room please” (Stephanie71)
“Oh? And who might this young lad be?” (Oldlady?)
“Sorry Ma, we’re very busy, we’ll have to talk later” (Stephanie71)
“Okay then, right this way boy~” (Oldlady?)
“Um, excuse me?” (Marcus)
“Yes?” (Oldlady?)
“Can my pet come too?” (Marcus)
[Woof!]
“But of course! Come come, let’s get you all cleaned up!” (Oldlady?)
Phew, I hope she doesn't say anything unnecessary...
After waiting for a minute...
“Hehehe, he should be naked by now, time for a little peeking~” (Stephanie71)
“Hey!” (???)
“Finally found the bitch!” (???)
Turning around, Stephanie sees three obviously disgruntled men.
“Ehehe, sorry dear customers, business hours are over, please come back tom-” (Stephanie71)
[thud]
Next to Stephanie head, a throwing knife was lodged into the brick-wall.
“Shut up whore! I want my money back!” (Angry man?)
“Yeah! Give us back our gold!” (Angry man?)
“EEEEK, RAPE!” (Stephanie71)
Stephanie bolted into the ‘Soap House’, chasing behind her were three heavily armed men, looking for blood.
“RAPEEEE! SOMEONE HELP ME!” (Stephanie71)
***
-Marcus's POV-
Ah~ this is great!
Soaking in a wooden tub was Marcus and Diloria. Marcus clothes were already folded and cleaned. Golden Age has many convenient functions for users, one of them is the autoclean function. Just as the name implies, whenever you enter a inn or bath, your clothes will automatically be cleaned. While simmering in the hot water, Marcus was trying to find a comfortable groove...
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[KYAAAAAA! RAPE!]
That voice!
Jumping from the tub, Marcus rushes out the door. Running towards Marcus was a lone girl getting chased by three scary looking men.
“Stephanie!” (Marcus)
“MARCUS? EH?!” (Stephanie71)
A fountain of blood gushed out of Stephanie’s nose. While trying to shake her awake...
“Stephanie! Oh god, what happened!?” (Marcus)
“...heaven...” (Stephanie71)
“NO! Stephanie! NOOOO!” (Marcus)
Marcus and Stephanie were slowly surrounded by the pursuers. It seems only Marcus was fully conscious at this point...
“ouh…. Hic-Stephanie….hic-” (Marcus)
“Hey boy, move aside, we have business with that women” (Angry man?)
“...” (Marcus)
“Hey! You deft boy? I said move aside!” (Angry man?)
Marcus slowly got up...
“-Equip-!” (Marcus)
The traveler set wrapped around Marcus, covering his exposed nether region.
“Hah? You wanna fight us with a pickaxe?!” (Angry man?)
“It’s not a pickaxe, it’s a hoe!” (Marcus)
“PFFT! Did you hear that boys? HE SAID HOE!” (Angry man?)
“Hahaha, what is he? A FARMER?” (Angry man?)
“That’s right! I am a FARMER!” (Marcus)
“BAHAHA!” (Angry man?)
“This kid’s KILLING me!” (Angry man?)
Marcus was getting annoyed, first, he didn't see what’s so funny about a hoe. Second, it was obvious he was a farmer.
“Hey! Shut up! If you’re gonna fight, fight me!” (Marcus)
Suddenly the bath house fell silent....
The sound of knuckle cracking and knives swinging through the air made Marcus slightly tremble. The three men were ready to fight.
“Guess we gotta teach this cocky brat some manners” (Angry man?)
Marcus saw the knife coming, it grazed his cheeks as he dodge to the left, while preparing to swing his hoe...
“Ouff!” (Marcus)
A knee to the spleen. While on the ground, the assault didn't let up. One kick after another, Marcus was getting beaten to a bloody pulp. Picking up Marcus by the head, the man whispered into Marcus’s ears...
“Go home, kids shouldn't be playing hero” (Angry man?)
Marcus eyes opened wide as the words hero echoed in his head...
...shouldn't be playing hero... playing hero... hero...
-Flashback-
A splash of piss water hits Markus in the face.
“Kids shouldn’t be playing hero!” (???)
“Now get outta here before we 'do to you' the same we’ll do to your friend, Harharhar!” (???)
Crouched on the ground, Markus looks around. He’s in a tavern, the candles are lit, must mean it’s night. He hears the sound of several men laughing as the grope a helpless girl on top a table. That girl... was his friend.
“Harharhar! This is gonna be a fun night!” (???2)
As the men turn their back to Markus, he noticed they let their guard down. Their blades lying on the ground as their pants fell one by one. Markus ran forward, he grabs a blade, any blade. The men turn around as they sense imminent danger. Their faces were instilled with horror as one by one their heads were being severed from their bodies. As the last man lost the strength to stand, he was pleading for mercy.
“Wait, please, I’m sorry! Mercy, MERCY!” (???1)
“...I’m no God... I’m a Hero” (Markus)
“W-wait-” (???1)
-End flashback-
“Hahaha! Sweet revenge!” (Angry man?)
“Get ready to die bitch!” (Angry man?)
[ba-dump, ba-dump]
As the three men were celebrating their victory, cold sweat started to form on the back of their necks. An eerie feeling cause them to hush. They were listening. Something was there, someone was watching them. Slowly they turn their head...
“H-hey kid, get outta here before we change our minds!” (Angry man?)
“What’s with that glare? You wanna mess? (Angry man?)
“Hah, he think’s he can fig-” (Angry man?)
*SMASH*
Suddenly, in between the two men- Marcus.
“Ah?” (Angry man?)
Marcus twist his body horizontally and extended both his legs. He landed one foot on each of the man’s chin. As the stumbled back, Marcus torqued his body on the ground, stabbing the hoe in someone’s left leg.
“OUGH! Mother-” (Angry man?)
Dodging through their legs as they attempt to lunge, Marcus pulled their foot, causing them to lose balance and fall face first to the ground. As soon as they got up, their nose was met with a knee. One by one, they grayed out.
As the carnage came to a close, Marcus was completely out of breath.
[ping]
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Self defense: no infamy gained!
Stephanie was actually awake near the latter half of the fight, what she saw was a breathtaking scene of heroism and carnage. She started to blush as she watched Marcus stare aimlessly towards the sky, like a true Hero lost deep thought.
“Hm...” (Marcus)
Should I put all my points into strength? My agility is kinda low... I don’t really need mana right now, but what if I need it later?
“Um, Marcus?” (Stephanie71)
“Ah! Stephanie! I’m glad you’re okay” (Marcus)
Stephanie grabbed her chest while she lost herself in Marcus’s innocent smile. Her heart was thumping, her face was flushed. She never had this feeling before...
“A-ah…” (Stephanie71)
“Need a hand?” (Marcus)
“Fuuee!?” (Stephanie71)
Stephanie stumbled on all fours while running out the building.
Marcus, stunned, stood there silently while Diloria was barking in the background.
So... no ride to Hansbridge?
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