*Thoughts*
~Sound effects~
+”Whispers”+
+++++
Chapter 40: Kyle PoV
In the same night Kyle managed to get promoted to a Demon Lucro was sitting in one of his homes sipping some alcoholic drink while imagining the fate Kyle would soon await. Of course he told his men to bring him back alive but it often happened that those he captured committed suicide or chose to die in battle rather to let themselves be captured to become his playthings, he wasn´t known to be kind to those he caught after all.
While thinking about what to do to with Kyle he naturally also pondered about the strange individual who told him about the threat Kyle posed, namely the smiling Chinese. His Character was a mystery; he just seemed to be crazy but that wasn’t everything at all!
During the talk Lucro had with that individual he couldn`t shake off the feeling that he was being played with, which wasn´t a pleasant feeling for one who preferred to be on top and so he decided to put the smiling Chinese on his hit list as well, It didn´t hurt that the smiling Chinese was a notorious criminal either. After all Lucro would get even more famous; this time in a good way to boot since The Smiling Chinese only robbed rich guys as of Lucros knowledge, which also contributed to his high bounty. While thinking this Lucro decided to let him roam freely a little bit longer to give him time to raise his bounty by himself.
Well Lucro did plan to hand the smiling Chinese over to the authorities but of course after he got to know how the smiling Chinese was able to break in those houses which where guarded by many guards seemingly effortlessly and to boot without a hint. Sadly the Smiling Chinese had to blow that advantage with those notes he left at each place he broke into. Such arrogance made Lucro mad, well he could understand it to some degree too, since the smiling Chinese was apparently only passing trough and doing the robbing to kill time, of course he would like to get acknowledged for his skills…
Now Lucro drifted off with his thoughts thinking about what he could to with the burglar skills the smiling Chinese showed since he could use them to steal valuable documents and use those to blackmail their owners, the city would belong to him within half a year and afterwards came the whole Kingdom as well. While he thought that a crazy laughter escaped his mouth.
Then some loud bangs interrupted his daydreaming, when he was finally within the world of the living again he identified the noise as knocking, still it was kind of loud and urgent. Because of that he thought that Kyle was captured since he ordered his men to let him know immediately.
“Come in!” he shouted and a huffing man appeared and after bowing he said
“The men you send to capture Kyle are back” all of that was being said while averting eye contact but Lucro didn´t notice since everyone avoids to look into his eyes.
“Was the mission a success?” Lucro asked without caring for an answer since it had to be since he clearly told them to bring Kyle to him; anything other than that was out of option. He made that very clear after all.
“Well, ähm, hmmm…” The messenger um and erred while looking anywhere but in his direction
“What; tell me clearly!” Lucro shouted
“Well, Sir, please see for yourself” the man finally managed to say while he pointed behind himself
While pondering about what the hell could have happened Lucro rose up from his chair and followed the man outside, now Lucro stood at the border of the square the door to his office led to and in front of him stood the sorry bunch that Lucro chose to suppress Kyle and his squad but something was odd.
Lucro prided himself in being able to read anyone he spoke to, well he now knew that there was one he couldn`t read but this individual will soon cease to exist so Lucro didn´t bother about it very much. But what he saw now before him were men who saw something that frightened them to the very core. Lucro knew that, since he prided himself in making his enemies or simply persons who defied him look like that, oddly enough this time it wasn´t his achievement.
While Lucro looked at the guys who stood before him he noticed that some had wet pants with the wettest part being their crotch.
“Now tell me why you came back despite my order to capture Kyle!” Lucro shouted and of course everyone jerked at his words but no one said a word, then finally one of them looked into his eyes and began to say while his voice trembled
“Kyle, this guy is a demon! We can`t capture him!” he shouted and after he finished Lucro drew his sword and beheaded the guy who openly defied him.
“So would another one tell me the story?” Lucro said calmly while he used the clothes of the guy he just beheaded to wipe his sword clean from the blood: “you there tell me” Lucro said while he pointed his sword at someone random, but this person only shook his head and so Lucro had to kill him to.
After many more Lucro finally came to understand the situation and he felt frightened. Not for his life since he didn´t believe someone like Deltaio would step so low as to contract a demon. But he was afraid that he would lose his position because normally Lucro needed to kill only one or no one at all to get to know everything since the others where to afraid to talk back to him, but not this time.
Of course he killed everyone he sent out to capture Kyle but he now knew that he wasn´t the most dreaded individual inside Saramas anymore. So he decided to get rid of Kyle using the good old assassination method. He could have used this method before but he wanted to make an example out of his death.
However all of his efforts to quell the rumors where in vain since some of the guys he sent out where smart enough not to return and those told their story before they escaped the city.
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Around midday a person appeared on one of the three bridges connecting the slum to the rest of the city, this figure was fully armored with a shield on his back and a war hammer dangling from his left side, this figure was of course Kyle.
*Damn I couldn`t sleep at all* Kyle thought while he went on his way to the barracks.
*huh, what the hell happened* Kyle thought because he noticed that many looked at him with scared eyes, some even went out of their way to avoid him while behind himself he could hear people whispering. When he turned around everyone hurried to do some activity but he noticed that everyone avoided looking towards him, sometimes one of them wasn`t fast enough and so he saw that many pointed towards him.
When he arrived at the barracks Kyle was halted by a spear which blocked his way while the guard shouted:”State your name!”
*Huh, I am sure that I have the crest of the army on my armor, don`t tell me the blacksmith cheated me about that too!* Kyle thought
“Hey you! Let Kyle inside!” someone shouted from behind and after hearing that name the guard hurried to lift the spear which blocked Kyle’s way while stuttering:”Sorry, I haven´t ever seen your face so I thought…”
“Don’t worry about it” Kyle said relieved, after he said that the Guard got into position of attention and shouted:”Yes, Sir! I won`t do it again, Sir!”
*What the hell is the matter?* Kyle thought shaking his head while entering the barracks, then he heard the voice of the guy who cleared the misunderstanding:”Kyle good to see you well. You suddenly disappeared so I was worried!”
“Hello Ardesti, nice to see you too, so can you tell me why I am the center of the gossip?” Kyle asked
“For that matter go ask Deltaio about it.” Ardesti answered while smiling knowingly
Now inside Deltaios office Kyle opened his mouth to ask the one question he wanted an answer for but before he could voice it Deltaio interrupted him and said:”Give me a report of what happened yesterday. Afterwards I will answer any question you might have”
After Kyle told the story:“Ah, you used the eyes of the judge on them, that surely explains everything” Deltaio stated:”Good, now feel free to ask me anything you`d like to know”
“First I want to know why I am the center of attraction”
“Ah yes of course you want to know that” Deltaio said knowingly while pausing
*tell me already!*
And because Kyle’s thoughts were being shown on his face Deltaio continued while smiling:”Well just add one and one together. You jumped down from the first floor in full armor, then you run inside a flaring house, then you got out while showing no signs of being burned and on top of that you used your eyes of the judge”
“I had to jump down because it was the only way out for me; since I wanted to buy time for the others. And the fire was scorching hot, I really thought I’d die and because of that I had to scare them since I lost a huge chunk of Hp.”
“Yeah I get it, but since you didn´t show any of that you generated some big rumors about yourself”
“Should I show the enemy that I am weakened?!” Kyle shouted in disbelief interrupting Deltaio
“No of course not” Deltaio stated unconcerned for Kyle’s rude behavior since he was really pleased about the outcome of the night, then he continued:”It is just your action made them belief that you are a demon send by me to bring judgment upon them.” Deltaio explained while laughing out loud, and Kyle only performed a facepalm
“So what’s going to happen from now on?” Kyle asked
“Things will continue like always, well not really like always since the people I’ve set you in charge for are currently training since they were embarrassed about what they did last night” Deltaio explained
“Embarrassed just because they felt fear when fighting their first battle?” Kyle asked in disbelief
“If you see it from that perception….. But you calmly analyzed the situation and found a way out of it so they wanted to stand up to you.” Deltaio explained
“Me Calm!? I wasn`t calm at all!” Kyle shouted
“Well this is what you appeared to them so just let them do what they want” Deltaio answered
“But what about my mission?”
“Well the nobles just have to endure a little bit longer; don`t you think that if they trained themselves capturing the smiling Chinese and of course Lucro too will become a lot easier?” Deltaio reasoned
“Well that’s true but what should I do in the meantime?”
“Well truth be told; I want to test what Doran taught me in a real battle”
“Then you must be really disappointed that the enemies you could try out on what you learned just run away from you.”
“Well yes, so could I perform some mock battles with some knights?” Kyle asked
“Hmm, I don`t think that this is a good idea.” Deltaio said deep in thought
“Why not, I could learn something from them too” Kyle asked
“No, no, since I don`t want Lucro to find out how you fight, he has eyes and ears everywhere” Deltaio explained
“You mean he has set me as target since I`ve chased away his men?”
*Well I was already his target but no point sweating over the small stuff*
“Ah I know!” Deltaio finally said which made Kyle jerk a little:”You can enter the underground fighting ring, but of course no one can find out about you so you must choose an alias and only fight while using your fists”
“Won`t I be recognized immediately?”
“I think not since due to the helmet your facial features aren`t very well known to the enemy and you can always hide your face”
“Won`t that make me stand out?” Kyle asked
“No since many fighters there conceal their faces since they don´t want to stand out at day”
*How does he know of that?* Kyle asked himself but Deltaio interrupted him saying
“Now do as I told and earn yourself some fame, then we can later reveal it and this will also strengthen your image, of course only if you don´t lose” Deltaio said while a dark aura appeared around him as he said the last part
“Yes Sir!” Kyle saluted and exited his office but before he could Deltaio said:”If you manage to return before midnight please give me a report”
“Yes Sir” Kyle shouted before leaving the office for good.
*Should I have told him that Lucro will likely send assassins after him since he doesn`t like to lose face? Well I am sure Kyle will prevail* Deltaio thought while looking at the object of his thoughts
*Damn he makes it sound so easy and all but first of all I don´t know where this underground fighting takes place!* Kyle thought desperately
But since he could always ask some strangers about it he decided to think about his disguise first. When he decided what to do Kyle approached the soldier who stood guard before the armory and asked him:”Ähm, could you please let me inside?”
After hearing this, the guard looked suspiciously towards Kyle but as soon as he recognized him he saluted and said while avoiding eye contact:”Yes, of course Sir”
Now inside Kyle browsed through the armors and weapons till he found what he was looking for. This was rather easy even though he didn`t have the identify skill since every item was already pre-identified so a member of the army could just look at the requirements each weapon had by simply touching it.
What he chose at the end was a leather armor without the army`s crest on it and leather gauntlets which had small iron spikes on top of the knuckles to give him a stronger punch. Also two arm and shin guards completed the image. Everything he took had a level 50 restriction and was quite comfortable to wear, no comparison to the armor which restricted his movements a lot.
Then Kyle saw some the two handed weapons and thought: *I have to get a back up weapon anyway so why not choose something out of those?* immediately after he thought that Kyle stood before the weapons and browsed through them.
Because Kyle couldn`t decide which weapon to pick he took them up and swung them around a bit one by one and afterwards he sorted out three weapons which he liked, which where a really broad two handed sword, a double edged Axe and a Mace.
At the end Kyle chose the mace since he was more accustomed to weapons that had no edge to hit enemies with, and the mace was ideal for that. It even had five blades mounted equally apart from each other at the iron rod which formed the middle pat, those blades where each fifteen centimeters long and slightly curved outwards, to boot each blade was as sharp as a sword.
Satisfied with his pick Kyle equipped his armor, shield and war hammer and then he fastened the mace on his back to experience the result
* You are overloaded
Movement speed is reduced by -28%
Stamina consumption is doubled
*Damn, I have to increase my strength a lot since the weapons I will receive from Warnton will be even heavier due to the Grakin* he thought and then he noticed: *Shouldn`t that be -30% Movement speed, ah right I have a skill that increases it by 2%; nice it’s close to level up too. *
After that Kyle went out of the armory in his normal gear, meaning full body armor mace and shield, and said to the guard:”I found what I was looking for, would you like to write it on a list?”
“No need since it was you who took them, Sir” the guard hurried to say while again avoiding eye contact.
*Am I that scary?* Kyle thought and while shaking his head he went towards the slum since he reasoned that the underground fighting ring would be there. Before he arrived Kyle unequipped his armor and then he equipped what he chose before inside a dark alleyway so that no one would be able to see him doing that.
Once he was there Kyle asked the first passerby he came across:”Hey do you know where the underground fighting ring is located?” But the only reaction he received was the passerby hurrying away from him while two thugs closed on to him from left and right while showing their muscles.
*Great, Bullies. I hope they won`t follow the stereotype* Kyle thought sarcastically
“Hey what do you want beansprout?” one of them asked
“Why beansprout?” Kyle asked calmly
Dumb faced the other one answered:”Cause you are so thin, broomstick”
Kyle looked down at himself and noticed that the leather armor he chose was emphasizing his slim stature; he chose it because it was not bulky like the armors he wore till now after all, well mostly the one the blacksmith made since Warnton was careful at that part.
*Yes I guess I am skinny, funny that I got such a tank class now that I think about it*
“Ah yes thank you for reminding me, so what can I help you out with?” Kyle decided to go for the direct approach
“Ah, yes, what was it again?” Both of them said while asking each other
*Jackpot* Kyle thought while a sad smile appeared on his face
“Hey what are you smiling about!?” one of them shouted
“Nothing, nothing” Kyle answered
“Hey I think he is hoaxing us!” Righty shouted to Lefty. Kyle named them like that because of where they stood from his point of vision
*You don`t say* Kyle thought sarcastically. But he decided on the spot that he won`t get the information needed if he continued like that.
“Nono, of course not” Kyle said with all sincerity he could muster:”I was just shocked about your appearance!”
“Ah, so if it is like that” lefty said while he brushed over his bald head with his right hand
“No, don`t listen to him, let’s just drag him in an alleyway and beat the shit out of him like always” Righty answered
~Sigh~
“No please don`t hurt me!” Kyle tried to whimper but what truly came out was something inaudible.
*Guess I ain´t a good actor too*
“You shittin` with us?” righty asked
“No, please show the way” Kyle answered politely
“Yeah right and after we turn around you bail out” Lefty said
“Ah, you mean like the other guy” Righty answered
*What, they really fell for that trick!?*
“Shut it!” lefty said while looking towards Kyle and then he grabbed his left arm while Righty followed to do so on the other side.
After they dragged Kyle into an empty alley, well dragging wasn’t right since Kyle didn`t resist, they threw him onto the wall and then they began cracking their knuckles.
“guess you are scared shittless now” Lefty said boastingly since Kyle didn`t react at all, well he thought about what he should do in that situation since roughing them up would start so many problems, so Kyle decided to let them act first and act accordingly
After he said that Lefty pulled back his right fist and punched Kyle in the guts but Kyle activated Mana coating on his armor and abdomen right before the impact and thus it was the thug’s fist which was throbbing with pain.
After Lefty hit him he drew his fist back, looked at it with questioning eyes because Kyle didn`t react at all, then the sensation of pain finally reached his brain and he clutched his now throbbing hand with his left and groaned.
“Hey what’s the matter?!” Righty shouted after seeing the reaction of his friend, then he turned towards Kyle with bloodshot eyes and shouted:”YOU!” while he tried to hit Kyle on the head with his right fist. Kyle did the only logical thing namely evading and thus Righty’s fist met the wall head on and a horrible cracking sound could be heard.
*This is going to hurt* Kyle thought with empathy
Now righty was slowly bringing his fist back, his knuckles where bleeding heavily and two of his finger bones where fractured and poked out of the skin while the fingers bent upwards. As he looked at them righty became paler with each moment that passed then he finally shouted his pain out to the world, well more his terror than the pain since due to the shock the pain was numbed, which sounded like:
“AHHHHHHHHHH!!, AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!, AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!”
Now Righty was seriously pissed and threw punch after punch towards Kyle who just evaded, after some time Kyle clutched his fist to finish it but before he could do so Kyle noticed the crowd which already formed itself around all of them.
*Damn I should have just bailed out*
First everyone who arrived looked at the bully who screamed his voice away then they noticed the other who was attacking another guy. First everyone was silent then some muttering could be heard which grew into a storm of words, which soon after was interrupted by some shouts of pain and soon after Kyle could see the cause. It where three guards which used their elbows left and right to open a way for themselves
After they finally arrived at the crime scene they soon believed Kyle to be the perpetrator and surrounded him with their weapons drawn, then one of them who was apparently the leader asked the obligatory question:”What happened here?”, and then he added:”could someone bring this shrieking idiot away, he is getting on my nerves!”
*Yes Guards, now I am off the hook* Kyle thought relieved, well it didn`t last long though.
After it was finally quiet again the one who just spoke directed his attention towards Lefty and asked:”Tell me what happened”
“We heard this guy asking for the underground fighting ring and so we thought that he could have been a spy”
*Thought…. Don`t tell lies!*
“So we decided to ask him some questions but then he went mad and beat us!” Lefty skewed the truth
“He`s lying, have you seen how he smiled at me when he said that I initiated the fight!” Kyle tried to convince the guards
“Hmm, we don`t know yet so come with us so that we can have a little chat.” The leader of the guards said while grabbing Kyle`s left arm.
*Little chat. Why do I have such an ominous feeling after hearing him saying that? Don`t tell me they are being bribed by Lucro!* Kyle thought and so he tried to reason with them:”We don`t need to chat I can prove that I haven`t done anything at all!” Kyle shouted
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
The Leader of the guards didn´t listen though and tried to drag Kyle with him but Kyle refused to go with them and so he just stood there while the Leader began to walk, after one step he noticed that Kyle won`t budge and at this the leader only smiled and said:”You are resisting this means I can kill you on the spot”
*ha, I wanna see you try* Kyle thought because he already deducted from his pulling force that this leader was weak
After thinking that Kyle tried to persuade him one more time and so he said:”See, they were the ones who….” But Kyle couldn`t finish the sentence since his earlier thought was clearly visible on his face and so the leader hit Kyle with a backhand slap on the cheek while shouting:”You dare to look at me like that!?”
* You have been Bitchslapped -5Hp
Morale -20%
Fighting Spirit -30%
Due to the nature of the slap you feel more pain than normal
This was too much for Kyle, his fuse broke so he had to vent his anger, at least he had as much reason left to do so at a non living being as to not complicate the situation he was in more than needed.
So Kyle clutched his right fist to punch the wall while using Mana coating and using his Roar of vengeance to shout:
” FUCKING LISTEN TO ME!”
After hearing this outburst everyone who stood there in this little alleyway making it crowded beyond believe had their eyes wide open while focusing on one single spot, only the leader looked at Kyle like he was ready to engage in a death match.
*Now all is lost, well at least I won`t get punished for it* Kyle thought while attempting to get into a fighting position but before the situation could escalate even more someone tipped the leader on his shoulder and with a angry “What?” he turned around to look at what his comrade pointed at. It was the wall, to be exact it was the spot Kyle hit, there was a clearly visible imprint which, of course, was an exact replica of Kyle’s fist.
After seeing this he looked around disbelieving but then he noticed that everyone looked at the fist imprint while pointing at it and muttering words of disbelieve.
“Hey did he…..” the leader stuttered while alternating his pointing finger between Kyle and the imprint while looking at the one who tipped on his shoulder who just nodded.
*Good maybe now I can get at them with reason* Kyle thought before he inhaled some air and said:”So, now look at those guys who claimed that I attacked them. Did anyone see other injuries on them except at their hands?” After hearing this everyone from the crowd thought about what they saw and then in unison they all shook their heads. After seeing that reaction Kyle continued:”And do you believe that they would be unhurt if I punched them?” Again everyone moved their heads in a nixing motion although faster than before.
*This should do the job* Kyle thought after he looked at the guards who just looked at their leader waiting for him to decide since they couldn`t act rashly before all those witnesses who just proved Kyle’s innocence.
“Then tell me what happened from the beginning” the leader hissed towards Kyle while trying to maintain a strong image which was for naught since everyone who paid attention to him knew that he feared Kyle after he saw the fist imprint. “And you! Scram!” he shouted to the crowd who obeyed; albeit slowly.
“Alright, so I was just asking a normal passerby about the underground fighting ring. And before you wonder I asked to take part in the fighting” Kyle added the last part because he remembered Lefty saying something about Kyle being a spy then he continued:”So those two heard me and approached me, then they accompanied me here and began attacking me and I just defended myself.”
“So how did one of them manage to break two of his fingers” the leader asked with suspicion, Now it was clear that he wouldn`t try to fight Kyle anymore.
“Well he did the same as me although with a different effect” Kyle answered while shrugging his shoulder
*Yes, now I am off the hook*
“Is that right?” the leader asked Lefty who just stood there. After he heard the leader saying those words his brain was somehow able to analyze them and amazingly it came to the right solution namely that the situation turned against him and so he turned tail, but after a few steps he was tripped by Kyle who run after him. After Lefty`s face met the ground Kyle mounted his back to prevent him from trying to escape again while whispering into his ear:”You reap what you sow”
*Damn, all this trouble for nothing* Kyle thought after he was told to go his ways by the leader of the guards without being said where to go. After he turned around a corner a voice talked to him from behind:”If you still want to know where the underground fighting ring is located I could help you out”
Wondering who said this Kyle turned around but after he saw the person who spoke to him he let out a sigh.
“Hey what does that mean?” he asked
“I think this is quite the normal reaction considering that you are a child and all” Kyle retorted while looking at the boy who was roughly 11 years old
“So do you want to know it or not” the boy asked turning around while smiling
“Good, so how much is this information going to cost me?” Kyle asked
“Even though you are an outsider you know about the custom.” The child said after turning around and looking at Kyle who only asked:”So, how much?”
“Nothing you won`t be able to afford oh great warrior” the child answered coaxingly
“I`m outa here” Kyle answered because the attitude of the kid really got on his nerves.
“Hey where are you going!” the kid shouted towards Kyle`s back:”Okay I promise I will show you the way for 20 Silver” but because Kyle ignored him the child began to walk besides Kyle while endlessly talking about some stuff, like market prices and mostly some rumors about the Smiling Chinese
*Could he just shut up already I don`t want to know about Neuron and his alias* Kyle thought while groaning and then he finally gave in:”Okay, please show me the way but only under one condition which would be to never talk to me while doing so”
“Alright boss but this request is going to advance the price”
*This little fucker; he planned all of that!*
~Sigh~ “Okay I will give you a gold coin so shut up and walk in front” Kyle said but the child stopped and put his right hand forward while looking at Kyle who looked at him questioningly, but the child only nodded towards his hand.
*So he wants part of the money prior, crafty kid*
“Alright since you are following my orders here is a gold coin” Kyle said because he grew to like that boy:”Ah by the way don`t try to run away since I am going to give you one more after you completed the job” Kyle said. he wasn`t thinking much about that deal since what are two cold coins for one who has over a million off them; and doesn`t help saving money knowing that you have a friend who goes stealing like others would go into a convenience store while taking what interests them
But for the child it was a different story since he probably never named a gold coin his possession.
*What’s with that gleam this boy is giving off, has he never seen a gold coin?* Kyle asked himself after he saw the eyes of the boy widening while just holding the coin and looking at it as if it where the biggest treasure of the world.
“Yes Sir” the boy said and after he said that he covered his mouth with both his hands and looked at Kyle apologetically who answered while playing severe:”Only this time I will forgive you.” And the boy nodded with eyes wide open and afterwards he turned around to walk towards Kyle`s goal.
While the kid led the way he took many shortcuts trough piss stinking little alleys that were filled with dirt Kyle refused to think about from where it came because it stunk to heaven. *Has this game to be that realistic?* Kyle thought while he held his nose and in one of those alleyways it happened that both of them where surrounded by a gang of street children who had some weapons in their hands, mostly it where stones and rusty pieces of iron; one of them even had a shiny short sword in his little hands which looked more like a two handed one compared to his little build, to boot it was obvious that this sword was too heavy for him since he carried it with both hands while the tip pointed towards the ground.
*Scary* Kyle thought, he wasn`t scared of their weapons but what he was scared of where their eyes which seemed dead and ready to commit murder.
*Damn I don`t want to beat up children, to boot I won`t hear the end of it if neuron ever finds out about that, which he surely will!* after thinking this Kyle put a hand into his money bag and threw some coins behind himself. The distraction worked better than Kyle would have ever imagined since everyone who surrounded them only saw the glittering of the coins that flew through the air. After they landed while tinkling the children knew no bounds and rushed towards them picking them up while beginning to fight amongst themselves
Kyle saw children pulling others by their hair to prevent them from picking up the coins, others used the stones they previously gathered to hit the ones who already picked up a coin and a overwhelming choir of shrieking and crying filled the dirty alley while everywhere injured children fell to the ground holding their bleeding wounds and Kyle could only look at that madness with eyes wide open while only one thought crossed his mind over and over again: *I caused this, this is my fault*
Kyle would have clearly lost his mind weren`t it for a tiny voice which originated from his side. This voice tried to do the impossible; namely beating the cacophony originating from the still fighting children. Luckily all it had to do was being heard by Kyle who looked at the source of the voice which was the boy who acted as his guide while tears flowed down from his eyes.
STOOOOOOOOOOOP!!!
A voice echoed through the alley completely overpowering the shrill shouts of children who battled against each other. making everyone stop dead in their tracks, stones which were about to be swung down on heads as well as hands that pulled on hair. Everyone was now silently looking at the one who produced such a loud shout.
“Bring the gold coins here! Every single one of them” Kyle said but due to him saying that he was marked as enemy and thus the looks of the children changed yet again this time they looked at Kyle with murderous intent since they thought that who was able to throw gold coins around would have even more of them in his pockets and so they approached him slowly while some tried to tend to the wounds of the injured.
*Shit I should have formulated that differently. Damn guess I have no option left, I don`t want to lose all my money* Kyle thought while he activated his eyes of the judge and the reaction was devastating like always this time for both sides
After the first shock was cleared many of the children turned tail and run leaving their injured comrades behind to save their own skin while others just dropped on their knees accepting their destiny without a hint of resistance. This was a reaction Kyle never got after activating those eyes. Yes the enemies would often scream, weep, beg, piss themselves or bail out, with every possible combination. But never had Kyle seen them giving up their lives and more importantly their soul to something they believed to be a demon.
After Kyle got over that shock he noticed that the white skulls appeared on each and every child, after he looked closer he saw that under every skull the same word was written, namely stealing and variations of it but nothing else.
“Hey Artificial Intelligence; I know that stealing is wrong but come on cut them some slack, they are still children and this is surely their only way to get something to eat since nearly no one would hire children to work for them and those who do are most likely pedophiles so come on!” After Kyle’s plea to the AI, which looked really scary to everyone who looked at him since he spoke to thin air, all skulls disappeared.
After that was over and done with Kyle walked towards a child which held his left foot because it was apparently broken and thus it couldn`t run away. While Kyle went closer and closer it tried to crawl away from this demon but this only caused more pain and so it stopped and accepted its fate. But Kyle only bend his knees, pulled out the waterskin with the lake water and dripped a little bit of it over the wound which began to heal immediately.
*Good that it works, well Neuron said that it was blessed by Apollo who is the god of healing, if I remember it right* Kyle thought while he rose up and approached another child to do the same. Of course this was only a game and those wounds would heal by themselves with some time, but they where children god damnit, everyone would have done the same even more so if they where the cause of every wound.
After Kyle healed every one the children weren´t afraid of him anymore and so he could ask them some questions:”Why don`t you live within an Orphanage?” was the first thing Kyle asked
“Orphanage what is that?” A child asked back while everyone else had questioning looks
“What the heck you don`t even know what that is!” Kyle couldn´t stop to shout out aloud. And because some looked at him with scared eyes he added:”Sorry I didn’t mean to scare you”
“Well a Orphanage is a house especially build for you lot, meaning a house where children without parents or relatives can live in” While Kyle tried to explain it a glimmer of hope appeared in their eyes but it was soon crushed by someone saying:”Lucro won`t allow that”
After hearing this Kyle couldn’t help but say:”Don`t worry I will make sure that one is build sooner or later”
“Yeah right” another child said, his voice throbbing with sarcasm. Kyle was surprised that someone so young could say something so sinister so he added:”Don`t worry, see I know Kyle and I am sure that he will help me”
*It is strange to talk about myself but, well can`t be helped*
After hearing the name Kyle everyone looked at, well the person in question in awe because this name has already become a legend which everyone heard off.
“Alright now scram!” Kyle shouted to everyone. After every child left Kyle turned around to look at the boy who was his guide and after nodding the child continued his way while Kyle brooded over what had happened.
*Why the heck is there no Orphanage, I am sure that I heard that every major town has one, heck even Gaber had one so a capital city is sure to have one. After all Unicorn wouldn`t like to hear complains about street children ganging up on noob players to get their money like what happened to me there* Immersed in those thoughts the last part of the tour was over quickly, Kyle noticed that because the boy tugged on his trousers and when Kyle looked around the boy pointed towards an unassuming building.
“Are we there?” and after that question the boy nodded while smilingly stretching out his right hand:”Ah yes here is your reward” Kyle said while grabbing his money bag and pulling out three gold coins giving them to the boy who just made eyes as big as those coins while alternating his gaze from the coins to Kyle and back.
“Don`t worry those are all for you, if you weren´t there I would have lost it there in that alley” Kyle said while rumpling the boy’s hair:”Be well” Kyle said as farewell and then he turned around and walked towards the building the boy pointed to. Inside there was only one counter which was separated from the hall by metal rods which was natural since the old guy who was inside apparently counted betting slips.
After entering Kyle cleared his throat to get the old guys attention while directing his steps towards the counter. As soon as he arrived the old guy stopped counting and asked:”What can I do for you?”
“I want to enter the underground fighting ring” Kyle decided to go with the fast approach
“Are you sure you don`t want to apply tomorrow?” he asked
“No” Kyle said then he added:”Ähm why did you ask this question?”
“Don`t worry, don`t worry, so would you please give me your name so that I can enlist you in today’s battle.” After hearing this Kyle remained silent for a moment and then the old guy added:”Don`t worry, you don`t have to tell me your real name an alias is more than enough, of course it would be a plus if that alias has to do with your fighting stile so could you tell me that too?”
“Why do you need to know that?” Kyle asked suspiciously
“You see this here isn`t just your run off the mill underground fighting ring, we pride ourselves to choose the most equal fighters to fight against each other so that the fights will last long. Of course we also have special events like let’s say an archer against a knight or a shaman against a mage, you know”
“Ah okay, I fight with my fists” Kyle said
“hmmm, interesting, so you are a monk class?” the old guy asked.
“That’s not really the case but let’s just say that.”
“I will let that count so have you chosen a name for you?”
*What really? The rules here aren`t very strict, or maybe does it have something to do with me fighting today?* Kyle asked himself
“Call me Tonan” Kyle said the first name which came into his mind
“Good Tonan the monk sounds great” the old guy said
“Ähm…. so when shall I fight?” Kyle asked
“Please come here at nine o clock then we will discuss some formalities, the fight will then take place half an hour later, hope you won`t run away before” the old guy said while showing a gap-toothed grin
*Brr, that smile was ominous*
“Don`t worry, I will be there” Kyle said his goodbyes while he left, then he halted and turned around since he could just ask this guy about the orphanage, he looked old enough to at least know something.
“Ähm sorry to bother you again, but I wonder what happened to the orphanage in this city” Kyle asked bluntly
“Orphanage, why?” he asked suspiciously.
*Shit did I just step on a mine?, but I can`t back out now that would look only more suspicious* Kyle thought and then he said:”Well on the way here I was ambushed by strays who wanted my purse” while patting the item in question:”And since this never happened to me in any town I visited I asked one of them about a orphanage to give them a lecture on how to raise children but he didn`t know what I was talking about”
“Ah I see.” Was the only thing the old guy said
“So, could you give me an answer?” Kyle asked because of that
“I can`t tell you much but know that we had a Orphanage but one day it burned to the ground…. “ he said and Kyle waited patiently for a continuation
“hrrm. Alright, But please keep in mind that everything I`m going to tell you now is pure speculation and only based on rumors so if you tell them to anyone be sure that he is trustworthy.” The old guy said as if to introduce a horror story
~gulp~”Okay”
“It was years back that a child lived in that Orphanage, he didn´t miss anything, he only had a desire to rule over people and so he formed his own gang which robbed harmless passerbies of their money, of course the chef of the orphanage found out and punished him. Sadly the punishments used in that orphanage where very severe as to prevent the orphans from doing mischief, so he was confined alone within the cellar of the orphanage on only bread and water for some time. But he didn´t learn his lessons, or maybe the strict punishment ignited some stubbornness in him no one will know, and so one thing led to another and he was banned from the orphanage sentenced to wander the streets alone while looking through windows seeing happy families. It is said that he was often seen standing before the fence of the orphanage looking inside while his heart grew colder and colder listening to the happy shouts. Then this boy grew older and build himself a gang, then it finally came to a clash between this gang and that of the ruler of that time. The boy’s side won and so he took the throne. During the same night this took place the Orphanage burned to the ground never to be rebuilt again.”
“What the heck where you talking ab……” Kyle tried to ask but he got interrupted by the old man
“SHhhhhhhh, don`t say the name! anyway now go I have work to do” he said and then he turned around.
*This story sounded pretty true to me. Lucro that fucker destroying the future of every Orphan just to get some petty revenge, sounds just like Neuron….. No Neuron wouldn`t get angry over something he is the cause of, or would he?* Kyle though becoming angrier with each moment while the truth behind the story the old guy told him sunk in.
K +”Neuron!”+
N +”What, what?”+ He asked completely in shock
K +”Sorry to startle you but I have to tell you something”+
N+”Alright so go ahead”+
K+”Lucro is a fucker who isn´t even worth the paper he uses to wipe the shit off his ass”+
N+”Tell me what happened”+ neuron said in a serious tone of voice
K+”nothing serious I just want you to place Lucro as number one in your list of enemies”+
N+”Alright done, what is the special occasion?”+
K+”It is a rather long story, do you have time?”+
N+”Yes, take your time and tell me every detail”+ Neuron said and so Kyle told him the whole story beginning with Deltaio and his idea. After Kyle was finished he closed the whisper function immediately.
*So what to do, I have more than eight hours to spare, shall I go to the library? No, I will edit the footage from the mountain there isn`t much more to edit anyway* and after thinking that Kyle went into an alley and after looking around he logged out.