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𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲
“Hey, what are you doing?!”
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“You bastard! I don’t recognize your face, who are you?!”
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The men suddenly became agitated.
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“I don’t understand the situation, but isn’t this too many against one?”
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“If you don’t get it, then back off!”
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A man who had fallen on his backside lunges at Luke.
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Luke grabs the wrist of the man who had grabbed him by the collar and shifts his weight forward.
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“Woah?!”
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The man, thrown off balance by Luke’s weight, falls to his knees.
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He struggles to free his hand but is completely off-balance and unable to move.
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“Even if you don’t understand the situation, isn’t it too much to lay hands on a child?”
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“Y, You… what are you doing… it hurts… it hurts! Alright, I get it! Let go of me!”
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The man, with his joint locked, screams in pain.
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When Luke releases his hand, the man stands up shakily.
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Immediately, the men surround Luke.
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“You… don’t get cocky.”
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“You dare to pick a fight with us, the Griffin Town gang. Seems like you want to die.”
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With a menacing voice, the man glares at Luke.
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“Luke, should I help?”
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Alma calls out from behind the circle.
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“No, it’s okay. Just wait a bit longer.”
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Luke waves his hand with a smile.
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“You bastard, do you really want to die that badly?”
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“You’ll be in tomorrow’s newspaper!”
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The men calling themselves the Griffin Town gang suddenly attack Luke.
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A minute later, the entire Griffin Town gang lay sprawled on the ground.
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“Damn, he’s strong…”
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“Who is this guy…”
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Glancing at the groaning men, Luke crouched down in front of the beastkin.
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“Are you okay?”
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“Ah!”
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The girl shrank back with fear in her eyes.
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“It’s no wonder she’s scared after what happened.”
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Alma stepped forward and squatted down in front of the girl.
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“It’s okay, this guy is really strong but he won’t harm you. Are you hurt?”
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The girl nodded faintly.
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“Good. You’re safe now…”
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“Leah!”
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Suddenly, a voice called from behind. Turning around, they saw Pit, the servant of 《Blue Sky Hawk》.
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“Nii-san…”
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The girl’s face softened for a moment upon seeing Pit, but then quickly turned stern.
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“Are you okay?”
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“Don’t touch me!”
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The girl, apparently named Leah, brushed off Pit’s approaching hand.
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“Leah…”
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“Nii-san, or rather, you have nothing to do with this.”
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Leah stood up with a firm voice and turned to Luke.
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“I thank you for your help, but please don’t involve yourself further. We are fine.”
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Saying that, she disappeared into the crowd with her beastkin companions.
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“Leah…”
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Pit watched her go with a dejected expression.
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“What was that about…?”
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“Who knows?”
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Alma and Luke exchanged puzzled looks.
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“You… How dare you do that!”
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A member of the Griffin Town gang struggled to his feet.
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“We’ll make sure you pay for making fools out of us.”
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“You’re still up for more?”
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Luke sighed lightly.
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“Of course! You won’t find any escape in this city! Until the very end…”
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“Stop right there.”
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The man’s bluff was interrupted midway.
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“What! Who dares to… Ra, Runker… san?”
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The man’s face drained of color as he turned around.
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Standing there was Runker.
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“That gentleman over there is my friend. Picking a fight with him means picking a fight with me, right?”
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“No, no, absolutely not! If I had known he was your friend, I wouldn’t have dared! Hey, let’s get out of here!”
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The man hurriedly helped his companions off the ground and scurried away.
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Runker sighed lightly.
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“Such troublesome people. Sorry to show you the unpleasant side of this town.”
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“No, such people are everywhere. But thank you for your help.”
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“Don’t mention it. The title of ‘hero’ comes in handy in these situations. Trouble tends to avoid me.”
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Runker said with a smile and pointed down the street.
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“Come on, let’s go. The shop is just over there.”
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◆
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The place where Luke and his companions were guided to was one of the adventurer guilds in Mercapolis, known as “Hawk’s Nest.”
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The guild had an attached restaurant and tavern, serving as a gathering place for adventurers who operate in and around the city to rekindle old friendships and exchange information.
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“Even though it’s inside the guild, I assure you the food is excellent. It’s well-known among adventurers who have traveled the world.”
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No sooner had Luke and his party taken their seats than they were served glasses of ale and a large plate of grilled meat.
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“Then, to our meeting… Cheers!”
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Led by Runker, glasses clinked, and the meal began.
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“Delicious! What is this! It’s incredibly tasty!”
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“Really, I’ve never eaten anything like this in St. Arrogas!”
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Alma and Sicily were wide-eyed and eating voraciously, dish after dish served on large plates.
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“This is truly delicious. I wish I could let master taste this.”
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“Hahaha, Mercapolis is where trade routes from across the continent intersect. It’s known as a gathering place for the world’s delicacies.”
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“I had heard rumors, but this is beyond that. I can see why it’s the leading trade city on the continent.”
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“But knowing that makes me even less confident… How do we sell our goods…”
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While munching on Eastern-style fried fish with sweet and sour sauce, Sicily sighed.
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“About that…”
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Runker began to speak.
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“Would you guys like to join 《Blue Sky Hawk》?”