C15 Counterattack

He wasn't entirely naive. He ventured cautiously, "What's your beef with him? Why are you after him?"

"This issue involves you too!" the shadow retorted, delivering another kick.

"One of the people who took on your mission was my brother. He's dead now, and I'm bound to seek vengeance."

"Absolutely, vengeance is a must. But please, this has nothing to do with me directly. Don't bring your troubles to my doorstep!" Baron Vonk pleaded, nodding vigorously.

"You should count yourself lucky to have a noble title, even if it's the lowest of the low," the shadow scoffed.

In the Starmoon Duchy, or across the entire Sylvian Continent, the sudden disappearance of a noble, no matter how insignificant, would raise eyebrows. But commoners, even some hopeful young believers, would go unnoticed.

"However," just as Baron Vonk began to breathe a sigh of relief, thinking he was out of danger, the shadow bared his menacing teeth once more. "This situation arose because of you. And since we've dealt with him, it's actually to your benefit. Combining both issues, shouldn't you, as a noble, pay a modest commission?"

"Absolutely, absolutely. How much are you asking for?" Vonk's heart sank.

"Not a lot. Just 100 silver coins," the shadow said nonchalantly.

"You'll also need to give us an additional 10 silver coins," chimed in another shadow.

"And what's this extra 10 silver coins for?" Vonk asked, wincing at the thought.

"If you could directly inform us of that person's whereabouts, then you wouldn't need to pay the 10 silver coins. But can you?"

The other shadow spoke with a sneer, leaving Vonk feeling ashamed and unable to argue.

The information about Egerton in the Bounty Guild's mission was scant. He had only caught a few glimpses of Egerton, who had given him a thrashing before making a swift escape. Running into Egerton again in Sunblessed Vale was pure chance.

Even now, after the encounter at noon, Vonk couldn't clearly recall Egerton's appearance.

Let alone investigate where Egerton lived – at the time, he was too busy trying to escape.

If he tried to remember anything, it would only be Verl's beauty and Colette's haughtiness.

"He seems to have joined the Sunstriders. Why don't you two? Hmm!"

Baron Vonk recalled the only clue he had, but before he could finish his thought, he was brutally kicked by a shadowy figure.

"Do you take us for fools? The Sunstriders are a Class 5 Adventure Team. You expect us to go looking for trouble with them?"

"Then, I'm out of clues. I'll just give you the money!" Vonk said with a crestfallen expression.

"Fine, 150 silver coins. Hand them over," the shadowy figure nodded.

"Wasn't it 110 silver coins?" Vonk asked, puzzled.

"If you're not willing, then make it 200 silver coins," the figure retorted with a cold laugh.

"No, no, no, I'm willing, more than willing!" Vonk quickly retrieved 150 silver coins from his Space Bag, placed them in a pouch, and handed it to the shadowy figure. As the figure took the money, the dense fog that had shrouded the area suddenly lifted. The two shadowy figures that should have been standing before Vonk also vanished with the fog, as if they had never been there at all.

"Tch, what a stroke of bad luck. But if spending money gets rid of the kid, it's not a total loss!" Vonk lamented, feeling the pinch.

For a baron, 150 silver coins was not an insignificant sum, roughly equivalent to two months of his income.

"Attention, attention. A mandatory mission has been triggered. The reward is random, with a level C, difficulty C, and a one-day time limit. The objective: eliminate Reif and Rudnald, who have come to assassinate you."

The incessant voice of the missionary system echoed in his mind. Egerton leaned back in his Whisperleaf wooden chair, dazed, his expression a mix of emotions.

"Someone's out to assassinate me? What in the world? But they're really out of luck, aren't they?"

What's crucial in an assassination? Secrecy. If that's compromised, it's hardly an assassination at all, and the likelihood of failure skyrockets.

Egerton didn't know who these fellows named Reif and Rudnald were, but he genuinely felt sorry for them.

"Judging by the mission's difficulty, they're likely Class 3. Unaware, I'd indeed be in danger, but now... it almost feels like I'm the one hunting them!" Egerton suddenly felt a wave of weariness wash over him.

"This must be what a real benefit mission feels like, not at all like that free ride with room and board."

Egerton glanced at the bedroom door, pondering.

"But to think someone actually tried to assassinate me. Could it be Colette? Despite my cooperation, does she see me as a threat and sent an assassin after me? When did my charm become so overpowering that it could make someone feel endangered?"

"Or perhaps it was the baron's doing? Or maybe that Ralph character? No, if it were Ralph, he could have easily done the job himself. With my limited strength, he wouldn't leave a trace. There's no need for him to hire two Class 3 professionals. Hmm, it seems more likely that it was either Colette or the baron." Egerton mused.

"Still, even if I have to take out those two assassins, I need to be cautious. Too much commotion could spell trouble."

Upon his return, Egerton could still see the guards and soldiers diligently patrolling near the apartment, clearly a testament to Hagen's obstinacy.

If there were any major disturbances here, those guards would surely descend en masse.

"Alright, let's go with that plan!" A strategy quickly formed in his mind, and Egerton's lips curled into a slight smirk.

As evening approached, Lankro emerged from the bedroom, deliberately avoiding Egerton's gaze.

They ate dinner together, though their minds were clearly at odds. Just as Lankro was about to retreat to her bedroom, Egerton abruptly addressed her.

"Hold on, don't go in just yet. I need to ask you for a favor."

"What... what is it?" Lankro's voice quivered, betraying her fright.

"You took my first kiss. Don't you think you owe me some form of compensation?" Egerton asked, his tone teasing.

"Compensation, what do you have in mind?" Lankro asked, her voice trembling as she looked at Egerton with a mix of fear and uncertainty.

He wouldn't really try something, would he? He hadn't before, but still...

"It's simple. You kissed me once, so shouldn't I get to kiss you back just once to even the score?" Egerton chuckled.

"...Alright, fine. Do you... do you want to do it now?" Lankro's heart raced as she stammered her reply.

"Why does this phrase sound so awkward?" Egerton muttered to himself.

"Are you in a rush or something?"

"Not at all! It's just that, if you could finish up sooner, I'd feel more at ease," Lankro stammered, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.

Without realizing it, her view of Egerton became soft and unfocused.

"Let's do it now, then. But let's move to the bedroom—it has a better vibe," Egerton said with a teasing grin.

Without waiting for Lankro's consent, he took her hand and led her into the bedroom, gently closing the door behind them. The haziness that had begun to fill the room couldn't be contained, spreading with their quickened pace.

What was he planning to do? Why go to the bedroom? Could it be that he couldn't wait any longer?

Pressed against the wall without realizing, Lankro gazed at Egerton through blurred eyes, finding his smile dazzling and captivating.

"Close your eyes," Egerton's voice drifted, as if it were coming from a dream.

"Be gentle," Lankro whispered, her voice barely above a breath. A sheen of sweat appeared on her forehead, her face flushed with a delicate pink, and her lips puckered slightly in anticipation of Egerton's approach.

"Do we really need to be this suggestive?" Egerton said with a hint of exasperation, slowly drawing closer to Lankro while keeping an eye on the entire bedroom, the living room, and the movements outside the window. Two assassins had arrived, seeking the perfect moment to strike.

And now, Egerton was ready to give them their chance.

"Ugh!" The heavy breath on her face sent waves of nervousness and warmth through Lankro. Instinctively, her hands reached out, longing to pull Egerton closer and deepen their embrace. But before she could act, a sudden, fierce wind swept over her, turning her already hazy consciousness into a blur, alerting her to the danger.

"Don't be afraid, it's all over now," Egerton reassured her as she opened her eyes to his comforting smile. Lankro wondered if her earlier sensations had been nothing but an illusion, but then her gaze shifted downward, and upon seeing the object at her feet, her pupils dilated in shock.

Two menacing heads glared directly at him, the floor awash with blood, turning the scene into a veritable hell on earth.

"Ah!" "Don't scream!" Egerton hastily covered Lankro's mouth, a shiver of fear running through him.

Had he been a mere second slower, the nearby patrolling soldiers would surely have been alerted to their presence.

This very concern had prompted Egerton to carefully manipulate the assassins' actions, keeping the skirmish confined to the room.

Otherwise, the confrontation could have spilled outside the apartment.

"Mission accomplished. You have received a reward of 20 silver coins and a pair of Origin Power Level shoes."

The voice of the missionary system echoed in his mind, but Egerton paid it no heed.

"Stay calm. These two were here to assassinate me. If you scream now, the patrolling guards and soldiers could arrive at any moment. Then Viscount Hagen would know you're here."

Seeing Lankro still struggling to compose herself, Egerton resorted to his last-ditch tactic.

"Mmm!" The mere mention of Viscount Hagen immediately silenced Lankro.

Yet, as she gazed at the corpses and the gruesome severed heads at her feet, she couldn't suppress her trembling.

"Go outside for a bit. Stay quiet. I'll clean up and then you can come back in."

Egerton covered Lankro's eyes and guided her out.

"Using Mist and Wind... it looks like they were a Whisper Killer and a Mist Warrior, both Class 3. If it hadn't been for the ambush, I doubt I could have taken them on," Egerton mused with a sense of relief as he stowed the bodies of Cheliff and Rundur into the Space Bag.