The Villain's Story

Chapter 423 [423] Dead before even trying.

"I would like to bet one billion studs on Alan Peccator successfully clearing the tower."

I repeated, but the dubious expression on the staff's face did not disappear.

How infuriating, it seems the man is shocked to his core. I wonder why?

A billion is not a significant amount of money, my parents and even Grandpa usually deal in billions.

So why the surprise?

'Hmmm.'

Surveying the surroundings, I found out that it was not only the staff member, but most of the people also mirrored his expression.

How strange, I had thought that maybe the Capitol, the wealthiest and largest human city would possess people of great repute and wealth.

But it seems I was wrong, or maybe those individuals are not present in such an establishment.

Sighing, I pushed the card towards the staff.

"Just scan the damn thing."

I ordered, disappointed at the sudden turn of events. I sighed inwardly, lamenting at myself for expecting something else.

"...yes."

He took the card, and the dubious look on his face slowly changed into one of utter shock.

It was not just him, a few of the intelligent ones here also realized when they saw his face.

The employee stood up immediately from his chair and handed me the card whilst bowing.

'Now he gets it.'

I thought, taking my card with a slight grin on my face. Thankfully, the mask I was wearing hid it, lest these vermin would know I was laughing at their ignorance.

Ah, what can I do?

I wish Alan and the rest were here, at least I have some fun conversing with them, but money is important as well.

"Thank you."

I retrieved my card and after thanking the shocked man, prepared to leave.

On the way back, I noticed a large number of people staring at me, both men and women. The most common type of stare was greed, followed by shock.

"The journey home isn't going to be easy it seems."

I muttered as I exited the gambling den.

I could already feel a few presences stalking me and for goodness sake!

I was not even in a secluded alley, but the damn street! And they were still chasing me.

Ha…such things would have not occurred had Alan been here.

I miss him already. His figure alone was enough to deter most reckless idiots, and whenever he sensed something amiss, just releasing his aura would do it.

Well, that worked in Shield and most places I visited with him by my side.

He was just reliable, and scary.

"Sigh…"

They are really intent on following me, aren't they?

[Skill: Dark Sense has been activated.]

'Total of 17 idiots, four A rank…and the rest don't need to be mentioned?'

I used a skill to observe them and identify their ranks. The ones that needed to be mentioned were the A ranks, the rest don't qualify.

Four A ranks…three specialize in combat judging by their attire and terrible stealth skills…whilst one is a mage.

'Troublesome.'

I thought it would have been troublesome taking care of them.

But why do I need to worry?

I am not the one taking care of them, I don't need to give a single damn.

Alan was my trusted bodyguard in "Shield".

Grandpa did not want to offend the Sage, Sir Oliver, so he had to make some arrangements in Shield.

Outside of Shield? An entire troupe of assassins follows me from the shows wherever I go outside.

Each and every one of them is A rank…and the Leader?

An S-rank killing machine.

Money is truly the best.

***************

[Gambling den, John Doe, A-rank hunter of Railways Guild.]

'This is my lucky day!'

I thought as I activated all my stealth items and skills, intending to rob the woman who had just bet one billion studs! 

'...My life will be set once I do this…I need to execute it perfectly.'

There was a sense of uneasiness inside my heart, but I dismissed it, the amount of money had fooled me.

If, by any chance, she had more money in that card…or even belonged to a reputable family…Just the thought of it sends chills down my spine.

If I can manage to get that card, or even her…I can live a happy life, devoid of hunting and killing those savage beasts that roam the dungeons and plains of Earth!

Of course, I knew the amount of Risk involved in such a plan…But I must execute it perfectly!

I must!

Lest I live like a machine, doomed to hunt for all time until my contract expires.

And it is not like I am approaching her without any caution or without a plan!

I have activated all my stealth skills, and provided that I am an assassin I believe I can do this.

If I can manage to get that card of hers, I can easily crack it with the use of an item or by other means…I think. If I cannot do that, I will just sell her to the demons or any demonic human guild if she is from a reputable family.

'I hope she is a virgin…value will increase a lot if she is.'

I thought, my eyes blinded by greed. It's easy to discern the individual is a woman, even if she is covering her entire body. If she is beautiful and a virgin…the amount of money I will make will skyrocket.

'Beep!'

Just then, one of my items warned me about the presence of other bastards.

'Tch.'

I clicked my tongue, an expression of annoyance appeared on my face and I cursed in my mind.

'Fucking greedy bastards…'

I thought, ironically, I was in the same league as them.

[Skill: Assassin's sense has been activated.]

I activated one of the most prized and crucial skills of us assassins and accurately discerned the identity and ranks of the other chasers.

"Shit."

I mumbled, a grimace formed on my face as I realized I was not the only A rank here.

4 other A-ranks, with terrible skills in stealth, and about a dozen B and C ranks were also approaching the woman with greedy eyes.

'Damn you! This is my treasure.'

I cursed and waited for them to go ahead.

'Well, I will just use you then.'

However, even in this dire situation opportunity is still present! I am not stupid enough to believe that a woman, who is probably from a reputable family, has no bodyguards around her!

Those fodder will fight her bodyguards, and I will reap the reward, the woman.

If by any chance she does not have any bodyguards, the only logical conclusion is that she is strong enough. If that is the case.

Then why change the plan?

She can just fight them and tire herself out, And then I move in when she is exhausted and knock her unconscious.

Truly, my plan is foul-proof.

The idiots trailing her don't even know of my existence, their stealth and detection skills are terrible! Just terrible!

At least I have some class! I am, at the very least, qualified!

Those bastards are just doing whatever they can to hide themselves, with no skill and items worth notice! They are a shame to my existence. They are a shame to us assassins!

"Well…what can I do…"

I mumbled, clearly annoyed, but I was right, no?

What can I do? Wait!

I will just wait for the opportune moment and strike! Like the assassin I am.

Finally, with my thoughts and plans all set, I slowly but surely marched forward, always behind the group of others…but not too far behind lest I lose the opportunity.

'Ah.'

Sensing a change in the women's movement, and the movement of mana in the atmosphere, I concluded that she is aware of the existence of the people trailing her.

Except for me of course.

'Just a little more…'

I prayed for it to end quickly, I wanted to go take a shower. An entire day of hunting those monsters has made me sweaty.

'Hmm..?'

Suddenly, something caught my eye. Did I just see movement?

…It can't be?

No…I definitely saw something in between the other idiots…something humanoid. Moving.

'...are there more?'

How shocking, I failed to identify them…It seems I will face a little bit more trouble…Worry not.

I have some items to back me up…hehe.

"...?!"

A surprised look appeared on my face…as in front of my very eyes…Everyone was gone!

What!

I had only blinked…and every greedy bastard was gone…?

[Skill: Night vision has been activated.]

'...!'

After activating my skill, I saw a few drops of blood where the greedy bastards were previously.

Before I could think any further, or even process what had happened.

A searing pain was felt in my neck, blood seeped from my body like rain, and my throat became filled with my own blood…along with a strange metallic taste. The taste of a blade!

"...ahh…ahh…"

I tried to speak…but only guttural sounds came out, and I only felt pain.

And just then, As my dying mind finally processed what had happened…did I realize.

'...I…messed…with the…wrong…per-'

*THUD!*