Empty Box Trap

The next day, Lynn, who hadn't slept all night, got up very early. He casually found a fancy-looking empty box, stuffed it into his embrace, and walked out of the room.

On the spacious training ground outside the door, crisp striking sounds echoed continuously. Lynn glanced over and saw that "his sister" Evina had already been there for a long time.

The young girl held a wooden sword, her swift and rapid slashes hitting the vital points of the target without any hesitation. Beads of sweat trickled down her forehead to her neck...

So diligent... Lynn thought to himself. Given last night's unpleasant experience, he didn't greet her and walked straight past. He didn't notice Evina, who had stopped her strenuous training behind him, watching him with a very complex expression.

Why...

Why, after experiencing such things, can he still be so calm upon seeing me?

A bewildered look appeared on Evina's face, but after remembering Pedrol's words from last night, her gaze became firm again. She gripped her sword and swung it horizontally once more, shattering the sturdy wooden post in front of her.

Lynn, who had already left the mansion, was unaware of the events unfolding within the estate. After purchasing some necessary supplies at the market, he returned to the port shop he had visited yesterday.

"Welcome to Bill's... Ah, Lord Lott!" the elderly Halfling greeted habitually, but upon recognizing Lynn, he immediately became excited and crowded around him, saying earnestly, "That shipment you mentioned yesterday, we can discuss it further... You absolutely won't find a better partner in the entire Port Town than the [Ship Gang]!"

Lynn didn't rush to reply. He leisurely surveyed the shop and said with a hint of regret, "What? Mr. Laud still refuses to see me?"

Bill quickly interjected, "No, no, no, I believe Mr. Laud really wants to see you! But unfortunately, he's not in Port Town right now. Even with the fastest carrier pigeon, it would take several days to relay a message!"

"If Lord Lott is concerned about safety, the [Ship Gang] can provide goods of equivalent value as collateral!" the elderly Bill patted his chest like a drum, making a thumping sound.

Lynn feigned hesitation for a moment before finally waving his hand and saying, "Alright, if that's the case, it's not entirely unacceptable..."

"Who's in charge of the [Ship Gang] now?"

"It's Labul, of course! Please wait a moment, I'll send someone to fetch him..." Halfling Bill said as he hurried out the door. He called over a dockworker and whispered a few instructions before returning, standing on a small stool to pour fruit wine for Lynn.

Lynn took the cup but set it aside, showing no intention of drinking. Instead, he pointed to the iron barrels piled in the corner of the shop and asked, "What are these things?"

"They're just worthless Yellow Ore. A group of gold prospectors dug them up from a barren mountain near Port Town. They managed to get a whole ship full." Halfling Bill said with considerable frustration.

Usually, only herbalists would buy this stuff, but this year, the Yellow Ore market in Victnil was already saturated. This meant they'd have to hoard it until next year to sell it.

"Lord Lott, if you're interested in this Yellow Ore, I can give you a cost price. A whole barrel like this is only nineteen copper coins. I heard it's quite effective for repelling insects!" Halfling Bill rubbed his hands together and enthusiastically promoted it.

"No, I've just never seen it before and was a bit curious," Lynn replied nonchalantly, shaking his head.

As they were chatting, a tall, burly man entered with several helpers.

"It's an honor, Mr. Lott. Bill mentioned you have something important to discuss with me in person?" Labul pushed the door open, a genuine smile appearing on his rough, meaty face.

"That's right. I'm looking to charter a large ship to transport a batch of very important supplies!" Lynn said, solemnly taking out an exquisite box from his sleeve and placing it on the table. "This is a sample. I need a private place to talk with you alone!"

Everyone present turned their gaze to the palm-sized, exquisite box.

Halfling Bill secretly wondered if it contained some extremely rare gem, but considering Lynn needed a large ship to transport it, he quickly dismissed the thought.

Labul, beside him, looked very serious. Unlike Bill, he had been with the [Ship Gang] for over ten years and occasionally helped noble lords handle some unsavory business.

For example, Duke Nordland had been secretly selling an addictive substance called Soul-Destroying Grass. If the Holy See found out, they, the small fry, would likely be made scapegoats.

Of course, risk and reward went hand in hand. If the cargo was delivered successfully, the profit from one ship would be enough for the entire [Ship Gang] to operate for half a year.

"No problem! We can go to the back room and talk slowly!" Labul's mind raced, but the smile on his face widened.

Lynn put the box away and followed Labul out of the shop. They walked across more than half the street and finally stopped at a seemingly ordinary civilian house.

Labul, well aware of the importance of secrecy, had several helpers guard the entrance and led Lynn alone into a well-hidden basement.

The space was quite large, furnished with only a few simple tables and chairs, but it was kept very clean.

Seeing Lynn constantly surveying his surroundings since entering, Labul became even more certain of his guess and said with a smile, "Please, sit down, Mr. Lott. It's very safe and quiet here, no outsiders will disturb us!"

"Since that's the case, I'm relieved!" Lynn also smiled, pushing the box in his hand towards Labul, indicating, "You can take a look first, then we can talk!"

Labul, with a mixture of apprehension and excitement, placed his hand on the box, his heart filled with curiosity about what kind of contraband it might contain.

Soul-Destroying Grass? Heim Stone? It couldn't possibly be a statue of some evil god, could it?

I heard the nobles west of the Secas Empire are quite fond of those strange things.

However, upon truly opening it, Labul's expression froze instantly.

Because the box was empty, containing nothing at all!

Was I tricked?

Labul immediately sensed something was wrong and instinctively reached for the dagger hanging at his waist with his left hand, but it was too late!

The moment he opened the box, Lynn entered a brief overload mode. He swiftly and accurately grabbed Labul's elbow, bending his entire arm at the most precise angle.

Accompanied by a dull pop of dislocation, excruciating pain instantly flooded Labul's mind. But before he could even cry out, his neck was already being choked, and he was slammed heavily to the ground