First Rule of Adventuring

Time flies when you're having fun. After Havent played various games with five or six genuine seventeen or eighteen-year-old youths in his party.

The now familiar group felt like they could become sworn brothers on the spot, though perhaps that wasn't a popular custom in this world. Young friendships always formed swiftly and intensely.

"Will, do you really not need me and Kaka to help you carry your things? You can move in with me today. I have so many fun things here."

Havent patted Paimon on the shoulder and said with a smile:

"It's fine, no need. I'll pack my things tomorrow and come over myself. Besides, I've already paid for the room, and the owner won't give me a refund."

After bidding farewell to his new friends at the entrance of the tavern, Havent turned and headed towards the inn where he was staying.

It was already close to three in the morning, and there was practically no one on the streets. Havent, a little tired from playing, couldn't stop yawning.

"Hey, Koko, are you sure that kid really went to the Adventurer's Guild? We've been waiting for a long time. It's late at night now; he should have crawled back by now. Couldn't your informant have been lying to you?"

Koko, wearing a tattered leather armor, was also a bit suspicious. Linda had told him personally after her work was done for the night that a rich fool had arrived at the inn today, and he was quite generous, casually giving a Silver Grol for doing laundry and asking if there were any caravans heading to the Imperial Capital.

Later, after his detailed questioning, he learned that it was Bru, the inn worker who had been bothering her, who had said it. He also mentioned that the kid's every move seemed like that of a rich person, likely a wealthy young master sneaking out to experience life.

This made Koko, who had lost everything in a rat's nest a few days prior, start scheming. Although he considered himself an adventurer, he didn't mind a quick buck now and then.

"Impossible. Linda said the kid's clothes are still drying at the inn. Let's wait a bit longer. If nothing happens, we'll leave. I'll check the inn again tomorrow."

"Then tell me, why haven't we seen hide nor hair of him? What's going on? If you don't treat me to a bath today, I'll..."

"Shh~ They're here, they're here."

Hearing Koko's voice, everyone quickly crouched down. They saw a thin figure emerge from the end of the road.

He had drunk a bit too much dark beer tonight, causing Havent to take a wrong turn. If he hadn't seen the patrolling guards and asked for directions, he probably wouldn't have realized his mistake until dawn.

Flipping the dice Paimon had given him in his hand, Havent had won almost every round after the initial few where he hadn't understood the game rules. Seeing his new friend so formidable, Paimon was excited and wanted to take Havent to a good place.

"Hey, kid, hold on."

Lost in thought, Havent looked up and found three people in front of him. Then, he looked back and saw two more people appear behind him. The leader was wearing leather armor, holding a spiked club studded with iron nails, and looking at Havent with a sinister grin.

"So late, and we have to bother you. We're really sorry. We're a bit tight on cash lately, so we were hoping you could lend us some money."

Havent stopped in his tracks. He looked at the situation before him, scratching his head, a little confused. This was Streamwood Town. Were these people really that brave? In broad daylight... oh wait, in the dead of night, they were robbing him?

"No! Idiot, get lost. If you don't leave, I'll call for help."

Seeing Havent's uncooperative attitude, Koko's expression turned even more grim.

"Kid, since you're being so stubborn, don't blame me."

"Wait a moment."

Seeing that they were about to attack, Havent quickly raised his hand to stop them.

Koko saw Havent stop and a sinister smile appeared on his face.

"Kid, what is it? Have you come to your senses? It's good that you have.

This way, you won't have to suffer physical pain. After all, money is external. Leave the money, and we'll let you go."

"No, I just wanted to ask, if I kill all of you, wouldn't that be considered eliminating scourges for the public?"

After hearing Havent's words, under the moonlight, one could clearly see the veins on Koko's forehead twitch. He then became enraged. How dare this brat!

"Go on, cripple him."

Watching Koko charge forward, swinging his spiked club, Havent once again dramatically covered his left eye.

"Apologize to the god of death, Scuyumi~"

Facing the axe striking from behind, Havent, as if he had eyes in the back of his head, bent forward and nimbly dodged it. He then used his back leg to kick the attacker away.

Clang~

With a crisp sound, Havent used his longsword to block the hunting knife attacking from his left.

He twisted and counterattacked, smashing his elbow heavily onto Koko's nose. Instantly, Koko's eyes watered, and snot dripped down.

Taking advantage of the temporary reduction in their numbers, the situation quickly turned into a one-on-three fight. Havent quickly scanned the battlefield and smiled confidently.

He swung his longsword, delivering two rapid, heavy slashes at the short man with the hunting knife on his left. The short man, unable to withstand the accumulated force, fell to the ground with a thud.

He then jumped back two steps to dodge the wooden club that was swung at him. He stomped on the head of the club with his right foot, and with a flash of white light, the burly man holding the club fell to his knees, clutching his neck, powerless.

Blood gushed out. The thin man standing behind, who was planning to flank him, was so terrified he froze in place.

"Aaaah!!!! My nose, my nose! It's broken! Beat him to death!"

Koko's agonizing screams echoed through the empty street.

Havent, having completed his slash, turned to look at the two behind him. The man he had kicked away earlier had also gotten up. He looked at Havent, whose face was splattered with a few drops of blood, as Havent slowly approached with his sword.

Unable to bear the pressure, the two men let out a roar and charged forward, brandishing their weapons.

Havent performed a flourish with his longsword, holding it backward. He leaned his body forward slightly, his legs quickly gathering power. With a flash of sword shadows, Havent had already appeared behind the two.

Two muffled thuds sounded. By the time Havent turned around, the two men were already on the ground. Blood gushing from their necks soaked a large area of the ground.

"Kid, even if you beg for mercy now, I...

Aaaah!!!!"

The moment Keke, finally stopping her tears, opened her eyes, she thought she was hallucinating and rubbed them again in disbelief.

At this moment, only she and the short man who had wet himself remained on the scene. Her three companions had already fallen in pools of blood.

The dark clouds in the night sky parted, and the moon, which had been obscured, reappeared. The moonlight fell on Havent, making him look like a warrior of the night goddess.

Keke's hand, gripping the spiked club, began to tremble.

"I'm sorry, I was wrong, please spare me. Just pretend you never saw me. This is Streamwood Town, the guards will be here soon. Killing people is against the law."

However, Havent ignored Keke's words. He rested his longsword on the ground and slowly walked towards the two of them. The tip of the sword drew a long line on the earth. He stopped in front of Keke, shook his head, and, disregarding her pleading eyes, said coldly, "That won't do. Dad always said everyone has to take responsibility for their actions. It just so happens that today I was stronger than you. If it were someone who couldn't beat you, they would be in a terrible situation."