Aspiring to Become a Strong Person

In the dead of night, an alley, a burly man.

These few words alone strung together gave off a gay vibe, but unfortunately, Jack only felt immense panic right now.

After returning from the dungeon, he had wanted to flee immediately, but instead, he ran into an acquaintance of Sackman's, who saw that something was wrong, and then...

...that led to the current situation.

"Where are the others?" Sackman, his face a mass of flesh, stood there, exuding an overwhelming sense of pressure.

Everyone here was sharp; some things didn't need to be said, you could tell just by looking at someone's expression.

And he saw fear and evasion on Jack's face, which meant that those who had entered the dungeon with him would not have a good outcome.

"Boss, I was just about to come find you to report," Jack said, steeling himself. "I just revived, and I was so scared by the monsters in the dungeon that my memory is a bit jumbled right now, so—"

"Bullshit, I checked the records at the resurrection house, you weren't even dead,"

Sackman snorted dismissively. "What exactly are you trying to hide from me? Where are the others!"

"Where are they!" The other burly men roared in unison, scaring Jack into trembling uncontrollably.

"Dead, dead, dead."

"Nonsense, of course I guessed they died in the dungeon, but what about now? Where are they after they revived?"

Jack hesitated for a moment, then finally said, "They're still in the dungeon."

"Huh? They dared to go back in after reviving? That doesn't fit their personalities... Wait, you mean—"

Sackman suddenly realized.

"They didn't revive!?"

Jack nodded with difficulty.

A pair of large hands suddenly gripped his neck, lifting him like a chick. His vision was filled by Sackman's rage-filled face!

"Speak, tell me everything you know!"

Sackman really wanted to just strangle Jack to death.

It was this old guy who volunteered to lead people to explore the dungeon, promising with great certainty that he would bring back huge profits. And now?

Everyone was dead, and this old geezer still had the nerve to be alive!?

And he didn't believe it, didn't believe those people would die. Exploring a dungeon required bringing enough Teleportation Crystals; this was a fundamental rule all Adventurers followed. No one would intentionally not bring them, especially not his companions; they all cherished their lives dearly!

"I, I, I, I—" Jack was so scared he was babbling incoherently.

"What the hell are you saying!" Sackman slapped Jack with a "snap," knocking out his front teeth.

He shoved Jack to another burly man and said, "You interrogate him. I want the results as quickly as possible."

"Hehe, I love interrogating the most," the burly man said with a lecherous grin. This smile was more terrifying to Jack than a billion serial killers.

Jack really wanted to say something, but, but—

The Gargoyles in the dungeon suddenly gained intelligence and took away their Teleportation Crystals before killing them. Who would believe such a thing if he said it!?

Moreover, he, Jack, had participated in killing people, and in the end, he even became a slave to the monsters. If he said this out loud, he'd probably be executed on the spot as a spy who defected to the monsters.

Jack's teeth chattered incessantly. How he wished someone would come to save him right now, even if it was—

The image of the Gargoyle (played by Gong Qiying) suddenly flashed in his mind.

If only I had that kind of power, I wouldn't have to be threatened by scum like Sackman anymore. I wouldn't have to live by looking at people's faces, and I wouldn't need to use flowery words to deceive others.

Damn it, I want to become strong too.

Damn it.

"Stop,"

A clear, cold voice came from the alley entrance. Sackman turned his head impatiently and muttered, "Why are people meddling in other people's business so late at night? Are they tired of living, huh?"

He didn't realize it until he looked, but when he saw the appearance of the person who had arrived, Sackman froze.

He had never seen such a beautiful girl.

Look at those bright, watery eyes, like precious sapphires. Her silky black hair danced in the wind, perfectly complementing her black and red travel outfit, making one want to praise her aesthetic sense.

But there was one thing that disrupted the overall balance of beauty: the sword the girl carried on her back.

To call it a sword would be an understatement; it was enormous, heavy, thick, and crude, practically a block of iron. He couldn't imagine how the girl's slender arms could wield it. The greatsword was taller and larger than she was.

Sackman believed he would be severely injured if he were hit by that greatsword. If the girl wasn't bluffing...

"That's a tough one,"

He clicked his tongue. "Mind your own business. This person caused several of our brothers to go missing; we have to find out where they are."

He added, "We have permission from the Guards. What about you? It's curfew now, and you wouldn't want me to report you to the Guards, would you?"

No one wanted trouble with the Guards. Sackman was confident he could drive the girl away.

"Oh? You have permission from the Guards? How come I didn't know about that," another silver figure appeared. "Could it be that the petty Guards dared to deceive me? Impossible. It must be you who is lying."

Sackman just glanced at who had arrived and was too shocked to speak.

"Sali, Sali!"

The newcomer was none other than the third young master of the House of Bede, Sali!

Why was he here again?

"Friend, could you do me a favor?" Sali said to the young woman beside him. "Please help me capture these criminals. I'll treat you to a big meal afterward."

"Okay."

The young woman drew her Greatsword in a flash. Her every movement stirred the wind and clouds. The hum of the iron-like blade striking the ground sounded like the Grim Reaper tolling a death knell.

"Are you going to kill them, friend?" Sali said helplessly. "It won't sound good if the Brave Hero is known for killing people."

"Oh."

With a shing, the young woman thrust her Greatsword into the stone-paved ground and assumed a fighting stance with her bare hands.

Cold sweat trickled down Sackman's forehead. He waved his hands repeatedly and said, "It's a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding. We were just—"

"Enough with the nonsense."

The young woman, who had moved without anyone noticing, was now in front of him. She casually threw an uppercut.

Sackman's consciousness fractured.

So strong.

Jack knelt to the side, his eyes wide as he watched this one-sided curb-stomp.

The young woman easily dealt with Sackman and his gang as if she were cleaning up trash. Sali whistled casually and said, "I'll call the Guards to clean up later. Let's go, time for that big meal."

"Okay."

Her response was still devoid of emotion. The young woman casually picked up her Greatsword and followed Sali.

Neither of them looked at him again from beginning to end.

Clang.

A Potion rolled to Jack's feet. Sali waved at him and disappeared down the street with the young woman.

I've met a benefactor.

Jack stared blankly at the Potion. After a long while, he finally came to his senses.

Do I not need to run anymore?