The two of them hurried into the alley, pretending to search for something while carefully setting up the battlefield.
Sure enough, moments later, four figures appeared at the alley entrance. They spread out in a fan, blocking the only exit.
The moonlight shone from behind them, casting four sinister shadows onto the ground that slowly stretched toward Ron and Andre.
"Looks like we're in luck today." The leading orc let out a low growl, its voice grating like a saw scraping across a metal plate. "Two plump little lambs have walked right into the wolves' den."
It bared its enormous maw, revealing a row of blade-sharp fangs. "I hear you've got plenty of good stuff on you. Hand it over, and maybe we'll let you live."
"We're just ordinary travelers passing through."
The hooded boy looked somewhat frightened, and even his voice trembled slightly, but his feet imperceptibly closed the distance as he spoke:
"There's nothing valuable on us. Please let us leave."
The three orcs burst into laughter, their voices filled with mockery and cruelty.
The goblin hid at the very back, its greedy eyes fixed on Ron's waist pouch. It unconsciously licked its lips, as if it could already see the Magic Stone Fragments inside.
"Stop pretending, boy." The orc leader said gruffly as it strode forward:
"We've been watching you for a long time. We know you spent quite a bit of money today. Now, hand over your purse nicely, or else."
It revealed a sinister battle-axe gleaming with cold light, its blade still stained with dried blood. "Or I'll chop you into mincemeat!"
"Are you ready?" Ron asked Andre in a low voice. The fear on his face had vanished, replaced by a calmness bordering on coldness.
Andre tightened his grip on his dagger and nodded