Right into the Line of Fire

Pete had originally not wanted to bother with Gale, because his [My Lord's Truth Illuminates the Earth] quest was still on cooldown.

His cooperation with Rena had already triggered the quest reward. He would have to wait another week before he could claim it again.

Even if he successfully preached to Gale now, he would not receive any Knowledge Points.

But when he heard Gale say he was willing to do anything, Pete changed his mind.

"I can tell you how, but for the next fifteen days, you have to listen to me and help me with a few things!"

He wanted to use the limited-time event to wipe out the Bloodfang Gang, quickly farm Justice Points, gather enough resources, and exchange them for third-tier magic.

When it came to cracking down on crime, several people working well together would definitely be more efficient than one person alone!

Gale was overjoyed. "No problem!"

Pete cleared his throat and began, "Then let me introduce you to a great existence. He..."

Half an hour later, Gale, who had also become a follower of Noven, stared in disbelief at the various "divine revelations" flooding into his mind.

"As long as I save up enough Knowledge Points, I can exchange them for the magic I want?"

"Any magic?"

"Is this real? Can I really learn third-tier magic this way?"

Seeing Gale look like such a country bumpkin, Pete felt inexplicably pleased.

Every newcomer who became a follower of Noven, the God of Knowledge, seemed to have a similar reaction.

They could not believe that every follower could enjoy such treatment.

"I told you, this is the power of the God of Knowledge!"

"You can gain Knowledge Points by praying to Noven or meditating, but those methods are far too slow. You need 150 Knowledge Points to exchange for third-tier magic."

"See that limited-time event? As long as you crack down on crimes related to the Bloodfang Gang in the Lower District, you can quickly earn tons of rewards!"

"It takes time to practice magic according to the knowledge you receive, so we need to farm enough points as quickly as possible!"

Gale was even more excited than Pete, his clear yet foolish eyes gleaming brightly.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's get going!"

Lower District.

Moni Brothers Tavern.

The tavern was deserted. Because of the Bloodfang Gang's harassment, no customers had dared visit recently.

Rena's father, Moni, sat behind the bar, anxiously watching the street outside.

Although the Bloodfang Gang had seemed to lie low over the past two days and had not come to harass them or cause trouble, Moni knew full well that this was only because they feared that "Mage Sir."

The Bloodfang Gang thugs thought he had paid to commission a mage to protect the tavern.

In reality, that mage, Pete, was merely a friend his daughter Rena knew!

There had never been any hired mage.

Once the Bloodfang Gang realized that the previous conflict had merely been a coincidence, the tavern would surely fall back into its miserable routine of being harassed and troubled every day.

There had already been faint signs of it in recent days. Moni had noticed suspicious figures peeking around near the tavern.

They were probably checking whether that mage was still around.

Although he knew that his daughter Rena had been spending a great deal of time with Mage Pete these past few days, and that they seemed to do something together at night...

Moni had once been an experienced stonemason and considered himself half a respectable man. He simply could not bring himself to use that as an excuse to ask the other man to solve his troubles.

Wouldn't that be the same as trading his daughter for the mage's help?

In truth, aside from worrying about the tavern's troubles, Moni had also been worried about his daughter these past two days.

Sir Pete was a powerful mage, while his daughter Rena was only an ordinary person.

The gap between them was simply too great.

If his daughter grew close to him and things ultimately came to nothing, Rena would probably be heartbroken.

Just as Moni was worrying himself sick, the tavern door was gently pushed open.

"Father, I'm back!"

Cheerful as a lark, Rena came bouncing into the tavern with a bag of freshly bought vegetables, greeting him happily.

"Rena, come here. I need to talk to you about something." After hesitating for a long while, Moni sighed and decided to explain things to Rena.

Before his daughter became too deeply involved, it would be best to make her give up on some unrealistic ideas.

"What's wrong, Father?" Rena casually set the vegetables aside.

"Well..."

Before Moni could figure out how to begin, the words he had been preparing were interrupted by an incredibly violent pounding on the door outside!

Bang! Bang bang!

The tavern's old wooden door was already covered in cracks. After being struck so violently again, it finally gave way completely.

Crack... crack... boom!

Splintered boards flew everywhere as the collapsed door was smashed inward, knocking over several tables and chairs along with it.

The five thugs Pete had once knocked down appeared again, radiating a fierce aura as they swaggered into the tavern.

Bang!

Crash!

The leading thug casually kicked a bench flying, smashing an oil lamp hanging on the wall and scattering shards across the floor.

"Moni! Where are you hiding? Get the hell out here!"

"And your daughter too—the really pretty one with the great body! Get her out here too!"

One of the thugs called out, "They're definitely here! I just saw that little chick come back with my own eyes. The vegetables she bought are still sitting here. No mistake about it!"

Moni's ominous premonition had come true.

The Bloodfang Gang had really returned.

The moment the pounding started, Moni hurriedly pulled Rena down to crouch beneath the bar.

The long bar blocked their view, keeping the thugs from noticing them.

But hiding here was hardly a long-term solution. Once the Bloodfang Gang started searching the tavern, they only needed to walk around the bar and take a look to find them.

With the situation critical, Moni lowered his voice and urgently told his daughter, "Rena, I'll stand up and draw their attention in a moment. You quietly crack open the door to the cellar in the back, slip inside, and leave through the cellar's skylight!"

Previously, the Bloodfang Gang thugs had only smashed things outside, shouted abuse, or intimidated customers visiting the tavern. This time, they had directly forced their way in.

Something was clearly wrong. They were probably serious this time.

Afraid that his daughter would be harmed, Moni's first thought was to get Rena out of there immediately.

However, Rena seriously shook her head.

Moni grew anxious. "Be good. This isn't the time to act tough. Dad will be fine, don't worry about me. Protecting yourself and getting out of here are what matter most."

Rena raised a finger and gently pressed it to Moni's lips, whispering, "Father, don't worry!"

"I haven't had the chance to tell you yet... but I'm not the same as before."

"These Bloodfang Gang scumbags really picked the wrong target this time!"

"Just wait and see. Watch me teach them a proper lesson."

After saying that, Rena slowly let out a breath. Under Moni's tense gaze, her body gradually turned transparent!

[Stealth], activated!