Yearning to Become Strong

Late at night. An alleyway. A burly man.

Just putting those words together gave off a distinctly gay vibe, but Jack felt nothing but overwhelming terror.

The moment he returned from the dungeon, he had wanted to flee. Instead, he ran into one of Sackman's acquaintances, who noticed something was wrong. And then...

This was where he ended up.

"Where are the others?" Just standing there, Sackman's fleshy face already exuded an oppressive presence.

Everyone was a veteran at reading people. Some things did not need to be said; one look at someone's expression was enough.

And on Jack's face, he saw fear and avoidance. That meant the people who had entered the dungeon with him likely had not met a good end.

"Boss, I was just about to come report to you..." Jack forced himself to say. "It's just that I was scared out of my wits by the dungeon monsters after I revived, and my memories are a little muddled right now, so—"

"Bullshit. I checked the Resurrection Room records. You never died."

Sackman snorted disdainfully. "What are you trying to hide from me? Where did the others go?!"

"Where did they go?!" The other burly men roared in unison, making Jack tremble nonstop.

"Dead... d-dead..."

"Nonsense, of course I guessed they died in the dungeon! But where are they now? Where did they go after reviving?"

Jack hesitated, but finally said, "They've been in the dungeon all along."

"Hm? They dared 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 huge hand suddenly clamped around his neck and lifted him like a chick. His vision was filled with the furious Sackman!

"Talk! Tell me everything you know!"

Sackman truly wanted to strangle Jack to death right then and there.

This old bastard had volunteered to lead people into the dungeon, swearing he would bring back enormous gains. And now?

Everyone was dead, yet this old bastard still had the nerve to stay alive?!

Besides, he did not believe it. He could not believe those people had died. Bringing enough Teleportation Crystals when exploring a dungeon was an ironclad rule every adventurer followed. No one would deliberately go without them, especially not his companions. They all valued their lives greatly!

"I-I-I-I—" Jack was so frightened he could barely speak.

"What the fuck are you, a chicken?!" Sackman slapped Jack across the face with a loud smack, knocking out his front teeth.

He shoved Jack into another burly man's hands. "You interrogate him. I want the answer as fast as possible."

"Hehe, interrogation is my favorite," the burly man said with a foolish grin. To Jack, that smile was more terrifying than a billion murderers.

Jack wanted to talk too, but... but—

Who would believe that the dungeon's Gargoyles had suddenly gained intelligence and taken away their Teleportation Crystals before killing them?

What was more, Jack had participated in the killings. In the end, he had even become a monster's slave. If he said that out loud, he would probably be executed as a traitor who had sided with the monsters the next second.

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

The image of the Gargoyle, played by Gong Qiying, suddenly flashed through his mind.

If I had power like that, I wouldn't have to be threatened by scum like Sackman. I wouldn't have to live by watching other people's faces, and I wouldn't need to sweet-talk and deceive anyone anymore.

Damn it, I want to become strong too.

Damn it.

"Stop."

A cool voice came from the mouth of the alley. Sackman turned around impatiently and muttered, "Why is someone sticking their nose into other people's business in the middle of the night? Tired of living, are you?"

One look was all it took to shock him. Once he saw the newcomer clearly, Sackman froze.

He had never seen such a beautiful young girl.

Look at those bright, watery eyes, like precious blue sapphires. His silky black hair fluttered in the wind, perfectly matching his black-and-red travel outfit. One could not help but praise his taste.

But one thing ruined the balance of that beauty: the sword strapped to the young girl's back.

Calling it a sword was almost an understatement. It was enormous, heavy, broad, and rough, practically an iron block. It was hard to imagine how those slender arms could wield it. That greatsword was taller and bigger than he was.

Sackman believed that even one hit from that greatsword would leave him seriously injured. Unless the young girl was merely putting on a show...

"That's a tough one."

He clicked his tongue and said, "Stay out of this. This man made several of our brothers disappear. We have to force him to tell us where they are."

Then he added, "We got permission from the guards. What about you? It's curfew right now. You don't want me reporting you to the guards, do you?"

No one wanted trouble with the guards. Sackman was confident he could force the young girl to back down.

"Oh? You got permission from the guards? How come I never heard of that?" Another silver figure appeared. "Could a mere guard dare deceive me? Impossible. That means you're the one lying."

Sackman only needed one glance at the newcomer to be frightened speechless.

"S-S-S-Sally!"

The newcomer was none other than the Bede Family's third young master, Sally!

Why was he here too?

"Friend, could you do me a favor?" Sally said to the young girl beside him. "Please help me catch these criminals. I'll treat you to a feast afterward."

"Okay."

The young girl drew his greatsword from behind his back. Every movement stirred the air, and the hum of the iron-block-like blade crashing onto the ground sounded like the god of death tolling a funeral bell.

"Are you going to kill them, friend?" Sally said helplessly. "It wouldn't sound good if word got out that a Brave killed someone."

"Oh."

With a sharp clang, the young girl plunged the greatsword into the stone-paved ground, then raised his bare fists in a fighting stance.

Cold sweat ran down Sackman's forehead. He waved his hands repeatedly and said, "Misunderstanding, it's all a misunderstanding. We were only—"

"Enough nonsense."

No one knew when he had moved, but the young girl was already standing before him. He casually threw an uppercut.

Sackman's consciousness went blank.

"So strong..."

Jack knelt nearby, eyes wide as he watched this one-sided beatdown.

The young girl effortlessly dealt with Sackman's group as if cleaning up trash. Sally gave a frivolous whistle and said, "I'll call the guards to clean this up later. Come on, let's go eat."

"Okay."

Still showing little emotional reaction, the young girl casually picked up his greatsword and followed Sally's footsteps.

From beginning to end, neither of them looked at him again.

Clang.

A bottle of potion rolled to a stop by Jack's feet. Sally waved at him, then disappeared down the street with the young girl.

"I met a benefactor..."

Jack stared blankly at the potion. Only after a long while did he come back to himself.

"Do I not need to run anymore?"