The Trap

(PS: I went drinking with friends, lost track of time, and got back late. Please forgive me, everyone~~~~~~~~~~)

"A trap? What a joke!" As Toka drew closer, the sneer at the corner of Zhang Yao's mouth grew ever brighter.

Although Toka kept his expression composed, he kept glancing uneasily around him. That was hardly how a boss should look on his own turf. Add to that the fellows who looked like "customers" shadowing his every step: they had walked from one end of the street to the other without paying any attention to the prostitutes decked out like flowers in full bloom, instead keeping their eyes fixed on this fat pig of a man. Wasn't that a little too fake? Of course, there was always the possibility that these fellows had unusual sexual preferences coupled with a fetish for pigs.

As though afraid people might not notice him, Toka walked along, constantly cursing at one person and then another. Zhang Yao remained hidden in the shadows, watching Toka parade up and down the street like a clown.

Zhang Yao was waiting. He wanted to see what else the Ironblood Brotherhood had up its sleeve.

Given the situation, it took no thought to realize that the deaths of several low-ranking leaders in quick succession must have caught the attention of the Ironblood Brotherhood's higher-ups. Now they had laid an ambush and sent out bait, hoping to lure him-the assassin-into showing himself.

Although he had drawn the Ironblood Brotherhood's attention, Zhang Yao still did not know how seriously they were taking the matter. So he hid nearby, wanting to see just how much importance they attached to it.

The seconds and minutes ticked by, but Zhang Yao continued waiting patiently nearby. Since an ambush had already been set around Toka, there were bound to be ambushes around the other minor leaders too. Going to them would be a wasted trip! He might as well stay here quietly and see exactly what measures the Ironblood Brotherhood had taken. And so, Zhang Yao was no longer in any hurry.

Zhang Yao was in no hurry, but Toka was growing so anxious that he could barely stand it. Never mind how all that pacing and shouting had left his throat burning like fire-the fear alone was enough to bring him to the brink of collapse. If he had not feared the gang's tortures for traitors, punishments that made death seem preferable to life, Toka would have fled long ago.

Standing in the street, Toka felt as though every person was the assassin coming to kill him! Even a shadow flashing past a corner could leave him trembling for ages. He did not want to spend another minute in this hellish existence. He had even decided that after today, he would ask his superiors to let him stop being a leader and become an ordinary underling instead. With his brother-in-law's connections, that should be no problem at all. Just as Toka was making plans for his future, one of the bodyguards sent by the higher-ups, who had been following him all this time, stepped up to him:

"Boss Toka, I reckon that assassin isn't coming today! We'll head back now and report to the higher-ups!"

"Hehe, thank you all for looking after me tonight, brothers! Tomorrow, drinks are on me!" Although the man called him boss, Toka was not foolish enough to actually put on a boss's airs. These men were the Ironblood Brotherhood's elite, far beyond the likes of a low-ranking leader like him. So his reply was exceedingly polite, with a touch of bootlicking.

"No need. We have things to do tomorrow! Take care on your way home, Boss Toka. We'll be off!" The bodyguard rejected Toka's offer without much courtesy, then waved his hand and led his men away.

"Damn it, what are you so full of yourselves for? You're just somebody else's dogs!"

Only once the men were far away did Toka spit viciously onto the ground and curse under his breath. A gust of night wind swept past, sending a chill through him. He looked around. It was already well past midnight, and not a soul remained nearby. Even the streetwalking prostitutes had all left.

After all the scares he had suffered tonight, the sight of the empty street made that inexplicable fear rise in Toka's heart again. The pitch-black street entrance looked like a gaping mouth waiting to swallow him. He immediately turned and ran toward home, swearing that he would never go out alone at night again.

But would he have an "again"?

Toka struggled forward on his two short, fat legs. Almost there. Once he passed this intersection, he would be home. He kept wiping the sweat from his forehead, panting as he stared at his destination just a stone's throw away. Unfortunately, a black figure suddenly appeared in front of him, blocking his path. Seeing the Sharp Dagger in the figure's hand, Toka backed away in panic.

Thud! In his panic, Toka's left foot caught his right, sending him crashing heavily to the ground. "Sir! Good sir! Spare me! I'm just a helper. The ones who really do the bad things are the people above me. Aaah!" Before Toka could finish, the Sharp Dagger flashed across his throat with a cold gleam, putting an end to his shameless excuses.

Killed one Ironblood Brotherhood leader. Gained 1,000 experience. Gained 300 gold coins.

Zhang Yao cast a disgusted glance at Toka, who lay on the ground with blood welling steadily from his throat, then vanished in a flash. As he raced through the shadows, he thought, It seems my actions have put the Ironblood Brotherhood somewhat on guard, but they aren't taking it too seriously. They just sent a few people out to go through the motions!

Earlier, Zhang Yao had waited until everyone dispersed before following Toka. Only after confirming that no one nearby was still protecting him had he emerged to strike. This had also given him a preliminary grasp of the Ironblood Brotherhood's attitude.

Character attributes

Zhang Yao: Level 8, 5,000/7,000.

Attributes: Strength 19 (+1), Agility 19 (+5), Constitution 25 (+1), Mental power 20.

Health (red bar): 340 (health = Constitution × 10; each level increases health by 10 points)

True Qi (blue bar): 600 (leveling up does not increase True Qi)

Skills: Fetal Breath Technique (self-taught), Concealment Technique level 3, basic battle aura (mutated) level 3.

Items: Gemstone Ring, Sharp Water Ghost Dagger, Sturdy Water Ghost Leather Armor, Bewitching Siren Boots, Spyglass, Damaged Nautical Chart, Bounty Hunter Badge, Phantom Cloak, Repeating Arm Crossbow, Cloud of Death, Cloud of Poison, Antidote Pill.

Money: 850 gold coins, 90 silver coins.

Talent: nine netherworlds (first layer)

Looking at his experience bar in the Attribute Panel, Zhang Yao could not help feeling a surge of excitement. Just two thousand more, and he could level up again. He had never imagined this quest would let him gain nearly two levels in succession. Fortune and misfortune truly walked hand in hand. He had essentially been forced into completing this quest, yet it had ended up benefiting him instead. It had led him to a rich storehouse of experience!

But why did these minor Ironblood Brotherhood leaders give so much experience? Their strength seemed about the same as that of ordinary pirates, if not slightly worse. Could it be because they carried the "leader" label?

Zhang Yao pondered as he walked, but even after thinking it over for quite some time, he still had no clue. He shook his head, intending to set aside the things he could not figure out for now and go find his final target. Only then did he notice that something was wrong with his surroundings.

At some point, he had been surrounded!