The grass on the plain was tall.
The wind blew past.
It carried an almost imperceptible hint of menace.
The four walked along a dirt road.
Ahead lay a stretch of hills studded with jagged rocks.
Gon walked at the front.
Suddenly, he stopped.
Every muscle in his body tensed.
"Someone's here."
Gon lowered his voice.
Killua curled his fingers slightly.
His nails instantly lengthened.
Luo Ye yawned.
He did not take it seriously at all.
From behind the rocks on either side of the hills,
more than a dozen figures sprang out.
They surrounded the group from front and rear.
These people carried all sorts of weapons.
Some held knives.
Others hefted enormous iron hammers.
Their leader carried a serrated broadsword over his shoulder.
He approached step by step.
He tossed a few Spell Cards in his hand.
"Stop."
The leader spoke.
His voice was dripping with arrogance.
"Newbies, huh?"
"Bad luck for you."
"Hand over your Binder Books and all your money."
"Or you'll die right here."
This was the most typical kind of beginner-area robbery.
They specifically lay in wait for rookies who had just entered the game.
Gon was furious.
He was just about to step forward.
But Luo Ye caught him by the shoulder.
"Gon."
"Step back."
"How could I let a client handle this kind of dirty work?"
Luo Ye stepped forward.
He stood before the band of robbers.
Far from being angry,
he wore a warm, welcoming smile.
"Gentlemen."
"You're robbing us, right?"
"No problem."
Luo Ye spread his hands.
He looked utterly unwilling to resist.
"We'll cooperate fully."
The leader froze for a moment.
He had robbed countless newbies.
Some had cried in fear.
Some had fought for their lives.
But he had never seen anyone this happy about it.
"Cut the