The leader uttered a single word: "Attack."
"Take him alive," he added afterward.
As soon as Richie heard that the leader did not want him dead, he raised his little hands and cried out:
"I surrender! Don't hit me! I'm scared of pain!"
They drew their knives, expecting a fierce fight, only to frown when they heard Richie's words.
The leader gave a sinister smile. "What are you trying to pull, brat?"
Richie stared at him with wide, innocent eyes. "Nothing. I really, truly surrender, as long as you don't kill me."
The leader snorted. "Grab the kid!"
Everyone surrounding Richie pointed gleaming knives at him as though facing a formidable enemy.
Richie blinked his big, innocent eyes, giving them a look of simplicity that only a child could have.
His voice was babyish yet crisp, like the crunch of biting into a freshly picked cucumber:
"Why are you all so nervous? I'm just a little kid. I'm letting you catch me without a fight, and you're still this nervous.
"A bunch of well-trained assassins, scared of one little kid like me. Aren't you worried it'll ruin your reputation if word gets out?
"Careful, or nobody will ever hire you again, and you'll all be out of work."
Richie showed them no mercy with his words, chattering away nonstop.
His enemies: You sneaky little bastard. A kid? I've never seen an innocent little kid who could shatter someone's kneecap with one kick.
Richie flashed his teeth in a goofy grin, looking nothing like the vicious little shorty who had struck so ruthlessly moments earlier.
With no proper rope on hand, they used a cat leash to bind Richie's little hands for the time being.
Richie was not particularly anxious. Get kidnapped a few more times, and you gradually got used