Chapter 23 – Surrounded

Jack saw three horse carts standing about two hundred meters away from the walls. And unsurprisingly, there were other kidnapped kids put into those carts with their limbs tied and mouth gagged.

There were young boys like Ricky to manage them and drive the carts. Though they were waiting, probably for their companions to return.

A few minutes passed and two figures, similarly covered in dark miasma, brought two kids and handed them to their companions while they waited on the sides.

Now Jack's first conjecture was confirmed and it was obvious that there was a mastermind behind them. Though he couldn't understand why they were being kidnapped.

To sell them as slaves? But that doesn't explain their demonic powers. The demons would grant them demonic powers just to make a profit out of slaves? That's quite laughable.

If Jack had to estimate their powers, these boys would be almost as powerful as an A-ranker. If someone is powerful enough to grant such powers, would he waste his time doing such trivial things?

Who knows how the demons think?

Hmm… Demons…

What could the demons possibly do with these little kids? Eat them? According to his previous world's knowledge, that is also possible. But then why just the little kids? Anyone would have sufficed…

Or they could use them to perform rituals? Sacrificing their lives to please the demon lord…?

Or they might just be pedophiles. Who knows how they think? Jack's NEET mind began spinning.

Half an hour passed while they waited there and Jack was patiently observing them, waiting for all of them to gather at one place.

While Ricky was getting restless. What was taking them so long? If he had known that it would take this much time, he would have kidnapped Miti as well. Now he cannot go again. It's already late. So he just cursed those incompetent fools under his breath.

Jack's first plan was to follow Ricky and find out the mastermind behind the incident. But found that there were other victims in those carts. He can follow those carts until their base but could risk putting the kid's lives in danger as he doesn't know anything about the demons.

The Dark Woods has deeply rooted a lesson deep inside his bones that is to never underestimate his enemies.

Also, there was another reason to not follow his first plan. Or rather, he couldn't even if he wanted. Yet, a big smile crept upon his face.

Another half an hour passed during which another two boys returned with kids in hand. And Jack understood that it was about time…

"Has everyone gathered?" a calm voice came from behind Ricky.

"No, still three of them haven't returned. Damn those fools! Couldn't even do a simple job!" Ricky answered a bit absentmindedly, not bothering to look back.

"Now, now, what do we have here?" A deep voice came from the darkness as a tall figure emerged from there, raising the alertness of the boys.

They squinted their eyes to see who it was and realized that they are now doomed. Cold sweats ran down their backs as they regretted following Ricky.

While Ricky was unfazed, not even minding the presence of the figure before him. The figure of whom everyone from the town should fear. The figure of Lord Hardy.

Yet he just frowned in anger. Anger for those incompetent fools who didn't return in time despite having granted such tremendous powers.

However, if one could peer deep inside his eyes, they would see deep hatred suppressed within. Hatred for Lord Hardy.

"Young brats kidnapping children from my town? Haven't even grown a beard yet and still had the nerve to perform such brazen acts? I wonder where did such confidence come from?" Lord Hardy's deep voice resounded in the dark of the night sending chills down the boys' spines.

Yet, Ricky was unfazed, "Hump! You guys move forward while I take care of this bastard! Let me show him the reason for my confidence! I still have to settle some past accounts," Ricky's confident voice gave the boys some courage so they moved inside the cart and got ready to depart. Lord Hardy frowned.

"Now, you shouldn't disregard the strength of Lord Hardy, should you? He isn't the lord of the town just for show, you know?" The familiar voice came from behind yet again. The boys had a bad feeling, so they looked in the direction of the sound and confirmed their fears. Now one more emotion of helplessness was added to their expressions. Never had they felt this helpless in their entire life and yet, they could only regret.

"Tsk! You boys handle the guild master while I take care of him…" Ricky waited for the boy's confirmation for a moment to hear no response. He turned back to see his companions cowering in fear. "Tch! What are you doing you idiots? Didn't you hear my order?"

"B-but…" One of them tried to protest but was quickly cut off by Ricky.

"I told all of you to attack the guild master together. Can't you understand?" Ricky barked in anger before adding, "Did you get such tremendous powers just to tremble in fear? You can easily take care of him with such powers and yet… what a worthless pieces of shit"

Hearing his words, the boys got out of the carts reluctantly and got in a battle stance to face the guild master. They finally accepted that they had no other choice but to fight.

"Hehehe! They truly don't understand that they are already surrounded, do they?" Alban chuckled as he revealed himself.

"Well, what can we expect from mere brats? They are akin to a child throwing a tantrum," Lord Hardy answered from the side.

Ricky heard Alban's words clearly and looked at his surroundings to find out that they were surrounded by a lot of adventurers.

He gritted his teeth in frustration. It was becoming more and more difficult with each passing second. All because of a single man. This bastard Lord Hardy!

Now there remained no way but to fight all of them. And since it has come to all this, he might as well take the revenge he has been eagerly waiting for. He must kill this bastard mayor who is responsible for his mother's death!

Ricky clenched his fists tightly as dark miasma started covering his entire body. Black veins popped out all over his body increasing his strength exponentially.

Alban and Lord Hardy saw the demonic spectacle and furrowed their brows. Ricky's aura made them a bit uneasy.

"Haha, right! Now, you wouldn't mind letting me fight this kid, would you?" Alban asked for permission.

"Hmm? This kid has insulted me quite hard, let me at least keep my face, will you?" Lord Hardy answered.

"Lord Hardy, he is just a kid. No need to take him too seriously," said Alban.

"Tch, you just want to show off your strength to your son, don't you?"

"Hahaha!" Alban laughed awkwardly scratching his head. Although they couldn't see him, they were sure that Jack was somewhere around.

Ricky wasted no time and dashed towards Lord Hardy with clenched fists.

*Woosh*

*Bam*

But before he could hit him, Alban interrupted his attack with his bare fist. Ricky's punch was powerful which made him take several steps back.

Alban smiled, "This kid is powerful, Lord Hardy. His confidence is not unfounded," and started emitting a yellow glow as rocks covered his fists.

"Make sure not to kill him accidentally. We still have a lot of unanswered questions," Lord Hardy said and Alban nodded.

Ricky gnashed his teeth hearing their leisure conversation. He started drawing more power as more miasma leaked out of his body. His body swelled with its dark veins further.

*Bam* *Bam* *Bam*

A fistfight began. Alban's rock-covered fists were heavy and powerful while Ricky's didn't lose to him at all. He sent a punch towards Alban's face which he parried with his left hand and jabbed his heavy fist into Ricky's guts.

*Cough*

Ricky spat out saliva and staggered a few steps back. He furrowed his brows and again dashed towards Alban and managed to land a good punch.

Alban retreated a few steps and saw Ricky approaching him, not intending to let go of such an opening.

But, the moment he neared Alban, Ricky felt his feet getting tugged from below and his balance crumbled. Alban had drawn out an earth hand from the ground which held Ricky's foot and broke his posture.

*Bam!*

Alban's powerful punch sent him flying several meters away and he fell near the carts.

Meanwhile, Albert had already managed to defeat the boys.