Chapter 50: The Scoundrel Of The Hero Family (3)
Several months have passed since he declared hed become a scoundrel. Suddenly, Shiron had a thought.
My efficiency is decreasing
Humans were said to be adaptive creatures.
The same principle applied to the world inside the game.
[Chef Hurst of the Special Class] thought that his rapid improvement in cooking was thanks to Shiron. The occasional outbursts of [Part-time Instructor Ekidna] had decreased in frequency, probably due to her getting used to them.
Most notably, the named NPCs that used to wander the market alleys had disappeared.
They used to hide when beaten up indiscriminately. Baiting them was effective, but even that was becoming less successful.
It was regrettable, especially when the status and system windows were not visible.
The answer in situations like this is to increase efficiency
Until now, Shiron had been cautious about going out, assuming his notoriety was still high. But he reckoned he could confidently take action since the NPCs fondness for him had decreased significantly.
I need to act more broadly and decisively.
Banks, libraries, restaurants, auction houses, amusement parks
Dance parties hosted by nobility, gambling dens, and auctions held in the underworld.
Many NPCs would be present at these locations due to upcoming events. Plus, there were plenty of enemies who wouldnt make him feel guilty for acting like a troublemaker.
Sir, how do I look? Dont I look just like a competent executive?
I Its my first time wearing pants, so it feels a bit awkward.
The ladies standing in front of Shiron looked a bit shy.
This was before they headed to their destination.
To play the role of bodyguards, Encia and Ophilia changed from their usual maid outfits into black suits. This was because Shiron argued that being escorted by maids was not cool.
Ahem.
Shiron cleared his throat to get their attention.
Remember not to kill.
Shiron said with a mock-serious tone. NPCs with decreased fondness had to remain alive to keep his notoriety down.
Reiterating his instructions to the two women who were close to being evil-aligned, he headed to the bank.
However, something seemed off when they reached the bank.
Upon entering, there were no guards, but instead, burly men who looked like bandits drew their swords, confronting Shiron.
What, what?! How did these guys get in here?!
Hey! Wheres the magical barrier?!
I, I dont know! How the hell did they get in?
How? We just opened the door and walked in.
Encia responded with a nonchalant shrug. The burly men immediately charged at her. It was clear they were not bank employees.
Encia, I think you can kill these guys.
Yes.
Thud-
As soon as Shiron gave the command, the heads of the burly men hit the floor, followed by their bodies collapsing.
It was an attack too fast for Shiron to see.
Their deaths were inevitable.
Shiron crossed his arms, looking at the blood-soaked carpet.
Damn This is a big mess.
Shiron sighed deeply, rubbing his chin.
The presence of men wielding swords in the bank corridor meant something had happened inside.
Sir? It seems there are hostages inside. Are we going to save them?
Wait a moment.
Shiron frowned and signaled Encia to pause. There were too many things to consider.
Even if they were just in-game characters, Shiron was reluctant to abuse anyone who wasnt clearly an evildoer.
By nature, Shiron was a kind person. He obviously didnt want innocent civilians to die.
But if he rescued the hostages now, all his efforts would be in vain.
When he saved the hostages, the fondness of the NPCs inside would surely increase. And the last thing he wanted was his notoriety score to skyrocket.
What should I do? I dont want to ruin the image Ive built up.
Shiron, who was biting his lips, eventually stared at the maids.
Even if you find them, make sure you dont become fond of them.
The bank, which had fallen silent at the appearance of the trio, became noisy again.
What the Who are those guys?
Aaron, the head of the gang of robbers, looked at the figures that suddenly appeared. At a glance, their expensive clothes and the sight of them quickly overpowering his associates told him that they were not ordinary people.
They broke through the 6-star barrier?
Aaron, a 5-star mage, understood well what that meant.
The black market scroll broker had specifically recommended a 6-star magic called [Isolation Barrier] to Aaron.
Isolation Barrier was a spell that created a space cut off from the outside. It prevented anyone outside from knowing what was happening inside and deterred any thought of approaching its interior.
To detect and break into the Isolation Barrier, one must have at least 7-star level or higher magical abilities.
Many mages didnt even know the Isolation Barrier existed since it was a rare magic.
7-star? Or even higher?
He had a hunch that anyone who could break and intrude into such a barrier was no ordinary opponent.
However, he didnt sense any mana levels capable of casting spells from them. Without any dispelling magic, the fact that they entered the barrier was hard for him to comprehend.
That bastard tricked me
A thick vein popped on Aarons forehead. The item he had bought for a whopping 30,000 shillings was not performing as promised, fueling his rage.
But it didnt matter. After this, he could make ten, even twenty times the loss.
Ill kill that brat first.
His judgment was quick. He chanted a spell silently, targeting the young man who had been looking around and touching his chin.
[Lightning Strike]
The chanted spell reacted with his mana and resonated with the staff he held. In an instant, perhaps less, blue lightning struck the boy, but unfortunately, his spell didnt reach its target.
Young Master? Theyre attacking us just like that?
The blonde woman deflected the lightning with her hand. The atmosphere screamed with an electrifying sound, but only a bit of her sleeve got scorched. She seemed perfectly fine.
What What is this?
Aarons face turned dark. Blocking the Lightning Strike without even looking in the direction of the staff was a level of skill he had never heard of.
The boy spat on the ground and looked at the woman beside him.
Ophilia, bring that guy to me.
Understood.
The atmosphere around Ophilia had changed since Aaron had targeted Shiron. Her anger was boiling at the mere fact that Aaron tried to harm Shiron.
No, dont come!
Aaron unleashed a barrage of spells in resistance, but Ophilia neither dodged them nor was hurt. She grabbed Aaron by his hair.
Ah! Aaah!
Aaron resisted fiercely, but he couldnt overpower Ophilias immense strength.
I Im sorry!
The pain, as if his scalp was being ripped off, made tears stream down Aarons face, and he automatically blurted out words begging for mercy.
Ophilia, at neither a fast nor slow pace, dragged Aaron, who deserved to die, in front of Shiron.
Thud.
Kneel, you trash.
Ugh Uh
Aaron, with a face full of fear, kneeled on the ground. The sight of her, unaffected even by a direct hit from a 5-star mages spell, was frightening enough. However, the way she treated him, not as a person but as baggage, crushed his spirit.
Shiron grabbed Aaron by the collar and made eye contact. Aaron couldnt dare meet his gaze. It was already clear who was the superior one.
You. Do you know who I am?
I I dont know.
Then, what gave you the confidence to attack? I truly cant understand.
Smack-
Shiron chuckled and slapped Aarons face.
Smack- Smack-
The sharp sounds echoed one after another.
Shiron continued to slap the mage until he slouched with exhaustion.
Next.
Everyone was frozen at the unexpected turn of events.
It was the same for the person lying flat on the cold ground, and the rogue who had taken a hostage. The rogues broke into a cold sweat, watching their leader being taken away without resistance.
If you come any closer, Ill kill her!
Even though the rogue threatened by pressing a knife to the hostages neck, Ophilia grabbed the knife with her bare hand and snapped it. The hostage, who was left with a small scratch on her neck, fainted.
The rogue tried to flee in panic, but it was in vain.
Ahh! Ahhh!
The rogue, crying, screamed and knelt in front of Shiron.
You tried to threaten me? You think a hostage would work?
Plplease
The rogue couldnt form coherent sentences due to his fear and pain.
You threatened me arrogantly. Ill hit you until you die.
Sorry! Sorry Please spare me! chokes
Taking that as his cue, Shiron punched the rogues face until it was hollowed.
Thud- Thud- Thud- Thud-
With the sound reminiscent of a pumpkin breaking, everyone in the bank put down their weapons and knelt.
They correctly understood that not resisting was their only way to survive.
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