Chapter 284: Trapping
The few people who had been quietly watching the building where Luke was staying exchanged glances.
"They’re moving out," one of them muttered.
"Even after what happened?" another asked, frowning. "I thought they’d be on high alert."
A faint snicker followed.
"I think it’s the opposite. The man stayed behind."
"Huh?" Someone frowned in confusion. "What kind of man lets the women leave on their own when he knows he’s being hunted?"
"A trap?" another suggested.
The first speaker kept his eyes fixed on the window of Luke’s room, his gaze sharp and unwavering.
"He’s still inside. Maybe he’s waiting for us to make the first move after sending everyone else away."
"To protect them, or to lure us?" a fourth voice added. "Perhaps he thinks we won’t attack unless he’s isolated and cornered."
"He knows his own strength better than anyone," a man standing quietly in the corner finally said, his calm voice cutting through the discussion. "Someone who nearly caught Lord Manbaru isn’t an opponent people like us can handle."
"Even with our numbers?" someone asked.
No one answered.
The heavy silence that settled over them spoke louder than any words.
After a brief silence, one of them finally spoke.
"They’re getting farther away. What do we do?"
The first speaker answered without hesitation.
"We follow them. If an opportunity presents itself, we capture one of them...or all of them."
The only woman in the group, who had been the first to warn them about Luke’s strength, frowned.
"We were ordered to observe. Nothing more."
"Our true objective is to capture them," the man replied. "If we succeed now, we’ll only make things easier for our lord."
His gaze drifted back to the window, where Luke stood looking over the bustling market with a slight frown.
"If he leaves the room, signal us with the torch. We’ll withdraw immediately."
The woman let out a quiet sigh.
"It’s risky," she admitted. "But with our people inside the house, we should know the moment he steps out of that room."
Their informants within the inn would report Luke’s every movement, ensuring he remained under constant watch.
The man gave a satisfied hum.
"Then I’m taking the group. The instant he takes even a single step outside, let me know."
The woman nodded before walking to the ledge, her eyes narrowing as they settled on the man standing by the window.
.....
"Ah, this place is so lively." Monica said, a bright smile spreading across her face. "Back in the village, most people would already be heading home by this time. But here..."
Her eyes wandered across the bustling streets, taking in the glowing lanterns, the crowded stalls, and the constant chatter. The vibrant atmosphere had completely captivated her.
"They’re selling so many different things." Laila’s gaze lingered on the sizzling meat skewers over a charcoal grill. "Should we try some?"
Monica nodded enthusiastically, and the group of four made their way to the stall.
"One tora for each pair of skewers. You must buy two," the vendor called out as he waved a small fan over the glowing coals, sending sparks dancing into the air while the aroma of grilled meat drifted through the street.
Roxanne smiled.
"Order as many as you like. I’ll pay."
Monica shook her head.
"Luke gave me some toras to spend."
"Then let me spend a few of mine," Roxanne replied with a gentle smile. "Otherwise, I’ll feel guilty."
After all, Luke had already covered their lodging and meals before they set out.
Besides, money was the last thing Roxanne lacked. She had brought well over a hundred toras for the journey alone.
Thea didn’t hesitate, picking up three skewers, while Laila settled for two.
Monica and Roxanne each took two as well. The skewers weren’t particularly large, with only thin slices of meat threaded along the metal rods.
The moment Laila took her first bite, her eyes widened.
"This is delicious..." she murmured before looking at the vendor. "What are you brushing onto the meat?"
The man flashed a knowing grin as he coated another batch with a thick, dark sauce.
"A cook has to keep a few secrets," he said. "Otherwise, I’d be feeding nothing but flies."
Laila found his response a little odd, but she understood. Everyone had something they kept to themselves, and if this was what made his food stand out, it made sense that he wouldn’t reveal the recipe so easily.
In the end, each of them bought another skewer before Roxanne paid for everything. With food in hand, the four women continued strolling through the lively streets.
The crowd had thinned noticeably compared to when they had first arrived.
Most of those still wandering around were visitors. The local residents rarely lingered in this part of the village after nightfall.
"I used to come here all the time," Roxanne said with a nostalgic smile. "Sometimes without telling my mother. This area has always been known for attracting thugs, so she constantly warned me to stay away."
Laila smiled faintly.
"You used to sneak out?" she said, sounding genuinely surprised. "That’s unexpected. Ah, I don’t mean that in a bad way."
Roxanne let out a soft chuckle.
"I know what you mean."
She certainly didn’t seem like the type. Roxanne carried herself with a quiet composure, always mindful of her surroundings and rarely acting without careful thought.
It was hard to imagine someone like her sneaking out behind her mother’s back.
The thought of a younger, more mischievous Roxanne was surprisingly difficult to picture.
While chatting, they covered quite a bit of ground.
The lively plaza was long behind them, replaced by quieter streets that gradually grew more isolated with every step.
To the people following them from the shadows, it was the perfect opportunity.
No warning signal had come from the comrades watching Luke, and the four women seemed completely absorbed in their conversation, unaware of the eyes tracking their every movement.
It was all the encouragement they needed.
"Ah!"
Monica stumbled as a man brushed past her shoulder in a rush.
"Watch where you’re going," Laila snapped.
The man halted.
The women stopped as well, watching as he slowly turned to face them.
Laila was already prepared to argue.
But the moment he turned around, the mask covering his face made all four of them stiffen.
"Not the safest place to be wandering around," the masked man said.
As soon as the words left his mouth, figures began emerging from the surrounding alleyways and shadows. One after another, they stepped into view, forming a circle around the women and sealing off every possible escape.
Being so close to the slums, the streets were nearly deserted. The usual bustle of the village was nowhere to be found, leaving the area wrapped in an unsettling silence.
More than twenty armed men surrounded the four women.
A flicker of panic crossed their faces, but Roxanne forced herself to remain calm.
"Who do you work for?" she demanded.
The masked man let out a mocking scoff.
"You honestly think I’d answer that?"
"Oh? You wouldn’t?"
A calm voice suddenly echoed from behind him.
Every single masked man froze.
That voice...
The leader’s eyes widened. He spun around just in time to see a fist racing toward his face.
Thud!
"Gah!"
The punch landed squarely on his jaw, sending him stumbling backward before he crashed onto the ground. His mask shattered along one side as pain shot through his face.
The attackers had emerged from every direction, surrounding the women and filling them with dread.
Yet the appearance of a single man swept that fear away as though it had never existed.
"Luke..." Monica whispered with a faint sigh of relief.
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