Ravenfall City, Market District, Black Crow Tavern’s Backdoor
The narrow alley behind the Black Crow Tavern was dimly lit, the faint glow of a flickering lantern casting eerie shadows on the damp walls. This part of Ravenfall City was infamous, a den of crime where even the guards rarely patrolled. Whispers of danger kept most people away, and those who ventured near often hurried by with their heads low and eyes averted.
Shouts and curses broke through the usual murmurs of the alley. A man, battered and bruised, struggled against a group of thugs. His ragged breaths mixed with the cruel laughter of his attackers.
"Help! Someone, please!" the man yelled, his voice strained and desperate. He stumbled, his back hitting the wall as the gang closed in, their fists and boots doing the talking. Blood dripped from his lip, staining the ground beneath him.
Passersby on the main street quickened their pace, their faces pale. Some glanced into the alley, only to quickly look away, unwilling to get involved. Fear was palpable in the air. No one wanted to cross the gang known as the Iron Claws, a ruthless group that ruled this district’s underbelly. Most knew better than to intervene.
Saber, walking through the alley on his way back from a nearby shop, heard the cries.
He took a deep breath looking at the scene.
"Damn! It’s the same as Lukas described."
For a moment, Saber was lost in thoughts. Before parting Lukas had been given a set of tasks that he didn’t know if he could manage. Still he decided to take a leap of faith..
He paused, his sharp eyes narrowing as he took in the scene. Unlike the others, he didn’t hesitate. His hand moved instinctively to the dagger at his waist. In a swift motion, he stepped forward, his silhouette cutting through the dim light.
"Let him go," Saber said coldly, his voice carrying an edge of authority that made the thugs pause. He stood tall, his dagger gleaming in the faint light of the lantern.
The leader of the gang, a burly man with a scar running down his cheek, sneered. "Who’s this hero? You want to die too?"
Saber’s gaze was cold and didn’t respond with words. Instead, he moved. In a blur, his dagger slashed through the air, its sharp edge finding its mark.
The first thug let out a grunt of pain as his weapon clattered to the ground, his arm rendered useless. Saber wasted no time, sidestepping as another thug lunged at him. With a precise strike, he cut a deep gash across the man’s leg, sending him crumpling to the ground.
The third thug attempted to attack from behind, but Saber anticipated the move. He spun on his heel, driving his elbow into the attacker’s face. The man let out a groan before collapsing in a heap.
The remaining thugs hesitated, their bravado replaced by fear. The scarred leader’s sneer faltered. He took a step back, weighing his chances. Around them, a few curious onlookers peeked into the alley, their eyes wide with disbelief and awe at Saber’s skill.
"Leave," Saber commanded, his tone icy. His dagger dripped with the blood of his foes, and his presence radiated a quiet but deadly confidence.
The gang scattered without another word, dragging their injured comrades with them. Whispers broke out among the few who had gathered near the alley. Some murmured about Saber’s courage, while others wondered if he was a fool for making an enemy of the Iron Claws.
The alley fell silent again, save for the labored breathing of the man on the ground. Saber sheathed his dagger and approached him.
"Thank you," the man said weakly, struggling to sit up. His hands shook as he tried to wipe the blood from his face.
Saber helped him to his feet. "Are you hurt badly?" he asked, his voice softer now.
"I’ll survive," the man replied, though his voice was tinged with pain. "But... Why did you help me? No one ever does."
"Let’s just say I need something from you," Saber said, reaching into his bag.
He pulled out a handwritten letter and a small pot of red ink, handing them to the man. "I need it."
The man’s expression shifted from gratitude to wariness. He took the letter with trembling hands, his eyes scanning the contents.
"Do you want that?"The man asked.
"I don’t think it’s something useful as I picked it up from random rags."
"It’s something my mother left behind, "Saber said, trying to look bitter.
The man blinked his eyes, hastening Saber’s heartbeat.
’What? Did he find out that I am lying?’
He became nervous but before anything bad happened.
However..
The man, with a sigh, retrieved a pitch-black badge from his pocket. The sight of it confirmed Saber’s suspicions.
"Take it," the man hesitated, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I can?" Saber asked firmly, his eyes locking onto the man’s.
The man swallowed hard, his resolve faltering. Finally, he pressed the badge into the ink and sealed the letter. "My name is Mark Chene," he said, his voice shaking. "If this is your mother then you should take it."
"You won’t ask how I found out that it ended up with you?"Saber asked curiously.
The man shook his head.
Saber took the letter, a faint smile playing on his lips while pushing a few notes deep inside the man’s rag"Good luck, Mark. Stay safe."
Mark leaned against the wall, clutching his bruised ribs, Saber turned and walked away. The whispers of the onlookers followed him, but he paid them no mind.
Half an hour later, Saber emerged from the Ranger Guild. A sika deer badge now adorned his chest, marking his success in obtaining [Ranger] class. He glanced down at the badge, a small sense of satisfaction warming his heart.
...
Lukas sat in his small room, the flickering candle casting soft shadows on the walls. He glanced at his phone as he read Saber’s message.
"I have got the ranger class by following the steps as you said."
Lukas smiled a little, pleased. He quickly typed back.
Good! he sent, then paused for a moment, thinking. He wanted Saber to keep moving forward, so he typed the next command.
[Now follow the second command and join the organization as quickly as possible.]
He hit send and waited, his fingers tapping on the table. The next part of the plan was crucial, and he needed Saber to act fast. After a moment, his phone buzzed again.
[No problem, just believe in me.]
Lukas chuckled softly to himself. Hmm, he thought. Saber’s confidence was something he admired. Lukas knew Saber was capable, but he couldn’t help but wonder how things would play out next.
This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom.
He put his phone down and looked at the map on the wall. Things were starting to come together, but there was still a lot of uncertainty ahead. Lukas stood up, stretching his arms. He had a lot to do. The plan was in motion, and it wouldn’t be long before the next steps began.
"The next event is coming but before that I need to get that."