Chapter 66: The Blacksmith's Strength Changes
Chapter 66: The Blacksmith's Strength Changes
A passive defense, especially against an unscrupulous gang from the County City, was not an ideal solution in Rain's opinion.
His best course of action was to plan carefully and see if he could take the initiative, directly resolving this trouble.
Otherwise, the disappearance of these core members in Glintstone Town would surely alert 'Dog King' Cole.
The next time they attacked, it wouldn't be just this small group.
Perhaps even 'Dog King' Cole himself would make an appearance! If that happened, not only would Anna be captured, but Rain's entire family might be implicated and endangered.
This was something Rain could never agree to! As for seeking help from Sir Hamilton?
Rain had already considered that option. Even if they agreed to provide protection, unless his entire family stayed at home all the time, there would always be a chance for the Jackal Gang to catch them off guard.
Rain couldn't afford to take that risk.
Through the recent interrogation, Rain obtained some crucial information.
It turned out that while most of the Jackal Gang's operations were based in the County City, 'Dog King' Cole had a strict routine of returning to the Fighting Dog Manor to rest almost every day.
He was accompanied by over ten core members of the gang.
The Fighting Dog Manor, despite its grand name, was, according to the bald man and another gang member, merely a farm located between Glintstone Town and the County City.
Its distinctive feature was a massive wooden dog statue at the entrance.
True to its name, the Fighting Dog Manor was a place created by 'Dog King' Cole for dogfighting and gambling, filled with the constant barking of dogs and the shouts of gamblers.
To address this, 'Dog King' Cole had enclosed the entire farm with a two-meter-high birch fence.
Additionally, inside the fence, he planted a large fruit orchard, effectively blocking the noise from escaping. Otherwise, the clamor of dogfighting could have been heard for miles.
Rain was relieved to learn from the bald man's description that 'Dog King' Cole had an imposing physique and incredible strength, but his power did not reach the level of a formal knight, meaning he hadn't entered the realm of the extraordinary.
However, the Jackal Queen might be even more formidable, as large as a wild boar and possessing formidable combat strength. She had also given birth to a litter of puppies, which 'Dog King' Cole allowed to roam freely within the Fighting Dog Manor.
Their five jackals were all descendants of the Jackal Queen!
After scavenging through the spoils of war, Rain walked home, deep in thought.
As he approached his home, Rain spotted Anna and Mint.
They seemed anxious, explaining something to several Night Watchmen, occasionally pointing towards the forest. Their expressions were so worried that they were almost in tears.
Rain recognized the three Night Watchmen; they were Captain Velen and two elite members from his previous squad.
Rain was familiar with them, having fought alongside them against ferocious werewolf attacks and slaughtered fishmen.
"Why are they here?"
"Did Anna call for them?"
Rain quickly approached them.
Upon seeing Rain's return, Anna and Mint rushed over excitedly.
"Brother, Anna and I were so worried about you!" Mint hugged Rain tightly.
"Anna wanted to go to the Administration Hall to call for the Sheriff, but she met Captain Velen and the others on the way."
Rain's heart warmed as he turned to Anna, who was looking at him with concern. Her face was pale, and her chest heaved as she had been running with her frail body.
When their eyes met, Anna lowered her head shyly.
At that moment, Captain Velen spoke to Anna and Mint, "You two were just too worried! I told you that Rain would be fine, but you didn't believe me."
"Now you see, right? Haha!"
"Rain, what's the situation? Are those Jackal Gang thugs here?"
Velen turned to Rain and asked, "Is that so?"
Rain nodded.
"Yes, four or five of the Jackal Gang's lackeys, leading jackals, found their way here. They're investigating the disappearance of Blackbeard."
"Ah, this matter!" Velen glanced at Mint, not saying more.
Rain understood and patted Mint's head, saying, "Mint, you go home with Anna, your sister. I have something to discuss with Captain Velen."
Mint looked at Rain and Velen with wide eyes, then turned to take Anna's pale hand.
"Okay, brother, but please come back early. We'll wait for you to have dinner together."
Rain smiled and nodded, saying, "Go on, then."
After watching the two enter the house, Rain's expression turned serious, and he spoke to Velen:
"Captain Velen, there are a few dead bodies of Jackal Gang members in the forest that I killed. I'm afraid I'll need your help with their disposal."
These words caused the other two Night Watch elite members to change their expressions, looking at Rain with suspicion.
Velen's face turned stern. "You killed them all?"
Rain nodded.
Not only had he killed the men, but he hadn't spared a single dog!
"Alright, leave this to me!"
"But once the Jackal Gang finds out, they'll likely come after you like mad dogs! Rain, be careful. I'll increase the night patrols around your house."
"Thank you, Captain Velen. I'll be careful," Rain said, feeling grateful.
Velen patted Rain's shoulder and quickly left with his two subordinates, heading in the direction Rain had indicated.
As soon as Rain entered the house, he sensed an unusual atmosphere.
He heard his mother ask, "Rain, I just heard from Sima that a group of people with jackals were loitering outside our house. Is that true?"
"But when I asked Anna and Mint, they said they were in the courtyard gardening and didn't notice anything," Mother Emma added, looking at the two girls with suspicion.
Upon hearing this, Rain understood.
It seemed Anna shared his thoughts and didn't want their parents to worry too much about this matter.
"Mother, Aunt Sima must have been mistaken. I didn't see anyone with jackals when I came back either!"
"Is that so? Aunt Sima must be getting old and her eyesight is failing her!"
Hearing Rain say the same, Mother Emma finally put her mind at ease and stopped asking about the matter.
After dinner, Rain returned to his room.
But soon, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in!"
It was Anna who knocked, and Mint peeked in curiously.
"Come in, both of you!"
As soon as the two girls entered the room, Rain closed the door and spoke softly, "Don't worry about the Jackal Gang. I'll take care of it!"
"Oh, and Anna, thank you for not telling my parents about this. Otherwise, it would only add to their worries."
"No, no! It's me who should be thanking you, Rain. You've helped me again!" Anna lowered her head, her fingers intertwined, nervously tugging at the hem of her waist-length skirt.
Mint giggled and said to Anna, "Anna, if you keep tugging like that, you'll ruin your skirt!"
"Oh!" Anna immediately released her hands, realizing that Mint was teasing her.
After Anna and Mint left, Rain remembered to check the system notifications:
[Your skill, Grizzly Sword Technique, has improved. Experience gained: +67]
[You have engaged in combat. Night Watchman profession experience gained: +34]
Not much experience.
After all, they were just a group of gang members, and the experience gained was likely mostly due to the jackals' involvement.
Rain looked at the remaining 1 skill point and, after a moment's thought, decided to allocate it to Smith's Strength.
Since he was about to go on a mission, it made sense to allocate points to a skill that could 'seal the deal'!
As Smith's Strength increased from Level 3 to Level 4, the text on the screen distorted.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
