Chapter 88: Assassination (Seeking Collection)

Chapter 88: Assassination (Seeking Collection)



At the break of dawn, a group of people appeared outside Karl's shop in the Herb Market, shouting loudly.

The women and children among them knelt on the ground, wailing and crying, while the others had faces filled with anger.

"Karl!"

"Come out!"

"You murderer! Demon!"

"You deceitful and despicable apothecary! Not only do you not pay us for our services, but we also lose our lives because of you!"

"Get out here!"

The commotion attracted more attention.

Before long, the area around the shop was surrounded by onlookers, whispering and murmuring among themselves.

News of Karl's failure to pay for the killings spread quickly.

"To work for Karl, our captain, Gray, died at sea. His brother demanded the remaining payment, but he was beaten to death!"

Charles, with his arm wrapped in white cloth, shouted loudly,

"In Free Harbor, everyone knows what it means for a family to lose two men."

"How will the women and children survive?"

"We are also part of the Dragon King Merchant Guild. Can we just let ourselves be bullied like this?"

"Karl!"

His neck veins bulged, and he roared towards the shop:

"Get out here!"

"Come out!"

"What are so many people doing here?" Just then, a hoarse voice sounded:

"You called..."

"Charles, right?"

Charles turned around, his face changing, and he hurriedly bowed his head:

"Miss Lula!"

"Yes." Lula, with her arms crossed behind her back, accompanied by Susan, Karl, and others, approached the shop.

"We're all from the guild. Let's settle this privately; there's no need to make such a scene."

She waved her hand:

"Let everyone disperse!"

"This..." Charles' face turned pale.

He wanted to refuse, but the person before him was the daughter of the guild master and the one in charge of operations.

"Lula."

The onlookers parted to the sides, and a middle-aged man in luxurious clothing stepped forward:

"Knowing that we're from the same guild, you shouldn't have been so harsh from the start."

"If you're so harsh towards your own people, setting that aside for now, I'm afraid there might be some issues with Karl's character as an apothecary."

"Jasper!" Lula looked at the visitor, her expression slightly sinking:

"I didn't expect you to be here too."

Jasper,

One of the vice presidents of the Dragon King Merchant Guild.

Primarily responsible for all matters related to sea voyages)



At the same time,

He is also a Grand Knight!

"I was bored and decided to take a walk. I happened to see a crowd here, so I came over to check it out." Jasper smiled faintly:

"How does Lula have time to come here?"

"The guild urgently needs a batch of potions, and I'm here to collect them." Lula explained, then added:

"I also heard about Gray. The task he took on was dangerous, and his death is not to be blamed on others."

"Going to sea..."

"You should know that death is normal."

Since they had accepted a dangerous task, they should have been prepared for the risks. Otherwise, why would the rewards be so high? High rewards come with high risks; it's only natural.

"That's right." Jasper nodded:

"But killing Gray's brother, Gal, is a bit too much. Just because Karl is a valued apothecary by the guild, we can't ignore the guild's rules, can we?"

"Gal was too greedy."

"But he didn't deserve to die!"

Lula remained silent.

"There's no need to argue, you two." Karl stepped forward and advised:

"I admit that I was impulsive regarding Gal's matter, so..."

"I'll pay two thousand Serenity Coins for Gal's funeral arrangements, and the rest will be used to settle his family."

"How about it?"

"Good!" Lula clapped her hands lightly:

"It's settled!"

She then turned to look at Jasper.

"Do you have any objections?"

"..." Jasper's eyes flickered as he paused, then nodded:

"Alright."

As for Charles, who had led the group to cause trouble, his opinion was neither sought nor considered by the two.

The crowd came and left quickly.

Seeing Jasper and the others leave, Karl spoke up:

"Today, I'm grateful for Miss Lula's intervention; otherwise, I'm afraid there would have been trouble."

"It's the least I could do." Lula smiled calmly:

"You did the right thing. For matters like this, you should inform me in advance. How could I let others bully my people?"

"As for that Gal..."

"Well done!"

The day before, Karl had already informed Lula about the incident, and she had agreed to intervene.

Currently, the guild urgently needs potions, and as the top apothecary in Free Harbor, it's only natural to try to win her over.

"However, things won't be that easy to resolve."

Lula narrowed her eyes and said:

"Jasper's nickname is 'Cunning Fox'. This person has a small heart, and it's impossible for him to back down so easily."

"He's targeting you to make me look bad. If today's matter isn't handled well, there will definitely be other means."

"Wait and see!"

Night.

Two figures in dark clothing appeared near Karl's small courtyard.

They moved stealthily, concealing their presence, and rushed towards the courtyard, heading straight for the only room with light.

"Swish!"

The two drew their long swords, just about to strike, when one of them suddenly stopped and shouted:

"Something's wrong!"

"It's a trap! Let's go!"

"Leave?" A cold laugh came from not far away, and Susan, dressed in tight-fitting clothes and holding a curved blade, stepped forward:

"Too late!"

Before she finished speaking, torches lit up one after another.

More than ten robust guards from the Dragon King Merchant Guild rushed out, surrounding the two individuals.

(End of Chapter 88)

"As expected, Miss Lula's prediction came true."

Karl clapped his hands softly and pushed open the door, stepping out. "Someone is indeed here to cause trouble tonight! Are you sent by Jasper or Charles?"

"Jasper? Charles?" One of the men in black grunted.

"Never heard of them!"

"Go!"

With a low shout, the two men turned and charged towards the source of the disturbance, their movements swift as lightning, and their long swords danced with chilling flashes.

Susan shouted, "Block them!"

The guards raised their steel forks, thrusting at the two men, while arrows flew from the darkness.

The guards had prepared for some time, working in perfect harmony. What seemed like a casual strike was actually a well-coordinated move, effectively sealing off the opponents' advance.

"Ding ding dong..."

"Bang!"

"Careful!"

"It's a knight, and he has the Shadow Seal!"

The strength of the two men was beyond their expectations, and the crowd was taken aback, but they couldn't stop the men from retreating.

"Clang!"

Susan drew her curved blade.

The curved sword traced a graceful arc, aiming straight for one of the men, its edge shimmering with deadly intent.

Combat Technique - Dark Moon Slash!

"Ding..."

"Pffft!"

Blood splattered.

The assassin's strength was not weak, but it was no match for Susan, especially with the other guards' interference.

Just then, a shadow appeared behind Karl, silent and swift like a venomous snake in the night.

There was another assassin! While everyone's attention was focused on the two assassins in the room, the true deadly strike emerged.

"Careful!"

Susan turned abruptly, startled by the sight, and without hesitation, she rushed over, disregarding her own opponent.

Alas, it was too late!

"Ding..."

Karl drew his sword in the nick of time, blocking the incoming attack.

The broadsword horizontally guarded his back, blocking the incoming assault, but his body lost balance, and he tumbled to the ground.

"Ding ding dong..."

The collision sounded like a heavy rain on banana leaves.

Susan waved her curved sword, clashing madly with the approaching figure, their shadows entwined, and the clash of metal and sparks flew.

"Go!"

The last assassin who appeared grunted and rushed out with his two companions, breaking through the encirclement.

In the blink of an eye, they disappeared into the night.

"Karl!"

Susan, disregarding the pursuit, rushed to Karl's side. "How are you?"

"Huff..." Karl's face paled, and he shrugged his shoulder, forcing a smile. "It's nothing serious, just a minor muscle strain. I'll be fine after a few days of rest."

"If not, we could have caused trouble for Jasper in front of the guild leader."

"It's not that simple," Susan shook her head. "Even if we capture them, Jasper won't admit it. But rest assured, those three won't get away with it."

She smiled coldly.

Her curved sword was laced with deadly poison. If the master hadn't been injured, it would have been fine, but the other two would be crippled if they didn't die.

In the Free Harbor, a crippled knight was as good as dead.

Perhaps even worse!

...

The night grew darker.

Several oil lamps were lit, illuminating the room as if it were daytime.

Charles ordered a round of drinks and food, and with the encouragement of the others, he stretched out his hands and started eating and drinking.

His preferences were different from others.

He didn't care for beautiful women,

Nor for money,

He was only interested in various foods, and even his money-making endeavors were for the sole purpose of buying more delicious food.

"Captain."

The new first mate was attentive. "Try this, Captain. It's the meat of a Hill Giant, a legendary creature living in the mountains. It's said that a single punch from it can kill a Grand Knight. Unfortunately, they lack wisdom, and they were killed after being lured and knocked unconscious."

"Oh!" Charles' eyes lit up, and he grabbed a piece of meat, stuffing it into his mouth and swallowing it in a few bites.

The first mate was secretly shocked.

The meat of a Hill Giant was incredibly tough. Even after stewing for three days, it wouldn't turn tender. Ordinary people couldn't digest it.

Even a knight with an exaggerated digestive ability would have to take small bites and chew slowly, but Charles was eating it so effortlessly.

No wonder he could kill the former Captain Grey. His strength had likely reached the level of a Peak Knight.

"Not bad!"

Charles licked the corners of his mouth, his eyes shining. "It's the meat of a legendary creature, but it's too expensive. If not, I'd eat it every day and still wouldn't have enough."

"How so?" The first mate smiled. "Captain, you inherited Grey's ship. From now on, each voyage will bring in at least a few thousand Serenity Coins."

"I want to eat all kinds of meat!"

"Haha..." Charles laughed.

"That's true!"

"Eat!"

"Drink!"

He waved his hands. "Don't stop eating!"

The others nodded, feasting on the food on the table, until Charles looked down.

"Do you feel it...?"

"What is it?" The first mate wiped his mouth and smiled. "It's probably the waves. Recently, the sea has been rougher than usual, and sailing is becoming more dangerous."

"Yes!"

The others nodded in agreement.

"No, it's not that." Charles suddenly flipped the table, his expression changing.

"The ground..."

"Bang!"

Before he finished speaking, the ground suddenly trembled, and dozens of thick, vine-like arms flashed with electricity, shooting out.

The room was filled with the blinking eyes of the Thorny Bloodsucking Vines, enveloping everyone present.

The thorny vines pierced flesh and sucked blood, growing visibly thicker with each drop of blood they drank, and their constricting force increased.

In the blink of an eye, the room was transformed into a jungle of vines.

"Ah!"

A scream echoed through the room.

Streams of blood sprayed from the gaps in the vines, and the fresh, plump body quickly withered.

"Bang!"

A loud noise reverberated.

Charles's hands were like knives, frantically choosing, and the vines around him collided with his arms, instantly cutting through them.

"Who?"

"Get out here!"

Combat Technique—Flame Windmill! A burst of raging flames appeared out of thin air, like a spinning wheel, rushing towards the vines in the room.

"Crackle, crackle..."

In an instant, the vines caught fire, withering rapidly. Charles's surroundings suddenly became empty, revealing a hidden figure.

Karl!

Karl held a fine sword and lightly stabbed someone through the heart, looking surprised as he turned his head.

"I didn't expect..."

"You're pretty strong!"

He had taken advantage of the night to make his move, thinking it would be an easy task, but he hadn't anticipated this minor inconvenience.

However, it was just a minor inconvenience.

"Is it you?" Charles stared at Karl, his face first filled with surprise, then covered in rage.

"You dare to come here... You're asking for death!"

He reached out and grabbed the long sword by his side. The blade glowed, and a layer of flames appeared on its own.

"Huff..."

The fiery long sword pounced towards Karl.

Charles's strength had reached the peak of knighthood, and he possessed a unique combat technique. His long sword was infused with magical materials, and once his battle aura was activated, it ignited into flames.

At the knight stage, he was undoubtedly one of the top experts!

"Swish!"

The long sword slashed through the air.

Zero-Ring Spell—Minor Force Field! Charles's figure slightly hesitated, but the long sword continued its advance.

"Whoosh..."

A mass of water appeared out of thin air, transforming into a huge water ball that completely enveloped Karl.

Zero-Ring Spell—Wave Guardian!

The fiery long sword made contact with the water, instantly emitting thick smoke, and its forward momentum slowed.

"Guna!"

Karl raised his hand.

"Shh..."

The armor protected his body on its own.

"Ding!"

The long sword struck the armor, like a mosquito pricking the skin, not even causing Karl's body to sway.

"Is that all?"

Karl sighed, seemingly disappointed, then lightly raised his hand.

Stab!

Stab!

Stab!

The sharp fine sword continuously stabbed, forcing Charles to retreat, and his body was grazed by the sword.

At the same time, the bloodthirsty vines that had finished off the others twisted and turned towards him.

With Karl's fine sword in front and the bloodthirsty vines behind, Charles had nowhere to retreat and could only let out a cry of anger.

"Ah!"

"Boom!"

The flames exploded.

However...

"Puff!"

As Karl's fine sword pierced Charles's skull, Charles's body collapsed to the ground, signaling the end.

"Unless it's an attack from a Grand Knight, there's no need for me to intervene. My defense is sufficient."

"A Peak Knight is still a Knight!"

Sheathing his long sword, Karl, as was his habit, flipped through the body and his eyes lit up.

The next day...

"Have you heard?"

Susan propped her legs up, a smile on her face.

"Last night, Charles died in his own home, along with several of his close friends."

"Oh!" Karl's arm was bandaged, and he raised his eyebrows at the news. "Could it be Lula?"

"Well..." Susan's expression froze slightly, hesitating for a moment before saying, "It's unlikely, even though others say it was Lula, and Jasper even caused a scene at the merchant guild. But I don't think it's in her character."

"And Miss Lula hasn't admitted to it either."

"It doesn't matter." Karl smiled lightly. "Whoever did it, they've taken care of it for me. I just wonder if Jasper will cause trouble later."

"You don't need to worry about that." Susan waved her hand. "The one who killed Charles was a Grand Knight, and Jasper knows it has nothing to do with you. Plus, the merchant guild needs your potions, so the guild leader won't let him get away with it."

"It's just that Miss..."

"Where did they find a Grand Knight?"

It seemed that even she suspected Lula's involvement, at least in some way. Karl remained silent, not saying much.

After all, he was currently injured, so this matter definitely had nothing to do with him.

Black Swamp.

An isolated island.

"As the saying goes, a man without unexpected wealth doesn't get rich, and a horse without extra grass doesn't get fat. The ancients were honest, and I won't cheat them!"

For Karl, secretly killing Charles wasn't a big deal, but the bountiful harvest was indeed unexpected.

In the room, there was a box filled with Serenity Coins, totaling nearly ten thousand.

Ten thousand Serenity Coins! Only a Grand Knight or certain merchant powers could accumulate such a large amount at once.

"With Charles's personality, he wouldn't have saved up so many Serenity Coins. It's most likely Gray's inheritance."

"Tsk, tsk..."

"After scheming to get the previous captain's inheritance, it ends up benefiting me. People really shouldn't do bad things!"

Karl shook his head and clicked his tongue.

Compared to the Serenity Coins, he actually valued something else more.

Forge Art

Like Karl's Titan Breath Technique, Forge Art was also related to a deity, and its rank was no lower than Karl's.

It might even be higher!

Forge Art wasn't the same as Forge Breath; it was probably just a branch or secret technique of the breath control technique.

(End)

Similar to Titan Breath Technique, this is a Gigantism technique.

"The crucible of heaven and earth, where everything can be refined!"

"Eat!"

Karl pursed his lips.

Now he understood why Charles' hobby was eating; it helped him increase his strength.

The better and higher the quality of the food, the more it aided in enhancing one's physical qualities.

Legendary creatures had 'nutritional value' in certain parts, and consuming them had better effects than Beast Pills. Unlike Beast Pills, which could not be taken regularly due to drug resistance, one could eat flesh and blood as a meal, continuously.

Finally...

"Thud!"

Charles' flaming longsword was slammed onto the table by him.

"This thing, it should also be considered an enchanted weapon, right?"

...

Half a month later.

Karl's figure appeared at the Alliance Headquarters.

He looked a bit tired, yet strangely exhilarated, as if he had completed a task.

"Senior Arthur!"

"Karl."

Arthur waved him over, "Sit, quickly. You're a rare guest here."

"Senior." Karl took out a porcelain bottle and placed it on the table.

"A few years ago, I obtained a bottle of Rampage Potion from a wandering merchant, but I'm unsure of its authenticity. I'd appreciate it if you could take a look."

"I'll pay the appropriate appraisal fee."

Being friends with Adolph, Arthur was also an alchemist, skilled in analysis and appraisal.

Over the past half-month, Karl had attempted to refine the Rampage Potion using the blood of Water Monkeys. Theoretically, one Water Monkey could produce five portions, but due to his limited alchemy skills, he only managed to refine one.

The reason he had captured three Water Monkeys initially was to be prepared for any eventuality.

"Rampage Potion?" Lula exclaimed in surprise. "This stuff rarely appears on the market. Most of it is divided among the royal nobility and the clergy."

"Let me see."

Instead of taking the porcelain bottle directly, Arthur turned and retrieved an enchanted item similar to a microscope.

He then opened the bottle and placed it under the 'microscope' for observation.

After a long while, Arthur frowned and hesitantly spoke, "It's a bit different from the Rampage Potion I analyzed before, but there seem to be some similarities."

"Strange... Strange..."

"Senior Arthur," Karl straightened up and asked, "Can it be used?"

Of course, it was different.

His bottle of Rampage Potion was made with Water Monkey blood, inherently different from the Church's formula.

The crucial question was, would it work?

He only had this one bottle of Rampage Potion, and if it didn't work, he would have to wait a few more months.

In a few months, the Guild would capture a few Water Monkeys.

"It should be usable," Arthur said after a moment's thought. "Perhaps it's been stored for too long, so its effects might not be as strong as the Church's version, but it's usable."

"Karl..."

"Are you aiming to become a Grand Knight?"

"Yes." Karl nodded, suppressing his excitement. "My wizard talent is only at the fourth rank. Even with the legacy left by my mentor, I doubt I can become a high-level apprentice wizard."

"Perhaps you should walk the path of a knight. Maybe you can even touch the realm of a legendary knight."

"Heh," Arthur chuckled. "A legendary knight. For an ordinary person without connections to become a legend, the difficulty is no less than becoming a full wizard."

"But trying is never wrong."

"Also..." Karl took out two rings from his body and placed Charles' sword on the table.

"I plan to sell these. I'd appreciate it if you could estimate their value and sell them to the Alliance if the price is right."

"Enchanted items!" Arthur's expression turned solemn. "Three of them, are you really willing to part with them?"

He didn't find it strange that Karl had so many enchanted items, guessing they were Adolph's legacy.

"Sigh," Karl sighed. "These items won't be of much use to me. Keeping them might only attract unwanted attention."

"Might as well sell them and exchange them for magic stones for peace of mind."

"Alright then." Arthur didn't persuade further, as it was Karl's decision to do as he wished with his possessions.

"The Summoning Ring is somewhat damaged."

"The Ring Star Sword is also damaged..."

"This sword..."

"It's infused with a type of wizardry material. When activated with spiritual power and battle aura, it can release flames."

After a careful evaluation, Arthur spoke, "Due to the severe damage to the rings, the price isn't high. Together, they're worth ten magic stones."

"This sword is too heavy, more suitable for a knight, so I can only offer ten magic stones for it."

"Twenty-eight magic stones!"

He looked up, "If you sell them to the Alliance, I'll waive the appraisal fee for the Rampage Potion."

Twenty-eight magic stones?

"Sold!"

Karl nodded firmly, a bit reluctant, "Please exchange ten of the magic stones for Ver Potion."

He wasn't upset about the low price; after frequent use and pushing his potential, the durability was already low. Buying it was buying it. But increasing spiritual energy with potions was challenging, even for high-level apprentice wizards.

Upgrading through potions seemed difficult for now.

"Ver Potion?" Arthur smiled. "It seems you haven't given up on the wizard path."

Night.

Holding the Rampage Potion, Karl's face turned serious. He raised the bottle and drank it in one go.

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(End of Chapter)

Chapter end