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53.65% The Red Lands / Chapter 22: A childish scuffle

Capítulo 22: A childish scuffle

The Slums was a place where the unwanted and the destitute gathered. Although it was a place that lawlessness was prevalent, it ended mostly with the little beatings for resources.

The slum residents were not so easy to bully. The groups had to thread carefully least they picked on the wrong person at the wrong time. A person tethering at the end of their rope with nothing to lose is not one to antagonize.

As such the little gangs served as protection under the cover of a group of thugs. The boys and young men bide their time until the bandits began their recruitment drive each spring.

Now that the usual employer was under serious state scrutiny and the slum residents had fallen onto an unexpected wealth, some of those that had to focus on daily survival could turn their heads elsewhere.

"Doug, I tell you the boy walks into the village at the end of the week and leaves after the weekend."

"Singh, you telling me the brat has moved to somewhere out in the grasslands? If you had to walk out there you would have pissed yourself already."

"I swear I saw it myself, sometimes he walks out there with some of the other smaller brats. Chong was with me, we actually saw one of the young girls with him."

In a corner of the slums three young men were huddled in a shack carrying on a conversation. If things had never changed, they would have had the opportunity to live a 'rich' life as bandits. But the timeline was distorted and left them facing a harsh, new reality.

"Good thing we did not associate ourselves with Old Bai earlier. Our only option is to strike out on our own until we can meet up and recruit with some other bandits."

The one name Doug thought out loud.

"That's why I say we strike out at some of those slum residents who got some coppers during the winter. Those brats must have made some money running errands. I say we milk the boy for all he worth."

Chong added his two cents worth of thinking.

Dough was the decision maker of this group. With his shrewd mind they survived the winter hustling work from adventurers. Even though they were sometimes abused, on return to the slums they could boast about being 'associates' with these great people.

Dough remained quiet for a moment before talking.

"Okay, it's settled. We wait until we spot the boy coming across the grasslands. For sure he has money to spend, so we shake him down. It better to walk out some way so the guards at the gate don't see us blatantly beating him up. Most of all that way we don't have to pay hush money."

The others all agreed with the plan. As usual Dough had factored in everything. From thinking about when the boy had the most money, to choosing a place away from the guards and from factoring in the event of having to bribe the guards.

The others could only nod in appreciation.

'Such a shame the Mong bandits were held back this year. Dough would have made them proud.'

'With a friend like Dough, we could have risen up among the bandit groups.'

***

The weekend arrived quickly. It was coincidentally the beginning of autumn.

"Hey why do I have to walk across the grasslands by myself today? I'm not the only one training in this house you know."

"Lucy is out in the fields with Clod for protection. I am outlining business studies with our accountants. Everyone has left for the village with elder, Mrs Thomas wants to visit some of our farm neighbors along the way. So that leaves only you."

Ming scowled on hearing Chu's patient reply.

"I know that, I'm not stupid you know. Just why do I have to go alone. Shouldn't Miki have to run along with me?"

Chu could only look at the teen as if it was the first time seeing an idiot.

"Miki has a sprained ankle from jumping down from the stables. You very well know it since you were goofing around when they were shingling the roof. Next time Clod asks for help and I see you dawdling..."

"Okay, okay but you do know I have never walked out on my own before right?"

Chu had the urge to slap him.

'This brat was simply being too difficult.'

He was beginning to get pissed from this unnecessary whining.

"You very well know that Dyna is around. All you need to do is ask her for a little company along the way."

Ming fidgeted before answering.

"Yea, but Chu if I do that she is going to take money from me. Last time she took all my allowance just to order some stupid herbs."

"You know damn well why she took your money! You better get going before it's too late. If Elder reaches the village and you don't show up on time, he is going to double your training."

Ming hurried out of the barn before Chu really exploded. He armed himself and covered himself under a patched cloak they used when visiting the village or farms nearby. After a moment of hesitation he walked behind the barn to the tree near the fenced off stables.

A little girl was sitting on a make shift swing humming a tune and swinging away merrily.

In this remote place, a small defenseless girl like this was an easy target.

Ming was smart enough to know that this was one girl who even a lunatic would know to steer clear.

He coughed to draw her attention.

"Ahem, Dyna I am heading out for my run across the grasslands. Since I am going alone today, Chu insisted you send one of your wolves out with me for safety."

The little girl slowly brought the swing to a stop and gave the bigger boy a glance.

She then smiled as she answered cheerfully.

"Sure, no problem brother Ming. I would do anything to help you out."

She jumped down from the swing and issued a sharp whistle. By the time they walked towards the small side gate on the northern side of the palisade a wolf was already standing outside.

"Lykos, keep Ming company across the grasslands to the village. Stay close to him and warn him if there is danger. Once the village is close and it's safe, scout around and then return. Don't go looking for trouble with any patrols. Come home quickly because you have to help guard the barn."

The wolf gave Dyna a nod and then glanced at Ming. It then issued some growls at the girl.

The little girl raised her hands to her chin and put out a thoughtful expression.

She then turned to the boy at the side.

"It's no problem helping you out Ming, so could you do me a favor? I need ten Alvana roots and ten Frose blossoms. Since your going to the village, could you by them for me? It's not that expensive."

"Sure, sure. What are big brothers for anyway. I will get it for you."

Ming grimaced while he replied.

The wolf gave him a look like a young master sneering at some lowlife and then walked out in front.

Ming could only turn his head at the girl and then begin jogging out to the village.

'How much did that dumb animal understand anyway?'

'And how the heck does she tell them apart?'

With a wolf as a companion Ming jogged across the grasslands without reservation.

Ever since Chu started to return on weekends to take care of the house and conduct any little business in the village, Mr Thomas used it as a form of training. Slowly it increased their endurance levels and built up their previous weak bodies.

The most beneficial one was Lucy. This training along with some techniques practiced by the Military helped unleash her movement abilities. Not only did she have unnatural reflexes but she possessed extreme endurance.

While the others were drenched after the slow jog across the grasslands, she would only break out in a small sweat. Chu once said wolves were animals that possessed high endurance, able to chase prey for miles. It was only natural that Lucy inherited the same from a higher leveled species.

By the time Ming neared the village he was soaked in sweat. Unlike before his body was not as fatigued as before but had broken out like it was refreshed and full of vigor. The Military skills and training obviously had some impact on him.

His companion left him and after running around and sniffing returned and issued some sharp barks. It then left him and ran towards home.

'I really don't know what the heck that girl feeds those beast.'

He slowed down to a walk and fanned himself.

This was not the first time the girl had tried to extort him. Last time he took advantage of her, trading the Jaga meat for nearly fifteen pheasants. This he used to make a sizable profit by selling it to the tavern and the merchants at the Lodge.

When Chu found out about it he made him split half of the money with the girl. Dyna and her wolves had to work like 'dogs' for over a week to get those pheasants. Chu slapped him that evening further reminding him that nobody was going to eat the dam Jaga meat anyway. Next time he tried a stunt like that would mean trouble.

Right now his allowance was only a few coppers. Given he had to buy those ingredients for Dyna left him dry. If he refused he could only imagine the abuse Chu would rain down on him.

He was nearing the village when he glanced some young men making their way across the grasslands. Thinking they might be out searching for herbs and roots, he paid them no heed.

Ming was gritting his teeth in anger of being suckered by the girl when he heard someone call out.

"Hey kid stop right there. If you know whats right, hand over your money like a good little boy and then scram."

Ming looked up to find three young guys circling him.

He was so sure he maybe heard wrong.

"Huh?"

"I said had over your money dummy. You looking for a beating?"

It only took a second for the words to click and register in Ming's brain.

What made it worse was it somehow became mingled along with his thoughts.

'Abuse if I don't buy herbs-damn little girl taking advantage of me, her elder-broke like hell after spending-robbery?-no money- more abuse-laughing stock-NO MONEY to spend-robbery?-Poor for a month...wait!'

"Robbery? You bastards are trying to rob ME?!"

Dough snickered at the boy's shout.

"What the heck did you think we were doing. First of all give us all your mon..."

His words were barely out when the teen exploded in a sudden movement.

Snarling like a wild beast that was cornered, the words rob, Dyna, ungrateful bastards could be made out.

Unfortunately at that time nobody was taking the time to listen. A serious beating was being dished out.

Ming slammed a punch into Doug's open mouth shattering some teeth and his sentence that was in progress.

Before the others could even register what happened he let out a roar and stabbed the guy on the left with his sheathed sword.

Singh first reaction was the word 'uff' as the sheath slammed into his stomach causing him to double over. Before the stomach contents could pour out of his mouth, a knee smashed onto his face breaking his nose in the process.

He toppled backwards with the force while his knees bent as an arched mixture of vomit and blood followed his face gracefully through the air.

Chong at this time had enough sense to raise the crude wooden club to attack. The only problem was that there was nothing in front of him. Ming had already broken out of their encirclement.

The young man was holding a chopped tree branch up in the air when the attack came from the side.

"Ming stab!"

Chong dropped his hands swiftly as he turned to parry the incoming stab.

What greeted him was a blow to the face from a vertical slash.

"Hou d fuch thaa a stubb(How the fuck is that a stab)"

Was all he mustered from his broken nose and mouth before he collapsed.

Ming turned towards Dough who was still on the ground holding his mouth. Under the stares of this prey turned assailant, Dough whimpered and moved backwards. Ming could have sworn his ass cheeks were moving like stubby legs.

As the sole conscious survivor of the three, Dough was the only one left to face this little demon.

Chong was knocked out and sprawled out like he was making a snow angel. Singh was no better, currently frothing up breakfast from his twisted face on the ground.

Dough felt an overwhelming fear as blood-lust started to seep out from the boy who was slowly approaching.

'OMFG! Is this brat is going to kill us?!'

The blood lust disappeared like it was never there. Only the serious face of the teen secured his attention.

"Give me all your money."


REFLEXIONES DE LOS CREADORES
ForestRage ForestRage

Get the first arc on Amazon. Grab a copy to support the Author and leave a review if you like the book. More chapters can be found on the Author's site at onlinewebnovel.com

Capítulo 23: Revenge and a beating

When Ming returned to the barn after the weekend, he was sporting a small string necklace. It had four smaller wooden beads with a larger one in the center. Since the look was not too eye-catching and enough to incite greed, Chu left him alone.

Dyna was busy in the kitchen with Sue and Mrs Thomas. They had taken up the role of pill maker for the little girl. The large tome she had, contained countless medicinal formulas to aid in a Hound's development.

It was partly to satisfy this ever-increasing black hole that the girl and her pets worked so hard. Most of her kills were converted into cash for purchasing and ordering medicinal ingredients.

The easy concoctions were carried out carefully by Mrs Thomas and Sue. Sakura and Amanda helped to decipher and simplify any hard to understand instructions.

As for the recipients of all this hard work, they maintained a pitiful and humble attitude around the kitchen personnel.

They ingested pills daily like a sick old man. In the evening they soaked in some solution that was concocted before Dyna dried them off. No matter how bloody they got during the day, they were cleaner than Ming at night.

Mrs Thomas had high praises for those pets as she always commented more than once.

"I have never seen such well-behaved animals. Even though they are growing bigger everyday, they still act as cute little pups."

"Who you talking about? Them?"

"You haven't seen their true colors yet!"

"They are the biggest group of bandits around here."

Came the contradictory replies.

Ming did tell Chu about the incident near the village. Even though it could be passed of like an isolated slum holdup, he still informed the others to be careful near the village. Being the chosen target could only mean that they were attracting unwanted attention.

Mr Thomas agreed but he had another suggestion.

"Given what happened to Ming is unfortunate. However we should use this to temper ourselves instead of running away."

"How so?"

"Think about it. No matter where you go, sooner or later I can guarantee you lot are going to get in a fight. Why not use your time here?

Those idle brats in the slums are only armed with pieced of wood. Use some subtle means to attract them. I refuse to believe that they can give you guys a good trashing."

Chu finally understood what the man was saying. It was truly great to have someone with worldly experience at your side. What better way to gain experience fighting against people.

"Thank you for the proper advice Elder."

Chu called a meeting a few days later with the children to discuss the incident. He also proposed some new measured they had to take. He ended the meeting on a satisfactory note.

***

While this incident did not have much impact on the residents of the barn, it was a different matter in another place.

In a shack situated near the center of the Slums, a group of six young males were gathered together.

"Brother Doug is really amazing. To fight head on with a party of adventurers in a tavern brawl is astonishing!"

"Yea, like I always said, pretty soon Brother Doug is going to leave this place. The Slums could never hold back a wolf."

The person in question raised his hands to stop the praises.

"Thiss is too kind ooff you. Chooong till tham the plin."

Doug turned to Chong indicating him to continue. Ever since he lost his front teeth his words came across like a hissing snake.

Chong cleared his throat before he started. A wicked looking bruise running down the center of his face gave him a strange countenance.

"Since the Mong bandits are near finished in this area, Doug has decided the time is right for us to form our own gang. You guys are here because he felt you deserved a chance.

Our first action is to shake down as much money we can from these suckers. After that we can high tail it out before the guards begin looking for us. The time is perfect since a lot of people still have money from last year.

Doug has thought about it and have picked a fat target."

Chong, Singh and Doug glanced at each other before the former continued. The flickering of hate and vengeance could have been seen in those smoldering eyes.

"We have been watching some kids from the Slums. It seems like they have made money during the winter. Every weekend they come waltzing across the grasslands. This time he is going to regret making an enemy out of us."

The trio had refused to believe that Ming was strong enough to take them all on. It was simply due to his luck and that sword he possessed. Greed for an iron weapon clouded their minds.

Singh decided to provide an added incentive.

"By the way, there are girls in this group. If we do it right you can do whatever you like afterwards.

We are going to be bandits, might as well act like them."

The others glanced around understanding the meaning behind those words.

"Here is the plan."

***

Weekend rolled around smoothly. This time only Mrs Thomas rode the wagon along with her husband. As a person who once lived among high society and still managed to retain a cordial attitude, Mrs Thomas soon became friends with those housewives in the neighboring farms.

Thus every weekend the wagon left early to allow her time to chat with those farmer's wives along the way to the village. This gave the children left behind adequate time to prepare for their usual trek.

Today it was the original trio who were making the trip.

"You know what to do right?"

"Yes, I know. How come you always ask me, why don't you ask Lucy?"

"You really want that answer?"

The three set off across the plains.

It was close to midday when they were close to the village.

They had just passed the ruins of a farmhouse when suddenly a group of young men and teens rushed out and surrounded them.

"Holy crap! That scared me."

Ming was patting his chest over his robe.

Chu looked over at him in scorn.

"Why the heck are you so easily frightened for? Damn good thing they didn't have any range weapons, we would have been killed already!"

"You?! Chu it's them, dammit this time you guys are going to pay."

After hiding and waiting since early morning Doug and his bandit team had successfully sprung their ambush. Surrounding the targets what awaited them were not some frightened and pee smelling children but some bickering kids.

It was like the circle of menacing men with wooden clubs did not exist. He was beginning to doubt himself when the same boy recognized him and shouted out.

'Why the heck was this dude yelling like it was us who robbed him?'

Before he could register a sneering face and spout some harsh but cool bandit words the boy moved.

Doug raised his club above his head to start a beating. At the same time he raised his hands above his head, a knee suddenly materialized inches away from his nose.

"Ohhh fuc..."

Was all that flashed across the neurons in his brain before contact.

BAM!

Doug again became the first casualty as he toppled over.

The teen companion standing at Doug's side was simultaneously hit with a 'running punch.'

At least that was the only way the knocked out person might have recalled what happened. All he saw was the smaller kid blasting towards him and then unleashing a deadly straight punch to the face.

Just like that Chu and Ming broke out of the encirclement.

"Ahh! I get it now Chu. Yup, yup this is really the best way, forcing our way out with one strike."

"Shut up and focus. GO!"

As the men turned to face them still undecided and without a leader to issue orders, Chu launched the second attack.

This time they both used their sword sheaths to execute ruthless stabs to the two closest opponents. Just as quickly they retreated to avoid being surrounded.

This time the ones left standing were Chong, Singh and another teenager. Being the previous recipients of a beating by Ming, those two were already panicking. The teen was still trying to keep his guard up from any attacks.

It did not help the situation when Chu and Ming circled around and administered some merciless kicks on Doug and the others rolling on the ground.

"The girl!"

Chong was the first to shout out. Ever since the fight started it was like the girl had vanished. Only now as he shouted did the others look around.

"There!"

Near the ruins where they had waited stood the girl. She stood there looking on as if this skirmish was of no concern to her.

For the new bandits in training this was like lesson 101. Subdue the women and children and use them to secure victory.

Chong and Singh rushed over to the girl. The teen jumped between them and the two boys leering.

"Don't hurt her too much brothers. We still need to play with her."

He then turned to the girl's companions in the front.

"Drop your weapons and kneel. When brother Doug ma..."

He was interrupted by a screaming Ming

"Nooo! Stop you idiots don't waste your lives!"

The teen did not have the luxury to understand what the larger boy was shouting. Ming had a hand outstretched as if wanting to stop their actions while tears streamed down his eyes.

'Huh? Why are you acting like if they are your friends? Why do you care so much?'

Two shadowy blurs rocketed past him on either side from his back. He could only be shocked to see Chong and Singh smashing and tumbling along the ground. When they came to a stop they were both unconscious.

Ming dropped to his knees and punched the ground. He looked up towards the now frightened teen and shouted tearfully.

"You bastard! I will NEVER forgive you! Because of you this is what happened. I tried so hard to warn them!"

Ming roared as he dropped his sword sheath and attacked the teen. The latter at once tried to fend him off with the makeshift club.

Unfortunately his opponent was not truly lost in rage. Ming used his hand to parry the strike and punched out with the other. Soon the teen was on the ground receiving some well-aimed kicks.

"Damn you, if you did not block me this would have never happened to those guys. You tried to rob me and now you did this?"

Doug was looking on from the ground with tears of pain clouding his eyes.

'Why are you pummeling the guy like if Chong and Singh were your best friends?'

'Wait! Yes we tried to rob you, but it was you who robbed us in the end. Why are you acting like you were wronged?'

Ming turned angrily towards Lucy to vent.

"Why didn't you try acting like a frightened girl? Those two probably won't even remember what the hell happened to them. So they should have been left to me to fight. And why didn't you warn me about the ambush? My heart nearly jumped out of my mouth!"

Lucy dusted her hands like nothing happened.

"He tried to touch me. As for before Chu told me not to say anything. You also need to stop relying on me for everything."

Ming swung his face at Chu then back at Lucy.

"Damit you guys are keeping secrets from me."

He launched a kick at one of the bandits on the ground.

"So what are we going to do with these idiots?"

He turned his gaze over to Doug and locked eyes with him.

At this time Doug understood the feelings of an exposed rabbit being stared down by a wolf.

The next sentence from the boy's mouth slackened his bowels and released its contents freely.

"So do we kill them?"


REFLEXIONES DE LOS CREADORES
ForestRage ForestRage

Visit onlinewebnovel for more chapters, and support the Author on Patreon and Amazon by grabbing a copy of the first book.

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