14 Slapped

Ned observed different people, from different unknown places walking, and some running, going to the square. The old and dirty looking pathways, made of stone, couldn't be seen because of the crowd. Stalls that sell different items are all packed by interested buyers. Merchants wearing heavy expensive garments, some are glittering under the beam of the sun. People half-naked—wearing only pelts from what seems to be a creature skin. Pirates, tribes, and minor nobles are fighting the crowd, bumping with one another. This is a place, where thieves could be seen smiling all day.

"This way," Master Will whispered. A look of distrust could be seen in his eyes. Although old, Master Will's face was hardly filled with freckles. "Stay close."

The four of them turned to a dirty and smelly alley. Destitutes could be seen laying on every corner.

Some noticed Ned and his group entered their alley. They started to beg for food, boozes, and Picas.

"Old man do you have booze?"

"Hey lady, I like your shirt, wanna trade?"

"Hey pretty lady, I like your cat. Can I pet it?"

"Boy, wanna get High? I have Burners here."

"Don't listen to them, just follow me," Master Will said.

O'rriadt Town wasn't exactly a town. It's more like a city with fewer rules. In fact, with all the trades, and Picas revolving around. The town is slowly transforming into a city. With an increasing population, Lord Rastik McGreedy had built a wall that divided commoner from the wealthy ones. Years after the wall was built, the outside became a ghetto. Markets and shabby houses were placed together randomly. Some formed a darkened alley, suitable for people with shady rackets.

Before they could reach the light at the end of the alley, Ned and his group encountered someone whose not willing to let them pass. Kids, a year or two older than Ned. One of them is half-naked. Wearing underpants made of some rough fur. But bulky enough to cast a shadow between the alleys. His face shows a number of scars, maybe from a creature that resembles a bear. Another kid was of medium built, tall, and long brown hair that almost covered half his body.

"Step aside kid. I don't hurt little kids," Master Will ordered.

"Shut up old man, you wouldn't want to lose another arm, no?" The bulky kid grunted. His rough brown hair was covering half his face.

"You!" Ned gripped his sword ready to be unsheathed.

"Kid," Master Will raised his right arm suggesting to stop Ned of whatever he was about to do. He looked at Ned with determined eyes.

Ned nodded. He knew well his Master, he then smiled faintly.

With Master Will at the front and Ned to his right side, they protected Toni and Coco at the back. Not that the cat needed protection.

Along with the sudden silence, came a footstep from behind.

"Yes, kid, draw that sword," a man who's also half-naked appeared behind them. Judging from his looks, he must be around his forties. Half naked, pants made of black fur, and long hair. Scars all over his body. "I've been tailing you for quite some time now, kid," pointing at the sword he grinned. "Would you mind handing that sword and I promise you, I'll leave the old man's arm." He then released a dark mist coming out from his bulky body.

"Silver...no, maybe...Gold," Toni muttered, but loud enough to be heard by both sides.

"My, my, what do we have here, someone's lost? Young lady, this is a remote island, how do you know about my rank?" Surprised the man even let out a stronger aura. "I'm from the Mainland, but I never thought that my boring vacation would be a fruitful one."

"Who are you? What do you want?" Ned moved near Toni, shielding her in a relaxed manner.

"Hey easy, we just want the sword," with about six meters away, the man slowly moved forward. Cornering Ned and his group. "We're from Bohrum Island. We belonged in a Weremen tribe. I'm George, those two are Greg and Grant."

"Bohrum, that's Far West of O'rriadt, what are you doing here?" Master Will asked with a blank look.

"You're indeed old, Old man. I came here to accompany those two, they'll be joining the Selection, and unexpectedly, I saw a gem on the way here. That sword. That's a Unique grade. I don't know about the level until I hold it, but I'm sure it's a unique one. I will rise to the rank just by gifting it to our Guild leader." Slowly approaching, his face now becoming clear. Brown eyes, long rough hair, big nose, and largemouth. He'd rather stayed on the shadow, his face doesn't match his sculpted body. Ned thought.

"We can do this the easy way, or rough way," he looked at Toni with interest. Grinning. "You decide." Then his muscles started to move randomly, his bulk body is getting bigger and bigger, hair started to grow longer. Bones are cracking. The same with the two at the front, they started to transform slowly.

Transformation Magic, Ned thought. But that's not enough. Ned saw Toni clinching his daggers, "it will be fine," he reassured Toni.

"You might not notice it, kids, but I lead you here, I know, you've been following us since we exited the forest." Master Will smiled.

"Tch, you must be an idiot old man, you knew, then why did you lead us here. You're outnumbered, what will you do then?" George snickered. Now he's totally covered with hair.

"Outnumbered? The cat is enough for you three, but since I'm getting rusty, how about I break a sweat." Master Will started to stretch his arm. "You said you'd do it the easy way or the rough way, right?"

"Yeah, but the tables full, no options for you left. The only way is the rough way now."

"There's one option left." Master Will said.

"What's that?" But before Master Will answered him. George suddenly disappeared in their view. Smoke and some crack could be seen on where he stood before.

"My way."

Master Will released small condensed magic out of his body. The release was so fast that the air around them whistled.

George, whose claws were an inch away from Master Will's face, rolled and was thrown to a stone wall almost ten meters away from them. All happened in a blink of an eye. Not a breath but a blink.

A print of a palm could be seen on George's face. Blood started to flow out of every hole there was.

The other two whose about to attack was stunned by the event that happened in front of them. And the last word that could be heard on them was "eh?!".