Killing

Bjorn's eyes followed the two NPCs as they walked into the woods, noting down the names floating over their heads.

The one over the girl was gray in color, "Angelica".

Unlike most of the NPCs Bjorn had seen when walking around town, the boy's name was a different color. A dull gold one floated over his head, proclaiming him as "Lucas".

'Well, Lucas, it seems you picked the wrong girl to lure out into the forest this time. You seem like a bit of a charmer, I'm sure the fathers of this game will be happy to have you gone.'

Just as Bjorn was about to move forward, the NPC couple stopped walking and sat down on a pair of stumps a little ways into the forest.

"Angie, have you seen anything regarding what I asked for?"

The girl nodded her head.

"Yes, Sir Lucas. I asked my father if he'd heard anything as well, and it lined up with what I learned around town."

Angelica kept her voice low as she spoke, and Bjorn had to creep a bit closer to hear her.

"I think Baron Egdon's posting is just a cover for something. All of these otherworlder adventurers aren't yet strong enough to capture this Sapphire Thief, but I haven't seen any signs of his own men moving to help them."

She continued speaking even as Lucas leaned back as if contemplating her words.

"I haven't been able to pick up any news on his men, though. They are up to something."

Hearing the mention of the Sapphire Thief, Bjorn decided to hold off on murdering the kid. If he could pick up some valuable information here first, it would be all the better.

In addition, the relationship between the couple before him didn't quite seem to be the romantic type.

'Dang… I really wanted to pick up some good items, though…'

"Is it possible that they are on the Sapphire Thief's case, but that they just haven't moved yet?"

Angelica shook her head in response to Lucas's question.

"I don't think so, it wouldn't make sense for them to sit back when the adventurers surrounded the thief. It would've been the perfect opportunity for them to capture her."

Lucas looked a bit worried as he contemplated the situation.

"I know he wanted to make a move on my father's domain a little while ago… he technically has the power to, but he hasn't been able to hold a grip on the town. If he's targeting us again, and has managed to hide it for this long, we could be in danger."

Angelica nodded, a fearful expression on her face.

"Then the Sapphire Thief, do you think she's working with Baron Egdon? She has been making the perfect distraction, if his intentions really are to target you and your father. It would also be the perfect timing to make a move, with the arrival of all of these otherworlder adventurers."

Lucas was about to answer when he suddenly shot up to his feet, drawing a short sword from a scabbard by his side. Pointing it at an area on the opposite side of the clearing from Bjorn, he spoke commandingly.

"Baron's man, step out from hiding. I know you're in there."

A dark shadow rushed out from where the young man was pointing, and a golden wave of light burst from Lucas as he prepared himself for a fight.

A blazing golden number was revealed over the young NPC's head as he entered combat mode.

-

Lucas Norlord

-

Lvl 51

-

'What the hell?! Lvl 51?! How the hell did the guard plan for me to kill this guy? I would just get 1-shot the moment I left stealth!'

Even without having a specific skill for it, Bjorn had managed to stay completely unnoticed by the duo, though he definitely would've been revealed if he were just a few steps closer.

The golden aura surrounding the young man easily disintegrated the shadow that'd come flying at him, but before he could charge forward, a figure stepped leisurely out from the push he was facing.

"Well then, these are some interesting developments. I thought it would be a bore to tail some ignorant kid, but it looks like my lord's hunches are always correct."

After glancing between Lucas and Angelica a few times, his eyes drifted over to where Bjorn was hiding behind them.

'Shit! I was noticed! Is this guy even stronger than Lucas?!'

The cloaked stranger toyed with a magical-looking orb, but then put it away.

"I think I'll leave a ruling up to my lord for this one. I'm sure he will be quite amused to know how strong you've grown, Lucas."

The young man's face darkened, and the golden glow surrounding him flared up as he charged at his enemy.

"Kid, it's useless."

A level was revealed over the cloaked man's head as he swept his arm toward Lucas, sending a huge black shadow slamming into the young man. It easily crushed through his aura and sent him flying into a tree meters away.

"Lucas!"

Angelica tried to run over to help, but she too was knocked out in an instant. The cloaked man turned to where Bjorn was hiding, then started walking toward him with a casual pace.

'System, what the hell is this?! A quest to either assassinate or observe a weak 3rd class NPC, AND I'm supposed to protect this girl from a stronger one?!'

-

???

-

Lvl 71

-

Bjorn wanted to just give up as he saw the approaching foe.

What use was there in fighting if his attacks couldn't break through an enemy's defense, and running was equally useless against an enemy with such an overwhelming advantage.

All of the skills in the world wouldn't be able to save him.

"Impressive for a little adventurer like you to be able to hide from a fellow like that kid."

The cloaked man chuckled as he approached Bjorn.

"Heck, even I was spotted. I guess it's because I've never done stealth stuff before, but wow. To think I was outdone by a level 10."

The foliage around Bjorn melted away into the surrounding shadows, leaving him completely exposed.

"I've heard that you otherworlders are immortal. I'll remember your name, Eric the Red."

Just as the shadows crept up to end Bjorn's life, a bright spark caught the corner of his eye. A purplish-sapphire bolt of lightning shot through the sky, heading directly for the cloaked assailant's head.

Before it could reach him, though, Bjorn's world went dark.

-

Ding!~

You died.

You lost 56% XP.

You dropped Green Tooth (Common).

You dropped Dull Dagger (Common).

You dropped Copper (1)

As you were killed by an NPC unaffiliated with the current location, your Karma will remain the same.

You will be locked out of the game for 1 hour.

-

The moment after he was forcefully logged out, Bjorn almost coughed up blood.

Not only had he dropped the dagger he'd been using regularly, but he even dropped the backup he'd gained from killing a random player.

The punishment for dying as a red player was nothing to mess around with.

'Shit, and it even took half of a level! It takes hours to KS- I mean, to grind that much XP!'

Furthermore, he'd just put down a whole silver for the creation of the guild, so he didn't have any funds available.

'I don't even have any random weapons available to use, since I sold all of them…'