United in Hatred Arc: Chapter 27.
◆ [
Hero Name: Winterry21.
Assumed Name: Winter IceCream.
Level: 9 / 200.
First Class: {Genius} Fighter* = Active.
Second Class: {Genius} Supporter* = Inactive.
Third Class: Sorcerer* = Inactive.
Fifth Class: Guardian = Inactive.
Sixth Class: Automaton = Inactive.
Seventh Class: Warlord = Inactive.
Eight Class: Grand Berserker = Inactive.
Ninth Class: Survivalist* = Inactive.
Tenth Class: Possessor = Inactive.
Techniques: Enrage, Minor Strength, Minor Agility, Minor Speed, Fleet-foot, Small Boost, Towered Strength, Towered Agility.
Skills: Resolute.
] ◆
Winter stared at the floating screen with an inscrutable expression. "When I've reached level twenty, that's when I've maximized my class and then move on to my second class..." He said, smirking.
"And then a chance to evolve my fighter class into something else."
◆ [ This 'level-up' mechanic is unique to all Heroes, correct? ] ◆
"Correct."
◆ [ Can you go beyond the level two-hundred mark? ] ◆
"Nope, that's impossible. You can still earn experience points once you hit the level cap, but you can't go past that. Two hundred is the developer's limit."
◆ [ I see. The terms that you use are unfamiliar to me. ] ◆
"Experience points are points that you earn by completing tasks, missions, or defeating enemies. The level cap is a limit to how strong you can get. A developer is a person who helps or creates the world."
◆ [ The developer is a god? ] ◆
"In this context, yes, they may be a god,"
Winter answered, and there was a long pause from Bricks. Finally, he could enjoy the apple he found. He needed to relax, since there would be another 'revolutionary guerrilla warfare tactics' later.
Claudia Osser insisted on the term. However, for Winter, it was just another word for banditry. It was such a shame, too. For a moment, he thought he had finally found a friend despite the concerning political motivations.
However, his hopes were misplaced.
They were all revolutionaries, willing to charm anyone powerful or useful to recruit to their cause. Winter listened to the birds' chirping and the flow of water; it was relaxing enough to make him sleepy.
"They're kinda decent people. If only they weren't like that..." Winter said, eyes fluttering, while the hammock that he was on gently swayed. He was about to fall asleep when he suddenly felt a soft slam on his stomach.
"Ey! Whatcha doing?" Claudia said, beaming a smile.
"Oh, finally, I was starting to fall asleep."
Claudia laughed. "Yeah, it is a good day to sleep, but there's work to be done." She said, lightly and playfully punching Winter's stomach. "You don't want this to bulge!"
"Yeah," Winter said, exiting the hammock and then stretching his body. "Where to, boss?"
"No more carriages this time. This time, we're going straight to the source of corruption." She said, pausing for impact. "A minor noble house that refuses to pay wages and would always have a reason to avoid paying taxes." She said, brandishing a steel sword.
Her green eyes beamed in excited expectation. Her loose red hair fluttered as the wind passed by. The expression on her face was as if she were waiting for this kind of opportunity for a long time.
...
...
...
*Neigh!* The horse let out a sound as it watched the trio enjoying themselves. Winter, Claudia, and Petel. They were resting underneath the shade of a tree. They were disguised as wandering travelers, adorned in fine tunics and clean fabric.
Claudia ate a pastry; it had a jelly-like filling. She ate it with enthusiasm, savoring the taste now and then. Petel just drank a cup of tea, along with Winter.
Their target was a small, two-story, wealthy house set on a small hill on a substantially wide, fenced private property. There was a large barn inside the property, a distance away from the house. Also, a guardhouse is near the entrance.
"Quite the distance away from the city. Shouldn't they be attacked regularly? Their guards don't look impressive anyway." Winter said, squinting his eyes and focusing on the direction. They were considerably far away from the property.
Claudia finished another pastry. "They shirk from any legal taxes because they're paying for a certain bandit lord's 'protection services'."
"That's why they're kinda safe. The bandits roaming nearby leave their carriages and supplies alone." Petel said, finishing a cup of tea.
Winter hummed. "We're not killing them, right?"
"No, of course not," Claudia said with an apprehensive tone. "The forcefully suppressed crowd will do that. We can't rob them of their victory. That's rude..."
◆ [ She's most likely lying. She wants to kill them. ] ◆
(Shit...) Winter erased his assured smile and kept staring at the house. They were going to make a move during the night. He still has some time for a nap.
Claudia then took out something from her chest area, a vial hidden between her cleavage. The content was a whitish dust. "Dusty..."
"You two want some?" Claudia said, taking a slight whiff. Her somewhat tense expression faded, replaced by a blissful, innocent smile. There was a slight flush in her face, highlighting her freckles.
Winter's heart skipped a beat. (She really is quite beautiful.)
"I don't partake..." Winter dismissed, waving a hand.
"Maybe after our mission." Petel rejected.
Claudia then plopped to the ground, staring at the empty blue sky. "Marzia... Marzia..." She muttered, chuckling.
"Marzia is her daughter who was taken away..." Petel said, closing his eyes.
Winter sighed, slightly frowning. "Is she alive?"
"Yes, but only Feledil knows where she is."
...
...
...
Night time...
The property was quiet now. Save for the occasional bleating from the pigs inside the wide barn. The trio was now positioned behind several large trees. A giant metallic gate stood before them, and four lightly armored guards, both inside and outside the property, guarded the entrance.
Claudia silently leaped forward, rushing at the two somewhat sleepy guards, surprising them. "Sto-!" The two guards were knocked out before they could adequately react.
The two guards inside the property readied their spears, and just as they were about to shout for help, they were knocked out by the hurled rocks. *Thump!* *Thump!*
Claudia then opened the gate and silently made their way inside the property. Avoiding the guard house, the trio then made their way to the house.
They were now on the terrace. Winter looked back and saw several other revolutionaries restrain the unconscious guards and then go inside the guard house.
One of them noticed Winter observing them. The revolutionary gave an assuring thumbs-up and then gestured to continue.
"They're all inside, enjoying a meal," Petel said, slowly trying to unlock the front door.
"So, how do you plan this?" Winter asked.
Claudia exhaled. "Winter, could you go inside and then restrain them all?"
"Why me?" Winter raised a brow.
"I don't mind going inside, but I might kill them all." Claudia thinly said, eyes gleaming. With that, Winter didn't hesitate to wear his mask and then go inside as the front door was finally unlocked.
The interior of the house was fitting for a wealthy minor noble. Paintings adorned the spacious corridors and several nightstands with intricately designed vases. The floor was clean, and the wooden tiles were almost shining.
He even thought of taking off his boots.
Winter then slowly made his way in and saw a family of eight enjoying a meal. The meal was lavishly delicious. A rotisserie pork was in the middle of the table, along with other green side dishes.
The small noble family was all dressed like they were celebrating a party. However, only one of them stood out. Winter couldn't help but be in awe.
A dazzling, divine beauty with white hair and golden eyes, no older than Winter. She wore a simple white dress and a long golden necklace.
The father of this house stood up with a filled wine glass in his hand. His fingers all had a ring with tiny jewels on it. "Happy birthday, daughter." He said as the rest clapped and cheered.
(It's just a happy family...?)
◆ [ BEHIND YOU! ] ◆
*Clang!* Winter said as something dropped behind him. It was a female servant whose plate, full of food, was now scattered across the clean floor. "Shit..."
"Intruder alert! A black spy is in the house!" The female servant shouted.
"A black spy is in the house!?" The noble family all shouted in unison.
"Protect the storage case!" The father said, then pulled out a sword beneath the table.
"We need to protect the storage case!" The mother of the house shouted, grabbed her beautiful daughter, and left the dining room, climbing the stairs.
Two of the older male brothers exited the dining room and then saw Winter. "Intruder!" They both shouted and brandished their daggers.
The two then attacked him, slicing and stabbing, but they all missed. Winter didn't put much effort into dodging their attacks. They weren't used to combat but were willing to defend their home.
◆ [Analyzing targets: Negligible threats, barely trained. Verdict: Counterattack when they strike; they're slow. ] ◆
"Minor Strength," Winter murmured.
"You fucking spy! Always from the goddamned Black House!" One of the brothers shouted as Winter then punched the taller one straight in the chest, knocking him out.
"Turon!" The other brother shouted. "You piece of shit!"
*Whack!* The other attacking brother was struck in the chest and was knocked out instantly.
*Clang!* A sword pierced the wooden wall beside Winter. He subconsciously dodged it; the sword gleamed in front of him. The wall was then blown away, revealing a hulking figure.
It was the father of the house, furious and seething. He glanced at his two unconscious sons and let out a scream. "I'll fucking kill you!"
"Minor Strength! Massive Strength!" The father of the house activated two techniques. Winter was concerned about the last technique that had been activated.
Winter parried a strike, then another, then another. (He's stronger than me! I can't freely move either, it's a bit too cramped!)
◆ [Analyzing target: The target is stronger but is old, way past his prime. Verdict: Wait for the techniques' expiration.] ◆
"You fucking ni-"*Whomp!* Claudia rushed forward and delivered a devastating punch straight to the noble father's face. The face scrunched from the impact, sending several teeth flying along with splatters of blood.
Petel also rushed forward and slammed a massive shield straight towards him. The father of the house was now knocked out, bleeding on the floor.
"Eek!" A teenage noble pointed a knife straight at Claudia. Winter sensed Claudia's killing intent. She then swung her sword, but was surprised when it was quickly parried by Winter.
"What the hell are you doing!? It's just a kid!" Winter shouted. "You're - " *Ksschk!*
"Urf!" Winter groaned and slowly turned around. The teenage noble had stabbed him from behind; it didn't hit anything vital, but the stab wound was bleeding. The teenage noble then pulled out the knife and stabbed him again.
The teenage noble's eyes were full of fear, acting on adrenaline. "AH!"
"Winter!" Claudia screamed as her eyes beamed in rage. She then shoved him away and struck down the teenage noble, cleanly slicing him in half from the waist.
"It's just a small stabbing wound, nothing serious. My leather armor protected me."
Winter groaned and then quickly patched up his wound. He then turned to the teenage noble, but found him sliced in two. The expression on teenager's face was lifeless, with tears in his eyes. His blue pants were darkened; the kid had relieved himself after death.
The sight made Winter vomit and feel nauseated. The teenage noble's body lay on the blood-stained wooden floor. His vision blurred while his heart rapidly beat.
(He's dead. He's dead. He's dead. He's dead.) Winter thought, then darted his eyes to the unaffected Claudia, relishing in the moment.
She then broke from her ecstatic expression and tended to Winter, her expression shifting to worry. "Are you okay!? Are you hurt!?"
Winter just glared in disbelief, eyes wide in horror and disgust. Claudia checked the stab wound, but it was already patched up, and there wasn't a lot of blood.
"Thank god, you're okay," Claudia said with relief, then hugged his head, her chest was smothering his face.
Winter's ears were now ringing; it was oddly familiar to him. He recalled the college friend who had committed suicide inside the dorm room, in front of him, using a firearm.
(My ears rung like this back then too... I stared for quite a bit, as I tried to make sense of what had happened. When I came back to my senses. I was already at the hospital...)
Winter shook his head, coming back to his senses. He noticed a vast pool of blood beside him, coming from the noble father of the house. He was stabbed several times in the chest.
The same thing happened to the two brothers he knocked out earlier.
The interior has also changed; even during the fight, it was pristine and clean. Now? It looked like it had been ransacked.
Winter glanced at the halved teenage noble and then walked away. He heard some muffled screaming from up ahead, so he climbed the stairs and found a half-opened room.
The dazzling white-haired and golden-eyed noble was now almost naked, her white dress was torn apart, and she had several wounds on her body as if she had been violently violated.
Claudia Osser and Petel Stenenem towered over her, jeering. Claudia turned around, and her expression brightened.
"Winter!"