NOVEL NEXT Chapter 44: Died too Fast!
"Kekekekeh! Boss, it seems like we'll be getting some loot today," a fierce-looking man with an eye patch spoke fiendishly, his words oozing with malice.
"Oi, Cranker, today I call dibs on the women. I get to pick first this time," another bald figure from the side spoke, rubbing his hands together with a perverted look of expectation.
"Hmph! We have to let the boss decide if we're even going to be setting our eyes on the ladies this time," Cranker snorted. He then turned his attention back to his boss.
"Huh? Boss, what's wrong?" he questioned with a furrowed brow, noticing the way his boss seemed to be scrutinizing the incoming caravan warily.
"Cranker, don't you feel something's off with that caravan?" Slade finally spoke, posing a sudden question.
Startled, Cranker turned his gaze back to the caravan, but no matter how he scrutinized it, he couldn't find anything wrong. Helpless, he replied, "I can't find anything wrong… Boss, is there something wrong with them?"
Slade shook his head. "Something's off… This is the first time we've patrolled this area, and this section of the desert is one of the most unsuitable paths for a merchant caravan to pass through…
Why did they come through here? This is too much of a coincidence. This might be a trap."
Slade was an old veteran. He had survived multiple disasters and sure-death experiences, so naturally, he had long since awakened a kind of sixth sense for danger. And today, though faint, he could surely sense the unbearable pressure of danger drifting from that caravan.
Cranker chuckled. "Hahaha! I thought it was something more serious. Boss, don't forget that we've been terrorizing these parts for a long time. It's only natural merchant caravans try acting smart by following such unsuitable roads—they're less likely to encounter us…
Hehehe! Sorry for this unfortunate few, we were a step ahead and they still ended up within our sights in the end."
Seeing that his boss was still unmoved, he assured, "Boss, do not forget that you are a Bone Forging expert. Even though at the initial phase, you are still a Bone Forging expert. And remember, we tricked those informants into believing you are at the peak realm of Bone Forging…
With all this, even if they had ten balls, no one in this region dares plan against you. They simply don't have anyone strong enough."
On hearing this, Slade frowned. What his subordinate said made sense—no one in these parts was strong enough to be a threat, right?
Was he too paranoid?
Sigh… after this, I need a long rest! he sighed inwardly. Finally deciding to dismiss caution, he signaled his plunder-eager troops to proceed.
And that was what they were waiting for.
Without wasting time, they all got into formation, with Cranker standing at the very front. His lips parted, revealing a row of yellow teeth, and his voice boomed as he recited their usual phrase with practiced ease:
"THIS LAND IS OURS AND THIS PATH IS OURS! YOU PASS, YOU PAY UP!!!"
The carriages of the caravan, hearing this, skidded to a forceful halt as the coachman at the very front frowned, his face turning grim.
None of the people on this caravan were aware of the plan and the agreement between Cai'er and Spark. They had only followed this path because Elder Wei instructed them to. When they asked why, he told them they were less likely to encounter bandits by following this region.
This explanation made sense, and they went without much thought. But who would have thought they would be so unlucky as to encounter the very people they were avoiding?
On seeing the ugly expression of the coachman, Cranker chuckled, feeling more assured of his earlier assumptions.
"Sly bastards, you thought you were smart, didn't you? Hehehe! Too bad the heavens are in our favour today.
Boys, raid them dry." Speaking to this point, he glanced at Slade.
Slade understood what Cranker wanted and helped him add, "And take their women. They decided to act smart, so they don't deserve any mercy today."
"Huraaah!" The swath of bandits roared in lecherous excitement.
The ground trembled violently as they rushed toward the caravan, leaving only Slade, who stood behind silently spectating.
The guards of the caravan didn't stand idly either, as they marched forth, ready to confront these crazed men in a bloodied struggle.
And as fate would have it, Cranker headed straight to the nearest cart. Not in the mood to waste time, he grabbed the chained doors and pulled, his raucous laughter echoing through the desert.
But unfortunately, the moment the chains snapped and the doors swung open, his laughter ceased. The men behind him froze dead in their tracks, their expressions stiffening.
Slade, who had been spectating silently, was now wide-eyed in shock and anger.
Thump!
The headless body of Cranker fell helplessly, slightly twitching still due to his excessive life force.
Cranker—the right-hand man of Slade, the second strongest of them all!
An expert of the mid-phase of Marrow Opening—died just like that!
The bandits who were behind and witnessed this feat took continuous steps back unconsciously, while the ones at the forefront, who didn't know what had happened, were still pushing relentlessly with maddened fervor.
Spark stood valiantly, his glistening bronze armor radiating a reflective hue, his smooth, mirror-like face reflecting the figures of the bandits.
In his hand was a head grabbed by its hair, its mouth still open, lips wide in laughter, fresh blood dripped from his now detached neck as his eyes gradually faded loosing focus from reality.
It was clear Cranker didn't even know when or how he died.
The pitiful, unlucky soul didn't even feel pain before he was sent to King Yama.
The eerie expression of the head in Spark's arm gave the bandits an uncomfortable feeling of fear—that could have been them!
Slade immediately noticed the slight movements Spark was beginning to make. His face turned ugly—the bastard was about to make another move. He himself had to move also; none among his crew would be able to face a threat of this level.
Argh! I should have trusted my guts, he lamented. But now wasn't the time for "I wish I knew." He had to act now. His knees bent as his figure hunched, and he leaped.
Boom!
Slade's figure landed right in time, blocking an overwhelming punch thrown by Spark. Unfortunately, he didn't do much blocking, as his figure was flung back mercilessly, ramming through all in his way and killing them on impact.
The others left alive, eyes wide in terror, needed no one to tell them—they bolted away as fast as their legs could carry them.
Spark smiled beneath his visor. All had gone according to plan. After all, facing Slade and his crew all at once was nothing short of suicide.
So all he had to do was make them understand that interfering in a battle between him and their boss would lead to death. By planting this sort of fear in them, he would get the alone time he needed with Slade.
And by the time they would think to help?
He would be long done.