It was like a scene straight out of a novel.

  Her back suddenly looked straighter and wider, she also seemed taller. Her old gown gently fluttered even without any wind, her brown hair which was tucked neatly in a bun suddenly had a few strands loose, adding to her heroic aura.

  Ba-thump~ Ba-thump~

  ‘I must be going crazy.’ I thought even as my heart thumped, beating faster out of… excitement.

  “Sorry, it took me a while to get my fighting gloves.” She said, a chuckle in her voice. Her warm eyes had a strange glow to them as she looked at me.

  I glanced down at her hand, there was no difference; just a pair of old calloused palms.

  “Gilma, what's the meaning of this?” The voice of the leader of the thugs brought me back to earth. When I looked at the group, I could immediately notice the subtle change in atmosphere.

  They were tense.

  “Whatever do you mean, Rufford. I just had a slight change of mind is all.” The old lady spoke fluently, the airy tone on her voice not changing.

  She sounded more like a lady in her thirties playing around with a bunch of ignorant men. But I could tell that these thugs weren't ignorant.

  They might not have been the sharpest tools in the shed, but they were classified as good thugs.

  “This wasn't the deal, Gilma. You of all people should know better than to cross us.” The leader of the group stepped forward, his cloak shifted to the side, revealing a sheathed sword.

  The atmosphere immediately became ten times more tense.

  My brows furrowed, I was a bit confused. Are direwolves so strong that these groups that were previously scared of me would suddenly become so brazened?

  Or are they depending on their numbers? It's something else… the nobility title? Maybe the strength of nobles in this world is just that high.

  “You know who's backing us, don't you?” The lady questioned.

  Gilma, the aged lady bent down and picked up the unconscious thug way easier for someone of her age. With a slight effort, she flung him across the room, leaving the thugs scrambling to catch him.

  “Leave it to these brats to not recognise a well-known elder when they see one. Tch.” Her playful tone was gone and now, she just seemed irritated.

  “The deal is over, leave now while you still have the chance.” Gilma crossed her arms, staring daggers at the group.

  The leader of the group gritted his teeth, glancing at me one more time before clicking his tongue.

  “Let's go.”

  I watched as the group left, my heart still beating quickly. The excitement I was feeling was long gone, now replaced with caution.

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  I felt like I just escaped from a pack of hyenas only to end up sitting ducks before a lioness.

  “Thank you.” I said. I didn't bother retreating, I knew it would be useless anyway.

  Although it might have had to do with some secret backing, I still considered the fact that a group of four was hesitant to battle this middle aged lady as a sign that she was strong.

  “You aren't afraid?” She asked, turning around to look at me.

  Her eyes are still warm and if I hadn't heard the previous exchange between her and the thugs, I would have thought she had only my best interests at heart.

  “What's the use?” I replied. “I can only hope for the best at this point.”

  She stared at me for a while before chuckling. She then went behind the counter and pulled out a pair of neatly folded clothes.

  “Wait for an hour, then leave and go as far away from here as possible. Today is your lucky day kid, usually, even adult nobles aren't foolish enough to come here alone.”

  I stood silently, watching as the woman went about her usual activities like I wasn't there. After a few moments, I walked forward, grabbed the clothes and began to change on the spot.

  When I was done, I placed my original clothes on the counter before grabbing the hood and donning it on.

  “My original clothes should cover whatever price these ones cost. Keep the change as thanks for this favour.”

  Without waiting for anything else, I immediately walked out of the shop. I know better than to remain idle in the lion's den.

  The streets were bustling as usual, with people haggling, strolling and cursing at eachother. There wasn't even the slightest change, like all that happened was just a figment of my imagination.

  “Thank goodness. Now, I really must find this old merchant.”

  What just happened served to remind me of how weak I was. Of course I could just hire someone to be my bodyguard, but I knew that would be a stupid move.

  I had no one, not a single soul. I was alone in this world and anyone would be able to notice that. There was a better chance of me being robbed by the very person I hired than of them becoming loyal to me.

  At this point, I could only rely on myself, but I was pathetically weak.

  ‘Fuck my life.’ I cursed inwardly as I walked farther and farther from the shop.

  Ding~ Dong~

  After a few minutes, I pushed open a door, the familiar sound of entering my ears once more, a reminder that seemed to be asking me a question…

  ‘Are you fucking out of your mind?’

  “Now this is something I wasn't expecting.” Gilma chuckled without raising her head. She seemed to know I was the one.

  “Why did you leave me alone?” I asked, prompting her to raise her head up.

  I didn't need to explain the reason behind my question, it was obvious already. Just by virtue of my looks, I was a prime product for sale.

  With the pouch of gold I had on me added on top, I was more than a bargain, I was practically manna from heaven to robbers and thugs.

  Yet this woman let such profit go.

  I wasn't stupid enough to believe she did it out of goodness of her heart, and from how the conversation played out, I could guess that it had to do with my family name.

  “Let's just say, one old bastard owes me a favour now.” She replied with a sly smile.

  I really want to leave this place, I want to go look for my old merchant who will sell me ancient and powerful—possibly forbidden—scriptures that will help me get stronger.

  But, my gut is telling me I am meant to be here.

  Huu~

  I took a deep breath before approaching the counter.

  “If possible…can I meet this old bastard?”