Chapter 56 (1/2)

Chapter 56: A Serendipitous Meeting

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio  Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

The gambling house was in the north-western part of River Cove town. It was a big two-story wooden house. It was probably the busiest and most successful business in the area. Rumors said that the gambling house was owned by the mayor’s nephew, which was why they could operate in broad daylight and the militia would still never bother them.

As they entered the gambling house, Jacker and Gildern each stood on either side of Link, protecting him in the middle.

There were many people there; most of them were red-eyed gamblers. In front of each card table, there was a female dealer with a voluptuous figure wearing skimpy clothing. In every key spot of the gambling house, there were strongly built bodyguards keeping watch of any situations.

This was where prostitutes, pickpockets, cheats, crooks, and indeed the whole dregs of society mixed.

After entering the gambling house, Jacker scanned the room and walked to a table in the corner.

As he walked, he told Link, “My Lord, do you see that yellow-haired boy there? That’s Jimi, rumors say he knows how to get a message to Syndicate’s people.”

This was definitely one of Jacker’s strengths. He had been socializing with lowlifes, so he knew the ins and outs of this society very well, just the thing that Link lacked.

Link turned to where Jacker indicated and saw that Jimi wasn’t participating in the card game, but was standing at the side watching. Jimi’s hands and feet weren’t very clean. Just as Link saw him, he was extending his hand and reached into the pockets of two gamblers.

He didn’t steal much, only a few copper coins from each gambler. He was quick and discreet, like a dragonfly skimming across the water’s surface.

“But he’s just a pickpocket,” Link said.

“Yes, but Syndicate is a group of thieves,” said Gildern.

As they talked, the three walked to Jimi and surrounded him. Jimi attempted to bolt, but Jacker and Gildern had cornered him, blocking every possible escape route.

“What are you people trying to do? I’m telling you, I don’t like to be pushed around.” Jimi gulped. One of his hands was extending in front of his chest, and his other was grabbing at his pockets, where a dagger was hidden.

But just as his hand moved, Gildern raised a pocket knife and with lightning speed cut Jimi’s wrist.

This was not a light cut, Jimi’s wrist shook and he gasped. His other hand rushed to hold his cut wrist. Just like that, both of his hands were now subdued.

Link walked up to him, pointed the wooden-looking New Moon wand to Jimi’s heart, the tip of the wand glowing dimly, and said, “I hear you can get a message to Syndicate?”

Link spoke with a very low voice. They didn’t want to raise any commotion in the loud gambling house. The guards glanced over at their direction but saw nothing out of the ordinary, so they turned elsewhere.

In the gambling house, small disagreements were normal occurrences, they couldn’t possibly check for every problem that arose. So as long as there were no big commotions, the guards wouldn’t interfere.

Jimi felt differently, though. He could feel that there was something pressing on his heart. It felt a little cold and a little painful, and he saw that there was very dim light at the tip of the wand, so he was sure that this person was definitely a Magician. He was so terrified that his body shivered and his voice shook when he spoke. “Yes, yes, yes, I can send the message.”

“Then tell them that I have what they want. If that woman dies or if there is even a scratch on her, then they can forget about getting it. Remember, my name is Link, and I’m a Magician. If they want to meet me, I’ll be at the River Cove Inn!” Link’s voice was low, but his gaze was cold as ice when he was talking. He released the Mana in his body, charging the air around him and created a noticeable air around him.

He now had close 100 Mana points and he was fully replenished. This was normal for a Level-2 Magician. If he made it visible now, it could easily shock and terrify people who were not familiar with magic, and that was enough for him.

Yellow-haired Jimi had never seen such a thing, he violently nodded and said, “I will convey your message. Now! I’ll go now!”

Link then kept his aura and pointed the wand at Jimi’s heart. In the dark, he cast the spell Magician ‘s Hand, then he penetrated Jimi’s flesh and bone and grabbed at Jimi’s beating heart.

Jimi could feel the horrifying sensation of his heart being gripped. He was soaked in sweat and his whole body was petrified with fear.

“Do not tell lies, and be quick. Otherwise, the magic that I planted in your heart will explode to a thousand pieces!” said Link, and then he ended his Magician ‘s Hand.

This spell was very useful in scaring ordinary people who were foreign to magic. If it had been a powerful Warrior, this trick would never work because the magic power in this spell was just too weak. Their body’s strength alone could stop him from penetrating through their flesh and bones.

Jimi almost went crazy, then Link released him. The moment he was free he began to run, while running he said, “I will report your message immediately.”

Good, now all they could do was wait.

Link said to Jacker and Gildern, “Let’s go, we’ll wait for the people from Syndicate at the River Cove Inn.”

He knew that the powerful people behind the scenes valued the magic runes very much, and the rune was hidden by Link in his crystal pendant. It was undetectable, that was why they could never find him.

Because they couldn’t find it, Link had threatened them with such bold words. They would not dare make any rash moves; the only option was to send someone to deal it.

This way, they had a chance of saving Lucy’s life.

The next step would depend on the message sent by the Syndicate.

The three exited the gambling house. While on the road, Link said, “I know both of you must have some questions.”

“My Lord, we’d like to know what Syndicate actually wants,” asked Jacker.