Chapter 14 (1/2)

-Running Man, Running Woman-

What the h.e.l.l were they doing here? Why were they surrounding the masked woman?

I tried to observe them cooly as I addressed them.

“What’s this? Why are you blocking her?”

“Eh? It’s none of your business. Get lost.”

“Unfortunately, for you, I just had dinner with her. I can’t just say, ‘alright’ and leave.”

Perhaps they meant to abduct her as some kind of trap? For instance, I would have to leave all my money and disappear or they would hurt her.

“Hey, Black Rabbit. Leave your money here and scram before you regret it. Who knows what might happen to this lady here if you don’t?”

Woah…template…I was speechless. What is this? Was there a script?

“Hey! Be quick about it!!”

“I’m not giving you anything, you stupid b.a.s.t.a.r.ds! Let her go now and begone! Before I beat you to a pulp!”

“You little s.h.i.+t…you’re just the Black Rabbit…!”

The b.a.s.t.a.r.d leader had veins popping out near his sideburns as his hand went down to the sword at his waist. As if on cue, the rest of the men flashed vulgar smiles and unsheathed their own swords.

There was no turning back now. There was nothing left to do but fight. However, I would prefer it if no one died here tonight. There was something too pathetic about the thought of Russell escorting me to prison.

And so I kept my sword sheathed as I raised it. The leader of the gang saw me quickly wrap the sword belt around the handle and shouted.

“Black Rabbit!! Do you think you’re playing with us!?”

“I’m not playing. But the Chief gave me this sword…I won’t have it drinking such filth from you!!”

I held both swords in my hands now. The shortsword’s sheath was fixed with a b.u.t.ton, so it took me no time to prepare. And then I ran. Of course, not at full speed. Not yet.

“Arraggghh!”

The gang leader swung his sword up high. I dropped my posture low, somersaulting just as the sword dropped, missing me. The sound of the blade cras.h.i.+ng into the ground echoes behind me. In front were the followers who had made a wall to block the masked woman. I targeted the weakest looking of the bunch; charged at full speed and collided with a tackle.