Musou Knight: Crow of Cinders-Chapter 46: Headhunter

Chapter 46 - Headhunter

Had this scenario occurred in the game, my character would have shouted, "I have defeated an enemy general!" or something to that effect, and my soldiers’ morale would have soared.

I chuckled, but ended up coughing blood. I guessed spamming musou attacks and bullet time had side effects.

I lay there, waiting. My energy was depleted. My muscles ached. My vision grew darker and narrower.

At this rate, I would pass out. Who knew what the garrison soldiers in the castle would do to me after this?

I couldn’t afford to black out here. I bit the tip of my tongue to stay awake. I then raised my head, praying for the boss drop.

A golden beacon manifested over Troturre’s body. I saw three floating objects: a set of roasted pig and wine, a boot token, and a blue halberd.

"Over there!"

I heard the commotion behind me. My time was running out.

Pushing myself up, I crawled on my knees and reached for the roasted pig. I managed to grab the plate and pull it toward me. Without hesitation, I took a bite.

Its healing effect was instant. I could feel my legs and spine again. Turning around, I checked the commotion behind me.

A hundred soldiers in plate armor were swarming the gate. Archers gathered on the wall and nocked their bows.

I jumped up and grabbed everything. Without looking back, I started running. A second later, a dozen arrows stabbed the ground where I had just been.

While hoarding the three game items in my arms, I glanced at the token. Without inspecting it, I recognized the goodies.

This was the so-called status attribute token. By consuming it, my hidden attributes would increase. Since this token had a boot icon on it, it would permanently increase my speed.

I injected my musou energy into it. The wooden token transformed into gold, then crumbled to ash, leaving a green wisp of energy that integrated into my body.

I felt a surge of vitality. My lungs took in more air, and my spleen no longer hurt when I pushed my limits. My heart rate stabilized faster than before.

"Stop him!"

Without looking back, I could tell they were panicking. After running five hundred meters, I entered the commoner town district and sprinted into a secluded alley, hoping to evade my pursuers.

In the alley, I leapt over a dusty wooden crate and arrived at the narrow street, which local commoners often used instead of the main road. Looking back, I didn’t see a single soldier following me.

However, I saw lights from the bridge. Many soldiers must have been rushing out after all the ruckus.

The townspeople also came out of their houses or peeked out the windows, watching the commotion from the fortress. Some stared at me like I was an animal in a zoo.

Ignoring the crowd, I kept moving. Otherwise, these nosy people would soon snitch on me for some coins, and I would have to fight an entire army.

Come to think of it, other than Troturre, there were no other threatening generals.

Should I start farming?

No. These guys were the buffer for Avaritia’s invasion. I couldn’t kill them all and let them ruin the main storyline. Otherwise, my slow-life plan would go awry.

I turned away from the main street.

And I froze.

Why were they here?!

Surrounding me, a gray-haired knight, a square-faced heavy knight, and several men in dark clothes were staring down at me from the roofs of the local houses.

I knew two of them. One was the right-hand man of Louis Zen, Bickar Nusus. The other was Slavus Cupiditas, the rival of Zoli and one of Avaritia’s great generals.

This was bad. What the hell had I done to provoke them?!

They weren’t supposed to be here!

I had to admit that I was panicking. This was not according to the script! This event shouldn’t have existed!

"You there." Bickar jumped down from the roof and walked toward me.

I inhaled deeply, steeling my resolve. I put the roasted pig plate on the ground. I then switched my weapon to the newly acquired blue halberd.

Bickar Nusus was a unique game character. He was originally an earth-type like Zoli and Slavus, but his skills leaned toward support. He could read an object’s memory, buff allies, or fight like an off-tank.

Slavus Cupiditas was a typical heavy-hitter. His bastard sword served as both shield and weapon, cutting through plate armor like tofu. His musou range was on the same tier as polearm users, and he excelled at fighting in crowded areas. As an earth-type heavy knight, he could also tank damage. Players ranked him in either A or S tier because of his absurd strength and versatility.

I no longer had a dragon seal with me. I couldn’t possibly defeat a team of a level 4 buffer and a level 5 heavy knight.

I might die if I fought them. But what other option would I have? Nothing!

"What do you want?" I shouted.

Bickar smirked and raised his hands. "Easy there. I’ve come in peace. Let’s talk."

Slavus and the others also hopped down from the roofs. None of them drew a weapon.

I let out a long sigh of relief.

THANK GOD!

Excuse me for the caps, but THANK GOD!

If they wanted to talk, I should entertain them.

"So, what does an Invidia general... and Avaritia’s great general want from me?"

Bickar smiled and opened his arms.

"Louis Zen, my master, has heard of your remarkable abilities. Things got a bit tangled between us, but we’re set to sort it out. We’d be honored to have you join our ranks as one of our knights. If you accept, we will bestow upon you fields of fertile land, chests overflowing with gold, and a place at the finest academy."

That was a very polite invitation. I glanced at the great general next to him.

Slavus Cupiditas was supposed to be by Cash Fraus’ side. What was he even doing here?

Regardless, that was none of my business.

This proposal was quite nice, actually. Instead of becoming a fugitive in Constantia and living in fear, siding with a major villain sounded enticing. Louis "Bu" Zen would live for thirty years until the late game, where he would die by the hands of the "protagonist alliance." Riding on his coattails and living comfortably for thirty years sounded better than thirty years of bitter struggle.

However, I should negotiate my salary and benefits, as was customary for modern salarymen.

"I have conditions, a few actually."

"Sure. Speak your mind," Bickar smiled brightly.