―


    The Guards’ Chambers was a building in a remote corner of Aeredale City that provided security and privacy for the guards. After all, being a city’s guard sometimes produced enmity when forced to deal with conflict.


    This security was required when returning to theforts of their home. The exit and entrance route aligned with the path of several guards, so surveince was high.


    However, one could avoid contact if one knew about their route, the window where none of the guard posts aligned, and the time their shifts generally ended.


    This was how Kieran arrived at the guard’s chambers with ease. He had walked the streets of Aeredale long enough to have memorized all of this information.


    Of course, Mayor Lowe also pulled some strings to manipte the guards’ activities to a certain extent.


    Kieran opened the chamber’s door and cautiously sneaked inside before closing it with a light touch. As expected, the chamber’s interior resembled a precinct’s structure using items native to Xenith.


    There was a showering area, changing rooms, and even rest areas to rx and have a meal. But, Kieran didn’t search for long before hearing a mor deep inside the guard’s chamber.


    Kieran observed his surroundings before creeping past most of the doors until he arrived at the one the noise appeared from.


    “Damn it! Connect you stupid thing! I have an important message!” An enraged voice sounded out as an individual of an average build could be seen tinkering with an unknown item in their grasp.


    He pped this device against his palm until a light flickered on its surface.


    Finally, a distant voice sounded from the device in the man’s hand.


    Although Kieran wasn’t too far away, he could barely discern the words being exchanged. ‘What a trash quality item. You’d think they’d have better ways after stealing so much merchandise,’ Kieran inwardlymented.


    Nevertheless, he closed his eyes and directed his Mana to his ear, enhancing their hearing capabilities. Only after doing so could he make out the exchanged words._.


    “You were told only to contact us when you have useful information. Why are you contacting only a day after we just spoke?”


    “That’s just it! I have useful information. However, I think we should discuss the matters of our split. This 20-80 split we have going on isn’t working. It seems you’ve been amassing more riches than I’ve expected.”


    The voice on the other side grew displeased by this request. “Do you know who you’re talking to, boy? I can have my entire Desertborn Brigands make your life very difficult. After all, who will you turn to for aid? Your city will either execute or imprison you indefinitely once they learn of your crimes.”


    The man holding the device gulped but regained his confidence by retorting. “That may be true, but you’ll lose out on knowing the merchandise’s schedule. Will you risk losing sight of your other targets to target me?”


    “Tch!” An annoyed tongue click sounded from the other side of the device, followed by a grunt. “Speak. You talk too much.”


    “40-60. That should be our new split because I have it on good authority that what is being transported may be of high value.” The guard spoke.


    A grumble sounded as the other side considered the guard’s offer.


    Meanwhile, Kieran’s eyebrow rose as he listened to the conversation. ‘So… Aeredale City isn’t the only target, as I assumed. The Desertborn Brigands must be targeting several of the Aeredale Kingdom’s cities.’


    〈System: Locate the traitors amongst the Kingdom’s Guards. 1/1〉


    While Kieran had collected enough proof that this guard was indeed the culprit selling sensitive information, he continued to listen in case this conversation revealed any other important information.


    “You know, thest team of brigands dispatched to your previous tip never returned nor brought the cargo. What do you have to say about that? Was it all just a ruse to trick me?”


    Fury rose in the voice of the opposing side. Just by their cadence, one could tell a deep frown filled their face.


    “I-I had no knowledge of that matter. The caravans were sent out as I revealed. None have returned, so I assumed it was another sessful heist. I will look into the matter and let you know when I have the details. But… what about this current caravan?”


    “Mm,” the voice fell silent briefly as if pondering their decision. “How valuable would you say it is.”


    “Well, even the mayor expressed the severity of the deal needing to go through. Including the fact that we’re the kingdom’s central city, I’d say it’s pretty valuable. It may even be your biggest haul yet.”


    “Good. Very good. Tell me about its schedule.”


    The guard then revealed the cargo’s supposed arrival time in the Barren Mountain Range and Desert of Crumbling Sands.


    However, it never once sparked in the guard’s mind that the caravan was a decoy and would never arrive.


    “Understood. I’ll dispatch two of my teams then—one to apprehend the cargo and one to search for my unresponsive subordinates. Should something have happened to my precious Deserea, I’ll being for your head regardless of the consequences.”


    The guard shivered because this was no empty threat. The man on the other side of the device would undoubtedly carry out his threat.


    Once the discussion finished, Kieran walked forward and leaned against the wall before picking up one of the nearby toothpicks in a jar and using it to pick his teeth.


    Tsk!


    Kieran sucked his teeth, immediately alerting the guard of his presence.


    The guard scrambled to his feet defensively and red at Kieran. “Who are you? You are not allowed here. This building is for authorized personnel only.”


    “Oh? And that information you sold is for the authorized personnel only.”


    The guard frowned after listening to Kieran’s mocking retort. His eyes shifted to his pair of gauntlets a step away.


    “Is that something you really want to do?” Kieran said with an indifferent smile.


    Information on the guard appeared in Kieran’s eyes.


    「 Lv.38 Jackson, Aeredale’s 87th Guard (Elite NPC)


    ss: Pugilist


    Health: 600,000 (100%) 」


    ‘The level difference isn’t too great, but I understand why Lv.33 was an eptable level. There would be level suppression if the difference exceeded 5,’ Kieran thought.


    Jackson abruptly lunged for his gauntlet and executed a skillful roll before dashing at Kieran.


    “Oh? So, hand-to-handbat then?”


    Kieran dodged the lunge using an el Shift but grabbed Jackson’s head by hisrge hand and smashed it into the stone wall.


    The attack disoriented Jackson, making him wobble about with staggering steps. But in that time, Kieran activated Blood Mania without equipping a weapon.


    As a result, a blood coating surfaced on his hands until they formed a wed gauntlet-like appearance. “Two can y that game!”


    Bang!


    Jackson’s decisive punch was met by Kieran’s. The two fists collided against each other, and neither side budged. However, Kieran received a notification.


    〈Battle Alert: You have acquired a stack of ?Hunt?.〉


    ‘Hunt? I wonder…’


    〈System: You have consumed one stack of ?Hunt? to mark NPC Jackson as ?Prey?!〉


    〈Battle Alert: Any damage inflicted upon NPC Jackson while marked as ?Prey? will increase by 20%. There is a 10% chance of NPC Jackson being afflicted by ?Fear?.〉


    Bang!


    Kieran suddenlyshed out his leg, driving Jackson back into the locker.


    Anger shed in Jackson’s eyes as he red at Kieran. Although he hadn’t suffered substantial damage, his ego was damaged after being tossed about by Kieran.


    Mana pooled into Jackson’s fists as he roared in fury.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    A rapid exchange urred as Kieran gradually led the fight away from this restrictive room. There was barely enough room to react appropriately.


    The areas where they fought suffered extensive damage, but Kieran enjoyed going hand to hand against an NPC Pugilist, especially with this new Prey function active.


    Jackson’s movements were better than 90% of yers at this point. It allowed Kieran to train his timing with el Shift.


    Whoosh! Boom!


    Kieran suddenly shifted away from Jackson’sbo before moving back in with an explosive punch that forced Jackson to the ground. Once this punch dazed Jackson, Kieran pummeled him to the ground after activating Abhorrent Paroxysm.


    As an NPC, Jackson’s defenses were quite strong. So if Kieran wanted to deal extensive damage, he required more Attack Power.


    Kieran’s Defense vanished, but his Strength and Attack Power rose in exchange. His Strength broke past 1,250 while his Attack Power inted above 4,700.


    However, that wasn’t the most thrilling part.


    Kieran’s movement speed increased until Jackson could no longer touch him. Kieran’s figure became a vanishing blur when he employed el Shifts.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    As visible indents formed on Jackson’s silver armor, thunderous noises filled the room. The weight of Kieran’s attack had essentially doubled, so they likewise elevated to a level Jackson couldn’t withstand.


    What’s more, Fear afflicted Jackson as he realized his bleak oue.


    Eventually, Jackson fell to his knees and pleaded for it to end. Kieran’s attacks wereunched with a ghastly intention, inflicting pain but not fatal damage.


    Jackson’s Health dropped below 20% when he surrendered. However, Kieran unleashed two vicious punches aimed at Jackson’s legs to ensure no foul y happened.


    Crunch! Crunch!


    “Agchhh!” Jackson cried out in pain when Kieran’s ruthless attack shattered his kneecaps.


    Afterward, Kieran dragged Jackson out of the guard’s chambers by his cor.