Chapter 53: Ambush and Counter-Ambush (Part 2)

Dean had been fully alert since approaching Tier Town. In fact, he deliberately kept his warhorse from slowing down as he charged toward the town gate, specifically intending to enter the town this way.

Of course, Dean was absolutely not trying to disrupt the rhythm of those thieves.

In fact, the place where he stopped was exactly the most suitable and closest position for the two thieves who attacked him to make their move.

As for why he did this?

Earlier, Dean had scouted the surroundings more than once. He had thoroughly deduced the thieves’ attack and retreat routes dozens of times in his mind.

He had also deduced how he should dodge and counterattack.

Therefore, if he could, Dean would never disrupt those thieves’ rhythm.

After all, if he disrupted their rhythm, his own would inevitably be affected.

Fortunately, everything proceeded as usual—

Whoosh!

Fully alert, Dean heard the sound of something breaking the air and quickly rolled his body, instantly hiding beneath the horse’s belly.

When riding a warhorse and facing sneak attacks from arrow shots, dodging left and right was not the best option because your body is on the horse’s back, which inevitably limits your dodging space. Therefore, to dodge more effectively, rolling over to hide under the horse’s belly was the best choice.

In fact, the warhorse itself could serve as a shield for arrows.

This was a method Dean had learned from an Old Thief. However, if he could, he would never use it; after all, deep down, he strongly agreed with the Grand Duchess’s words: ‘A warhorse is our faithful companion. On the Battlefield, apart from the sword in your hand, the thing you should rely on most is your horse. Its reliability far exceeds the Armor on your body!’

Of course, Dean did not reject statements like: ‘The Armor on my body and the sword in my hand are our everything!’

In fact, Dean, once known as the Lone Wolf of Hagaslo, was a pragmatist.

He would not lean toward any side or stick to any specific form; he would only choose what was beneficial to himself.

Just like at this moment—

Rolling under the horse’s belly, Dean did not care about the muddy water on the ground. With a roll, sending mud splashing everywhere, he quickly approached the thief who had just launched a sneak attack.

Then, he thrust his sword!

When Dean thrust this sword, he was still four or five people’s length away from that thief. But after Dean straightened his arm and pushed off with his feet, this sword thrust had already pierced the opponent’s throat. This was not the assassination technique of an Assassin, but rather true Knight swordsmanship.

It was just that it had changed from a mounted state to foot combat.

Splat!

Blood splashed everywhere, causing the crowded crowd to hesitate for a moment, followed by screams as they scattered in all directions—Chaos erupted uncontrollably, but not in the direction the thieves had hoped for.

Because, standing next to the dead thief, when the crowd scattered in an instant, the other thief was fully exposed.

Dean did not hesitate. With a flip of his wrist, the longsword in his hand caused the other man to fall, clutching his throat.

【XP+2】

【XP+2】

Two white experience orbs the size of fingertips indicated that the opponents were truly dead; but the battle was far from over, as the ambush in the distance continued—

“Murder! Murder!”

Upon hearing such shouts, Huck, who was just about to go out to attend the Baron’s dinner, unhesitatingly drew the Longsword at his waist and pushed the door open to step outside.

Whoosh, whoosh!

As Huck just pushed open the door of “Snow Bear’s Home,” he came under attack. Two crossbow bolts flew toward him. Even after losing his arm, the ongoing swordsmanship and combat training, along with his rich combat experience, saved his life at this moment. Almost as soon as those two crossbow bolts were fired, Huck gave a strong tug on the door, which was still being pushed by his left hand palm. The door of “Snow Bear’s Home,” which was already creaking and not very stable, was pulled off by him. He held it in his hand as if it were a Shield.

Thud, thud!

The two crossbow bolts were nailed firmly into the wooden board, with arrowheads even protruding from the other side.

Looking at the arrowheads that were extremely close, before Huck could take any further action, the sound of footsteps rang out—

Two figures holding Daggers and Daggers were rapidly approaching.

Of course, that was not the most important thing. The most important thing was that two men holding crossbows were firmly staring at him from a short distance away.

Simply put, as long as he left the cover of the door panel, he would be in danger of being shot again.

And if he held the door panel, when the two men holding Daggers and Daggers got close, the situation would become even more awkward. Although he did not mind fighting with the door panel, he still had to be wary of the men holding crossbows in the distance.

In short, this was a dilemma of being unable to advance or retreat.

If only my right hand…

Just as this thought appeared, Huck shook his head vigorously. This was not escaping; in fact, a person like Huck would not escape. He only needed to face it.

Since he had already lost one hand, he would fight with the remaining one hand. That was Huck.

“I must dodge the aim of two crossbows!”

Huck thought secretly to himself. At the same time, he looked at the inn behind him. Compared to a Crossbow, the smaller-sized crossbow was easier to carry, but its power was significantly reduced. If it were a Crossbow, let alone a solid wooden door panel, even one wrapped in iron skin would be penetrated.

Therefore, if he entered his own inn, this would be a very safe method.

But then he thought of the guests inside the inn.

Although there were some detestable men inside, Huck did not want to bring the trouble aimed at him into the inn. It was not because of kindness, but simply because of principles.

People with principles are stubborn.

Clearly, Huck was such a person!

Almost the next moment, Huck made his own plan—

“Hah!”

Shouting loudly, Huck raised the door panel and charged toward the two thieves holding Daggers and Daggers.

As for the remaining two men with crossbows?

Huck did not have time to worry about that!

Whoosh, whoosh!

The sound of arrows breaking the air rang out at this moment, coming much faster and more decisively than Huck had imagined.

“It’s over!”

Huck sighed in his heart. He knew that in order to knock down the two approaching thieves to the ground, he had changed the shield he was previously holding vertically to holding it horizontally. Therefore, although he had protected his chest and head, his legs were exposed while running. Now, the arrows were coming straight for his legs.

Huck did not think his legs could withstand the attack of arrows.

And once he lost his mobility, he would naturally be doomed.

Almost instinctively, Huck slowed down, but the pain did not appear. Instead, two miserable cries came from a distance. After just a quick glance, Huck was overjoyed—he saw that the two thieves with crossbows had arrows stuck in their bodies and had fallen to the ground.

Clearly, someone had helped!

Although he did not know who helped, this was a good thing—

“Damn you! You should taste Huck’s power!”

Huck casually threw the wooden board and, using his left hand, drew the Longsword from his waist, charging toward the remaining two thieves.

However, someone was faster than he was!

Covered in mud, Dean shot out like lightning. The Longsword in his hand moved like Lightning itself, stirring up streaks of fierce wind.

Splat!

One of the thieves had a sword in his throat and immediately fell to the ground, providing Dean with an 【XP+2】 orb; the other one bent down and dodged in that instant.

However, he only dodged Dean’s Longsword and did not dodge Dean’s kick that followed closely behind.

Bang!

With a dull sound, Dean’s boot-clad foot struck the opponent’s face squarely. This thief, with several teeth flying out and a flattened nose, rolled over and fell down.

Afterwards, Dean kicked again.

The tip of his foot kicked firmly and accurately at the back of the opponent’s neck. He needed a survivor, not only to explain to Baron Tier but also to interrogate the opponent’s hiding place in Tier Territory.

As Dean, who was preparing for war, he absolutely would not allow any unknown faction’s stronghold to exist within his field of vision.

“Regiment Commander! Regiment Commander!”

The Militia on horseback arrived after Dean kicked the thief unconscious. The two Militia Captains were even at the front. Upon seeing Dean safe and sound, the two young men couldn’t help but sigh in relief. Then, a wave of admiration arose—what they had just witnessed, dodging arrows, counter-killing enemies, and then rushing to rescue, seemed truly incredible to them. They knew that even with the foreknowledge of an ambush, they had merely just found the target and were preparing to draw their bows and shoot.

But their Regiment Commander had already arrived simultaneously and had eliminated another enemy.

“Cut off the heads of the dead men and put them in your bag of merits!”

Dean shouted loudly. Immediately, the Militia began to drag the Corpses. At this time, Dean turned around and walked toward Huck, his eyes beginning to evaluate this Warrior he absolutely wanted to recruit into his ranks.

Similarly, Huck was also evaluating this young man covered in mud in front of him.

From what the Militia had said, he guessed the other’s identity—the main guest invited by the Baron.

The Acting Regiment Commander of the Ferrchelen Knight Order.

However, Huck was secretly pondering: “Where did this young man come from? He’s so amazing!”