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Kind-hearted people are easily bullied in the East Borough, and it's even more unlikely for gang mbers there to be kind.
So, when Hobert and Xio saw the amiable smile on Darkholm's face, they imdiately knew it was just a facade.
Hobert said to Darkholm, "If you can take us to Zachary, I can promise you that he won't ever interfere with your position as the boss of the Cuckoo Pub again. I believe this is the best deal you can get."
However, Darkholm shook his head and smiled slyly, bargaining, "Esteed sir, I am very loyal to Boss Zachary. Only when I see tangible benefits will I consider betraying him."
Hobert twitched his lips—more money?
He said, "Alright, alright, how about 2 pounds?"
"10 pounds!"
Hobert laughed, "Zachary's life isn't worth that much. 3 pounds!"
"Esteed sir, as a gentleman, you shouldn't argue with soone as lowly as over such a small sum. 8 pounds, no less. Any lower, and my conscience will ache."
"Who told you I was a gentleman? You're the gentleman, your whole family is full of gentlen! 5 pounds, not a penny more." This ti, Hobert was spending his own money, and it wasn't as easy as when he spent the law firm's funds.
Xio looked at Hobert haggling with Darkholm, completely lacking in dignity. Wasn't it said that lawyers were supposed to be rich? Why did this one seem so poor?
Then she rembered—wasn't she also saving up for the potion formula of Sequence 8 "Sheriff"? It seed poverty was a common ailnt among "wild Beyonders."
As Xio pondered, Hobert and Darkholm reached an agreent after so friendly negotiations: for 5 pounds and 10 soli, they would learn Zachary's hiding place, and paynt would be made upon seeing him.
A thin layer of sweat appeared on Darkholm's face. "I've never seen such a shrewd negotiator, sir. I have one small request. You don't have to pay right away, but could you show your wallet to prove you can pay?"
Hobert, growing impatient, pulled out a 5-pound note and a 1-pound note. "Hurry up, or it'll be dark soon."
"As you wish." Seeing the money, Darkholm's amiable smile reappeared on his face. "Please follow ."
He walked ahead, introducing the streets and features of the East Borough while humbly leading the way.
After a few minutes, Darkholm brought them to a small round courtyard.
Several families lived here, and upon seeing Darkholm, they quickly threw down their laundry or half-made matchboxes, ran back to their houses, and shut the doors and windows.
Darkholm's expression changed, and he coldly commanded, "Everyone, co in!"
Outside the courtyard, over a dozen thugs appeared, blocking the entrance.
This courtyard was unusual—the walls were high, and there was only one exit, making it an ideal spot for extortion.
So of the thugs leered at Xio, while others glared nacingly at Hobert, as if trying to intimidate him with their eyes.
Smiling, Darkholm said to Hobert, "Sorry, sir, I expect more compensation. I don't want to get rough with you or the lady. Please hand over all your money and valuables, and leave behind your fine coat, well-made shirt, and leather wallet. To preserve your dignity, we'll leave you your pants."
Hobert instantly realized that Darkholm probably didn't know where Zachary was at all. His earlier act of betraying Zachary was just a ruse to see if Hobert had any cash worth robbing.
After haggling earlier, Darkholm suspected Hobert might be broke, so he made sure to check the wallet.
For most people, this would have been a serious misstep, but Hobert and Xio remained calm.
Hobert handed his cane to Xio. "Miss Xio, I believe you'll need a weapon."
Xio took the cane. "What about you?"
Hobert pulled a revolver from his holster. "Though my shooting isn't great, at this range, I should be able to take down two or three enemies with six bullets. Please buy ti to reload."
As Hobert drew his gun, Darkholm's n began to panic.
As gang mbers, they also had guns, but they hadn't brought them because none of them had a "gun permit." Carrying a gun in broad daylight was like handing themselves over to the police.
The key issue was that Darkholm never expected Hobert to have a gun. This was Backlund—where the wealthier areas had excellent security, and gun permits were hard to acquire. In middle-class neighborhoods like Cherwood and St. George, very few people owned guns.
In the wealthy Empress Borough and West Borough, where nobles and rich folks lived, gun permits were more common. But nobles and wealthy gentlen rarely ventured into the East Borough.
To Darkholm and his crew, their "prey" having a gun was a "black swan event."
"He's only got one gun!" Darkholm quickly recovered. "But he's got dozens of pounds on him, worth more than your lives! Charge him, grab the gun!"
Bang~
Hobert fired a shot, the bullet skimming past the thugs' hair and embedding in the wall. "That was a warning shot. The next one will be aid at your heads!"
Cold sweat coated Hobert's palms—firing at a living person for the first ti made him a little nervous.
Fortunately, the shot completely broke the thugs' morale, and they scrambled out of the courtyard, running as if their lives depended on it.
Darkholm tried to run too, but Xio, wielding the cane, quickly caught up and knocked him to the ground.
The Arbiter Pathway grants outstanding combat ability at Sequence 9, while the Lawyer Sequence 9 only strengthens one's debating skills.
Hobert hurried over, pointing his gun at Darkholm, and suddenly had an idea. "Mr. Darkholm, everything that just happened is evidence of your extortion. I am filing a lawsuit with Miss Xio, the 'Arbiter.' According to criminal law, you could face two to five years in prison. If you disagree, you can have your lawyer contact ."
Darkholm, sitting on the ground with his hands raised, was dumbfounded. "Huh? Huh?"
Xio also looked at Hobert, bewildered by what he was doing.
Hobert continued, "Given the impracticality of formal punishnt, I suggest a simplified resolution: break one of Darkholm's legs. Miss Xio, please make the final judgnt."
Xio thought Hobert's tactic was a form of coercion. "My judgnt is: your resolution is quite precise. Execute it imdiately!"
Hobert took a deep breath, feeling the potion inside him loosen for the first ti.
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