Chapter - 64
"Umm... Excuse ," Rick raised his hand, trying to get everyone's attention politely, like a schoolboy about to speak in class.
Rick understood that he couldn't remain hidden in the bushes any longer. The system had provided him with a compelling incentive to take action. However, he lacked a concrete plan. Right now, his best option was to make good use of the Ero points he had spent earlier.
In the anti, Rick whispered to the Rabbit, making sure only the Rabbit could hear him, "Stay here. I might need your help later."
The Rabbit's ears twitched, reluctant to stay behind. But upon seeing the seriousness on Rick's face, it crouched behind the cover of the bushes, its small nose still twitching with concern.
As Rick stepped out of the bushes, his heart raced, he found himself in a tense situation. Suddenly, nearly a dozen pair of eyes were on him.
The old man's face twisted into a frown upon witnessing Rick's ergence. Suspicion and wariness filled his eyes, clearly displeased with this unexpected developnt. And the old man exchanged a quick glance with one of his henchn.
The old man's henchman, a large and intimidating figure, instinctively reached for the gun holstered at his side. Rick's heart raced as he watched the man's hand inching toward the weapon. He raised his palms in a gesture of peace, attempting to de-escalate the situation.
"Take it easy," Rick said, his voice steady despite the fear bubbling within him. "I was just passing by and heard the commotion going on here"
"Should've kept on passing then," the old man responded with a veiled threat in his tone. "Now, you're about to end up like them – six feet under. Do you understand that? It's nothing personal."
The old man spoke with an unsettling smile as he signaled for his henchman to take action. But Rick quickly interjected, "Hold on a second. Can we talk this through? I said I heard what's going on. I think I might be able to help you, old man."
"Help ? You believe you can help ?" The old man scrutinized Rick with narrowed eyes. "And who are you to interfere in my affairs?"
Rick swallowed nervously but managed to maintain his composure. "I'm just soone passing by who stumbled upon this situation."
"But," Rick continued with determination, " I know what you want, and I believe that violence is not the ans to get that. I prefer finding peaceful solutions."
The old man's interest was piqued, and he signaled to his henchman to stand down. The tension in the air eased slightly, but the situation was still far from resolved.
The old man, his voice both raspy and authoritative, inquired, "You claim you can help? In what way?"
Rick took a deep breath, carefully selecting his words. "Well, it seems like there's a misunderstanding here. You want sothing of this girl, old coo... I an sir," Rick corrected himself quickly, almost calling the old man a "coot." "However, she's clearly unwilling to give it to you. Right? I've grasped the situation."
"Now," Rick proposed, "Instead of resorting to force, why don't I speak with her and see if we can find a solution that works for everyone?"
The old man's already narrow eyes squinted further as he stroked his lengthy, white beard, pondering Rick's proposition. His henchn however, exchanged wary glances, uncertain about the stranger's intentions.
With an unwavering expression, the old man questioned, "Do you truly believe you can get her to agree, boy?"
Rick responded confidently, "We won't know until I try, right?"
"Or I can just kill everyone, including you and get done with it. Wouldn't that be much easy?" A sinister gleam shone in the old man's eyes as he continued to stroke his long, white beard thoughtfully. Now Rick was not hoping for the old man smash his bullshit out of the park like that. He wanted to buy so ti for him to think of a solid plan.
"But wouldn't that be quite boring. You can get anything that way to be honest," Rick tried to bluff.
"You're quite bold, coming forward to diate in this situation. But what's in it for you, young man?" And Rick's bluff actually worked.
Rick carefully considered his reply. For now, he needed to establish trust with the old man, at least temporarily.
"I just want to see a peaceful resolution to this situation," Rick replied. "You see, I have a weak heart. I don't like seeing violence; it makes faint. To avoid that, I think we can find a way for everyone to be satisfied without resorting to violence."
Rick continued, "I understand you have your reasons, sir, but forcing soone into a situation they don't want isn't right. If I can persuade her to agree willingly, wouldn't that be a better solution for everyone?"
The old man chuckled, a sound that sent shivers down Rick's spine. "You're quite naive, aren't you? Well, let's see what you can do."
"But be aware that my patience is limited. Convince her, or there will be consequences."
Rick nodded, appreciative of the opportunity given to him. He approached the girl with asured steps.
"Master..." One of the old man's n attempted to intervene, but the old man silenced them with a gesture.
"No rush... This is quite entertaining," the old man remarked. "She's already in my grasp, and no amount of squirming will change that. So, why not enjoy her desperation?"
anwhile, Rick had moved closer to the girl.
"Miss, I've heard what the old man desires," Rick spoke, making sure his voice carried for all to hear. "He simply wishes to spend so ti with you. Is that really too much to ask?"
"Is it?" Rick turned and cast a disbelieving look at the old man. "I don't think so."
"Shut your nonsense before I end you," the wounded man beside the girl threatened Rick, clearly agitated by his words.
"Oh, the dead weight is still alive and kicking? Good for you," Rick responded with a grin, undaunted by the man's hostile glare. "But it's ti for you to be quiet." Rick swiftly struck the man at the back of his neck.
"You Bast..." The man had no ti to react as Rick unexpectedly struck him. Before he could even raise a hand to defend himself, the blow landed, and it was far from gentle. His eyes rolled back, and he involuntarily spat out a few words before crashing face-first onto the ground. The man lay there motionless, clearly unconscious after just one strike.
Even Rick himself hadn't anticipated that his single blow would have such a dramatic effect. He had initially planned to hit the man a couple of tis, making him play dead temporarily, and then wait for the right mont to strike against the old coot. However, it seed that his first strike had done the trick.
"Hey... You alright?" Rick lightly kicked the man, checking if he was pretending to be unconscious or if he was truly out of commission. But the man remained completely still.
"All he ever did was talk about killing this, killing that... Useless thing who can't even handle a single hit," Rick muttered, his mood souring as he looked down at the incapacitated man.
"Joseph!!" The girl called out in concern, shouting the man's na. She knelt down beside him, visibly worried, and attempted to shake him awake. But Rick intervened, he grabbed her by the arm and made her stand up again.
"If you want to live, just stand here like a doll, and don't move an inch," Rick leaned in close and whispered to the girl who tried her best to get out of his grip.
"Kill !! Just kill !!" The girl scread at Rick, her face contorted with disgust.
'Is she dumb or what? Did she not hear ' Rick thought to himself as she watched the girl blow up.
'But it's not a bad thing,' Rick considered, glancing at the old man from the corner of his eye. The old man might drop his guard around Rick after the girl's outburst. Not that he needed that anymore. Because, Rick had a plan now.
"Girl, are you blind or sothing? How can you ignore such an amazing man and cry over this weakling?" Rick remarked, pulling the girl closer and making her face the old man.
"Look at that old coot. Isn't he just... well, let's ignore his looks for a mont. Great n have always been the ugliest," Rick seed like he was trying to provide reasons for the girl to cozy up to the old man, but it ca across as him mocking the old man.
"Really, girl, you're missing out on the experience of a lifeti," Rick continued, a mischievous glint in his eye. "I an, look at him! That wrinkled skin, those decaying teeth, and that hunchback – it's like a once-in-a-lifeti opportunity to appreciate the beauty in imperfection."
"Check out those teeth! Each one has its own unique tale to tell. Each one of those decaying little things have seen so shit."
"And the way he moves, it's like witnessing a rare dance performance. With those shaking legs, you will have a front-row seat to a waltz of a lifeti."
"And just in case you're not a fan of his looks," Rick quipped, as he continued his bizarre charade, "I can always provide a handy solution – a bag over your head during his... umm... 'performance.'"
He chuckled mockingly and continued, "Oh, and don't worry about the duration either. Word on the street is that he's so fast, you won't even have ti to blink – maybe just half a blink."
"And... Let's be honest, looking at him, I doubt you'll even notice anything down there," Rick said with an exaggerated wink, "But you know what they say, good things co in small packages, right?"
"But jokes aside," Rick continued, "When it cos to... uh, bedroom performance, it's not about the size, but the technique. I'm sure this old man has so... unique thods that'll have you begging for more. Isn't that right, sir?"
The girl was utterly perplexed, torn between her disgust for the old man and her confusion at Rick's strange behavior. Wasn't he on the side of the old man?
anwhile, the old man's face contorted with anger and frustration, his eyes narrowing into dangerous slits. He clenched his gnarled fists as Rick carried on with his bizarre act. His voice, laced with venom, finally pierced through the veil of politeness he had maintained.
"You dare to mock , you bastard?" The old man's voice quivered with anger, but there was an unsettling madness to it.
"Hahaha! Good... Very good, you've got so guts, boy," The old man's voice dripped with a sinister undertone. "But let make sothing clear, boy. I don't appreciate insolence. You may think you're clever, but rember, I can be far more ruthless than you can imagine."
The old man's laughter faded into an eerie calmness. "You might have gained a little ti with your theatrics, but don't believe for a mont that I've changed my mind. The girl stays with , and you can't do shit about it."
Then the old man signaled his n, and three imposing figures advanced with nacing intent.
As Rick, witnessed the n approach, he let go of the girl, his face showing evident worry. He leaned toward her, speaking in a hushed tone filled with genuine concern.
"Be careful," Rick whispered urgently, his voice reflecting his sincere worry, "I'll try to handle them."
Ding!
[Quest: Kill the old man and his minions]
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[A/N: Do vote, leave a comnt, send golden tickets and bring up so gifts.]
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