Nolan walked away from the entrance, his eyes narrowing as he stepped onto the empty road.
"I’m sure that guy was spying on ," he muttered. "He’s probably running off to warn the rchant who sent them. He’ll get there before —he’s fast, like a ninja. But I won’t let that happen."
He snapped his fingers. Instantly, everything froze. The wind halted mid-whisper, the trees stood still, even the birds in the air beca statues. Nolan stepped forward calmly, his boots echoing against the silent ground. He walked past the Adventurer’s Guild, eyes scanning both sides of the street, searching for the place the n described. One of the largest buildings, selling weapons, armor, and ammunitions.
After so ti, he spotted the spy—the sa man who had been watching him. The ninja stood frozen, one foot lifted as if about to enter the rchant’s massive building. Nolan walked right up to him, studying his face, then pulled away the scarf covering it.
"I’ve never seen him before," Nolan thought. "Why is he dressed like a ninja? Should I knock him out? No... he’s about to report what happened to his boss. I’ll step back, let things play out."
Nolan let out a low breath and turned away. He retraced his steps down the street, then snapped his fingers again. Ti roared back to life. The ninja blinked, adjusted his scarf, and frowned.
"What the...? Why’s it loose? I tied this tight," he muttered. "Strange. Whatever. I need to report."
He hurried into the large rchant’s store. Inside, blacksmiths were still hard at work, sparks flying from their forges. The man slipped into a side hallway and entered a grand chamber.
Gold dominated the room. A heavy golden chair sat behind a massive golden table, piles of gold coins stacked carelessly at the side. On the chair sat a short, round man with a massive belly. A golden ring glead on his finger. Two won hovered close—one rubbing his bald head, the other running her hand down his chest. Zari, the rchant, was grinning as he counted his coins.
The ninja bowed his head. His voice trembled. "Sir... those n. The Rank S adventurers you hired. They’ve been defeated. By that man... Nolan."
The smile on Zari’s face shattered. He dropped the coins and stood from his chair, his fat belly shaking as his eyes bulged with rage. He slamd his palm onto the golden table, the sound echoing through the chamber.
"What did you just say? Are you joking with ?!" Zari roared. "I spent a fortune on those n! I paid them in full up front! And now you’re telling that one man... one man destroyed them all?"
"Yes sir, he defeated them so easily. They didn’t even make a single scratch on him. And not only that—it was as if, even if you had sent double the n, the outco wouldn’t have been any different. He’s far too strong. And... it was like he spotted ."
"He spotted you? Did he follow you here?" Zari asked sharply.
"No, he didn’t. He was still talking to them when I leapt away as fast as I could," the man said.
"Good," Zari muttered.
Then ca a loud crash.
It was Nolan.
"Ah, finally. I’m making my grand entrance," Nolan said, after kicking open the massive door that led into the shop.
About twenty workers froze at the sight of him. They weren’t just workers—they were trained fighters. Each grabbed a sword and began advancing toward Nolan.
Nolan smiled.
"Zari, what are you planning to do with that?" he asked.
In a blink, all of them were on the ground. Only one remained standing.
Nolan had moved, striking each man at the neck, then returned to the exact spot where he’d been standing.
The last fighter’s eyes widened.
"What? What just happened? They were all standing one mont... then they fell. But he hasn’t moved! How...?"
He turned—and saw Nolan standing right beside him.
"Wait, weren’t you just in front of ?" he gasped.
Nolan smirked. The man raised his sword, but before he could swing, Nolan’s kick slamd into his face. His head crashed into the wall and stuck there before he slid down unconscious, mouth agape.
"What’s that sound? Who’s there?" Zari muttered from inside his chamber.
He stepped away from his golden table and cautiously opened the door to peek.
The only thing he saw was a boot smashing the door straight into his face.
Zari flew across the floor, coughing as he struggled to his feet.
"Who dares co into my shop?" he barked, brushing dust off his fine clothes.
Then he looked up.
It was Nolan.
"You... What are you doing here? How dare you co here?" Zari shouted.
He turned to the man dressed like a ninja.
"Go! Attack him!" Zari commanded.
But the man didn’t move. He trembled where he stood.
"I said move! Attack him for !" Zari roared.
Still, the man couldn’t move. The mory of Nolan effortlessly defeating seven S-rank adventurers—and himself, an A-rank—froze him in place.
Nolan smiled faintly.
" It looks like you don’t understand the situation. He understands perfectly. That’s why he isn’t moving. He knows he’s the hostage here... not ."
Zari started moving backward slowly. The two ladies in the room turned and ran out screaming. Nolan let them go—he didn’t stop them—then fixed his gaze on Zari.
"What do you want? How dare you co to my shop? I’ll have you arrested. You’re going to jail, I promise you that," Zari spat.
"Nah," Nolan replied coolly. "You’re the one who’s going to prison. Those adventurers you sent to kill will confess. Prepare yourself."
"What do you an? They weren’t there to—" Zari began, eyes darting left and right.
He forced himself to stand and shoved the man nearest him aside. "Get out of my way, you useless fool!" Zari snapped. He lunged to a drawer, yanked out a sword, and pointed it at Nolan. "Stay back," he hissed. "Don’t co closer. You don’t want to use this on you. I’m skilled with a sword."
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