How To Suck Honey With Extras [EN]: Chapter 92

92. Greed and Schemes Move in the Night (4)

“……Late.”

Knight Commander Kroll, Marquis Selond’s most trusted knight, leaned back in his chair, eyes closed, uttering only those words.

“No matter how I think about it, the report is late.”

The other knights, mindful of his mood, glanced sideways at each other.

The order Marquis Selond had given them:

To recover the last ‘goods’ and erase all traces of the transaction.

To that end, they had infiltrated Pelpuk this time via a different route than usual.

There was no reason to pretend to be merchants of the Empire as they usually did.

Therefore, instead of contracts and gold coins, they were armed with armor and swords this time, waiting in the darkness.

Hiding and initiating actions were not difficult for them at all.

However, that was only their sentiment from a few hours ago.

“……We haven’t received any contact.”

A knight who had been waiting for news from the first assault squad returned and reported to Kroll, looking embarrassed.

The primary target was the Kalluon Merchant Guild’s branch.

They were involved in this transaction and knew the identity of the goods.

Naturally, they were a target to be eliminated.

The next priority was the Pilleros Merchant Guild.

These were the ones Marquis Selond had personally designated.

Among them was the person who had sold potions to the Duchy.

The plan was to eliminate them all sequentially before the night was over.

But the knights sent first were the ones who hadn’t reported back.

“How long has it been since we sent the first squad?”

He looked at the hourglass placed on the floor.

When that hourglass is turned twelve times, it will be the next day.

It had only been turned once so far.

“Tch, seems like they’re a bunch of fools.”

There was no need to specify who he was referring to.

Something must have happened to the squad that was sent.

“Was there anyone in the Kalluon Merchant Guild capable of defeating the first squad?”

“……At least until the last transaction, we didn’t see anyone like that.”

“The level of mercenaries here couldn’t possibly be our enemy either.”

They had gathered information several times while disguised as ordinary merchants and guarding the transactions.

At least the people in the Kalluon Merchant Guild were just ordinary merchants, combat slaves, and a few hired mercenaries.

They shouldn’t have had particularly strong defenses.

That’s why the first assault squad was sent with the least experienced subordinates.

‘I made a mistake.’

Kroll internally regretted his misjudgment.

Did he underestimate them as mere materialistic merchants?

Or perhaps…….

‘Did Rupel, that old man’s dog, betray us?’

Either way, it was necessary to confirm.

At Kroll’s signal, the fastest subordinate quickly disappeared.

And about ten minutes later, he returned with a deeply troubled expression.

There was no need to hear the report.

“They were defeated?”

“There are no survivors… The bodies of all members of the first squad remained at the scene.”

The air in the place turned cold in an instant.

Anger, shock, and anxiety.

After hearing the report, Kroll was silent for a moment as if thinking, then soon gestured to his subordinate to lead the way.

“I need to check it myself. The warehouse recovery team will move as planned, and the rest will stand by.”

“What about the second squad?”

He asks for instructions regarding the subordinates who are already near the Pilleros Merchant Guild, waiting for the right time to attack.

“Start the operation as planned. But tell them to be cautious.”

Kroll headed directly to the Kalluon Merchant Guild’s building.

He had the subordinates stand by just in case.

If something remained here, it would be easier for him to handle it alone.

As soon as he entered the Kalluon Merchant Guild, he clicked his tongue at the sight of the bodies.

“……Tch.”

He didn’t care about the bodies of the guild members.

They were going to be killed anyway.

The problem was the bodies of his subordinates.

Kroll couldn’t just coldly watch the bodies of the knights who had been brutally defeated.

“Could it be that they were annihilated after fighting with the Kalluon Merchant Guild members?”

“That’s impossible. It was someone else’s doing. Not the Kalluon Merchant Guild members.”

Kroll examined the traces of the battle and came to a conclusion.

“Magic? Or something similar? Water, lightning, fire… and even stones are scattered around. They used all sorts of means.”

As he examined, he felt like clicking his tongue inwardly.

Even a demon wouldn’t torment an enemy with such various means.

And his subordinates were defeated by that.

Kroll suppressed his annoyance and coldly analyzed the situation.

‘Is it the work of a magician?’

But there were no magicians in the Kalluon Merchant Guild.

And he knew the level of magicians they could hire anyway.

Even though his subordinates were pathetic, he didn’t think they would be defeated by some mercenary or a magician rolling around on the streets.

‘Who the hell intervened?’

At least when he was planning the operation, there was no information about anyone capable of this among the people to watch out for.

‘……Tch, I don’t know where he crawled out from, but there’s someone there.’

First, let’s assume the existence of an enemy.

You can tell to some extent by the traces.

There are footprints left where he hid and moved around.

Height is about 170cm [approximately 5’7″], judging from the stride, it’s a male.

And quite young.

His main ability is magic or spiritism.

And he possesses at least Aura Expert mid-to-high level combat power?

Furthermore, the footprints are cut off in the middle.

This means he has a strange means of transportation.

‘He has several means. He’s a talented guy.’

As he came to that conclusion, the subordinate’s face paled instantly.

“……Commander, you’re joking, right?”

“Does this sound like a joke to you after seeing this?”

Only then did the subordinate realize he had said something stupid and straightened his posture again.

“The problem is that he’s not here. It’s been an hour since the battle took place.”

“Could it be that he’s already left the city?”

“That’s unlikely. If that were the case, he wouldn’t have fought. He must have that much ability. ……This has become troublesome.”

What he had tried to quickly finish tonight became a poison in reverse.

He had been completely caught off guard.

‘I misjudged their level.’

Kroll admitted that his thinking was shallow.

There was an enemy that his subordinates couldn’t handle.

He had to deal with that first.

‘Then, first, lure out that obstructionist…….’

As he thought that far, another problem came to his mind.

Come to think of it, a little while ago, he had ordered the remaining troops to stand by, separately from ordering the recovery of the ‘goods.’

And the second squad for dealing with the Pilleros Merchant Guild would also be departing soon.

But now, with the enemy’s location and identity uncertain, moving the subordinates meant…….

‘Damn it…….’

It was probably too late by the time he realized that.

Kroll gritted his teeth and instructed his subordinate, even though he knew it.

“Send someone to the Kalluon Merchant Guild’s warehouse. Just scout it out! And…… re-examine the situation at the Pilleros Merchant Guild as well.”

However, he almost expected the content of the report that would be heard.

Kroll clenched his fist in annoyance.

“And if you find him, be sure to let me know.”

“Does that mean?”

“I’ll take care of it myself.”

Kroll said, glaring sharply in that direction.

* * *

I didn’t take this attack lightly, not even a little bit.

‘I need even a little bit of power to cope.’

The number of enemies is unknown, and judging from the battle a little while ago, it’s at least a group of Aura Experts [individuals skilled in manipulating their life force].

Above all, the leader who brought them must be even stronger.

If I don’t think of proper countermeasures, I’ll be defeated.

‘I need abilities to cope.’

I checked only the latest results of the remaining Influence Points accumulated up to this point.

It’s increased somehow?

As expected, it must be from defeating those tin cans [armored knights] in the battle a little while ago.

Maybe those tin cans are also meant to be mobilized in the war in Volume 4.

‘I need even more points to cope.’

I can’t guarantee how much ability I’ll need.

The more, the better.

Fortunately, there is a useful source of Influence Points.

I hurriedly headed to the Kalluon Merchant Guild’s warehouse, the place I had looked at a little while ago.

Likewise, there were many knights holding out, so I carefully annihilated them.

After confirming that the enemies were annihilated, I smiled slyly as I looked at the means I had come up with to acquire points.

The monsters trapped in cages.

A number that seems to be over a hundred.

These are the ones.

“Come to think of it, you guys were the ones who were used in the war in Volume 4, right?”

One of the ways to get points is to defeat beings with a significant presence in the original work.

If I get rid of these monsters, I’ll get points.

The idea is impromptu, but it will be useful.

Above all, these guys are monsters that will be mobilized on the battlefield in Volume 4.

In other words, they will harm people.

I can’t just leave that alone.

‘Since I’ve already traded a considerable number of monsters…… even if I don’t let them get the ones here, it won’t particularly affect the development.’

Then I’ll just make them my precious points.

“Blame the guys who locked you up in a place like this.”

Greedy humans are the problem.

Even so, I have no intention of showing any mercy.

Fortunately, thanks to being trapped in cages, it seems like it will be over quickly to deal with them all.

“Sprite, Salamander.”

I summoned two low-level spirits of lightning and fire and ordered them to unleash attacks on the cages.

“Burn them all to death.”

A wave of fire and lightning swept through the inside of the warehouse.

Mercilessly burning and eliminating the monsters and the bodies of the knights scattered inside.

As the presence of the monsters decreased, I gained influence.

“Gee, that’s easy.”

A considerable amount is gathering.

That’s enough!

‘First, I’ll get the minimum necessary abilities and then go into the next countermeasure.’

First, I applied for an upgrade to two abilities and successfully achieved the upgrade.

Since I knew that they were a group of melee thugs made up of knights, it was only natural to implement melee countermeasures.

And since there were additional points left, I used them all without hesitation.

Eyes to See the Sword Path.

The name sounds plausible and grand, but if you summarize the effect, it’s just a simple dynamic visual acuity enhancement ability.

It is the most basic quality that warriors who use swords must have, as they can see the trajectory of the opponent’s sword or melee as if catching it with their eyes.

It’s an ability close to talent.

If I have this, the swordsmanship of Expert-level knights will come into view.

‘If it’s me now, I can react immediately as I see it, so I can make good use of it.’

I’ve gotten everything I can get right now.

Just as I was about to be satisfied, a loud noise rang out from inside the warehouse where fire and lightning were raging, and a large shadow jumped towards me.

It’s a monster.

It’s a bear-like creature that looks about 3 meters tall [approximately 10 feet].

“……Oh? Did it escape from that cage? That’s tough.”

It seems that some of the cages melted due to my attack, and it escaped.

The monster rushes towards me as if trying to vent the resentment it had been holding in while being trapped.

“Not a chance.”

I was wondering if I should avoid it, but it didn’t seem like there was a reason to do so.

‘Let’s adapt to the acquired abilities.’

It’s a perfect practice partner.

The monster howls and strikes down with its claws.

As I focus and stare at it, for a moment, it is seen slowly, and it instinctively tells me the point where the claws will strike down.

‘That’s easy.’

I simply received the monster’s forefoot with my hand in the state of activating the armor’s buff.

Then, in an instant, I crushed it with force alone and struck a vital point, throwing the guy back into the flames.

‘Now, all that’s left is to pay back those tin cans.’

What should I do now?

I prioritized.

“I have to save the guys I need to save first. Defeating the enemies is next.”

I immediately headed towards the Pilleros Merchant Guild.

If my prediction is correct, that place will be attacked soon too.

The most precious thing is our allies.

Above all, they are a valuable source of money that I barely managed to gain trust with.

I can’t let them die at the hands of villains.