Goblin Dependency

Chapter 976: Chapter 485: Ebbtide Gang_2

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Hogan looked at the little half orc in front of him with a bewildered expression, feeling an invisible anger swirling in his heart.

As a member of the Ebbtide Gang, his main job every day was to collect protection fees near the Wave-breaking Pier.

When he first joined the gang, he thought it was an easy and simple task.

After all, based on Hogan’s previous experience in the small town he lived, he could call a few brothers, act like fierce demons, surround the target, and throw a few harsh words, then the unlucky one would hand over all his money.

How hard could it be.

It wasn’t until the old members of the gang led him on a tour around the pier that Hogan finally realized that this was Suo Yu Bay, not the remote small town with less than a thousand people.

Governor Mansion, Church, and Gulf Chamber of Commerce, any ship flying the flags of these three organizations must be avoided.

Absolutely cannot provoke them!

Otherwise, he feared he could only see the sunrise from the sea bed the next day.

Then, there were those fierce professional adventurers.

Constantly battling life and death with dangerous demons, chopping off one’s head wouldn’t be much harder than killing a chicken; special attention needed to be paid to them, keeping a safe distance and avoiding them.

Luckily, these professional level adventurers were very easy to distinguish, usually carrying excellent weapons and equipment, typically looking down their noses at others, seeing people like bags of Gold Coins.

Just by slightly observing, it’s easy to differentiate them from ordinary people.

Hogan’s real targets were those solitary small traders and fishermen at the harbor.

No wonder Suo Yu Bay’s reputation is so brilliant in the Su Bin Province, even these seemingly penniless lower-class residents have incomes far higher than the affluent families from the little town Hogan previously resided in. Every time he squeezed them dry, the profit would leave Hogan stunned.

Even though most of it had to be handed over to the gang, the small portion that remained was enough for Hogan to live very comfortably.

Currently, it’s Hogan’s ninth day since joining the Ebbtide Gang, and based on the teachings from the older gang members on recognizing targets, he had successfully done several ’transactions.’

Today, while standing near the pier with his brothers, he spotted another target.

A lone, rather clueless-looking half orc without the slightest guard.

Short stature, thin arms and legs that looked more like a child.

Even though the clothes were on point, carrying a lute on his back, and two toy-like little daggers at his waist, suggesting he might be an adventurer.

But Hogan had never seen an adventurer who would squat in front of a fish stall without asking for the price, staring at the fish in a wooden barrel for a full ten minutes.

Even that exceptionally young and tender face had an expression of being completely new to the world, untouched by bullying.

Hogan was almost certain, this is an excellent target to squeeze dry!

And indeed, it seemed that way.

When he led a few brothers and surrounded the half orc, the other party hadn’t even realized what had happened, still holding a honey mandarin handed by the nearby fruit stall owner with a face of innocence.

"Hey, shorty, what’s your name?"

Hogan adopted a fierce look, slightly leaning forward to let his shadow cover the smaller figure, deliberately lowering his tone.

In a normal situation, anyone with a bit of worldly experience, when encountering this sort of thing, should understand what’s happening.

Whether panicked with fear or angry and flustered, there should be some reaction.

But the half orc in front of him didn’t change expression much, and sincerely answered his question:

"My name is Alton, what’s yours?"

Veins throbbed on his temple.

Hogan felt he was insulted.

Swish——

A sharp gleam flashed through the air.

He already drew out the short knife that was issued to him when joining the gang.

"Shorty, can’t you see the situation clearly!?"

"I’m telling you to hand over all the money on you!"

Alton wasn’t actually foolish.

He understood what he was encountering.

In fact, due to his appearance and personality, he had encountered many similar circumstances during his travels.

He had long been accustomed to it.

The fact that he could still stand here comfortably and intact meant that these experiences had never caused him any real harm.

Rather than worrying about how to get away or how to punish this little gangster attempting to rob him, Alton was more curious why they chose to target him at this moment.

With that in mind, he replied:

"Money? How much do you want?"

The half orc’s tone was calm, without any sarcasm.

It seemed as if he’d really dig into his wallet and hand over the money as soon as they named a figure.

But taking into account his surrounded situation and the meaning of his words, to Hogan and his followers it sounded like a fearless, intentional ridicule.

In an instant, anger surged within him, and he gripped the short knife tighter and tighter.

Hogan stared fiercely at the little figure in front of him, noticing the muscles on his cheeks contract and expand due to tightly clenched teeth.

Just when the invisible flame in his heart was burning its fiercest.

Suddenly, a strange chill, carrying the rare biting cold from the Southern Islands, gently brushed against his vulnerable neck exposed from his collar.

Buzz——

The anger that was raging a moment ago was extinguished in an instant.

It was replaced by a void of panic emanating from his body’s survival instincts when danger arrived.

Hogan shuddered involuntarily.

Subconsciously looking up.

What greeted his eyes was a pair of deep, black eyes like mysterious ponds in the dense forest.

Time instantly froze, as if even breathing was forgotten in that moment.

The concentrated aura of professional level adventurers, the killing intent formed by countless souls’ wails beneath the blades.

For someone who had never battled demons, and barely had any real fight experience, only bluffing little gangster like him.

Just one look was enough to make him realize the disparity.

When Hogan snapped back to reality.

The little half orc in front had vanished without a trace. frёewebηovel.cѳm

A tall and a short figure, vanished into the crowd in front.

He could vaguely still hear their conversation.

"This honey mandarin is nice, where’d you get it?"

"From that stall over there, the owner let me have a taste for free!"

"Then that owner is really nice."

"Haha..."

His mind involuntarily recalled the chilling sensation of the cold wind brushing past earlier, subconsciously touching his neck.

Feeling the goosebumps on his fingertips, he swallowed hard.

At this moment, how could he not realize, he might have misjudged it this time.

The little half orc who seemed defenseless to outsiders might actually not be the "fat sheep" he thought, but a legitimate adventurer.

And then appeared, the black-haired youth with sharp features, suspected to be the half orc’s companion...

"Haiya..."

Beside him, a companion trembled and muttered quietly.

Haiya?

Hogan felt this name was vaguely familiar, like he’d heard it somewhere before.

Thinking carefully, suddenly stunned.

Haiya... Horned Shark Gang’s downfall... black hair, black eyes... young... Dual Swords...

"Why didn’t you say it earlier!?"

Hogan complained angrily, towards his companion.

Having no superior-subordinate relationship, hearing his tone, the gangster who recognized Xia Nan’s identity naturally wouldn’t take it lying down, immediately retorting:

"We haven’t heard anything for nearly twenty days, who’d know he’d return today!"

"I meant, how could you pick someone like him? Choosing a professional level adventurer’s partner, we almost got killed because of you, you know!?"

"Why don’t you try picking then! Acting like you weren’t in on it earlier, last night’s drinking money came from squeezing a small trader yesterday, didn’t it?"

"Everyone stop arguing! I think we should go back and ask the Boss what to do, don’t wait until they come looking for us."

"It shouldn’t come to that, we didn’t even..."