Chapter 872: Chapter 435: Special Approval Officer (Part 2)

"I need to go back to the tavern and explain the situation to the captain and the others first. After all, this was an unplanned accident, and acting alone could lead to unexpected outcomes."

Xia Nan didn’t ask, but she explained of her own accord, as if talking to herself.

To this, Xia Nan offered no opinion, his expression ambiguous.

He naturally didn’t want to get involved in this incident.

Hai Yin was just a trader he had recently met, not even considered a friend; as for the Baron and his daughter, they were mere passing acquaintances, with not even a word exchanged. He had only learned the name "Baron Farrow" through others.

Although the association’s commission of 500 gold for intelligence was quite eye-catching, Xia Nan did need sufficient funds to forge equipment and refurbish the pirate ship. Yet with over three thousand gold coins in savings, he was not in dire straits. The most important thing right now was to wait for Hera to introduce her channels to him, to gain participation in the "Moon Tide Banquet."

Unless there was something more enticing than gold in this "Baron’s Daughter Missing" incident, he mainly maintained a watchful attitude, not recklessly joining.

Thinking thus, Xia Nan kept walking, returning to the Three-legged Sea Dog Tavern with the other person.

But unexpectedly, after walking for only two or three more minutes, several familiar figures suddenly appeared by the street.

Disappearing into the shadows of a side alley amid brief commotion.

His pace halted, eyebrows slightly raised.

...

...

Jerry felt today was quite unlucky. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

He knew he had once been a small-time thug, even having the nickname "Blood-nosed Rat" only because of past difficult experiences, not because of any deeds worth boasting about.

But times have changed.

At present, he was somewhat regarded as a member of the Corner Shark Gang.

Even though he had yet to meet with the brothers within the gang, he had recently taken risks to scout for those gang leaders, earning their promise.

Once this matter was settled, he would truly become a member of the Corner Shark Gang.

No one would dare look down on him!

As for the possibility of being cheated...

On one hand, Jerry didn’t feel that those big shots in the Corner Shark Gang had any need to deceive a small-time thug like him;

On the other hand, if they were indeed deceiving him, they could just kick him aside afterward, so why gift him such a reward item?

Thinking of this, a dreamy smile inadvertently appeared on Jerry’s face as he instinctively reached for his waist.

Feeling the cold, hard touch under his fingers, as if his bright future also converged here.

Unfortunately, though he considered himself a member of the Corner Shark Gang.

The vendors in the Saltwater District seemed not to recognize him.

The "Salmon Roe" and "Sturgeon Roe" Grocery Store in the morning was bad luck on his part—he hadn’t investigated the situation beforehand and didn’t know the shopkeeper had a Professional Level adventurer friend present.

Luckily, he reacted quickly, probably didn’t offend anyone, and slipped away fast.

But the two lackeys following him seemed uncertain about the situation, even after his explanation they were half-believing, half-doubting.

Jerry wanted to find a chance to prove his strength, so as not to be underestimated by others.

Now seemed to be that time.

"Bang!"

The small yet hard fist suddenly slammed into the abdomen, making a dull thud.

"Ah!!!"

The slender middle-aged man screamed in pain, body tilting forward, instinctively struggling, but was pressed against the wall by two large hands, unable to move.

"I beg you, sir, I won’t dare anymore!"

The sound of pleading came from the slender man, Jerry stood his ground.

The knuckles of his right hand still faintly ached, but at this moment he felt nothing.

This never-before-experienced feeling of being above others filled this small-time thug who grew up in the complex alleys of the Saltwater District, as if he was rising to the clouds.

Only now did he have a real sense of rising to prominence.

Tightening his facial muscles to pretend authority, yet the overly excited inner joy made his mouth involuntarily curl into a distorted smirk.

Buzz——

Cold light flickered.

Suddenly, he pulled out a silver-white, eerily-shaped dagger from his waist, seemingly forged from a single piece of steel, short and exquisite.

Stepping forward abruptly.

While signaling his two lackeys to press harder to prevent the man from resisting; he used his index finger to press the blade against the man’s side face.

Deliberately lowering his voice, mimicking those imagined "tough guys" he had seen before.

Gazing into the terrified eyes of the man ahead, moving his face closer.

"You have three days."

"If the safety gold isn’t collected by then..."

Jerry’s right hand exerted a slight force, the sharp tip almost instantly pierced the surface of the man’s cheek.

Bright red, viscous blood slowly dripped from the wound.

Apparently, even Jerry himself didn’t expect the dagger gifted by the Corner Shark Gang to be so sharp, his pupils instinctively shrank as the blood flowed.

But the next second, the terrified wails of the thin man in front and his frantic promises for survival made Jerry feel an indescribable sense of superiority.

As if, at this moment, he had become a big shot able to decide others’ fates effortlessly.

"I... I will definitely deliver!"

"Master... I beg you, please!"

Fortunately, rationality still remained.

Usually, he only engaged in petty theft. When it came to killing, Jerry really didn’t have the courage.

Right now, he was just there to collect the guarantee money, scare the opposition, and gain face in front of his two underlings, which was enough.

"Humph!"

He snorted coldly, moving the small, peculiar dagger away from the man’s face.

Pretending to be coldly detached, he waved at his two large lackeys beside him, signaling them to let go.

"Scram."

The slender middle-aged man almost collapsed onto the ground, gasping heavily, wiping his hand over the aching side of his face, turning half of it blood-red.

Though merely a superficial wound, it looked quite gruesome.

Upon hearing Jerry’s voice, the man dared not turn his head, scrambling away toward the other end of the alley, the direction of the exit.

Watching the pitifully retreating figure, Jerry couldn’t contain his excitement and satisfaction.

A few days ago, who would have thought "Blood-nosed Rat" Jerry would have such a day.

Alongside, his previously repressed heart suddenly relaxed.

"Let’s go!" he waved grandiosely, exhibiting a very spirited manner, "Come drink with me, I’m buying... all on the Corner Shark Gang’s tab!"

Seeing this, although they noticed Jerry’s awkwardness, his two followers cheered in agreement.

Jerry felt content; while they were not paying attention, he turned to wipe the remaining blood from the strange dagger with his shirt with some regret.

Then he turned back, leading the two towards the alley’s street-side exit.

Hoo——

Cold wind blew through the dimly lit narrow alley.

A familiar sense of chill abruptly emerged from his back, causing a sudden shiver, goosebumps forming all over.

Jerry instinctively stopped.

"Sss..."

A terrifying hiss echoed between the walls.

His ankle suddenly felt smooth and cold to the touch, climbing upward.

He could even faintly feel the tiny scales passing over his skin and the movement of muscles beneath.

The whole person seemed frozen, standing still.

Cold sweat broke from his forehead.

Terror-filled eyes stared forward.

There, accompanied by the sound of metal and fabric rubbing and approaching footsteps, in the depths of shadow, two figures emerged gradually.