Chapter 145: Storming the Thieves’ Hideout

The strange atmosphere around us must have been spreading. Not a single person was out on the roads surrounding this house at all. The neighboring houses were also on high alert — their windows and curtains were tightly shut, and no light leaked out. In the pitch-black darkness, only this thieves’ hideout glowed brightly. Yet our group was wrapped in tension that almost hurt. Still, the people inside the house hadn’t noticed us yet and were carrying on with their loud party.

Light rain began to patter down. Just like Lily’s weather forecast.This might make the ground slippery. I hope it doesn’t get any heavier.

The team members received shields from the man who had marked us earlier. The marked man probably had both mana marking and a magic bag. How enviable. He then vanished again. Was that just a demonstration for us, or was he showing that we also had skilled personnel?

At Captain Howe’s signal, four or five men moved toward the back of the house. They had said they would block the rear exit, but what were they going to do? Were they going to use some kind of magic to seal it?

The front-line team raised their shields and advanced silently toward the front door of the house. When they reached the entrance, they all drew their swords at once. We stepped back slightly and followed, also drawing our swords.

Someone knocked and shouted,

"Express delivery!!"

Of course not. Instead, the door was kicked down with a DOOOON!! and we burst inside without a word.

"What the hell are you people doing—?!"

A furious shout came from inside, followed by a woman’s scream,

"Kyaaaaaaa—!!"

"Enemies—!! They’re attacking!!"

The voices inside the house were panicked, but they were slow and meaningless. Right after that, the lights inside the house went out.

"Kya—!"

A woman’s scream came from somewhere. They’re all going to be killed. If I got ’Charm Technique’ at the moment of her death, what could I do with it? If I turned into a huge thing, it would be useful as a host club worker, right?

The noise and shouting were loud enough that the curtains of the houses on both sides of the thieves’ hideout had been slightly pulled open. People were peeking out, wondering what was happening. Please look this way.We’re about to exterminate this place.One more favor with the curtains and I’ll be grateful.There are already more viewers on the second floor of the surrounding houses.Even weak light is enough.

GASHAAAN!!

A man with his upper body bare jumped out of the hideout’s window, holding a sword in one hand.

"Call for reinforcements—!!"

Someone shouted from inside. He looked around quickly and ran straight toward us. He saw our group, froze for a moment, then assumed the three slender people in front of him were easy prey. He raised his sword and shouted,

"Get out of the way—!!"

Right as he swung, Lily stepped in at lightning speed and slashed upward from his belly. Blood sprayed beautifully in the night air. The man didn’t even realize he had been cut before his vision tilted.

"What...?"

He collapsed.

"Amazing!" Stevie exclaimed. I was just as surprised as she was, but I couldn’t voice it. I didn’t have time. Three more men leaped out of the window after him.

"Let’s go!"

"Hyah!"

Stevie followed my voice and stepped toward the men. All three were shirtless, wearing only underwear. I can see their crotches. I really wanted to cut them off. What exactly was happening inside the house? If my expectations were right, naked women should have come out.

They charged at us one by one. The men were bigger than me. Why do they always raise their swords when they attack?

I stepped in front of one man’s feet while slowly circling my sword. His eyes widened in shock. Sorry, but you’re dead now. I didn’t feel like anything would enter me from these guys, though. I slowly spun my sword and sliced across his belly. The sword slid in perfectly. For an instant I saw white flesh, then blood sprayed out. It was so fast I almost couldn’t see it — but it looked like slow motion right in front of my eyes. I sliced through and walked forward, listening to the man’s belated scream.

I glanced sideways. Stevie had already cut both of the other men’s arms off, though not completely severed. She slashed them like tracing the bones and then kicked them down.

Stevie, if you’re going to cut, please at least finish them with a finishing blow.

The ambush seemed to be going well — I couldn’t see from outside. I wanted to charge in, but that would be suicide. If I did that, I’d never be called again. Sounds of things breaking, angry shouts, and screams were coming from inside the house.

DOOOON!!

A man jumped out of the window, but it wasn’t a controlled jump — he was thrown and tumbled across the ground, hitting the wall and stopping. Light was glowing on his arm. He’s an ally. I rushed over, but he didn’t move. This is hopeless. But—

"Lily! Stevie! Look at this person!"

Lily and Stevie came running. Lily looked at him once and said flatly,

"He’s dead."

I thought the same.

A heavy thud came from behind. I turned around. A giant man about two meters tall, shirtless, stood there holding a huge sword. The hideout was on fire, so light leaked out. His face was pure evil — the classic villain face. In the dark it was hard to tell, but I doubted he had a kind face.

"An ogre?"

Lily answered calmly,

"What is that?"

Thanks, that’s helpful. Let’s just call this guy "Ogre" for now.

"GRAAAAAHHH!!"

The ogre roared toward the sky. Hey, your skin color isn’t changing. Are you spitting smoke? What the heck? You look like a drawn-up demon!

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