Bold Old Men and Shadowy Pursuits ( 633 )

"You chuckled when I got pummeled by three women! That's the highest betrayal in bro code!!" Javier said, tightening the knot.

"I was choking on air!! That was not a laugh!!" the dwarf argued helplessly.

"I saw the smirk!! That smug little smirk under your beard!"

Javier stood proudly, tying the final knot with a flourish. "Heh. Mission complete. Operation Old Man Extraction is a success."

Gumarak, now a neatly bound, rolled slightly on the floor.

"Eeeek!! I'm still not mentally ready!! You don't understand what it's like to be judged by childhood friends with fists!!"

Javier casually dusted his shoulder.

"Let's go, old man. Time to face your true punishment squad."

And with one hand, he dragged Gumarak away like a sack of potatoes, while the dwarf wailed.

NOOOO!!

After hours of full-speed Pekko dash, they arrived at the border between the Beastkin Kingdom and the Dwarven Kingdom.

Javier rode ahead on Buddy.