Surrounded

As usual, Ryan approached the bartender, who immediately recognized him and directed him to a room on the first floor. Upon entering, a waiter followed shortly after to receive him.

"Hello, sir. Here's the catalog. Would you like to order anything else?"

"Yes, I had placed an order for some supplies. I'd like to collect them now," Ryan replied.

"Of course, sir. We remember our customers and their previous orders. Your supplies will be brought in shortly."

With that, the waiter left the room.

While waiting, Ryan casually flipped through the catalog to check for new targets. He noticed an exceptionally high bounty being offered for specific information—details about the knight involved in the recent conflict near the slums.The conflict that happened with gang owning guns and presence of a knights too.The task required intel on who the knight was and how they obtained firearms, their motivations, and any known connections. The reward ranged from a minimum of 50 silver coins to an undisclosed maximum, depending on the value of the information provided.

Ryan was surprised by the sum being offered. He quickly deduced that this request must have come from the Viscount. No one else in Pearl City would be concerned enough about an unidentified knight to pay such a high price for intel. As he examined the portrait of the knight in the catalog, the waiter returned with his supplies.

"Sir, here are your items. Please inspect them and confirm that everything is in order before signing here. Once signed, we do not accept returns or take responsibility for the goods," the waiter stated.

Ryan smirked. No after-sales service, huh? Their customer support needs improvement, he thought to himself.

He had brought a bag along to carry his supplies back home. Carefully, he examined each item. The daggers fit well in his hands. The metal forearm guards, while not fully metal, had a sturdy plate on top, which explained their affordability. The crossbow looked old and worn but functional, and it came with five additional arrows. There was also a small bottle of venom, painkillers, anesthetic, and a few bandages.

Satisfied, Ryan gave the waiter a nod, signed the paper, and packed everything into his bag.

---

After finishing the transaction, Ryan left the pub and headed back to his rented home. On the way, he made several purchase at different shops, purchasing a black shirt, black pants, black boots, and a black hat.

As he approached his residence and started climbing the stairs, he spotted Bell stepping out of the house. She noticed him as well and walked over.

"Hello, Ryan. Where are you coming from?" she asked.

Caught slightly off guard, Ryan responded, "Oh, I just went out to buy some clothes."

"You should have called me! I know some good shops that offer discounts to their regular customers. I could've helped you find something fashionable at a better price," she said with a pout.

Ryan chuckled. "My bad, I didn't know. Next time, I'll be sure to ask you, and we can shop together."

He wanted to end the conversation quickly so he could secure his supplies inside before anything unexpected happened. But Bell wasn't letting him go so easily.

"Actually, Ryan, Why wait for the next time, we can go now as I was about to head out to buy a few things. Want to come with me?" she asked cheerfully.

Ryan hesitated, wanting to decline. However, he remembered the small favors Bell and Mrs. Prim had done for him, so he decided to agree.

"Sure, why not? Just give me a minute to put my things away. I'll be right back," he said.

Bell nodded, and Ryan breathed a sigh of relief.

He quickly went upstairs and entered his home. Having previously scouted the place, he had found a hidden spot in the bathroom—a small hole in the wall covered by loose bricks and clothes. He stashed the bag inside, carefully covered it up again, then took one of the daggers, tying it securely to his forearm with a cloth rope. After slipping on a long-sleeved shirt to conceal it, he hurried back downstairs.

Seeing Bell's impatient expression, he was about to apologize when she spoke first.

"Ryan, where have you been? It's been more than five minutes—you're late!"

"Sorry, sorry," Ryan said, raising his hands in surrender. "I was just changing into something nice. After all, I can't go out with a beautiful girl looking like a mess, can I?"

Bell's face turned slightly pink, and she shyly smiled before forgiving him.

"Alright, let's go. It's getting late."

"So, where exactly are we headed?"

"I just need to pick up some household supplies. We'll walk around a bit too," Bell replied.

"Sounds good. Let's move."

---

They spent the next twenty minutes walking through the market as Bell enthusiastically chatted about the neighborhood and her childhood, how she grew up here while Ryan carried the bags, occasionally adding a few words to the conversation. It was a pleasant evening stroll, and Bell's cheerful presence made it even better.

As they made their way home, passing through a quieter street, Ryan noticed four men sitting together, talking while occasionally glancing in their direction. Their expressions and body language were anything but friendly.

Ryan immediately recognized them as members of the Mad Dogs Gang—a group known for stirring up trouble in this neighborhood. Bell noticed them too, and without saying a word, both she and Ryan quickened their pace.

However, the four men suddenly stood up and started following them. Within moments, they broke into a run, surrounding Ryan and Bell.

Ryan clenched his jaw. Even if he wanted to escape, he couldn't just leave Bell behind. He knew they probably wouldn't harm her, but abandoning her wasn't something he could bring himself to do.

And so, as the four thugs closed in, Ryan prepared himself for what was about to come.

Looking at the situation, a fight would be inevitable as they don't want to reason with us. And they way they look towards Ryan, it can be seen Ryan is their clear target.