Chapter 92

When Li Huailin and Jared got out of the car, the bandits were already very close, about 300 meters away from the convoy. The convoy's guards also began to form up in front of the bandits. Since they were originally soldiers, the guards were very familiar with forming up against cavalry and quickly got ready.

A distance of 300 meters was only about 20 seconds for a group of bandits. Soon, the bandits rushed to the front of the convoy but did not attack immediately; instead, they stopped. Li Huailin observed for a moment and saw that about seventy to eighty bandits had rushed over, each riding a horse.

The group split to the sides, and three bandits who looked like leaders stepped forward. These three bandits were in a line, with one in front and two behind. All three were very young. The one in front looked to be around twenty-five or twenty-six years old and was quite handsome, with short golden hair, looking spirited and full of energy. Unlike the other bandits, this guy was wearing chainmail, making him look more like a warrior. Li Huailin saw his name: Gilbert.

To his left was a younger male NPC, probably around Li Huailin's age. He looked quite ordinary, at least compared to the handsome Gilbert. He had short black hair, common on the continent, and was wearing leather armor. The NPC's name was Marvin.

The person behind Gilbert on the right caught Li Huailin's attention. It wasn't for any other reason but because this guy was extremely noticeable. He was tall and muscular, and Li Huailin was worried about the horse he was riding. However, that wasn't the main point; the main point was that this guy had two bull horns on his head.

"Orc?" Li Huailin naturally thought of the six major races in the game setting.

On the side of Light, there were humans, elves, and dwarves. Elves were characterized by their super beautiful (female) or handsome (male) faces and pointed ears. Dwarves, the tragic side of Light, were characterized by their short stature. On the side of Darkness, demons were almost indistinguishable from humans except for their strange red eyes. Orcs, on the male side, were automatically taller and much stronger, but they had additional features like bull horns or wolf ears. Female orcs had no significant changes in their physique but had cute features like rabbit ears or cat ears. Undead, like dwarves, were a tragic race, chosen only by those who had no interest in appearance.

This bandit was clearly an orc NPC, and from the two bull horns, he was likely a minotaur orc. Although this was a normal setting in the game, it was Li Huailin's first time seeing a race other than humans, so he was quite curious. The orc NPC's name was Golem Rihorn, a rather strange name.

"Who is the leader of the convoy in front? Come out!" Gilbert, the leader of the bandits, shouted at Li Huailin and the others.

"I am." Jared stepped forward without hesitation and said to Gilbert, "What is it?"

"I am Gilbert, the leader of the Nazar Bandit Group. This is a robbery. Hand over all the goods, and I can guarantee your safety. Otherwise, don't blame us for being ruthless." Gilbert shouted confidently. As he spoke, the seventy or so bandits behind him raised their weapons and shouted in unison, trying to intimidate the other side.

"Bold bandits, do you know whose goods these are? They belong to Lord Phelmont! Do you dare to challenge Lord Phelmont? Are you not afraid of death?" Jared shouted loudly.

"Lord Phelmont? Who is he?" Gilbert clearly didn't know the name. Marvin, standing beside him, moved slightly forward and whispered a few words in Gilbert's ear, probably introducing Lord Phelmont.

After a moment, Gilbert nodded: "Lord Phelmont? Sounds impressive, but so what? This is the Udesa Province, not the City of Divine Blessing. Here, I, Gilbert, am in charge! I warn you again, leave the goods, and you can go. Otherwise, we won't be lenient. I'll count to ten, and you better answer clearly!"

"Damn, a reckless one." Jared didn't expect the bandits to ignore Lord Phelmont's name. If Lord Phelmont found out, he would definitely order the extermination of the bandits, but how could they inform Lord Phelmont now?

"Ten, nine..." Gilbert had already started counting.

"Everyone, listen up!" Jared said to the group, "You all know whose goods these are. Think about Lord Phelmont's temper. If we fight and win, we can return and receive rewards. If we die in battle, your wives and children won't be implicated. If we hand over the goods, not only will you be executed, but your wives and children will be enslaved. Think about the consequences!"

Everyone's faces changed. They knew Lord Phelmont was capable of such actions. A few members of the merchant group who had considered handing over the goods immediately abandoned that idea and started thinking about how to respond. The guards, being former soldiers, were ready to fight as soon as Jared gave the order.

"Brave warrior, can you fight with us? If we win, I will reward you heavily when I return." Jared turned to Li Huailin and said.

System notification: Leader Jared has issued an A-rank mission, Protect the Convoy. Do you accept?

"No!" Li Huailin refused without hesitation. This merchant group was clearly wealthy, and if they rewarded him with a few gold pieces, the system would deduct it, leaving him with nothing. Besides, it was an A-rank mission, so the experience wouldn't be small. Who would take such a disadvantageous mission?

"Warrior, your life is in danger too. It's better to fight the bandits with us." Seeing Li Huailin refuse, Jared tried to persuade him again. Although he didn't know Li Huailin's strength, having more people meant more fighting power.

"No time, you deal with it yourselves." Li Huailin firmly resisted such a disadvantageous mission. He had been tricked by NPCs too many times recently and needed a break.

"This... sigh..." Jared sighed. He wasn't very close to Li Huailin and couldn't force him, so he turned to the merchant group members and guard soldiers and shouted, "We have no retreat. We must fight to the death! Pick up your weapons, fight! Only through fighting can we return alive!"

"Fight!" Everyone shouted together, even the merchant group members who had little combat ability, just to boost their courage.

"Looks like there's no need to count." Gilbert, of course, had noticed their choice. He waved his hand and said to the bandits behind him, "Brothers, negotiations are over. Prepare for battle!"

"Ooh!" The bandits behind him roared.

"Charge!" Gilbert drew his two-handed sword, spurred his warhorse, and charged first. With his shout, Marvin and Golem Rihorn also drew their weapons and followed behind Gilbert. Behind them were about seventy bandits. Although their shouts were chaotic, their charge was surprisingly orderly, as if they had been trained.

On the other side, there were only twenty guards and a dozen ordinary merchant group members, who had little combat ability, putting them at an absolute disadvantage. The guards had no intention of charging on horseback; instead, they used the wagons and horses as obstacles to form a defensive formation.

Facing the defensive formation, Gilbert, who was leading the charge, had no intention of flanking. He charged straight toward the area with the most people. The guards, seeing Gilbert charge, simultaneously thrust their spears, preparing to impale him.

Unexpectedly, Gilbert pulled the reins and spurred his horse with his feet. The horse neighed and jumped. As the guards stared in shock, Gilbert swung his large sword and stabbed the nearest soldier in the face.

The sound of the sword piercing flesh, the soldier fell instantly, and Gilbert, along with his horse, crashed into the group of guards, opening a bloody path.

"Kill!" Gilbert jumped off his fallen horse, raised his bloodied sword, and shouted.

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