LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 6: The twin horns and bandits II
Hello, everyone! Author here,
I want to sincerely apologize for not uploading any new content for over a week—maybe even longer? Things have been quite hectic lately. First, the New Year's party kept me super busy with all the guests, and I barely had any time to sit down and write. Then, my new semester started, and I had to deal with some issues regarding fees, which took up even more of my time.
On the bright side, I managed to revisit and rewrite a few past mistakes, so there's some progress! I'll do my best to get new chapters out soon, but for now, I hope you enjoy this one.
Thank you so much for your patience and support—it means the world to me. Wishing you all a very Happy New Year! (Even if I'm a bit late—haha!😅😅)
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As Noctis's words linger in the charged air, the once-lively tavern falls eerily silent. Conversations die mid-sentence, and the clinking of mugs ceases as tension blankets the room. All eyes flit uneasily between Noctis and the group of unfamiliar figures who have just stepped inside, their presence unsettling.
Sensing the shift in atmosphere, Helen places a steady, reassuring hand on Noctis's shoulder. Her sharp eyes scan the room with practiced precision, taking note of every exit and potential threat. Her voice is calm but firm as she whispers, "Stay calm, Noctis. We'll handle this."
Across the table, Adam rolls his shoulders, the faint crack of his knuckles echoing in the silence. A fierce grin spreads across his face, his usual cocky bravado laced with an undertone of readiness for a fight. "Well, well," he says, his tone dangerously casual, "looks like we've got some trash to take out."
The apparent leader of the newcomers, a towering man with a face marred by countless scars, locks his gaze onto Noctis. Recognition flares in his cruel eyes, and a twisted, sadistic smile creeps across his lips, sending a chill through the room.
Adam leans subtly toward Helen, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "That's the leader? Doesn't look like much to me."
Helen responds with the faintest nod, her hand instinctively drifting toward her bow. "Don't underestimate him," she murmurs, her tone warning. "He's dangerous. Stay alert."
The scarred man, exuding an air of arrogance, swaggers forward with his gang trailing behind. As they approach, the tavern patrons shrink back into the shadows, their fear palpable. The leader's sneer deepens as he addresses Noctis, his voice dripping with mockery. "Well, well! If it isn't the little hero who couldn't even save his mommy."
Noctis's fists clench under the table, his knuckles whitening as a storm brews in his blazing eyes. "You... you monster..." His voice trembles with suppressed rage, the words escaping through gritted teeth.
Helen steps protectively in front of Noctis, her movements deliberate and precise. Her voice cuts through the tension like ice, each word a warning. "I suggest you leave. Now."
Adam rises from his seat, his imposing figure crackling with the faint glow of magic gathering at his fingertips. His grin remains, but his tone sharpens. "You heard the lady. Scram, unless you're in the mood for things to get messy."
The bandit leader's leer shifts to Helen, his gaze predatory. His hand drifts to the hilt of his weapon as he sneers, "Feisty, aren't you? Maybe I'll take you as a consolation prize."
The tension reaches a breaking point when the tavern door swings open with a loud bang, making everyone's heads snap toward the entrance. Two figures step inside, their commanding presence instantly altering the dynamic in the room.
The first figure is a young woman with long, straight black hair tied in a half-up style, secured with a dark green ribbon. Her sharp red eyes sweep across the room with a cold, calculating intensity, her slim and pale face betraying no emotion. She wears a long, high-collared black top with dark green trimmings, cinched at her waist with a thin brown belt to keep her attire neat and practical. Two long daggers rest on her back, secured by twin belts, with a smaller blade strapped discreetly to her ankle.
Behind her looms a giant of a man, his sheer size commanding attention. His dark, narrow eyes and scruffy black hair give him a rugged appearance, but it's his towering frame—easily over two meters—that silences any doubts about his physical strength.
Noctis recognizes the duo immediately as members of the Twin Horns adventuring party, but his expression remains neutral, his emotions carefully masked behind a practiced poker face.
Jasmine Flamesworth, the woman, steps forward with a commanding presence, her hand resting lightly on one of her daggers. Her voice is calm but carries an edge of authority. "Is there a problem here?" she asks, her sharp gaze flickering between the bandits and Noctis's group.
Durden Walker, the towering man, cracks his massive knuckles, the sound reverberating through the tense silence. His deep, booming voice cuts through the room like thunder. "Looks to me like these gentlemen were just about to leave."
The bandit leader falters, his bravado crumbling under the weight of the newcomers' presence. "We... we were just having a friendly chat," he stammers, raising his hands in mock surrender. "No trouble here."
Hastily, the bandits retreat, pushing past Jasmine and Durden as they flee the tavern. The air grows lighter as the oppressive tension dissipates, and the patrons collectively exhale in relief.
Helen turns to Noctis, her expression softening. "Are you alright?" she asks gently, her voice full of concern.
Noctis nods slowly, though his eyes remain downcast. "I... I'm fine. Thank you," he murmurs, his voice barely above a whisper.
Adam studies Noctis with newfound curiosity, his earlier nonchalance replaced by genuine interest. "So, kid," he says, leaning forward slightly, "anything else you want to tell us about those guys? Now would be the perfect time because it looks like we'll be expecting them again soon enough."
Noctis's fingers trace the edge of the table, his brows furrowing in thought. "Well..." he begins hesitantly, but before he can continue, the tavern door opens once more.
The rest of the Twin Horns step inside, their presence immediately commanding attention.
Angela Rose, a radiant woman with long blonde hair that curls softly at the ends, enters first. Her vibrant green eyes sweep the room, her warm smile fading as she senses the lingering tension. "Oh my, did we miss something?" she asks, her voice light but tinged with concern. Her gaze falls on Noctis, and a playful twinkle returns to her eyes. "And who's this cutie?"
Noctis meets her gaze, his neutral expression unchanging as he replies, "Hi, I'm Noctis Vale."
Angela's playful demeanor shifts as Alice Leywin, a kind, gentle woman with auburn hair and brown eyes, steps forward although she jolted at the mention of Noctis's surname" Vale " but quickly regains her composure. Her maternal instincts kick in as she places a comforting hand on Noctis's head. "That must have been so scary for you, dear," she says softly. "But don't worry, they're gone now."
Reynolds Leywin, a charismatic man with ashy brown hair and deep blue eyes, strokes his chin thoughtfully as he looks at Noctis. A flicker of recognition passes through his features. "By the way, Noctis," he asks carefully, "where are your parents?"
Noctis freezes, his expression clouding over. The question hangs in the air like a weight, pressing down on him.
Helen steps in, her voice gentle but firm. "It's okay, Noctis. They're all friends. You can trust them."
Durden's deep voice rumbles reassuringly as he leans forward, resting his massive hands on the table. "Helen's right. We're all friends here, kid. You can trust us."
After a long pause, Noctis takes a deep, trembling breath. His hands clench into fists under the table as he forces the words out. "My parents... they're gone. Those bandits... they took them from me."
The room falls silent, the weight of his confession sinking in. Jasmine's sharp eyes narrow as she processes the information. "The Crimson Fang bandits," she says, her voice cold and deliberate. "They've been terrorizing the outskirts for months."
Adam straightens, his earlier bravado replaced with genuine concern. "Wait, you're an orphan? And you've been surviving on your own this whole time?"
Noctis looks at Adam with a deadpan expression that screams, Are you serious? but nods anyway. Despite the pain in his voice, there's a hint of pride. "I've been training. I want to become strong enough to..."
"To avenge your parents?" Alice interjects softly, her maternal instincts surfacing again. "Oh, sweetie, that's such a dangerous path."
Reynolds strokes his chin thoughtfully, a plan forming in his mind. "Revenge won't bring them back, Noctis. But if you're serious about getting stronger, maybe we can help."
Angela claps her hands, her earlier cheerfulness returning. "Oh, that's a wonderful idea! We could take him under our wing, teach him a thing or two!"
Helen places a hand on Noctis's shoulder, her expression a mixture of caution and concern. "It's dangerous for him to be an adventurer, but... maybe it's best if we take him with us."
Noctis stares at them, his eyes widen slightly with surprise and confusion, a flicker of vulnerability breaking through. I knew they were good people but this!??....they don't even have any connection to me so why??* "Why would you help me?."
Jasmine studies him intently, her voice uncharacteristically soft. "The boy has potential," she says firmly. "I can sense it. With proper training..."
Durden lets out a booming laugh, his massive hand slapping the table. "Well, looks like we might have a new addition to the Twin Horns! What do you think, Reynolds?"
Reynolds looks around the room, gauging the reactions of his teammates. Finally, his gaze settles on Noctis. "It's a big decision," he says, his voice steady. "We'll need to discuss it as a team. But Noctis... if you're willing to work hard and follow our lead, we just might have a place for you."
Noctis hesitated, his smile hiding the deeper turmoil within. He knew the weight of his decision wasn't just about his own future—it was about protecting the events that would shape the future of the world. In a few years, Arthur Leywin would be born, destined to meet Sylvia and receive the dragon egg that would hatch into Sylvie, the bond that would make him strong enough to face the trials ahead. If Noctis chose to go with the Twin Horns and live among them, his presence might alter the delicate chain of events that needed to unfold. The risk was too great. Yet, as he stood there, torn between his heart and his logic, he couldn't shake the flicker of temptation. "Just for a while," he thought, his resolve wavering. But deep down, he knew the importance of staying away.