Chapter 14: The Rescue of Rouge
I thought it would be simple to brainwash the criminals all at once, but reality proved to be far more challenging. I swore I would never attempt to overwrite the effects of the Brainwashing Skill again. I’d rather die than endure that excruciating pain once more.
“What if Rouge has already been taken away while I’m writhing around…?”
I quickly rewrote my skill to Clairvoyance and checked the warehouse again. The number of people was the same as before, but it seemed that three members of the criminal group had gathered around the kidnapped individuals.
If they had any common sense, they wouldn’t harm their merchandise. But if they had any common sense, they wouldn’t even think about engaging in human trafficking in the Kingdom of Reese, where slavery is strictly prohibited.
I needed to hurry.
In the cramped room, using the Fire Skill to subdue nine people would be overkill. I might end up burning down the building along with Rouge.
…Besides, I want to avoid killing anyone.
Human trafficking is a serious crime that guarantees execution if caught, so according to the ethics of this world, it wouldn’t be considered a crime to kill the perpetrators to save the victims. But I don’t have the resolve to take a life. The memories of my previous life linger too strongly, preventing me from shedding those ethical constraints.
I would capture the criminals without killing them, if possible. Given the confined space, I should consider martial arts skills.
…No, six of the nine criminals are acting alone as lookouts. I should start by neutralizing them. I need skills that allow me to approach undetected and incapacitate them.
In that case, I know just the right skill.
“Hugh Pnosis. Your skill is Ninja.”
With a click, something switched in my mind. When I checked my status, the skill had been successfully overwritten.
Hugh Pnosis
Skill: Ninja Lv.Max … Enables all forms of stealth.
A concise yet powerful skill description. Like many occupational skills, Ninja encompasses the benefits of multiple skills.
I approached the warehouse using the Silent Step and Stealth skills to mask my presence, then utilized my enhanced physical abilities to slip through an open window on the second floor. Before the lookout could notice me, I struck him in the solar plexus, knocking him out cold.
That’s one down. Thanks to the enhanced hearing and sense of smell from the Ninja skill, I could easily pinpoint the locations of the remaining criminals.
There were three lookouts left on the second floor, each stationed in separate rooms to diligently perform their duties, their attention focused outside the window. It was easy to sneak up from behind and subdue them.
Now, five remained on the first floor. Three were still near the victims, while the other two were patrolling outside at regular intervals.
I timed my jump from the window perfectly, incapacitating one of the patrolling criminals who happened to be directly below. I waited for the other to approach, then struck him with a palm strike to the chin, knocking him out as well.
The Ninja skill must also provide a boost to my martial arts abilities. Thanks to that, I was smoothly eliminating the criminals.
Now, only three remain.
I re-entered the warehouse through the second-floor window and descended to the first floor. As I approached the room where the victims were gathered, I could hear the voices of the men inside.
“This face is definitely a woman.”
“No way, in this outfit, they look like a man!”
“They might just be pretending to be a man.”
“Why would they go through the trouble of pretending to be a man?”
“I don’t know!”
It seemed they were arguing over whether Rouge was a man or a woman…
Peering into the dimly lit room, I saw two men arguing and another sitting in a chair, sharpening a knife.
Rouge lay on the floor at the feet of the arguing men. My enhanced hearing from the Ninja skill allowed me to detect her breathing. It seemed she was merely asleep. The other victims nearby were in a similar state, likely drugged.
“Shut up already. Just strip them and see for yourself.”
Perhaps tired of the argument, the man sharpening the knife sighed in exasperation and approached Rouge.
Was he planning to cut her clothes off with that knife…?!
“I won’t let that happen…!”
I utilized my enhanced physical abilities to rush in. With all my strength, I kicked the knife-wielding man’s head, sending him flying into the wall, where he crumpled and lay still.
“Wha… who the hell are you?!”
“Where did you come from?!”
The arguing men drew their swords from their sheaths. I threw a nearby vase at them while simultaneously masking my presence and hiding in the shadows.
“What the hell—… he disappeared?!”
“Where did he go?!”
They were adults, after all. Naturally, they possessed skills granted by the gods. It wasn’t surprising that they had combat experience, given they were engaged in such dangerous activities as human trafficking. No matter how powerful the Ninja skill is, facing them head-on could lead to me being caught off guard.
If I could avoid crossing that dangerous bridge, I would prefer to do so.
“Damn it, stop hiding and come out—… gack?!”
I took my chance. After a brief pause to gather my strength, I smoothly slipped into the man’s guard and struck him under the chin with a palm strike.
His eyes rolled back as his body flew through the air, crashing to the floor. The sound drew the attention of the other man, who turned just in time for me to slip into his blind spot and circle behind him.
“What the hell is going on—… ugh?!”
I struck the carotid artery with a knife-hand strike, and the man’s body crumpled lifelessly to the ground.
Is that it…? Just to be sure, I used my enhanced hearing to scan for any remaining presence, but it seemed the entire criminal group was unconscious. There were no signs of any other accomplices.
Confirming my safety, I rushed over to Rouge, who lay on the ground.
“Rouge! Hey, hang in there!”
“Ugh… Where am I…?”
As I cradled her and shook her gently, Rouge slowly opened her eyes, seemingly regaining consciousness.
“Hugh…? Wait, did I fall asleep…?”
“Yeah, you were out cold. Good morning, Rouge.”
“Oh… yeah, good morning, Hugh.”
Rouge still seemed dazed, struggling to grasp the situation as she sleepily replied.
Her carefree response made me chuckle involuntarily.
I was truly relieved that she was safe.