[You see, these children do not belong anywhere. In the slums, they group together trying to survive as much as they can. If you save them now, there are only three outcomes that are going to happen for them. One is that they will be taken by dark mages for experiments. The other is the same as this, that is, they will be used for rituals.](Elios)
[And lastly, if they survive both, they are going to be forced to barely survive in the cutthroat world where they have nothing to survive on. Until death comes for them.](Elios)
Noah had many questions in his mind regarding that and Elios continued answering them before Noah even asked.
[The corrupt city orphanage doesn't take children from the slums. Being commoners, they have barely any magic so they can't survive as adventurers or war soldiers. The kingdom won't employ them as anything more than slaves, which is actually worse than anything else.](Elios)
[One last way for them to survive is to join the thieves or raiders, through which they would get killed one day or another. And even if they survive, they would only become cruel killer that would do more evil than the ones we stop here.](Elios)
Reading the last message of Elios, Noah sighed before speaking,
'But Elios. They are only children.'(Noah)
[…](Elios)
'Don't worry. We will figure it out, one way or another.'(Noah)
Noah had a kind smile on his face, as he looked at the children in front of him before looking at the dark mages. And then taking out the dagger, he was about to move before he saw the eyes of one of the guys.
'These leechers…'(Noah)
Noah murmured in a slow but serious voice as he was barely able to hold himself from killing those ruffians who were surrounding the children, with one of them eyeing the girl with a dirty look on his face.
"Hey, can I have fun with one of them before we give them?"
The ugly one asked while the other one just sighed before nodding.
"Sure. Just make sure it's quick."
Then he turned to the other side, as if not wanting to see that man have his way with the child.
"Hehe. This is going to be fun."
A cold smile formed on Noah's face as he then took the first step towards the man who was eyeing the girl and…
-Whoosh!
-Slash!
[You have killed a novice Dark Mage!]
[+100 Exp]
[+50 Karma]
His eyes widened at the message, but still he continued hunting as he moved to the other man who was looking away.
Before he could turn and notice his dead partner..
[You have killed a novice Dark Mage!]
[+100 Exp]
[+50 Karma]
[They are all probably under a sleeping curse.](Elios)
Noah nodded before undoing the curse and then immediately replacing the curse with another [Sleep] curse which was milder and would disappear on its own within an hour or so.
He did it to make sure that no one knew it was him who had done this while also making sure that the children sleep peacefully while he carries out the mission.
This group of children didn't have Airen and his group, so there was a possibility that they were still somewhere within this area. He needed to move fast if he wanted to save them.
[You have purchased the Skill: Search(E) for 1200 Karma Points!]
[Search(E)
Effects: Allows the user to identify anything within 50 meters of his surroundings!
Cost: 2MP/Second!]
[Your Side Job Reacts!]
[You have received the skill: Dark Trail!]
[Dark Trail(E)
Effects: Allows the user to find ominous or dark energy/emotions within 50 meters of the user's surroundings!
MP cost: 2MP/Second!]
As soon as Elios bought it, he used it to find out the enemies in his surroundings. Noah saw that there were a total of 12 of them, both inside and outside the building.
But before he could even make a move…
He saw 2 familiar faces running towards these men, furiously charging at them.
One of them was Zero, who simply killed each of them in frenzy that was not present in times when he was with Noah.
The other one was Aisha, who was calmly supporting Zero with her earth magic. She was quite adept at it, as she killed even those who were quiet far away from her with ease.
[Sleep beside the children, Noah. Fast! Pretend to sleep beside them!](Elios)
Under Elios' urge, Noah went and slept at the corner, waiting for the duo to finish all the men outside.
The duo finished the fight pretty fast, killing all the men there before they reached the back where Noah and the children were.
Zero was surprised to see two dead men among them, but he was then taken aback when he saw Noah sleeping among them.
"Elios!"(Zero)
He ran towards Noah and tried waking him up, which he succeeded in one try as Noah opened his eyes and spoke,
"Took your time, didn't you?"(Noah)
Zero flinched at the response before he hugged Noah tightly before letting him go. His relieved smile was soon replaced with anger as he asked,
"Why are you even here? Didn't I ask you to not come to the west side?"(Zero)
"You guys didn't pay for the food… so I just came thinking I can find you both and then go back. I am not exactly rich you know… but one thing led to another…"(Noah)
Noah's voice trailed off, while Zero's eyes widened before realising that he did indeed not pay at the restaurant. Even Aisha seemed to be embarrassed at that realization.
"Forget it. Since you both have already come, let's heal the children and take them back. We will talk after that."(Noah)
Noah returned to his usual demeanour, and began healing the children one by one.
But even though he was seemingly calm on the outside, he was going through a lot of emotions in his mind right now. Especially regarding the rituals and the dark mages.
He should… or perhaps, he MUST talk with Miss Ameliana to let him go in these demon hunts. These bastards are out of their mind sacrificing children as if nothing…