NOVEL WEB Chapter 4: Oh no, a mugging.
The shadows drew closer, the shapes of the three figures sharpening with each step. Subaru narrowed his eyes, instinctively shifting a little to the side.
They weren't normal pedestrians. That much was obvious.
Even with her… current naivety, Cyn had a gut feeling that stepping back and hiding behind Subaru was a very good idea.
So, that's exactly what she did, taking a few awkward steps back, then peeking out from behind him.
From the fading shadows emerged three figures, rough-looking, mismatched, and unmistakably trouble. They stood there as if posing.
First came a tall, lanky man with a sharp chin and messy hair, grinning. Behind him trailed… a kid? And last, looming over them all, was a beefy brute whose muscles were almost as big as Subaru's delusions. (hey!)
ah crap.
"Look what we've found. Kehkehkeh," the little one muttered, eyes gleaming with mischief.
The lanky man took a step forward, flashing an oily grin at Subaru. "A lone guy and his sister, all by their lonesome. You don't look like you're from around here, are ya?"
"Well~" the short one drawled, snickering, "we could help you out. You give us everything you've got, and we won't hurt ya."
The muscular one cracked his knuckles like thunder. "So hand it over. Otherwise… things get rough."
Of course. The classic isekai welcome. The mandatory mugging event to assert dominance over the weak newbie from another world. Every story had one. It was practically tradition at this point.
He flexed his fingers subtly, eyes narrowing as he mentally plotted it out. Fake a surrender, bait the lanky one in, then sock him right in the jaw. Grab the little one next and use him as a human meat shield against the big guy. Not the most heroic plan, but it's the best he has.
He could do it.
He would do it.
Except…
His eyes flicked to the girl slightly behind him.
Cyn.
She was watching warily from behind, peeking past his shoulder like a kid seeing a horror movie through her fingers. No way to know if she could fight, or even run. Just a poor... perhaps wartorn cyborge girl dragged into this mess. who could barely walk. He couldn't risk her getting caught in the mess.
Damn it.
"...Tch," he muttered under his breath, easing his fists.
Not the time to play cool hero. He had no idea how strong these guys actually were. For all he knew, they could pull out glowing swords, summon magic, or worse, much higher stats.
"Alright," he said, trying not to sound too tense. "Let's not get too excited. No need for things to get rough, right?"
His smile was tight.
"How about we talk this out like civilised peo-"
---
Subaru rolls a Persuasion check.
10 [I've decided, Subaru's suffering will be dictated by my hand and this D20 i own... it should make things more fun for me.]
"FUCK", said the Subaru playing DnD
---
"Outta the way! Move it, move it!"
A blur of motion sliced through the tension before Subaru could finish botching his attempt at Talk no Jutsu.
The muggers turned. Subaru did too.
Skidding into the alley like a whirlwind and - with a whirlwind, mind you. - came a short blonde girl with crimson eyes, her face scrunched in panic. A ragged brown jacket clung desperately to her frame, barely doing its job, and a black band of cloth was tied tightly across her chest, more modesty sash than shirt. Twin daggers bounced at her waist as she darted past, feet light, frame agile. Every inch of her screamed thief.
And every ounce of Subaru screamed
Holy crap, she's cute. But obviously, a gentleman like him did not outwardly voice his inner opinions.
But his thoughts didn't stop the present as the girl dashed forward.
And, of course, she was heading straight towards... or I guess through-
"Watch it!" Subaru yelped, stumbling back as she blew past him, the breeze kicking up his jacket. Cyn blinked, confused.
The girl paused just for a second, glancing back. "Sorry! I told ya to get outta the way! Sorry about your situation, but live strong!"
And then she was gone, vaulting off the walls, kicking off crates, and vanishing above the rooftop like she'd trained in a hidden leaf village.
Woaaah, was that magic? So cool!
Woaaah, was that magic? So cool.
And then reality dropkicked him.
Oh shit.Robbers.Double oh shit.Fantasy robbers with maybe swords and maybe magic.
Subaru turned back to face the trio, face pale, lips twitching into a hopeful smile."So... uh... did that little series of events give you any ideas? Like... maybe you're feeling a bit less hostile now? By any chance?"
There was a pause.
.
.
.
"Actually, it rained on our parade. Made things worse."
Of course it did.
"Give us all your stuff or else, we aren't playing!"
Sad sad Suba-Suba.
He held his hands up halfway, like a man surrendering and also praying to every god in the universe for a miracle.
"H-hey now, there's no need to get violent, right? I mean, come on, think about it logically. I have nothing! I'm literally broke! Like, Kick out the hero's party rock-bottom broke!"
One of the guys stepped forward, slapping a palm with his fist. "Then we'll take your clothes. Maybe sell 'em. Or burn 'em. Depends on how annoying you get."
Subaru's face twitched.
extra sad suba suba.
Good thing Suba Suba had a friend in the form of a... very, very innocent little girl.
Who saw something very interesting.
.
.
.
A/N Are you intrigued by what Cyn shall be doing next? Find out next chapter.
hope you enjoyed reading, and i hope you found my jokes funny.
cause if you dont... well i can't do anything except cry so uh... please dont :(
Now bye bye
See ya!