In the following days, Slade played the role of the shrewd and ruthless "Abacus Snake," silently aiding the Blood Hand Gang's corrupt activities. He coldly watched the gang's thugs use increasingly cruel methods to collect debts, listening to the victims' agonized cries, his heart as cold as stone.
The road to power was paved with the bodies of the weak.
By night, he trained relentlessly in the woodshed. Through his cheat system, he devoured the knowledge and language of this world, his absorption rate enhanced by the dual methods of reading and analysis.
From the Knight Training Outline, he learned that gaining power required both resources and systematic training.
The path to becoming a knight offered two options: join a noble family as a squire, signing a contract to serve them and gaining access to "breathing techniques" and "combat skills," or attend a "Knight Academy" for formal training.
But attending an academy required vast sums of money, money Slade didn't have. The saying "poor scholars, rich warriors" was no empty phrase, especially in professions that demanded physical training to gain strength.
Becoming a henchman for nobles? That wasn't much different from his current position.
Joining a Knight Academy, however, seemed to be his best chance to escape his lowly fate.
Thus, his goal became increasingly clear: amass wealth, study, train...
And then, find an opportunity to leave the Blood Hand Gang and head to the Knight Academy!
That evening, Slade closed the book The Chronicles of the Kingdom of Hess and rubbed his temples in exhaustion.
After days of intense reading and using the analysis function of his cheat system, Slade's understanding of this world had begun to take shape. The Kingdom of Hess, where he lived, was a relatively weak northern kingdom, plagued by a large number of nobles. It was dominated by knights wielding a mysterious power called "life energy," making them formidable forces on the battlefield.
In his city, Black Swamp City, the most powerful individual was a Grand Knight.
Even more mysterious were the wizards.
Descriptions of wizards in books were vague and filled with both awe and fear.
They were described as having powers beyond mortal comprehension, able to manipulate elements, peer into souls, and even extend their lifespans. They were transcendent beings who resided on the Wizarding Continent.
Even these few details sent a surge of excitement through Slade's chest.
"Wizards..." he murmured, his eyes gleaming with longing.
Compared to knights, wizards were clearly more appealing to Slade.
Knights were little more than muscle-bound brutes; mages were the true masters.
But wizards were elusive and mysterious. How could he ever approach them?
There were rumors circulating in the city about the Wizarding Academy hosting a "Disciple Recruitment Conference" every five years, open to those between the ages of 10 and 15.
Slade was probably around 13 or 14, which meant he met the age requirements.
But... the last "Apprenticeship Ceremony" had just taken place the previous year, and the next one wouldn't be held for another four years. By then, Slade would be 17 or 18, too old to qualify!
For a moment, Slade was left feeling hopeless.
Well, he could try to join the Knight Academy first. Once he had more experience and exposure to the world, maybe he'd find a way to connect with the wizards.
Just then, the sounds of raised voices interrupted his thoughts. It was One-Eyed Wolf and the vice-leader, "Ghost Fox," arguing.
Being in the same gang, Slade inevitably had to deal with Ghost Fox, the vice-leader.
He was a true fox, not physically strong, but cunning and full of tricks.
Ghost Fox controlled all the gang's black market operations, reaping considerable profits.
Slade had crossed paths with him on his first day in the gang, and the two had clashed since then, especially when Slade had been reviewing the accounts at various businesses.
"Jack! Are you going to back this unknown brat over me?!" Ghost Fox's voice was sharp with exasperation.
"Touch you? I'm cleaning house!" One-Eyed Wolf's deep voice boomed. "The ledgers are crystal clear! Four hundred gold coins are missing! Do you think I'm blind?!"
"That's slander! It's that little bastard's doing!" Ghost Fox retorted angrily.
"I've risked my life for this gang for years, and you think you can just get rid of me like that? Ask the brothers if they'll let you!" Ghost Fox's voice dripped with venom.
Several gang members responded, clearly loyal to Ghost Fox, which only fueled the tension in the room.
One-Eyed Wolf's face darkened as he glanced at each of them, and one by one, the gang members lowered their heads.
"Enough. Go. Don't come back."
One-Eyed Wolf sighed, clearly struggling with the decision. He couldn't bring himself to remove Ghost Fox immediately. The two had fought side by side for years, and there was still a bond between them.
If he tried to forcibly take down Ghost Fox now, it would likely cause a violent split in the gang. Infighting could bring the entire Blood Hand Gang to ruin.
With a cold snort, Ghost Fox left, accompanied by his followers, his mind already plotting his eventual return.
…
Slade watched the confrontation unfold through the crack in the woodshed door.
This conflict was something he had anticipated, and, in fact, he had orchestrated it.
His carefully "organized" account book had acted as a spark, igniting One-Eyed Wolf's long-held anger toward Ghost Fox's embezzlement.
That night, after finishing his business in the outhouse, Slade was cornered in a narrow alley leading back to the woodshed.
Two of Ghost Fox's henchmen appeared, menacingly approaching him with gleaming daggers in hand.
"Kid, you've been too clever for your own good!" one of them spat, raising his knife to strike.
Slade's heart raced. He hadn't expected Ghost Fox to be so bold, especially in the gang's own territory. Didn't he fear One-Eyed Wolf would retaliate in fury?
But now that they were outside the gang's inner circle, they probably felt emboldened.
His woodshed was far from the main quarters, and by the time anyone arrived, it might already be too late.
As the assassin lunged, Slade hurled his paper ledger at his attacker's face and rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the dagger's strike.
"Skinny Monkey!! Help me!!" Slade shouted, hoping for a miracle.
Skinny Monkey, who had been inside the woodshed, hesitated for a moment when he heard the commotion outside. Then, gripping his short stick, he rushed to Slade's aid.
He had been tasked by One-Eyed Wolf to ensure Slade's safety, and now that duty was being tested.
It was two against two, but Slade's side was clearly at a disadvantage.
Skinny Monkey could barely handle one of the thugs, and Slade, still not fully accustomed to his body, was much slower and weaker than these desperate attackers.
One thug charged at Skinny Monkey, while the other lunged at Slade, eager for a quick kill.
Just as the dagger neared Slade's abdomen, a cold glint flashed in his eyes. Instead of retreating, he charged forward, closing the distance in an instant.
In his right hand, he gripped a sharp charcoal pencil. With all his strength, he drove it deep into the assailant's armpit, aiming for the knife-wielding arm.
From now on, he would never be unarmed!
"Ahh!!"
The assailant screamed in pain, releasing his grip on the dagger. It clattered to the ground.
Without hesitation, Slade kicked the attacker in the groin, then yanked Skinny Monkey to his feet.
"Let's go!" he shouted.
The two of them bolted toward the members' quarters, only to be met by a group of guards who had rushed over after hearing the noise.
The guards immediately pursued the assailants, while Slade, pulling Skinny Monkey along, led the way to the gang leader's room.
Slade's arm had been slashed by a dagger, blood flowing freely from the wound.
Ignoring the pain, he demanded someone wake One-Eyed Wolf.
The gang leader, clearly disturbed from sleep, awoke with a murderous aura.
"Boss! Ghost Fox sent men to kill me!" Slade shouted, tearing open his sleeve to show the bleeding wound. His voice was filled with panic and lingering fear.
One-Eyed Wolf's eyes locked onto Slade's wound, then shifted to Skinny Monkey, panting beside him. The murderous intent in his gaze deepened.
"Wake up all the brothers! Grab your weapons! We're cleaning house tonight!" he barked.
A sinister smile crept onto One-Eyed Wolf's face as he prepared for action.
"Ghost Fox, do you really think I'm just a powerless gang leader?"