Our Family Has Fallen

The legend is indeed true, in Hamlet they can find hope.

However, at that moment, a few people suddenly appeared ahead. Although they had no armor and their clothes were somewhat tattered, their expressions were fierce, and that kind of greedy sneer was utterly undisguised.

The burliest one among them wielded a flail and had a pistol tucked at his waist, while the others, varying in height and build, all held a mess of different weapons.

The scavengers also realized something was wrong and wanted to avoid them, but a glance back showed a few people also surrounding them from behind.

This situation almost indicated that their target was none other than them.

"Brother, what do we do?"

They all could not help but look at a particular young man among them, the one who had led them out to make a living, whose sharp mind had won the trust of his peers since childhood.

"We can’t escape, just don’t be afraid later. Anyway, we don’t have any money, so we’re not afraid of a search. If a fight breaks out, just drop our stuff and run separately.

If they want it, give them the bag; it’s not worth much anyway. They definitely won’t bother carrying it back, and when they drop it, we can come back and pick it up later.

Pretend we don’t know, just move along quickly; their target may not necessarily be us, after all, we really don’t have any money."

After recognizing their surroundings, the young man decisively made a decision. He noticed that these people bore no burdens, clearly indicating these guys were only after money. However, their money was all spent on supplies, leaving nothing to find.

As for that ring, it had long been hidden. As long as no one spoke of it, no one would know.

Truly, the young man was exceptionally calm. In such a situation, he could still observe and make judgments, all the while even comforting his companions.

Yet, in truth, he was also very panicked, just used to leading this small group, unwilling to lose face in front of them, thus pretending to be calm.

"Kid, stop right there! Be sensible and hand it over; don’t make me take it myself."

No need for the leader to speak, several sinister-faced followers stepped forward and shouted while toying with their daggers and short swords.

"Here you go." The young man didn’t waste words and handed over the burlap sack directly. This straightforward action left the bandits momentarily stunned but they soon recovered.

"Don’t try to fob me off with this junk." The bandit stepped forward swiftly, pushing aside the sack and raising his short sword to intimidate the young man. "Hurry up and hand over the good stuff!"

The sack, violently pushed aside, fell to one side. The young man, looking at the approaching blade, felt his hair standing on end. His already tense mood was further overshadowed by the mounting pressure, even halting his breath.

Yet, some people are naturally ruthless, the greater the pressure, the calmer they become, their mind functioning like a machine, excluding all other chaotic thoughts.

After merely a second or two of hesitation, he exhaled the held breath again, even raising his hands with a smile, signaling no threat, while he opened his mouth to explain.

"Gentlemen, if we really had money, we wouldn’t be picking up this junk. Honestly, there’s not a copper coin on any of us, you can search us if you don’t believe me.

Besides, it’s only the first day today. Even if we wanted money, we’d have to sell this garbage first, and then we’ll definitely pay respects to you all."

The bandit seemed to understand as well, realizing it was indeed the first day and that these scavengers hadn’t even started. They grasped the core of the problem.

Moreover, the offer of deference gave them enough face, even making that bandit put away his short sword, feeling the young man’s pockets, then dumping the sack’s contents, confirming it was indeed just trash.

"Boss, really nothing."

A little brother reported to the burly man, and the young man, seeing this, couldn’t help but lower his hands and sighed with relief silently.

"Kid, you’ve got guts, but the brothers just got a taste, you surely can’t send us away empty-handed?"

But the bandit leader wouldn’t let it end like this, further pressuring them, his towering figure approaching with intimidation.

The young man had no way out, awkwardly laughing with a reluctant agreement.

"Hehe... Once I sell these things, I’ll definitely buy everyone a drink..."

But somehow, these words seemed to infuriate the leader, who suddenly slapped him.

The young man instantly lost consciousness, feeling as light as if his body ceased to exist. Only the incessant ringing in his ears and the whiteness in his vision made his instincts struggle.

In others’ eyes, the bandit leader merely slapped the young man to the ground, scaring the remaining scavengers into shivering, like little chicks trembling in the cold wind.

Soon after the young man realized his situation, struggling to get up, yet stumbling over again.

This scene elicited mocking laughter from the bandits.

"Hahaha! Now he’s dancing too."

"You brat, how dare you talk to me like that."

"Feeling brave? I’ll make you fly!"

The piercing mockery seemed to echo by the ears, a surge of anger cleared the fog in the young man’s mind, reclaiming control of his body, struggling to look up at the leader and questioning.

"I already gave you the stuff, why hit me?"

"Hahaha!" Without waiting for the leader to speak, his followers burst into arrogant laughter.

"Why? He actually dares to ask why." The leader, seemingly amused, approached and kicked him over again, placing a foot on his head.

"Bargaining with me? Who do you think you are?"

"Where do you get the courage to act so cocky in front of me?"

"Showing off? I’ll show you!"

The leader shouted while continuously kicking the young man, not holding back at all, causing him to cough up blood.

But the young man was resilient, not uttering a single plea or scream, gritting his teeth even as he spat blood.

This situation drove the leader even more insane, but after several kicks, he was out of breath, signaling his companions.

"Get him! Beat him to death for me."

This scene intimidated the other scavengers on the team, who were naïve youths without much social experience, never having encountered such ruthless people in their village.

Without needing a reason, they acted violently, the brutality frightening the others into cowering, looking like quails unable to bear witnessing the fate of their companion, scared of being next.

The leader, glancing at those wretches, felt somewhat satisfied.

As bandits, having to linger nearby long-term, they had to establish authority.

Yet, this kid was so calm, even daring to argue, signaling defiance, which was absolutely unacceptable.

They had to torment and humiliate him, using the boy to completely crush any remaining resistance in the others.

This way, they wouldn’t need to venture into dangerous areas; merely harvesting from these scavengers would allow them to make money and live jovially. That was the life.

However, just then another group appeared nearby, making the bandits nervous suddenly.

Because the passersby were not lone scavengers or adventurers but a well-equipped Mercenary Corps.

These bandits would only bully lone adventurers or scavengers, never daring to show boldness against such a Mercenary Corps.

In contrast, they were very nervous, thinking about what if the other party intervenes?

During this brief pause, the young man managed to recover. He also noticed why those guys stopped, struggling to stand up again, roaring towards his companions.

But it wasn’t a cry for help but told them to run.

"Run! Run separately!"

As he shouted, he ran towards the Mercenary Corps, raising his hands and yelling at the top of his lungs.

"Help! Help!"

"Damn it, catch him." The shout startled the Looters, frantically chasing the young man.

It must be said that Hamlet’s order gave them a strange illusion, making them forget that in other parts of the world, it’s not so reasonable.

Just as the bandit leader had said, this is not Hamlet; this is the true face of this world, cruel and mad, offering only endless despair...