Roaring Heroes Battle the Overlord (Ainz)

Chapter 116: Ten Thousand Gold Coins

The two adventurers were discussing their next move when two figures approached from a distance.

Dressed in leather gloves, earmuffs, gray felt hats, sheepskin coats, ice picks, enchanted crossbows, and iron-bone spears, they were the true winter huntsmen.

The two false winter huntsmen, empty-handed, felt a wave of nervousness. If they were discovered, they'd have to kill and dispose of the bodies, something EeDeChi wasn't willing to do.

Barrett tossed a linen cloth to EeDeChi, signaling her to wrap herself in it, covering her hair and face. The two sat across from each other by the fire, hoping the passing winter huntsmen would just move along.

But to their surprise, the two winter huntsmen headed straight toward them. The winter huntsmen looked young, their faces unscarred by time or the claws of beasts.

One of the winter huntsmen, tall and thin, squatted down by the campfire and casually said, "Hey, buddy, get the fire going."

The other winter huntsman, equally casual, pulled out a pipe, held it over the fire, and took a deep, satisfying drag, exhaling a cloud of smoke. The scent of tobacco immediately wafted into Barrett's nostrils. They looked so at ease, it was as if the fire was burning just for them.

Barrett and EeDeChi exchanged a confused glance. They couldn't tell if these winter huntsmen were too full of themselves or if they simply didn't take them seriously.

"Bro," the tall, thin winter huntsman noticed Barrett's clothes drying by the fire. "What are you doing here, did you fall into the lake?"

Barrett quietly removed his spatial ring and played along with the conversation, "Ah, don't even mention it. I'm a hunter too. I was being chased by a pack of winter wolves, jumped into the river to escape, and all my gear got washed away in the current."

The spatial rings were no ordinary items. Only nobles, mages, and top-tier adventurers had the wealth and means to possess them. Both EeDeChi and Barrett's spatial rings had been gifts from Emperor Baharuth and the local lord. An ordinary winter huntsman would have to sell themselves just to afford half a spatial ring.

"You're pretty brave," the tall winter huntsman slapped Barrett on the shoulder, then suddenly raised his fist, his expression turning dark. "Can I punch your friend?"

"Huh?" The sudden change in tone caught Barrett off guard. He pointed to EeDeChi, who had her head wrapped up. "You want to punch my friend? Why?"

"I don't know why, I don't even know him," the tall winter huntsman cracked his knuckles. "I just don't like the look of him. I want to punch him in the face."

The other winter huntsman, who had been smoking his pipe, stood up and glared at EeDeChi, who was wrapped in cloth. "I'd like to give him a beating too," he snarled.

Both winter huntsmen assumed EeDeChi was male, and it seemed they hadn't noticed her true identity.

Barrett couldn't help but wonder if their brains had frozen or if this was just some street thug tactic. Then it clicked—EeDeChi had mentioned that her "Favorability Level" had dropped by 66%.

He looked at EeDeChi, his eyes questioning, "Is it a problem with the Favorability Level?"

EeDeChi nodded silently.

The two winter huntsmen, looking more and more menacing, began to approach EeDeChi. Before things escalated, Barrett quickly stepped in to stop them. "Let's talk this out."

"You're gonna protect your friend?" The tall winter huntsman glared at Barrett, his eyes filled with malice. It seemed like the next words out of his mouth would be, "Then I'll beat you up too."