The clock tower

As soon as Alex stepped out of the dingy inn, Simon and Hack were notified. They immediately took off. Fully armed, they ran out of the Vulture's bar.

Hack disappeared into the dark alleys while Simon whistled. Soon, a great wolf ran in front of him and stood still as he mounted it. After an exciting growl, the wolf ran into the streets, sending the few drifters haywire.

The hunt began.

Darkness enveloped the smuggler's town as the sunset. The roads became deserted except for a few horse carts carrying questionable items.

The night was the domain of the smugglers and criminals. Even the garrison soldiers would not enter without reason.

Alex peered through the darkness as he walked deeper into the Smugglers' town. If not for the Eagle vision, he had to light a candle like other commoners.

From the dingy alleys, he saw homeless and ruffians watching him with either greedy or wary eyes. Alex maintained his distance from these people. As he was feeling edgy, the good news came.

[I found the old Clock Tower, it's in the middle of the town.] said Varis in his head.

[Good.] said Alex, adjusting his direction according to Varis's instructions.

Soon he saw the clock tower, which was four storey high standing like a historical monument. There was still quite a distance to cover, but Alex was in a better mood.

Randal, who was following through the alleys in a zig-zag formation, saw the target move toward the Clock tower. He quickly informed his boss.

Soon, Alex stepped into a wide street. At the street end, he saw the clock tower. The tower built from red stones looked old but was well maintained.

The clock displayed 7:50 on all four sides. Above the clock was a spire, while below were three windows.

As he walked towards the Clock tower, Alex became uneasy. He felt a gaze upon him. The uneasiness increased with every step. When he was halfway through the street, Alex stopped.

He quickly opened his Magic sense, and scanned the surrounding 10-meter radius, and found nothing. Except for a few horse-drawn carts at the end, there was nothing. No homeless. No light from the surroundings. All alone. Yet, he felt a sinister gaze upon him.

[Varis, Is someone following me or hiding here?] asked Alex.

[Everything is clear. There is no one out in the open.] replied Varis.

'If there is no one outside, they must be watching from inside,' thought Alex, as he looked at the surrounding building's windows.

At last, his gaze ended at the Clock tower at the end of the street. Just below the clock, there are three windows covered in darkness. He got goosebumps as he stared at the middle window.

All he can see was darkness, but he trusted his gut feeling and no longer continued on the path.

He searched for a side alley to get away from the street. Just as he turned his head, a green glow caught at the corner of the vision.

All bells rang in his mind.

A shining green arrow came darting towards Alex from the middle window of the clock tower.

'Damn it! Ambush,' Alex cursed in his head.

In the next moment, he triggered his second ability, 'Master of speed.' Alex quickly calculated the route of the fast-approaching green arrow. However, the arrow was too fast, and there was no possibility to dodge.

Alex gritted his teeth and quickly activated the purple wrist guard. A blue shield of mana appeared in front of him. The green arrow collided with the mana shield and burst into sparks. The dark street was illuminated in a green glow for an instant.

[Directions!?] asked Alex.

[Alley at 5' o clock.]

Alex quickly darted back, following Varis's orders.

On the top floor of the clock tower, Simon lowered the bow, exhausted. He induced all of his mana into a single arrow, and yet it was blocked.

Who would have thought the ragged boy would have such a powerful magic tool. Looking at the disappearing figure of Alex, he cursed in anger.

"Quick, chase after him," roared Simon into the communication pearl. Hack and Randal quickly jumped out from their ambush locations and followed Alex.

The great wolf appeared in front of him. He sniffed before growling.

"He is moving southeast," said Simon as he chased after Alex.

Alex rushed into the dark alleys while Varis directed him. He entered tiny alleys, jumped on roofs, entered some old buildings, trying to throw off his three pursuers.

After 5 minutes, he stopped as he threw them off the trail.

[Are they off my trail?] asked Alex with gritted teeth. That bastard Simon, if not for his magic shield, he would have died.

[No, They adjusted their path again and will be there in two minutes.] replied Varis.

'How are they surrounding me, and how the hell are they finding me?' thought Alex.

It's the third time now! Alex escaped from their net twice, but yet they once again are going to surround him. Alex frowned.

'If this was a forest, one can be easily tracked through the crumbled grass, broken plants, and the footprints. However, in this town with cobblestones, it's much more difficult. In modern cities, one can track through surveillance cameras and police dogs. But here...'

"Wolves!" Alex remembered the great grey wolf.

[Observe Simon and Great wolf.] asked Alex. Soon he received the answer.

[Simon is talking into his bracelet with a silver pearl.] said Varis.

Alex nodded. A communication device and a sharp-nosed wolf.

'No wonder they can surround me successfully,' thought Alex.

Now that he knew their tactics, he can also play with them. He removed the cotton shirt from inside his leather armor and searched a place to hide it.

In the distance, he saw a slow-moving horse cart that was driven by a shady character. Alex silently moved closer.

Just as he threw his shirt, he saw the contents in the cart, three wooden coffins with the symbol of a cross and a vulture.

Alex didn't think much and proceeded with his plan. He applied Scent masking powder all over him and hid. The horse cart slowly pulled away while he silently followed it from a distance.

[They are coming.] said Varis.

In few moments, three figures appeared and surrounded the horse cart. Alex's hand slightly shook as he watched the scene.

Simon had a bad feeling as the wolf smelled the two cart drivers and the cart. It quickly growled at the white cotton shirt in the middle of the three coffins. Simon scowled.

The cart driver panicked as well. As a member of the top criminal group in the town, nobody ever messed with the cart.

Just as he wanted to announce his background, he saw the young man on the wolf.

"Young Master?" said the cart driver.

Initially puzzled, Simon noticed the symbol of vultures on the three caskets and quickly realized.

"Oh, you are the mule for today's job, huh. These must be the package from the Black bear tribe. Let me take a look," said Simon, his eyes lighting up.

The Vulture group was a big player in the Smugglers' town. They had connections with top demi-human tribes and received goods every month. Tonight, they received goods from the Black bear tribe.

As the young master of the Vulture group, he can usually pick one or two things. However, he never had the chance to select first. That opportunity goes to his father and other higher-ups.

"It's inappropriate in the middle of the road, young master," said the driver hesitantly.

"Right. You are right. Then let's move to the funeral house," said Simon.

"Sir, we still have to catch the guy Alex," said Randal.

"I know. That guy must have run away. You both quickly go and stake out his hotel. I will come as soon as I take care of this business."

"Yes, young master," said Randal and Hack while cursing his greed in their heart. But they dutifully followed the orders and quickly left.

As the two groups left, Alex came out of the hiding and silently followed Simon.