16 All According to the Plan

'Huh?' Albert's expression turned cold when he saw three men stopping him. He thought, 'Is this a robbery or something? This happened as well back on Earth. And if this applies to this world, then the only way I can win against these three guys…'

"Wh-what do you want?!" Albert took a step back and dropped to his butt while raising his voice. "What do all three of you want from me?!"

His face was filled with fear and his voice grabbed everyone's attention.

"Huh?" The three guys were taken aback by the sudden reaction, not understanding why Albert did such a thing.

All the people started looking at them, wondering what had happened. They obviously knew the three guys. On the other hand, some of them were aware of Albert's presence and some of them thought he had just come to this town.

Still, when he acted that scared, they wondered if the new person was doing something bad.

Without them realizing it, there was already a bat in Albert's hand as the latter pointed it at the three thugs.

As if they knew they couldn't do anything to Albert anymore, the middle guy made a small smile and opened his mouth, de-escalating the entire situation.

"We just want to welc—" The guy approached him to show that he meant no harm.

However, Albert swung his bat frantically like a crazy guy while shouting, "Don't come."

He accidentally hit the guy and a loud sound echoed in the street.

Bonk.

[Bonk Complete.]

[EXP+9]

The bat generated force that launched the guy away, stunning everyone on the street. However, when they looked at Albert's frightened expression, it looked like the three guys were threatening him or something.

And this came from the viewers' perspectives. For the other two thugs, seeing their friend blown away angered them.

"You bastard!"

The two charged at him and wanted to beat him up, but Albert hit them again and sent them away.

[Bonk Complete.]

[EXP+8]

[Bonk Complete.]

[EXP+8]

[Level up.]

Mission: Complete Ten Bonks. (10/10)

Reward: Bonkmanship

The mission was finally completed and knowledge started filling his head.

"Kh!" Albert gritted his teeth, dropped his bat, and clutched his head, writhing in pain. He never thought that cramming the knowledge in his head would feel like his brain got microwaved.

"Argh!" Albert was wriggling in pain.

Suddenly, Aran and the other guy who usually took care of the town security came to the scene.

"What happened?!" Aran shouted in anger. He never thought there was still someone foolish enough to create trouble in this town.

The atmosphere became tense as one of them pointed at Albert and the three thugs. "They were fighting apparently. I didn't know how they started…"

When Aran saw Albert rolling around while clutching his head, he trembled as he somehow understood what had happened.

Without hesitation, he approached Albert while trying to calm him down. "Albert! Albert! Hey, Albert! Look at me."

"It hurts." Albert's tone was weak and he was gasping for air.

"Aran. Do you know this guy?" A random person stepped forward and asked a question. "To be honest, the three guys didn't even wield their weapons when the Demon Dog suddenly overreacted and hit these guys."

Aran had a serious expression on his face. His tone became heavy as he said, "I know this guy. He came to this town yesterday. I have checked his background and… It seems he's running away from his abusive household.

"That's why I believe he misunderstood the three guys. Maybe the three guys were threatening him, but I would investigate it later.

"All the explanation I have with this scene is… I believe the trauma in that household was the trigger of this fight. He was just trying to protect himself."

When all the people heard Aran's words, they started whispering to each other.

"I saw them grabbing the Demon Dog's shoulder first and he started panicking and hitting them."

"That's overreacting, no?"

"Overreacting? Have you seen the one who has suffered trauma on a hunt or battlefield? They would become crazy if you triggered their trauma."

"That's right. If the story was true, then the Demon Dog did nothing wrong. Well, just reprimand him or something and tell him not to hit anyone first."

"That's true."

"I will take over this accident." Aran stopped them from talking by raising his voice. "Everyone can continue their day like usual."

After Aran guaranteed peace, they started leaving the scene as one of them asked, "By the way, what is his name, Aran?"

"He is…" Aran looked at Albert with a smile. "Albert."

"Got it. Thanks."

Albert gradually calmed down with all the knowledge he had received earlier. He never thought that Aran misunderstood his action and believed he was traumatized.

Of course, that was his plan all along since he wanted to make them believe he was acting because of the trauma while completing his mission. He would also leave this place without any problems.

He just killed three birds with one stone.

While rolling around, Albert muttered inwardly, 'Heh. In front of the police, you need to have a good act. I have seen all karens doing this to make the other party guilty. Luckily, I know this trick… but still the pain is freaking real and my head feels it's been fried.'

Albert finally stopped moving and began gasping for air as if he was trying to calm down.

"Albert, Albert!"

"Kh!" The one that reacted was not Albert but the three thugs. "Did he just hit us…"

Aran couldn't care less about them and asked Albert, who had calmed down. "Albert. How is your body?"

Albert raised his head, he turned left and right with a blank look. It was at that time, his face became pale as he said to the three guys. "Wawawawa… I am deeply sorry. I didn't mean to hit you guys!"

His expression, tone, and body language were perfect for making it look like it was just an accident.

Even Aran asked his assistant, "Can you bring him somewhere? Maybe to the office next to the gate. I will explain to these three."

He nodded and tried to help Albert leave the scene.

Little did they know, Albert was smiling as he laughed inwardly. 'All according to the plan.'

*******

Author's Note: After contemplating for a few days, I have decided to set the update schedule on 20:00 GMT+8 or 07:00 EST