Chapter 70: Dumb Beyond Belief

Draxel couldn’t let his guard down. Safiya was tending to Lein’s wounds and wasn’t watching, so he had to keep his sword ready and stay vigilant.

“Alright, what’s your name, where are you from? Be specific,” he asked the stranger in front of him.

“My name is Amersd Norlando, but everyone calls me Ammer. I’m from the northern desert, from a giant eagle tribe. I’m the Eagle King of the tribe, so they call me Eagle King Ammer.”

At this moment, the system came online.

[Current Character Status: Eagle King Ammer]

[Level 38, Strength 38, Agility 42, Intelligence 2, Charisma 3, All-Category Weapon Proficiency 260.]

[Skills: Riding 5, Hostage 2]

[System Prompt: Be particularly cautious of this guy. He, like you, can level up and increase his attributes. He’s very special!]

‘If the system says so, he must be my lifelong rival, the main antagonist, right? If I kill him now to prevent future trouble, wouldn’t that be perfect?’

With these thoughts, Draxel realized that this man was too dangerous to be left alive. He needed to kill him after getting the information.

“How many people are in this giant eagle tribe of yours? And earlier, you called out ‘Little M,’ is that the eagle’s name?” Draxel continued to ask.

“Our tribe has about a hundred people, all warriors. If too many die, we recruit more strong men. My eagle’s name is Amersd Derlim. I call it Little M. Actually, everyone calls it that.”

“Does everyone in your tribe have their own eagle?”

“Yes, and in our tribe, everyone is strong and continuously gets stronger.”

‘Damn! So they’re all freaks who can level up and increase their attributes? Killing just him won’t solve anything. If he’s telling the truth, that means there could be over 100 people with battle-ready, flying eagles? So, this continent isn’t just me with a dragon for aerial battles, there are also eagles, griffins, and so on? System, speak up! Am I right in my guess!?’

[System Prompt: No comment. Please continue the game.]

‘Damn it, when I’m looking for Ronnie, you’re full of suggestions. But when I ask something important, you play dumb.’

Frustrated, Draxel continued questioning.

“Ammer, if that’s the case, why didn’t you bring your men to catch me? Why come alone? Aren’t you their leader?”

“Hah, if I bring them, I’d have to share the bounty. If I catch you alone, I keep the 10,000 denars all to myself.”

Ammer’s reply was logical but arrogant.

“Good thing you’re a hothead and came alone. If you had brought your men, maybe I’d be the one surrendering now. So, who put a price on my head?”

“Don’t know.”

“Don’t know? Then how do you plan to collect the money? Are you messing with me?”

“I’ve already collected the money. Our giant eagle tribe has never failed. We always get paid upfront. If I fail, others from the tribe will come to kill you.”

Draxel felt a headache coming on. It seemed like he wouldn’t know who wanted him dead anytime soon.

After a moment, Draxel said, “Alright, I’m done with my questions. Give me a reason not to kill you because if I let you go now, you’ll definitely come back with reinforcements to kill me.”

“You’re right. If you don’t kill me now, I’ll come back with people to cause you trouble.”

Draxel was shocked by Ammer’s response. This guy had no desire to live at all!?

“Ammer, since you put it that way, it looks like you want to die,” Draxel said, preparing to stab him.

“I don’t want to die, wait! How about this? If you let me go, I’ll give you 10,000 denars right now. If you kill me, others will still come after you, and you’ll miss out on the 10,000 denars. Think about it.”

“Why should I think about it? I can kill you and take your 10,000 denars. That’s a win-win. Do you think I’m as dumb as you?”

Ammer laughed. “My money is hidden in a place you’ll never find.”

Draxel laughed too. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll pretend to let you go, take your money, and then kill you?”

“Hmm… I didn’t think of that. Just kill me then. I don’t want to give you the money anymore.”

Draxel was speechless. He finally understood why Ammer’s intelligence was only 2 and his charisma only 3.

At this moment, Lein couldn’t hold back. 

“Roar. Count, I take back all the criticism. Today, I’ve finally seen true stupidity.”

“Hey, Ammer, why do I feel like you’re rubbing my intelligence in the dirt? Are you messing with me? Alright, I promise not to kill you. Give me the 10,000 denars.”

“No way. What if you take the money and then kill me? I don’t trust you.”

“So how can I earn your trust?”

“Count, you have to swear.”

“Fine, I swear. If you give me 10,000 denars, I won’t kill you today. Just today.”

“Alright. The money is in my underwear. Hahaha, as long as I don’t take off my pants, you’ll never find it. Clever, right?”

With that, Ammer took off his pants in front of Safiya and handed Draxel the money bag.

[System Prompt: Congratulations, you now have a total of 26,000 denars. You’ve never seen so much money, have you?]

‘Damn, you call that a place I’d never find? I could have killed you and found it in seconds. No, with this guy’s intelligence at 2, I can’t take anything he says seriously.’

Draxel just felt a headache. If he kept talking to Ammer, he might get dumber himself.

“Alright, Ammer, take your eagle Little M and go. And I promise you, if you come alone to kill me next time, I’ll give you 20,000 denars. You won’t have to share it with your brothers.”

“Really!?” Ammer’s eyes lit up at the mention of so much money.

“Really. I swear, if you come alone next time and beat me, I’ll give you 20,000 denars. No, 40,000. I’ll give you 40,000 denars.”