Extra's POV: My Obsessive Villainous Fiancee Is The Game's Final Boss-Chapter 215: Meeting The Gang

The streets of Summerhold were packed, buzzing with the confusion of the proclamations. The citizens were still processing what they'd just heard, and Thorn wanted to be in control of the conclusion they came to.

And so, he walked with an easy swagger, leading the way through the thick crowd, cutting through knots of muttering pedestrians.

Traffic was a bit slow, but it was easier for him to cut through it. And with every step he took, his coat flared around his ankles dramatically.

Behind him, Elias and Valen followed closely, scanning the crowds for any signs of trouble.

"You sure you're ready for this?" Elias asked, a touch of concern in his voice as he pushed through a group of traders arguing over if the King was in the right.

Thorn shot him a grin over his shoulder. "I'm fine enough for this, Eli."

"You sure?" Elias pressed. "You were barely conscious three days ago."

Thorn chuckled, waving a hand carelessly. "Bah. What's life without a little risk?"

Elias groaned. "We're definitely going to get arrested. Or stabbed."

Valen, silent as always, kept close behind, his eyes flickering to every alleyway and rooftop they passed.

Elias eyed Thorn suspiciously. "Do you even know where you're going?"

"Nope!" Thorn said cheerfully.

Elias stumbled a little. "Wait, what?"

Thorn just laughed, hands tucked behind his head. "I don't know where exactly, but I know what to look for."

"And what exactly are we looking for?" Elias asked, exasperated.

Thorn winked. "You'll see."

Without further explanation, he veered suddenly into a narrow, grimy alley that twisted like a snake through the slums.

Elias muttered curses under his breath but followed, Valen slipping in silently behind them.

At the end of the alley, they found a cluster of youngsters, barely into their teens. They were thin, sharp-eyed, and quick-fingered. The kind of kids who could empty a merchant's pockets before he knew he was lighter.

Thorn sauntered forward and, without hesitation, tossed a silver weight to the nearest boy.

The silver coin gleamed as it spun through the air. The kid caught it with reflexes honed by necessity, eyeing Thorn suspiciously.

"I need to meet your boss." Thorn said, voice casual.

The kids exchanged quick, wary glances.

Thorn glanced back at Elias and Valen and grinned, putting a finger to his lips as if to say, don't say anything. Let me handle this.

The boy turned and beckoned them with a jerk of his chin.

They followed the kid through a series of twisting alleys, moving between leaning buildings and dodging drying laundry lines. Thorn whistled a merry tune as they went, as if they weren't walking directly into the den of criminals.

Finally, they came to a wider alleyway that was still far from the actual streets. Here, tall, burly men lounged against the walls or sat sharpening knives. They stiffened as the kid approached, raising eyebrows at the strangers behind him.

The kid scampered up to a rough-looking man with a scar bisecting his lip and muttered something in his ear.

The man barked a short laugh and tossed the boy a few bronze weights. With a grin, the kid pocketed them and ran off, disappearing into the maze of alleys.

The rest of the gang moved quickly, blocking off the alley behind Thorn, Elias, and Valen. They were trapped.

Thorn stopped, still grinning as if they were all at a friendly tavern.

"Beautiful morning, gentlemen." He said, spreading his arms wide. "I'm here to request a meeting with the real boss."

"Don't worry." One of the men snorted. "You'll meet the Creator soon enough."

Chuckles rippled through the group.

"Come on, guys." Thorn tilted his head, amused. "No need for violence. Let's settle this amicably."

The leader of the group, a thickset man with tattoos curling up his neck, bared his teeth in a grin. "And why would we do that?"

Behind Thorn, Elias tensed subtly. Valen remained utterly still.

The leader laughed, clearly entertained by what was happening. "Trying to intimidate us by throwing around fancy words? You think you're clever?"

Thorn sighed dramatically and took a step back. "Valen, try not to break too many bones, will you?"

The gang members roared with laughter.

"You trying to scare us by name-dropping one of Elnoria's legends?" The leader sneered. "Why would Valen the Wanderer be skulking around with you idiots when he could just walk into our boss's court?"

Valen spoke for the first time, his voice low and calm. "He's right."

The gang leader blinked.

"If you had just told me," Valen continued, glancing at Thorn, "I'd have taken you straight to their boss."

Thorn slapped his forehead theatrically. "Damn it. How could I be so stupid? And it would've been more dramatic than this."

The gang roared with laughter again, some jeering.

Then, Valen moved.

Slowly, deliberately, he reached behind his back and unsheathed his twin swords.

The silver gleam of the blades caught the scant light filtering into the alley.

The laughter choked off.

The gang froze.

One of them, an older man with a missing ear, staggered backward, eyes wide in fear.

The recognition hit like a hammer.

The double swords. The emotionless face. The aura of confidence, as if your death was assured.

Valen.

The whispers spread through the gathered thugs.

"It's him."

"The Wanderer."

"The Ghost of the Wastes."

Fear spreaded faster than wildfire.

"F— Forgive us! We didn't recognize you." Some dropped their weapons. Others bowed low, murmuring frantic apologies.

Valen said nothing. He simply sheathed his swords again with slow, graceful movements.

Thorn clapped his hands together, face splitting in a grin. "Good. Now that we're all friends again—"

He pointed at the gang leader.

"Take us to your boss."

The leader didn't argue. He just swallowed hard and nodded.

"This way." He rasped, voice shaking.

The alley opened up again, leading into an underground stairwell hidden behind a broken barrel stack.

As they descended into the gloom, Thorn leaned close to Valen and whispered, "You know, for once, I'm glad you're terrifying to other people."

Valen didn't smile, but there was a faint hint of amusement in his eyes.

Elias just shook his head. "Only you would think using a living legend as a bargaining chip was a casual afternoon plan."

Thorn grinned wider. "And you all love me for it."