Chapter – 10
Performing with His Life
In his original world, Lynn had never even killed a chicken.
After coming to this world, it wasn’t about him killing othersâit was about him living in constant fear of being killed.
Now they wanted him to execute someone?
Lynn was inwardly terrified, but he had to hide his grimace.
Alger and Bennett were watching!
He could only pick up the short knife from the table first.
While Lynn hid his helplessness and fear, the Lena beside him hid her killing intent.
Following the guard to the scene, he saw a human slave tightly bound to a wooden stake.
This was the one who had tried to escape but was recaptured.
The very human slave Lynn was supposed to execute.
Under the herding of a squad of Goblin guards, the other slaves filed out of the cave to watch the execution.
Alger’s meaning was clear:
He wanted Lynn to execute the escapee to make an example of him.
Looking at the bound young man, Lynn was reminded of himself from the day before.
He had been tied up just like that, nearly having his heart and liver gouged out by the Goblins.
Fortunately, Lynn had been quick-witted enough to show his value and escape that fate.
And this bound, brown-haired young man, pale-faced and utterly terrified right nowâhe couldn’t even stammer out a plea for mercy. How could he save himself?
To protect himself, Lynn would certainly kill if it came down to it.
But since it hadn’t come to that yet, he resolved to try to save him!
With that thought, Lynn began his performance…
“Goddammit!” Lynn stormed up, cursing angrily, “So you’re the little bastard who tried to escape?!”
He charged to the stake, face twisted in a ferocious, devouring expression:
“Serving Lord Galron is our blessing!
You bastard, you don’t know when you’re well off?!”
Lynn raised the short knife.
Everyone, including Lena, thought Lynn was about to bring the knife down and chop the bound slave in one swift blowâwhen Lynn deliberately shouted:
“What?!”
He pretended to lean his ear in:
“You’re saying… you’re a craftsman from the town?! A craftsman who knows how to make bows?!”
The bound man instantly understoodâLynn was trying to save him!
“Yes, yes, yes!” he stammered back, “I’m a craftsman, I can assist you, I’ll never dare to run again, I’ll do my utmost to serve Lord Galron! Long live the great Lord Galron!”
He’s a sharp kid… Lynn thought to himself. However, the act had to continueâAlger, Bennett, and the other monsters were all watching.
“You say you’re a craftsman, and you expect me to believe that?
Trying to play me even at death’s door?!
Watch me split you in half!”
“No!âSir,” the other man knew exactly what to do next without Lynn’s prompting. He turned to look at the other slaves: “Chrisman, Derick, Hall… the three of them, and the others too, can all vouch that I’m a craftsman!”
Among the crowd, Chrisman, Derick, Hall, and the others instantly understood and immediately cooperated:
“That’s right, Brady really is a craftsman!”
“Brady is the best craftsman in our village!”
“The bows he makes can sell for over a dozen silver coins!”
“Please, sirs, spare his life! We will wholeheartedly serve Lord Galron!”
“…”
“What’s all the ruckus?!” Lynn “exploded in rage.”
This was about enough acting.
Lynn turned and went back to Alger, putting on a troubled look:
“Brother Jie, this kid knows how to make bowsâhe’s really useful to me.
With things as they are and we need people, how about we let him live for now?”
After saying that, even Lynn felt uneasy inside.
Would the cunning Goblin Alger believe him?
Had the Lizardman Bennett noticed that these humans were just putting on an act for him?
Bennett said nothing, and Alger’s green face was expressionless. Lynn was extremely anxious.
What if these two didn’t believe him and even tortured Brady for the truth? That would be the end of Lynn.
Not only would he fail to save the man, but he’d get himself dragged down too.
Lynn wanted to persuade them further, but he felt that saying too much would backfire.
He had already used his [Silver Tongue] skill and performed well enough. If Alger or Bennett still found a flaw, he’d have no choice but to urge Lena to wipe out every monster present.
That was a risky move of last resort.
With Lena’s strength, killing all the monsters present wasn’t a problem.
The problem was that after killing them, he and Lena would most likely be exposed.
Once exposed and swarmed by the underground city’s monsters, it would be certain death!
Lynn even somewhat regretted putting on this act to save Brady, who had absolutely nothing to do with him!
“Lynn,” Alger suddenly spoke, “do you believe this slave named Brady is really a craftsman?”
Lynn’s heart tightened.
He couldn’t give a definite answer!
“I don’t, Brother Jie. I think this kid claimed to be a craftsman just to save his own skin, and the others went along with it to protect him.”
A risky move! Saying this, Lynn’s heart was in his throat.
“Hahaha,” Alger laughed, “I don’t believe it either. Great minds think alike, you and me.”
“Same here.” Bennett chimed in from the side, “Humans are really too cunning. We should just kill them all!”
Lynn: “…”
Lena: “…”
“Not you, Lynn,” Bennett added, “You’re the 108th Head personally appointed by Lord Galron. Lord Galron’s judgment is absolutely right.”
“Hehehe,” Lynn forced a smile, “Thank you for the affirmation, Brother Bennett.
You two brothers, it’s not hard to tell whether Brady is lying.
He’s about to become my subordinate, and I’ll test his abilities.
If he doesn’t have the real skills, he’ll be punished for both escaping and lyingâand I’ll personally skin him alive!”
This was Lynn’s final move. If he still couldn’t convince Alger, then his only option was to urge Lena to act.
After hearing Lynn’s words, Bennett nodded, finding it reasonable.
Alger, the more scheming Goblin, was silent for a moment before saying:
“Alright, I’ll go along with what you say, brother. With you personally overseeing the test, Bennett and I are at ease.”
Lynn let out a long, silent sigh of relief.
Thank heavens!
He’d managed to bluff his way through!
[You used acting and words to fool Alger and Bennett, saving Brady. ‘Entertainment Till Death’ calls it brilliant!]
[âEntertainment Till Deathâ tipped you 300 Points.]
[You risked being implicated to save Brady. Such a righteous act moved âSeraphâ to tears. He retracted his earlier words calling you a human traitor.]
[âSeraphâ has followed your channel.]
[Your channel has gained its 3rd follower. You have been rewarded with 1500 Points, the skill âFire Dance Tornado Lv.1â, and the item âBlast Talismanâ.]
[High-tier sword skill âFire Dance Tornadoââthe flame vortex it produces has devastating destructive power.]
[Blast Talisman, B-Rank item. Creates an explosion causing damage. Value: 500 Points.]
Effort pays off!
Even more so when Lynn was performing with his life!
He hadn’t expected such a generous reward for risking himself to save Brady!
Points, skills, items… and an offensive skill at that!
Lynn finally had an attack skill!
“Lynn, these slaves are yours now. Take them to the workshop. Get to work on the bow-making as soon as possible.” Alger instructed.
“Don’t worry, Brother Jie,” Lynn puffed out his chest, “I guarantee both quality and quantity. I’m also hoping to boost my performance and earn the qualification to become Lord Galron’s personal guard.
Oh, and Brother Bennett, after I finish my own work, I can come help out with your patrol team.”
Bennett, who had been selected for Galron’s personal guard and was short on hands, didn’t refuse Lynn’s generous offer.
Bennett patted Lynn on the shoulder: “Good brother!”
The monsters dispersed, leaving only Lynn, Lena, and the human slaves at the site.
Everyone let out a sigh of relief.
Without Lynn even calling out, someone immediately went to untie Brady.
“I thought you, the human traitor, would follow the Goblin’s orders and chop Brady down in one stroke to save yourself,” Lena said softly.
“Heh,” Lynn gave a wry smile, “Since things turned out this way, would you please stop calling me a traitor, Saintess?”
Lena paused for a moment, “I’ll see how you perform from now on.”
Lynn: “…”
This girl…
[In her heart, Lena has already started to change her opinion of youâshe’s just too stubborn to admit it.]
Now Lynn was even more speechless.
What kind of tsundere Saintess is she?
No time to dwell on itâLynn, the 108th Head under the “Giant Strength King,” was officially taking office today, responsible for leading the team to produce and improve bows.
