Nelson and the group of underlings behind him were all dumbfounded.
This was… encountering someone from the same trade?
The others were in a similar state, glancing at each other, unsure of how to react.
The atmosphere instantly turned awkward.
The other party had hostile intent—if they were also targeting this Mistress of the House, what should they do? They couldn’t exactly split the target in half and divide it between them, right?
So… should they strike first and take them out?
Nelson hadn’t made up his mind yet, but the others clearly thought that way.
After a quick whisper among themselves, they all raised their broadswords and swung without hesitation.
“Run! Get inside the house!!”
As Nelson shouted, he pulled out a Smoke Bomb and threw it forcefully at his feet.
With a soft “pfft,” thick gray smoke immediately spread, engulfing the entire courtyard.
Taking advantage of the cover, several of them dashed toward the house, breaking through the glass and leaping inside.
Everyone except for the unlucky guy nursing an injury.
He staggered to his feet, dragging his wounded leg as he limped to escape.
“Boss! Boss! Save me, save me!!!”
But it was too late.
The other group had arrived with alarming speed, and a single sword pierced his chest.
His scream echoed faintly in the smoke.
Those who had fled inside the house were now trembling with fear.
One of the lackeys nervously sidled up to Nelson:
“Boss, where are these guys from? How can they be so ruthless!? No sense of underworld rules at all!?”
“Where the hell—didn’t you see their gear?”
Nelson cursed under his breath while pulling out two Poison Smoke Bombs and tossing them out the window, hoping to buy some time.
“Those guys, under their cloaks, they’re wearing Plate Armor. They’re not from some shady gang—they’re NM’s Knights!!”
“Knights!!?”
The underlings panicked.
The Knights were professional armed forces widely existing in various countries and churches.
Each member was an elite warrior, equipped with top-tier gear, capable of fighting off an entire squad by themselves.
If this was true, anyone from the opposing group could single-handedly wipe out Nelson’s team.
“The… Knights? Why are they here!?”
“Could they be protecting this household!?”
“Protecting my ass! Have you ever seen someone wearing a Black Cloak climb over a wall to protect people!? Those bastards are here for dirty work too, just like us!!”
Nelson’s face twisted in disbelief.
He couldn’t understand what cosmic law this family had broken to anger both the Knights and the guild simultaneously.
He also cursed that Red-haired Flat-chested Woman under his breath.
If it weren’t for her nagging there, they would have acted long ago and wouldn’t have run into such a massive blunder today.
Nelson tossed two more Poison Smoke Bombs outside.
In this situation, it was impossible to complete the mission, and even survival was uncertain.
Although breaking the contract would have severe consequences, he gritted his teeth and shouted:
“Retreat! Escape through the other side!”
The underlings, already on edge, immediately rushed toward the other side upon receiving the order.
The lead adventurer hurriedly crossed the reception hall, smashed through the glass, and jumped out the other side.
But as soon as he landed in the yard, before even steadying his footing, a flash of sword light cut across.
He didn’t even have time to scream—the blade sliced through his neck, sending his head flying in an arc as his body thudded onto the grass.
Right after, two Black Cloak Knights leapt through the broken window.
They were surrounded.
“Quick, run upstairs, now!”
Nelson roared, throwing all the throwing knives and daggers he could find.
But it was useless.
The poisoned weapons clanged off the Knights’ armor with sharp “clang” sounds, bouncing off without leaving a scratch.
Like rabid dogs with their tails between their legs, they tried scrambling toward the stairs, but the two Knights were too fast.
In an instant, they caught up and raised their broadswords high.
It was over—they were doomed to sink in the gutter!
Nelson’s mind went blank.
Then—
“Ughhhh—ahhhh—”
“What the—!?”
The floor beneath the two Knights suddenly turned into a quagmire, swallowing their legs.
No matter how hard they struggled, they couldn’t break free.
Within two seconds, they were completely submerged and vanished from sight.
The sight of the house seemingly swallowing people was terrifying, but Nelson and the others couldn’t dwell on it—the other Knights kicked open doors and smashed glass as they rushed in.
There was only one option left: run upstairs.
But the mansion itself wasn’t very large.
Where could they go?
Nelson looked toward the study at the end of the corridor.
According to their prior scouting, jumping out of the study’s window would lead right to the courtyard wall, and then climbing over would mean escape.
“Go to the study! Hurry!”
They charged over, trying to break down the door.
But no matter how hard the big men pushed, the dilapidated wooden door didn’t budge an inch.
Sweating profusely, they were caught off guard when another Knight appeared upstairs, sword raised to charge at them.
Then, to their shock and horror, the Knight suddenly collapsed with a heavy “thud.”
The carpet on the corridor seemed alive—it tightly wrapped around the Knight, immobilizing him and even gagging him.
At that moment, the study door opened.
Those banging on the door stumbled inside unprepared, falling hard onto the floor by the desk.
The door slammed shut behind them.
The series of events left them staring at each other in disbelief.
“Boss, is this… this house a little… off?”
“Yeah, and did you guys see anyone inside? Where are the maids? Where’s the Mistress of the House!?”
“Could this place be haunted?”
Nelson, already overwhelmed, slapped one of them hard.
“Haunted my ass! If you have time to babble nonsense here, you’d better run!”
“Yes!”
The men struggled to their feet.
The strongest among them charged toward the study window.
Bang!!!
Contrary to expectation, the glass did not shatter.
With a dull thud, the over-200-pound strongman hit the window like a stone wall and bounced back, rolling several times before coming to a stop.
Nelson’s veins bulged.
Ignoring scolding his men, he grabbed a chair and hurled it at the window, but it still bounced off—the glass remained intact.
They exchanged glances and nodded, then surged forward together, trying to pry the window open.
Yet the unlocked window seemed fused to the space itself, refusing to budge.
Behind them, the heavy footsteps of the Knights on the corridor were drawing ever closer.