MMORPG: REBORN MARK ADVENTURE IN ONLINE GAME

Now that Garrett was agitated, Raven needed to lead him exactly where he wanted—into the alley behind the tavern, where no one would be watching.A direct confrontation wouldn't work. Garrett was a brute, but he wasn't completely brainless. He wouldn't chase after a shadow without reason. Instead, Raven had to exploit one of Garrett's biggest weaknesses—his greed.The key was making the alley feel like his idea rather than a trap.---Setting the BaitRaven moved swiftly through the backstreets, navigating the narrow passageways behind the Black Lantern Tavern. The area was filthy and dimly lit, illuminated only by the occasional flickering lantern. Trash piled up near the walls, the stench of stale beer and rotting food hanging in the air.Perfect. No one would come here unless they had a reason.He removed a coin pouch from his belt—not his own, but one he had prepared earlier. The leather was worn, giving it the look of something lost in a scuffle. Inside, Raven placed a few glinting gold coins—just enough to make it tempting but not so many that it seemed too good to be true.He positioned it carefully, placing it at the edge of a wooden crate near the alley's entrance. It wasn't just lying in the open—that would be suspicious. Instead, it looked like someone had hurriedly stashed it there, perhaps after mugging a victim.A subtle but important psychological trick.If the pouch were lying in the middle of the road, Garrett might suspect a trap.But half-hidden? That suggested someone tried to conceal it, meaning there might be more to steal nearby—or worse, someone was getting away with something in his territory.Either way, Garrett would take the bait.---Why This Would WorkGarrett wasn't just greedy—he was territorial. If he thought someone had stolen money in "his town," it wouldn't sit right with him. He'd want to find out who dared to act without his permission.The bait played on two things:1. Immediate reward – Free money sitting right there, waiting to be claimed.2. Pride and control – If someone was robbing people in his domain, he'd want to punish them.Raven didn't need Garrett to think too hard. He just needed him curious enough to investigate.Now, all he had to do was wait.---The Moment of DecisionGarrett stormed out of the tavern, still seething from the embarrassment inside. The poisoned thug collapsed nearby, still struggling to regain control of his limbs. Garrett barely spared him a glance."Useless piece of shit," he muttered, rolling his shoulders, trying to shake off his frustration.Then, his eyes caught the glint of gold.He slowed, gaze snapping to the pouch near the crate. His expression shifted—anger fading into greed.He stepped closer, boots crunching against the gravel.His mind worked through the situation:Someone dropped or hid this here.Which meant someone had more.And whoever they were, they weren't expecting Garrett to find it.A smirk spread across his face.Raven, watching from above, tightened his grip on his dagger.Garrett bent down, reaching for the pouch.Just as planned.

Garrett had taken the bait.

Now, Raven had to make sure he stepped fully into the trap—far enough into the alley that no one would see, with his guard completely down.

Killing a brute like Garrett wasn't just about landing a clean strike; it was about ensuring he had no chance to fight back or escape.

The perfect assassination wasn't a duel. It was a single, decisive moment where the target never even realized they were already dead.

---

Garrett Steps In

Garrett's fingers closed around the coin pouch, lifting it with a satisfied grunt. The weight felt right—just enough silver to be worth pocketing.

He glanced around, checking for anyone nearby. The street behind him was empty—most of the tavern's patrons were still inside, drinking and brawling. The poisoned thug still lay groaning near the door, too weak to do anything.

Good. No witnesses.

But greed wasn't enough to pull Garrett further into the alley.

Raven needed one last push.

---

The Final Lure

Hidden above, perched on a wooden beam, Raven reached into his pouch and tossed another silver coin further into the alley.

The small clink of metal on stone echoed faintly.

Garrett froze, his head snapping toward the sound.

Another coin?

His smirk widened. He stepped forward into the alley, curiosity piqued. If someone had been careless enough to drop one pouch, maybe they had more.

He took another step. Then another.

---

Raven Strikes

The moment Garrett passed the halfway point of the alley—out of sight from the street but still unaware of the danger—Raven moved.

A shadow among shadows, he descended silently from his perch, dagger already in hand.

Garrett's instincts flared too late.

He sensed something—maybe a whisper of movement, a shift in the air—but before he could turn, Raven was already behind him.

A flash of silver.

Raven's dagger plunged into the base of Garrett's neck, right where the spine met the skull. The blow was precise, surgical, severing vital nerves in an instant.

Garrett's body jerked, his hands twitching. His mouth opened, but no sound came out—his lungs failed to obey.

His knees buckled. His body crumpled.

By the time he hit the ground, he was already dead.

---

Securing the Kill

Raven wasted no time. He crouched over the body, wiped his dagger clean, and checked for valuables. He wasn't after silver—he needed information.

A quick search of Garrett's pockets revealed:

A crude map of Viles Town, marked with key locations.

A small ledger—likely a record of debts, bribes, or deals.

A signet ring, possibly a symbol of his gang's rank.

Then came the loot:

1 gold coin

2 silver coins

Raven pocketed them all.

Then, with practiced ease, he dragged Garrett's corpse deeper into the alley, concealing it behind stacked crates. In the dim light, no one would notice it for hours—maybe even until morning.

By then, Viles Town would already be in chaos.

Garrett's men would find out their boss was missing. His stronger, more dangerous brother would take control.

And while they tore the town apart looking for answers, Raven would be free to grow stronger in the shadows.

The assassination was complete.

Now, it was time to reap the rewards.