I watched Marko get beaten like a stray dog. The thugs swarmed him, grinning with sadistic pleasure as they took turns.
One glance, and I knew exactly what kind of bottom-feeders they were—classic predators.
Parasites that fed off the weak. Too gutless to challenge anyone stronger, so they picked the easiest prey and tore them apart.
I had to use every ounce of my willpower to stop myself from tearing those bastards apart limb from limb.
I clenched my fists so hard that my nails pierced my skin. Blood welled in my palms. Every punch Marko took chipped away at my patience.
But I didn't move. Not yet.
I heard that sorry excuse of a thug state his intentions to include Uncle Roman in this farce, and I wanted to tear open his mouth.
But I still endured.
"Come on, Marko," I muttered under my breath. "Say something. Say anything. He's going after your family now."
But Marko stayed silent, looking like a statue.
Did he break so soon?
Just as I was about to step in—
Marko whispered something. I didn't catch it, but Vince sure did. His face twisted with rage.
Then I heard it—
"I REFUSE!"
I didn't even notice the smile creeping onto my face.
Was I proud? Understatement.
And that headbutt? Chef's kiss.
As Marko's unrestrained laughter echoed in the alley, I finally exhaled.
Well done, brother.
Vince couldn't take it that the dog, who could only grovel at his feet, now barked at him.
Time to join the party.
"Man, you look like shit," I said, striding into the alley with a smile.
Marko looked at me—shock, guilt, and something like shame flashing in his eyes.
But maybe he noticed my smile, and he finally smiled too.
"I know," he laughed hoarsely. "You're late."
"Really?" I said, still grinning. "Feels like perfect timing to me."
We both chuckled. Just for a moment, the alley didn't exist.
Then Marko turned serious. "Thanks, Kevin," he said quietly.
We both knew what he thanked me for.
"Anytime, brother," I said with a smirk.
I reached out, and he locked in with a quick dap. I hoisted him up.
"Who the fuck are you?"
Ah, finally, the thug-in-chief came online. We looked at the source of the voice.
Vince's eyes blazed as he turned to Marko. "Is he the reason you grew a spine?!"
Vince's buddies were looking at us with unkind eyes. The atmosphere was explosive, and a single spark could ignite a massive explosion.
I just gave an amused smirk to Vince.
Marko looked at Vince. There was still some fear in his eyes. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. I placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
Marko opened his eyes and looked towards me. I nodded. He smiled and nodded, too.
"Sorry, man, for dragging you into this mess," Marko said apologetically. He ignored Vince's outburst.
"No worries. But the next pizza is on you," I smirked.
"Is this comedy? Are you performing a skit in front of me?" Vince growled. He was losing it, as things were no longer under his control.
Two of them had bats—one rested his on his shoulder, calm and cocky, while the other thumped his in his palm, eager for action. A third gripped an iron rod like he couldn't wait to smash it into something. The fourth had a metal chain coiled around his arm, spinning the loose end as if he were warming up. And the last one? He twirled a knife, trying to show off moves he probably picked up from some gangster flick the night before.
I noticed the knife on Vince's waist, but I guess he thought his crew could do the dirty work while he played the boss. Empty hands, full ego. And that ego was going to cost him.
Marko looked shaken, but he kept it off his face. Maybe my presence gave him a bit of steel—he was standing taller now.
Guess Vince was right. He did grow a spine.
"Vince," Marko said, voice steady. "I'm done. You're not getting another cent out of me. And if you so much as breathe in my family's direction…"
He took a step forward, eyes hard. "I'll make sure the cops tear your whole operation apart."
Bluff, obviously. Involving cops meant they might sniff out his family's not-so-glorious history. It was a double-edged sword, and he won't use it unless absolutely necessary. Instead, asking Uncle Niko for help would be a far better option in comparison. But with me here, that card didn't need to be played.
Vince blinked—then burst into loud, exaggerated laughter. "You guys hear that? Puppy grew fangs!"
The others joined in, their harsh laughter echoing through the air.
But their eyes stayed sharp. Cold.
Like hyenas circling their prey.
Vince wiped a tear from his eye, still chuckling. "Marko, I didn't know you were such a joker. Forget the degree—join a circus. You might actually go far."
Marko stared at Vince, stone-faced and silent.
Me? I looked bored.
But behind the mask, my mind was working—watching, waiting, hunting for an opening to exploit.
I finally found my opening.
The knife-wielder, who was ironically swinging his knife like it was a circus act, looked relaxed as he laughed at Marko with a mocking look.
Not just him, but all of them looked relaxed. Ready to kill? Yes. However, overall, they believed the situation was still under control. After all, how could two empty-handed teens fight against gangsters with weapons?
Vince's face abruptly switched from laughing to serious. "Since you grew a spine because of him, then let me shatter it forever," he said while looking at me as if looking at a soon-to-be-dead person.
He sneered, "Let me show you what happens to those who oppose me. You will come to realize soon that it is your fate to be my personal bank."
"Boys, gut this kid—"
I was already moving.
The knife guy didn't even see me coming, as his attention was entirely on Vince, and I took advantage of the opportunity.
I ran to him and slammed my palm on his chest. The air wheezed out of his lungs. I didn't allow him to retaliate, as I kicked him in the shin. He lost his balance and fell to his knees. A final hook to the temple, and he was down.
"—alive."
All that happened in mere seconds, and they were already down by one.
Marko didn't let go of this opportunity. When everyone's focus was on me, he came to one of the bat-wielders who was thumping it on his palm and kicked him right in the family jewels.
Nice, I mentally praised him. That was a good shot.
The painful scream woke them all up, but Marko had already snatched the bat and created some distance between them. I also came beside him quickly.
The moment of the sneak attack was gone, but it was enough that we took out two of them. One vs two was much better than one vs three.
We stared each other down. Weapons clutched. Our breaths were uneven. No one moved.
It was true that we were still fewer in number than they were, but our ruthlessness scared them.
They were used to bullying the weak and beating up those who tried to protest against them. Even if someone did try to fight back, they wouldn't have a good ending.
But today, they met someone more ruthless than them. After all, their skins weren't made of stone. They would still feel pain. Most of the time, it was them who gave the pain. But today, there was a possibility that they might end up on the receiving end. And that scared them.
They were not hardened criminals who could trade injury for injury. No, they were mere bullies, wannabe gangsters who thought ganging up and beating a lone weak person made them tough.
And don't get me wrong—I've got no moral objection to kicking someone when they're down or stacking the odds.
I just don't appreciate it when I'm the one getting kicked.
I looked at the four armed thugs in front of me. Yes, Vince no longer had his cool, and he had also pulled his knife. He looked at us, ready to feast on our remains.
I looked at them fearlessly, but in truth, inside, I was scared.
No, running away from a gang hideout and assassinating a few in the process didn't magically make me fearless. Yes, it was a confidence boost, but not to the level that I would go and piss on Kingpin's face.
But I had no other choice but to keep it inside. Marko was showing a backbone because he thought I had his back. If I showed fear in front of him, he might really break down.
"You useless idiots!" Vince barked at his crew. "You let two fucking kids take out your brothers? You want the other gangs to laugh at us?"
The stalemate broke; a chain was aimed at my neck.
Let's pause and talk about something irrelevant. When discussing stealth, most people think it is all about hiding and reducing one's presence.
But it is more than that. You can only hide from something you know is looking at you, i.e., it involves both diminishing your presence and discovering others' presence.
That's where the perception attribute comes into play. The stealth skill enables better utilization of that attribute. A perfect analogy would be using martial arts to utilize the strength attribute more effectively.
Even with great strength, with no way to use it, you only hit others with brute force. But if you know how to utilize that strength effectively, the impact would become many times greater.
My [Stealth (Novice)] skill allowed me to utilize my F2 Perception better. That's why I dodged in time, and the chain that was supposed to be wrapped around my neck was wrapped around my arm.
I frowned as I looked at my arm. I looked up at the guy holding the chain. He looked like he used to eat steroids for all three meals. I tried to pull the chain and, as expected, failed spectacularly.
He gave me a mocking grin as he pulled the chain this time.
"Fuuuck!" I yelped pathetically as I was dragged forward like a rag doll.
Before I could find my footing, a fist met my gut. Air left my stomach as I clutched it in pain.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Vince coming towards me menacingly, knife in hand, murder in his eyes. The other two thugs, armed with a bat and a rod, came in front of Marko to stop him from helping me.
I tried to scramble away, but the chain thug grabbed my throat and hoisted me into the air. My legs flailed helplessly.
I clawed at the chain guy's hand, punched his wrist, anything — but the bastard's grip was like a steel vice.
He grinned and squeezed harder. My vision blurred, breath cut off, and Vince strolled up with that smug knife-wielding psycho grin.
"Don't kill him yet. It would be an easy death for him," Vince said with a cruel smile. There was madness in his eyes. "It would be much better to slice him up slowly and let Marko watch helplessly as the life slowly leaves his dear friend's body."
I looked at Marko, who seemed more desperate to come and help me. But the two thugs didn't let him. They still haven't attacked Marko yet, afraid of being injured by his bat in return.
Marko couldn't wait any longer; without worrying about being hit, he swung his bat fiercely at the rod guy near him. The bat connected with his hand, and a loud crack echoed in the alley. Of course, Marko also paid for the reckless attack. The bat thug struck the bat on Marko's back as the anguished screams of the rod guy filled the alleys.
The moment was all I needed, as Vince and the chain guy's attention was on their fallen comrade.
I took a page from my friend Marko's book.
I grabbed the chain thug's hand with both my hands for support and swung my body. With some force generated from the motion, I kicked him square in the nuts.
The force behind the kick was not strong enough for the target location. The thug let me go and screamed in pain while clutching it.
"Aah, ha, aaah, ha, cough, aaah," I coughed and desperately gasped for breath, trying to take in that sweet, sweet oxygen as I hurriedly unwrapped the chain from my arm. My lungs were on fire, but I wasn't dying yet.
Vince lunged at me to stab me, but suddenly fell face-first on the ground.
I looked at him in confusion as my breathing calmed down.
Did the genre suddenly change from action thriller to action comedy?
But then I looked at the other pair of feet near Vince's. I followed the feet to the face, and it was the girl who was still lying on the ground.
Then I realized it was she who tripped Vince. Guess, it was not just Marko who grew a backbone today.
I nodded at her as thanks, and she returned a slight nod in return.
I looked at the chain guy, who was not looking at me, ready to murder me. The pain should now be tolerable, as the strength behind the kick was not much.
As he was about to stand up, I gave him a roundhouse kick to the head, and he was down like a sack of potatoes. This time for good.
Vince used the chance to get up. He looked at the girl fiercely, who also got up. He wanted to hit her, but couldn't show his back to me, so he only gave her a wordless threat. The girl backed off and went somewhere, likely ran away. Smart move.
Marko also came back to my side. His face twisted in pain, but he endured and faced our enemies again.
Four down, two to go.
Once again, we were in a stalemate. But this time, it was them who showed fear.
Even Vince looked slightly rattled. His earlier cocky smirk had vanished — replaced by a tight jaw and darting eyes. The reality finally hit him. He might end up on the ground, groaning and crying in pain like his pals.
"M-Marko… come on, we're friends, right? Why team up with outsiders to hurt your own people?" Vince argued with a righteous face.
"Friends?" Marko scoffed and spat to the side — might as well have aimed for Vince's face.
For a moment, Vince's face looked hideous as if he wanted to strangle Marko alive. But his eyes drifted to his downed crew, and the twitchy one who clearly wanted to bolt. He reined it in.
"I-I apologize, Marko. I will not bother you again, so how about you leave?" Vince asked as if negotiating, but anyone could hear the begging in his voice. The bravado had crumbled entirely. Now he was just another punk trying to weasel his way out.
The face of his last standing goon changed slightly when he heard that pathetic voice. In the end, however this event would turn out, Vince was not regaining his lost reputation.
Marko tilted his head. "Yeah? What if I don't want to?" His voice dripped with mockery.
Oh, how the tables had turned. This sudden reversal was a massive boost to Marko's lost confidence.
Vince seethed in fury, but when he looked at his downed thugs, he bit it back again.
"P-please, Marko, let me go just this once," Vince begged.
Marko hesitated this time. He looked at me for advice.
I gave a slight shrug, then added coolly, "Only show mercy to people who'd do the same. Otherwise, you're just volunteering to get stabbed later."
Marko took a deep breath, his eyes firm, as he replied to Vince, "I refuse."
Vince's eyes widened as he looked stunned.
I smirked in approval as I moved towards Vince—time to end the game.
Vince panicked and slashed at me, but I caught his wrist mid-swing.
One quick punch to the kidney. I gripped his knife hand, pivoted, and smashed my elbow into his nose. The broken nose was broken again.
He shrieked, but it was cut short as I wrenched his arm, yanked it straight, and hit clean at the elbow with an upward strike from the back of my forearm. The bone snapped like dry wood. His screams went primal.
The last thug got the message and decided to make a run for it. But Marko's eyes were on him from the start. Marko caught up quickly and returned the favor from before, and attacked his back.
Due to the forward momentum, the thug fell when he was hit. Three more hits on the back, and the thug could no longer get up.
Finally, it was over.
I looked at the six thugs groaning on the ground. The fight was over—but we weren't done yet.
Not until they got the message burned into their skulls: never mess with Marko or his family again.
Just as I was about to speak, I heard footsteps. I became alert immediately, thinking that it might be Vince's reinforcements.
But it turned out to be the girl from before. She was coming here, and she actually had a stool in her hands with a cushion on it.
What is she doing coming back here?
She stopped in front of me, carefully set the stool down, and adjusted the cushion like she was prepping a throne.
Then she bowed slightly and said, "Please sit, boss."
Boss? Ok, what the fuck?
Since I didn't sit on it immediately, she misunderstood and showed a guilty look.
"Sorry, boss. I know it's not much. I couldn't find anything better," she apologized in a low voice with her head down.
Not even close.
Marko looked just as stunned. "Where did she even—?"
Fuck, whatever. Who am I to look a gift horse in the mouth?
I sat on the stool naturally. The girl smiled, came behind me, and began massaging my shoulders.
I still didn't understand what was happening, but that didn't stop me from enjoying it. The massage was actually decent.
I turned my attention back to the thugs writhing in pain on the ground.
"Listen up, sewer rats," I said, voice low and cold. "This is your final warning."
"If I ever find you near my friend or his family again, it will not end with simple broken bones," I threatened. "I am sure the fishes in Hudson wouldn't mind a few more poker buddies."
None of them reacted to what I said, still screaming or groaning in pain, but I could see Vince flinch slightly at the warning.
"Do you understand?" I asked in a cold voice. Silence.
"You know, I don't like to be denied," I said in a low voice. "So, tell me, Vince, do you understand?"
But Vince still behaved as if he didn't listen.
Sigh. Yare yare.
"Hey, Marko, maybe the impact on his head was larger than we think. Look, he can't even respond to us. He might need a little 'reboot.' Give his head another tap to bring it back online," I said casually.
Did the massage improve when I said that? Must be my imagination.
Marko smiled, and he sauntered deliberately towards Vince, dragging the bat behind him. Sparks flickered where it scraped the concrete.
Oi. Dude, you are seriously giving serial killer vibes here.
Vince looked at Marko in fear but didn't say anything. Maybe he assumed that Marko didn't have the guts to hurt him.
However, Marko proved Vince wrong. Marko arrived near him and swung his bat towards Vince's head without hesitation.
Vince's eyes widened in shock as he shouted in desperation without caring about his injuries, "Stop, stop, please, stop. I understand, please stop."
Marko didn't have much control over his strength, but still the bat stopped in mid-air, albeit a few centimeters away from Vince's face.
Vince looked at the bat in fear as he took rapid breaths to calm his heart. His face grimaced at each breath due to his busted nose.
"Good answer," I said and got up.
Turning back, I said, "Thanks."
The girl looked more reluctant to stop the massage than I did.
Nope. Still don't understand a thing here.
I turned back and looked at Vince and his buddies with a demonic smile.
It was time to collect the sweet loot.
"Marko, those three are yours. Take everything of value," I said and moved towards the three near me.
Marko looked stunned but showed a smile as he caught up to what I said. He nodded and went to the walking steroids advertisement.
"What do you want?" Vince asked in fear and panic as he looked at me walking towards him with a smile. "No, no, stay away from me. Didn't I already promise not to target your friend?"
I didn't bother answering him and started checking his pockets. First, I took out the one grand Marko gave me before.
"Marko, I am keeping them," I told Marko and pocketed the money. Marko nodded in response.
Then it was the stack of bills that resembled the ones the girl had passed to Vince. They were kept together so they were easier to recognize.
"Hey, are these yours?" I turned back and showed the girl the bills.
The girl looked stunned, then nodded slowly.
"No, that's my money. Give it back," Vince screamed.
I punched his face to make him shut up.
I got up and handed her the money. She was once again stunned and looked hesitant to take it. But took it after I gave her an impatient look.
Now, the rest of the money was fair game.
First, I took whatever else I could find from Vince, which amounted to just a few hundred dollars more.
"No, that's mine. You can't take it," Vince screamed and begged while tightly hugging my leg.
I clutched the hair on his head as he screamed in pain and yanked him off my leg. I added another kick to keep him down.
I took the money from the remaining two, and Marko was also done. He passed me the money he collected. The total was more than seven hundred dollars. I gave Marko half.
"How can I?" Marko asked, reluctant to take the money. "Not to mention I borrowed so much money from you."
"Take it. You helped too," I said and forcefully stuffed it into Marko's hands. "This and that are two different things."
"You can do whatever you want with them," I said casually to the girl.
I was grateful to the girl for her help in the fight and the subsequent service. I saw how they, especially Vince, treated her. I was sure she wouldn't mind getting even with them.
"Let's go, bro. It's over," I said to Marko.
Marko nodded, and we started walking towards the alley exit.
But we stopped as a hesitant voice called out to me.
"Umm, boss, please wait," the girl requested.
I still don't understand how I became this girl's boss.
With a sigh, I turned around and looked at her with an inquisitive gaze.
She looked hesitant to speak, but under my impatient gaze, she finally decided to talk.
"Umm, can I follow you, boss?" She asked hesitatingly.
Yes, I want to make my gang, but that will not happen soon. Did she read a hiring pamphlet from the future?
But even without a gang, I didn't feel like accepting the girl.
"Nope, I don't like junkies in my group," I refused bluntly.
I wasn't trying to be cruel. It was just the truth. I don't care if someone has vices—as long as they're not slaves to them. But from what I heard earlier, she wasn't in control of her drug addiction.
The girl's head fell in shame. I could even see faint tears.
Marko gave me a look as if saying, "Seriously? Two girls in one day?"
I shrugged. Not my fault that they couldn't handle honesty.
I shook my head and turned back to leave. Marko hurriedly followed behind.
"Thanks, Kevin," Marko thanked me once again after we left the alley and came to our cars.
"That's what friends are for," I smiled and said casually.
Marko nodded, then promised, "I will return your money as soon as possible."
"Whatever. I am not in a hurry," I said carelessly, then turned serious, "But you better not forget the pizza."
Marko laughed, thinking I cared more about the pizza than the money I had lent to him. He wasn't entirely wrong.
"You'd better tell me next time if they or someone else tries to corner you again," I told him with a serious face.
Given Vince's gang's current state, there was little chance that they would return to Marko again. But you never know.
"I will," Marko agreed.
Then he left in his car. I wanted to take a few fares, so I didn't go with him.
But just as I was about to enter my taxi, I heard faint screaming sounds.
I thought my ears were ringing, but then I heard the screams again.
Curious, I went back inside to see what was happening.
The noises increased as I heard a mix of screaming and sounds of metal hitting something.
When I looked at the scene in the alley, I had only one thought: "Damn, should've brought popcorn."
The thugs were still on the ground—but now even more broken. Blood pooled beneath them. Some screamed. Others whimpered. One was utterly silent, probably unconscious. Or worse.
There, the girl was continuously bashing the leg of the chain guy, who was screaming from pain, with the iron rod.
It looked like she wanted to break his leg bone, but due to her lack of strength and the chain guy's muscle mass, she couldn't do it in one hit, so she kept hitting the same spot again and again.
The spot was already mangled as blood and flesh pieces flew everywhere.
Sorry, Marko, but your serial killer vibes are nowhere near as strong as hers.
"It is all because of you," she yelled while hitting him. "It was because of you that he didn't let me follow him."
Technically, that's incorrect. They merely took advantage of your addiction.
But hey, who was I to ruin her righteous villain arc? I was too busy enjoying the performance.
She continued hitting, and cracking sounds could be heard from his bone as he screamed in agony. Finally, with a sickening crunch, it snapped.
She went towards the thug whom Marko defeated last, the rod dragging behind her, like it was the executioner's blade. Yep, Marko was no match for her in serial killer vibes.
She turned him over with her foot and aimed her rod between his legs.
The thug's eyes widened. "No, please-"
It was interrupted by her, "All because of you. It is because of you that he despised me. If not because of you, he would have let me follow him."
Then, with full force, she swung the rod and shattered the nuts. His pants became red as blood came out. He directly lost consciousness in shock.
"Finally, you," she said coldly as she turned to look at Vince.
Vince trembled. He didn't even show that reaction when I threatened to kill him. But now, his face was pale as if he had seen a ghost.
As she came near him, he couldn't take it anymore and, with shaking legs, tried to run away.
Was that a set spot on his pants? Even the ground where he was lying was wet.
The girl wasn't going to let him run. She threw the rod, and it hit squarely on his back.
Vince fell, but still desperately crawled forward with one hand. The girl came and picked up the rod, finally catching up to him.
"I am sorry, please let me go," he begged, his face covered with snot and tears. But the girl just looked at him coldly.
"Please let him go, I will give you all my drugs and even all the money I took from you," Vince begged more desperately.
He is an idiot, isn't he?
And as expected, when he said the word drugs, the girl was triggered and swung the rod like a bat and hit his face. One shot, and he was out cold. The faint movement of his chest showed that he was still alive. Barely.
The rod dropped from the girl's hands as she just stood still in the alley with a sad face, looking like her puppy had just died.
I, on the other hand, was now seriously considering her request. She was a junkie, but she showed potential.
Yes, she gave yandere vibes.
There was no way I would keep an out-of-control yandere by my side; that was just signing my death certificate with my own hands.
But a yandere in control could become one of my most loyal and efficient enforcers.
Efficient. Obsessive. Terrifying.
The way she acted, I felt like I could control her. And she might even become one of the core members of the gang.
"Hey," I said, calling out to her.
She looked and froze, looking at me.
"I-I," she stuttered, her eyes darting to her handiwork.
"I-I—this isn't—this isn't me," she stammered. "I mean, I did it, b-but I—"
"I can let you follow me," I declared.
"P-please don't h-hate me, please, huh–" she stopped mid-babble as she heard what I said.
"R-really?" she whispered, eyes gleaming.
"Yes," I agreed. "But you have to pass a test."
"Anything. I will do anything. Please give me a chance to prove myself. I will do anything," she begged, repeatedly saying 'anything'. She looked desperate enough to prove to me that she wouldn't mind any request.
But that could come later if she passed. For now, I had a better test for her.
"Good. Pass the test, and you can join as an intern," I said in a low voice.
"I will. Thank you. Thank you very much. I will not let you down," she said gratefully.
"Hmm, then, let's start with your name," I said. I couldn't just keep on calling her a junkie or that girl.
"Frances. Frances Barrison."
*********************
Mission: Motivate the Author
Description: Gather Power Stones to fuel the Author's energy reserves and push him into overdrive. Succeed, and he will deploy one extra chapter during the corresponding week.
Objective 1: 200 Power Stones in Week 1 (Completed)
Reward: One bonus chapter for the week (Delivered)
Objective 2: 220 Power Stones in Week 2 (Completed)
Reward: One bonus chapter for the week (Delivered)
Objective 3: 250 Power Stones in Week 3 (Completed)
Reward: One bonus chapter for the week (Delivered)
Objective 4: 300 Power Stones in Week 4
Reward: One bonus chapter for the week