William left the store without paying much attention to the previous incident. After finding a magical object in an ordinary shop, he decided to take another stroll through the market, hoping to discover some other hidden treasure.
He spent the afternoon walking among the stalls, eyeing everything on offer with a curious glance, but found nothing of interest. On his way back, he crossed paths with multiple groups of nobles, walking together with an air of arrogance. They all shared that same haughty look, that way of gazing at the rest as if nothing had any value beyond them. They were clearly visitors, exploring the streets as though the world belonged to them.
As he continued on his path, he noticed a large crowd that seemed to be surrounding something. As he got closer, he began to hear the shouting.
—What are some peasants doing in this place?
—How dare they look us in the eye? Get on your knees! Apologize or this will end very badly…!
The insults flew like stones. In the center, a group of girls cried uncontrollably. They were dirty, their clothes torn, trembling in fear. They didn't dare to lift their gazes.
He recognized several of them. They were his companions. Though he was still a bit upset with them for what had happened days ago, he knew he couldn't ignore what he was seeing.
He quickened his pace just in time to stop a blow that was about to hit Lía, one of the blonde girls with whom he had shared intimate moments. Fury welled up in his chest.
The noble who was about to strike her turned around, a scowl on his face.
—Who the hell are you?
William didn't respond. With a fluid motion, he threw him like a sack of potatoes using a judo technique. The noble's body slammed heavily several meters away, kicking up dust.
—What the hell are you doing, bastard?! —shouted another noble, stepping forward.
—I'm giving you a warning —William said, his voice deep and firm—: if anyone dares to touch my companions again, I'll break every damn bone in your body.
In an instant, he assessed everyone present. None had stats comparable to his former army comrades. Here, he was a wolf among sheep.
Even the strongest soldiers barely reached 2.5 in strength. He, with his recent training, had reached 3.9 in vitality. He knew that every whole number represented a staggering improvement.
His fiery gaze made the nobles take a few steps back. But cowardice didn't last long. Several people ran off, clearly seeking reinforcements.
—Alert. Multiple energy signatures approaching. Over 300. Elevated threat level. Take precautions.
Angel's message echoed in his mind.
William clicked his tongue. It was too late to avoid the inevitable.
He grabbed the girls and started walking with firm steps toward the mansion. But a group of nobles blocked the way.
—Hey! No one leaves here without paying for what they did —said one in a high-pitched voice.
—Things are about to get ugly —William said to the girls without turning his face—. When this starts, run toward the mansion. I'll be fine.
—And you? What are you going to do against all of them? —Kaela whispered, her eyes full of fear.
William just smiled with lips stained with dried blood.
—I'm going to teach them a lesson.
Reinforcements arrived. Over 500 men surrounded the area. Some were nobles, others, hired guards. Several of the former carried magic staffs, but none seemed particularly strong.
—Angel, what are the chances of getting out of here alive?
—0% if you protect the girls. 90% if you run alone. 35% to reduce hostilities by killing 10 immediately.
William sighed.
—Perfect... I wasn't in the mood to sweat today.
Then, a familiar voice emerged from the crowd:
—There you are, you damn bastard!
It was Larkys, accompanied by his men and several bandages. His shouting attracted more attention. When they saw him, many nobles realized it was the same person who had been humiliated days before.
—That bastard has to pay! Let's kill him!
The crowd roared. Some soldiers even laughed as they watched the spectacle.
—You again? —William said, looking at him with disdain—. You didn't have enough, it seems.
—Shut up! This time you won't escape alive!
—If you have what it takes, come for me —William said, extending his arms.
And hell broke loose.
The nobles charged like a human avalanche. William moved like lightning.
—Who's next?! —he roared as he broke ribs with a knee strike.
—Ah! My arm! —one screamed as William dislocated it with a single twist.
He spun around, breaking another's jaw with an upward punch. A guard tried to stab him, but William deflected the attack with his forearm and punched the man in the stomach, knocking him unconscious immediately.
One after another they fell.
—He's a monster!
—Back off!
—No, attack him together!
William kept going, his clothes soaked with sweat and blood. His breathing was heavy, but his gaze had not lost its intensity.
A staff strike hit his back. Another hit his temple. He stumbled, bleeding from his face, but pushed himself up with his right foot, smashing his forehead into the attacker's nose. The crack was dry.
—Shit, it's like fighting a wild beast! —one yelled before receiving an elbow that fractured his ribs.
Fifty enemies down.
His ribs were broken. His left shoulder hung useless. He kept fighting.
Sixty. Seventy. Eighty.
His right leg gave out. He fell to his knees, gasping, but pushed himself back up, driving an elbow into the base of a noble's neck who tried to take advantage of his fall.
Ninety.
His body was bleeding everywhere. His left eye was swollen shut. He had visible fractures.
And then, the last one.
One hundred.
The noble fell with a sharp scream, his arm twisted at an impossible angle.
The survivors froze. No one dared to move.
William stood, swaying, covered in blood, all his limbs broken. He could barely breathe, but he hadn't given up.
Then, a voice broke the tension.
—ENOUGH!!!
Jayce came running, his face twisted in desperation.
—What have you done, you bastards?! STOP EVERYTHING!!
The soldiers backed off. Jayce pushed through several and ran to William's broken body.
—William! Brother, tell me you can hear me!
William looked at him with the only eye he could open. A barely perceptible smile appeared on his face.
—At least... I wasn't bored.
And he collapsed.
Jayce held him, gritting his teeth with restrained rage.
—They're going to pay... all of them will pay for this.