Another gang member lunged with a knife.
Nathan's system had already calculated his movements before he even finished swinging his arm.
Nathan parried with his forearm, grabbed the knife-wielding wrist, and twisted it until the bone snapped. The knife fell, and Nathan kicked it far away.
Two gang members already had broken arms.
It was fast and efficient. Every movement was an economy of motion: a parry, a punch to the throat, a kick to the knee. There were no wasted movements. Screams of pain filled the previously quiet night air.
Bones in hands and feet broken. Teeth knocked out. Hard punches that could make the person hit by the punch kapok.
In less than five minutes, six people were already lying on the ground, groaning in pain with broken bones and aching bodies.
The other six backed away, their eyes wide with fear. They were no longer wolves; they were frightened puppies.
Nathan stood in the middle of the chaos he had created, his breath not even ragged. He looked at those who were still standing.
"Anyone else want to 'hang out'?" he asked, his voice still flat, but now filled with undeniable threat.
They shook their heads, terrified. They quickly helped their wounded, and broken, friends, put them on their motorcycles, and fled into the darkness, leaving the red-haired man still groaning on the ground.
Nathan approached him. "If you or your friends ever dare to approach women walking home alone again," he whispered, in a voice that only the red-haired man could hear, "I will find you. And next time, no one will be walking again. Do we understand each other?"
The red-haired man nodded rapidly, his face pale and filled with pain. "Yes... yes, boss... sorry, boss..."
"Go," Nathan growled.
He crawled, then ran in terror, leaving his own motorcycle behind.
Nathan then turned towards the girl. She was still standing there, shivering, her eyes still filled with fear, but now also with overwhelming admiration.
"Is it... is it over?" she whispered.
"It's over," Nathan said, his voice now much gentler. "They won't bother you again. Are you alright?"
She nodded, but tears began to stream down her cheeks. "I... I don't know how to thank you. They... they just appeared..."
"There's no need to thank me," Nathan said. "This city should be safe for anyone. Is your house still far? I'll escort you."
She nodded again, still stunned. "No... not far. Five more minutes."
"Good. I'll follow you from behind. To make sure you get there safely."
She got on her small motorcycle, her hands still trembling. Nathan started his motorcycle and followed her, keeping a close distance, becoming her protective shadow.
When they arrived in front of a small, simple house, the girl got off and ran towards him, not towards the door.
"Thank you," she said, her tears flowing. "I... my name is Lestari. I'll never forget this."
"Nathan," he replied, giving a small smile. "Be careful next time, Lestari. If possible, find a friend to go home with you. You can also call me if there are no other friends who can protect you."
"I want your number."
Nathan then gave her his business card with his number on it
She nodded. "I'll contact you. Thank you again... Nathan."
Nathan only left after Lestari and her motorcycle were inside the house.
Nathan had just left the multi-room boarding house, a feeling of calm still surrounding him.
His mind was still on Lestari, on her fear, and on the burning satisfaction of having been her protector. The sound of his motorcycle engine was the only sound breaking the silence of the night.
Suddenly, the ringing of his phone broke his concentration. He braked, looking at the screen. It was an unknown number, but his gut told him who it was.
"Hello?"
"Mr... Nathan?" Lestari's still-trembling voice slipped into his ear through the speaker. "It's... it's Lestari."
"Lestari. What's wrong? Are you alright?" he asked, alert.
"I... sorry to bother you. But..." her voice was muffled, as if she were whispering. "My boarding house... is empty. All my friends went back to their hometowns. I... I'm still scared. Any sound keeps me awake. I can't be alone."
Nathan sighed softly. He understood her trauma. "You want me to wait for you until you fall asleep?"
"Could... could Mr. Nathan stay with me? Just for tonight? Tomorrow there will definitely be boarding friends coming," Lestari pleaded, her voice full of hope and shame. "I promise I won't be a bother. You can sleep in the living room."
Nathan looked at the deserted street. His system was silent, giving no missions or warnings. This was a human choice. And after tonight, he felt responsible.
"Sure, Lestari," he said, his voice softer than he had intended. "I'll turn back."
He turned his motorcycle around and returned to the house. Lestari was already waiting at the door, hugging herself even though the air wasn't cold. She looked very young and fragile.
"Thank you," she whispered as Nathan approached. "I feel so stupid."
"No," Nathan countered. "You've been through a terrifying experience. It's natural to be scared."
He entered the boarding house. It was a simple but clean place. There were several closed room doors, and a silent atmosphere that did feel a bit... empty.
"So... this is it," Lestari said, trying to be casual. "Like I said, it's really quiet. And..." she looked down, "sometimes there are stories that this house is haunted when it's quiet. Strange sounds, things moving on their own... that's why my friends rarely stay alone."
Nathan raised an eyebrow. "Ghosts? You believe in that stuff?"
Lestari shrugged. "Not really. But when you're alone and scared, your imagination can run wild."
They sat in the small living room awkwardly for a while. Nathan offered to sleep in the living room, but Lestari insisted that he had to sleep in the room. After a brief argument, Nathan finally agreed.
They went up to Lestari's room. It was a small room filled with girly things—dolls, photos, textbooks. A simple bunk bed stood in the corner.
"I sleep on top," Lestari said, pointing. "You can sleep on the bottom. I've prepared the mattress."
"Lestari, I don't want to bother—" Nathan began to protest.
"Please," Lestari pleaded, her eyes pleading again. "I'll feel safer if there's someone in the same room. The sounds... usually come from the hallway."
Nathan finally gave in. "Alright. But I promise to be a gentleman."
Lestari gave a small smile, for the first time that night. "I believe you."
They prepared for sleep in awkward silence. Nathan took off his shoes and jacket, lying down on the narrow bottom mattress. Lestari turned off the light and climbed into the top bunk. Nathan could hear her shifting around, trying to find a comfortable position.
Gradually, her breathing became regular and deep. Nathan himself fell asleep not long after, exhausted by the events of the night.
His sleep wasn't restful. He woke up suddenly, his heart pounding. He didn't know what had woken him. The room was pitch black, silent.
Then he heard it.
Creek...
The sound was soft, like wooden floors creaking in the hallway. Then followed by a sound like something being dragged.
He sat up straight, listening intently. His martial arts system was alert, but detected no physical threat. It was just... sounds.
From above, he heard Lestari stir. Then a moan of fear.
"Nathan?" she whispered, her voice trembling.