Arya snapped, "There's no misunderstanding at all. Call up your boss—tell him it's me!""Fine." The manager had no choice but to call the karaoke bar owner just then.Soon, an Audi A4 stopped outside the karaoke bar and a stout man alighted.Two tall goons followed, clearly working for him.The karaoke bar owner then asked, "Where's Ms. Crass?"Even if Arya paled in comparison to Rina and Hana, she was still the most beautiful in the area and indulgent at that.The karaoke bar owner naturally liked her a lot and had yet to tire of her."Right here!" Arya snorted, scowling."Oh, what happened? Which blind fool dared to lay their stinking paws on you?!" the karaoke bar owner asked in concern as he hurried to her.Arya pointed at Frank and Hana, and the karaoke bar owner studied them before turning back to Arya.He liked her, but also knew her well enough that she got beaten up for screwing with those people.They only had a one-night stand—affection aside, he would not get int
Arya hung her head in silence—truth be told, the karaoke bar owner was the most powerful man in her social circle.She just did not expect him to be suddenly so amicable despite his usual bravado."You don't get it, do you?"Hana read her mind just then, and chuckled coolly. "Take a good look at his business. He may not be rich or important, but his business at least earns him wealth and freedom in this district."Sure, things can get unruly, but he had no reason to stoop to that level. All the money that he's earned thus far will be gone once he goes to jail!"Heck, his true nature doesn't even matter in this equation. In business, it's fundamentally important to know when to make peace. Would he get customers if fights erupt at his bar every other day?""Impossible!" Arya argued. "He's not like that… He said that he's sold people to third-world countries as slaves, and that I should introduce him to some nice girls if I ever meet any!""Oh, girlie…"Hana smiled in wry amuseme
Despite seeing that, the manager smirked. "Don't get so full of yourself, Arya Crass! It's over for you if the owner comes!""I don't care. Call him here already, or I'll break this place!" Right as she finished, the front desk splintered into pieces.Paling in fear, the manager promptly called the karaoke bar owner, while Arya sat down on the floor, closed her eyes, and waited.That was Hana's plan after all—she had told Arya to provoke the karaoke bar owner despite her reluctance!Considering that she would make Frank pay, however, she went with it despite the risk of being sold to some third-world country. After all, she could really tell that Frank would really kill her otherwise!She would rather be a slave than die. At least she would be alive, and with the government's frequent crackdowns over recent years, she would most likely be saved anyway.-Ten minutes later, the Audi A4 returned and the karaoke bar owner alighted once more. "Did you think I was going to play nic
The karaoke bar owner's men carried Arya into a large compound while he knocked on the door.The door soon opened, and a man in his forties stepped out. However, he was a head shorter than the karaoke bar owner and wore rags, looking no different from a beggar.Arya woke up just then and flinched when he saw the beggar. "You?!"She had seen him before—he often begged for alms outside her apartment compound, and she had even kicked him while passing by once because she was in a foul mood.But it turned out that he was in this?!Still, it made sense when one thought about it—this business requires secrecy, and who would ever suspect a beggar? No other identity was better suited for this job!Then, remembering what Hana said, Arya snapped at the karaoke bar owner, "You own a bar! Why would you do something like this? Wouldn't you just lose a fortune over spare change?"The karaoke bar owner laughed. "You still don't understand me! One can never earn enough money, and I like this jo
The karaoke bar owner looked between Arya and Frank, bemused. "Why would you do this? Are you some sort of vigilante?"That made sense—youngsters were really different these days, each of them strong and keen to perpetuate justice. They must be keen to be the good guys and bask in the public's praise.Laughing, the karaoke bar owner started to gloat. "Shame you're too naive to understand the world has changed… to be precise, there's a gap between the reality in your mind and what's really happening in the world. No one would shoot the riot shield instead of the leg, and there's no armor that can stop bullets."Wait, that's wrong. There are things that could, but they won't stop the impact. Ever heard of Kevlar? It's not actually weaved from steel but something with optimal durability—""Yap, yap, yap…"Frank snorted impatiently. "All you rogues only ever run your mouths. Start shooting already, and cut the crap—you're talking my ears off.""You asked for it!" The karaoke bar ow
The beggar went for a last-ditch effort nonetheless. "Did you think I'd be afraid of you?"Frank smirked. "I was hoping you wouldn't be!"He swung at the beggar, sending him slamming violently up the ceiling before crashing heavily on the floor.The beggar was left gritting his teeth in pain.He had been through plenty in the years he spent hiding his identity, so those two blows from Frank alone were far from overwhelming.But for some reason, he was gripped with immeasurable terror—more so than what the other guy had instilled upon him. The person before his eyes was no different from a hungry beast, ready to tear him into pieces if he was not fed!Nonetheless, he asked, "C-Could you agree to a condition…?""Don't worry, I'll find your family and shelter them. As for you—"The beggar shook his head. "I'll do anything as long as they are safe!""Good. Now talk and stop wasting my time!""Okay!"-Once the beggar was done, Frank dropped to a crouch in front of Arya, staring
Since Plum was local, she returned for charity after getting rich.On the other hand, the youth took interest in a patch of land, but the geezer who owned it refused to sell it. The youth then sent his men after him, but Plum happened to be there and intervened, and the youth's men were properly punished.Furious, the youth had Plum kidnapped, consequences be damned."Not that long ago, you were lecturing my men and bragging how you're scared of no one. What about now?"The youth laughed. "TV shows and the like have really brainwashed you. Did you think you're untouchable just because you're rich and well-connected? See, the people in Shanton are just cowards, but in this place, we'll do anything to get what we want. And I assure you, you'll pay for what you did!""Not worried you'd get caught?" Plum spat."Actually, I am." The youth laughed. "But so what? You won't ever be seen again. Hell, I'm really looking forward to how you'll suffer when you're sold off to some third-world
Even as terror seized Plum, she could only shake her head repeatedly as tears rolled down her cheeks. But before the youth reached her, someone kicked the door and strode in, snapping coolly, "What a mook. I guess bullying ladies is all you can do!"The youth was left furious at his insult. "Who the fuck are you?!"He turned toward the beggar, who did not even dare to look him in the eye and left.Plum screamed, "Help me!"Frank laughed. "Don't worry—I will save you, and then make him pay!""Make me pay?"The youth smiled in wry amusement and studied Frank. "You have a special physique and a presence—I see potential for martial arts, and I guess that's why you're brave enough to come."That said, even if you're one in a million, there are thousands of people like you out there. Did you really think you could win?"Prodigies? I won't lie—that's the bare minimum it takes to face me, and it still depends if I'm interested!"While he was arrogant and belittled Frank, the youth's