Between sobs, Mrs. Cruz explained. "Some of my customers found Irene, in an alley, beaten up. She is in critical condition, her face swollen."
"Why? Is there a reason for attacking her?"
Isha wiped her tears, replying, "I heard she had something valuable on her, hence why her clothes were torn. I don't recall what the customers told me exactly but, it was worth a hefty price."
"My daughter almost lost her life over some darn object." Isha sobbed
In her current state, it was no wonder why she could not open shop today. She was a complete mess.
After hearing what happened, Kael pieced everything together almost immediately.
"It was our mistake for not escorting her home, with something that valuable." Kael thought.
When Irene received the Chimera shards yesterday, three of them in total.
There were many adventurers present who witnessed it.
It never dawned on him, or the others, that fellow adventurers would find the heart to steal from Irene.
"We've been facing monsters for a while now. Somewhere down the road, it's like we've forgotten that humans are monsters too."
He left Isha to continue her waterworks, as he quickly headed back to the Adventurer's guild, hoping those men from earlier were still present. It was just a hunch, but to Kael it made too much sense for it not to be the truth.
The men he saw from earlier, celebrating about blue shards and the gold they exchanged for them never struck him as strong.
He saw the Chimeras firsthand and knew how powerful they were.
"It bothered me then, but... to think they'd resort to theft." Kael said, gradually getting more upset as he ran.
When he arrived at the guild, the adventurers from before were not in the halls anymore.
Clara, noticing this was Kael's second entry into the guild hall, called out to him. "What's the matter Kael? Do you have matters with someone here?"
"The men who cashed in some blue shards today, where are they!?"
Clara stopped to think, before answering, "Oh, they're upstairs I believe. At the bar corner, it's been a while, but I haven't spotted them exiting the guild yet. What's the matter?"
Kael asked Clara, looking dead in her eyes. "Do you honestly believe those guys could kill Chimeras?"
Clara lowered her face nervously as she answered, "Umm, anything is possible inside of the Tower. It is not strange for men of their caliber to bring in one shard, but..three might have been a stretch."
"What number of shards did my party collect yesterday during out exploration?"
Clara replied, realizing what Kael was implying. "Three."
"Good, you remembered. Now, what color were they?"
"Blue" Clara replied.
"Sweet, you remembered that too. Now be blunt with me. Were those shards, similar to my party's?"
Clara nodded yes, too ashamed to use words. "I-I feel like an idiot." Clara said, covering her face in embarrassment. She was the one who conducted the exchange with those men, and she had not realized that fact until now.
"Just to be clear, you are suggesting that Harley and the others stole your shards from Irene, is that correct?" Clara asked for clarity.
"Yes, I want that gold back from them now!" Kael demanded.
Clara stuttered, "Sorry, I understand how you feel but...You'll need to confront them with evidence for your situation to improve."
"I-I can't just undo the exchange."
"That's okay, I understand the power you hold in this guild. All I want from you, is that you keep a blind eye on what I'm about to do. Got it?"
Clara gulped, sensing the danger in Kael's tone. "Got it."
With that, Kael bolted upstairs to the bar corner, where he caught the men drinking alcohol. Most of the men were already half drunk.
The leader of the drunken men was Harley Souken, a low-level member of the familia to which Kael owed a hefty sum to. The pouch on the table was still heavy with coins, suggesting that they had yet to really use much of the funds they received.
"Thank goodness, they're still here."
Kael's presence went unnoticed at first, but the clatter of his boots against the wooden floor drew the attention of a few. Harley, a tall man with a broad chest and unkempt blond hair, sat at the center of the group, nursing a mug of ale with a smirk.
"Hey, kid!" Harley called out, clearly tipsy but not fully drunk. "What brings you here? Looking for a drink?"
Kael did not answer immediately. Instead, he walked up to the group, his eyes locking onto Harley with an intensity that made even the other men pause.
Without breaking his stride, Kael stopped a foot away from the table and said, his voice cold as ice.
"Hand over the gold. Now."
The laughter from Harley's men froze for a moment before erupting into jeers.
"Gold? What gold?" Harley said, feigning innocence. "This is our money, earned fair and square. Now get lost, kid, before you embarrass yourself."
Kael took a step closer, his face mere inches from Harley's.
"You stole from my friend. The shards you sold to Clara? They weren't yours."
"I'm giving you one chance to do the right thing—return the gold, and anything else to cover what you've already spent. Or things will get... messy."
Harley's smirk vanished, replaced by a dangerous glint in his eyes.
"Listen here, runt. You've got guts coming up here, but guts won't save you from what's about to happen if you don't walk away."
Kael's lips curled into a slight grin. "You've got one second to reconsider."
"Or what?" Harley sneered.
Kael did not answer. He drove his knee upward with brutal precision, slamming it into Harley's groin. The large man's eyes bulged as his breath escaped in a pathetic wheeze as he crumpled to the floor like a sack of potatoes.
The room erupted in chaos.
"You little—!" one of the men shouted, lunging at Kael with a fist. Kael sidestepped effortlessly, grabbed a nearby stool, and swung it into the man's gut, knocking him into another table.
A second man tried to tackle Kael from behind, but Kael spun around, grabbing the attacker's arm and twisting it before delivering a sharp elbow strike to his temple.
The man collapsed, groaning in pain.
Another swung a bottle at him. Kael ducked, the glass shattering against the wall behind him. Before the assailant could recover, Kael swept his legs out from under him with a low kick, sending him crashing to the floor.
Two men came at him simultaneously, one wielding a chair and the other with his fists. Kael grabbed a mug off the table and hurled it at the chair-wielder, hitting him square in the face.
The man staggered backward, dropping the chair, giving Kael the opening to deliver a swift jab to his jaw.
The other man managed to land a punch on Kael's shoulder, but Kael used the momentum to pivot, grabbing the man's collar and slamming him headfirst into the table.
By now, the remaining two were hesitating. Kael's movements were too fluid, too calculated for someone his age.
"You scared?" Kael taunted, tossing the stool aside and cracking his knuckles.
"You should be. I've been holding back."
One of them growled and charged. Kael met him halfway, ducking under his swing and delivering a powerful uppercut to his stomach.
The man doubled over, and Kael finished him with a kick to the side, sending him sprawling.
The last man turned to run, but Kael grabbed him by the back of his shirt and yanked him backward. "Leaving so soon?" Kael quipped, before slamming the man into the wall with enough force to knock him out cold.
The bar corner was in shambles. Broken stools and spilled drinks littered the floor. Harley was still groaning on the ground, clutching his bruised pride, while his men lay unconscious around him.
Kael crouched down beside Harley, grabbing the pouch of coins from the table and holding it up.
"This? It's going back where it belongs."
Then he leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper.
"And if I find out you've touched her—or any of us—again, I won't be so gentle next time."
Harley glared at him, but the fear in his eyes was unmistakable.
Kael straightened up, turning to leave. As he walked away, he paused and looked over his shoulder.
"By the way," he said with a smirk, "You should give up your badges…. it's shameful to share the same occupation as you"
With that, Kael descended the stairs, leaving behind a room full of groaning men and shattered egos.
Kael returned to Clara's counter with the pouch of coins he had wrestled back from Harley's gang. He placed it on the counter with a calm but firm request.
"Count this and tell me how many of those shards I can get back."
Clara, visibly uneasy, began counting.
"They must've spent quite a bit on drinks," Clara said, glancing at Kael. "This will only cover the cost of two shards."
"Better than nothing." He said, taking the two shards. With a nod of thanks, he turned and left the guild, heading toward the Cruz Forge Shop.
When he made his way back, he saw Isha sitting idly by the entrance, her gaze fixed on the street ahead. Her weathered hands rested on her lap, and her expression, while calm, bore the weight of worry.
Kael approached her, holding the reclaimed shards in his hand. He crouched slightly to meet her at eye level.
"Isha," he said gently, "I brought these for Irene. Could I see her?"
Isha's eyes widened as she recognized the shards. A faint smile tugged at her lips, though it was tinged with sorrow. She stood and led Kael into the shop then up a narrow staircase leading to upstairs.
She stopped right at her daughter's bedroom door, knocking gently.
"Irene, someone's here to see you. It's one of your party members."
From beyond the door came a hopeful voice. "Is it Fugo?"
"No, it's someone else."
There was a pause, then Irene's voice, laced with disappointment. "Let him in."
Isha opened the door, and Kael stepped inside.
Irene was laying in her bed her forehead wrapped in bandages. Her face was bruised, and a dark mark lingered on her neck.
Aching from her injuries, her sharp fiery eyes still held their usual spark, though dimmed by exhaustion.
"Hm, they got you good," Kael said, crossing his arms as he examined her.
"Oh, so it was you," Irene sighed.
Kael stepped closer, revealing the two blue shards in his hand. "I got these back for you. Unfortunately, I could only recover two."
Irene's eyes widened as she sat up slightly, wincing at the movement, "You fought them? How did you even know about what happened last night?"
"It just sort of happened. It's frightening to think about—you're here hurt while the rest of us had no clue. If I hadn't come here by chance, those losers who stole from you and hurt you would've gotten away with it."
Irene lowered her head, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Thank you. I mean it. Thank you so much for returning them. I was... too scared to ask for help."
"Why?"
"By now, you should know Renjiro and Fugo would've stepped in to help you."
Irene nodded, her voice trembling. "It's... foolish, I know. I can't even explain it myself. Maybe it was embarrassment?"
Kael leaned closer and flicked her forehead lightly.
"Ow!" Irene exclaimed, clutching her head.
"I'm embarrassed that you hesitated to call for help."
"Next time, report it to the guild. They'd have sent us messenger pigeons promptly."
Irene's face softened as she looked away.
"You know, this always happens."
"Even when I'm helping my mother downstairs, I feel like I'm just a liability."
"I can't make swords that sell as well as hers. Only Fugo is compatible with my magic swords, so those can't sell either."
"She knows my... shortcomings but my mom still lets me use her materials to hone my skills. And now, because of me, she had to close the shop today."
She gripped the sheets tightly, her frustration bubbling to the surface.
Before too long, she began crying like a child.
Kael's voice was steady as he replied, "Word on the street is that your mother was a prized member of the Cruz Familia. She forged swords for legends—Damion the Dragon Slayer, Rugh the Butcher, and even Victor Cruz himself. I'm sure you'll reach her level if you keep learning from her."
Irene shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. "I'm not so sure. These blue shards you got back for me—I'll test myself with them. I'll work day and night. I don't want my mother's decision to be for nothing."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "Decision? What decision?"
Irene hesitated, her voice cracking as she spoke. "I was the one banished from the Cruz Familia, not my mother. She banished herself... so she could stay with me."
Her voice broke, and she covered her face, unable to hold back the tears.
Kael sat beside her, rubbing her back gently.
"Get better, Irene. That frustration you're feeling? It's proof that you want to change. Don't lose it or hate it. Use it."
Irene nodded, wiping her eyes. "Are you going to tell the others about this?" she asked quietly.
"Only if you want me to."
"I don't mind them knowing."
Kael stood and patted her shoulder. "Rest up, Irene. And next time, don't wait to ask for help."
With that, he left the room, leaving Irene to her thoughts and the shards.
He took a deep breath and exhaled. "Wow! That felt good."
Once he made it outside of the shop, he slammed his hand against the closest wall he could find. "Damn you Kael!" he cursed himself.
"So much gold was in your hand!" he complained, looking back at his decision.
After everything he just did, from fighting older men to exchanging the gold for the shards. The facts did not change, that he had nowhere to go, and the day was almost over.
That pile of gold would have helped him greatly with paying this month's debt and then some. Kael could have had a proper meal for a change. Buy better equipment or something he had longed for.
To add fuel to the fire, the man Harley Souken was a member of the Souken Familia. He would hate for the familia to start pressuring him more than before because of today's actions.
"You stupid idiot!"
"The others are beginning to influence me too much!"
"Gosh, I need to find Renjiro's place asap!"
Overhearing Kael's cursing was Isha standing right by her door. She watched for a few seconds, contemplating if she should approach him. The young man seemed to be in a rage fit with himself.
Once she saw that he settled down with the yelling, she walked up to him.
"What's the matter with you?" Isha asked with concern.
Kael turned around, surprised to see her. "Oh! Nothing mam."
Isha raised an eyebrow, "Really? It sounds like you're in a bind."
Kael lowered his head, remaining silent.
"Come on, you just avenged my Irene. So, I am willing to lend you an ear."
"Give me a chance." she proposed.
"Fine, not like I have anything else planned."
Kael took a seat inside of the shop with Mrs. Cruz, as he began to explain his situation to her. From the beginning with his twisted father, to the end which was today.
After hearing the entire story, Isha nodded with a bright smile on her face.
"I have a suggestion! Live here with me."
Kael was stunned, "Huh?"
"Yes you heard me....sounds like you need financial support. Long as you work three days a week at my shop, you are free to live here. I have a free room too." The woman smiled at her genius.
"B-but you barely know me. And I don't think your daughter likes that idea very much."
"Irene has nothing to do with this young man. I want to help you, because of your character," she smiled.
"Character?" Kael repeated.
"Yes, you knew the man you picked a fight with today was involved with Souken Familia, but you still fought for justice. What's more, you even agreed to let Irene have those shards, to help her out despite you having more pressing financial struggles."
"You are pretty selfless, aren't you.." Isha said, patting the man on his shoulder.
"I-I don't know what to say. What would be the rent?"
"Rent? There is no rent, all I would want from you is that you keep a watchful eye over my daughter and that you help me out too."
Isha leaned forward for a whisper, "To be honest, my daughter is a handful down here. It would really be a weight off my shoulders if you took her place in this shop. This will also give her more time to hone her craft."
Kael nodded, understanding her conditions.
"And in case you're wondering. I won't have you working for free. I'll pay you when you do your work properly." Isha added.
Kael looked at the woman before her, as if she was an angel sent down to help him in this stressing hour.
"I am truly grateful for your generosity." Kael bowed.
"I humbly accept your offer, and I promise to exceed your expectations."
Isha took a liking to those choice of words, "I can't wait. Let me show you upstairs again then."
Kael's life took a turn for the better.
...
The Following Day.
Sunlight streamed through the window, gently stirring Irene awake. She yawned, stretching her arms as she sat up, wincing slightly at the soreness that lingered from her injuries. With her mind still foggy, she shuffled out of bed and headed for the bathroom, eager to freshen up.
When she opened the door to her bathroom, her eyes widened in sheer horror.
"WOAH!"
There, in the middle of her bathroom, stood Kael—shirtless, dripping wet, and wearing nothing but a towel wrapped loosely around his waist. He was brushing his teeth, completely oblivious to her presence.
Irene's face turned so red it might have been mistaken for a sunburn.
"K-KAEL!?" she shrieked, her voice sharp enough to make a banshee flinch.
Kael froze mid-brush, his toothbrush hanging out of his mouth at an awkward angle. Slowly, as if afraid to upset the universe further, he turned his head to face her.
His wide eyes met hers.
"Oh. Morning."
Irene's brain short-circuited. Her voice cracked as she screamed, "W-WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!?"
"WHY ARE YOU IN MY BATHROOM!?"
Kael's mind spun like a hamster wheel, trying to process the situation and produce an appropriate response.
This was delicate—a young girl catching a guy practically naked in her bathroom was grounds for social catastrophe.
He thought hard.
Well, not hard. It wasn't even a thought.
It was more like the kind of panic where his neurons were just slapping each other.
"Well!? Explain yourself!" Irene barked, her voice rising to the edge of chaos.
"What are you doing here!?"
Kael blinked, his face still blank as his thoughts congealed into one glorious realization. After all the panic and swirling nonsense, a single, shining truth emerged.
He had just finished brushing his teeth when he cleared his throat and said, "Uh... was brushing my teeth?"