Finally done with all the play and mischief we moved forward, our destination being the merchant's district northern part where Luna's trade head resided.
Astoundingly unlike I thought, their mansion was also being used as a headquarters for their company as well instead of just being a place to rest.
All this time I had been thinking that their main office would reside at a place different from here. But it seems like Merchant's District is keeping its name not just for show. This place was a hub of merchants more so than the market itself. With various deals that laid the foundation for Atlas City's economy, this place could either build or destroy someone's future depending on the role they play.
"Albert, how do you think the conversation will go? I have never done formal meetings just to let you know." I said while looking at my side, Albert seeing my gaze on him thought for a moment then answered.
"Just don't beat them to a pulp if someone insulted you."
I frowned.
"What kind of person do you even think I am? You and Elda really need to change your opinions on me."
He gave me a gaze of distrust, rolled his eyes, and then said casually.
"You jumped through buildings to catch me, just because I called you dogshit indirectly. If I had cursed you out loud maybe I would have been thrown from the top of a building instead."
Left baffled by his choice of words, I actually liked the idea of throwing him out of a window... No, not just him. The idea sounded good and well, a 'Cool' thing to do one day.
I quickly made a mental reminder on my to-do list.
"Fair enough.." I answered Albert, neither confirming nor denying his accusations of me.
Hearing me Albert's shoulders sulked down, he face-palmed loud enough for me to hear, then said with an exaggerated sigh.
"At least have some shame to deny this..."
I shrugged and ignored him, he had been talking too much today anyway.
Sigh...
Finally some peace, with this we moved in silence.
After twenty minutes of continued walking, we reached a mansion, its wall shrouded in grass and black caged bars that looked like elegant yet capable security providers. The outer walls stretched from one point to another, it was the second most luxurious place I would be entering after the Temple itself.
Albert glanced at me, then with a small gulping sound he said nervously. "Let's... enter."
I nodded and followed his lead.
Entering through the front gate I could see two carriages parked at the corner of the mansion's entrance, the road paved with bricks and a garden on both sides, filled with small plants that gave a colorful petals look from above.
"Stop!"
Bringing me out of thoughts two guards came forward from the seemingly ordinary shed I had missed seeing beforehand.
Those two men wore the symbol of Luna Trades on their uniform vest, an aquatic color crescent moon, with letters engraved on its edge. Their gaze was stern and mature seemingly from their time as guards, but that was not all. They had guns on their side— Not just ordinary guns but rather monster hunting guns which should take a large cost of maintenance care.
"We have an appointment." Albert came forward, he had put up a brave front but his nervousness was palpable by his shaky steps.
The red-haired guard frowned and then demanded.
"Leave!"
'What?'
I was left standing in confusion, his words not making sense.
"As I said Sir, we have an appointment by one of the guards and appointed by the butler of this esteemed head of the house." Albert tried to maintain a respectful manner and turned to glance at me unsure what to do.
"I don't think you understand what we said just now."
The red- haired squinted his eyes and then glanced at me, the older man behind him kept his silence letting the youngster handle everything.
Sigh...
I walked toward them.
"What seems to be the issue?" I asked, my face showing no emotions or hint of fear.
The red-haired guard looked at me with a hint of suspicion before speaking, "You can't come in."
"And I wish to know why?" I asked, raising a brow.
The red-haired guard shifted his weight, his hand unconsciously reaching for the gun at his side.
I was almost about to laugh, seeing his actions.
"I am the one who is to be meeting the head of the house, and you are the one who seems to have a misunderstanding," I said calmly, not taking my eyes off him.
"Haa... listen I don't give a fuck if you have an appointment or not, I don't want you to meet him, so fuck off when I am being nice."
"Oh no..." Albert whispered, understanding the situation he took several steps back simultaneously as the guard pointed his gun directly at my forehead.
The tension in the air grew thicker than a storm cloud about to burst. The red-haired guard's eyes were cold, a stark contrast to the vibrant garden behind him. His grip on the weapon tightened, and his finger hovered over the trigger.
I gave the other guard a side glance and asked directly. "Are you on this with him?"
He didn't reply and continued to stare at me with a tired gaze...
"Sorry, kid but you should leave." He said.
I took a step closer, my eyes unblinking and my voice firm. "I have no intention of leaving without speaking to the head of the house."
"Good," The red-haired grinned and added. "At least this way no one else will come here now..."
Click—
Bang—!
With the pull of the trigger, the bullet left the barrel instantly yet I could see it. The world had slowed down to a crawl once again in my eyes. Kairosflow flow adjusted my speed as I stepped aside on time and dodged the bullet, making it fly past me at an astounding speed.
The red-haired eyes widened and he opened his mouth to say something but I didn't give him any time.
"No hard feelings, it's self-defense," I said and my hand shot forward, the speed of my hand movement was something that would make his eyes shake in fear. My right hand gripped his arm and twisted it, making the gun fall from his grip, and then I effortlessly kicked him in the knees.
Thuck—!
"Gh!"
Before he could fall I let go of his hands and grabbed him by the neck taking the air out of his lungs then immediately slammed him on the ground.
Thud—!
The sound of the red-haired guard's body hitting the ground echoed through the quiet garden. The other guard, finally reacting to the situation, reached for his gun, but I was quicker. I dashed towards him, my speed increased by Kairosflow, and with a swift kick, I sent the weapon flying out of his hand. It clattered against the brick pavement, landing several feet away from his reach.
"No hard feelings to you as well old man."
I clenched my fist and threw a direct punch towards his face.
Pa—!
He flew through the ground a few centimeters away and crashed into the soft bush behind him.
Shaking my hand to let the pain go, I calmly walked toward Albert who witnessed all of this with a stupid gaze.
"I knew this would happen!"
Albert's voice was a mix of shock and exasperation as he stared at the unconscious guards on the ground. I could see the fear in his eyes, but there was something else—respect maybe? I ignored his comment and walked towards the mansion's entrance. The door was grand and intricately carved with more of the Luna Trade's insignia. I could feel the power and wealth emanating from the place.
"Wait, you bastards!"
'Oh, the red-haired, didn't lose his consciousness.'
He rushed at us, this time without his weapon— he conjured a blazing wheel with sharp corners in his hands and threw it forward.
The blazing wheel blitzed through the air, rotating at an astonishing speed it soared high in the sky and then quickly came descending toward us.
"Shit!" Cursing out loud, my hand swiftly moved to grab Albert's arms, I twisted my body by the waist and with a small twirl, I generated enough momentum to throw him away.
Swish—
"What!" Before Albert could know he was already flying through the road and fell on the ground with a groan of pain, at that exact time a loud roar of fire reached his ears.
Boom—!
The fire expanded over as the blazing wheel crashed on the gradeous door, making a deafening impact. The door crooked back, bursting away into pieces, its shattered parts filled the inside of the mansion making the servants stop in their tracks.
"Boss—!" Albert shouted as he stood up looking for Asher's whereabouts, the smoke from the attack cleared revealing Asher's figure lying on the ground. He coughed and then stood up, scratches covering his arms and body, along with charred burned marks all over his clothes.
*****
My eyes looked for him, the bastard who just threw the attack towards us. Luckily, I had managed to take several steps back after throwing Albert away or instead of the door I would be the one shattered and burned on the ground.
"There you are..." I muttered as I soon found him, the red-haired gulped ready to again toss his conjured weapon toward me.
He raised his arms, and another blazing wheel appeared on his hand then as he was about to release it, he stopped moving— His time had been frozen.
Then in a heartbeat, I was already near him, Kairosflow effects embraced me, making me five times faster than before.
As I stepped near him I twisted, raising my legs and delivered a mighty blow to his head toppling him over.
Thk—!
The effect of static vanished as he got thrashed to the ground with a grunt of pain washing over him, the wheel of flames flew past me but this time without any targets it soared into the sky and vanished with blinding flames taking over.
But this wasn't enough. I again rushed toward his fallen figure that had just rolled far away due to my kick just now.
The red-haired winced in pain, clenching his jaw and head, but then his eyes widened as another kick landed on his chest taking the air away.
"Argh!"
"Did you really thought, I would let you go after what you just did right now?" I said mockingly, then once again kicked his face with much more controlled force than before.
I couldn't let him pass out, not yet. My plan was to make him feel as much pain as possible and possibly just kill him if I could.
"Stop, please!" He begged, his voice quivering and his hands up in a feeble attempt to protect himself.
Ahh, my rage just reached sky-high seeing his pathetic attempt.
I raise my right leg, hoping to crush his neck on the first try.
No, let's do it in four to five tries.
Just as I was about to hit him someone grabbed my shoulders and shouted.
"Boss, stop, he will die!"
Albert pushed me away, I staggered but didn't complain, his words poured like cold water as I realized what I was about to do just now.
I turned to look behind me, servants had already gathered outside the mansion's broken door.
"Ah, my Shitty luck." I grabbed my head and then looked at the redheaded fallen figure, he was bleeding from his head, probably due to the impact of my kick.
He winced and tried to drag his body away from us. Getting annoyed over this sight, My boots once again struck his face, this time making sure he was not awake.
"Albert, you okay?" I turned to the other side, looking at Albert.
He was in much better shape than me with some minor cuts over his limbs. Oh, he was looking even more dumb than before.
"Y–Yes, are you okay, boss? Um, you didn't get burned did you?" He hesitated, his words stuttering over his tongue. I ruffled my hair and nodded.
"As good as always..." I mumbled and looked at the servants, from there a man came with a black suit and white shirt, a bow tie resting on his neck. He walked with refined dignity yet I could see his hurry and fear.
As he came near me, he first glanced behind looking at the fallen guards and then at me.
He coughed and turned to look at the other servants.
"Nothing has happened, all of you go back to attend to your duties, Now!"
With all the servants quickly leaving, he once again faced me and performed a respectful bow.
"Sir, please come with me."
Albert and I looked at him, dumbfounded. What is even happening here?