5 A Step Further (2/2)

”Mhh.. is he threatening you?” He asked.

Again, she nodded.

”Gun?”

”Yes...” She whispered scared.

”What did you tell him?” He asked, a plan forming in his mind.

”I... I told him that... you were my boyfriend. But...” She averted her gaze.

”But?” He pressed.

”He told me to dump you and go with him... otherwise...” It was obvious she was getting anxious.

”He'd harm you?” He narrowed his eyes.

”Mhh.” She nodded in confirmation.

This was dangerous. He doubted the man would shoot at anyone with this many people, but once she left he might stalk her and...

He looked at her.

”Are you here alone or did you come with your friends?”

”I came with my friends... they're somewhere dancing.” She said, slightly afraid her friends would get involved, or worse, get injured.

Mmh... to avoid any problem I should lead him outside and...

”Look... I... I'm sorry... I didn't mean to cause you an-” She started.

”Do you want me to help you?” He asked, interrupting her.

”E-excuse me?” She might have heard wrong, there was no way he would offer himself up to help her despite the risks.

”I said: Do you want me to help you?” He repeated, a small smile on his face.

She was flabbergasted as tears almost started to well up in her eyes.

Was he? Was he really? Was he really going to help her!?

It was supposed to be a fun night for her and her friends, while they might have come to check out on handsome boys, she was there just for a good dance, and who knows, maybe a bit of romance if there was anyone who would've caught her eyes.

But once she left the toilette someone pointed an object she recognized as a gun at her back, forcing her to follow him. It was only when she saw a good-looking man calmly sitting on the couch that she had an idea... and well, the rest is history.

She felt very bad for dragging him in that situation but also felt very shocked at his observation skills. She had to admit that. It took him only a few seconds to figure out what was going on and through the entire conversation, he didn't even falter.

Maybe he could really help her...

”P-please... help me..” She said nervously, fearing that he might draw back and leave her to her fate.

[ Quest received! ]

[ t.i.tle: A Damsel in Distress ]

[ Description: Have you ever dreamed to be a hero? If so then unsheathe your sword and deal with the enemy. ]

[ Reward: 7 Attribute points

180 System points. ]

[ Time-limit: Your defeat. ]

[ Accept

Decline ]

Here it is...

He tapped 'Accept' and the screen disappeared.

”Mhh... come with me.” He suddenly said as he got up.

She looked at him and nodded.

Jered approached the man at a steady pace while looking at his hands. He saw his left hand brush against his left pocket.

So he put the gun in his left pocket?

He couldn't be sure yet.

”I saw you looking at us for quite a while now, are you interested in my girlfriend or are you interested in me?” He said with a smirk while putting his arm around her shoulder, bringing her closer to his body.

She felt a small blush creep its way on her face at the contact.

”I want her. I hope you'll make this easy for me and stay out.” He replied calmly while touching the protruding tent in his pocket.

”Ohh, did I perhaps turn you on?” He grinned.

The man started to get angry, the kid in front of him was getting too c.o.c.ky for his taste. Did he want to play the part of the hero to show off in front of her? Did he not believe that he was not playing?

”So you won't back off?” He asked narrowing his eyes.

”I'm afraid not.” Jered just smiled.

”I see... well, we're both men here, why don't we take this outside?” He proposed, an evil glint in his eyes.

”That's really a good idea... so, won't your friends over there come as well?” He asked tentatively.

”What are you talking about? What friends?” He asked, evidently confused.

”Nothing, don't mind it.” He waved it off, faking innocence.

Well, that's good, he's alone... I won't have to worry about any possible addition to the conflict.

”Let's go.” The man said, taking his gun out and motioning at them to go out.

”Um.” Jered nodded and headed towards the exit.

The girl was following them, nibbling on her lip worriedly.

It was a tight situation, they didn't know that he'd do should they refuse, but it was obvious that it was better to deal with it head-on. They couldn't even call the police or warn the bouncers as the man had been looking at them all the time.

She just hoped that her 'fake-boyfriend' wouldn't get hurt or else she would feel really guilty.

...

Once outside the man led them to an isolated place, not too far away from the nightclub but not nearby either.

He pointed his gun at Jered's face while the woman yelped in fright.

”Well, what will you do now, little hero?” He asked tauntingly.

Jered just looked at his interlocutor's face before an idea crossed his head.

”You see, my friend. I'd like to show you a magic trick.” He stated as he put his right hand inside his hoodie's pocket.

”Stop!” The man shouted, suspicious at what this kid was trying to pull off.

The brunette that was a few feet away from them also looked at him puzzled.

”Don't worry, buddy. Look, it's just a coin.” He smiled while showing the content on his hand, and it was indeed a penny.

The man lowered his guard but still kept the gun aimed at him.

”Here, let me show how with this worthless penny I'll make your gun mysteriously vanish.” He said flailing his arms for dramatic effect.

The man was still suspicious but couldn't really see how he'd make that happen.

Was he bluffing?

Jered held the coin between his index and middle finger, lifting it up so that the man's eyes were locked on the penny.

Easy... this guy is totally stupid.

He smiled, throwing the coin up in the air and moving as fast as possible.

The man followed the coin with his gaze wondering what he was up to when...

”Aaghh!” He screamed in pain.

His pistol dropped on the ground, near the now sh.e.l.l-shocked brunette beauty.

He held his left hand that was beginning to swell and looked maliciously at Jered.

”You b.a.s.t.a.r.d! You tricked me!!” He bellowed in fury as saliva spurt out of his mouth.

”Haven't I told ya it was a magic trick?” He replied smugly.

Seriously... this man.

When they got out he never took distance from him, probably not confident in his accuracy. They were only a meter and half apart from each other, so exploiting his light distraction he swifty kicked his hand.

He could say that he was lucky that his opponent was slow-witted and had no experience in the field whatsoever.

The man, still grunting in pain tried for the last stand by sprinting towards the gun on the ground, however, Jered antic.i.p.ated him and punched him in the face making a bit of blood splatter on the asphalt.

It was an instant knock-out.

He suddenly felt his face heat up from the excitement. He couldn't describe the sensation but he felt immense satisfaction by hurting him...

I mean... look at the blood on the floor, wouldn't it be more beautiful if there was more?

He smiled...

It felt... amazing.

Maybe he could punch him again? Just a little more...

It was like he was in a trance as he started walking towards his defeated opponent, a small grin etched on his face.

There he was...

He sat down on him, looking at his face that begged him to draw more blood...

Just a bit...

He lifted his fist, ready to...

”Hey...are you ok?” A feminine voice suddenly came from behind him.

He turned his head around and saw her looking at him with a bit of fear.

”Wh-what are you d-doing? I-isn't he already unconscious?” She asked, trembling a little.

He looked at her confusedly before realizing what was happening.

Oh G.o.d...

What was he doing?

He hastily got up, a look of disgust on his face.

Was he about to?

No...

He felt nauseous just at the thought.

He breathed, trying to calm himself down, it wasn't time for this.

Looking up he noted a hovering rectangular-shaped screen that he seemed to have ignored.

It said:

[ Quest: A Damsel in Distress. Completed! ]

[ Your actions have proved to be worthy of a hero, your name shall be engraved in her heart till the sun dies. ]

[ Reward: 7 Attribute points

180 System points. ]

He inwardly smiled, there was only one quest left.

Dusting himself he looked at his watch and winced. It was already past midnight.

Oh s.h.i.+t!

He glanced at the woman and quickly said.

”I gotta go, you should call the police and tell them everything.”

”W-wait!” She stopped him.

”Mmh..?” He looked at her.

”W-what's your name?” She asked, still trembling.

”I'm Jered, nice to meet you.” He smiled, relaxing her a little.

”I'm Natalie.” She introduced herself.

He nodded while walking away, his shape slowly becoming a foggy blur in the shadows...

Jered, huh? She thought.

Her heart fluttered thinking about him.

It definitely scared her when he wanted to keep hurting the man, however...

She couldn't deny it. He was amazing. The way he quickly noticed she was in trouble showed how smart he was, moreover, he bravely stepped forward and faced a man armed with a gun, and using his quick-wittedness and physical power defeated him.

The fact he was very handsome was a plus she didn't mind.

What a guy...

She wanted to see him again...

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