50 Okay Mr. Big-shot, I see how it is. (1/2)

I didn't dare underestimate Reign as I did to the Chessboard. I learned my lesson the first time. Even though Joker said that they should be no problem I still carefully scouted out their base which Ryan had thoughtfully texted me.

A sketchy cheap office building located in a run-down neighborhood with a worn-down sign saying 'sarakin'. All the windows were barred and the curtains were drawn. I didn't see a single camera, I guess security must not be the highest priority around here....?

Haha. This base of theirs is literally straight out of a 'how to be an illegal loan shark' textbook!

According to Ryan, the group should only have around a dozen people working together. It probably won't be the biggest problem for me to shut them down all at once. I doubt any of them have had any martial arts training.

I wish they did. It would be better practice for me.

Saying this, I still have my new twin handguns strapped in their hidden holsters. Can't be too careful.

I'm a bit troubled as to how to make the organization (if you can call them that) close down. Getting enough evidence on them and handing them to the police would probably be the better way but...that wouldn't help me test my current capabilities at all.

Alright, time to just go in and beat them enough that they give up. We'll work from there. Sounds reasonable. It makes me feel like the bad guy though.

As I continued to scout the outside of the building, I caught sight of an incredibly sketchy store nearby.

I stared at a futuristic black mask that had a silver rim through the store windows.

Just my style! What a coincidence, I just needed something to hid my identity with.

But honestly, I'm starting to doubt I'm living in reality.

I don't think a normal high school girl usually does things like this.

I bought the mask from the still half-asleep storekeeper. He was surprisingly young, seemed to be only a few years older than me. Sketchy.

I was still wearing my school uniform but I didn't bother to change out of it. I just put on a cheap black hoodie that I bought along with the mask. Not only did it have a cool wing design on the back that sort of matched the mask, but the hood was also useful to help hide my uncommon hair color.

But damn, this store really has everything useful for a robbery. They even have a small corner to change clothes in!

Not suspicious at all. Nope. The man didn't even bat an eye when I walked out of his shop looking like I was about to rob somebody. He simply went back to sleep after making sure I paid for everything.

I think I can be friends with this guy.

When I left the small shop, the streets were fortunately empty or else I had a feeling I would have been reported.

You don't usually see some weirdo with a hood up wearing a mask in broad daylight.

Thank god there are no cameras around.

I approached the building and casually walked in. It was too small to have a proper lobby, so I was greeted by an empty reception desk and a few chairs. There was a staircase leading up and the sounds of talking and laughter.

What great service. Love it already.

In case you didn't notice, I'm being sarcastic.

Someone seemed to have heard my entrance since the chatter stopped and a man who seemed around 20 came down. He looked at me with suspicion but seemed to relax after realizing that I came alone.

”What do you need?” He asked. ”We're not currently open for business. You can come back af-”

I ignored him and headed upstairs. Waste of time talking.

I'm curious as to what the rest of the building would look like! I've never really seen an actual loan shark office before. It's all new to me.

”Hey! Where do you think you're goi-” He tried to stop me but I cut him off with a quick kick to the groin which made him pale in pain and fall over.

He was getting a bit annoying.

When I got to the top of the stairs I saw around five people all standing up and posed in cautious postures. They probably heard the guy downstairs and thought something was up.

No no, they're all getting the wrong idea! I'm just simply giving myself a tour of the place!

”Hey...missy...what do you think you're doing?” A man with a bushy beard said with narrowed eyes. ”This isn't a place for kids like you to be at.”

The other four men nodded in agreement.

I realized that their ages are quite diverse. There were four adults, but there was also a teenager who looked like he should have been in college.

When they realized that I wasn't answering, they looked at each other and shrugged.

The teenager walked towards me and flashed his most charming smile. I studied him a bit more closely, I guess he would probably be considered handsome compared to average?

It doesn't really work against me though. I've already built up an immunity to good looking people. Girls included.

The few guys I've associated myself with make this guy seem like a pebble at the side of the road.

”You're around my age, right? Why not take off that mask? There's no reason to be wearing one here. We won't harm you.”

Yeah right. I totally believe that.

I stepped around him before stomping hard on the back of his knee and pushing him down the staircase.

Bye-bye.

He ended up promptly landing on the guy who was still squirming at the bottom in pain. He didn't move. Probably knocked out from the fall.

The other four immediately put up their guards and spread out. Judging from their stances only the oldest man had actual fighting experience and seemed to be their leader.

As expected, he came towards me in a fighting position while motioning for his 'friends' to stay back.

1 v 1? Heh. You're on.

”Don't try and fight boss missy, he used to be a specialist in the military!” One of his followers sneered proudly.

A specialist? Uh....I don't remember what that rank is. Sounds.....special....I guess.

What was the point of telling me that? I don't get it.

I stepped towards the large man and started off with a jab to test the waters. He responded with a block and a counter. I shrugged it off with a parry and sneaked in a sidekick which was dodged. He lept back and looked at me with surprise.

I still don't remember what a specialist is...

But whatever, this guy has good instincts.

I shrugged and decided to actually get serious.

This guy has been trained before so I won't feel bad about beating him up. If he looses then that's his own fault for not training enough.

He was the one who made the first move this time. It was just a feint and punch combo. Boring. I once again parried his punch.

I guess a specialist isn't a big deal? Is that rank made up....?

Seeing how I wasn't focusing much on our duel, the leader's face flushed up in anger and threw a punch in rage.