136 Playing the Bully (1/2)

Jack showed a wry smile and his eyes were sharp and unhesitant. He looked around at the Lyre Family with a demeaning gaze.

None of the other members of the Lyre Family understood what Jack was doing or why he had suddenly ambushed their young master.

”Sir, what are you trying to do?” asked one of the bodyguards as he stepped closer.

”I wouldn't recommend you come any closer,” stated Jack, keeping his cool. ”You all are fine with picking on others when they're down, so why can't I do the same?”

”But sir--”

”Hurry up and pass me all your rings!”

The sudden demand caused everyone to freeze. Even the Maronn and the Treall Families put a pause to their battle.

”Are you threatening the Lyre Family?! You're insane!” One of the other young masters shouted back. He looked almost identical to Tarnel, so Jack assumed them to be brothers.

With a smile, Jack replied, ”Sure, why wouldn't I?” Just then, a bead of red blood started to dribble from Tarnel's neck. ”Do you believe me now?”

”You are insane, you know we can't kill here!” Both of the Lyre guards started to panic. It's one thing if their young master was injured and needed some healing, but to be disgraced like this and possibly lose him would lead to their death. They would fail at their only job!

”Maybe not, but I can do this.” The sword vanished as Jack put Tarnel in a headlock. His other arm smashed into Tarnel's other arm, cracking many bones and letting it hang limp like the other. ”Shall I keep going?”

”You…” The guards froze. They weren't able to decide, it was up to their young masters.

”J-Just give it to him!” Tarnel's shaky voice filled the cavern.

His younger brother nodded and threw a ring at Jack's feet. ”Here, you can have it for now. But don't think you'll be able to avoid punishment after you exit the catacomb.”

The others nodded and followed suit, each throwing their storage item in front of Jack.

Like taking candy from a baby, Jack slid Tarnel's ring off his finger and quickly stored it away. ”Alright, now all of you should head back to the catacomb's entrance. I don't want to see you until morning when I'm about to leave this place.”

”Why should we--”

”CRACK!”

”Aaah!”

As Tanel's brother tried to speak up, Jack sent another punch to Tarnel's left thigh. Tarnel's femur had not only broken, but it had also splintered and was now impossible to walk on. The young noble yelled in agony as his leg also fell limp and dragged on the floor.

Jack didn't say a thing. Instead, he smiled and watched the Lyre Family carefully. Just when they wanted to open their mouths in anger, Jack's fist would get closer to Tarnel's last functioning limb, his right leg.

”J-Just go already! Wait till morning!” Tarnel was fuming mad but was crying in pain as he sent his people away.

None of this was warranted in his mind. It was always the strong taking from the weak, but he never would have guessed that he would be weak to someone else.

Everyone's eyes were on Jack. After some silence, the Lyre Family members started backtracking. Soon they were out of sight and earshot.

Flint had a huge smile on his face. There was a lot of admiration in his eyes as he watched Jack. He wanted help, but this was way more then Flint had asked for, but he was more than happy it happened. Anytime the Lyre Family was oppressed, the Maronn Family would relish in it.

Gret had an aching feeling in the pit of his stomach. He and his followers had already tried to steal Jack's stuff earlier, yet he somehow escaped into thin air.

Now, the middle-aged man had reappeared out of thin air and he successfully robbed all the members of the Lyre family in front of his eyes. And he did it without anyone even daring to attack him!

Jack waited a couple of minutes until he let go of Tarnel and picked up the items at his feet. ”Until this is over, you'll be with me. I won't kill you, that I can guarantee.”

Tarnel swallowed some saliva and sat on the ground. He was too injured to run even if he wanted to try.

”As for you…” Jack glanced at Gret with a wicked smile. ”I think we have some unfinished business, don't we?”

”Shut up old man! You only caught that idiot by surprise because he was distracted. You can't take on all of us!” Gret shouted, keeping his followers on their toes.