Ian's eyes darted around the place to confirm the exact number of people he had to face. There was Edgar who still had his arm around him and the three guys who brought him here. There was also a fifth guy who kept hitting Jake even though he was already almost out. Looking at his watch, Ian noticed he had only one light. He was the weakest in the bunch.
"Here's how it's gonna go," Edgar continued, bringing back Ian's attention to him. "I wanted to have some fun with that bitch over there," he pointed at Jake. "But the fool had the audacity to say some pretty hurtful things and wouldn't apologize."
Ian resisted the urge to facepalm there. "I told you to provoke them but you've still got to learn how to pick your moments," he thought.
"That got me thinking," Edgar's grip tightened around Ian's shoulder. "He has a friend. Every weak-ass trash like this has a weak-ass friend who they care for. I think you'll say watching each other's backs?"
"I just said we're not friends."
"Shut up, I'm still talking," Edgar hissed before smiling again. "Anyway, as long as he doesn't apologize, I have to hurt something of his."
"I am not-"
"Fritz," Edgar called, finally letting go of Ian. "Is he still conscious?"
"Yes!" Fritz, the Tier 1 ability user answered and kicked Jake again."
"I-I'm sorry," Jake said in a whisper.
"What did you say?" Edgar laughed. "C'mon, the fun hasn't even started yet."
"I'm sorry," Jake said again, this time louder as he looked up at Ian. "I'm sorry for dragging you into this but I can't apologize to this piece of shit!"
"You...!" Edgar gritted his teeth as the veins on his forehead became visible. "I'm going to break every single bone in both of your bodies!"
Ian sighed as he took off the hair band on his wrist and used it hold to his hair back, leaving out a few strands at the side of his face, and revealing his grey eyes that looked like there were clouds in them.
"You can only do that if you can beat me," Ian said firmly. He needed to provoke them a little bit to get them where he wants them.
Edgar stared at him for a few seconds before he burst into hysterical laughter, barely able to control himself as he doubled over in amusement.
"Ha, what is that supposed to mean?" he asked, still barely able to contain his laughter. He had made sure to look at this guy's watch when he came in and he also tried to get a feel of his physicality when he put his arms around him. There was nothing about him that backed up the stupidity he was displaying and it only amused Edgar more.
"You do realize that you are outnumbered and without an ability," Edgar said. "Jake has an ability but still, look at his state."
"Thanks for stating the obvious, but not everyone is as dumb as you," Ian smirked as he clenched his fists.
Edgar gritted his teeth in anger again as he was getting really frustrated with low-level trash disrespecting him. Even people with Tier 3 abilities would think twice so it annoys him that he's having to face disrespect from two lowlifes. One of them being someone who he used to have under his control, and the other being a pretty boy with no ability.
"Damian, get him," he said to the guy who led the trio that brought Ian to the alley and lifted Jake's head. "Damian has a strength ability and he's already at Tier 3. That means his slaps are a lot harder than that of a regular human. For every time, you refuse to apologize when I ask, he's gonna disfigure that pretty boy's face with his slaps. I fear a punch would kill your friend."
He then turned to look at Ian. "I hope you are ready, pretty boy. Let's see what that mouth does for you. Get ready, Damian!"
"Roger," Damian grinned as he cracked his knuckles. "Clench your teeth."
Those words triggered a memory that Ian wished he could forget. Just a few days ago, the last person who said those words to him knocked him out with a slap.
He shook it off immediately as he decided to focus on the opponent in front of him
"I'm different from a few days ago."
"Now, " Edgar ordered and Damian swung his open palm towards Ian's face.
"I can see it," Ian thought as he lifted his arm to block the slap, shocking Damian more than anyone else. His arm stung badly but he decided to keep up the momentum as he held Damian's arm and pulled him closer to himself as he aimed a punch at Damian's throat.
The punch landed square on Damian's throat, causing immense pain, unlike anything he had felt before. Damian grabbed his throat and wheezed wildly as he tried to get a hold of himself, but it was all Ian need to seal the deal as he delivered a right hook at Damian's temple, knocking him unconscious.
There was dead silence in the place as Damian fell to the floor unconscious. He was the second strongest person here and was knocked out with two punches.
Ian now got in a stance as he knew the element of surprise was gone and they would be a lot more cautious now. He had already committed to it so he plans to see it to the end.
What bothered him though was the fact that he hadn't got any exp.
"Was I too extreme?" he thought. Just then, he noticed movement still coming from Damian who seemed to still be conscious.
"I guess I wasn't strong enough to knock him out completely even though I aimed at his temple," Ian thought as he lifted his leg and delivered a devastating kick to Damian's face. One that knocked him out for sure this time.
[Quest Updated: 1/5 hostiles defeated, 50exp gained.]