"I'm here!"
Though Austin's voice wasn't particularly loud, it immediately grabbed the attention of both groups.
Harry's eyes lit up at the sight of him, but he quickly seemed to understand something and motioned for Austin to walk away.
Austin pretended not to see his signal and kept his stride confidently.
The group confronting Harry also perked up the moment they laid eyes on Austin.
"This guy matches the provided description," they thought to themselves.
There were three of them. One of them who had a bulky physique, bald head, and a scary face that could easily make children wet themselves and scare adults, stepped forward to meet him. Greeting him with an ominous smile, he questioned, "Are you Austin?"
"I am," Austin replied calmly, quietly sizing up the guy in front of him, wondering about his identity.
"Then, follow me; my client wants to meet you," the bald guy ordered with an undisputed tone.
"Client? Where are you guys coming from?" Austin asked, raising his eyebrows.
The bald guy exchanged glances with the other two before finally revealing his shark-like white teeth. "We're from Blackrose, a private security company."
"Private Security Company? What business do your clients have with me?"
"Kid, don't test our patience. When we ask you nicely, you better obey us, or things might get worse," another guy from the same group reminded. He had sunglasses on and crossed his arms before his chest, exuding an intimidating aura.
The last guy stood silently, lighting up a cigarette, appearing relaxed. However, his eyes stayed fixed on Austin's body.
"Hey, Austin, what kind of trouble did you stir up? These guys, looking like gangsters, have been causing a ruckus in front of the dorm for the past couple of days. I always called the dorm's guard, but they would show up again the next day. It would've been better if you hadn't come today, just like before," Harry whispered after getting close.
"How would I know? But hey, relax. I've got it covered from here," Austin responded nonchalantly.
"How do you plan on dealing with these gangsters?" Doubt and worry covered Harry's face as he eyed Austin.
Austin simply raised his fist in response.
Harry's expression shifted to one of concern. "You want to beat them? Are you sure? Shouldn't we just call the police and let them handle this kind of people?"
Austin shakes his head. "Police isn't that almighty. They might succeed in chasing them away today, but it won't guarantee they won't come back tomorrow. It's better if I settle it by myself right now."
Before Harry could voice further concerns, Austin reassured him with a friendly pat on the shoulder. "Just keep doing your thing, and I'll handle these guys." Turning to the bald guy, he added, "Let's go. Take me to your client."
"Hehe, kid, you are really an understanding person." the bald guy chuckled.
...
The group led him to one of the secluded places on his campus. The dump site.
There, already sat a person he was most familiar with on a chair. William.
Wearing a smug expression, William greeted him, "I finally found you, hehe."
"Have you been looking for me this whole time? I never knew you cared about me so much," Austin replied, feigning surprise.
He had already somewhat expected that the client the bald guy was referring to was William. After all, other than him, he couldn't think of any person he had recently offended.
"Hehe, talk all you want, because it'll be the last time you speak like that," William said with an evil grin.
"And why's that?"
"You see these guys here? I paid them to give you a beating!" William declared with a laugh.
The three guys fixed their grins on Austin.
William continued, "You're lucky you've been skipping college these past few days. I couldn't find you, and that's the only reason you're standing here today.
"Now that you've decided to show up to college, it seems your luck is running out," William sneered. "You've been dodging me, but today your streak ends!"
"So, you've hired these guys to beat me?" Austin asked.
"That's right! Feeling scared? This is what happens when you go against me. In a world where money rules, do you really think you, being the poor one, can challenge me? You might have won against me in the race match using shady methods, but the fact remains that I'm much richer than you. I could easily hire people to take care of you!" William sneered.
"So, is all of this happening because you still can't get over losing to me?" Austin asked with a chuckle.
"Who said I can't get over it? I just want to teach you a lesson!" William retorted angrily.
"Doesn't look like that to me," Austin shrugged casually.
William felt a surge of rage at Austin's nonchalant demeanor, but he quickly composed himself upon recalling that it would be the last time Austin could speak ill of him.
A sinister grin played on William's lips as he retorted, "Heh, I heard your little sister's in the city. Just in time to witness how her older brother gets a taste of the beating he deserves."
"Are you sure you want to do this? My friend will call the police if I don't return in ten minutes."
"Police?" William burst into laughter. He laughed until tears welled up in his eyes, as if he had just heard the most absurd joke.
William's eyes narrowed as he scoffed, "Do you honestly believe I'd care about the police given my status? However, dealing with them can be a bit troublesome. So, let's expedite this process. A few minutes is all I need to make you regret crossing me."
"Get him, guys!" William commanded the three men as he retreated into a safe distance.
The three guys immediately close their distance with Austin. However, Austin swiftly interrupted, "Hold on! Weren't you claiming to be from a private security company?"
The three guys, feeling pretty sure Austin was an easy target, took their time. The bald guy answered Austin's question unhurriedly, "Yeah, that's our job. We do bodyguard stuff and, you know, dish out a beating when our clients want it."
"So, what's the price for your service?" Austin asked.
"Sorry?" the bald guy looked puzzled.
"How much does your service cost?" Austin repeated.
The one with cigarettes chimed in, "Five grand!"
"Is that the rate you offered this idiot? Well, I'll double it. In return, make sure you give him a good thrashing." Austin declared flippantly.
The trio exchanged glances with each other before bursting out laughing.
The trio shared glances before bursting into laughter. The bald guy, after a moment, narrowed his eyes and spoke with a chilling tone, "Kid, are you pulling our leg? 'Cause that was a good one."
Austin, unfazed, replied casually, "Who said anything about joking? Give me your bank details, and I'll transfer the money right away."
The bald guy, wearing a sly grin, played along, "Here's my account info..."
"If the cast isn't within my account in five minutes, you're dead meat!" he continued threateningly.
One minute later.
"Done!" Austin declared confidently.
"Done?" The bald guy swiftly checked his bank account on his phone, only to find out his money had increased by fifteen grand.
His eyes widened as he stared at Austin, and then he pulled the other two into a hushed discussion.
William, growing more confused and uneasy, roared at the group, "What the hell are you guys doing?! Hurry up and give him a beating!"
For some reason, the unease crept up on William as he watched their strange reactions upon talking with Austin.
After their huddled discussion, instead of approaching Austin, the trio shifted towards William's direction.
"What's going on?" William stammered nervously as the trio circled him.
"W-what are you guys planning?" he stuttered.
The bald guy, with a smirk, answered, "Well, kid, seems like your enemy here just sweetened the deal. We're switching sides."
William's eyes widened in disbelief, "W-what? That's impossible!"
The guy with the cigarettes chuckled, "Believe it or not, he just tripled our pay. You're not the boss anymore."
As the trio closed in, William's mind raced, trying to comprehend the sudden betrayal. "You can't be serious! This is some kind of joke, right?"
But the bald guy shook his head, "No joke, kid. Money talks, and it looks like your enemy speaks louder than you regarding this case." The trio exchanged knowing glances, and with a shared nod, they jumped into action.
"Damn it! You bastard! I paid you good money, and now you go against your client!" William growled in rage, enduring the relentless onslaught of punches. Despite his athletic physique, he struggled to dodge every blow.
The man with sunglasses, retorted, "Well, who's to blame when your enemy can pay us more?"
"But I'm the one who hired you first! Does your damn company have no integrity?!" William exclaimed in frustration as the beating continued.
"Money comes first, kid. As for integrity... can it feed our stomachs?" The bald guy chuckled unashamedly.
A few minutes later, William lay sprawled on the ground, looking pitiful and battered. His clothes were in tatters, coated in dust, and his face resembled a canvas of bruises and swelling. Grimacing in pain, he managed to mutter, "B-bastard..."
"Good job," Austin praised the trio, a sardonic smile playing on his lips.
The bald guy responded with a business-like smile, "Boss, if you ever need something like this again, you know where to find us. Here's our business card."
After pocketing the business card, the trio swiftly departed, leaving Austin and the battered William alone at the scene.
Squatting beside him, Austin chuckled. "How's the flavor of beating? Suit your taste?"
"B-bastard... how the hell did you flip them against me? Tripling their payment? Where the hell did you get that kind of cash?!" William glared resentfully at Austin, his swollen pig-like eyes mirroring the agony he endured.
"My family's not as broke as you assumed. In fact, I'm wealthier than you thought. Turns out, my old man is a CEO of a pretty big enterprise. That's where my cash comes from." Austin grinned, savoring the confusion settling on William's face.
"You're the grandson of a CEO? What the hell are you talking about? That's impossible!" William cried out in disbelief.
What kind of bullshit plot twist is that? This isn't a movie!
"If it's so impossible, how do you think I managed to turn those gangsters you hired?" Austin shot back calmly.
"..." William was struck speechless.
After a while, he stammered out a response. "S-so, you're the grandson of a CEO?"
"Of course...not!" Austin burst out laughing. "Did the beating mess with your brain too?"
William gritted his teeth fiercely, resentment burning in his eyes.
"Anyway, don't even think about messing with me again after this. I don't have time to play with you," Austin said dismissively as he approached a nearby steel dumpster. "Imagine this is your head."
Bang!
His fist collided with the surface of the steel dumpster, producing a resounding sound that echoed in the alley.
Afterward, he retracted his fist, revealing a clear hole in the spot he had just punched.
William was dumbfounded and subconsciously touched his head. 'That was steel, right?'
"Got the message?" Austin said no more and walked out of the alley, leaving William bewildered and lost in his own thoughts.
As he strolled away, Austin glanced at the business card he had acquired from the trio, silently contemplating. 'Andreas Street... Do you really think I'll let you off after pocketing my fifteen grand?'
------------------------
Sorry for not uploading for a few days. I was out cold after participating in an election held by my country. It took me two days to fully recover.
Anyway, I'll be posting another chapter later today, and we're just a couple of chapters away from Austin completing his morphing stage!