Rex locked eyes with a gangster, his face marred by a sickle-shaped scar. The gangster waved his axe nervously, yelling, 'Come with me!'
The gangster was isolated, his comrades hesitant to move. Rex took advantage, launching a lightning-fast side kick that sent the axe spinning to the ground. He then closed in, his fist cocked, ready to deliver a devastating blow.
The punch was unlike any the gangster had ever felt. He crumpled to the floor, unconscious before the pain could register. What awaited him when he woke up was a different story entirely…
Only three remained. They watched in horror as Rex's bloodstained fists returned to his side. His gaze swept over them, sending a chill down their spines. Who was this man? How could he be so powerful?
The gangsters exchanged uneasy glances. Why were the ones with the blades the ones who were getting hurt?
Fear paralyzed the remaining gangsters. If not for their fallen comrades, they would have fled. One of them, sporting an earring, lunged at Rex, yelling, 'I'll hold him back, you get the others!'
The gangster was forgetting the power he was facing. Rex's Ki gave him an overwhelming advantage, making him faster and stronger than they could imagine. To leave the formation meant certain destruction.
The earring gangster's plan was doomed. It took Rex just two steps to close the distance and send the gangster crashing to the ground.
The gangster slammed into the floor, a spray of blood staining the tables.
The sound of chimes echoed at the door. The two remaining gangsters exchanged a terrified look. 'Run!'
Rex watched the gangsters flee, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. He was almost out of Ki, and another fight would be difficult, but he knew he could have won.
Ignoring the fallen gangsters, Rex went to the back of the store and yelled, 'Come out, it's over!'
Joy Meachum cautiously emerged from under a table, her eyes wide with relief. She had followed his instructions, staying hidden the entire time.
Rex offered Joy a hand. 'Ms. Meachum, why don't you travel with a bodyguard?'
"I don't like being followed," Joy said, grabbing Rex's arm and standing up. "Call me Joy. You saved my life, all the formalities are out the window now."
"Alright, Joy," Rex nodded, gesturing to the fallen gangsters. "Who are they? Why were they attacking you?"
"They're from Hong Kong's Axe Gang. I think it's because of our business dealings. We recently bought a pier they wanted."
"Bought a pier... Rex's eyebrows shot up in disbelief."
Rex's mouth twitched. She said it so casually, like she was buying a pair of shoes. He couldn't understand the rich.
Lorna and Peter emerged from the back of the restaurant. Peter, still shaken, exclaimed, 'Boss, you weren't kidding about this neighborhood! Where's the police? You took down four gangsters? All by yourself? That guy just vomited blood! How did you do that? Is this real Chinese Kung Fu? Are you cheating?'
"Peter! Shut up!" Rex snapped, his voice sharp.
"Rex silenced Peter's chatter and turned to Lorna. 'Are you alright?'"
"Rex hadn't just wanted to protect Joy. He'd been afraid Lorna might lose control and unleash chaos in the store."
"'I'm fine, Boss. Just a little scared.'"
"Rex checked Lorna's Ki and found it stable, a temporary relief. He knew he needed to talk to her about her temper, though, before she became a real danger."
"'Good. Peter, clean up the glass.'"
"Joy, who had been silent, stepped forward. 'Mr. Lee, leave this to me. I'll have the door fixed and everything back to normal.'"
"'Thank you, Joy. And call me Rex,' Rex said. He pointed to the approaching sirens. 'Do me one more favor and see if you can keep me from having to go to the station.'"
"'Of course!' Joy nodded confidently and walked out. 'Don't worry, I'll handle the police.'"
"The Meachum name carried weight in New York. After a brief exchange with Joy, the police declared the incident self-defense. Rex's name wasn't even mentioned in the report; the hero was simply labeled 'Ms. Meachum's bodyguard.'"
"Two ambulances arrived, taking the four gangsters to the hospital, escorted by the police. The incident was finally over."