Three men emerged from the shadows, circling Gray like wolves closing in on their prey. Their eyes gleamed with a sinister mix of greed and malice as they sized him up.
The leader, a burly man with a scar running down his cheek, sneered as he stepped forward. "Now, what's a pretty boy like you doin' in a place like this?" he mocked, his voice dripping with disdain.
Gray instinctively took a step back, his expression flickering with uncertainty as the men closed in.
The leader brandished a crude sword, his eyes gleaming with malice. "Hand over everything you've got, boy," he snarled, his tone now rough and threatening. "Do that, and we might not hurt you... too much."
Gray forced himself to look scared, allowing a bead of sweat to trickle down his brow. His body language was deliberately shaky, and his voice trembled as he spoke. "You think you can scare me?" he retorted, his tone meant to sound defiant but laced with just enough fear to sell the act.
Inwardly, though, he was far from afraid. In fact, he was reveling in this moment. Gray had always been a master manipulator, someone who thrived on making others drop their guard. He knew that by appearing weak and helpless, he could lure them into a false sense of security. It was all part of the game—a game that gave him a twisted sense of pleasure.
There was something deeply satisfying about watching others think they had the upper hand, only to crush them like ants when they least expected it. The anticipation of their despair sent a thrill through him, and he savored every second.
As the men drew their swords with a shing of steel, Gray let his bravado falter just enough to make it seem genuine. His forehead glistened with sweat, and his hands trembled slightly. Inside, though, his mind was sharp, calculating every move.
"W-wait a minute—" he stammered, his voice hitching as he pretended to panic.
The thug on the left sneered, stepping closer until Gray could smell the foul stench of his unwashed body. "Listen, kid," he growled, his breath hot and rancid, "unless you wanna die tonight, hand it all over. Now."
Gray swallowed hard, allowing his heart to pound loudly in his chest—or at least, allowing it to seem that way. Slowly, he reached into his pocket, pulling out a small pouch of coins. With a reluctant sigh, he tossed it to the leader, who caught it with a greedy glint in his eye.
Clink! The coins jingled in the leader's hand as he weighed them with a satisfied smirk. "That's everything I've got," Gray said, his voice barely above a whisper. He made sure his tone conveyed desperation, the final touch on his act.
The leader chuckled, a dark, menacing sound that echoed off the alley walls. "Everything, huh? You sure about that, kid?" His gaze swept over Gray's finely tailored clothes, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. "That outfit ain't cheap. You think we're blind?"
Gray's eyes widened in mock shock, and he cursed under his breath. They were going to push him further, exactly as he had hoped. "You can't be serious."
But the leader's grin only widened, his expression twisted with cruelty. He let out a wave of mana pressure, the air around him crackling with energy. Gray felt the oppressive force bearing down on him, his knees nearly buckling under its weight—not from fear, but from the raw power of it. He allowed himself to shiver, adding to the illusion.
"Now," the leader repeated, his tone brooking no argument.
Trembling—or at least pretending to—Gray began to strip off his jewelry and expensive clothes, each piece falling to the ground with a dull thud. He hesitated for a moment, then unbuckled his belt and let his embroidered cloak slide off his shoulders. His silk tunic and tailored trousers followed, leaving him standing in the cold night air, vulnerable and exposed.
The leader stepped forward, eyes gleaming with anticipation as he reached for Gray's clothes.
But this was exactly what Gray had been waiting for. The corners of his lips curled up into a sinister grin, barely noticeable under the shadows.
Heh.
The low chuckle escaped his lips, sending a shiver down the spine of the leader. But before the man could comprehend what was happening, Gray was already in motion.
In one swift motion, Gray's foot shot up, connecting squarely with the leader's groin.
Arghh!"
The man let out a guttural scream, doubling over in pain. "
Seizing the moment, Gray lunged at the thug to his right, who was caught completely off guard. The thief tried to swing his sword, but Gray was faster, grabbing his wrist and twisting it with a sickening snap! The man cried out, dropping his weapon as Gray snatched it midair, his movements fluid and precise.
The third thief, seeing his comrades incapacitated, charged at Gray with a wild, desperate slash. But Gray was ready. He sidestepped the attack with ease, feeling the rush of air as the blade whistled past him. With a swift counter, his sword sliced through the air with a shing, connecting with the man's arm. The thief screamed as blood sprayed from the wound, crumpling to the ground in agony.
The second thief, having recovered somewhat, lunged at Gray from behind. But Gray had anticipated this. He parried the attack effortlessly, their swords clashing with a sharp clang! Though the thief was experienced, he was no mana user, and no amount of skill could bridge that gap. Gray slashed down with his sword. The thief, desperate, raised his weapon to block it.
Clang!
The swords collided, but the thief's eyes widened in shock as a thin line of blood appeared on his chest, despite his successful block.
"How...?" he thought, but Gray didn't give him time to ponder. He drove his sword into the man's stomach, the blade sinking in with a wet squelch. Gray intentionally avoided vital points. He didn't want to kill them; not yet. There was more fun to be had in toying with them.
"My body is weak," Gray muttered, "Subduing them without killing is harder than I thought." He wasn't lying, but there was a hint of enjoyment in his voice, as if he relished the challenge.
He stood over the fallen thieves, his breath coming in heavy, ragged gasps. His eyes, cold and resolute, locked onto the leader, who was struggling to rise, clutching his manhood.
"You... you'll pay for this," the leader wheezed, his face twisted in pain.
Gray rolled his eyes and smirked, the twisted grin returning. "Yeah, sure."
The alley fell silent, save for the pained groans of the injured thieves and the sound of Gray's heavy breathing. The adrenaline still coursed through his veins, but he knew it wasn't over yet. The leader was not down yet.