Von stood there, listening as Mia's voice echoed in his ears. "Listen, Von. This kind of thing happens every day across the galaxy. Are you going to risk your neck every single time? You only get one life. People who can't protect themselves get taken advantage of. Sure, you can save her now, but it won't change the inevitable."
It was a brutally cold take, and what made it worse was how much truth it held. Von wasn't some omnipotent force, nor a superhero. He was just a mercenary trying to survive in a vast, dangerous universe. What could he really do for anyone else?
"You're not a hero, Von. You're just a guy with a ship," Mia pressed as the thugs dragged the girl further into the alley. The girl's eyes locked onto Von's, pleading for help. She even reached out, desperate for salvation.
Von clenched his fists. "I guess..." he muttered, feeling the weight of Mia's words. Maybe she was right. Maybe staying uninvolved was just common sense here. But despite that, something inside him stirred. He couldn't shake the feeling that if he walked away now, it would haunt him. How could he sleep at night knowing he'd left someone to suffer?
"Like hell!" he snapped, glaring at Mia. "You think I'd just walk away that easily, you heartless elf?" His voice cut through the air. There was no way he could leave the girl behind. He couldn't live with himself knowing he hadn't tried. The guilt would tear him apart.
"Wha—?!" Mia gasped as Von shook off her grip on his belt. He let his groceries fall to the ground and bolted toward the alley. His hand reached for his laser gun, quickly lowering the output to non-lethal as he readied himself.
"Let her go!" one of the thugs barked.
The girl whimpered as another thug raised his fist to strike her. Time seemed to slow as Von smoothly aimed his gun. He couldn't allow this to happen, not on his watch.
....
Von moved swiftly, aiming his laser gun at the thug's arm. The world seemed to hold its breath as he focused, steadying his aim. Without hesitation, he squeezed the trigger.
Pshew! A flash of red lit up the dark alley.
"Graaaah?!" the thug screamed, clutching his arm in pain.
Von had hit his target precisely as intended. Despite never firing a real gun before, the action felt effortless, almost instinctual. He couldn't help but wonder if his skills from Astria Online had somehow carried over into this world. Was that even possible? Whatever the reason, he wasn't about to question it now.
"Wha?!" The other thugs froze in shock, giving Von just enough time to fire off more shots. He had dialed down the gun's power, ensuring his shots wouldn't be lethal, but each one landed perfectly.
With every burst of red light, another thug cried out in pain.
"Ow!"
"Ah! Aaaaah?!"
"Eeeeek!"
Maybe he'd inflicted more pain than intended, but at least no one would die from it. He gave them one final warning, his voice cold and threatening. "Get the hell out of here! The next shot won't just burn."
The thugs didn't need any more convincing. They scrambled away, tripping over themselves in their haste to escape. Now it was just Von, his laser gun still hot in his hand, and the girl they'd left behind. She leaned against the alley wall, her clothes disheveled, her face pale with shock.
Von stepped past her, his eyes still on the retreating thugs. "Fix your clothes. I'll keep watch. We're getting out of here."
"O-okay!" Her voice wavered, on the verge of tears. Behind him, he heard the rustling of fabric as she quickly adjusted her clothes. Glancing over his shoulder just to be sure, Von kept his guard up. If she was somehow working with the thugs, there was always the chance of a betrayal. But she made no suspicious moves, just quietly fixing her appearance. Then, she stood up straight, still trembling but no longer in immediate danger.
.....
The girl stood there, watching Von as if expecting some kind of answer from him. He wasn't sure what else to do, so he gestured toward the entrance of the alley. She nodded, her orange eyes brimming with tears, and hurried back to the main road with Von trailing behind.
"Welcome back," Mia said dryly, walking toward him with his discarded items in her arms and a look of pure frustration on her face.
"So," she continued, "what are you planning to do about her?"
"Well, uh..." Von glanced at the girl, who was still staring at him. Their eyes met briefly.
Despite the dirt smudged on her from the ordeal, she was undeniably cute. She was a head and a half shorter than him, with a noticeably large chest for her size. It was hard not to compare her to Mia in that regard. She looked like a character straight out of an anime—a perfect little shorty he never imagined he'd meet in real life. Both her hair and eyes were a soft, light brown, and her youthful features gave her an innocent look, despite the state of her torn, dingy clothing after what she had just been through.
"Stop gawking," Mia cut in sharply. "Answer the question."
"I don't really know what to do with her," Von admitted. "O wise senior, what would you suggest?"
"Why did I even bother asking? Obviously, you've got nothing going on in that empty head of yours," Mia huffed, shoving his stuff back into his arms before turning on her heel to leave.
Von narrowed his eyes. "Oh, I see how it is. You're just gonna use your junior and then toss him aside, huh?"
Mia stopped abruptly, her long ears twitching at his words.
....
Von smirked as he spoke, "Darn shame. I should've known those were your true colors, but you really had me fooled. I thought you were my wise and all-powerful senior."
Mia's ears twitched in irritation as he continued, sensing he was about to push her even further.
"Guess I overestimated you. You'd ditch your junior without a second thought. Maybe I should start going to that guy from the merc guild instead. At least he's not a flat-chested, rude, cold-blooded elf."
In a flash, Mia's face twisted in anger as she charged at Von, grabbing him by the collar and sending his groceries tumbling to the ground.
"I'll kill you," Mia growled, her voice low and dangerous.
Von couldn't help but chuckle. "That's my Mia! I knew my senior wasn't the type to abandon a poor, helpless girl. Wow, what an inspiring example you are!"
"Spare me the fake compliments," she snapped, her grip still firm on his collar. "How'd I get stuck fixing this mess?"
"Think of it as a nice little diversion. I believe in you, senior," Von teased.
"Keep talking, and I'll cut out that damn tongue of yours," Mia shot back, her patience wearing thin.
"Okay, okay, sorry," Von said, raising his hands in mock surrender. Mia sighed in frustration, turning her gaze away from him.
Gotcha, Von thought. That's what you get for trying to play me.
"The best course of action would've been to ignore her, like I told you in the first place," Mia muttered. "Maybe next time, you'll actually listen to my advice."
"Depends," Von shrugged. "Make it more fun next time, and I might consider it."
Mia's face twisted with fury again. Von couldn't help but admire how expressive she was, even if it was wasted on her anger.