Anastasia clung to Adam, shielding him from the approaching thug, Samoo. Her arms wrapped protectively around Adam, but it felt foreign to him. Before Adam could react, Robert stepped in, standing between them and Samoo. With clenched fists, he barked, "I've told you before, and I'll tell you again—stay away from my family."
More people began gathering, their voices rising in agreement. "Robert's right! We pay protection fees, and yet his family isn't safe? What's the point of paying, then?"
Samoo's face twisted in anger as the crowd grew bolder. "You're all forgetting your place," he spat. Robert and Anastasia exchanged tense glances, their bodies coiled with alertness, anger brewing in their eyes.
Suddenly, a voice boomed across the crowd. "Saaamooo..." It was loud enough to make Samoo freeze. His sneer quickly morphed into a pleased grin as he turned toward the voice. "Boss..."
The sight of his boss filled Samoo with a renewed sense of confidence. His shaken demeanor returned to arrogance, and he shot a smug look at the gathering crowd. "Now, you'll all regret this," he thought.
Meanwhile, Anastasia's embrace tightened around Adam, who stood awkwardly in her arms, confused. "What's going on..." Adam wondered, trying to gently push her away. But Anastasia, sensing his trembling, whispered softly, "It's okay... my child, I'm here... no need to be scared."
Robert, still keeping a vigilant eye on Samoo, overheard the exchange and felt a surge of responsibility. "I must protect them both," he resolved.
The boss—Bran—emerged from the crowd. His presence cast an ominous shadow over the gathering. People whispered in fear, recognizing the man who had brazenly killed a city guard. His reputation alone was enough to send chills down their spines.
Even Robert, though unnerved, didn't waver. He stood firmly between his family and this notorious thug leader. Bran's eyes bore into Robert, making him feel like a mouse under the gaze of a hawk. Samoo was about to explain, but Bran cut him off with a slap across the face. "I didn't ask you," he snarled, turning back to Robert. "I asked what's going on here."
Robert swallowed his fear, masking it as best he could. "I paid the protection fee. If I've done that, why is my family being threatened?"
Samoo interrupted, his voice desperate, "He's lying! That girl isn't even part of his family. He's just sticking his nose where it doesn't belong!"
Bran didn't even glance at Samoo. "We'll see if that's true," he muttered, before pushing Robert aside with surprising strength. Robert staggered but managed to stay on his feet, still trying to shield Anastasia and Adam.
Bran looked at Adam and said, "If you're part of this family, you should know their names and what they do here. If you can answer that, fine, we'll leave you alone. If not... well, you'll pay the price."
He turned his full attention to Adam, studying him closely. As Bran stared at him, something unexpected crossed his face—a strange fascination. "Beautiful..." Bran thought to himself as he appraised Adam. Adam, sensing the shift, activated his God's Eye.
[Host skill active: God's Eye]
__________________________________________
[Name: Bran Crusher Velk]
-Age: 35
-Gender: Male
- Level: 33
- Strength: 90
- Agility: 78
- Mana: 1200/1200
- Affiliation: Local thug leader
- Status: In love with you
- Skills: Hand-to-hand combat, Intimidation, Street Smarts
- Special Traits: "Iron Fist" - Deals extra damage with punches.]
_________________________________________
Adam froze at what he read. "What the hell..." he thought. "I knew there were advantages to being a girl, but this...?"
Before Adam could react further, Anastasia spoke up. "She's too scared to talk right now... can't you see?" She tightened her grip on Adam, protecting him from Bran's intense gaze.
Bran, momentarily snapped out of his admiration for Adam, glared at Anastasia. "I didn't ask you," he growled, his voice dangerously low. "If you speak again, I'll replace this girl with you."
Fear flickered in Anastasia's eyes, and Adam noticed it immediately. Bran softened his tone as he turned back to Adam. "Don't worry," he whispered. "No one here will touch you without my permission."
His gentle words took everyone by surprise. Even Samoo, known for his cruelty, looked at his boss in disbelief. Bran had never shown compassion—especially not like this.
Finally, Adam spoke, breaking the heavy silence. "I know them... they're my family."
Bran smiled, his eyes sparkling with interest. "Her voice is as beautiful as she is," he mused. But quickly, he regained his composure. "Fine. If you know them, then tell me their names and what they do."
Robert and Anastasia exchanged panicked looks. They had no idea how Adam would answer.
But Adam, with calm confidence, said, "That's Anastasia. That's Robert. They run a restaurant here, which is their family business."
Robert's heart raced as Adam spoke. "How... how does she know all this?" he wondered. Then it hit him—this was their chance. "Yes," he thought, "this is the way to save her."
Anastasia, still shaken, gazed at Adam, thinking the same thing. "None of us told her our names... or that this is a family restaurant. How could she possibly know?"
Pushing past their confusion, Robert stepped forward, standing protectively in front of Adam. "Now you've heard it. She's part of our family, and you're threatening us even after we paid your protection fee."
Anastasia, emboldened, echoed Robert's words. "Yes, she's family. Now let her go."
Samoo tried to protest, but Bran silenced him with another slap. "I told you, Samoo. I'm not speaking to you anymore."
Bran turned his attention back to Adam, his demeanor softening once again. "Fine. I accept that she's family... but I'm curious... does she work in your restaurant?"
Before Adam could answer, Anastasia quickly stepped in. "Yes, she works there... with all of us."
The crowd chimed in, backing her up. "Yeah! We see her there every day!"
Bran chuckled. "If that's the case, I'll be stopping by every day to make sure. If she isn't there... I'll come after you." He pointed directly at Robert before starting to walk away.
Just before he disappeared into the crowd, Bran stopped and looked back. "By the way... what's the girl's name?"
Everyone tensed up—they didn't know what to say.