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Scene: A Cozy Café, Modern Day
The small café was a tranquil escape from the bustling city streets. Sunlight filtered through large windows, casting a warm glow over the wooden tables and softly humming espresso machines. Mordryn sat by the window, curiously observing the passersby as they went about their day, their world so different from the one he had known.
Kang Wo Hu sat across from him, sipping a caramel latte with a satisfied smile on her face.
Kang Wo Hu:
"See? This isn't so bad, right? I know you're used to... well, much more intense things, but it's nice to take a break sometimes."
Mordryn raised an eyebrow at the strange drink in front of him. He'd never tasted anything like it before, but the warmth and sweetness were surprisingly enjoyable. He took another cautious sip and set the cup down.
Mordryn:
"This... world is strange. But I admit, there is a certain charm to its simplicity."
Kang Wo Hu laughed.
Kang Wo Hu:
"Yeah, you're not wrong. Things might seem peaceful, but don't let that fool you—there's always trouble lurking somewhere."
As they continued to talk, the door to the café jingled, and a group of people walked in. Kang Wo Hu glanced up casually, but her relaxed expression quickly darkened when she recognized two familiar figures.
Kang Wo Hu (thinking):
"Of all the people to run into..."
Entering the café was Woo-Jin, a tall, smug-looking man, and Young-Li, a sharp-featured woman with an icy expression. They were both dressed in expensive, designer clothes, and the moment they spotted Kang Wo Hu, smirks crept onto their faces.
Woo-Jin:
"Well, well, look who it is—Kang Wo Hu, slumming it in a café, huh?"
Kang Wo Hu tensed, her grip tightening around her cup. Mordryn noticed the shift in her demeanor and followed her gaze to the two newcomers. Woo-Jin and Young-Li approached their table, their attitudes dripping with arrogance.
Young-Li:
mockingly
"Oh, it's been a while, hasn't it? Didn't expect to see you here of all places, Wo Hu."
Mordryn tilted his head slightly, sensing the animosity between them. He could feel Kang Wo Hu's discomfort, but he remained silent for the moment, observing.
Kang Wo Hu sighed, clearly not in the mood to deal with them.
Kang Wo Hu:
"Woo-Jin. Young-Li. What do you want?"
Woo-Jin chuckled, glancing down at her with a sneer.
Woo-Jin:
"Oh, nothing. Just wondering how someone like you managed to get into a place like this. You must be spending every last bit of your Hunter earnings just to keep up, huh?"
Kang Wo Hu's jaw tightened. Woo-Jin and Young-Li had always looked down on her, mocking her for not coming from the same wealth and status that they did. Even though she had worked hard to become an A-rank Hunter, they still found ways to belittle her every chance they got.
Young-Li:
snidely
"It's cute how you try so hard. But honestly, don't you think it's time to admit you'll never be on our level? It's embarrassing to even pretend."
Kang Wo Hu's patience was wearing thin, but before she could respond, Mordryn spoke up, his tone calm but with an underlying sharpness.
Mordryn:
"Do these two... amuse themselves by insulting you, Wo Hu?"
Woo-Jin blinked, as if only now noticing Mordryn. He looked him up and down, a smirk tugging at his lips.
Woo-Jin:
"And who's this? Your new bodyguard? Seems a little out of place, don't you think?"
Young-Li let out a haughty laugh, looking at Mordryn as if he were beneath her notice.
Young-Li:
"Please, he looks like someone pulled him out of a history book. What are you even doing with him, Wo Hu? Trying to make friends with some random weirdo?"
Kang Wo Hu was about to defend Mordryn, but the ancient sorcerer rose from his seat, his presence suddenly overwhelming. His calm demeanor remained, but his eyes gleamed with a dangerous light. He stepped toward Woo-Jin and Young-Li, his imposing aura causing a ripple of unease in the air.
Mordryn:
quietly, but with an edge that made the room feel colder
"You mock my companion. That was your first mistake."
Woo-Jin frowned, stepping forward to meet Mordryn's gaze.
Woo-Jin:
"And what are you going to do about it, old man?"
Mordryn's eyes narrowed, a slight smile playing on his lips.
Mordryn:
"Allow me to show you."
With a subtle wave of his hand, a sudden gust of wind swirled around Woo-Jin and Young-Li, catching them off guard. Their hair whipped around their faces, and they stumbled backward, confused by the sudden shift in the atmosphere.
Young-Li:
"What the—?!"
Before they could react further, the air seemed to shift again. Mordryn raised his hand, and with a flick of his fingers, their designer clothes tightened unnaturally, pinning their arms awkwardly to their sides. Woo-Jin and Young-Li's faces turned red as they struggled to move, their clothes now twisted into absurd shapes that made them look utterly ridiculous.
The entire café watched, some people stifling laughter as Woo-Jin and Young-Li fumbled and fell into each other, their smug composure completely shattered.
Woo-Jin:
"What is this?! Let go of us!"
Young-Li:
"You—! You freak!"
Mordryn leaned in slightly, his voice low but commanding.
Mordryn:
"You two seem fond of belittling others. Perhaps it is time for you to experience a small taste of humility."
Woo-Jin and Young-Li, now the center of attention, struggled to regain any sense of dignity. Kang Wo Hu watched in stunned silence, her anger melting into something close to amusement as she saw them humiliated in a way they had never expected.
Woo-Jin:
"You'll pay for this! You don't know who we are!"
Mordryn's eyes glinted with something dangerous as he responded.
Mordryn:
"I care not for who you are. I care for how you treat my allies. You will leave her be, or next time, I won't be so gentle."
With another flick of his hand, the magical hold on their clothes released, sending Woo-Jin and Young-Li stumbling back. Humiliated and disheveled, they glared at Mordryn and Kang Wo Hu before storming out of the café, trying to salvage what little dignity they had left.
As they disappeared through the door, Kang Wo Hu let out a laugh, shaking her head in disbelief.
Kang Wo Hu:
"I can't believe you just did that. They're going to be furious."
Mordryn returned to his seat, his expression calm once more.
Mordryn:
"They deserved it. I have no patience for those who look down on others for their own amusement."
Kang Wo Hu smirked, clearly pleased with the outcome.
Kang Wo Hu:
"Well, I guess I owe you one. I've been dealing with their crap for years, but I never thought I'd see the day they'd get taken down a peg. Thanks for that."
Mordryn nodded, picking up his cup again.
Mordryn:
"It was nothing. I do not tolerate cruelty, no matter what world I am in."
As Kang Wo Hu relaxed into her seat again, the tension in the air slowly dissipated. The café returned to its usual calm, and though Woo-Jin and Young-Li were gone, their humiliation would likely linger for a long time.
Kang Wo Hu took a sip of her latte, a smile playing on her lips.
Kang Wo Hu:
"You know, I think I could get used to having you around. You've got a way of handling things that I kinda like."
Mordryn gave a small smile in return.
Mordryn:
"The feeling is mutual."
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End of Chapter 7