Inside the gym storage, all of James's subordinates, including Asher, gathered after handling the turf war.
The defeat of the Black Hound made their enemies back off, so there wasn't any more trouble in their area.
As for the local police interfering, they didn't have to worry about it.
In this neighborhood, the authorities normally turned a blind eye to high school brawls; they were seen as petty squabbles among teenagers.
Plus, it was no secret that big group in the area had the police on their payroll, ensuring that their activities went unchallenged.
Most of the established group considered high school gangs potential talents, often seeking to recruit promising members who could strengthen their ranks.
This unspoken agreement established a fragile balance, allowing the gangs to operate with relative freedom while the police prioritized more pressing matters.
"Nice work," James said with a satisfied grin as he handed Asher an envelope with more than 50,000 credits.
It was more than he promised, but he didn't mind.
Asher had improved the reputation of their school gang, and this small sum of money was minor compared to his contributions.
To James, this was not just about the cash; it was about the influence that came with respect. He understood that in this world, reputation could elevate or destroy a gang.
Now, everyone in the area was talking about how Asher defeated the Black Hound without getting a scratch.
This would also make his gang look better and more respected. Asher even earned a nickname, Phantom, because he moved like a ghost—untouchable.
Asher just nodded and accepted his pay. He didn't care much about his new title; all he wanted was the cash.
James stood in front of his crew, a proud smile plastered on his face.
"You all did a fantastic job out there," he began, his voice booming with confidence.
"We showed those idiots what we're made of! Asher here really took the lead and proved why we're the top gang in the area."
James pointed at him, but Asher brushed it off and walked out. He was worn out and just wanted a nap before his part-time job.
Everyone stayed quiet despite the disrespectful gesture. It was obvious he had no interest in fake compliments or getting friendly with them.
For him, the job was done, and that was all that mattered.
By the time he reached his apartment, it was already noon.
Asher did a double take when he saw his rundown apartment; it was a constant reminder of how poor he was. The peeling paint and creaking floorboards echoed the weight of his struggles.
It was true that he had a lot of cash on him right now, but most of it would be swallowed up by hospital expenses.
Climbing the stairs, he recalled having a new neighbor. He wondered who was in a tight spot to rent this place. Perhaps it was someone like him, with nowhere else to go.
CLICK!
He saw his neighbor's door opening and thought he'd find some poor guy like him. Maybe a middle-aged man without a job or a woman left by her husband.
However, to his surprise, he found a very beautiful girl wearing clothes that looked very expensive. Just by looking at the fabric of the black dress, he could tell it was high-end.
Her dress fit her well, and the way she carried herself showed confidence.
When he looked closer, he realized she was the same girl he saw buying essential stuff at the grocery store last night.
It was certainly an unexpected twist; however, he remained indifferent, showing no emotions. He maintained his pace until he passed by her, planning to ignore her.
However, his nose twitched a little after catching a whiff of her scent . She smelled really nice.
"Hi," the girl's voice now had a sweeter tone.
"Hi," Asher returned the greeting and faced her. Both of them just stood there, waiting for someone to start talking.
However, after a few awkward moments, neither of them said anything.
"Um," Asher nodded slightly, turned away, and used his key to open the door to his room.
He didn't show any emotions, but for the first time in his life, he felt like an idiot for saying "Um".
Lucy, on the other hand, couldn't help but break into a mischievous smile as she observed his reaction.
'What an adorable human,' she whispered to herself, biting her lip playfully .