Two Options.

"Get him" Tyler voiced with head gestures.

The three figures stood rooted to the spot, not being able to do or say anything.

" Ha!"Tyler huffed in disapproval and mockery."What are rascals still doing, I said..."

Before Tyler could finish his sentence, Atlas cuts in.

"Pathetic"He spat in a cold modulation and aspect, his eye fixed on Tyler." I'm not surprised that you still depend on your lackeys to do your bidding."

The three figures couldn't help but fume at the thought of being called Tyler's underlings. Yes, they agreed that Tyler was the leader but that didn't mean they were deficient in any aspect, they believed if they wanted to, they could compete with Tyler on equal footing.

Tyler gritted his teeth and clenched his fist at Atlas's words, the veins popping on his neck and forehead, he didn't move his eye from his gang mates he could only glare at them in anger and displeasure.

"Don't tell me you're afraid of him?" Tyler inquired with screeched teeth and a raised voice." He is just one and you are a three the odds are in your favor, it doesn't matter if he is skilled, he can't take all three of you on."

Atlas could only watch in amusement as Tyler chided his crew.

He moved his eye from Tyler to the three lads who stood a slight distance away from Tyler with one of them still holding the younger boy by the collar of his shirt.

The sight annoyed him but he chose to keep it to himself.

If the situation could be settled amicably then that would be preferable as he knew better than anyone that violence was not the best alternative when dealing with controversy.

His eye moved to the younger lad and their eye met for a brief moment after which he moved his eye back to the three bullies standing beside him.

In his opinion, there was just something unusual about the younger lad that he couldn't explain, it was not that he was weird but he was just oddly distinct from people, and he could not explain the difference.

Perhaps it was his imagination but he felt the younger lad was willingly letting himself get derided.

When his gaze landed on the three figures, he could read the look in their eye. He guessed that Tyler's words must have triggered something in them.

He had improved their morale.

Suddenly, a smile crept to his lips, clearly, they were as gullible as it gets. He glanced at his wristwatch and then back at the four figures before him

.

" You bunch have two options, one, you either let the boy go and walk away or two, you all come at me with all you've got"Atlas relayed in a cold and smooth voice as he gazed from Tyler to his gang mates, the smile on his face long gone."I honestly don't care which one you chose but I'm giving you fellas five seconds to make a decision or I'll be making it for you."

"One."

" Two."

"Three."

*The fucking bastard*.Tyler cursed inwardly.

The other three could only watch as they tried to register the words that came out of Atlas's mouth.

This was not how they had planned it all to go, Why couldn't the damned bastard just walk away, perhaps, a part of them might have been hoping to settle the matter amicably but how could they dare to show that wishful part of them, they couldn't back down now, at least not with all the recruits present, if they did they would lose face, they had worked so hard to gain the reputation.

Atlas O'Brien, who hadn't heard of his name, was rumored to be the monster soldier, skilled in combat and weaponry.

It would be better if they avoided a force like him but it seemed like luck was not on their side. Subconsciously a sweat trickled down their face.

They clenched their fist as they gazed angrily at him. it would be better if they fought while protecting their reputation than to give up so easily, with that in mind the boy holding Rome by the soldiers shoved him to the side after which the three-figure rushed towards Atlas, with rage in their eyes.

" Four."

"Five."

They hurriedly came to him, he noted that their steps and attacks were all based on aggression, they didn't take their time to evaluate the situation on that account he also guessed that their defense would be terrible.

He knew most people believe that combat was all about instinct, which is wrong in his opinion, it involved more than just instinct, there was also a need for skill, and of course, a shrewd mind. In his viewpoint, they left a lot of openings to be exploited by the opponent.

For one to maintain the upper hand in combat one must be calculative to a greater degree as compared to their opponent.

Atlas swiftly evaded a punch one of them tried to lay on his face, he grabbed the figure he could get his hand on by the digits, effortlessly twisting it as he watch the fellow scream in pain. Being disorientated by his current ordeal, the fellow became insensate to his surroundings and this gave Atlas the chance to seize him by the back of his neck, after which he grabbed another also by the back of the neck and banged their two heads together. They fell to the ground with a shriek of pain leaving their lips.

The third of one consciously but hastily approached Atlas but when he caught sight of what had been done to his mates, he inadvertently moved backward.

" Don't start what you can't finish mate"Atlas stated as he walked towards him like a lion going after his prey.

Summoning all the courage he had, he rushed toward Atlas with a battle cry but was quickly stopped in his tracks by Atlas who gave him a front kick which landed in his groin, with a yelp of pain he well to the ground with his hands on his groin.

"I won't criticize you for your weakness" Atlas voiced as he walked gracefully past the three figures laying helplessly on the ground while groaning in pain." It is only because you have a weakling for a leader."

Tyler stared angrily at Altas who walked towards him with his hand in his trouser pocket.

*Damn*.Tyler voiced inwardly with the sweat trickling down his face.

Atlas walked until he stood a few meters in front of Tyler.

"I don't give second chances, but I'll make an exception today if you turn around and walk away."

Tyler gritted his teeth further at Atlas's words. He didn't want to back down now but he knew when to be rational, fighting Atlas now would make him look more like a fool.

" Let's go" Tyler declared as he turned around and walked away while muttering in a barely audible voice."This isn't over O'Brien."

Atlas watched them leave the cafeteria as they tries to mask their humiliation with anger. The thought that ran through his mind was the possibility of their anger being taken out on the younger lad later on.

Perhaps he shouldn't have intervened.

He moved his hand through his black hair at the thought of making the situation worse. Then he remembered something.

"Hey, kid, why we're you holding back," Atlas asked with his back face to the younger lad as he massaged the bridge of his nose.

Rome's eyes widened for a slight moment as he gazed at the back of his rescuer.

He didn't think that anyone would easily notice but somehow he did. He narrowed his eye with his gaze fixed on the figure before him. For now, he would just deny it.

It was not like he could beat the answers out of him.

As if sensing Rome's disinterest in the topic, Atlas added with a weak shrug" You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, was just curious".

Rome moved his gaze away from Atlas as he dusted off his uniform. He knew better than to take the older soldier's words lightly.

"I didn't want to cause trouble on my first few weeks in the military."

Atlas could tell he was lying but he didn't push it. After the bullies had gone out of sight, Atlas turned around to gaze at the younger lad, just as he was about to ask the younger lad his name the younger lad let out.

" Thank you for the aid, I do not like to be indebted to anyone" He paused as he continued with his gaze fixed on Atlas." I would like to know how I can repay my debt ".

Atlas wasn't the least bit surprised by his boldness he knew it from the start

He's different.

"How about you lend me your assistance when it's needed," Atlas said when he realized Saying he didn't need to be repaid wouldn't sit well with the younger soldier.