Corruption

"We are looking for a young man named Raon! He owes us a big debt, and we are here to collect it from him!"

Silence fell over the inn as some patrons exchanged confused glances. Raon owes them a debt? Those who were familiar with him knew that he never owed anybody, anything! Even Raon wore a look of surprise, unsure where this claim came from.

'I owe them a dept? But I haven't borrowed any money to begin with? Or did I unknowingly break something?'

Carefully eying each and every one of them assured him that he has never met any of these men, much less created a dept for himself. So why were they here, demanding him?

"Gentlemen."

Stella stood up, having decided to intervene before Raon could. Her voice was firm and steady, her facial expression quickly morphed back into an icy stare and her tall figure moved with a predatory grace until she stood before the loudmouth leader.

"Let me be frank. I don't believe a word you just said. You storm into my inn, in the middle of the night, frighten my customers with your weapons drawn and armours equipped, to demand my husband's disciple? Get lost before I call the guards-"

"Shut up, annoying women!" Came a lout shout as reply.

Before she could finish, the loudmouth leader swung his hand at her face. It was a quick, decisive move that would have hurt her a quite seriously, had it properly landed. She was lucky that her opponent's fist was caught in Raon's rough hand right before it hit her.

"Bad move." Sol commented from his chair, letting an annoying know-it-all grin spread on his face but he was right.

Raon moved too quickly for them to perceive his action, too silently for them to hear his steps and too sudden for anyone to try and block his path. From everyone's point of view, he just suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

He stared at the rag-tag group with unhinged furry. His eyes shone in a golden light whereas his pupils turned into vertical slits like a cat's. They were no longer a man's eyes.

Looking into them forced creeps to run down their backs as a sense of terror, similar to when prey finds itself being caught by a predator, grasped their hearts.

"Y-You brat, let go right now!" The leader demanded, unable to free himself. He slashed at the young man holding his fist but a sudden urge of pain, accompanied by the sound of breaking bones and tearing flesh, forced him on his knees.

"ARGHHHHH!!"

His fist was crushed just like that. The leader's wails and cries of pain awoke his men from their daze. At least 4 people sprung into action, launching themselves at Raon but it was a futile attempt.

*Bam*Bam*Bam*Bam*

Again, only Sol could follow Raon's movement. The others barely witnessed how 4 men sprung upon the young giant before suddenly vanishing in midair. They were only able to conclude that the 4 assailants were punched away, thanks to a bone chilling crash sound and 4 new holes in the walls.

"Listen."

Raon said addressing the leader who had given up further resistance after finally noticing that he was no match at all. His subordinates as well, stopped attacking and instead just stood rooted in place.

"I don't actually owe you, do I?"

"Huh?" He understood that this war Raon.

"Neither are you after me. "

Raon took a deep breath, his fury subsiding as he assessed the situation. Something didn't add up. Why would these men come after him with such flimsy claims? His eyes, still fierce like a tiger's, scanned the room and then returned to the leader.

"Speak the truth," Raon commanded. "Why are you really here?"

The leader's eyes darted around nervously, unsure of what to do. Revealing everything could be a deadly blow to his career as mercenary but on the other hand, with his hand in its current state, could he continue working even if there were tasks?

He was trapped, and he knew it. With a resigned sigh, he began to spill the truth. "We... we were hired," he stammered. "Paid to come here and cause trouble, make sure you were noticed by the authorities and such."

"By whom?" Raon's grip tightened slightly, eliciting a wince from the leader.

 Bexter! It was Bexter von Hundal! Please stop it hurts so much!"

Raon released the leader's hand after hearing that name, fearing that he would shatter it again out of growing rage. 'That bastard has finally gone too far, I will personally-'

"We were supposed to leave quickly, before the Navy arrived," the leader continued his confession, the fear he felt almost palpable. "They said... they said a captain who was periodically bribed would handle the rest."

Almost as if on cue, the door to the inn burst open, and a group of navy marines flooded in, their uniforms pristine and their expressions stern. The patrons of the inn recoiled, fleeing Stella's form there while whispering among themselves in hushed tones.

The marine captain, a tall man with a stern face and a neatly trimmed moustache, stepped forward. His eyes swept the room, taking in the scene before settling on Raon and the incapacitated mercenaries. "I am Navy captain Sandro, arriving to investigate a report on loud disturbance and fighting in public space. What is going on here?" he demanded, an explanation.

Raon released the leader, who crumpled to the floor, clutching his broken hand. "These men attacked us without provocation," Raon explained calmly. "And now it appears they were hired to cause trouble for me."

The captain's eyes narrowed. "Is that so?" He turned to the leader, who nodded frantically, confirming Raon's statement and greatly surprising the former.

The officer seemed to weigh his options, his eyes flickering to the mercenaries and then back to Raon. He was clearly looking for an excuse to take Raon in.

"Regardless of the circumstances," the officer said, his tone cold, "you've caused quite a disturbance. You'll all need to come with us so that we can properly investigate this matter."

Sol, who had been watching the exchange with a relaxed demeanour so far, now stood up, his hand starting to feel itchy.

"Isn't it a bit suspicious that you lot appeared just when Bexter von whatever was mentioned. Really how timely of you, when there was no time for anyone to make a report during that short exchange."

The officer frowned, clearly uncomfortable with accurate remark. "I am acting according to our protocols. As for who made that report is none of your damn business. Am I clear, young man?"

Stella's eyes flashed as understanding downed on her from hearing those words. "So, you are the one Bexter has bribed?" Her habit of not beating around any bushes made the officer's face tighten yet he refused to engage in a pointless discussion with them.

"Think whatever you want but this young man will stay with us for however long this investigation will take. Are you coming peacefully, or do we have to force you?"

Sol's playful grin vanished, replaced by a steely resolve. "You're not taking my brother anywhere." Without warning, Sol moved. His fist connected with the captain's jaw in a blur of motion, sending the officer through the doors like a bullet. The impact was so forceful that the wooden panels splintered around him.

Gasps filled the room as the marines hesitated, eyes wide in shock at the ease with which Sol had dispatched their leader. The officer lay outside, unconscious and probably with a broken jaw and a lot fewer teeth. What a clear sign of Sol's overwhelming strength!

"Anyone else wants to try?" His voice was calm, but his eyes not so much. They dared anyone to make a move, promising them a hell to pay for it.

The remaining marines glanced at each other, unsure of what to do next. The leader of the mercenaries, clutching his crushed hand, could only stare in disbelief.

'Strong! Did he say he is Raon's brother? What kind of monsters made me Bexter provoke?!'

Raon, now free from the immediate threat of being annoyed any further, stepped forward and climbed on a table. "Listen up," he addressed the room, his voice carrying unresistable authority.

"We know this is a setup by Bexter von Hundal, who bribed your officer. Leave now, and you won't get hurt. Stay, and you'll regret it."

One by one, the marines and mercenaries backed away, realizing the futility of their situation. They retreated from the inn, carrying their fallen leader, and disappeared into the night leaving behind only 3 people.

Stella approached the brothers, relief evident in her eyes. "That was impressive," she said, her voice steady once more. "But what's our next move?"

Raon and Sol exchanged a determined look before answering at the same time:

"We are going to tie up loose ends."