Problem in the parlor.
The man who pulled Evan's hair turned to the screen which displayed the word <DEFEATED >.
He was indeed defeated, cursing Evan as if he had lost the match of his life.
"Sorry, Sir, my foot got caught on something, and I fell on you. I am truly sorry," Evan said hastily as he retreated, ensuring his hair was safe.
"Do you think your feeble apology can turn my defeat into victory? Do you even realize the value of this match? It was a wager for 500 dragon points. You must compensate me now, or you'll be dead for real," the man said, causing Evan's face to turn pale as he realized the man had lost a significant bet because of him.
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{A/N: If you're curious about currency then here it is: -
100 Dragon point (Dragon kingdom)/ 100 Phoenix point (Pheonix kingdom)/ 100 Turtle point (Jade turtle Kingdom)/ 100Peak points (Thunder peak kingdom)/ 100 Heart Points (Ice heart kingdom) = 1 Dracins 100 Dracins = 1 Blue Coins.}
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"Sir, I apologize, but I don't have any money on me since I'm new to this city and only arrived yesterday. Please forgive me," Evan said, his voice timid, not fully comprehending that the boys beside the one yelling at him were laughing at him.
"So what? Hurry up and call your parents to give me 500 dragon points, or don't even think about leaving here unharmed today," the boy demanded, grinning malevolently.
"Sir, I'm sorry, but I don't have parents; I live with a caretaker until I'm of age," Evan replied, his voice soft but audible in the silent room that was focused on the altercation.
"Oh, so you're an orphan, huh? Seriously, I don't care whether you have parents or not; I need my money, or else get ready for a beating," the boy threatened, as the others behind him started cracking their knuckles, eager to join in.
Evan's fear grew with each passing moment, and in his panic, he pulled out the phone Rossy had given him, intending to call her, but one of the boys snatched it from his hand.
"Bro, check this out, the phone is the latest model; we saw the ad for it a few days ago," the boy exclaimed, passing the phone around.
"Yes, and it's also my favorite color," the man said, his eyes gleaming with greed.
"Hey kid, are you trying to lie to us to get away?" the man who had snatched his phone demanded.
"No, sir, it was given to me by my caretaker," Evan replied, hoping the truth would set him free.
"Oh my god, what a generous caretaker, right guys? Well, Mr. Orphan, if you don't pay us right now, then say goodbye to your phone. I don't think your caretaker is so nice that they'd let you off after losing your phone on the first day," the man taunted as he began to wave the phone in front of them.
"Sir, please give it back. I am really sorry for your loss, but I can't give you any money, and I can't even ask them for it. Please return it," Evan pleaded, his voice shaky and his eyes brimming with tears.
"Oh look, the baby is starting to cry now, huh? Well, if you don't pay, then say bye-bye to your phone," he said as he stepped back slightly.
"Hey bro, if you really take his phone and his caretaker comes here later, then what are we going to do?" his friend asked.
"Well, you know our debt is getting larger, and we can't play here anymore, so we'll change the place tomorrow. I don't think they'll make a case out of this little matter," the guy said as he was about to leave when another man appeared before him with someone else behind him.
"Who are you, and why are you blocking my way? Don't you know who I am?" he said, attempting to intimidate the newcomer.
"No, I do not. Would you care to explain who you are to me?" the other man replied with a mocking tone, prompting a chuckle from the person behind him.
"You see, my name is Levi, and everyone here calls me 'Levi the Devil,'" the man named Levi said, trying to be menacing.
"Oh, so Mr. Levi the Devil, nice to meet you. I'm here to ask if you could kindly return that guy's phone to him," the other man said with a nonchalant expression.
"Oh, so a hero has come to save him, right? Look, kid, your superhero is here. Don't be scared. After I deal with him, you're next, because I'm in a bad mood," he said angrily.
"I know what you've done, and I could take you to the police for trying to steal from others without any trouble," he replied, walking up and standing before him fearlessly.
"How can you say that? You don't understand; this kid caused me to lose five hundred dragon points in a betting match, and he can't pay up. That's why I'm taking his phone as compensation," the man explained, thinking this would make him back off.
"So, what makes you think the match you lost is this boy's fault? Anyone with decent vision can see that your score was only twelve, while the winner already had fifty points. Even if you hadn't lost a single point, the gap is so wide that he would've won even with half his skill, besides this, the bet amount is five hundred and the phone this person has is valued at about ten to twelve thousand dragon points." the defender of Evan retorted, silencing the boy.
The man remained silent as he observed the surrounding people chatting and evidently mocking him.
He glanced around to see his friend retreating, distancing himself to avoid being associated with the ridicule.
"Ah yes, I recall that betting is not permitted in this shop, and you're engaging in it. I've forgotten the amount... ah, it's slipped my mind," the man said, still pondering.
"You are so feeble-minded. It's a thousand dragon points, which brings your total to twelve thousand five hundred dragon points, including the outstanding amount for the phone," the person behind him interjected, as the kid had been yelling at him earlier.
"I... I... I won't return it, and I'm indifferent to the penalty. Let's see who will stop me from leaving," the man declared as he attempted to hurry away, only to trip over something and fall backward onto the ground.
"Who the hell came befo..." He was about to berate the person who had tripped him when he suddenly found himself at a loss for words.
But why?