HPDBC Ch 52: Street brawl [1]
Ch 52: Street brawl [1]
[April 15th, 2024]
When Rey realized that many people were noticing him speaking to thin air, they began to mock him, and he felt embarrassed by this.
However, he was also surprised because he knew that previously, when he spoke with Aiden in public, no one paid much attention to him. But now, he was receiving so much attention that it made him uncomfortable.
Unbeknownst to him, his body had undergone changes, and he now had the appearance of a model, thanks to the integration with relics.
He quickly increased his pace and started running, eager to leave the street and the staring people behind.
Many onlookers were impressed by his speed and assumed he was an athlete, then continued on their way.
Rey, who had just crossed the street, glanced back and saw no one following him, so he slowed down. Despite the run, he wasn't as tired as he expected, pondering if his improved stats were the reason.
He resumed walking normally, yet many people stared at him because of his face.
"Hey kid, I think some guys are following you," Aiden remarked, peering in Rey's direction.
"Huh, who?" Rey responded, about to turn around, but Aiden stopped him.
"Are you dumb? If you look back, they'll get suspicious," Aiden chided, and Rey nodded, his expression one of surprise.
"So, what should I do?" Rey inquired, unsure of how to handle the situation.
"Umm, first, don't head home as it might lead them there. Find a quiet place to settle this matter," Aiden advised, and Rey nodded, starting to walk in the direction opposite his house.
Perhaps his luck had turned sour just as he was about to head in that direction, for he spotted his mother and sister approaching with a bag brimming with ingredients.
"Oh sh*t," Rey muttered, ducking out of sight.
"What's wrong, kid? Why are you hiding?" Aiden inquired, noticing that the others were still at a distance from him.
"That's my mom and sister heading this way. What else can I do?" Rey responded, as Aiden glanced in that direction and observed them purchasing something from a shop.
"So, what's our plan? Sneak away or bolt in a different direction?" Aiden suggested, but Rey, after pondering for a moment, had a better idea.
"Hey Zero, are you there?" he called out, as his clothes began to quiver slightly and a blob of silver liquid emerged, taking the small form of Zero.
[Yes, what do you need?] she communicated, her text materializing on a small screen above her.
"Umm, can you please change my clothes and make a cap and mask for me." He said as Zero think a little and nodded.
By the looks of him, he was sure the gang boss who was following him for some time.
"Well, well, looks like the fish has swum into the net all by himself, huh?" the guy said as he tossed his cigarette onto the ground and stamped it out with his foot.
"But I think it's quite the opposite; the hunter who wanted to hunt is about to become the hunted," Rey retorted, trying to appear cool, but the thugs burst into laughter, thinking the boy's brain had rotted from the mess he was in.
"Hahaha, well, I just need to finish my job and collect my cash, that's it. Sorry, kid, but you're going to get a beating because you've offended someone," Vito, their boss, declared, preparing to have Rey beaten up.
"Ugh, what a cringe-worthy line, bro. Couldn't you just say someone gave you a mission or something? Everyone gets offended by someone at some point in their life, but when a rich person is offended, they hire someone like you to beat up average folks. And if a poor person is offended, they just have to endure it. Just because he is weak and helpless doesn't mean I can't do anything," Rey countered as he assumed a fighting stance.
"Listen, kid, wait—I have a plan to draw out the guy who hired them to beat you up," Aiden said. Rey, who was listening, thought that if he beat them up, their boss would send even more powerful thugs. So, he devised a plan to end this mess once and for all.
'What? Tell me quickly before I beat them up,' he thought to himself, knowing that if he spoke aloud, they would think he was some crazy dude.
"To draw out the guy who hired them, you should..." Aiden shared his plan, which Rey also agreed with.
As Rey listened to the plan, the thugs were confused; after a speech about justice, he had fallen silent, lost in thought.
"What are you all doing? Just beat him up, or do you need me to dance to get you motivated?" Vito snapped, shouting at his men.
"Okay!" They shouted and charged at him.
Rey, snapped out of his thoughts by Vito's shout, readied himself to enact the plan.
He dodged the club aimed at his head and sidestepped a punch to his stomach. The thugs were armed with weapons like baseball bats, iron rods, and chains.
Rey dodged their attacks, trying not to harm them, but in a moment of carelessness, a rod struck his head, blurring his vision.
The thugs seized the opportunity and attacked him with increased ferocity.
Rey's body became sluggish from the blow, and his dodges were less effective; he was hit repeatedly by their weapons.
After a few minutes and more beatings, he was on the ground, with his hands and face marked with red bruises from the assault.
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What will happen next? Will Rey just get beaten up, and what is Aiden's plan?
If you know, leave a comment.