CHAPTER 37: CHAPTER 36: AMBUSH

Seris sat on a low stool nearby, counting the money on a flat stone slab.

"I still can’t believe we sold so much in just a few hours. 12,800 bronze coins, 7,590 copper coins, and 780 silver coins. That’s not even the income of many merchants for a whole month."

Kael grinned. "That’s normal. There are people in the world who make that much every second. And people who never touch that kind of money in their entire lives."

Seris gave him a look. "That’s a bit... overwhelming to think about."

He shrugged. "To be honest, I want to be someone who can earn thousands of gold coins every second."

She blinked, then laughed. "Your dreams are very luxurious."

"Maybe. But they keep me moving."

He snapped the final lock shut and turned to her. "Come on. You earned more than coin today. I owe you a proper meal."

Seris tilted her head, skeptical. "You sure?"

Kael smirked. "I’m not that stingy."

They turned into a quieter alley shortcut—a worn path between buildings where laundry swayed like ghost flags above their heads.

That’s when the air changed.

Kael stopped.

Seris did too, her fingers already brushing the hilt of the knife she kept under her jacket.

From both ends of the alley, shadows detached from the walls—thugs. Half a dozen. Then more. Ten. Twelve. They wore loose tunics and tattered boots, eyes gleaming with the kind of confidence that came from numbers and past kills.

Kael’s hand twitched toward his coat, but he didn’t draw yet.

From the darkness stepped a lanky figure, bald on top with a burn-scar slashing down one side of his face, his remaining eye sharp and cruel.

Red Morn.

"So you’re the boy who’s been bothering Brother Mu," Red Morn sneered, baring a set of teeth that glittered gold and rotten. "You’re even weaker than I thought. My two men could crush you without breaking a sweat."

He cocked his head, eyeing Seris. "But your slave... strong. Beautiful. Exotic." His smile twisted. "If you give her to me, I might beg for your life. Nicely."

Kael’s eyes went cold.

"Tch! You bastards have so much courage. You treat me like this. Did that man send you?" he asked, voice flat.

A smaller thug stepped forward, licking the edge of his knife with exaggerated glee. "So you understand. We’re here to break your arms and legs. Maybe more, depending on how much you scream."

"You look like street dogs and act like them. Tell me—how much money did he give you? I’ll pay double."

That made them pause. A few exchanged looks.

Red Morn stepped forward, boots scraping against the stones. "You little shit. You think we’re coin whores? Brother Mu’s had ties with us for years. You think we’ll betray him for coin?"

Kael raised an eyebrow. "Okay. Five times more."

Tch! Quickly tell your price and leave. So I can enjoy the meal with Seris.

That stung. Kael saw it—the hesitation in their shoulders, the greedy twitch in their jaws.

But then—

"Brother Zhoa! It’s him!"

A young woman pushed through the crowd. Her bruises had faded, but the malice in her eyes had not.

"He’s the one who beat us up and stole all our money!"

Kael looked at them closely and realized that the four robbers who had tried to rob him a few days ago were also here.

"You’re still sore about that?" Kael muttered. "Pathetic."

A thug spat near his boots. "Tch! You cocky little shit. You don’t know who you messed with."

Another voice chimed in—sharp, furious. "He even stole my mom’s earrings! I want his damn fingers!"

The air tensed.

Red Morn’s face hardened. "You beat up my crew? In my turf?" His hands clenched. "That makes it personal, little boy. You insulted me."

Kael met his stare. Calm. Unflinching. "You deserved it."

A ripple of low growls spread through the gang. Hands twitched toward knives. Someone cracked their knuckles. Another guy muttered under his breath, "We should’ve cut out his tongue first..."

Red Morn’s voice cut through them.

"You’re real bold for someone walking into my alley like a lamb."

He took a step closer.

"I’m gonna break your arms and legs. Then make you crawl through the streets on all fours. Maybe chain you up beside my gate. A pet dog."

Seris’s eyes blazed. "Let me deal with them. I’ll crush them all."

Kael exhaled slowly. "I gave you a chance. I even tried to pay you. But some people..."

He pulled his coat open, revealing the stun gun holstered inside.

"...only learn the hard way."

Red Morn barked, "Get him!"

The thugs rushed forward.

Two men with knives lunged first—but stopped short, blades clanging against something unseen.

A ripple of light shimmered—Kael’s ring—a blue enchantment ward that flared into view like glass catching moonlight.

"What the—?!" one shouted, staggering back.

Kael moved.

In a flash, he drew the stun gun and fired.

Crack!

Electric arcs lanced across the alley. The first thug dropped, seizing violently, eyes rolling back.

Crack!

Another thug fell, frothing at the mouth.

"He’s using that damn lightning thing again!" the girl shrieked.

But now more thugs were pouring in, some with clubs, others with short swords.

Kael ducked as a blade sailed over his head, then rolled, coming up behind a thug and jabbing the stun gun into his side.

Crack!

Screams. Smoke. Urine pooled beneath him.

But the stun gun was small, and Kael was only one man.

That’s when Seris moved.

Her boot crushed a knee sideways. Her fist drove into a jaw with a sickening crunch. She snatched a blade mid-swing, turned it, and stabbed its owner clean in the gut.

Three men surrounded her.

"Come on, bitch!" one spat.

She dropped, swept a leg, and sent all three crashing. One tried to crawl—she stomped his back with enough force to snap ribs.

Kael fired again. The stun gun hissed. The battery indicator flickered orange.

Low charge.

He gritted his teeth. "Just a little more..."

One thug tackled him from behind. Kael went down hard, knees scraping stone. The man raised a knife—

Then screamed as Seris threw a broken plank, impaling his shoulder.

"Behind you!" Kael shouted.