"Give me five apples and oranges each."

"That will be 35 copper coins."

In the midst of the crowded market, a man is roaming around after buying some fruits as gifts. The man is in a good mood because he finally got a day off from his boring job as a prison guard. Since it was a rare opportunity, he decided to visit some of his old friend later in the evening.

With his salary he received a few days ago, he went around the market to buy some necessities.

"Get that boy!"

The man heard shouts from behind him. He turns around and saw two men chasing a dirty boy, probably from the slums.

The boy ran past the man and enter the alley next to the man. Soon after, the two men follows.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Heheh, where do you want to run now, brat?"

"Return the ring and we will make it less painful."

Maybe due to bad luck, the boy reached to a dead end. Just as he was about to change direction, the two men caught up to him.

The boy holds the ring tightly in his hand. He glares at the men infront of him.

"Looks like you do not know what is good for you."

"Don't blame us for this."

The men move in to beat up the boy. Out of fear, the boy stepped back until his back touched the wall behind.

"Hands off him."

Suddenly, a voice was heard behind the men. It was the prison guard.

"Brother, it is better for you to not interfere." One of the man said.

"Move aside."

Ignoring the warning, the man just walk in the middle and reached infront of the boy.

"You dar- Erk!"

The men was about to grab the man's shoulder before they felt cold. Their body stiffened feeling the bloodlust the man release. They didn't dare to say a word.

The man crouches infront of the boy and grab the boy's hand. Swiftly, he took the ring from the boy.

"No! Give that back!

The boy struggle to release his hand and tried to take back the ring. The man, however, paid no mind to the boy and flicked the ring to the men.

"Take it and go."

"..Y-yes!"

The two men hurriedly leave the place as if they don't want to stay a second longer.

"Why did you do that?!" The boy angrily asked.

"Because you will get beat up" The man replied nonchalantly.

"Then let it be! Better getting beaten than having no money!"

The man look at the boy's eyes

"What if you died?"

"..That's.."

The boy flinched at the man's question. Noticing this, the man holds the boy's hand and start to move.

"Come with me."

"What? Release me!"