Something a little shorter to cap off today's chapter. Good night, everyone.

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Meanwhile, back at the Sleepy Fortress…

“Look, just help me keep an eye out for that guy when he tries to pass through again.” Puppy pleaded with the other 3 guys whom he had brought with him to his post.

“Yeah, it’s our job to keep newcomers out of trouble.” Richard agreed as he rubbed the bruise on his cheek where he was struck, wincing as he did so.

“Oh, don’t give me that crap. You only want to get even with the guy that hit you.” Thomas, a junior guard laughed as he said this. He nudged the other guard that was standing next to him in mirth. “Even Harold here agrees with me, and he barely has any opinions on anything.”

“…” Harold didn’t say anything, but nodded anyway.

“Come on, back us up here. If this case becomes a persistent problem, it will eventually set a precedent…” Puppy said this as he thought back to the day before.

Already he had been heckled by other newcomers who had seen the young man punch his way in and out of the city. Keen to not waste 4 weeks stuck in the city, several had even managed to sneak out of the city as a result. Puppy had not heard back from those newcomers, which clearly meant that they were most likely killed in a fight against the mobs that roamed the outskirts of the fortress.

As you could probably see, it was a dangerous precedent. That guy was clearly an abnormal case; newcomers clearly cannot survive outside the city without the proper preparation. If this keeps up, well, there is some good and some bad coming out of this. It would be made clear to newcomers that they can’t survive and prepare accordingly. On the other hand, if people manage to get out of the city, it means that the guards just aren’t doing their job properly.

If the commander manages to hear of this, we will be screwed, Puppy shuddered as he thought about this. The commander had a funny attitude when it came to dealing with insubordination or inability to comply with the rules.

“Ha ha, you are funny indeed, Puppy. Harold and I will just get back to patrolling the city now, huh?” Thomas guffawed as he made to move off, motioning to Harold to do the same.

“How many times have I told you, don’t call me Puppy!!” Puppy shouted angrily.

“But everyone calls you Puppy…”

“That’s a lousy reason to call me Puppy then!!! I have a name you know…”

“But to us you’ll always be Puppy. Isn’t that right, Alf?” Thomas turned to a muscular young man who was just suddenly standing there grinning happily. Puppy’s eyes bulged at the sight of Alf nodding happily in agreement.

“You!! You bastard, you had the nerve to show up here again?” Puppy angrily shouted, the red on his face turning a positive purple in his rage.

“Yup, it’s another beautiful day to get out there and find stuff to beat up.” Alf said this as he grinned, revealing straight white teeth.

“Damn it, why can’t you just stay in the city for the first four weeks like the other newcomers?”

“Why should I?”

“Because of you the commander docked my freaking pay for a week!!”

“What, Puppy, you have met Alf here before?” Thomas asked with a confused expression.

“Yes!! He’s that jerk that hit me and Richard the other day!!”

“What are you saying; Alf here’s a swell guy.” Thomas naturally defended his new friend. Alf nodded encouragingly.

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“You must have been deceived by him; this punk is definitely a jerk.” Puppy spoke up with indignation.

“Look, Thomas, you are either with us or against us.” Richard yelled as he told on Puppy’s side.

“Dang it, Alf’s my friend, and I have to back him up here!! This must be some serious misunderstanding.” Thomas spoke indignantly, his ears reddening.

“…” Harold didn’t say anything, but stood there quietly watching the furious exchange of words that was fast turning ugly.

Alf was also standing there watching. He was starting to feel rather miffed that he was being left out of the conversation. Time was being wasted, even if the intentions were good. He sighed to himself, and made his move, his arms lashing out without warning.

*WHACK*

*SMACK*

*BIFFBIFFBIFF*

*POW*

Alf patted his hands together and surveyed his handiwork. All three guards that were arguing are now lying face down on the ground, having been knocked out by a straight, a left hook, and a series of jabs followed by an uppercut to the chin.

Well, that’s one way to resolve an argument… :o

He turned to the other guard that was standing next to him.

“Well, tell Tom that it was nice that he stood up for me, okay Harry?” Alf asked.

Harold stood there, bemused by the violence that suddenly exploded before him, but he managed to give a small nod. Alf nodded, satisfied with the answer, and suddenly struck Harold with a jab to the temple. Harold fell over as well.

“I guess that settles this then. Onward to adventure!!” Alf, now mediator extraordinaire, shouted to himself and ran out of the city, the unconscious guards now out of his mind.

Minutes later, the guards finally recovered and got up. Thomas had a sheepish look on his face. Harold, who had long recovered, just stood there and watched his friends.

“Well, that was awkward.” Richard said, rubbing the second bruise that has suddenly appeared on his other cheek.

“I guess… Damn it, did he have to hit so hard?” Puppy rubbed his chin and moved his jaws to check if anything was broken.

“Ah, looks like you were right, Puppy.” Thomas didn’t want to admit it, but did so grudgingly.

“Indeed, I am. This is why you shouldn’t argue with a senior.” Puppy spoke pompously, ignoring the fact that Thomas called him Puppy again.

"Next time for sure." Puppy muttered vindictively, clenching his fist.

"I can agree with that." Thomas grumbled.

“Well, that aside, can we let it be agreed among us that we didn’t get knocked out by a newcomer, alright? It would be embarrassing if anyone found out.” Richard asked, wincing as he got up… He was going to feel that for a week.

“Huh?” Thomas had a suitably confused look on his face.

“I have no idea what you are talking about.” Puppy spoke up, knowing that his usually angry face betrayed no emotion.

“Well done, both of you.” Richard smiled.

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Author's note:

This is the first time I'm dividing a chapter into smaller portions. So how was it? Was it easier to digest? I hoped that you have enjoyed the story. See you guys next chapter.