“The child delinquent Jayce. Day by day, he slowly gained infamy from the public as the troublesome kid who could not be stopped. He then began to earn the loyalty of others who were placed in similar situations as him. Those that he found who were abandoned or were left with no place to go, he took them under his wing. And that’s how the gang Punk Riot began.”

“The ever so peaceful city was now faced with street crimes on a daily basis. Stealing, vandalization, disruption of public order and the beatings of civilians, Punk Riot got away with all of it. And the main reason was Jayce.”

“It turns out he was really good when it came to fighting.”

San: I had my first suspicions when he attacked me the first time we had met. It took me by surprise how a boy was able to perform a flying kick so flawlessly and precise, moreso without any formal training!

San: When he was a child, he was already beating up guards! After forming Punk Riot, it got to the point where Heymlir placed a bounty on the capture of Jayce, and his two other close partners.

San: But even that proved to be useless. So far, all the guild members, adventurers, and bounty hunters that have come to this city have failed to capture him. Even the use of underhand tactics such as taking other Punk Riot members as hostages proved to be ineffective.

“The raw talent and combative instincts of his, he’s a fighting prodigy that only crops up once in every century.”

San: The only person who was capable of stopping Jayce was me. I won’t lie, I’ve had thoughts about training the boy myself. Though, I doubt his pride would allow that. And if I were to do that, he’d easily be able to rule the entire city! But I understand the boy though. I know he doesn’t mean any real harm. There were times when Punk Riot actually helped the city by kicking out unruly visitors.

San: Now you know why you shouldn’t mess around with them. Although, it is impressive that the two of you lasted long against him.

San (thinking): If anything…That just confirms my suspicions even more…

San sneaks a glimpse at Tatsuo – ‘There’s something disturbingly unusual about him… Back when he came into my house, I sensed it… He’s not just simply strong… It’s slight, but his presence is sending warning signals to my body… But it’s not quite as simple as stumbling across a dangerous foe…This has nothing to do with me being a seasoned veteran and gauging an enemy, this is a personal issue…A familial fear…Almost as if I’ve met him… Or something like him before… And it’s causing my body to instinctively go into flight mode…’

Darren: Geez…So that guy had that kind of reputation…

Darren: Why not try to get him to join you guys? Won’t that help out both sides?

San: Heymlir already offered to enroll Punk Riot into Argonaut’s fighting force, but he declined. I myself won’t bring him in because I don’t work as a guard, so that’s not my responsibility. I just want to live a peaceful retired life! And I quite like the boy myself. It’s not like Punk Riot actually does anything too major, so for right now, it’s fine.

The three are close to San’s house and spots Sharon waiting at the front yard stairs.

Sharon: Ah.

She gets up from the stairs, “There you guys are!” – She bows to San thanking him.

San responds back with a politely gesturing back with a wave and smile.

*Meanwhile, through the lens of a telescope, Archer is seen resting at the top of the clocktower.

Guard: We’ve managed to corner the thief up the clocktower sir! We keep sending men to restrain him, but so far there has been no success!

The guard spins his chair, facing Heymlir – “He also has been kicking the guards we’ve sent off the top of the tower!”

Guard: Eventually he’ll tire himself out, should we keep sending in more guards?

Heymlir: …

Heymlier: …No.

Heymlir: This individual has proven himself to be exceptionally capable. Fighting at the clocktower would be dangerous. I don’t want to risk the lives of any more men.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Heymlir begins to exit the station – “I’ll go there myself.”

Heymlier’s comment sends the guard into a panic.

Guard: You can’t do that! You’re our mayor!

Heymlir calms the guard down by telling him he has a plan. It just so happened that he also knew of someone who he was confident could settle the situation.

*In an alley.

Hector has his head wrapped up in bandages. Jayce and Malone mourn for their boi along with the rest of the Riot members. With Hector not having woken up yet, the attack he received must’ve been severe. The thought eats away at Jayce’s mind, worrying him.

Random thug: So? What do we do now, Jayce?

Jayce makes no comment, lost in his own thoughts thinking about his next course of action should be.

Heymlir: Excuse me. But I need to have a talk with your leader; Jayce, for a moment please.

Everybody quickly turns around, alarmed to see the mayor staring patiently at them.

Thug: T-the Mayor?!

Another thug: What the hell are you doing here?! Are you finally here to try and arrest all of us?!

Heymlir: I’m here to simply speak with Jayce.

Heymlir advances up a few steps, “Jayce, I want to make a deal with you.”

Heymlir’s sudden proposition surprises Jayce.

Heymlir: Please, I--no, we need your help…! I know what you’re capable of! Please! We need your expertise!

Thug: Hey now, what’s this?! You, the mayor, coming to big bro Jayce for help?!

Another Thug: Get real with yourself! He ain’t gonna help, even if you’re the mayor!

“Everyone…”, Jayce says. His soft voice then turns stern, telling them – “Leave.”

All the thugs turn to Jayce in surprise.

Jayce: Everybody leave with just the two of us, I’ll talk to him. That includes you Malone.

Malone gives an affirmed nod. The members leave the alley with some of them making snide remarks and threats while brushing past Heymlir. Eventually the alley becomes empty with just the two of them.

“Well… My bois said it best… This is funny… You, the mayor, coming to me for help…”, Jayce says with an amused expression.

Jayce: So? What do you got to say to me?

Heymlir purses his lips, “Please… We need you to help us get back a stolen item.”

Heymlir: It’s a highly important item that needs to be delivered to a high profile dealer of ours. Some of your members even tried to steal it from us earlier. The person who stole the product is far too strong for us to handle him! But I know you are capable of getting it!

Heymlir’s brows wrinkles down as his eyes pleads to Jayce.

Heymlir: Please… Jayce…

“No thanks.” – Jayce replies bluntly.

Jayce: Like my bois said, why are you coming to us for help? You, the mayor of the city, asking the help of some backstreet thugs like us. It’s baffling to the point that it doesn’t feel right! You’re really making yo self suspicious here.

Jayce: Why don’t you go and ask San to do it? Isn’t he your go-to guy that fixes all your problems when you and your squad can’t do their jobs? Did you think that just because I’m a thug, I'd do whatever you say cuz you’ll give me something? Get real! Sorry, but unlike how you people see me, I still have my pride!

Jayce turns his back on Heymlir, signaling that he was done talking with him.

‘No…! You have no idea…! The person we’re dealing with is…!’ – Cold sweat runs down Heymlir’s cheeks at the thought.

In an act of desperation, Heymlir gets on his knees.

Heymlir: Please Jayce…! I’m begging you!

Heymlir: This isn’t just about me being the mayor, but the sake of Argonaut’s integrity and its reputation…! If it’s about pride, then I’m willing to throw mine away!

Jayce turns around stunned by Heymlir’s humiliating display.

Heymlir: It’s just as you said, we always rely on San to get us out of our trouble…! But he’s getting old! We can’t always turn to him to save us…!

Heymlir: I know you Jayce! You’re not a bad person! We can use this to turn around yours and Punk Riot’s reputation!

Heymlir: Please Jayce…! I’ll do my best to give you whatever you want! But we need this item!

Jayce was at a loss for words. He wasn’t sure if he should be impressed or appalled by what he witnessed. The alley turns mute with a suspenseful silence. The mayor remained on the ground in his humiliating display while Jayce quietly stood in his place. While he knew the mayor was a compassionate and respectful man, he always upheld his authoritative image as the mayor. He would never stoop low to create such a scene in front of anybody; much less hoodlum thugs.

Jayce takes a while to gather his thoughts, until finally he opens his mouth.

Jayce: Fine. I’ll help you.

Heymlir’s face perks up in pleasant surprise.

Jayce: But on one condition.