Toshi was moaning on the ground before the strange human. He clutched his stomach in pain, as he let out a long drawn out groan.

"Fritz! What the hell happened!" Neva shouted as she jogged past the onlookers towards him. "Who's this idiot?" She asked, directing her scornful gaze towards Toshi.

"It was Fritz's new weapon. He hit the idiot." Ada replied casually pointing towards Toshi.

"Cutey!" Brenn said, as she suddenly appeared behind Fritz. She threw both of her strong arms around Fritz. "Still in one piece I see."

Marcelle slithered towards Fritz. The other beastkin made way for the glowering lamia.

"What exploded? Was it you Ada?" Marcelle asked. Ignoring her, Ada starting prying the ratkin's grip away from Frtiz.

"What happened?" Neva repeated.

"I was testing my new weapon. I shot Toshi in the guts with a non-lethal load." Fritz bounced the gun resting on his shoulder, drawing her eye.

"Who knew your loads were so powerful?" Brenn said in amazement.

"Ughghghgh...." Toshi groaned. Neva's scanned Fritz. Settling the strange artifact on his shoulder, her brows drew inwards in confusion.

"That thing? Is it enchanted?" Neva asked. Fritz shook his head.

"Anyone can use it. A child even. It's about time, I took things seriously don't you think? No more playing nice."

"Get your hands off!" Ada growled towards Brenn, as the ratkin repositioned herself to Fritz's side. Reaching back, Fritz patted the top of Brenn's head.

"See! He likes me!" Brenn said with a wicked grin.

"No he doesn't!" Ada hissed.

The fangirls sensing an opportunity grabbed Toshi and his katana. Throwing him up into the air they carried him like a wet limp log.

"Eughhhhhh...." Toshi groaned, as he bounced up and down in the air.

"Did he challenge you?" Marcelle asked as she watched the gi wearing beastkin being carried away.

"No, he challenged Ada. Some crazy guy pulled a sword on me earlier though. Strange name too, something like Ryan." Fritz admitted. Neva sighed as she pulled out her pipe.

"It comes with the territory. As soon as someone knows you're strong, everyone wants to test their mettle against you. It's always better to lay low. Keeps things simple. If you do get challenged, call for us. We'll sort them out. Violently."

"Yeah. Yeah. Keeping a low profile is nice and all. But it's no fun." Brenn said. Ada had finally got a hold of Brenn's arms pulling hard; she finally separated the ratkin from Fritz.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

"I've never presented myself as a warrior. Why would anyone challenge me? Does no one take 'no' for an answer here?" Fritz asked.

"They think you're strong. Defeating you would add to their reputation." Marcelle answered quickly. "Such is the behavior of idiots, yet this land is cursed with them. Why wait so long for your new weapon?"

"I would prefer not to make weapons. Yet circumstances keep forcing me to violence. We will need weapons for the upcoming fight."

"You're not gonna say what I think you are." Neva said, closing her eyes. Dreading his next words she held her breath letting the tobacco sit in her lungs.

"I am, we're staying and fighting Neva. I am not leaving until this city is safe." Fritz said confidently. Neva finally exhaled.

"It's the right decision." Ada said firmly.

"It's the stupid decision." Marcelle grumbled.

"It's the fun decision." Brenn said.

"Fritz." Neva said, rubbing her temple.

"I have a plan, Neva. I can arm this city better than you realize."

"Weapons don't solve every problem, Fritz. Remember this. Our lands have deeper problems."

"Ah-ha! I have found you! Cowardly champion! Face Ryazan the slayer! You may have humiliated me, but this time! This time I shall defeat you!" A bleary eyed beastkin came forward. "I have returned from your underhanded tactics! Victory will be mine!" Fritz and his companions turned towards the new challenger. Neva blew out a cloud of acrid tobacco. "Your tricks will not work again champion!" The beastkin with curling ram horns drew his longsword pointing it towards Fritz. "Stop hiding behind your whores! Dismiss them and face me like a warrior!"

"Whores?" Fritz asked. He looked to his companions. He could feel the temperature drop. Ada, Neva and Marcelle were scowling, while Brenn seemed completely unaffected. She regarded the challenger with a bemused smile.

"What'd you say?" Marcelle hissed.

"Stop hiding behind your whores!" Ryazan boomed. He slashed the air with his longsword menacingly. "Fight me seriously!"

"I wish I could get paid for it. Life would be so easy...." Brenn sighed wistfully to herself.

Neva advanced towards Ryazan. He quickly transitioned into a guarded stance. Her scarred face bunched up as her long-stemmed pipe bobbed up and down in her quivering mouth.

"Ugly worm, you dare interfere with my battle?" Ryazan barked.

"Ugly! I've had it!" Neva shouted. Ryazan swung his sword. Neva reacted instantly, wreathing her hand in fire she caught the steel blade with ease. Ada and Marcelle followed after Neva. Murderous intent filled the air. Fritz's eyes went wide as Neva punched Ryazan in the nose. A fountain of blood flooded into the ground as the bridge of his nose completely deformed. Staggering back, the poor beastkin fell into Ada's waiting arms. Grabbing his frame she bent backwards as she suplexed the poor sod. His head hit the yard as bones and tendons cracked underneath Ada's strength. Ada threw him off standing back up. Ryazan barely had time to let out a single groan of pain before Marcelle's tail wrapped around his ankle. Like a dog with a chew toy, Marcelle slung the challenger. His limp body struck the ground repeatedly, eventually losing consciousness.

"I am not a whore! I am a lady! A genius! A mastermind!" Marcelle screeched.

"Whoring is a noble profession. The world needs whores. I need whores. Lot's of them." Brenn nodded to her own sagely words.

The crowd of onlookers cheered Marcelle's savagery.

"Come on, let's eat something." Ada announced. Her mood instantly improved as she jogged to Frtiz.

"I need a drink!" Neva announced to the world before stomping towards the nearest bar.

"Meat! Meat! Meat!" Ada joined in.

"Is he dead?" Fritz asked hesitantly, staring at the defeated challenger.

"Who cares?! He got what he deserved!" Neva snapped. Fritz looked around the yard. The children stood around with wide excited eyes. A clear undercurrent of disappointment was present amongst them, as the fighting was now over.

Marcelle slapped the unconscious man in the face with the tip of her tail. After a while, Brenn pulled Marcelle away dragging the seething lamia after Neva.