Chapter 123: Connections & Comedy

For the next 15 days, Ruchir and Senior Catcher Ji settled into the routine of patrolling the bustling streets of the capital.

Every morning, Ruchir would report to the Mysterious Heaven Palace, where he would meet with Ji, a man who had quickly become a mentor and guide to him.

The two would then embark on their patrol, a task that seemed straightforward on the surface but was anything but mundane.

Each day brought with it a new adventure, though most of them were minor incidents.

Early on, Ruchir found himself chasing down a petty thief who had snatched a purse from a merchant's stall.

The thief, a scrappy young boy with quick reflexes, darted through the crowded marketplace with surprising agility.

But Ruchir, with his training and newfound experience, was faster. After a brief but intense chase through winding alleys, Ruchir managed to corner the boy and retrieve the stolen goods.

"Not bad, kid," Ji had remarked, patting Ruchir on the back. "Quick on your feet and sharp on your senses. You've got the makings of a fine catcher."

Another day, they encountered a group of local ruffians causing trouble in a quiet residential area.

The ruffians, emboldened by their numbers, had been harassing the locals and demanding protection money.

Ji stepped forward, his mere presence enough to make most of them back down.

However, when one of the ruffians decided to test his luck by charging at Ji, Ruchir was ready.

With a swift move, he disarmed the man and brought him to the ground.

"You handle yourself well in a fight," Ji had said, a hint of pride in his voice. "But remember, it's not just about strength. Sometimes, it's about knowing when to talk and when to act."

On another occasion, they were called to break up a street brawl that had erupted between two rival merchant groups.

The tension was high, and the crowd that had gathered seemed eager for a fight.

Ji took charge, his commanding voice cutting through the chaos as he ordered the merchants to stand down.

Ruchir followed suit, helping to separate the combatants and restore order. By the time they were done, the brawlers were sheepishly apologizing, and the crowd had dispersed.

"You're learning quickly," Ji had commented later. "You'll find that being a catcher is as much about managing people as it is about enforcing the law."

As the days went by, Ruchir also had the opportunity to meet various senior catchers and lieutenants.

Each encounter provided him with valuable insights and helped him build connections within the Mysterious Heaven Palace.

There was Lieutenant Wei, a stern but fair officer who had a reputation for being a stickler for the rules.

Despite his strict demeanor, he had a soft spot for dedicated young catchers like Ruchir and often offered him advice on how to navigate the complexities of the job.

Then there was Senior Catcher Li, a veteran of countless missions who had seen more battles than most could imagine. Li was gruff and no-nonsense, but he had a wealth of knowledge and experience that he willingly shared with Ruchir.

They would often spend their breaks discussing tactics and strategies, with Li regaling Ruchir with stories from his past exploits.

Ruchir also became acquainted with Lieutenant Fang, a sharp-witted and quick-tongued officer who had a talent for reading people.

Fang taught Ruchir the importance of observation and intuition, skills that were crucial for a catcher. Under Fang's guidance, Ruchir learned how to identify potential threats and defuse situations before they escalated.

Despite the challenges and the occasional danger, Ruchir found himself enjoying his new role. The camaraderie among the catchers was strong, and Ruchir felt a sense of belonging that he hadn't experienced before.

He and Ji developed a jovial relationship, often sharing jokes and stories as they patrolled the streets.

The other catchers, too, treated him as one of their own, offering support and encouragement whenever he needed it.

By the end of the two weeks, Ruchir had not only honed his skills but also built a network of connections within the Mysterious Heaven Palace. He had gained the respect of his colleagues and had proven himself to be a capable and reliable catcher.

As he prepared for the days ahead, Ruchir felt a deep sense of satisfaction and pride in his achievements. 

Today was another new day, Ruchir was making his way through the crowded streets during another routine patrol when he noticed a commotion ahead.

The usually bustling marketplace was even more animated than usual, with people gathered around, shouting and cheering.

His curiosity piqued, Ruchir quickened his pace and pushed through the crowd. As he got closer, he could hear the unmistakable sounds of a brawl.

"Come on, Robert! That's all you got?" a familiar voice taunted.

"At least I'm not as slow as you, Garret!" came the retort, equally familiar.

Ruchir sighed as he finally caught sight of the two combatants.

It was Garret and Robert, the green-haired guy he had encountered during his own recruitment.

They were at it again, rolling on the ground, throwing punches and insults at each other with the kind of reckless abandon only they could muster.

The crowd around them was thoroughly entertained, some even placing bets on who would emerge victorious. "Five coins on the green-haired guy!" one man shouted, waving his money in the air.

Another spectator laughed, "No way, Garret's got this! He's tougher than he looks!"

Ruchir couldn't believe what he was seeing. "Are you two seriously doing this again?" he muttered to himself as he stepped forward.

Garret and Robert were completely absorbed in their childish brawl, oblivious to the fact that they were making fools of themselves in front of the entire marketplace.

They exchanged weak punches and even weaker insults, neither one landing a decisive blow but both determined not to back down.

"You fight like a worm, Garret!" Robert sneered, ducking under a wild swing.

"Yeah? Well, you're as slippery as a wet fish!" Garret shot back, barely dodging a punch aimed at his gut.

Ruchir finally stepped between them, pushing them apart with a firm but gentle hand. "That's enough! What on earth are you two doing?"

Garret, panting from the exertion, looked up at Ruchir, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Oh, hey, Ruchir! We were just, uh, settling a little disagreement."

"Disagreement?" Ruchir raised an eyebrow. "It looks more like a brawl to me."

Robert, rubbing his sore shoulder, added, "He started it! He said my hair looks like grass."

"Well, it does!" Garret shot back, crossing his arms defiantly.

Ruchir groaned inwardly, trying to maintain his composure.

"And you decided the best way to handle that was to start throwing punches in the middle of the street? Do you realize how ridiculous you both look right now?"

Garret and Robert glanced around, finally noticing the crowd that had gathered to watch their antics.

Their faces flushed with embarrassment as they took in the amused expressions of the onlookers, some of whom were still holding their betting slips.

"Uh... maybe we got a little carried away," Garret mumbled, scratching the back of his head.

"A little?" Ruchir repeated, incredulous. "You're supposed to be catchers, not street brawlers!"

One of the spectators chimed in, "Hey, can't you let them finish? I've got money riding on this!"

Ruchir shot the man a stern look. "This isn't a game. Everyone, clear out! There's nothing to see here."

Reluctantly, the crowd began to disperse, grumbling about the lost entertainment.

The man who had set up the betting booth quickly gathered his coins and slipped away before Ruchir could reprimand him too.

Once the crowd was gone, Ruchir turned back to Garret and Robert, who were still looking suitably chastened. "You two should be setting an example, not making a spectacle of yourselves. What if Lieutenant Kaiser finds out about this?"

At the mention of Kaiser's name, both Garret and Robert paled. They had been on the receiving end of the lieutenant's wrath before and had no desire to experience it again.

"We're sorry, Ruchir," Robert muttered, kicking at the dirt. "We didn't mean for it to get out of hand."

Garret nodded, his earlier bravado completely gone. "Yeah, we'll stop. Promise."

Ruchir let out a sigh, his frustration giving way to a hint of sympathy. "Look, I know you two don't always see eye to eye, but this isn't the way to solve your problems. Next time, try talking it out before resorting to this... nonsense."

Garret and Robert exchanged glances, a grudging respect passing between them. "We'll try," Garret said, though it was clear that old habits would be hard to break.

"Good," Ruchir said, nodding in approval. "Now, get yourselves cleaned up before anyone else sees you like this."

As they walked off, heads hung low, Garret couldn't resist one last jibe. "You know, Robert, your hair really does look like grass."

Robert shot him a sideways glare. "And you still fight like a worm, Garret."

Ruchir shook his head as he watched them go, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Some things never change," he muttered to himself before turning back to resume his patrol.