Chapter 2: Extortion

"Hurry! We don't have much time left!" Asahi called over his shoulder, tugging Eve along through the narrow corridor.

Eve stumbled behind him, her voice sharp with frustration. "Maybe I'd be faster if I wasn't being dragged around like a ragdoll!"

Realizing her discomfort, Asahi loosened his grip on her wrist, transitioning into a smoother stride. Their footsteps echoed together as they turned the final corner—just in time to spot two gorilla-like figures towering near the clubroom entrance.

"There!" Asahi shouted, waving them down. "I told you we had a third member!"

One of the massive men clenched his jaw, his gruff voice low with reluctant acceptance. "You got lucky this time, Ryu. Saved by the bell."

He tossed the clubroom key to Ryu, who caught it with a grin so warm it could thaw ice. "Asahi, man—thank you!"

Without hesitation, Ryu pulled Asahi into a bear hug. Asahi returned the gesture awkwardly, patting his friend's back. "Yeah… happy to help."

But the moment was short-lived.

"Sorry to ruin the bromance," Eve interrupted, her tone distant. "I have to go."

Ryu blinked. "What? Come on! You should totally join the Super Duper Ultimate Black-Belt Fighting Club for Young Rookies in Training! It's a working title."

Eve shot Asahi a withering look.

Asahi scratched the back of his head. "See? I told you that name needed work."

Eve rolled her eyes. "Look, I appreciate the invite, but I've got… other places to be."

Asahi gave a small wave. "Still—thanks for the help back there."

Eve didn't look back, but she raised a hand as she walked off.

Ryu tilted his head, watching her disappear. "Her ears… They're too pointy to be human."

"Huh? Where did that come from?"

"I dunno," Ryu replied. "Just noticed."

_____

It was kind of them to invite me… but I'm carrying too much baggage to join anyone right now, Eve thought as she stepped through the school's front gates and into the open city. Her steps slowed as she neared a run-down corner store. Across the street loomed a dim, narrow alley—Cross Corner Avenue. She didn't hesitate. The air turned colder as she entered the shadows, her path leading her to two waiting figures: a masked man, calm and unreadable, and a thug with twitchy eyes and a cruel grin.

"There she is!" the thug exclaimed. "You got the cash, princess?"

Eve nodded hesitantly, her fingers trembling as she pulled out a wad of bills—10,000 in total.

"I-I have it here."

The thug took the money, flipping through it before scoffing. "Not gonna lie to ya, sweetheart. This ain't enough."

"But you said ten thousand Zen a week! That's what we agreed on!" she protested.

The thug slapped her hard across the face. The sound echoed through the alley.

"You forget who you're dealing with? You think backtalk's part of the deal?" He grabbed her chin and yanked her face close..

One year ago...

I'm so excited to start my second day of school! Eve thought as she hurriedly dressed. Her mother's voice echoed from downstairs.

"Eve, come on! We don't have all day!"

"Coming!" Eve called back, racing down a set of elegant marble stairs. Her mother smiled from the doorway.

"Need another ride today?"

Eve shook her head with a grin. "No thanks, Mom. I'll walk."

Her mother pulled her in for a hug. "Alright. I'll be away for the next five business days. Hold down the fort, okay?"

"You know I'll miss ya."

"And I'll miss you too, sweetie."

The front doors closed, the echo leaving Eve alone in the house.

Guess I'll grab breakfast. She opened the fridge—no milk.

Survive until lunch it is.

She skipped out the door, birds chirping overhead as a breeze danced through her hair.

I wonder what we're learning today—

BZZT.

Her phone buzzed. A message from "Unknown."

"This isn't a request. We're offering a deal, and there will be consequences if it's refused. Pay us 10,000 Zen a week. Show up at the alley across Cross Corner Ave if you agree. No response means you've declined."

Loan sharks? Is this some kind of joke? That's insane… but… what kind of consequences are they talking about?

Eve stared at the screen before finally responding.

"I respectfully decline. Thank you for your patronage."

She tucked the phone away and continued to school.

But something was wrong.

Eyes followed her through the halls. Whispers cut through the air like daggers.

"She's really a freak like that?"

"Yeah. Heard she lets anyone have a go."

"Seriously? Gotta get in line, then."

"She's like a game of tee-ball. Everyone gets a hit."

Laughter exploded around her.

Eve blinked, unsure. Just some dumb rumor… right? I need to find Emma and Ava.

She spotted her friends by the lockers and waved—but they turned away, ignoring her.

A voice sneered from behind. "Kinda hard to maintain friendships when you're a whore."

She spun around. "What?"

"You heard me. No one wants to be around someone who's been with hundreds and has STDs."

"That's a lie! I've never done anything like that! Do you just believe everything you hear?!"

"No." He held up his phone. "I believe what I see."

Onscreen was a photo—Eve, in an indecent position.

"That's not me! I've never—how could you believe this crap?!"

But… I've never done anything like this. Who's doing this? How does it look so real?!

And then—realization. This was the consequence they warned me about.

Her breath hitched. Her thoughts spiraled.

They forged this. Framed me. I'm going to show them what happens when you mess with an elf.

She dashed out of school, tying her hair into a knot.

"Brawling Spirit: Kenka-ya!"

A fiery spirit emerged, empowering her limbs with supernatural strength. She leapt over buildings, landing towards the back of the alleyway with explosive force.

"Kenka-ya, attack!"

Smoke swirled as the spirit lunged, but the masked man blocked effortlessly.

"So this is what it took to bring you here," he said coolly. "Spirit Power: Spirit Scalpel." His hand morphed into a surgeons blade.

"Again! Kenka-ya!"

But the man vanished—and her spirit shattered like porcelain.

"I tried to keep it passive," he said with a sigh. "But the enterprise won't fund itself."

Eve fell to her knees, clutching her spirit's remains. "W-why me?!"

The man crouched. "Because you're easy to exploit. Royal blood. Access to wealth. No backup. Just accept the deal, and it all ends here."

The thug chimed in, "Yeah, boss said—"

"Shut up," the masked man snapped.

Eve clenched her fists. "Fine… I'll agree. Just… don't hurt my family."

"See? That wasn't so hard."

Present day in the same alley...

"You hear me?" the thug roared. "We need twenty thousand now. Get it!"

His fingers still bruised her chin.

"O-okay, I will…"

Once he released her, Eve staggered to the corner—then ran. The tears came without restraint, blurring her vision.

THUD.

She collided into Asahi and Ryu.

"Eve?! What happened?" Asahi asked, trying to steady her.

She collapsed into him, sobbing. He froze, unsure how to comfort her. Ryu placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Eve. Please… we want to help. Just tell us what's going on."

"No! I don't want you guys involved… He's too strong."

"Who?" Ryu asked.

"I-I don't know his name," she whispered.

Asahi's fists clenched. It's been a while since I've fought let alone use my spirit power… but she helped us. It's only right to return the favor.

He stood tall. "Then show us where he is."

Ryu nodded. "We've got your back."

Eve hesitated, then pointed. "The alley… across Cross Corner Ave."

"Got it," Ryu said, tightening his headband. "Let's go!"

They sprinted toward the alley.

"There they are!" Asahi shouted, spotting two figures.

"Are you the ones who hurt my friend?" Ryu growled.

The masked man sighed. "So she finally told someone. Just surprised it wasn't her own mother."

Asahi's fists clenched. "Then I'll take that as a yes!"

Ryu charged—but the thug tackled him. The masked man turned his pendant—into a gun.

BOOM.

Asahi's skin shimmered into tough scales. Bullets bounced off as he charged forward, tackling the masked man to the ground.

He started to pummel the man's face in—until Spirit Power: Spirit Burst knocked him back. Asahi's rag dolled body slammed into the masked man's ally.

The thug, lays unconscious from the impact. The masked man smirked.

"A dragonborne. You don't see those everyday. Let's see what you've got dragon boy."

His gun morphed into a massive hammer.

"What kind of witchcraft is that?" Ryu muttered.

"I don't care," Asahi growled.

The man swung. Asahi blocked with scaled arms—but still flew back, bloodied and bruised.

"Ryu—now!"

"Spirit Power: Spirit Impact!"

Ryu's skull struck like a train. The masked man summoned a Shield—but it only dampened the hit. Ryu collapses, the man stands staggered, barely upright.

"You're too green," he spat. "That warning saved me."

Asahi rushed back at him, his feet started to grow hot.

"Fire Spirit Power: Rocket Rush!"

His feet and fist, ablaze with energy, slammed into the man's jaw—sending them both flying. Asahi crashed into a dumpster, vision blurring.

The masked man staggered forward prepared to finish Asahi—until—

"Brawling Spirit: Kenka-ya Fist!"

Eve arrived, landing a crushing blow. The man collapsed.

____

Asahi groaned, waking in the clubroom. "Why am I… here?"

The man was tied up beside him.

"WOAH—what's he doing here?!"

"Eve dragged all of us back," Ryu explained. "Wants answers."

"I just want to know how he made that photo," Eve said.

"What photo?" Ryu asked.

"Shut up," Eve snapped.

"Sorry" Ryu surrendered his hands.

She splashed water on the man. "Wake up!"

He opened his eyes slowly. "Torture? Makes you no better than me."

"I don't need to stoop to your level. Just tell me how you made that photo."

"The one that ruined your life?" he said, unfazed. "Bounded Weapon. That pendant of mine can become anything. Gun. Hammer. Photo. Whatever I imagine."

Everyone in the room fell silent.

"That's all I needed," Eve said.

The door burst open. Soldiers in green cloaks stormed in.

"You exploited m'lady long enough!" one barked, dragging the man away.

"M'lady?" Ryu repeated, dumbfounded. "Wait—you're royalty?!"

Eve nodded. " The royal Elven family."

Ryu threw his hands up. "This is unfair! You're rich, and this guy's a dragon!"

Eve rushed to Asahi. "You're really a dragonborne?! But you don't look it!"

She tugged his cheeks.

Asahi blushed. "That's enough!"

They all laughed—finally, with a little peace.

Ryu offered Eve his hand and a grin. "So… you ready to join us now?"