The small, cluttered room was dim, papers and trinkets scattered across the floor. A subtle energy seemed to linger around Toxivar, even as he sat cross-legged, a strange, unsettling smile on his face.
"Welcome to my home… what brings you here?" he said, calm yet playful, carrying a quiet warning.
Milo remained silent, composed but simmering with anger.
Lucas spoke for him, casual but pointed:
"He wants to talk to you… though you didn't tell me you knew him."
Toxifar felt a surge of happiness and stood up.
"I suppose he wants to join us… Milo, have you truly grasped the truth? I'm glad!"
Lucas fell silent, as if he didn't want to continue.
Suddenly, Milo spoke in a low, quiet voice:
"Shut up…"
Toxivar tilted his head, a sly glint in his green eyes.
"Yes? What did you say?" His grin widened, posture relaxed but alert.
Milo's gaze was sharp, dark eyes burning with controlled anger.
"I'm not joining you, you scum," he said, voice low and cutting.
Lucas stepped forward, concerned.
"Milo… calm down. What's wrong?"
Toxivar's eyes widened, a small uneasy smile failing to mask his surprise.
"What…?" he said hesitantly.
Milo raised his hand steadily, pointing it toward Toxifar, his eyes burning with anger and icy resolve:
"Your gang members attacked my friend last night, tried to steal from her, and broke her arm!"
Lucas, shocked, practically trembled in his seat, his voice quivering:
"What??? Is… is she okay?"
Toxifar remained motionless, his body still, but his surprise grew with every word.
Milo continued in a sharp, commanding voice:
"We are not a gang of girl hunters… you already know our goal"
Milo stood firm, eyes burning with anger, body tense, hands gripping Toxivar's clothes. Determined and controlled despite his inner storm.
Lucas stayed beside him, calm but anxious, lightly holding Milo's shoulder, cautious of escalating the situation.
Toxivar faced them with a mysterious grin, relaxed yet alert, green eyes sparkling with curiosity and mild surprise.
Toxifar spoke,
"Describe to me the people who attacked your friend."
Milo still held Toxifar by the collar.
"They're from your gang, aren't they?"
Lucas stepped in, pushing Milo's hands away from Toxifar.
"I told you, don't rush. Describe them to us first."
Milo pulled his hands back.
"Ah… I'm sorry, I got carried away in my anger. I really apologize."
Lucas smiled at Milo.
"It's alright."
Milo spoke, his voice steady but tense:
"As far as I remember, one of them had a scar on his forehead."
Both Lucas and Toxifar were shocked.
Lucas scowled.
"Oh, that bastard…"
Toxifar laughed lightly.
"Oh, nice. I know him. Do you want me to show you where he is?"
Milo responded quickly,
"Yes."
Lucas interrupted them sharply,
"Wait, Toxifar! You'll get him into trouble if you start a fight with them."
The atmosphere was tense. Milo looked at Lucas, seeking answers, cautious and surprised. Lucas remained calm, answering carefully.
Toxivar interrupted confidently:
"They're members of the Talented Gang. Weak, like ants but that's not the problem. The gang is huge, led by Tavian. He's extremely powerful."
Milo's brows furrowed, concern flickering across his usually calm face.
"Strong? How strong is Tavian?
Toxifar looked at Milo with a confident gaze, a faint smirk on his lips. Milo, in contrast, felt a knot of worry tighten in his chest.
Milo: "How strong is he?"
Toxifar's eyes gleamed with certainty.
Toxifar: "From what I know… strong enough to defeat the three of us together, even without using his full power."
The air grew heavy, Milo's worry deepening. Toxivar's calm confidence made the threat feel real.
Milo blinked, voice tense:
"You said they're just ants… so you don't care about them?"
Toxivar chuckled, mischievous.
"Clever, Milo. But Tavian treats his members like family. Hurt one, and he could send someone after you at any moment."
Lucas added calmly:
"Milo… I'm sorry about your friend, but this isn't your fight. Don't stir trouble with the Talented they're dangerous."
Milo smiled, cold determination in his eyes.
"I don't care who Tavian is, or how strong. I'll settle the debt for my friend and break the head of anyone in my way."
Toxifar's eyes lit up with excitement, and he clapped his hands.
Toxifar: "Excellent! Just as I expected… you're different."
Lucas felt a creeping unease, his gut tightening.
Milo turned to Toxifar, his voice sharp and unwavering.
Milo: "Show me where they are."
Toxifar smiled, his tone laced with a hint of cunning:
Toxifar: "Well, Milo… not everything comes for free.
I'll show you, but on one condition—you join us."
Lucas remained uneasy, his eyes betraying his discomfort.
Milo looked at Toxifar with sharp eyes, his voice calm but firm:
Milo: "And what guarantees that you won't deceive me?"
Toxifar chuckled lightly, confidence radiating from him:
Toxifar: "Simple. If I ever trick you… leave our gang immediately."
Milo's lips curled into a slight smile, his tone resolute:
Milo: "An alliance."
Both Lucas and Toxifar exchanged surprised and attentive glances.
Milo continued, unwavering:
Milo: "I'll ally with you. When I need you, you help me, and vice versa. What do you think?"
Toxifar laughed heartily and clapped his hands in excitement:
Toxifar: "Deal!"
As they were leaving the apartment, Lucas stopped them, placing a hand on Milo's shoulder.
Lucas: "Milo… I don't think what you're doing is a good idea.
You're asking for trouble. You live a normal life why risk all this?"
Milo smiled faintly at Lucas, his eyes calm but determined.
Milo: "Lucas… I won't attack them, I promise.
I'm just going to talk."
Toxifar glanced at Lucas, a curious smile tugging at his lips.
Here's the scene translated into English:
Toxifar smiled at Lucas.
Toxifar: "Don't worry, Loukie. I'm with him. I won't let him do anything unnecessary."
Then Milo and Toxifar left.
Lucas muttered to himself after they went he feeling a bad feel
"You going with him, Toxifar, that's what worries me the most, anyway."
Milo walked beside Toxivar through the narrow slum alleys. Crumbling houses, broken doors, and boarded windows reflected neglect.
The air was heavy with mold and smoke, shouts echoing in the distance, barefoot children darting through the streets.
Toxivar moved casually, mocking smile in place. Milo stayed silent, eyes scanning every detail, tension building inside him.
Toxivar glanced at him, grin sharp, and spoke with a casual but edged tone.
"That guy with the scar… and his gang spend their evenings in the tavern, drinking or causing trouble in the middle-class district," Toxivar said, chuckling.
"Pathetic habits."
Milo stayed calm, eyes fixed on Toxivar, body ready. Every step was confident and measured, composure stronger than any outburst.
They arrived.
Toxivar entered the tavern confidently, motioning for Milo to follow. Milo's eyes immediately found the man with the scar on his forehead.
They sat near the bartender, who efficiently placed two drinks before them. He was bald, with a short, thick beard.
Toxifar glanced at Milo, a small, knowing smile on his lips.
"Alright, Milo… what shall we do now? He's here already."
Milo's eyes stayed fixed on the scarred man, body tense but controlled.
As Toxivar sipped his drink, Milo stood and walked steadily toward the table. Seven rough-looking men sat there, some affected by alcohol.
Milo stopped in front of the scar-faced man, eyes locked, senses alert.
Toxifar chuckled lightly, laughing:
"Oh… this is really going to be fun."
The scar-faced man looked at Milo, visibly annoyed.
"Huh? Got a problem, punk?"
Milo remained calm, his voice icy and measured.
"Last night… did you attack a girl with pink hair?"
The man's expression twisted with anger and irritation.
"Huh? A girl? Get out of my face! I don't even remember what I ate this morning, let alone what I do to people. Now scram!"
Milo remained standing, unmoving.
The rest of the group, along with the scar-faced man, turned their gaze toward him, curious.
"Who's this brat?" they whispered among themselves.
The scar-faced man spoke up, a wicked grin forming.
"Oh, I remember now!" he said, laughing.
"That clumsy girl… she was so happy, and then I broke her arm with these hands. She looked ridiculous, all scared!"
Milo clenched his fists, anger coursing through him.
The others laughed, recalling the incident, enjoying the memory.
One of the men mockingly grabbed Milo's shoulder.
"Oh, are you her little boyfriend, here for revenge? Hahaha!"
Laughter erupted around them. Toxivar chuckled, ready for what would happen. The bartender glanced over.
Milo whispered, calm but firm:
"Take your filthy hand off my shoulder."
The man pressed closer, and Milo punched him hard, sending him crashing into the wall, unconscious.
The bartender shouted, "Fighting isn't allowed!"
Toxivar raised a hand. "Shh… be quiet," standing tall and calm.
The bartender looked at him, confused. "What do you mean..."
Suddenly, the bartender froze in terror at what he saw.
A green, terrifying spark ignited from Toxifar's eyes.
"I swear, if you interfere… I will separate your head from your body."
The six men stood up.
"Do you want to get hurt, you fool?" one of them sneered.
The scar-faced man pulled out a knife, pointing it toward Milo.
"You'll die, you bastard!"
Milo grabbed his wrist and twisted it, holding him firmly.
"You trash… the only thing that works with the likes of you is force."
The scar-faced man screamed,
"Do you know who I am?! A member of the Talented Gang! My master will crush you!"
Milo's eyes narrowed.
"Oh really? Tell him to come. I'll break his arm too."
Milo punched him hard, sending him crashing down. Toxivar leapt, perfectly timed with Milo's strike.
"Raaah!" he shouted, heading toward Milo.
The remaining five men rushed at him with a sharp, aggressive push.
Milo blocked the first strike, but another man attacked from behind. Toxivar intervened, striking him to the floor.
Toxivar pressed back against Milo.
"Alright, partner… let's crush them."
The tavern watched in awe. Milo struck the attacker with his knee. Toxivar slammed two others to the ground, breaking the table.
The last man surrendered.
"I surrender! Just don't hurt me!"
Milo stepped back, but Toxivar struck him, knocking him unconscious.
Milo felt slightly annoyed.
"Toxifar… that wasn't necessary."
Toxifar stood, smiling: "What, partner… don't you want to enjoy yourself?"
Milo fiddled with his hands impatiently: "I'm not here to enjoy myself… I'm here to teach these scum a lesson. And I'm not your partner it's just an alliance."
The two of them left the bar.
Toxifar was extremely happy, grinning from ear to ear, while Milo was frowning, uneasy.
Toxifar glanced at Milo.
"You just attacked a member of the Talented Gang… be ready. You've essentially declared war on them."
Milo remained calm, indifferent.
"I told you, I don't care. Let whatever happens, happen."
Milo started to walk away, but Toxivar stopped him.
"Hey… share some information about your contacts."
Later, Milo checked Toxivar's account on his phone. Much of the information was incomplete.
"Strange… shouldn't this account be blocked? Why is it like this?"
Suddenly, a message from Herax appeared:
"Milo… we need to talk soon about something…"
Milo's eyes widened, a bead of sweat sliding down his forehead. "Damn it…"