Chapter 331 Warm Hospitality

Antonio’s face crumpled further.

“No, nothing is alright. Because of me and the debt, they suffered. With those ten gold coins I got from Jacob, I managed to get Nick back. After what they did to him, he was never the same but at least he was back home. A year later, when their boss returned, things went bad again. I worked as hard as I could, but it was in vain. The debt just got bigger and bigger until a month ago, my little sister, Anna, was taken. If I don’t pay, they’ll sell her as a prostitute, for some sick bastards to have fun with! So yeah! If I die, maybe they let Anna go. With me gone, the debt will be gone as well.”

Suzuka could no longer contain her rage. She grabbed Antonio by his uniform and lifted him off the ground, shouting, “Who the fuck are they? Who took Little Anna? She’s like a sister to me too!”

Antonio grunted under the force of her grip but managed to croak out, “They’re a gang that preys on poor, on slum folks, lending money and then squeezing them dry. They’re bastards, yes, but they do it legally. No one can complain. The only way out is to pay up. They have the backing of a nobleman from the main city. They have an entire network of connections. There’s nothing I can do.”

Suzuka’s grip tightened, her fury barely contained.

“Who said anything about you doing anything? I’ll deal with them. Names, motherfucker! Tell me their names and where to find them. You should know at least that much!”

“Their leader is Clint Levens. I don’t know his main goons’ real names; they go by Big Bear, Whiskey, Bloody Knuckles, and a few others. All of them were former adventurers and pretty strong ones. Their place is near the main town wall. I know the place well. I deliver payments there every month.”

Suzuka released him, her mind already racing towards action.

“Well then, let’s pay them a visit, shall we? I think some payment is overdue!”

Antonio asked in a panicked voice, "Wait! What are you going to do? Please, don't anger them or they might hurt Anna."

Suzuka cracked her knuckles and said, "Oh, don't you worry. I won't make them angry. We will just have a little friendly conversation. Now! Get off your ass and show the way."  

As they made their way towards their destination, Antonio kept his gaze firmly on the ground, afraid to make eye contact. The transformation in Suzuka was impossible to believe - her appearance, aura, and everything about her screamed power and change. Antonio glanced up occasionally, his eyes widening each time he saw her. Suzuka, noticing his furtive glances, asked, playful irritation simmering in her voice.

“Is there an egg stuck on my face? Or some bacon? Maybe a little bit of both? Hmm? How about saying something? I can see you have some questions. Or did the cat get your tongue? Maybe little Brute snatched it and ran away, hmm?”

Antonio’s face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and awe. He stammered, “No, it’s nothing. It’s just that, well, you look... you look great. You look so strong, so beautiful now, so grown up. You’re like a completely different person, not even a tiny bit of the Suzuka I knew is left. You’ve changed so much.”

Suzuka’s eyes turned back yellow with a mischievous sparkle as her usual playful demeanor returned. She put a hand on her hip and feigned a shocked expression.

“Oh, are you insulting or flattering me? Because it sounds like you’re doing a little bit of both. Sound as if before my change you thought I was ugly.”

Feeling the sting of her playful jab, Antonio tried to recover his composure.

“I didn’t mean to, I just meant that you’ve changed a lot. It’s impressive, really. Not only do your looks change but also your behavior. You’re not the same person who was running around these cobblestone roads.”

Suzuka chuckled, clearly enjoying his discomfort.

“Well, it’s good to know my change is making an impact. I guess I’ve moved beyond the girl who used to get caught up in every little trouble. Now, I’m the one causing the big ones.”

She winked, adding with a grin, “Just wait until you hear what’s next on my list. It’s bound to be mindblowing.”

Antonio, his curiosity getting the better of him despite his earlier resignation, took a deep breath and asked, “So, what have you been up to all these years? What happened to you? I want to know if it's alright with you.”

Suzuka’s eyes softened, a flicker of nostalgia crossing her face as she began her story.

“Well, where to begin?” She chuckled, shaking her head slightly.

“Long story short, it’s been one wild ride.”

She took a deep breath, diving into her tale.

“After I was kidnapped by those... well, let’s call them ‘sickos,’ my life took a nosedive into the mess. I was nearly squashed by a legendary monster and that was just the beginning. Picture me running for my life through a forest so dangerous that every rustle of leaves made me think some monstrous creature was about to turn me into a late-night snack. I had nothing left but a few scraps and a world of hurt. And I do not even want to talk about my experience with the Magic Box. Let's just say it was painful, to say the least.”

Antonio’s eyes widened in disbelief, but Suzuka continued with a mischievous glint in her eye.

“But luck was on my side - kind of. I stumbled upon a ‘friendly’ monster. Friendly, if you can imagine a minotaur who looks like he could pick me up in one hand and use me as a toothpick. He took me in, let me crash in his cave, and we even became something like friends. Though, I swear, he seemed oddly cheerful when I left. Hmmm, suspicious. Maybe he was just tired of my constant complaints about his cooking.”

"A Minotaur?!" Antonio gasped in surprise, "I haven't seen one only read about them in books. It must have been terrifying."

"Yep! That was one heck of an experience."

Suzuka paused for a moment, her gaze distant as she recalled her journey.

“After spending a year with him, a group of adventurers found me and helped me get to Rockmine Town. That’s when things started to change. I joined the guild, climbed the ranks, and even graduated from Magic Box University. Along the way, I fell in love again, and, you know, finally began chasing my dream. Building my town - Luminecia.”

Antonio looked at her, his mouth slightly agape as he absorbed the enormity of her experiences.

“Wow, that’s... incredible. I had no idea you went through so much.”

Suzuka smiled warmly, her eyes reflecting both the weight of her past and the lightness of her current triumphs.

“Yeah, it’s been quite the adventure. But here I am, standing strong. Sometimes, life throws you into the deep end, but you come out stronger - or at least, with a good story to tell.”

Antonio shook his head, a mixture of awe and regret in his eyes.

“I still can't truly believe it, all still feels like a dream to me. You’ve changed so much. You’re nothing like the person I remember. Well, your confidence seems to be the same.”

Suzuka shrugged, her playful smirk returning.

“Well, you know what they say: ‘Life’s a journey, not a destination.’ And in my case, it’s been one heck of a ride. Now, let’s get moving, shall we? I’ve got a date with some bad guys who need a wake-up call.”

Soon, they reached the gang's hideout, a grimy, run-down building with its iron doors marked by wear and tear. Antonio took a deep breath, his hands trembling slightly, but he steadied himself and approached the armored doors. With a firm knock, he announced their presence, his voice echoing off the metal. Suzuka leaned against the wall beside the entrance, out of sight, her keen eyes scanning for any potential surprises.

The iron shutter creaked open, revealing a scummy, greasy-faced thug with an air of unearned authority. His eyes narrowed as he saw Antonio, a wicked grin spreading across his face.

 “Well, well! Look who we’ve got here - Antonio boy himself! Finally, come to grace us with your presence. I take it you’ve brought us the money we’re owed? Or are you just here to chat? You know, It would be a real shame if something unfortunate were to happen to your little sister, don’t you think?”

Antonio’s face was a mixture of fear and resolve as he faced the thug.

 “I-I’m here to talk. You’ve got to listen. I need to speak with Clint. This isn’t about the money but it is important.”

The thug’s grin widened, revealing yellowed teeth that had probably seen better days. 

“Oh, is that so? And why should he care about what you’ve got to say? You know the deal - money or pain. I’m not in the mood for pleasantries. And the boss is a busy man, he has no time talking with low life like you! If you have no money, then beat it! Come back when you got some! But hey! Don't take too long, who knows what might happen to your little sister? Now get lost, scum!”

From her hidden vantage point, Suzuka stifled a laugh at the thug’s arrogance. She stepped quietly into view. The moment she stepped into view, the thug’s eyes widened with a leer that seemed to stretch across his face like a grotesque mask. His grin was wide and unsettling, revealing a set of yellowed teeth as he took in Suzuka’s fine curves and beautiful face. 

With a lecherous chuckle, he called out to Antonio, “Yo! Antonio! You should’ve led with the fact that you brought us a lady to play with. And such a good looker too! Whoooeeee! No need to be so serious, man. Mmmmmm, look at that fine piece of meat!”

He licked his lips as his gaze devoured Suzuka, his eyes roving over her with a predatory hunger.

 “What a nice present! Who knows, if she’s as good with her body as she looks, maybe we’ll even cut a small portion off your debt. What do you say, Antonio? You wouldn’t want to keep us waiting, right?”

Antonio’s face flushed with anger and frustration as he tried to reason with the leering thug. 

“Whisky, listen, she’s not like that. We’re just here to talk-”

“Well, well,” Suzuka interrupted, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm.

 “Look at this charming gentleman. Do you always greet people with such... warm hospitality? Or is it reserved for special occasions?”