The Black Iron Glory
Take action

Chapter 104

Take action

A dilemma refers to one of two situations that are superficially similar but fundamentally different. Inability to make a choice, or face dire consequences no matter which choice is chosen.

The latter definition feels more appropriate for Claude at this time.

On one hand, he could turn around and leave once he came. However, if he did that, he would find himself back at the intersection. Only the slightest question would reveal the reason for his return, and Hurian might decide that he was unfit to trade on the black market. Or he might decide Claude is weak enough to be exploited further. At worst, his apparent weakness might make others think of taking his own fortune, because if he was too weak to face some criminals, he would have to face some, how could it possibly be strong enough to face the other magi?

Another option is to go head-to-head with the criminals. They might recognize him, and thus his support, and let him pass unobstructed. But they may not. A fight would not be accepted, and it would most likely force him to use his spell to get out, which would end everything for him. Even if they did not block his path, his presence would only raise uncomfortable questions.

He could not decide which of the three options was worse. One question might suggest he was there for the sensual entertainment of Windmoon Street. It would destroy his character in the city and destroy any future he might have in the higher society. Others may suggest he is involved in less sedentary activities involving the gang itself. The result will be the same as the first. The third, although much less damaging to his personality in public, was no less damaging to his personal standing. His father may have come to study him and questioned his presence, which he had no choice but to admit he went to the Hurian shop. Even if no one came further than his father explaining his presence in the slums using his answer, Hurian or the others present in the open it might still put his identity in his mask.

His head was beating hard. He began the night with a relaxing shopping trip. Now he faces a choice that risks, in the most serious and devastating way, his entire future. The fight itself had nothing to do with him, but it still put him in the most dangerous position.

The thought of confronting them, still wearing a mask, flashed through his mind for a moment, but it was a worse choice than just walking past it without it. The possibility that they would leave it uninterrupted was simply nonexistent.

At the very least, however, masked, she did not need to hold back as much as possible and could take care of him easily. He had half a mind to walk up to them like for that reason. He had nothing that could be called a good impression of them, and he didn't mind – even the half-anticipated – giving them a crushing blow.

His dazed eyes soared into the sky, and he saw the moon dancing among the cotton clouds. However, it was not a full moon, and its faded blade emitted a hint of light at the gap of the alley that could be reached through the roof canopy. It was quite difficult to see the silhouettes of the gangs in the dim lighting of the candles. If he continued to the dark corners of the passageway, he might as well be invisible. No one would see him using his spell.

His worst fear was rather calm, his mind started racing at the thought of testing some of his spells on humans. He was eager to test them on humans, but he had yet to find a viable candidate. Now, he has.

The choice was made, the boy crept along the side of the alley, hugging the dark dark wall.

"Surge. Don't block my way," he groaned in a hoarse voice as he was several meters away from the back of the nearby group.

The argument eased somewhat as Claude considered his options. Both sides were dry and overflowing and the fight was only minutes from disbanding when this new voice merged. A crow-like voice exploded dry from behind the group.

"Ah, isn't this good? First we meet these morons, now we have a friend here in hopes of dying!" he shouted .

The reed-like man pushed the claw into Claude's shawl, but the boy was too fast for him.

"So, quarrel," Claude murmured as he pushed the man's hand upwards at an unnatural angle.

The man screamed.

However, he was an experienced fighter, and reacted as soon as the flick of a finger slipped from his hand. His other hand grabbed the dangling finger and pushed it back into the socket as the foot flew towards Claude's chin. It missed, but the man came again.

The ropeless puppet fell down without a word. Claude's feet dropped, slamming into the back of the man's head with an audible voice. Blood quickly pooled under the man's face, flowing out of the small hole where there was once a nose.

Some others had time to turn their eyes to him, even fewer recorded what had happened. The fight outside the first group stopped and more eyes shot agitatedly towards Claude.

However, the confusion quickly turned to anger, and before long everyone charged at the child.

"I'll break your bones! Just wait and see! I'll make you some curry paste!"

Claude's feet moved calmly, but quickly, taking him backwards in an attempt to keep some distance between them. His pursuers darted forward with more vigor as they realized what he was doing.

"Yes, asshole, don't run! I won't leave until I defeat you!"

A fist flew towards him, but it ran out from the arm just one centimeter from the tip of his nose. Claude pushed himself aside, to a nearby wall, placing his first attacker between him and another nearby enemy. One hand clenched its backward hand, pulling it down, and the man holding it, and the other elbow connected with the man's heart feather.

From behind it still looked as if Claude was the one in trouble, so the others continued on the journey without any backup, thoughts, or defense.

The man continued his fall, all the strength had left him, his face red, and fell to the ground.

His unconscious friends are unable to stop themselves in time, and meet with Claude again.

"Hold him, hold hai–!" the next enemy, a burly man of great stature, but his words were cut off, and turned into a terrorized screeches of total mistrust mixed with despicable suffering when he felt his children die before birth.

Those who had witnessed the previous quarrels and arguments from their windows grimaced in unison, and the man fainted.

Kamadi's attention was finally fully taken from Jerad. He pushed the two men to the side and came face to face with Claude.

"Who are you ?! What do you want ?!"

Claude shrugged his shoulders.

"Just pass by. I asked them to give way, but they came to me instead. I just taught them a little lesson about respect, that's all."

Behind his calm facade, his mind raced. Not out of fear of dangerous hardships, but by being confused and wondering how easy it was for her to take care of some of the toughest men in town. He had more difficult fights at school.

There are still five enemies left, if the Sharks are not involved, but Claude is more than ready for them.