CHAPTER 73: A PROMISE

Jack’s laugh was like thunder rolling across distant mountains, rich and dangerous and full of promise. "I was about to say the same thing to you."

The first enforcer attacked without further warning, his sword sweeping in a diagonal strike aimed at Jack’s neck. The blow was fast, precise, and would have been instantly lethal if it had connected.

But Jack wasn’t there anymore.

Lightning Steps carried him one meter to the left, appearing behind the attacker’s extended guard. His spear thrust forward with the mechanical precision of someone who had practiced the movement thousands of times.

"THRUST!"

The spear point punched through the enforcer’s leather armor like it was made of paper, finding the gap between ribs with surgical accuracy. The man’s scream was cut short as steel started to pierce his skin.

"THUD!"

The enforcer hit the store floor with a wet impact, a small amount of dark blood pooling beneath his body as he hit the floor bead first. His sword clattered across the polished wood, its steel reflecting the crystal lighting in dancing patterns.

The second enforcer reacted with professional speed, launching himself toward Jack’s exposed flank while his partner fell. But Jack was already moving, clear of the attack while his spear flowed into a defensive position.

"CLANG!"

Steel met steel in a shower of sparks as Jack’s spear shaft intercepted the curved blade. The impact sent vibrations through both weapons, but Jack’s leverage allowed him to control the engagement.

He twisted his spear, using its length to trap the enforcer’s blade while simultaneously stepping into close quarters. His knee drove upward into the man’s solar plexus, doubling him over with a gasping wheeze.

"OOF!"

"CRUNCH!"

The sound of impact was followed immediately by Jack’s spear butt striking the enforcer’s temple with enough force to crack bone. The man dropped like a stone, his weapon falling from nerveless fingers as consciousness fled.

"THUD!"

The entire confrontation lasted less than thirty seconds.

Jack stood over the fallen enforcers, his breathing slightly elevated but controlled. The spear in his hands hummed with residual energy, its steel point stained with blood that caught the crystal light like liquid rubies.

–

The enforcers were a high silver and a low gold rank. Through his extensive training and switching classes mid fight, Jack had used the spear better than before.

Jack was a high silver rank in terms of strength, almost at the gold stage. But, by catching his opponents by surprise, it made it easier to win the match.

–

The store had gone completely silent. Nobles who had come to purchase cosmetics found themselves witnessing a demonstration of martial skill.

But it was Marcus’s reaction that truly captured Jack’s attention. The thin man’s face had gone completely white, his eyes wide with terror as he stared at the bodies of his supposedly professional enforcers.

"Who... who are you?" Marcus stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. "What’s your name?"

Jack wiped the blood from his spear with deliberate slowness, each movement calculated to emphasize the casual ease with which he’d dismantled supposedly dangerous opponents.

"Jack," he said simply, his voice carrying across the silent store with crystalline clarity. "Jack Kaiser."

The name hit Marcus hard, his knees actually buckling as the full magnitude of his situation became clear. He’d threatened the heir to House Kaiser, attempted to intimidate a duke’s son, and just watched his enforcers get destroyed by someone barely out of adolescence.

"Kaiser..." Marcus whispered, his voice breaking with terror. "Duke Alaric Kaiser’s son... the dragon slayer..."

"The very same," Jack confirmed with a smile that could have frozen flame. Lightning crackled more intensely around his form, purple arcs dancing between his fingers as his anger began to build toward something truly dangerous.

"Now then," Jack continued, his voice dropping to barely above a whisper, "let’s discuss these consequences you mentioned. What exactly did Phallanx Solutions plan to do to my family’s business?"

Marcus tried to back away, but Finn had positioned himself near the store’s entrance, cutting off the most obvious escape route. The former chosen one’s scarred face showed no emotion, but his hand rested on a weapon that promised swift and violent retribution for anyone foolish enough to test him.

"Please," Marcus begged, his aristocratic composure cracking completely. "I didn’t know... we were told this was just some provincial startup... no one mentioned the Kaiser family..."

"No one mentioned it because you didn’t bother to research your target," Jack replied with cold satisfaction. "Phallanx Solutions operates through ignorance and intimidation."

The crowd began to murmur with excitement as they realized they were witnessing the public humiliation of one of the kingdom’s most notorious corporate bullies.

Some began to applaud, while others pulled out notebooks to record what would undoubtedly become a story told in noble circles for years to come.

"CLAP!"

"CLAP!"

"CLAP!"

"WELL DONE!"

"ABOUT TIME SOMEONE PUT THEM IN THEIR PLACE!"

The applause built steadily as more customers recognized the significance of what they’d witnessed. Marcus Thorne and Phallanx Solutions had just been publicly destroyed by a sixteen-year-old noble who made it look effortless.

Jack raised his hand, and the crowd fell silent immediately. The authority in that simple gesture spoke volumes about the respect he commanded, not through birthright alone but through demonstrated ability.

"Marcus Thorne," Jack said, his voice carrying the weight of absolute judgment, "you came here to threaten my family’s business. You brought armed men into my city. You attempted to intimidate citizens under my protection."

Each accusation fell like a hammer blow, driving Marcus further toward complete collapse. The man’s legs were visibly shaking now, his expensive robes stained with sweat despite the cool morning air.

"As of this moment," Jack continued with deadly calm, "I consider Phallanx Solutions to be an enemy of House Kaiser. Your company will find that business becomes very difficult when conducted against the interests of a ducal family."

The threat was delivered with such casual authority that even hardened nobles in the crowd felt chills run down their spines. When a Kaiser declared vendetta, the consequences typically involved more than just business competition.

"Furthermore," Jack said, his smile turning sharp as a blade, "I will personally ensure that your company’s practices receive the scrutiny they deserve. Every deal, every contract, every questionable business arrangement. All of it will be examined very carefully."

Marcus’s face had gone completely gray, understanding crashing over him like a cold wave. House Kaiser controlled vast territories, trade routes, and political connections throughout the kingdom. Their enmity would be catastrophic for any business that depended on noble patronage.

"Please," Marcus whispered, his voice breaking with desperation. "We can reach an accommodation... some arrangement that benefits both parties..."

"The arrangement," Jack said with finality, "is that Phallanx Solutions stays out of Sorne, avoids Kaiser business interests, and never again threatens anyone under my family’s protection. Violate those terms, and the consequences will be permanent."

Marcus nodded frantically, his head bobbing like a bird drinking water. "Yes, yes, of course. Understood completely. No interference, no threats. You have our word."

"Your word means nothing," Jack replied dismissively. "But your fear might keep you honest. Get out of my sight."

The Phallanx representatives fled the store with undignified haste, Marcus stumbling over his own feet in his eagerness to escape. Their departure was met with renewed applause from the crowd, who had thoroughly enjoyed watching corporate bullies receive their comeuppance.

"HOORAY!"

"MAGNIFICENT!"

"THAT SHOWED THEM!"

As the excitement from the confrontation began to fade, Jack noticed that business had actually intensified rather than diminished. The demonstration of his combat skills seemed to have enhanced rather than damaged the store’s reputation.

"Nothing like a good show to draw customers," Octavia observed with obvious amusement as she approached through the crowd. "Your timing was perfect, little brother. Half these people came just to see if the stories about your abilities were true."

"And the other half?" Jack asked, wiping the last traces of blood from his spear before returning it to its display mount.

"Came for the products and stayed for the entertainment," Annabelle chirped from behind the counter, her arms full of gold coins and sales receipts. "We’ve sold more in the past hour than we projected for the entire day."

The implications of their success were staggering. Jack watched as customers continued to stream through the store, each one eager to purchase products that had already gained legendary status through word of mouth and dramatic demonstration.

"FIVE BOTTLES OF SHAMPOO!"

"TEN BOTTLES OF EMBERSALT!"

"TWENTY PACKAGES OF MATCHES!"