"Hey kid, you should listen to adults-"

The guard thought Layla was an easy target because she was just a child, so she reached out to grab her. But Layla twisted her body around and grabbed that arm, reaching for her.

It startled the guard enough to try to pull away. But Layla's abnormal strength saved the day, and she held the guard.

"Look, miss! I am not in the mood to play around. So, I would appreciate it if you would not come after me to try to patronize me like this. Because next time, I will smack my fist into you, which won't be fun."

Layla's eyes looked serious, and she was crazy enough to pull through with this threat. The guard quickly recognized it, so she allowed Layla to pass through without much hassle.

With this, one part of the trouble had been taken care of. As for the remaining part? Well, let's just say that no one tried to come after Layla after that, and she made it to the workshop just fine.

She pushed the doors open quickly, and they made a lot of noise. It alerted Erwin, but the dwarf did not look up from the prototype of the gun he was working on.

"Come, take a seat. If you are here for a 'gun' as well, then you will have to wait. I can only produce so many models in a single day. All the rare-weapon collectors will have to pay a hefty price and wait their turn."

The dwarf spoke in an arrogant voice. Now that he had the guns and this newfound sense of elitism, he considered himself important enough to demand such things.

Unfortunately, he had the wrong client, and Layla headed toward the dwarf with her gun out.

The dwarf was a little taller than Layla, so she could reach his neck and place her gun against it.

"I would appreciate it if you answered a few of my questions. First, step away from that kiln, or I will shoot at you and end your life."

Layla spoke softly, but the hint of steel in her voice sent shivers down Erwin's spine.

The dwarf quickly pulled back and looked spooked when Layla had him walk over to the side and turn around.

"I never gave you permission to sell my 'gun' designs. Now, what should I do with you? I can always frame your death as an accident, and I won't have to worry about you again."

Layla pointed out as she dug her gun harder into Erwin's back. The cold metal felt even colder and heavier this time, causing shivers to break out across the dwarf's back.

"W-Why do you want to hurt me? Is it because I sold guns without considering your input? I apologize for that. Here, I will do something good for you. How about I split the profit with you? That would be reasonable, right?"

The dwarf asked Layla with a greedy look on his face. He was sure no human would turn down money, no matter how young they were.

It was something that even he, a dwarf, had come to recognize and carve for. Layla was all but a human!

Besides, she was young enough to fall for his words and sign a useless contract. Once he had this, Erwin would earn himself a powerful ally and be free to ask for more help.

He was stuck with the design of his gun. Every time he tried to use it, it felt awkward, and he had no idea how to improve it.

Erwin was convinced of his victory, so imagine his surprise when Layal did not even blink at his offer. Instead, she looked offended and pulled her gun away from him for a second before she shot at an empty table beside her.

The flash shattered at impact, leaving Erwin behind with a gaping mouth. His wide eyes looked at the shattered glass with fascination and fear.

'T-This is what a gun is capable of. I did not even get close to this! How can I even call myself a smith if I failed to recognize this weapon's true power?'

Layla had barely used any magic, but the result had been a massive blast that left him speechless.

"Now then, shall we try again? I hope you won't disappoint me this time. Will you be willing to back down and stop making guns? The next bullet won't miss its mark."

Layla asked with a smile, and the dwarf knew that he would die if he did not comply with her.

"I-I will do as you say! Just spare my life this time, and I will listen to anything you say."

The dwarf promised with a shaking body. He looked ready to run, but he knew it would be impossible for him to.

Layla did not respond to the dwarf's words. She just looked at him with a calm, almost lifeless expression.

But the way her dead eyes glared at the dwarf made him reconsider anything he had ever thought about her.

"Sign this waiver, and I will let you go. Just remember that I have no time to entertain you. Now, sign the bottom line, and we will be done here."

Layla put the piece of paper in front of the dwarf, and he recognized it as a contract.

"T-This is a fraudulent contract. You cannot make me sign it-"

The dwarf yelled, trying his best to get away from Layla. But she held on tightly to him, and her eyes glittered when Layla looked at the dwarf.

"I am not giving you a choice, Dwarf Erwin. You either sign this contract, or I will end your life right now. You can decide which one you want to choose. I don't mind resolving this matter either way."

Layla's confidence made the dwarf shake. He could tell that this kid was not lying. She meant every threatening word she said to him about ending his life.