Chapter 19: 19 – Bully Tactics

For the time being, I'll let Oaks sit on the thought that I could come after him at any moment. He's probably moved bases from the banana seller building in the bazaar by now. Wherever he is, I imagine he's got a thumb up his ass, scared out of his wits.

No one's come after me or Loraine since then anyway. Chances are Oaks got cold feet after his failed attempt to kidnap Loraine to get to me. Kain wanted to beef up security around the mansion and assign guards to both of us, but we turned him down. We don't have a lot of privacy as it is.

When Loraine and I get to the guild hall, an outrageous scene unfolds before us.

"Noooo! I don't wanna work anymore!" Yui is trying to crawl away, but Frey is pulling on her legs to keep her from escaping.

"You can't just leave! There is so much more work to be done. If we work ten hours a day, we can get this done in three weeks nya!" Frey's arms light up in what looks to be self-enhancements, and Yui loses grip on the floor boards.

Both of them tumble backwards, crashing into the front counter.

"What the hell is going on?" I ask them.

"Anego!" Yui dives for me, but I step out of the way and she crashes out the door instead.

"Y-Yui!" Loraine races outside to help her.

Frey picks herself up and smooths out her new guild clothes. A silver bracelet and gem-studded necklace are among the few things she's bought for herself since our lucrative ventures.

"Every completed and failed request must be reported back to HQ. We've been processing hundreds of requests since the members are working now, but it's too much between two people..." Frey explains.

Behind her is a mountain of paperwork. The adventurers aren't slouching anymore, but that means the staff can't slouch either.

"We're making a lot more money now. Why don't you just hire people?" I recall Kain and Frey mentioning there were other receptionists who had quit. 

Her shoulders drop. "Miss Yui got the members back to work, but our branch still has a poor reputation. No one's interested in becoming a receptionist."

"Will anyone do?" I ask.

"I'll take anyone willing to work. Even I need a day off! I have so much money now, but no time to spend it… mraahh!" Frey drops her head down onto the stack of papers.

Loraine comes back carrying an unconscious Yui in her arms like a mother would her baby. 

"Perfect timing, Loraine. Time to collect on our revenge." I put a hand on Frey's head. "You're coming with." 

"Eh— me?"

***

I break open the door to the building behind the banana stand. The gamblers look up from their game of cards and dice to the sight of Sacchan burning my hand.

"I'm looking for Oaks. Where is he?" I shout into the room.

"Ehhhhhh?? By-By-By-By Oaks, you mean that Oaks?" Behind me, Frey clings to my jacket.

"Yui, go check upstairs and look for a big lion guy." I order.

"Roger, Anego!" She races upstairs and returns a second later, shaking her head. "Floor's empty."

From the corner of my eyes, someone slips out from the back door. Yui sees it, too.

"After him!"

Yui sprints out first, and we give chase after her. When we get to the streets, Yui is already on top of the man. It's the scrawny elf who was manning the banana stand last time.

"P-Please, don't hurt me!" He begs.

"What do you wanna do, Anego? Beat him up here?" Yui asks.

I lean down, sneering. "Too many people out here. Let's find a nice little alley, shall we?"

We find an abandoned alleyway to shove the elf into. Yui pushes him up against the wall, keeping him cornered like prey.

"Why do I feel like the bad guy here? We're respectable members of the Cynderace Adventurer's Guild, aren't we?" Frey asks, tugging on my arm.

Loraine pulls her away. "There, there. Micchi is actually holding back because I asked her to. This is the least she can do after they tried to kidnap me."

"They tried to kidnap you?! And Loraine… that smile doesn't inspire confidence that the elf is getting out alive nya…" Frey slinks away.

Yui and I take turns pushing the elf up against the wall.

"We're looking for Oaks, and we ain't leaving until we get an answer."

"You got something to say? Hahh?"

"Cat got your tongue? Korraa!"

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"Kora!"

"Kora!"

The elf puts his hands up to shield his face. "Hiieee! I don't see Oaks anymore! I just manage his gambling dens and drop the money off at checkpoints. That's it!"

"Give me a time and place." I grab his face and push him up the wall. "And your clothes."

"Huh?"

Once the elf tells us everything we needed to know, I kick him back into the street in nothing but his underwear. 

"I think I just witnessed a crime," Frey says, rubbing her head.

Loraine kisses my cheek. "I think Micchi was absolutely dazzling. It's too bad she never plays rough with me in bed—"

"Stop bringing that up in front of other people!" I cover her mouth to keep her from saying anymore.

"It wasn't enough to just get the info, you wanted his clothes, too?" Frey asks.

"We don't know if Oaks has people watching the drop off. You two are about the same height, so you're going to wear the guy's clothes and drop it off for us. Besides, your ears look like elf ears under a cloak." 

"Why are you involving me in all of this?!" She points to herself, appalled.

***

The three of us hide behind a stack of crates and watch as Frey drops the sack of gold into the barrel. She returns to us, and a few minutes later someone strolls by to pick up the sack. We follow after him, making sure to stay as far back as possible. Even if we lose track of him, Frey assures us that her sense of smell can lead us to the right place.

Fortunately, we don't travel too far. The man disappears into a building at the corner exit from the marketplace. Two goons stand guard outside the door.

"Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! Are we about to bust Cynderace's most powerful underworld boss? I'm going to die! I haven't even given birth to my own litter of kittens yet. I have so much to live for!" Frey weeps into her hands.

"Getting cold feet?" I ask.

"Aww. Cheer up, Frey. If this works out, I'll give you a nice bonus." Yui scratches Frey's head as if she were an actual kitten.

"This feels degrading coming from you, Miss Yui." she remarks.

The front door opens and out steps Oaks himself. He looks up and down the street, clearly paranoid. Just as he's about to leave, I reveal myself from our hiding place and come out into the open for him to see me.

"Where do you think you're going, you oversized cat?"

His mane stands on end as our eyes make contact. Then he does what no one expects— he runs.

"What the— get back here, pussy!"

Yui launches forward, shoving the goons out of the way and tackling Oaks to the ground. The rest of us catch up and notice the windows shutter close. Even his people are abandoning him.

"Want me to make him squeal in front of you, Anego?" Yui asks.

"Nah. I got beef with this punk."

"Mercy! I'll give you all my gold. Anything. I'm sorry, I won't send anyone after you ever again!" Oaks rolls over onto his back, hands and feet shaking in the air.

Frey taps my shoulder. "For us beastlings, that's a sign of absolute submission. He may be a criminal overlord, but my instincts make me feel bad for him."

"Tsk. I was hoping for a fight." I rest my foot on his chest and, and lift his head by his ear. "We're looking for some willing volunteers to use as pencil pushers, and I happen to think you make a good fit."

"Whaaaaat? We went through all that just so you can coerce him into working for the guild?!" Frey freaks out, clutching her head trying to make sense of my brilliant plan.

I shake Oaks down for any hidden weapons, of which he has none. "Yeah. I thought that was the plan?"

"There was no plan! I just went along with you and this happened." She turns to Oaks apologetically. "Y-You don't have to—"

"I'll do it!" he exclaims. "I'll do it. Just no more pain! I still have the bruise you gave me last time..."

My fist craters the ground next to his face. "If it were up to me, I'd beat you ugly until your dad thought your mom had an affair. I'll settle on my girl getting a punch off or two."

I step aside for Loraine to take my place.

"Remember me? You sent people to kidnap me." Loraine says, cracking her flaming knuckles above him. After letting Oaks have it, Loraine skips into my arms. "You're right. Beating up people who deserve it really does feel good!"

Frey pokes at the unconscious Oaks who's foaming at the mouth. "Am I really hiring this guy?"

"You did say you were willing to take anyone." I answer, smirking.