In the heat of all the shouting, even Max had completely forgotten about Na trailing behind him. Originally, he had entertained the idea of riling someone up, pushing the guards, taunting Darno, just to see if Na would step in and defend him. He had his answer now.
Na wasn't just behind him; he was there like a wall of iron, a shadow that had silently followed.
It wasn't just Max who had overlooked him either. With the chaos of insults, threats, and orders flying back and forth, no one in the room, trained guards, reception staff, not even Chief Nonto himself, had noticed the hulking figure slip in and stand at Max's back.
Strange. For a man of Na's size, for someone radiating that much presence, they should have noticed the instant he entered. He wasn't exactly subtle. His footsteps were heavy, his build was impossible to ignore, and yet here he was, as though invisible.
Maybe it's not invisibility, Max thought. Maybe it's just that their heads are so clouded with panic and arrogance they don't see what's right in front of them.
"Hey, what the hell is this?" the guard muttered, pulling his hand back and shaking it. His wrist throbbed where Na had gripped him. He'd felt that strength, the kind that wasn't normal, the kind that didn't let go until it wanted to.
"Are you some kind of new recruit?" Chief Nonto asked, his scarred chin jutting forward. His tone was dismissive, but his eyes flickered with caution. "If you're looking for a job, you picked the wrong day. We're not recruiting."
"Will you people stop this nonsense already?" Max snapped, stepping forward. His patience had cracked. "I already told you, we're here on behalf of the Billion Bloodline Group. This man is my guard. Do you seriously think a random teenager would have a bodyguard like him following around?"
Max's words made Nonto hesitate. He didn't want to show it, but his expression wavered. He scanned the lobby, eyes darting toward corners, searching for hidden cameras. Was this all a set-up?
Could this be some kind of stunt? Did this brat hire muscle just to embarrass us? To make a video showing Fortis as weak, as useless?
The thought wasn't as far-fetched as it sounded. It had happened before. Competitors, angry clients, even online influencers, they'd pulled stunts just to humiliate Fortis. And usually, those so-called fighters got crushed by their guards.
But this time, something was different.
"Throw them out," Nonto barked, his patience snapping. "Now."
At his command, one of the guards sprinted forward, arms outstretched, aiming to grab Max.
Na's response was swift, precise, and brutal. He pivoted, parried the man's arm aside with a flick of his forearm, and then shifted his weight into a crushing body shot. His fist slammed into the guard's side with the force of a hammer.
Even through the reinforced tactical armor, the guard gasped sharply, stumbling back. He clutched at his ribs, eyes wide. He wasn't sure if they were cracked or just badly bruised, but the pain told him all he needed to know: this wasn't someone to underestimate.
The second guard charged next, baton drawn, his swing cutting through the air with practiced precision. Na moved with deceptive speed for his size, shoving the first guard into the path of the second.
But the baton wielder was experienced. He sidestepped, using the momentum to swing across Na's ribs.
Only Na had already predicted it. His arm shot up, fist colliding with the baton mid-swing. The impact snapped the weapon back, nearly tearing it from the guard's grip. Shock waves rattled up his arm, forcing him to stagger.
Na didn't waste the moment. He stepped in, brought his fist up in a brutal uppercut, and smashed it into the guard's chin. The man's feet left the ground for a fraction of a second before he collapsed flat onto his back.
Two down.
The first guard, clutching his side, was trying to push himself up again, his breath ragged. Na shifted his stance, prepared to strike again if necessary.
Max couldn't help but grin faintly. Na really is impressive. He deserves that A+ ranking Wolf gave him. The way I am right now… I'm not even sure if I could beat him one-on-one. Although with the power boosts I've been getting from all these businesses, maybe I'm at least his equal.
Still, the thought left him satisfied. Na wasn't just strong, he was efficient, reliable, calm under pressure.
The tension in the lobby grew thicker. Two guards down. Two more standing, hands twitching near their weapons. Darno leaning forward, lips curled into a predatory grin. Nonto glowering, his scar pulling tighter as anger surged.
And then,
The soft ding of the elevator chimed behind reception.
Nesa, the CEO's assistant, stepped out. Clipboard in hand, hair tied back neat, her glasses catching the fluorescent light. She was on her phone, her voice calm, professional.
"Yes, I expected him to be here already," she said smoothly. "But it's no rush. I'll personally greet him and make sure he's escorted to the right place."
"Thank you," Warma replied on the other end. His voice crackled faintly through her earpiece. "Like I said, he should already be there. Just to warn you, he looks young. But don't underestimate him. He's an important figure in the group. Easy to spot though. Red hair. You won't miss him."
Nesa closed the call and tucked the phone away.
Back in the lobby, Na stood tall, the two defeated guards groaning on the floor behind him.
Darno's grin widened. "Oh, this guy's decent. Stronger than the trash we usually get in here. I'd even say he's got the makings of Fortis material. But since he's causing trouble…" He cracked his knuckles, eyes gleaming. "I guess I'll have to deal with him myself. Why don't I handle him, and you get the kid out of here?"
Nonto gave a sharp nod. He didn't like the idea, but he knew the truth. His regular guards wouldn't stand a chance. Darno was their ace, the one person who could salvage their pride.
But as he stepped forward, preparing to unleash Darno, the elevator chimed again.
The doors slid open.
Nesa stepped fully into the lobby, her heels clicking on the tile. She looked up from her clipboard, only to freeze.
Her eyes widened at the sight of guards sprawled on the floor, Na standing unshaken, Max glaring defiantly, and Darno itching for a fight.
Her clipboard slipped from her fingers, clattering loudly against the marble.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Nesa's voice cracked like a whip across the room.