A hooded man walks down an alley when, suddenly, several teenagers had surrounded him

“Give us your money old man!” One of the kids calls out.

The man stops and looks around before letting out a chuckle. He pulls down his hood and on the man's face was a familiar demon mask. “Are you kids serious?” He says, not giving the teenagers any consideration.

“Don't make us hurt you old man!” One of the kids calls out as he takes out a dagger. It didn't look like anything special, but it seemed sharp nonetheless.

“Come on, then. Give it a go.” The man calls out as he taunts the teenagers with a hand. I doubt that dagger can even make it through my gloves. He thinks, unimpressed.

“You asked for it!” The kid calls out before lunging forward and striking out with his dagger.

“Hmph!” The man calls out as he attempts to catch the blade of the dagger with his gloved hand. His hands touch the blade and grasps it firmly… Then his eyes widen. He rips the dagger away from the kid before looking at his hand. It’s bleeding… He thinks, somewhat shocked. I need to investigate this… He thinks before raising his other hand. “Take them. All of them. Alive.” He says before continuing to walk down the alley.

As he casually strolled down the alley, the ruthless sound of children being beat resounded behind him.

…

…

“They say that they robbed it from a passing merchant. At the time, the merchant bragged that it was from the best weapon shop in all of Ironwall Kingdom.” A voice from the shadows says.

“Hmm…” The demon-masked man hums as he considers the matter. “The best weapon shop in all the kingdom… Investigate this claim… I wish to know where this dagger came from. And send it to one of our mages for examination… I suspect…” The man says as the image of a black-veiled widow appears in his mind. “Never mind. Just send it to be examined.” He says before deciding to forget about the matter for the moment.

“And the kids?” The man in the shadows asks, hoping to receive confirmation on the teenager’s fate.

The demon-masked man lets out a chuckle. “What do you think? Let them go. We’re not in the business of murdering random kids. No, what we do must have a return. If you’d like you can send them to the training camps. I leave the choice to you.” He says with a wave of his hand. He’d prefer if his subordinates had more initiative with these sorts of things.

…

…

“So those mages who are hiring workers have set up camp outside of the city, somewhere around Grave Canyon. I’ve sent the mercenaries out to scout the situation.” Samantha explains around the round table.

Serah lets out a yawn. “Whatever happened with those mercenaries anyway? There weren’t any Terahn soldiers waiting for us here, so I’m assuming everyone kept their cool?” She asks, a little curious why it was so easy for them to enter the city.

Samantha lets out a smirk. “I doubt it. I bet the second one of them smelled coin, they went on their knees and opened their mouths, like prostitutes when a noble comes to visit.” She says without consideration.

Nickie immediately bursts out into laughter. “Samantha, you’re boyfriend is right there. Are you really going to let him hear you speak like that?” She asks, both amused and amazed.

Carter lets out a bitter smile. He was still feeling out his relationship wit Samantha so he wasn’t sure which waters were okay to tread, but if he was being honest, the idea of it made him a little uncomfortable.

“Hmph! I’ll speak how I’d like! If anyone’s going to stop me from speaking my mind, it sure as hell isn’t going to be a man!” Samantha says with determination.

Hearing those words, Carter could only continue to smile bitterly. Maybe I should rethink my relationship. He couldn’t help but think. But as he once more gazes at Samantha’s heavy chest, he also couldn’t help but smile. Nah, I’ll worry about it later. He thinks, joining the ranks of the sleazy men all over the world.

Serah watches Carter’s eyes and lets out a chuckle. “Sometimes a dirty mouth isn’t so bad.” She comments, amused.