Harem Quest: From Trash to King

A smirk curled up on the man's face."Well, well, well. Look who it is."He studies Arthur like he is inspecting a weapon."The Arthur Kane of West High, huh? What are you doing here, Arthur?"

Arthur stares back, face unreadable. Silence answers for him.

The man takes a step closer. His smile widens. "Did the cat get your tongue?"

Arthur finally speaks. His tone is calm and bored."I don't see any outcome where telling you why I'm here helps me."

The man chuckles. He turns his back slightly, as if ending the conversation. His shoulders shake like he finds something amusing. But then he spins around suddenly, faster than a blink, and throws a punch aimed at Arthur's jaw.

Arthur raises his arm and blocks it clean. The impact thuds against his forearm, but Arthur doesn't step back. His expression doesn't change. Immediately after, he counters. A direct punch straight to the man's jaw. The hit snaps the man's head to the side.

He steps back with wide eyes. "I didn't expect you to block that. Did you get stronger than the last time you fought us?"

Sweat forms on his forehead. He is breathing harder now, shoulders rising and falling rapidly.

He lunges again, using a low roll toward Arthur's waist, trying to sweep him off balance with a move meant to surprise. Arthur reacts without effort. He grabs the man's legs mid roll, lifts him by the thighs, and throws him across the hallway. The man crashes onto the floor, letting out a deep grunt.

Arthur doesn't slow. He follows, stepping forward with calm precision. He throws a cross at the man's jaw. The man barely blocks it, but the force rattles his whole body.

They break into a violent rhythm.The man swings elbows toward Arthur's temple.Arthur slips under them.He tries a kick toward Arthur's ribs.Arthur blocks with a solid arm guard and counters with a hook that shakes the man's balance.He tries to circle around with fast footwork.Arthur cuts off the angle instantly.

The man's breathing turns rough. His steps get sloppy. His punches lose strength.

Arthur looks untouched. Not a single bead of sweat forms on his forehead. His breathing is calm. His fists move with clean, simple power, every punch driven from solid footing.

The man begins to panic. His eyes flick around the hallway as if hoping something appears to help him.

Arthur sighs. "I don't have enough time for this bullshit."

Then he unleashes the ten punch combo.

His arms blur. His fists disappear then reappear with each hit. The man tries to raise his guard, but the punches come too fast. His arms shake under the pressure. His body absorbs hit after hit. Ribs. Chin. Stomach. sides. Chest. Another jaw shot that sends spit flying.

By the eighth punch his legs are already giving out.By the tenth he collapses completely, his body limp on the floor.

Arthur doesn't pause. He steps past him and continues walking.

Maya and Ryan's Scene (Expanded and Deepened)

Maya and Ryan jump down from the side wall of the compound. Maya lands on the rough ground, a small puff of dust rising with her. She wipes her forehead and lets out a shaky breath.

"Phew… at least we're inside," she whispers, trying to lighten the weight she feels pressing on her chest.

Ryan turns to her sharply. His eyes narrow."Maya, don't lose focus. We're in the territory of the enemies."

She nods quickly. "Yeah. Sorry. Got it."

They stay close to the shadowed wall, moving slowly. The lights above them flicker in uneven intervals, casting parts of the hallway into darkness. Somewhere deeper in the compound, they hear metal hitting the ground. Then silence. Then a faint laugh. Then silence again. The place feels alive in the worst way.

Maya's heart beats faster with each step. Ryan's jaw is tight, and his shoulders tense every time a sound echoes. The pressure of being hunted hangs around them, even though no one has shown up yet.

Then they stop walking.

Footsteps approach from the front.Calm. Steady.No rush.No excitement.Whoever it is walks like someone who already knows exactly what he is walking toward.

A figure steps out from the shadows.

Aiden Kraisorn.

Leader of the Muay Thai club. His posture is straight. His arms relaxed but ready. His eyes calm and cold, like someone who has already measured the entire room.

Ryan's eyes widen."Aiden? Aren't you the guy who fought Daniel in inter club?"

Aiden gives a small nod. No hesitation.

Maya steps in front of Ryan without thinking. Her shoulders square. Her eyes sharpen. She looks at Aiden like she is already preparing to fight him if she has to.

"Why are you here?" she asks. "Are you blocking our way? Are you here to stop us?"

Aiden shakes his head slowly. "A friend of mine forced me to come here. I didn't have a choice."

Ryan steps slightly closer, trying to see Aiden's expression. "Friend? Who?"

Aiden answers plainly. "Daniel."

Ryan blinks. His confusion spikes. "Daniel is here too? Why the fuck would he be here?"

Aiden shrugs. Not dismissive. Just honest. "He said he had some work here. Told me to join him."

Ryan rubs his head. "Sure… then what about you? Enemy? Ally?"

Maya watches Aiden carefully, eyes narrowed.

Aiden speaks after a quiet moment. "I am not on the side of the West High crew. So no, I am not your enemy."

Ryan lets out a breath. Maya doesn't relax yet.

The air around them grows heavier.Quiet.Uncomfortable.Waiting.

Then another sound breaks it.nssiwis

Soft footsteps. Lighter than Aiden's. More controlled. Almost slow on purpose.

All three turn toward the direction of the noise.

A figure approaches from the far end of the hall.The dim lights catch the outline of shoulders first, then the shape of their face, then the calm way they walk.

The tension surges again.hmmsudhdjjejsueueixucuudjfjdiisis