My wounds were light, except the one from Jazz's sword that pierced my stomach. It hadn't hit any vital organs, but a sharp pain shoots through me whenever I move too sudden.
One day after my discharge from James Gordon Hospital, I found myself back in Jane's room, my stomach still swathed in gauze. I wore oversized clothes to hide the bandages, but the ache in my abdomen was a constant reminder.
"Ha?! Kinalaban mo yung shadow ng Alasteer?" Styx's voice pierced the quiet room as he munched on Cordon Bleu. He paused his K-drama on the TV, turned his gossip-hungry face toward me, and locked his eyes on mine, demanding an answer.
"Oo—"
"Anong itsura!? Gwapo ba!? Matangkad!?—" His smile widened as he emphasized the more pressing question: "Is he handsome?"
"Unfortunately, yes." I sighed. The reason why KopiKopi had surged in popularity was him. It didn't matter if they were women or men; everyone was drawn to the face of my employee.
Styx's face lit up with excitement, "I see enemies to lovers trope. Ugh!" He excitedly said. "Tambay ka na ata dito? Pano yang trabaho mo na paghahanap ng Alasteer?" I asked.
"Tinatamad pa ako. Self healing era muna." He joked I chuckled.
"How do you want me to help you, Medusa?" Aniya.
"If you could locate their hideouts. Also, their enemies are called the Triads."
Styx's expression turned serious as he listened intently, even putting his burrito down. I spilled every detail of the situation for thirty minutes straight.
"Mmmmm. So ikaw, Medusa, hinahanap ka ng Triads. Nagpapanggap ang Triads na Alasteer para makuha ka nila, tas Alasteer, papatayin ka. Tama?"
"Parang ganun na nga," I admitted, omitting the fact that Jazz didn't know I was Medusa, and that Styx didn't know Jazz was an employee at KopiKopi — along with his sister, Franchesca.
"Okay, gets," Styx said, stretching his arms. "So, anong balak mo?"
"Train."
"Bakit? Dami mo naman na napatay ah?"
I shook my head. Those were just amateurs. These new adversaries were the real deal. That veiled woman was superior in combat, and I needed someone who could match me.
I dialed Veloz, "Good evening, Medusa," he greeted.
"I have a request."
"No. You were two minutes late."
"Could we spar?" I suggested.
"With guns or missiles?"
"Swords."
"No."
I clicked my tongue in frustration. "Know anyone who specializes in short-range weapons?"
"I know a lot, but none of them could compare to you."
In that moment, I briefly considered joining the Triads. If I could be trained by them, I'd be better prepared to face Jazz and Alasteer. But the idea of infiltrating an organization who used dirty tactics was too dangerous.
"Okay, thanks commander." I hung up and checked my messenger. The group chat was buzzing with these two new members.
Franchesca and Potato were updating the gc as if it was just their group chat, Bhoszxc Vhinzxc kept tagging Mr. Nonchalant (Jazz Klein), under his nickname asking to play Mobile Legends.
