KS: I see this has caught the interest in some of you, so here's another chapter. Also, dereturd, since you suggested, I've watched the first season of Sherlock on Netflix and got quite a bit of inspiration from it. In this fic, Bell will have some elements of Sherlock's character, but he won't come off as condesending when making a point. At least, not those he deems deserving of his sass (looking at you, Bete). Anyway, on with the chapter.
Bell walked around the streets, looking for his target. The altercation he had with a group of rowdy adventurers caused him to lose sight of them, much to his frustration.
"This is just great," he muttered. "I send a group of no-good adventurers packing, and I lost my mark." He looked up at the starlit sky and sighed. "It's getting late. The goddess of have my head if I don't make it back in time."
Bell rushed past hordes of people passing by, shoving if he needed to. He found himself in Amor Square, where many people stood or walked around.
"Alright, the aura trace led to this spot before it faded. Now to see if the guy I'm looking for is around here."
He took out a sketch book and looked the face that was drawn on a page: a man with slanted eyes, black hair in a ponytail and the face that looks like it's better suited on a snake.
"This is the guy who didn't pay back what he owed?" Bell sighed. "No mother could ever love a face like that."
Bell scanned the crowd to see if the man he was searching for was there, but there was too many to count.
"Either he knew I was coming and hid himself, or he's lucky enough to miss me." Bell took out a box from his pocket and in turn, took out a breadstick covered in chocolate from the box and put it in his mouth.
"Time to put the magic to use again."
Bell closed his eyes and began to hum lightly. Within the darkness, he soon saw outlines of the crowd in various colors. A lot of them had a white outline, showing they were neutral, while others had a blue outline, showing they were friendly. However, among all of the people, there was one that had a bright red outline, showing they had hostile intent.
"There you are," Bell said. "Now to find out where you're lurking."
Keeping his eyes closed, he followed the red aura until he saw it was in an isolated part of the square. He opened his eyes and saw the owner of the aura.
"Better make a quick check before I do anything else."
Bell looked at the sketch once more and saw that it matched the man's shifty face.
"Yep, that's definitely him."
The man began to walk forward, checking his surroundings every second.
"Where are you off to, I wonder? Time to find out."
Bell quickly followed the man, but made sure to keep his distance lest he be found out. The man he tailed walked through crowds and ducked into alleyways to avoid detection, unaware that his stalker wasn't far behind. He eventually made his way into a dead end.
"I've got you now," Bell said with a smirk.
"Is that who you're betting on for the next Monsterphilia?"
The man smirked as he handed the bookie a pouchful of valis. "You know it. I'm sure to win big when the day comes."
"I wouldn't count my chickens before they've all hatched, friend."
Both men turned to who spoke out, who happened to be none other than Bell.
"I had no idea betting was a thing in this city," he said with a smirk. "I guess rolling around in dungeons can get boring every now and then."
The man hid his valis pouch behind his back. "What's it to you, kid?"
Bell chuckled as he put his hands in his jacket pockets. "From what I've gathered, bets related to Monsterphilia are high in risk and reward. Either you win twice as much as you wager, or lose it all. It sounds so thrilling, I want in on the action." He turned to the bookie, who was looking nervous. "You mind if I chip in, do you?"
The bookie looked into the boy's red eyes and began sweating abnormally. "I-I gotta go."
He rushed off, leaving the man confused.
"Hey! Where the hell are you going?! I didn't place my bet yet, you prick!" He turned to Bell with an annoyed expression. "What the hell is your game here, you little bastard?"
"Glad we can get down to business," Bell said, dropping his smirk. "I'm here to take back the money you swindled."
The man smirked arrogantly. "Hey, I got this money fair and square when I help that one guy with a quest. We didn't really agree on how to split, so I took most of it. Seemed like a fair trade to me."
Bell scoffed. "Most of it? My client is left with crumbs while you get the bread. What you consider a fair trade is what most people call highway robbery." He walked towards the man, who took step back. "Look, we go about this in two ways. Either you hand over what you owe, or I beat it out of you."
The man narrowed his eyes at Bell. "How did you know where to find me? In fact, how do you even know what I look like?"
"It's simple, really," Bell explained. "I was walking around town and heard rumors about you. Some people were generous to describe your facial features and mannerisms along with your clothes. Also, I've notice that you've been using your left hand to hide that valis pouch behind your back."
"So what if I use my left hand to hide it?" the man asked indignantly. "What's it to you?"
Bell ate the pretzel stick before continuing his explanation. "Your right arm has barely moved since I've tailed you here. One would assume you have been resting it from swinging that sword on your back in the dungeon, but I can see that it has been injured heavily."
The man flinched. "I-Injured? What gave you that-"
"While I was tailing you, I noticed two teeth marks on the sleeve where your upper arm is located," Bell interjected. "Judging from the oval-like shape, you had the misfortune of getting bitten by a pair of almiraj on your arm. I believe they have been biting you for a good five minutes or so."
"I was swarmed by the little bastards!" the man snapped. "Luckily, I wasn't alone. Some other adventurers helped me out-"
"The same adventurers you've swindled," Bell interrupted with a blank expression. "And as I mentioned earlier, my client is one of them. Now hand the money over."
The man narrowed his gaze at Bell. "Fine, I'll hand it over…"
He dropped the pouch and used his left arm to draw his sword and pointed it at Bell.
"On your gravestone!"
Bell sighed and took out a dagger with the handle shaped like the head of a dragon and a curved blade with a red outline. "Let's get this over with."
The man swung his sword at Bell, but he casually parried it with his dagger and kicked the man backward.
"It's obvious you're not good with your left hand," he said. "Why don't you make this easier and-"
"Shut the hell up and die already, you bastard!" the man yelled as he swung his sword.
Bell sighed as he dodged the swipe. "So much for offering a second option. I guess I'll wrap this up immediately."
Dodging the next strike, he punched the man in the face and performed a leg sweep, sending him on the ground.
"And this is why you don't pick fights with someone who is above your level," he said.
"Shut up!" the man snapped. "I swear, the guild will have you run out of this city when they get wind of this!"
"Oh, is that right?"
Bell and the man turned to who was speaking to them, but for the man, he paled and shivered with fear.
Walk to where they were was a young man with messy, dirty blonde hair, golden eyes and a medium build. His attire composed of a dark brown buttoned shirt over a light brown jacket, white pants with tears on the legs and brown boots.
"What do you think the guild would be more interested in hearing? Some swindling asswipe getting beaten to the ground, or repeated incidents involving cheating adventurers?"
The young man held the older man by his collar and glared directly in his eyes.
"Well? What do you think?"
The man growled. "I think you're overstepping your bounds, punk."
The young man scoffed. "Overstepping my bounds, huh? I honestly doubt it."
No sooner did he finish that sentence, the young man punched him directly in his face.
"Now I've overstepped my bounds. Do you want me to keep going or are you gonna hand over what's due?"
"Piss… off."
The young man shrugged. "Suit yourself."
He delivered another punch to the man's face, followed even more punches. Bell couldn't stand to see more, even if the man deserved it to some extent and stopped the assault before it could continue.
"Ash, let him go. We can't collect from this guy if he's dead."
Ash turned to Bell with a look of disbelief. "Bell, it won't be enough to just take what this guy owes. We need to set an example."
"By punching his face in?" Bell asked tiredly.
"Hey, I don't see you coming up with any bright ideas," Ash retorted.
Bell pointed the man's face. Beneath the blood and bruises due to Ash's punches, there was a look of resignation present.
"Look at him. It's obvious he gets the point. Now would you let him go?"
Ash looked at Bell, then at the man he punched. Letting out a heavy sigh, he released the man.
"Fine. But he doesn't cough up the scratch, I'm making him cough up blood."
He walked off, causing Bell to sigh.
"Now that we've got that out of the way, let's get down to business."
He kneeled next to the man, looking at his damaged face and extended his hand.
"You know what I'm here for. Hand it over or my friend will come back and continue his word."
Growling, the man picked up the valis pouch and put it in Bell's hand, but he did not release his grip on it.
"You're a goner, kid," he snarled. "The guild going to have you and your buddy's asses run out of town."
Bell shot an annoyed glance and pulled the pouch from the man's grasp. "I honestly doubt it."
"You can be smug all you want! The guild is gonna let you have it when they hear-"
The man cut himself off when he saw Bell pull out a small amulet from his pocket. A silver amulet with a sword and scale engraved on it. Upon seeing the engravement, the man paled.
"But… that belongs to-"
"The Themis Familia," Bell finished. "The de facto law enforcement in this city. I have a good relationship with them, and they're good at knowing where the facts lie." He grinned smugly. "Are you sure you want to report me? 'Cause if you do, you're in for a world of hurt."
The man stared Bell for a few seconds, then groaned as his head hit the ground.
"I knew you'd say that," Bell chuckled.
KS: I'm gonna be honest, I'm not entirely sure I got the Sherlock Scan right. I've seen it lots of times in the show and the film (the one with Robert Downey Jr.), but I wasn't certain I could get the formula down pat. Well, I suppose I have to study some more. Anyway, that dude who showed up near the end was Ash Carbide from Trails of Cold Steel III, but for this fic, I'll be using his outfit in the fourth game, which has not been released in the west. More on him in future chapters. 'Till then, I'll you later. Peace.