Extra's Rise: I Stole All The Women In The Hero's Party-Chapter 28: House Rose

The next morning, Zayn found himself exactly where he didn't want to be — standing inside the GUILD, arms crossed, as a group of battered, bandaged adventurers stood before them, running their mouths.

The same bastards from last night.

Zayn sighed.

'Of course, this would happen.'

The adventurers were in bad shape, bruises still fresh on their faces.

One had a swollen black eye, another had his arm wrapped in a sling, and the one at the front — their so-called leader — had a cut across his cheek that had been hastily patched up.

This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom.

They weren't exactly the most intimidating bunch this morning, but their voices were loud enough to be an annoyance.

"He attacked us without warning!" the leader of the group shouted, gesturing wildly at Zayn. "We were just minding our own business, having a few drinks, when he decided to jump us like some thug in an alley!"

Zayn raised an eyebrow, resisting the urge to laugh. That's the story they're going with?

"He beat us without mercy!" another one whined dramatically, wincing as he touched his ribs. "We didn't even do anything!"

Kara and Elisse both turned their narrowed eyes toward Zayn, their gazes silently questioning him.

That did not sound like him.

Elisse crossed her arms. "Zayn?"

He let out a long sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Oh, for the love of — "

He cut himself off, shaking his head before looking at them. "They were trying to assault someone. A woman from House Rose. I stepped in and gave them what they deserved."

Kara's expression darkened. "You mean these scumbags — "

"Are lying through their teeth?" Zayn finished for her, his voice dry. "Yeah."

Elisse exhaled sharply, her previous scrutiny instantly shifting into irritation toward the adventurers.

"Now hold on!" the leader of the beaten group shouted. "That's not what happened at all!"

But before any more words could be exchanged, the doors of the GUILD swung open.

A woman entered, clad in the fine yet alluring attire that signified her as a representative of House Rose.

The moment she stepped inside, the adventurers' faces paled.

Their so-called confidence from moments ago wavered, and Zayn smirked.

'Oh, this is about to get good.'

The representative strode forward with grace, her presence commanding attention. She approached the counter where the GUILD staff stood, her expression composed but firm.

"I am here to lodge a formal complaint," Evelyn said smoothly. "Against them."

She gestured at the group of adventurers.

Silence fell over the room.

Zayn folded his arms, watching with amusement as the battered adventurers shrank under the weight of her glare.

"Last night," she continued, "these men attempted to force themselves upon one of our Courtseans. If it were not for him — " her eyes flickered toward Zayn for a moment, " — intervening, things could have been far worse. I assume they failed to mention that in their little sob story?"

Kara let out an annoyed huff. "Yeah, shocker."

The adventurers started sputtering, tripping over their own words.

"T-That's not true!" one stammered. "She's lying!"

"Yeah! We were just talking to her, and then he came out of nowhere and attacked us like some savage!" another added, pointing a shaky finger at Zayn.

Zayn simply stared at them, unimpressed.

"You were talking to her?" the representative repeated, her voice calm but laced with venom. "That's interesting, because she remembers you holding her down covering her mouth so she couldn't scream for help."

The room fell silent again.

A quiet rage settled in the air.

The GUILD staff behind the counter exchanged glances before one of them, an older man with sharp eyes, stepped forward. "I see," he said coolly. "Well, that changes things."

The adventurers immediately began to backtrack.

"W-We were drunk!" the leader stammered. "We didn't — ! I mean, we wouldn't — !"

The staff member raised a hand, silencing him.

"Enough." He then turned to the representative. "House Rose has the right to file a formal complaint against them. If you wish, we can also have them barred from GUILD missions temporarily while we conduct an internal review."

The adventurers looked horrified.

"Wait — ! That's — !"

The GUILD worker leveled them with a cold stare. "You should be grateful House Rose is even willing to handle this legally. Had it been another establishment, you might have been waking up in a ditch somewhere instead of here."

Zayn smirked.

The adventurers, realizing there was no winning this, went silent. Their leader clenched his fists, shooting a furious glare toward Zayn, but Zayn simply raised an eyebrow.

"What?" he drawled. "Something on your mind?"

The man ground his teeth, but after a moment, he turned his head away, swallowing his pride.

'Coward.'

The representative gave a polite nod to the GUILD staff. "That will be sufficient. We do not seek unnecessary punishment — only justice."

The staff worker nodded. "Understood. We will take care of it from here."

With that, the matter was settled.