章 77: Von’s Ace      

"I didn't bring enough with me. Mind if one of you accompanies us back to collect the rest?"

Horizon's voice was steady, unfazed by the fine or the tense atmosphere around him. The subtle challenge in his words didn't go unnoticed, drawing even more attention as people waited to see how the guards would react to his boldness.

As Horizon's words left his mouth, a wave of murmurs rippled through the crowd. Hidden behind smirks and hushed tones, the spectators sneered, mocking the group with biting words.

"Did you hear that? 'Come with me,' he says," one of them scoffed. "It's obvious they don't have the money. They're just stalling, hoping to sweet-talk the guard into lowering the fine once they're out of sight."

Another chimed in, voice dripping with disdain. "It's not the first time, either. This kind of stunt has happened plenty of times in past competitions—always the same tricks with these small-timers."