#1

“Alright, let’s move,” Mori said, gathering the villagers in a tight group, his voice steady yet cautious. He knew every second they lingered was dangerous.

The vice chief stepped forward, a weary yet curious look crossing his face. “Wait… Aren’t you one of Major Kang’s mercenaries? Why would you help us?”

A faint smirk curled on Mori’s lips as he shrugged. “Maybe because I lost. If I’d won, you’d probably be running from me right now, not following me. Guess you could thank your stars. I’m on your side this time.”

As they reached a hidden exit from the settlement, Mori raised a hand, halting the villagers. “Hold here. I’ll check ahead.”

Once outside, Mori surveyed the horizon carefully, taking in the barren, sun-beaten expanse. The empty road stretched endlessly under a sweltering sun; it was a place where even the faintest glint of movement could be spotted a mile away. He watched, ears pricked, his hand hovering over his firearm. A bead of sweat rolled down his brow, but the area was still. Satisfied, he waved back to the villagers.

“It’s clear,” he whispered. “Come on.”

One by one, the villagers climbed out and huddled together. Mori squinted into the desert heat and pointed down the empty road. “From here, it won’t be easy. You’ll have to walk miles to find help, but it’s your safest option.”

A younger woman in the group suddenly perked up, her eyes spotting something far off in the distance. She gasped. “Look—a van!” She raised her arm, waving desperately toward the vehicle creeping along the road.

“Hey!” Mori whispered urgently, yanking her arm back. “You don’t just flag down strangers. That could be trouble for all of us.”

The others murmured nervously, but Mori’s warning came too late. The van slowed, and he watched, jaw clenched, as it pulled off the road, parking a few yards away. His hand instinctively moved toward his gun. If things went south, he’d be ready.

One figure stepped out from the driver’s side, a tall man about 190cm, dressed all in black, Mori’s instincts flared. “I haven’t seen him before... definitely not from around here,” he thought. But he pushed down his nerves, stepping forward.

“Are you folks alright?” the man asked, his voice smooth but guarded. “Why are you out here in the middle of nowhere?”

The man gaze darted between the frightened villagers and Mori, his instincts warning him that something was amiss.

“Are you all okay?” He asked, his voice tinged with concern. “Why are you roaming the streets as if you’ve been kicked out?”

Mori interjected, a forced smile plastered on their face. “Don’t mind them. They’re just taking a stroll.” Mori’s voice held a note of finality as they added, “You may get going now.”

Studying the villagers, noting their fearful expressions and the way they huddled together as if seeking protection from an unseen threat. Something didn’t add up. “Are you sure everything is alright?”

The villagers exchanged furtive glances, their eyes wide with apprehension. Despite Mori’s assurances, the scene before him only served to heighten Blake’s unease.

Before Mori could ask any further, the vice chief chimed in, his voice shaky but firm. “We’re…fine. Just taking a walk,” he replied, glancing nervously at Mori.

The man studied them, unconvinced. “You’re just taking a walk out here?”

Mori forced a grin, hoping to divert the man’s suspicion. “That’s right. Just a little fresh air. You know how it is.”

As the man in black prepared to depart, Mori stepped forward, a determined glint in their eyes. “Before you go, could you at least tell me who you guys are?”

The man, taken aback by Mori’s directness, Mori continued. “Well, you see... We’re not from this settlement, so I couldn’t just ignore your concerns. There have been numerous attacks lately, and it’s making me question my existence.”

“We are on a mission that can’t be disclosed, unfortunately,” stated the man with a final tone in his voice.

Mori crossed his arms, a contemplative expression crossing his face. Could they be a government agency, perhaps? The thought lingered in his mind, intertwining with the growing unease that settled in the pit of his stomach.

Mori’s mind raced, piecing together the information they had gathered. “Then I suppose you’re part of some government agency?”

Just as the man was about to respond, the window of the nearby black van rolled down with a mechanical hum. A bushy-haired individual leaned out, addressing the man with a sense of urgency. “Hey, Kai! When did you become so chatty? Hurry up, we need to start moving!”

Kai shot a glare at the van’s occupant. “Shut up, will you? I’m already done here.”

The bushy-haired man mimicked Kai playfully, a smirk playing on his lips. “You stubborn brat.” Turning to Mori, he continued, “If you’ll excuse us, you may carry on with your ‘strolling,’ which I don’t believe anyways”

Mori smiled “Wait, then” Mori called after him, trying to seize any last opportunity. “Could you… take them somewhere safe?” He paused, hesitating as he sized up the stranger. “They can’t go back to there homes, if they do there risking their lives.”

Kai raised a brow, considering, then reached into his jacket, pulling out a small, plain business card. “I’m not supposed to do this,” he muttered, holding out the card. “Call this number. A rescue team would pick you up.”

Mori took the card, glancing down at the plain print. Just as the Kai turned back to the van, Mori called out again. “Do you have a phone we could use?” give a faint smile

With a sigh, Kai dug into his pocket, tossed a phone to Mori, and climbed back into the van. A second figure in the passenger seat—his head a mess of curly hair—leaned out, grinning. “Hurry up, Kai! You done playing hero?”

Kai rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah, I’m coming.” He flashed Mori a quick, wry smile before rolling up the window. “Good luck,” he said, and the van rumbled off, disappearing into the heat.

Mori turned back to the villagers, holding out the phone and card to the vice chief. “Here. Use these to get to safety. They’ll send someone. That’s… all I can do for you.”

The vice chief took them, eyes shining with gratitude. “Thank you,” he whispered.

Mori only shrugged, his voice gruff. “No need to thank me. Like I said—if I’d won, you’d be running, not thanking me.”

Mori adjusted his collar, giving a final nod to the grateful villagers. Without looking back, he pushed his hands into his pockets and strode away into the desert heat, his silhouette vanishing against the sun as he returned to the mercenaries.

#2

Back to the Present

“Get the truck ready, Ben,” Major Kang ordered, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife.

Ben nodded, glancing back briefly. “On it, sir.” He jogged toward the truck, his heavy footsteps fading into the dry air as the rest of the squad watched, tense and alert.

Major Kang eyed the group. “The rest of you, survey the perimeter and don’t let anyone get close. We don’t need any unwanted visitors figuring us out.”

“Yes, sir!” They scattered into position, weapons drawn and eyes sweeping across every inch of their surroundings. Mori glanced back at Major Kang with a smirk.

“Geez, those guys really went on full assault, huh?” he chuckled, an amused glint in his eye.

Akita shot him a steely look. “Stay alert, Mori. Our priority is to get out of here—fast.”

Mori sighed, his gaze drifting to Ben working on the truck. “Would be nice if Ben could hurry up, though. Poor guy’s getting old if he can’t handle a simple task on time.”

Maya snickered, elbowing Mori. “Give him a break. With his size, anyone would be slow.”

Mori and Maya shared a chuckle, but Akita cut in, his voice low and severe. “Can you both stay quiet? Keep your guard up.”

Just then, the sharp echo of footsteps reverberated through the hall. Akita’s hand tightened around his pistols, and he tapped his thigh lightly, signaling for the others to prepare. Maya and Mori steadied their grips, their eyes trained on the corridor entrance. The figure stepped out of the shadows, a smirk on his face, his eyes gleaming with unsettling excitement.

“Oh, my, my… one, two, three of you? How delightful,” he sneered, his voice dripping with sinister amusement.

Akita, Mori, and Maya pointed their guns at the man. Mori’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of recognition crossing his face.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

Just then, the sharp echo of footsteps reverberated through the hall. Akita’s hand tightened around his pistols, and he tapped his thigh lightly, signaling for the others to prepare. Maya and Mori steadied their grips, their eyes trained on the corridor entrance. The figure stepped out of the shadows, a smirk on his face, his eyes gleaming with unsettling excitement.

“Oh, my, my… one, two, three of you? How delightful,” he sneered, his voice dripping with sinister amusement.

Akita, Mori, and Maya pointed their guns at the man. Mori’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of recognition crossing his face.

Mori’s voice cut through the tension, a tremor of uncertainty in his words. “We should pull back,” he announced, his eyes darting between the smirking man

Akita, still holding his aim steady, spared a brief glance at Mori, surprise etched on his face. Maya, on the other hand, let out a mirthless laugh, her gaze never leaving the man before them. “You’ve really lost your touch, Mori,” she chided, her words laced with both amusement and disbelief.

The man before them raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening as he took in the exchange. “Oh? A little disagreement among friends?” he taunted, his eyes dancing with dark delight.

Mori steeled himself, ignoring the barb as he focused on the gravity of their predicament. “We’re outmatched here,” he insisted, keeping his voice low and steady. “Retreating is our best option.”

Akita’s jaw clenched, his internal struggle to play out across his face. Maya scoffed, her grip on her weapon tightening. The tension in the air was palpable, their next move hanging in the balance.

Maya’s thoughts churned in disbelief. Outmatched? she wondered. There’s only one of him. Don’t tell me Mori’s afraid of this guy. Her impatience grew. Why can’t we just shoot him?

As if sensing her thoughts, Mori snapped, “Your senses are quite dull, Maya.”

Maya bristled at Mori’s comment, her own frustration boiling over. “You want a fight?” she retorted, her voice hard. “Let’s just shoot him down now while he’s defenseless!”

Mori’s eyes widened in alarm. She still doesn’t realize, he thought, exasperated. There’s a sniper around! If we make a move, we’ll have a sniper’s sights trained on our heads.

In a last-ditch effort to make Maya understand, Mori frantically declared, “The laser sight on your forehead right now is proof!” The urgency in his voice echoed through the air as he desperately tried to convey the imminent danger they were in.

In a blur of movement, the smirking man lunged at them with astonishing speed, catching even Akita off guard. With a powerful strike, he landed a debilitating punch to Akita’s stomach.

Both Maya and Mori watched in horror, their eyes wide with disbelief as the scene unfolded before them. Akita, their reliable, ever-vigilant ally, had been caught off guard and was now on the receiving end of the smirking man’s brutal assault.

“No way,” Maya gasped, her voice barely above a whisper. Her shock was palpable as she struggled to reconcile the sight of there leader, known for his lightning-fast reflexes and heightened senses, unable to defend himself against this enigmatic foe. The confidence she had felt just moments earlier wavered, replaced by a growing sense of unease.

The realization that they were up against an opponent of unparalleled skill and strength settled heavily on the group, casting a shadow of uncertainty over their already precarious situation.

A sharp intake of breath echoed through the air as Akita coughed, the metallic taste of blood flooding his senses. The reality of his situation set in as he found himself momentarily incapacitated, his body trembling from the unexpected attack.

His face, still contorted into a menacing grin, addressed the group with an air of nonchalance. “Why don’t we do a formal introduction? I’m Leo, though you can call me Lucas, depending on my mood,” he offered, his voice laced with a chilling edge. There was an unnerving quality to his demeanor, as if the very prospect of violence was a source of twisted delight.

Akita, still reeling from the blow, couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of unease. “Tch, I haven’t even fought this guy, but I can tell he’s the rough kind of fighter who would do anything in a fight—even play dirty,” he thought, his mind racing. “Right now, the only one who could probably understand the way he fights is Rohan. I’m not interested in fighting dirty against this guy.”

Just then, the truck’s horn blared, signaling that their time was up and it was time to gather. Akita, mustering every ounce of strength he had left, managed to pull himself to his feet despite the searing pain that still radiated from his core.

Leo watched Akita with a predatory gaze. “I thought you had passed out, but you’re still hanging in there. As expected,” he observed, a hint of amusement in his voice. “Why don’t you go all out now? I assume you underestimated me the first time, but if I get you a second time, I’ll tear your stomach apart.”

Before anyone could respond, a bright light flooded the scene as the truck barreled towards Leo, its engine roaring in defiance. The impact sent Leo flying, his body crashing to the ground with a sickening thud.

The truck’s door swung open, and the driver Ben barked, “Get in!”

The group wasted no time, scrambling into the vehicle as it sped off, leaving the battered and bewildered Leo in their wake. The adrenaline that had fueled them throughout the confrontation now ebbed, and they were left to grapple with the reality of their narrow escape and the knowledge that they had survived an encounter with a dangerous and unpredictable adversary.

#3

The impact sent Leo flying, yet he didn’t quite feel the pain. With an unsettling, mirthless chuckle, he lifted himself from the ground. “Damn,” he muttered to himself. “I let them escape. I wanted to have some more fun.”

A figure emerged from the shadows, a disapproving sigh escaping their lips. “You couldn’t hold them off, huh?”

Leo glanced up, recognizing the newcomer. “Oh, hey Cyrus,” he laughed nervously. “I got a little carried away and forgot that our top priority was to stall for time.”

Cyrus shook his head, resignation etched on his features. “There’s nothing that can be done now. Let’s rejoin Kai and Axel.”

“Yeah, alright,” Leo agreed, brushing himself off.

Cyrus raised an eyebrow, taking in Leo’s appearance. “And do something about that blood gushing from your head.”

Leo reached up, his fingers brushing against the sticky wetness. “Huh,” he mused. “It’s not like I have a hole in my head anyways.” A laugh bubbled up from his throat, the sound echoing eerily in the darkness.

“Suit yourself,” Cyrus shrugged, his tone a mixture of indifference and frustration.

Back at the rendezvous point, the team gathered around Axel as he reported their findings. “I found some drugs, chemicals, and explosives,” he said, his voice cool and detached. “But we couldn’t find the main thing we came here for.”

Kai sighed, disappointment evident in his voice. “I see.”

Just as the group began to process the implications of their search coming up short, a rustling from the nearby bushes caught their attention. Instantly on high alert, Kai and the others aimed their weapons at the source of the noise. “You better come out of hiding, or we’ll shoot the bushes,” Kai called out, his voice sharp and commanding.

Slowly, a small figure emerged, hands raised in a placating gesture. “Don’t shoot,” Blake pleaded, his eyes glinting with excitement. “I was only watching you guys. You looked amazing, by the way.”

Cyrus lowered his shotgun, a look of mild surprise on his face. “It’s just a kid.”

At the word “kid,” Blake’s excitement vanished, replaced by a flash of anger. “Who the hell did you call a kid?”

Kai quickly stepped in, hoping to diffuse the tension. “Where you kidnapped by the bad guys?” he asked, patting Blake’s head in a gesture of comfort. “You poor boy. I’m quite surprised you lasted that long. It must have been tough for you. Don’t worry, we’ll take you home safely.”

Blake glared at Kai, his annoyance palpable. “Shut the hell up, you old man.”

Kai blinked, taken aback. “What the hell? I’m only 22. Why would you say I’m old?”

“Well, I’m only 13, so why would you call me a kid?” Blake retorted, his irritation evident in his voice.

As Kai registered the seriousness in Blake’s eyes, he nodded, conceding the point. “Alright.”

Cyrus, who had been watching the exchange with a mixture of amusement and exasperation, sighed. “We shouldn’t be dawdling around. We need to find the real base fast.”

Kai sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I see. Unfortunately, we don’t know the location of their actual base. We only found this place because of the trail we discovered.”

Cyrus’s expression hardened, his determination unwavering. “Still, we can’t abandon the mission. If they’re in possession of such a weapon, who knows what they’ll use it for? We can’t waste any more time.”

Kai moved closer to Cyrus, his voice low and urgent. “Don’t you get what I’m saying? We don’t have a trail like last time, so it’s impossible to find their base.”

Cyrus slumped down onto a rusted bench, pulling out a crumpled pack of cigarettes. Just as he was about to light one, Axel snatched the cigarette from his lips and tossed both the cigarette and pack away. “Your smoking will trigger my asthma,” Axel said, his tone matter-of-fact. “You can smoke when you’re alone.”

Cyrus glared at Axel, his annoyance palpable. “Tch, fine then. I’ll smoke where you aren’t.” He made a move to retrieve his cigarettes, but Axel was quicker. Drawing Kai’s pistol from its holster, Axel fired a single shot, destroying the pack in a burst of smoke and shredded tobacco.

“What the hell?” Cyrus roared, his anger boiling over. “That was my last pack!”

Axel returned Kai’s gun, his expression unchanging. “I’ll be in the van if you need me,” he said simply, leaving the others to their bickering.

Blake, who had been observing the exchange with a mixture of fascination and trepidation, couldn’t help but comment on the team’s dynamic. “These guys sure don’t get along that well,” he mused. “But I’m growing more interested in the kind of job they do.”

An idea began to take shape in Blake’s mind, a mischievous glint appearing in his eyes. “Let’s make a deal,” he proposed, a cunning smile curling his lips.

Kai studied Blake, suspicion written in his eyes. “What kind of deal do you want to make with us?” he asked. “Better be something worth it.”

Blake nodded, his smile never faltering. Cyrus rolled his eyes. “I doubt anything good will come of this deal,” he grumbled. “He’s just a ki- I mean, a teenager.”

“Hear me out,” Blake insisted, his voice filled with a confidence that belied his age.

Blake stood confidently in front of the Black Mamba team, a steely determination in his eyes. “I know the base you’re looking for,” he announced, his voice ringing with certainty.

Cyrus and Kai exchanged surprised glances, their eyebrows raised in astonishment. Their momentary disbelief was swiftly replaced by intense curiosity.

“I can take you there,” Blake continued, his confidence unwavering, “but under one condition. You let me join the Black Mamba team.”

Leo, who had been sipping water, choked in surprise, sending a spray of liquid across the front of his shirt. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, his eyes fixed on Blake in disbelief. “Don’t tell me you’re going to bring a weak kid into the team,” he protested, his voice laced with irritation. “We don’t need a replacement, especially not someone as weak as him.”

Blake’s eyes narrowed, his irritation evident. “Firstly, I’m not a ki-“

“The deal is off,” Leo interjected, cutting Blake off with a menacing glare. “kid or adult, I can’t allow someone like you to join us. We’ll find another way.”

Kai stepped forward, his voice firm but calm. “When did you start making decisions for the team, Leo?” He turned to Blake, an apologetic expression on his face. “I’m sorry, kid, but you’re too young and inexperienced. If you’re still interested in this line of work, you could enroll in the military. That would be good for you.”

Cyrus, who had been observing the exchange silently, couldn’t help but agree with Kai. It was a tempting offer, but the risks were too great.

Blake’s gaze intensified, his eyes burning with a fierce resolve. “What if I prove myself?” he challenged, his voice ringing with conviction. “If you accept, I’ll show you just how useful I can be to you guys.”

The determination took aback Kai in Blake’s eyes. “He’s serious,” he thought, a hint of admiration creeping into his voice. “Alright, then. Prove yourself.”

With a swift, decisive motion, Kai picked up a stick and drew a line in the dirt. “Here’s your starting point,” he explained, pointing to one end of the line. “If you can successfully cross this line in three minutes, we’ll accept your deal.”

Blake’s eyes glittered with excitement. “I’m ready,” he declared, planting his feet firmly on the ground.

“But,” Kai added, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth, “there will be someone trying to stop you from reaching that goal.”

Blake’s confidence faltered momentarily as he took in Kai’s words. “Who?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Lucas,” Kai replied, gesturing towards Leo.

Blake blinked in confusion. “You mean Leo?”

Leo looked at Kai, a sinister smirk twisting his lips. “Hey, Kai, can I go all out?”

Kai met Blake’s gaze, his expression hardening. “You said so yourself - your life, your risk. You have my permission.”

Leo let out a chilling laugh, the sound sending a shiver down the spines of everyone present. “Make sure you last at least ten seconds,” he taunted, his eyes glittering with a hint of madness. “I don’t want to get bored too quickly.”

Cyrus rushed to Kai’s side, his face pale with concern. “Hey, that’s murder,” he hissed, keeping his voice low. “You know Leo doesn’t hold back, and he’s bloodthirsty. Who knows what he’ll do to the boy?”

Kai’s expression turned grave. “Isn’t it better to die here than in battle?”

Cyrus couldn’t help but laugh, a hint of bitterness in his voice. “I can’t watch this,” he muttered, turning away. “Let me know when it’s over.”