I made a little popping sound mimicking the sound of my target's head when the bullet hit it. His head popped like a balloon, well a very bloody and fleshy balloon. It took a couple seconds for the ladies around him to realize they were just covered in a fresh coating of blood, bone chunks and gray matter.

“Give it a second” they slowly turned to their headless friend and started to scream “annnnnd there it is” that screaming sets off a domino effect as slowly the party becomes a chaotic mess. People are running around screaming like their headless chickens well except the guy I shot. A couple are too drugged out to notice what's going on and the DJ who for some reason is wearing a biker's helmet looks at the headless corpse, shrugs and starts playing some somber music.

“Welp this what I call a job well done now it's time to collect all that curren” I’d probably have a goofy smile under my mask but who cares money makes the world go round. I started the process of pulling my gun, it felt like I was forgetting something. I held my hand on my chin as after a couple seconds I finally remembered it.

The guy who hired me mentioned that the target had a special ring on him and he wanted it after I killed him. I sighed “everyone's gotta be extra” as I turned my attention back to the party and saw several men with leather jackets with scorpions on the back dragging what was the target away.

I stood there for a second………”FUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!!!” I dragged my fingers across my face. It took a couple seconds for me to calm down “Just think about the money Cass just think about the money”. I looked around for a way to get over to the building because I’m not walking all the way up that fucking building.

After a couple seconds my luck seemed to return as There was an old crane nearby. I made a small prayer as I walked over to the edge of the building as I measured the distance I would have to jump. “Should 10-12 feet heh easy” I walked back a couple feet as I holstered my rifle on my back and ran forward. As soon as I got to the edge of the building I leaped forward as I quickly soared through the air.

The cold wind rushed past me as I looked down as the feeling of being in the air was like nothing else, just being truly free, unshackled from the rest of this shitty world. I wonder, is this why some of the others chose to have wings to feel freedom even for a couple seconds? Well that's not important right now it’s all in the past, what's important right now is finishing this job.

A second later I landed with a thud on the crane as I could smell the rust in the air. Ignoring the smell I start walking forward as with each step the metal below my feet creeks and with each creak I get more nervous. “Please don’t please don't please don’t break” I chanted a bit as eventually I got to the end of the crane. “Ok now the easy part” I pulled out my knife as The top of the building was a couple feet away but I had nothing to latch onto.

So I pulled out my knife and jumped forward and when I got to the concrete wall I slammed my knife into the thick concrete. The knife pierced the concrete, sending out a bit of dust. The wall started to crack as I could feel the knife wouldn’t be held in that long so I grabbed the edge of the roof, ripped my knife out the wall and pulled myself up.

I stored my knife away as I looked around the area making sure that the only people around were the ones who drugged out of their minds or passed out drunk. The only one who was fully conscious was the DJ and all they did was just give me a thumbs up and get back to jamming out, I like this guy. I slowly walked to a set of double doors that the men that took my target's body went through. I make sure to avoid stepping on any bottles or puddles of throw up as I walk to the door.

The doors were unlocked but instead of walking I gently placed my ear against the door and listened. “So who do you think did it?” The voice was pretty deep, no real distinct accent male probably in their thirties. “I don’t know, the scorpions have a ton of enemies and there’s no calling guard from any of the other syndicates so it’s kinda hard to tell” The second voice was lighter and also male and seemed to be in their fourty's.

“Well he kinda had it coming” the man with the deep voice said. “What do you mean?” I think he means that the boss was a dumbass who constantly partied and made enemies. “The boss pissed off both the dragoons and the black saints along with that he is always having these big parties where’s out in the open” so I was right but I wonder if the person who hired me are from the black saints or the dragoons?.

Both are not that bad to work with but not that great ether. The black saints are a bunch of religious nut bags each one originally belonging from a different religion. For some reason or another they abandoned their previous religion for some new religion about following some death god and finding the in between life and death. They came to Fushicho because apparently they think their god is dormant here. Now I don’t really care for religion or life and death bullshit but from what I heard they got a couple interesting myth bound items and even have learned to tame a couple plague beasts, there was a muffled Puff then a Thud.

The dragons on the other hand are a bit more simple. They got the whole might makes right thing going on along with a major fetish for anything slightly dragon-like. There one of the more organized groups surprisingly in the city apparently their new leader was a ex Yakuza member so that's something. Back to the dragon fetish apparently they got a scientist who figured out how to make a serum that can take roaring like a dragon to a whole new level. It would be pretty tempting to become a dragon person and it’s not like I’m already genetically fuck up enough, there was another muffled Puff, and then a Thud

Hmmmmm I’ll put a pin in this for now as I put my attention into the two holes I just made through the door. I holster my gun as I gently nudge the door open and walk inside. I looked at the two corpses of the two guards “we didn’t need another exposition dump”. I kneeled down as the first guy was pretty average and the second one was actually not bad looking, well doesn't matter anymore since they both have holes in their heads.

I check the bodies and find they both got machetes and the average looking one has a walkie talkie. I pocket the walkie talkie as I quickly make my way down the stairs. From my best estimation from how much time has passed since the men took my target into the building they should be 3 floors below me, maybe four if they move real fast.

Once I get to the bottom of the steps there's a double door as I place my ear against the door. I didn’t hear anything so I guess it’s safe unless everyone is mute in there god I hope it’s not a fucking mime. I gently open the door making sure there's not a single creak. The room was empty, yay but I noticed there were dozens of tables, each one covered in different beakers filled with various liquids and chemicals.

“So this is where they make the good stuff” I looked around as I found a couple familiar chemicals. I smile as I quickly start mixing them together and cap it into a little vial “this is a surprise tool that will definitely help me later”. I went over to another door on the other side of the room and headed down to the next floor. Once again the floor was safe as this room was nearly identical to the floor above. The only difference was that instead of beakers filled with chemicals there were bowls with different powders in them.

More drugs huh well it makes sense since the scorpions whole thing is making drugs so what did I expect. I didn't mess with any of the special powder, I did not want to repeat the chicken man incident, I shuddered a bit. When I got to the next set of the stairs something made me stop in place “ghzzzht hey Alvin Change of plans some of the higher ups wants are dear old boss cremated don’t know why but that's the orders but you wanna come down watch like you always do over”.

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Oh come on! Now I have to fucking rush things also what the fuck Alvin who likes to people be cremated, maybe it was a good idea to kill him. I sighed as I upholstered my pistol and quickly ran down the next flight of stairs. The next floor was guess what? filled with more drugs but I didn’t waste any time as I was already on the next flight of stairs and I could smell the distinct smell of ash, pork and burnt plastic.

I got to the door as I could hear a couple people chatting about the red night district and were getting real descriptive. I could only hear two voices, guess the rest went to other parts of the building, lucky me. These guys probably don’t have guns either so I holster my pistol and pull out a knife. I then started to smell something, I started to smell a large amount of burning pork. “FUCK IT” I kick open the door as the two men who were slowly pushing my TARGET body into a large ass oven.

“Is that a cosplayer?” my knife pierced right through his skull and before his friend could react to his lack of a buddy I was already rushing towards him. I hit him with an uppercut knocking him back as I could hear one of his teeth crack. He pulled out his machete and went for a overhand strike and it was so fucking sloppy. I easily grabbed the machete as it was so dull that even if my gloves weren't reinforced it would barely leave a mark.

I pulled him forward as I could see the shock in his eyes as someone much smaller than him was easily overpowering him, I love that look of shock. As he stumbled forward I slammed my knee into his crotch making him stumble to the ground as I ripped the machete out of his hands. “Pl-please don’t kill me, I have a fam” I shoved the machete into his jugular turning his pleading into wet gurgles “and I have some money to earn”.

I let go of the machete as the man fell to the ground as the gurgles quickly faded into silence. I sighed as I turned and grabbed the body as I yanked it away from the flaming oven. I ignored the delicious smell of cooked pork and looked at either of his hands as there was no ring. “Wear the fuck is, it’s gotta be on somewhere” I check his feet and there was no ring. I looked down at his pants “I swear to fucking god if the rings there I will my employer” Before I did anything drastic I check his neck. “Finally” I ripped the necklace off the necklace as there was a gold ring on it with a solid green gem on it and a greenish grid pattern on the gold metal.

I pocket the ring as I felt myself become more happy as I was so much closer to finishing the job. “Creeeek hey guys we're back with the food, has Alvin come down yet?” you have to be fucking kidding me! I sighed as I pulled my knife out of the corpse And turned to the man “please don't do anything stupid it won't end well for you”. He dropped a bag of burgers as he just stared at me. He then slowly reached for a walkie talkie “no don’t be stupid”. I sighed as I took a step forward and he immediately held up the walkie talkie “ ghzzzt we have an intruder I repeat we hav” I was already in front of him as I quickly grabbed the walkie talkie and quickly crushed it. “Shit!” he went for a hand axe I think well I didn’t give him a chance to use it.

I swiped my arm out as there was a small thud as he looked confused and quickly held up his arm with the lack of a hand. “AAHHHHH!!” he started screaming “shut up” I stabbed my knife through his chin as immediately went silent. I yanked the knife out, getting a bit of blood on my mask and without a second thought I started rushing towards the stairs.

I didn’t know how much time I had before the rest of the goon squad rushed up here but I wasn’t gonna waste a single second. Hell they’ll probably grab a couple guns if they're taking this seriously and I don’t want a couple extra holes. So I quickly rushed up the stairs as I could already hear shouting from the lower floor.

“Fuck” I whispered to myself as I could hear the course of steps following after me. When I got to the last door double so in a rush I bashed through it, coating the area in splinters. I rushed towards the crane but I’m force to stop in place as a loud BANG! Fly's through the air. “Don’t you fucking move another inch or I’ll make sure you get a third eye” I turned to see there was around twenty scorpion members 8 had guns the rest had a assortment of bladed weapons.

I turned around and looked at the one in front who was pointing the smoking gun at me. “What? You want me to wave a weight flag?” I could see a couple veins bulge on his face. BANG! This shot was closer flying only a couple inches away from my face. I winced a bit as my ears pulse with pain “a fuck you would have work” I smiled under my mask.

“Ok fuck you” I give a thumbs up “you follow commands too can you roll over?”. “Shut the fuck up because I’m so close to blowing your goddamn brains out!” while he was screaming I looked at how everyone was lined up. “Now who the fuck are you? Did the Black saints set this up? Is that why you took the bosses ring as a trophy you sick cultist fuck!”. I shrugged “dunno” he stared at me more confused than angry “the fuck you mean you don’t kno” before he can finish with blinding speed I unholster my pistol and give him a third eye.

Before he could hit the ground in the next couple seconds I unload the magazine putting a hole through each of the heads of the scorpions members with guns. Some of the grunts that were behind the ones I shot unluckily for them and luckily for me they got hit too. There were six people left standing as I holstered the pistol “now are we gonna fight or” they all rushed towards me “damn didn’t give me a second to finish.

I couldn't tell if they're extremely brave, stupid or they think I’m only good with a gun. I pull out my knife as electronic music starts to play as I see the DJ jamming out as they give me a thumbs up. I shrug as I side step an axe as I slam my knife into the neck of my attacker. I catch the axe midair and rush forward as I duck under a machete strike. It was so sluggish and uncoordinated I found myself snickering a bit. I quickly spun around, ripping the axe through the ankles of the scorpion in front of me. They fall to the ground screaming in pain but I kindly end it by slamming the knife through the ear.

I turn to see another scorpion has picked up a pistol as I pull back my arm and throw the axe. I spun through the air and slammed into their face with a sickening crack as they gingerly touched the axe before slumping backwards. The remaining three stare at me in horror as I shake my head “jeez do you guys know any of the rules of combat you no what let me tell you two”.

I held up one finger “first never underestimate your opponent it just makes you seem stupid” I wiped the blood off my knife. I held up a second finger “second if your in a group don’t attack one at a time it just makes you look even more stupid like seriously is this a fucking turn based rpg?”. They all just stood there dumbfounded for a couple seconds as I tape my food but eventually they all at the same time rushed at me. “They can learn,” I smirk as I launch the knife into the skull of one charging scorpion, dropping them immediately.

The two remaining scorpions started swinging at me and yes they were pretty sluggish and uncoordinated still but there were two of them so it took a bit of effort. I could see both of their attackers from a mile away as I was easily able to weave through their strikes. A simple step to the right here some ducking there but eventually they got wise. When one went to slash to make me a foot shorter as soon as I duck, the other one swung a fireman's axe into my face.

I had to give them props that were kinda smart but not good enough. I held both my hands catching the axe and completely stopping its momentum as I ripped the blade from the rest of the weapon and slammed it into the scorpion's chest. They fell back groaning in pain as I saw in the corner of my eye their friend stabbing at me. I leaned my head downwards making them completely miss as I grabbed there wrist. I turn to look at them as they struggle with all there might to get out of my grip but sadly it’s all for not.

“Once again you underestimated I may not look it but if not’s really fucking obvious I’m really strong” I could see the fear in there eyes as I squeeze there wrist, Snap. I could feel the cone fragment and even a bit of jut out of their skin as they howled in agony. I then started dragging over the edge as they started crying. “Please please please! I’m sorry I was just following orders I promise I’ll never do anything bad again” they were sobbing at this point. I turn them just as we near the edge of the building and I turn to them “hey am I wearing a cape?”. “N-no” I nod my head as They throw them off with the building “maybe if I was wearing one maybe I would catch you but in my opinion they're kinda tacky”.

I watch as they scream all the way as they splat against the ground leaving a bloody stain on the pavement. The people below have mixed reactions: a couple scream, some just ignore and a couple others try to loot the corpse. I walked away from the edge and ripped my knife out the skull of one of the scorpions. I wiped it off as I snatched a couple of the clips from the guns storing them in my pockets as I heard some pained gasps.

It's the guy with an axe head lodged in his chest as I walk over “I get it your pain but don’t worry I’ll fix so quick your whining”. I lift them up as I go to end their suffering, BANG BANG!. I felt a searing hot pain rip through my right shoulder and left thigh as I spotted more scorpions running through the entryway. I lifted up the scorpion I was gonna mercy kill as I quickly started running backwards as bullets litter my new human shield. I throw the body aside when I get to the edge of the building as I leap off and barely catch one of the metal bars of the crane. I don’t get a second to wrest as I quickly dash across the crane wincing as more blood pours from my injuries.

Once I got to the main part of the crane as I looked at the half way finish building. “Fuck I’m not in the condition to make that jump” I look around as I spot a old rusted latter. I gently get onto it as I grit my teeth as more blood gushes from my right shoulder. I quickly slide down the latter and as soon I get to the bottom I immediately start running. I run a couple minutes straight as I eventually stop and lean against a wall.

“I need to get to that bar to turn in this ring I’m too hurt to make it on foot fuck what am I gonna do” I hear some honking as I turn to see a bright yellow taxi driving down the straight “huh that works”.