Imperial Capital – Center of former Russia – Year 2XXX
The lingering light was obliterated by the rapidly falling night. The once salmon and purple sky transformed into a vast expanse of jet-black that engulfed the world. The rainy night sky combined with a foggy atmosphere made it almost impossible for the light to reach out from the center of the city, to the more rural areas located miles away. The rain kept pouring down from the heavens without any sign of stopping. The outskirt of town was not covered in tough pavement; instead hardened mud still covered these empty streets. As soon as the mud came in contact with the flooding water, it softened and softened until it was nothing more than a runny thick substance.
Not even ten meters from a rundown house, which appeared almost scorched from the outside, laid a man face down in the dirt. The man panting loudly as he was crawling closer and closer in the direction of the rundown house. He was currently wearing a black rain coat covering up most of his appearance. Tears kept crawling down his cheeks mixing with the dirt below, he pushed with all his might as he was ever getting closer. The back of his coat had a clear tearing, and a mixture of dark red substance came pouring out from the hole. The red substance mixed with the dirt below creating a breathtaking substance not many people had laid eyes on.
Five meter’s behind him a man approached in a calm matter, one step at a time. Matching the man crawling on the ground, this man also wore a rain coat. The rain coat was once again covering most of his body, the difference being that he currently wore a hood covering most of his face.
“Please, forgive me! Please I have a family!”
“I will pay you, so you can feed your family for a lifetime!”
The crawling man said with tears constantly running down his face. His voice shaken.
As the rain kept pouring the hooded man stared down at him in response. Not letting anything leave his mouth. The gaze as cold as ice, his expression plain. There were no sign of hatred, no sign of jealousy, only one thing reflected of his face, nothing.
Reaching into his coats inner pocket the hooded man withdrew a white shiny object. Without any delay he stabbed the shiny object into the crawling man’s throat. A second of struggling could be heard before,
Complete silence.
“May you rest in peace”
The hooded man said with a painful expression.
The hooded man then proceeds to pick up a tiny machine from his pocket. Placing it in his hand’s he wrote
Sender: Yuri
Message:
“It is done”
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Imperial Capital. In consequence of the ever growing social gap, were the rich got richer by feeding of the weak and unfortunate, a common saying came to be: Your fate is decided once you are born.
This saying might have carried some weight hundreds of years ago but now it could actually be seen as the law of society. The poor and weak would often turn to the underworld in hope of grasping on too opportunity, knowing that the government had long left them behind.
Fourteen billion human’s was the most recent estimate of the current world’s population. Far above what scientist would agree being the ideal population. The amount people did not only consume the earth’s resources at an astonishing rate but also laid ground for terrifying business competition. Climbing the social and economic ladder of society had become so dauntingly hard that people would often not even dream of it.
In consequence ever increasing darkness spread across the world. Assassination, robbing, stealing and even more dreadful task grew like weed. Since the government had literally left the lower-class in the dirt, conditions for the middle class and upper class had increasingly flourished. With middle-class and upper-class humans distancing themselves further and further away, many had turned a blind eye towards the darkness.
Evolution, adapting and surviving is cruel. Thirty three years ago the poorest 5% in the world was estimated to consist of 90% criminals, an estimate some considered whole heartily wrong. Majority of citizens in the Imperial Capital believed this plausible, a consequence of a recent skyrocketing in criminal activity. People across the city would day in and day out complain to the government that they couldn’t even leave their house of fear of getting robbed or even worse, killed. In response the government declared a rule, a rule used in Indian culture in a distant past.
The law said as followed:
Every citizen living in the nine districts of Imperial Capital that do not have a yearly income of at least XXXXX during the time of agreement must vacate the city immediately.
These people were called, the undaunted, the untouchables, and the outsiders.
Twenty miles from the borders of the Imperial Capital, laid a small village. The village consisted of mostly run downed shafts. Their condition so bad that a strong wind might even break them down. The village was built upon a small hill, with house’s surrounding its decent.
In one particular sturdy house compared to the other ones in the proximity, two brothers’ lived.
“Hey brother, when’s food ready?” A young man screamed as he lay in a rusty old bed.
Darren not getting a response couldn’t help standing up firmly with a rather annoyed look on his face. Darren wore black hair that fell down to his shoulders together with an almost yellow pair of eyes. Mysterious and handsome was the vibe he would have given of if he had better looking clothes on. Both his jeans and shirt were dirty to a disgusting degree which completely overshadowed his mysterious appearance.
“Hey Leon! When is food?”
“Earth to Leon, food, when?”
Just as Darren was almost getting angry Leon his big brother entered. Shorter hair, black, with those almost yellow eyes. Basically an older and mature looking version of Darren. The resemblance would definitely make people instantly realize that they were brothers.
But there was a big difference; Leon’s eye’s was cold as ice. His expression overly calm and plain.
“I’ll make dinner soon”
“Hurry up, I am hungry”
“If you are so hungry run over to Mr. Han’s house. Like you always do, you little thief” Leon said with a small smile creeping up. Mr. Han was an old man that lived a couple of houses over, who were usually really kind to children and would often give them food when they didn’t have some themselves.
“Huh, no thanks. That old guy gives me the creeps”
“This one time, he told me to sit in his lap. Then I told him that my brother would kill him and he got all sweaty. It was rather funny” Darren said while smiling.
“Really?” Leon’s voice turned deadly cold as he starred back at this brother.
“Haha stop getting so serious, I was kidding obviously” Darren said while sticking his tongue out teasingly.
Leon began cooking shortly after while Darren lay in bed leisurely
“Hey brother, how does it feel to end someone’s life?”
“Shut up stupid little brother”
“Asking question like that is so unbecoming for someone your age”
“Shouldn’t you go out and play or something like a normal thirteen year old?”
“Playing? Haha brother I am too old for that shit”
“Cursing again, hum. I really suck as a parent it seems”
“I agree” Darren couldn’t help teasingly laughing.
Time passed as nighttime was closing in
“Good job making dinner big brother” Darren said with a thumbs up.
“Thank you”
“Too bad we are out of money again haha” Leon said not knowing whoever to laugh or cry.
“Brother go kill some fat greasy fellow from the Capital and you would probably get lots of money”
“Shut up, I can’t understand how a thirteen year old can speak of such thing in a trivial matter” Leon said rather pissed off. The dinner alcohol he drank during dinner had slowly taken effect; emotions therefore quite easily emerged from his face.
“You know why, because we live in such shitty conditions that’s why”
Leon couldn’t help nodding as the two brothers sat there in silence. The silence prolonged for a long time, deep in thought. Their conditions had only grown worse and worse lately.
“Hey, are you crying” Leon shouted rather annoyed.
“No” Darren said sobbing.
“I don’t allow any crying in this house. Since father and mother died you have to be strong, okay?”
“If you cry again, I’ll throw you out, understand?”
“Yes, brother, I understand”
The world had gone to shit. There were no room for crying, no room for pity, no room for doubting yourself. Depression would only lead to, death. Keep pushing forward; keep surviving that was the only thing that lingered on Leon’s mind. As the thought kept lingering on Leon’s mind, his phone vibrated inside his jacket pocket.
“Huh, contract already” Leon felt this was rather odd. Usually there wasn’t more than one contract every two weeks in average. The money provided living expenses for those two weeks without any job so it was a day by day survival based. If a contract did not appear in say three weeks, Leon and Darren would by definition starve for one week. This job was cruel, but in the eyes of the untouchables obviously a very large sum.
[Sender: Yuri]
[Subject: New Contract]
[Message:
I Yuri Maklov sincerely invite Leon to take part in a business opportunity never seen before. The pay will be very high and the risk low.
If you are interested come by the drunken mermaid by Monday at midnight to discuss further details.]
Leon couldn’t help frowning
“High pay, low risk, never heard of such a thing”
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
It was not only that sentence that kept bugging Leon. The way it was written almost seemed copy pasted to some degree. Suspicious was what came to mind. Yuri Maklov, one the most notorious criminals in the entirety of Imperial Capital, extends a sincere invitation.. That was highly doubtful
“If there actually is a chance of something great going down. Well, I have to hear about it.” Yuri knew that even if he wrote the message coy and luscious a poor man could never refuse a chance at a break. Their conditions were so bad that most people would usually do anything.
The days went by in wait for the “business meeting”. Leon couldn’t help getting a bit nervous of the content of this meeting. The content could very well be his execution, but during the two year he had worked together with Yuri he had never failed a contract. He had never doubted or argued with his employer. His trust in Leon had gone so far that he had put him on his personal speed dial for every important mission coming up. They pay had not increased in consequence though; Yuri knew Leon would work for breadcrumbs and obviously he took advantage of that.
Drunken Mermaid – 23.52
This establishment was located at the border of the Imperial Capital. Citizens from all corners of the social ladder would usually come here in pursuit of partaking in illegal activities such as gambling. A dangerous yet familiar place to every borderline criminal across the wide spectrum of people in Imperial Capital. This establishment together with about four others was exclusively run by the notorious Yuri. Not many people had seen this mysterious and dangerous man in real life, but his reputation and cruel methods had spread wide across the country. Yuri would never partake in business himself unless some important character reaches out to him. Yuri’s right-hand man Mr. Kolt would usually take care of every non-important matters.
“Mr. Leon welcome, you look good as always” A fifty year old man said. The man in front of Leon was so thin that his bones actually became visible under his black suit. His expression carried an experienced weight as he spoke in a kind tone.
“Mr. Kolt a pleasure as always” Leon said while slightly shaking. Not in fear but, pure disgust. This kind old skeleton was just a cover he wore, he was usually very cruel and malicious almost to the point of scaring an experienced assassin.
“If you would please follow me” As the sounds of drunken gambling and heated tension continued to ravage the establishment, Mr. Kolt approached the backdoor behind the bar. Only people who had direct contact with Yuri would gain access to this underground basement. The door was guarded with heavy armed guards twenty four seven.
After going straight down a pair of crooked stairs Leon finally arrived at his location. Yuri’s room was actually a stage, which before he brought it was used for underground shows, the theme, erotica. The smell of sweat and tears still lingered in the air even if the area was meticulously cleaned.
“Mr. Leon please wait here for the time being” Kolt said as he proceeded up those crooked stairs once more.
Leon not knowing where to go leaned against one of the walls in wait of the notorious business meeting.
Two minutes later Mr. Kolt once again came down those crooked stairs. Closely behind him were two men, both unique in their own way. As soon as Leon saw those men, he knew, this was probably the assassination mission of a life time.
One of the men walked directly after Mr. Kolt with his hand behind his back. His pale skin could only be described as daunting. His outfit consisted of a well-tailored suit, perfectly and symmetrically going along with his appearance. His hair was short and white, even though he did not appear to be over 30 years old. Both his beard and hair was meticulously groomed and every stride he took conveyed an air of absolute certainty.
David Conel, the assassin of the red rose was a man that always strode for perfection. Rumors said that if everything in his own vicinity was not in perfect order, only death awaited.
“This smell. Is disgusting. “ Conel said with a still calm expression.
“My apologies” Mr. Kolt said as he signaled the servants to fetch an air refreshing spray.
The man behind him did not walk quite like a normal man would. He had his hands behind his head as he whistled cords to the newest pop song. Appearance wise he look no older then eighteen and bore a kind and inexperienced expression.
Ken, as he was called had many nicknames. The smiling death was the one that usually stuck.
Ken turned towards with a bright smile on his face before speaking up
“Ahh, Senior Leon. Long time no see :)”
“Hey” This kind nature had always put Leon on tilt. Knowing the deeds that he had done and the gruesome manner he had executed those deeds would make any man dumbfound.
Just as Ken once again was about to open his mouth a huge gorilla of a man entered the stage. If someone saw him for the first time they would have doubt regarding his species, he was simply too big to be considered human. His face was covered with tons of knife scars, together with an unkempt beard.
“Welcome guests” Yuri said with powerful strength.
“Little Yuri looking as fearsome as ever!” Ken said with a big smile on his face.
Normal people seeing this spectacle would be greatly surprised that an eighteen year old child would converse with this monster in such an away. But Ken reputation was so great that not even the notorious Yuri would needlessly anger him. Both Ken and Conel were considered peak Assassins of the world, both of them does not even originate from Imperial Capital. They are Assassin’s for hire, not under anyone’s thumb.
Just as Mr. Kolt was going to speak up in protest Yuri raised his hand. His eyes, said: its fine.
“Ken as lively as ever, I see”
“So why have you summoned us to this cold continent” Ken said with the same bright smile on his face.
Yuri took a seat on the stage and meanwhile a butler came running on with warm tea. Yuri took one big chunk of the tea before once again speaking up
“Ken, David Conel and Leon are by my assumption the most proficient assassins of our time”
David Conel, looked over at Leon and just frowned. This was their first time meeting and Leon was by no means known outside the borders of Imperial Capital. It was therefore quite understandable that the well-known David Conel had never heard of the name.
Yuri seeing Conel’s distress in the matter spoke up
“Conel I guarantee this man’s efficiency”
Conel only nodded in response, quickly letting the matter go. Yuri word still carried undeniable weight. He had Imperial Capital’s underworld under his thumb and was therefore quite a big figure in the underworld.
“The reason why I have brought three top tier Assassin’s over today, is to present an unremarkable business opportunity for your trade”
Everyone in the room nodded in wait of the continued explanation
“You are all Assassin’s and should therefore not know of this information”
“But tomorrow night, the biggest virtual reality game ever created is being released across the world, in Russia, the European Union, China, everywhere.”
Confusion struck across everyone face. Why would an assassin care about virtual reality games? The word virtual reality game was although widely known.
During the previous fifty years the economical income of the gaming industry had skyrocketed, the reason, virtual reality games. People across the globe fought for their life to get their hands on one of the limited copies currently in circle. Even if virtual reality games quickly became popular, the gaming industry had no way to meet up on the demand. It therefore became common knowledge that virtual reality gaming was for the rich and the fortunate.
“I understand that you are all very confused, haha.”
“Let me explain it like this. Player versus player combat has become widely used in recent games. This basically means killing each other inside the game.”
“Killing players inside games makes them drop items, basically equipment. The rich snot’s of the upper-class pay shitloads of money for assassination at the purpose of getting to these items”
“Haha, can you grasp the opportunity here?”
Leon was the first to speak up, knowing a bit about the virtual reality genre
“There is potential there, sadly the gaming equipment is too expensive and 70% of the world’s population can’t afford it. This combined with a limit on how many players can play at the same time does not make it profitable” This thought had gone through Leon’s mind before. Items of a variety of quality went for high real life money though the auction house that most games used. There was only one problem; the gaming equipment was too expensive. A single virtual reality unit would cost more than Leon’s annual salary.
David Conel actually turned around immediately after Leon’s explanation and walked towards the crooked stairs. No sound left his mouth as he proceeded towards the door.
“Conel, not interested”
“No, something as trivial as games does not interest me at all. I am guessing I am free to keep the money?”
“Yes, that was pay for coming here” Leon couldn’t help feeling rather startled. Conel had actually gained money for just getting here.
Yuri once again opened his mouth, this time his voice echoed with even greater strength as the words spread across the room.
“What if I told you more than 50% of the population will definitely play and the pay will be in the millions?”
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