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Chapter 16: Shadows of Tyranny

Chapter 16: Shadows of Tyranny

Ray, Jack, Nir, and Ron moved silently among the shelves, their footsteps muffled by the detritus that littered the floor. Shattered glass crunched underfoot, bodies of zombie skeletons and humans lay on the ground, a grim reminder of the horrors that had unfolded within these walls.

As they ventured deeper into the supermarket, they became aware of faint sounds, distant murmurs, and hushed voices that whispered through the darkness. Goosebumps prickled on their skin as they shared uncertain glances.

Ray signaled to his companions to keep their voices down and listen in on the conversation ahead. They crept closer, hiding behind a towering display of canned goods, their breaths held in anticipation.

They observed Butcher, the leader of the gang, a hulking figure with a blood-streaked apron and a menacing aura. He stood before a group of survivors, his voice a thunderous roar as he berated them mercilessly.

"You worthless scum! You dare to question my authority? I am your salvation in this wretched world, and this is how you repay me for killing the monsters?"

One of the survivors, a young girl with tear-streaked cheeks, mustered the courage to speak up. "you did kill the monsters that came, but you are an inhuman beast! Look around us."

Ray noticed a few lifeless bodies of men and women strewn across the floor. "After all the fighting, you dragged these two women and violated them. One of the survivors who spoke up was the husband of one of the girls, but you killed him before her eyes. Then, after an hour, you threw them to your other underlings until they broke."

The survivors cowered, their faces etched with fear, as Butcher's anger radiated like a palpable force. He seemed to take pleasure in their suffering, and his cruelty knew no bounds.

Ray clenched his fists, his anger rising at the sight of such brutality. He knew they had to intervene, to put an end to this reign of terror, but the situation was delicate, and they needed a plan.

Just as they were about to withdraw and discuss their next course of action, a sudden commotion erupted among the underlings. The discussion had escalated into a heated argument, with tempers flaring and accusations flying.

As tempers flared and accusations continued to fly among the underlings, Ray couldn't help but feel the tension in the air. This was the perfect moment to intervene, to disrupt Butcher's control over the situation.

Ray took a deep breath, his focus narrowing on Butcher's massive form. He aimed his bone bullet skill carefully, targeting the gang leader's leg. With a sharp "cling" sound, the bone bullet struck Butcher's leg, only to bounce off harmlessly.

Ray's eyes widened in surprise as he realized that Butcher possessed a skill of his own, likely some form of protection or defense. But this didn't deter Ray

Butcher staggered slightly from the impact, his gaze shifting toward the source of the attack. Confusion and anger danced in his eyes as he scanned the area for the unseen assailant.

Butcher's confusion and anger only fueled the underlings' dissent further. They exchanged uncertain glances, torn between their loyalty to their leader and their growing desire for freedom.

Ray took this moment to step forward, emerging from their hiding spot. His voice carried authority as he addressed Butcher, "Your reign of terror ends here, Butcher."

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Butcher's eyes locked onto Ray, and a sinister grin twisted his lips. "Ah, fresh meat for the slaughter. You've just made a grave mistake, stranger."

With a quick motion, Butcher drew a wickedly sharp blade from his belt, and his underlings closed in around him, brandishing their weapons.

Ray's group didn't flinch. They knew they were outnumbered

Nir stepped forward, his voice unwavering. "We won't let you harm these people any longer. It's time for you to face justice."

The survivors, emboldened by the presence of these newcomers, found their voices as well. They spoke up, recounting the horrors they had endured under Butcher's rule.

Butcher's grip on his weapon tightened, his rage boiling over. "You'll all pay for this betrayal!"

Butcher level 7

As tensions reached a boiling point, Butcher lunged forward with his blade, aiming to strike down Nir, who had stepped up to challenge him. Nir, however, was quick to react, his agility surprising for someone of his stature. He sidestepped Butcher's attack and countered with a swift kick to the gang leader's abdomen.

Butcher grunted in pain, momentarily winded by Nir's unexpected strike. The underlings hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to proceed. The survivors seized this moment of uncertainty to distance themselves from their tormentor.

Ray, Jack, and Ron moved to support Nir, forming a protective circle around him. Their combined presence seemed to unnerve Butcher's underlings, who began to exchange nervous glances.

Butcher, his anger unabated, roared at his underlings, "What are you waiting for? Kill them!"

The underlings hesitated, torn between their loyalty to Butcher and the fear of facing these newcomers who had demonstrated their combat skills.

Ray unleashed another bone bullet, this time aimed at the gang leader's weapon hand. The bone bullet struck true, causing Butcher to drop his blade with a pained cry.

Butcher's underlings, now witnessing their leader's vulnerability, began to waver. Some of them lowered their weapons, clearly torn between their loyalty to Butcher and the hope for a different future.

Seeing the tide turning, Ray stepped forward, his voice firm and resolute. "This ends now, Butcher. Surrender, and we won't harm you. There's a chance for redemption."

Butcher, now disarmed and surrounded, knew he had no other option. With a mixture of fury and resignation, he spat on the ground. "Fine, you win this round. But don't think it's over."

Butcher retreated, his underlings following suit, their allegiance shattered by the events that had unfolded. The survivors, their faces filled with a mixture of relief and uncertainty, gathered together, grateful for their newfound freedom from Butcher's tyranny.

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After Butcher had made his hasty escape, he found himself in a dimly lit room in the next building. His chest heaved as he struggled to catch his breath, his mind racing with fear and regret. He was alone, except for one other person who occupied the room.

"I am sorry," Butcher panted, his voice filled with desperation. "I tried to kill them."

The person, who had been sitting in the shadows, slowly emerged into the dim light. Their expression remained unreadable as they responded, "I know you did."

As Butcher's eyes widened in realization, a sinister twist of shadows and spikes erupted from the person's body. Before he could react, the deadly tendrils pierced his flesh, and Butcher let out a blood-curdling scream.

In a matter of moments, it was over. Butcher's lifeless body crumpled to the floor, and the room returned to an eerie silence.

the person go back and disappear in thin air

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Back in the supermarket, the atmosphere had shifted dramatically. With Butcher's retreat and the dispersal of his underlings, a sense of relief washed over the survivors. They had been freed from the grip of a tyrant, thanks to the intervention of Ray and his group.

Natasha, the courageous young girl who had spoken up against Butcher, stepped forward, her eyes filled with gratitude. She extended a trembling hand to Ray. "Thank you for saving us. We didn't think anyone would come to help."

Ray shook Natasha's hand firmly, a reassuring smile on his face. "We couldn't stand by and let such cruelty continue"

Jack, who had been observing their surroundings, spoke up. "We should gather what supplies we can from here . It's not safe to stay in one place ."

The survivors quickly began collecting whatever food and essentials they could find,