Chapter 06: Difference Between A Holder er and A Normal Person

Anna, along with two of her subordinates with their underlings were on their way to an old abandoned warehouse. The warehouse was used in the past to store metallic goods such as pipes and gates. After the owner was arrested during a corruption investigation, the company went bankrupt and this place became a gathering hub for thugs. When there were too many of these people, one man stood at the front and led them to their current level of strength. They were the Empty Box, lead by a man called Shadow.

While Anna was commanding her subordinates to surround the area, a person was calmly sitting on a couch with his subordinates around him with grim faces. One of them approached him and said, “Sir, we just got a notice that the attacking team has already been defeated.” He looked at his boss who wore an expressionless face. Never before had he seen the boss making any human expression.

Shadow stood still with eyes closed. He had long black hair with sharp black eyes, fitting of his name. He had masculine facial features that added to his manliness which was evident from his toned build. When compared to others in Tech Continent, he was relatively different with his pale white skin and his less than average height. This was because he originated from the Initial Eastern Continent, Culture Continent. Though people didn’t think much about it since it’s not like there were no foreigners in Tech Continent.

He had been here for a few years now because of one reason.

“The White Choker. Stealing it from this continent is too high of a difficulty for me to achieve. Using the orthodox method is the only way but this is taking too long.” Murmuring to himself, he moved a hand to his neck to touch a white metallic object.

It’s the same White Choker as Ray’s.

In Culture Continent, as its name implied, was a place where cultures from all over the world before the apocalypse were gathered. From proven facts to mythical legends, every available information was here for people to glean at history.

Shadow came from a family of a culture called Ninja which specialises in stealth. During their peak era, they were renowned as masters of thieves and assassination. Now, however, the family was declining and many arts had been lost with betrayals and revenge. Shadow was born as a talented genius who was able to recreate some of the lost arts just from knowing its uses. This made people hold him as a messiah of his clan yet at the same time a monster.

With such talents, there were people who felt jealousy and envy yet not many were courageous enough to act on those emotions. They were, after all, a clan that demanded mental control. Even so, if one person can’t do anything to him, what about five people? Ten? Thirty? Half the family? In the end, he was forced to run away after being framed of breaking a taboo, murder. All evidence pointed to him and since he was labelled as a murderer anyway, why not make it a reality? After killing those that he knew involved in the framing, he immediately left the family’s grounds.

Travelling to the outside world for years, he found out about the White Choker by chance when he was infiltrating a minister’s mansion. Thinking that it might be something amazing, he made his preparations to steal the choker at all costs, feeling that what the minister said wasn’t all there were to the choker. For many people to compete over a stupid choker that usually serves as an accessory, it must be an amazing item, right?

It took him a few tries even with his stealth skills to finally get the choker and when he initially got it, he thought that he had wasted his time all along. The choker certainly looked gaudy with those flashing lights but it wasn’t anything worth turning over the world for. He tossed the choker to the air and before he managed to grab hold of it back, it flew towards his neck, locking itself there.

[Please provide your name.]

“What the?”

[Registering What The…]

Hearing what the voice said, he suddenly got a bad feeling so he immediately shouted, “No no no! Stop!!”

[Cancelling registration.]

[Please provide your name.]

Phew, he sighed. He didn’t know what was happening and the only thing he could think of right at this moments was that the choker was at work and perhaps this was the reason why the higher ups put much importance to this choker. He chuckled when remembering a scientist’s face when he took the choker that was in his hands.

Turning back to the voice’s instruction, he said, “Shadow Bringer.” Though it isn’t exactly his name, he didn’t want to use the name of the family that betrayed him after all he had done. ‘I might as well pay them a visit later on. Karma needs to be reaped once sown.’

[Registering Shadow Bringer… Obtaining coordinates… Scanning holder’s body…Registration completed.]

[Congratulations! You are now officially a participant of Galactic Showdown!]

[Good luck and may you conquer the vast galaxy!]

[Time left: 14 years 4 months 7 days.]

[Scanning completed. Displaying scanned results.]

Status

Name: Shadow

Race: Human

Age: 20

Sex: Male

Faction: N/A

Guild: N/A

Strength: 15

Agility: 19

Intellect: 13

Dexterity: 19

Stamina: 140/140

Mental Energy: 65/65

After a while, a screen showed up in front of him, showing his value in numerals. Looking at it and comparing with his own body, he estimated that the values for normal people should be around ten. The fact that he had two statuses almost reaching twenty, he felt great that he’s almost twice as strong as the average people, and he still had room for growth. He clenched his fist, swearing that one day; he would annihilate the family that abandoned him.

He then looked at the other screens that appeared after the status screen.

New Ability Gained

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 Stealth 

[The holder is able to conceal his smell and sounds that came from him.]

New Ability Gained

 Camouflage 

[The holder is able to blend in with the surroundings to make it look as if he is invisible.]

New Ability Gained 

Cold Heart (Passive)

[The holder’s has a heart that can’t be moved by anything be it women or slaughter. He does everything without feeling anything.

Seeing them, Shadow tested the active abilities and grinned from ear to ear. Previously, he had to use external items such as certain liquids, soft cloth or a large sheet when using these abilities. However, after getting the choker, everything happened automatically without him having to use anything and the effects were better than before. He can’t wait to use these skills in live combat.

Waking up from his reminiscence, Shadow took a look at his people. They had been with him for almost ten years and he had given them free reign on what to do. As long as the gang expanded, he didn’t care what happened. Since they’re now facing a strong enemy, he would have to step in so that his plans won’t be halted.

Sighing, he was about to say something when he felt his spine tingling. After years of having the choker with him, he had gained a few new abilities, one of them being enhanced perception. He would be able to feel when he was in danger and this had saved his life many times in the past. It was one of the most useful abilities that he had in his arsenal. Looking around, he didn’t see, or sense, anyone hostile so he could only think of one thing at the moment. “We’re surrounded!” he yelled to his subordinates. He moved his hands inside his coat where he placed his gun.

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Right at the entrance, Anna was clenching her fists holding brass knuckles. She got a call from Shark earlier warning her that the enemy was armed with firearms. What seemed like a perfect plan seemed so hard to achieve now. Shark said that he would come to help but what could a person do when the difference in numbers no longer mattered? Nevertheless, since she’s at this stage already, failure was not an option. Strengthening her determination, she gestured to the people with her to bust into the warehouse.

Sliding the large door open with three people, the others immediately rushed in. Anna did not tell people other than her direct subordinates of what they’re facing as some might run away. She can’t let herself become more disadvantaged than she already was.

Five hundred people entered the warehouse from the main and back entrance surrounding approximately three hundred others in the middle. A man stood out within them as he was the only one sitting with an indistinguishable expression. Anna quickly assumed that he’s the leader of Empty Box, the infamous Shadow.

Members of Empty Box were already prepared with their own weapons. Looking around, she did not see anyone holding anything resembling guns yet she kept her vigilance. Just because she didn’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there. Though most people used melee weapons, it wasn’t an easy job beating them all despite their number advantage.

“Empty Box! From today onwards, Red Demon will replace you as the gang in this area.” Jay, Anna’s subordinate whose name belied his huge body, yelled to the member of Empty Box. He was a simple person who was taken in by Anna before Red Demon was formed. He’s the most loyal person next to Shark in this gang.

The two gangs were having a stare-off which at this point seemed like an official procedure before any gang fights. When someone from red Demon accidentally hit his pipe with another’s knife, it became the signal for the two gangs’ inevitable clash.

Like other fights, the two leaders were the only ones not doing anything but continuing their stare-off. From this alone, Anna felt that attacking the Empty Box might have been the mistake she had ever made in her life. When she looked at Shadow right in the eyes, what she saw was not his dark, emotionless eyes or his stiff face.

It was death.

She saw herself dying more than once in various ways. In one scene, she saw Shadow taking out a gun and shoot her in between her eyebrows, piercing her brains. In another, she saw him leaping at her from their distance of almost thirty metres and splitting her body at the stomach, her blood and intestines spilling everywhere immediately after. There was also a scene where she saw her own shadow eating herself from her legs to her head, leaving nothing behind.

She can’t help but shiver when seeing those scenes. Her face paled and a puddle emitting a pungent smell started forming between her legs. There was even a trace of blood trailing down from her mouth. It was as if her body registered those images as true attacks and was reacting based on it. For the first time ever, she felt the fear of death.

Before this, as harsh as her life was, there never was truly anything that she feared. She thought once she got hold of the White Choker, she’d be able to do as she pleased so in order to do so, she’d just crush everything blocking her way with force. Didn’t they say anything that bleeds could die? So why fear them? If they try to kill her, she’ll just kill them before they’re able to get her. However, today she finally met someone who she felt she had no chance of winning against. Someone that could instil fear into her without doing anything. She felt all she did before this was pointless and she should just give up right when she can.

“No. I can’t give up now. I still have things that I want to do.” She remembered the looks of the caretakers at the orphanage who had been with her until she grew up. Her brothers and sisters that were still there that’s depending on her to live a better life. She can’t just give up simply because of fear towards a person.

Taking a deep breath, she could smell the scent of blood, sweat and metal. Her people were screaming and fighting with their all to beat the enemies in front of them. If they can do it, why can’t she? Tightly clenching the weapons in her hands, she fiercely glared at Shadow. Disregarding her shameful condition, she let out a deafening roar and sprinted towards Shadow.

“SHAAAAADOOOOOOOOOW! I’ll kill you!!!” with her body slightly bent, she let out straight punch towards Shadow’s face. This was a punch that she put her full strength in. This person made her falter in her faith and must be killed. She wouldn’t be able to live facing herself otherwise. If an ordinary person took this punch, the possibility of them dying was quite high.

Yet, Shadow was not an ordinary person. For the first time ever, he had a smile on his face. It’s not a slight smile or something that people usually saw from when a stoic people showing slight emotion, no. It’s a full, wide, grin filled with glee.

“Haha. Ahahaha. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.” Shadow who was perpetually stoic-faced had not only smiled but laughed a crazed laugh that would make people feel the creeps when looking at him. He then effortlessly tilted his head and avoided Anna’s full blow and responded kindly with a back fist, eliciting a scream from Anna.

“Guaaaah!” Anna held in the pain with sheer willpower and charged forward again, which sent her flying once more, this time from a punch to the solar plexus which was so fast she didn’t even see it coming. The air inside her was forcefully pushed out and it took her a few moments to recover her bearings. Even so, she stood up again, the glint in her eyes getting fiercer by the second.

At this time, Empty Box was almost loosing but the people near the two bosses who saw that Anna was losing had a quick change in morale. Red Demon feared that even if they won the fight, if their leader died, trouble would definitely come in the future. Empty Box, on the other hand, was elated that their boss was winning. There’s no way they could lose to the demons. Looking at each other in the eyes as if agreeing on something, each member of Empty Box who held guns immediately took them out and started shooting at the Red Demon’s members.

Bang.

After a few seconds, Red Demon realised that this was no longer a simple fight. “Shit! They have guns!” A person from Red Demon yelled and then immediately tried fleeing but was shot before he could get out of the gate. Red Demon members further away who heard the sounds of explosion and the scream immediately ran for their lives. As much as they like living as a member of the underworld, doing as they pleased, they loved their life more than anything. Abandoning a gang wouldn’t affect them if the gang was going to lost to another gang anyway. If the situation called for it, they could just join another gang.

Inside, Anna was already grovelling on the ground after being hit a few more times. Despite that, the fire in her eyes never dimmed. It had only become fiercer the more she was sent flying. She realised that despite her current success until now, when compared to a monster like Shadow, she was truly nothing. She just wondered why he hadn’t killed her with the gun he’s holding in his hand. No matter, she’ll just kill him before he could kill her, like always.

Trying to stand, she realised that the bones of her left leg had been broken. It was bent at an impossible angle. Though with the adrenaline flowing through her, she felt virtually no pain at all. She snapped the leg back so that she could once again stand which made her scream like never before. All this while, Shadow simply watched her with amusement in his eyes.

Right now, other than members of Empty Box and Anna, there was only Jay and another person named Clay inside the warehouse. Clay was another one of Anna’s direct subordinate, though not as loyal as Jay, he still would stand with her as long as she’s alive. The two were nervous, surrounded by Empty Box, but they stood there, watching Anna, hoping that they could help her. If only the Empty Box weren’t blocking their way. They really hoped they were stronger so that they could beat the daylight out of these people.

Shadow who looked as if he had his fill of fun turned to Anna and spoke with his gruff voice, while still sitting on his couch, “Today was interesting. To think I could see someone like this, truly an eye opener. Boys, take these three out of here.” With a smile still on his face, he repositioned to a more comfortable pose on his couch. He took a look at Anna and said, “This is the difference between a Holder and a normal person.

Anna didn’t understand what he was implying and had other things going on in her mind. Three people went towards her while the others were aiming to kill Jay and Clay. Shadow who saw this stopped them. “The fuck are you doin’? Just take them out of here, no need to kill them. These people still have their uses.” After saying that, he reclined his body back to his couch.

His subordinates were perplexed to their boss’ order but still obliged. When Anna heard this, the anger which was receding after noticing only two of her subordinates were here felt it ignited again. She felt anger not only towards Shadow but to herself too. She was enraged that Shadow was treating her as an enjoyment and even more at herself for being powerless to do anything about it. “One day… I’ll definitely kill you. Remember this, Shadow.” Her voice sounded strangely grim but Shadow simply smiled when hearing it, “I’ll wait for you… candidate.”

Anna was shocked when she heard that term but before she could say anything, Shadow’s subordinates bound her and her men then brought them to a van. Driving away from the warehouse, the driver stopped near a river and the others handling the people threw them into the river after releasing their bindings.

Jay and Clay weren’t too injured that they couldn’t even swim but Anna fainted while they were on the way so Jay had to go and catch her from drowning in the river which made it harder for him to swim back to dry ground. After getting some help from Clay, they finally brought Anna back ashore. Making sure that her lungs weren’t filled water, they finally look around at where they were. It was a bit further out from the city but not that far from it. It would still take them a few hours to return back by feet, though, but with their wet clothes, staying outside wasn’t a choice so the two decided to walk back while jay had to carry Anna despite his injuries. They lost their Contacts in the river so calling someone to pick them up was impossible.

When they finally arrived at the city, they immediately called Shark to get them to the hospital. Anna’s injuries might be worse than what they seem. They weren’t going to take any risk of her dying just to avoid questioning from police.

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While things were settling down on the underworld side, Ray was experiencing the worst pain he had ever felt yet.