It’s almost a year now since I’ve started acting as a vigilante and hitman.
The city I’m currently in right now didn’t have as much crime or underworld activity, or even work as a hitman.
Eventually I got bored again. I’ve been doing the same repetitive training on my off days while working freelance as always. Signing a contract and staying with a single company just isn’t my thing, there isn’t as much freedom compared to what I have now. Even though it doesn’t pay as much, I can easily get by without much problem.
Since it’s easy enough to steal money from muggers at night.
Though wouldn’t that mean I’m also a mugger? Oh well, its not like they didn’t steal the money from someone else.
Lately these occurrences aren’t as frequent as they used to be. They’ve probably caught up with the recent passed out muggers I’ve tied to street lamps after taking their money. The rest probably got scared and went to hiding.
The boredom is really getting to me now, I might as well move out to a more exciting city. There’s bound to be plenty of night time work I can do there compared to what I’m having these days.
With that thought in my mind, I proceeded to plan my next adventure towards a more exciting location with lots of criminal activity to work with.
Such thoughts flowed through the mind of a lone man within a dark and damp room. The four walls that surrounded him did not present any window or door which he can use as his exit from the enclosure.
Though with the absence of light, his vision did not allow for any confirmation to which he can gain information from. The room was dark, terribly dark that looking at his hands across his face did not yield any results. No crevices or seams to which light may enter through.
It was so quiet that it was deafening, the room was probably shut so tight that no sound or vibration can enter from outside his confinement. The man’s breathing, terribly soft and feeble between such long intervals that one might think him dead rang like the tempest winds during a typhoon, isolated and unable to escape.
Time passed through a trickle, days or weeks passed unbeknownst to the trapped man. The slow torture of such isolation weighed down on his mind as he struggled to cling to his feeble mortal life.
Then, a moment later the sound of a hatch being fried open rumbled like thunder in this isolated room.
With his last ounce of meagre strength, the man slowly lifted his head to face the sound by instinct. What shone before his dull, tired eyes was a glimpse of light that pervaded within the room through the widening gaps above the four walls of the prison the man slowly came to feel as his grave.
As the illuminating light caressed his pale grey skin, his figure decrepit. His body riddled with wounds, the pus, dried blood and scabs covered his skin. The muscles honed through years of rigorous training that can only be achieved through decades of fighting was nowhere to be seen, aside from the scars that accompanied him, what sat there is a body of skin and bones, just a husk of his former self.
But all this can be ignored in front of his eyes, terribly bright and filled with power as if to pierce through the soul of anyone who gaze upon them. Such immense willpower and focus unfit for such a person so close to death’s door. But here he is, so weak and feeble as if the slightest winds can carry him to the afterlife. His eyes stared through the gaps of the ceiling door, beyond the source of light towards the young man holding it, staring at him in turn.
--
Within the outskirts of a city, by the countryside farm lands during a rainy night with thunderstorms wreaking havoc across the skies.
A dilapidated farm house collapsed and broken down on a patch of open land in a corn field, as the building slowly went up in flames as it gets devoured until embers remain.
There lied within the raging fires, dozens of figures riddle with holes covered floor as a lone man stood in the centre. The man was young, holding a pistol in each hand with smoke still rising from the barrels’ tips. Quite obvious that the corpses where a result of the man’s own doing.
The spreading fire illuminated the man’s face, his bearing that of a king, sporting short black hair with golden eyes and a perfectly symmetric face as if artificially created through the best plastic surgeon the world can ever offer. It seemed too perfect to ever be called natural. His age no more than 20, stood calm and collected as he surveyed his surroundings looking for any signs of where his target may be contained.
The young man had been tasked to retrieve a prized asset as ordered by his father.
No more than half a minute passed before he discovered a hidden passage below the floorboards of the house. Proceeding within with caution, careful of any traps that may hid within.
Within the long corridors of the underground passage, the young man trekked at an even pace while holding a tight grip on his firearms ready to shoot at the slightest indication of threat.
It did not take long before the young man reached an old set of worn out stairs, indicating how it has been through its fair share of use. Through the descending stone stairs with nary an end to it, as the light from an old oil lamp hang by a nearby wall cannot even illuminate and show where the stairs end.
As if it’s the most natural thing in the world, the young man grabbed the oil lamp and descended, with nary a hesitation. Plunging down into the abyss where stairs seemed like a gaping maw ready to devour its prey, directing the young man to his destination. The young man proceeded with calmness like a still lake, undisturbed by any force of nature.
After an unknown amount of time has passed, depth incalculable, the young man reached the end of the stairs. Within his sight, brightened by the oil lamps faint light a thick metal door laid flat on the floor.
Unlike the rest of the dungeon where the young man descended into, the door was smooth and dark, absorbing any light that may shine on its direction, with sets of reinforced locks on the hinges as if to warn any who see it to heed caution. For whatever beyond this door is of unimaginable danger to everything outside it.
The young man smiled in satisfaction, as if all is within his expectations.
“They really don’t want this guy escaping huh.” He mused as he strode closer, looking for a way to efficiently disarm the locks and open the door.
“I guess Father was right. Looking at how much those peasants want him away, he might really be what we’ve been looking for.” He smiled to himself, imagining his parents swift delight as they finally found what they’ve been looking for.
Slowly beginning on his work, lest something goes wrong. With swift and practiced movements, the locks slowly disarmed one by one showing his immaculate skills.
As the last lock was removed, taking no pause to put his hands on the lever handle and turning it. The door slowly opened as he brought his free hand to grasp the oil lamp, his only source of light in this dark dungeon. Although whether he needed the light to see in the first place was another matter entirely.
Focusing his golden eyes to peek through the gradually opening door to the room within is a figure of a man. Though to call it a man within its current state was up for debate due to its malnourished physique of skin and bones, let alone the various wounds and dried blood covering the entirety of its body.
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This sight of a walking corpse would surely frighten any other person, but the young man smiled as if all was right in the world. Not paying any heed to the figure within the room’s current appearance, his golden eyes stared straight at the figure’s bright eyes that met his own. Those eyes filled with life even halfway through death’s door seem to glow within the darkness that trapped them. It was overflowing with vigour and willpower as if to spite death, refusing to dim and die.
Seeing the figure’s eyes filled with unwavering willpower, the young man felt satisfied.
“Father really picked a great candidate here.” The young man smiled once again, happiness clear in his eyes seeing that the person his father chose was just as incredible as he said to be.
Focusing once more on the mission he was given. He reached out his hand down to the figure staring at him all this time, speaking the words he deemed most appropriate for this very situation.
“Do you want to live?” He spoke with kindness in his voice, knowing this is the best course of action to establish the best first impression he can muster. For he knows, as his father once told him. That this man is chosen to join their family, that this walking corpse of a man is the best candidate for their family’s long-awaited plan.
“Do you want to live?”
That’s the first this this golden eyed kid spoke after opening the door to this prison I’ve been confined in for who knows how long.
His free hand reaching towards me as if to give me an escape from this hell hole while the other held the only source of light I’ve gazed upon in so long.
I’ve never met this man before, his features where unique enough for me to remember if I did. But that did not stop me from using all the strength I still have to lift up my weakened arm towards that outreached hand.
I made all the effort I can muster to grab onto it, muttering my assent towards his question following a nod of my head before I lost all the strength I have before passing out.
--
I do not know how long it has been since I’ve been unconscious.
As I woke up from the unbelievable amount of exhaustion my body and mind have went through for so long, I did not open my eyes nor moved my body as I feigned sleep.
I do not know where I am, as such I pretended to still sleep as I felt my surroundings before planning my next move. In the meantime, I tried recalling the past events to pick up any clues to what my current situation is and the risks I am in at this moment.
There is a needle stuck to my hand, maybe an IV? That might indicate I’m at a medical facility. The soft bed, clean air and warm lighting I feel through my eyelids at least suggest a good environment, that at least means who ever put me here has no malicious intent towards me.
I deducted as such with the limited information I currently poses, slowly opening my eyes to adjust it to the lighting I’ve been deprived of for a long time. Lifting my body in a sitting position as my eyes focused, I checked my surroundings for any threat or indication of danger as I looked for exit routes should the need arise.
Checking the condition of my body, the wounds have healed and closed, my muscles have atrophied to skin and bones from prolonged inactivity and lack of nutrients but there isn’t any problem with my movements. With this, I should still be able to put up a fight if needed.
*step…step*
I heard the sounds of footsteps to the direction of the door as a young woman in a maid dress walked in carrying a bowl of soup and a glass of water with a straw began to approach me. Her light brown hair swayed left and right on her shoulders, clear dark brown eyes filled with life and cherry pink lips forming a thin gentle smile.
(Such a cute girl didn’t feel like she should be serving anyone, but rather to be treated and protected as a princess instead of being a maid.)
I had such thoughts as I looked at her approach me, bringing down the sumptuous meal by the table beside my bed. Her movements elegant and concise, not what I would usually associate with placing down a bowl of soul and glass of water along with the exquisite silverware.
As she finished setting up what I would very much like to assume is my food, she faced me and bowed.
“I hope you enjoy your meal. The young master will be with you shortly” she said in her chipper youthful voice, turning around to walk away from my room as I’m left alone once again.
Seeing as there’s no one around right now, I quickly checked the food left on my table side. I don’t think they’d poison the food since if they wanted to, there would be quicker ways to kill me in my current state. I removed my inhibitions towards either the possibly poisonous soup and gorged down on it, my hunger letting itself known as I inhaled the savoury aroma. The soup was generous with the amount of meat and vegetables, finely cut into small pieces so I wouldn’t even need to chew as it flowed down my throat in heated gulps.
The contents of the bowl quickly drained down my throat as my appetite was insatiable at this stage. Thirsty for a drink as I was, I took off the straw on the glass of water and gulp it down, washing down the soup’s abundant flavours.
It was a truly enjoyable meal, then again after what I’ve been through, anything would be enjoyable at this point. Regardless, that was some mighty fine soup.
I quickly relaxed my tense body as I finished my short meal, quietly contemplating about what to expect next and who this young master is during whatever length of rest I can take advantage of to recover my strength should anything happen.
I sat there on the bed quietly, waiting for this young master the cute maid mentioned for what felt like hours. I thought about leaving quietly while I waited but quickly put that thought to rest as I grew curious of who this person is. Besides I require more information on how I got here in the first place, with my only clue related to the young man with golden eyes whom I saw in that dark dungeon before passing out.
Slowly, the echoing of footsteps reached my ears as the sound draw near. Shortly after I caught sight of the same man I last saw that night before passing out walk to my room. I didn’t notice last time due to the darkness and my weary eyes, but his features cannot be called anything but perfect where even I cannot help but feel envy. His jet black hair, dark as the night sky devoid of the moon and stars, as if to suck the very light away when it draw near it, eyes so golden and brilliant that it seemed illuminate a path within the darkness of the abyss, facial features perfectly symmetrical that even the best actor would feel shame and grow an inferiority complex while causing every woman to wet their nethers as their primal instincts submit in the presence of this apex of a man.
The young man briskly walked over beside my bed, my eyes focused on him the whole time while trying to gain any more information I can from his body language and facial expressions.
As he stood there, just a meter away from where I sat on the bed I can see a satisfied smile on his face as I realise he’s been looking at me the whole time ever since he arrived inside the room.
“Hello my good friend, I am Ćamil Avitus.” He introduced himself in a gentlemanly manner as he rose his hand to me. “I brought you here from the dungeon you were locked up in. This place is within my mansion, feel free to treat it as your own.”
Observing him as he finished his introductions, I lifted my arm up to shake his and nod in assent.
“Thank you for freeing me.” I spoke with a ragged voice, not completely recovered from the long days of dehydration. “May I ask why you did that?” I asked in a firm voice, sharpening my senses to observe his response and look for signs of deception.
He smiled guilty in response to my question. “I suppose you have the right to know, we’ll be working together shortly thereafter.” He said with confidence, smiling all the way.
I couldn’t help but be puzzled at his response, but I sensed no lies with his words.
“What do you mean by ‘working together’?” I couldn’t help but ask, as this would no doubt greatly affect the events that will occur onwards.
“My Father has taken quite a liking to you. He’s known about your many achievements in the underworld, along with your unwavering pursuit of strength since your youth. Actually, even I grew up hearing stories about you from my Father.”
He then started telling me the story about how his father discovered me after my infamy grew in the underworld that he made some investigations and got intrigued at how far I’ve come to become feared as a boogyman for criminals. About my obsession with getting transported into another world and learning martial arts, academics and searching for magic around the world just to prepare myself in the off-chance I get transported. All because I’ve always been bored of the life here on earth. He said his father got really interested in my unique personality and how normal people wouldn’t go through all that I did because I wanted to have such fantasy filled life devoid of boredom.
Apparently, this Ćamil grew up hearing some stories about my adventures and is somewhat of a fan of myself.
I mean, I still want to be in a different world, learning magic and sorcery. Only, as I grew older and got more and more distracted with the enjoyment of swooping in to beat criminals to quell my boredom.
“I see.” I nod, understanding how they got all the information from me. But that still doesn’t answer my earlier question. “I understand. But what did you mean we’ll be working together?”
“Ah! Sorry for blabbering on and getting side-tracked there.” He cleared his throat to continue. “What I mean is that, my family would like to employ you as my personal bodyguard among other things.” He said nervously while looking straight at me.
“What do you mean?” I got curious and asked such, bodyguard work would be a new thing for me. That will be interesting in its own way, though what else does he want from me? I don’t believe a bodyguard is what he really wants.
He was hesitating on whether to answer my question but quickly resolved to voice what went on his mind.
Clearing his throat to ready himself, he asked me what he truly wanted.
“Will you join a special program we’re conducting experiments for?”