They walked through the slums, and the pungent smell of garbage and sewage filled the air.

The streets were narrow and filled with haphazardly constructed shanties made of scrap metal, cardboard, and other makeshift materials.

Some buildings leaned precariously against one another, as if on the verge of collapse, making Emir feel like they would fall on him at any second.

And the residents stared at them warily, their eyes following their every move.

It was clear that this was a place where poverty and desperation were a way of life.

"You said they threatened your family, so who are they?" Emir asked casually as they walked passed a few beggars sitting on the sidewalk.

Answering him seconds later, the boy spoke, still looking a bit fearful:

"I'm in a small gang, though we consider each other family. And those guys were hounding us for years, so I am really grateful for you helping us out by killing those fuckers."

"Heh, don't worry, kid, I won't be asking for compensation, you can't give me much even If I asked, so I wouldn't bother," Emir reassured him, noticing that the boy was still quite apprehensive.

"Anyway, tell me, who is the leader of your little gang?"

After hesitating for a few moments, he answered, sounding distraught:

"…She's like a big sister to us. Born outside the slums, and like the rest of us, she lost her parents and was sent here to rot. But, she didn't let that stop her and became a hunter instead. In fact, she's the one who created our gang, our family... But because of us, because of how weak we are, she still has a low rank and can only explore cleared-out ruins."

Emir listened to the boy's story as they stepped past a dark and dirty alleyway of the slums.

It was clear that he and his gang were in a difficult situation, but they still remained loyal to each other...

'Huh, not bad,' he thought as he kept looking around at his surroundings, watching out for any movement.

The boy led Emir through a maze of narrow alleyways and run-down buildings until they finally arrived at a small, nondescript building tucked away in a corner.

They knocked on the gate, and after a moment, it was opened by a young woman.

Her long, flowing black hair cascaded down her back in glossy waves, framing a face that was delicate.

But it was her piercing blue eyes that were truly captivating—an intense gaze that hinted at a depth of emotion and complexity.

Her fierce expression only added to her beauty, lending her an air of strength and confidence that was both alluring and intimidating.

"Is everything okay?" She asked, looking Emir up and down.

"We're safe," the boy replied.

"Sir hunter beside me killed them off."

The woman's eyes widened slightly, and she looked at Emir with newfound respect.

"Thank you."

"I'm Kiera, the leader of this gang. We owe you a debt of gratitude."

He shrugged off her thanks.

"I was just doing my job, and it was pretty fun."

"But I have to admit, I'm intrigued by your gang. Would you mind if I stuck around for a bit and learned more about you?"

Kiera raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by Emir's request.

But after a moment's hesitation, she nodded.

"Sure, we could use a skilled hunter like you on our side. But be warned, we don't take kindly to outsiders who don't respect our rules, though that warning wouldn't change your mind if you wish to do anything to us, yet I still had to tell you."

Emir chuckled and introduced himself:

"No worries, you can call me Emir, and by the way, this gang seems to be filled with young hunters, and you yourself look quite young, especially for someone who is a gang leader."

Kiera gave a small smile and replied:

"I'm 18, but I've been leading this gang since I became a legal adult at 15. We all grew up together in these slums, and when I became a hunter, I wanted to make sure we all had each other's backs."

He nodded, impressed by her determination and leadership.

"So, what do you guys do? How do you make money?"

Kiera gestured for Emir to follow her inside the hideout, where they were greeted by a group of young men and women, all armed with various cheap weapons.

"We explore ruins and gather relics that we can sell on the black market," Kiera explained.

"It's dangerous work for people like us, but it pays well enough."

Emir saw the glint of excitement in the eyes of the gang members as they talked about their adventures and the treasures they had found.

It was clear that they all loved what they did, despite the risks involved.

"But there are rules," she added sternly.

"We never steal from the other hunters in the ruins, and we never harm innocent civilians. And we never work with outsiders, unless we can trust them of course."

He nodded in approval, fascinated by the gang's adherence to their own set of principles, naïve as they might be.

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"While our approaches may differ, I can definitely appreciate your code," Emir remarked.

"And just so you know, I'm not here to take advantage of your group. But if you ever need an extra hand on a mission, feel free to reach out. I could use the extra cash, small as it might be." He added with a faint smile.

Kiera nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

"We'll keep that in mind."

"But for now, let's get some rest. It's been a long night."

After Kiera's invitation, Emir hesitated for a moment before responding.

"I appreciate the offer, but I don't think I can sleep here."

"I don't really know you all that well, and I don't trust anyone that easily."

Kiera nodded, understanding his concerns.

"I can respect that, but before you go, would you like to join us for a meal? It's the least we can do to thank you for your help."

He thought about it for a moment and decided that it wouldn't hurt to stay for a little while longer.

"Sure, that sounds good." He said, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

Kiera gestured for him to follow her to the small kitchen area, where the gang members had gathered around a makeshift table.

They had prepared a simple meal of rice and beans, but it smelled delicious.

While eating dinner, Emir got lost in his thoughts, thinking about the people who put out a hit on him and wondering who they might be and the reason why.

Kiera noticed his silence and asked:

"Are you thinking about who ordered the hit?"

Emir hesitated for a moment before responding.

"Yeah, actually."

"They didn't only send your boy, they also sent a skilled hunter after me. After killing him, I cut off his head and sent it to the association. They should probably give me a clue as to where he came from and why he did what he did."

Kiera and the other gang members exchanged a glance, clearly surprised by his revelation.

"That's....intense," Kiera reacted.

"Do you have any idea who might have sent him after you?"

Emir shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.

"…And troubling."

"If someone is willing to go to such lengths to kill you, they must see you as a threat or an obstacle."

Emir nodded, taking a bite of rice as he mulled over her words.

"Yeah, that's what I'm thinking too. But I have no idea who it could be. I've never had any enemies, at least none that I know of."

Kiera leaned forward, her blue eyes intense.

"If you want, I can look into it for you," she offered.

"We have connections in the criminal underworld, and we might be able to find out who put out the hit."

Emir considered her offer, weighing the potential risks and benefits.

Replying seconds later, he said, "I would appreciate it if you did, think of doing that as repayment for my help today."

Kiera nodded with a small smile on her face.

"Consider it done, we'll get to work on it right away."

They chatted for a while longer, and after finishing his food, he stood up to leave.

"Thanks for the meal," he said, nodding his head towards the gang members.

"It was nice meeting you all."

Kiera stood up as well, her eyes following him as he made his way to the door.

"You're always welcome here, Emir, we could use someone like you on our side."

He nodded, acknowledging her words.

"I'll keep that in mind."

His words hung in the warehouse as he disappeared into the night.

…

Emir soon began walking through the slum's gloom, a lone man against the dancing shadows.

Every step he took further increased his vigilance, as he noticed that barely anyone was out on the streets, highlighting his worries.

His eyes scanned the murky lanes with his brain imagining unseen dangers, his ears pricked for any sound, he was simply on edge, wired, and jumpy after the day's ordeal.

He couldn't afford to relax, to let his guard down, not even for a split second, as he expected another attack at any time.

And suddenly a footstep echoed behind him.

He spun around, his fingers gripping his knife, ready to strike.

But it was only a beggar in the distance, dragging his feet in the dark.

Emir let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding and continued on his way.

But the dread hung heavy in the air, and he didn't ease up, his pulse still racing from the scare.

Abruptly, a shape loomed ahead of him, barring his path.

His reflexes snapped into action, and without any hesitation, he unsheathed his dagger and hurled himself at the silhouette.

In one fluid motion, he buried the steel deep into their heart, feeling it pierce their skin with a gruesome crunch.

Blood sprayed on his face as he yanked the dagger out, and the silhouette crumpled to the floor, wheezing for air.

He looked down at the figure on the ground, his eyes wild with adrenaline and madness.

And soon his blood ran cold as he realized what he had done.