The Underground

The Butcher

After a long walk to Bloodhaven, I finally arrived. As soon as I set foot in the town, I could feel the eyes of some thugs on me, their gazes filled with immense killing intent.

I was nervous but managed to stay composed. I couldn't afford to show any weakness in front of them. One of the thugs stepped forward, blocking my path.

"Why is a little bunny hopping into a lion's den?" he sneered, smirking and licking his lips.

I met his gaze confidently, standing my ground. "This little bunny just happens to be hungry for some food. Do you perhaps know where I can find some?" I replied, my voice steady.

The rest of the thugs circled around me like predators ready to pounce on their prey.

The leader placed his arm on my shoulder, leaning in closer. "Listen here, buddy, this ain't no place for a kid like you to wander. Why don't you get lost before things get real messy?" he said, his grip on my shoulder tightening painfully.

"Get your hand off me," I said with irritation, my voice low and threatening.

He chuckled, "Or wh—"

Before he could finish his sentence, I unsheathed my katana in one swift motion and sliced his arm off. Blood sprayed as he screamed in agony, clutching the stump where his arm used to be.

"Fuck! My arm!" he screamed, his face contorted in pain.

The rest of the thugs quickly drew their guns and started firing at me. In an instant, I activated the rocket boots Mr. Levian had given me and shot into the air, escaping their circle of death. Bullets whizzed past me, and in their panic, some of the thugs ended up shooting each other, causing chaos and a few of them to fall in the crossfire.

"He's up there! Shoot him!" shouted the guy whose arm I had cut off. Desperation laced his voice as he clutched his bleeding stump. The remaining thugs frantically aimed at me, their guns blazing non-stop. Thanks to Mr. Levian's rigorous training, dodging their bullets felt like child's play. The world seemed to slow down as I weaved through the hail of bullets, adrenaline sharpening my senses.

Occasionally, I swooped down, my katana slicing through the air with deadly precision. Each strike was clean and swift, decapitating several of them before I propelled myself back into the air with my rocket boots. The metallic tang of blood filled the air, and the screams of the dying echoed through the deserted streets of Bloodhaven.

There had been ten of them initially, but now only three remained. Their faces were pale, eyes wide with terror, as they watched me land gracefully in front of them, katana gleaming with fresh blood. The sight of their comrades falling one by one by my hands had broken their resolve. They fired wildly, their hands shaking, bullets missing me entirely.

Seizing the opportunity, I moved with blinding speed. I thrust my katana through the heart of one thug, feeling the resistance of flesh and bone give way. His eyes widened in shock before he crumpled to the ground. Without hesitation, I spun around and drove my blade through the mouth of another, silencing his cries of fear. Blood splattered across my face, but I didn't flinch.

The guy whose arm I had sliced off fell to the ground, his strength finally giving out. He looked up at me, eyes filled with terror and desperation. "Please, I'll do anything! Just don't kill me!" he pleaded, his voice trembling, tears streaming down his face.

I looked down at him, my katana still dripping with blood. "Where is the boy that was recently brought here?" I demanded, my voice cold and unyielding.

"A boy? I don't know which one you could be referring to," he stammered, trying to mask his fear.

His vague response only fueled my anger. I stepped closer, raising my katana. The threat was clear, and his eyes widened in panic. Sensing his imminent demise, he quickly blurted out, "Ye... Yes, a boy! I think I saw him. I heard he was captured by the Butcher Gang and sent to the Butcher's Meat Restaurant."

I paused, assessing his words. His fear seemed genuine, his trembling body and pleading eyes convincing me of his truthfulness. The name "Butcher Gang" resonated with a sense of dread and danger, but it was a lead I couldn't ignore.

"Why?" I demanded, my voice edged with urgency and anger.

"Rumor had it that the butcher is planning on cutting him up into mincemeat," he said, his voice shaking with fear.

Disgust and horror twisted in my gut at this revelation. Without another word, I turned and sprinted toward the Butcher's Meat Restaurant, the only known meat source in the underground. As I ran, one question burned in my mind: why did the butcher capture Alex? I vowed to find out once I got there.

But that wasn't the only thought plaguing me. Just moments ago, I had killed people for the first time. Strangely, I didn't feel any shred of guilt, which unsettled me deeply. Was this lack of remorse due to Mr. Levian's relentless training? Sometimes, I wondered if I was becoming more like him, cold and detached.

However, now was not the time to dwell on such thoughts. I pushed them aside, focusing on the urgent task at hand. I had to reach Alex and save him before it was too late.

To be continued.....

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