Eros. (Benimaru Shinmon)

七十二

There was no turning back now. I could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on me, but I couldn't afford to hesitate. Lives were on the line—my teammates' lives—and I would do whatever it took to save them.

Joker approached the door, pulling out a set of lockpicks. "We'll have to move fast," he muttered. "Once we're inside, there's no telling what kind of resistance we'll face."

Benimaru's grip on his weapon tightened as he moved closer to me, his gaze scanning the room for any sign of danger. "Stay close," he instructed, his voice a low rumble. "We'll get through this together."

As Joker worked on the lock, the sound of metal scraping against metal echoed through the chamber. Every second felt like an eternity, the tension building with each passing moment. My breath came in shallow gasps, my body coiled like a spring, ready to unleash all my fury on whoever or whatever stood in our way.

Finally, with a soft click, the door creaked open, revealing a narrow corridor that led deeper into the heart of the Nether. The air was thick with the scent of decay and damp earth, and the faint sound of scurrying rats could be heard in the distance.

"They're here," Joker said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Stay sharp."

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what lay ahead. I couldn't afford to think about the pain in my leg, the fear gnawing at my insides, or the countless unknowns that awaited us. All that mattered was saving Akira and Ichi.

Joker lit a cigarette, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the surroundings. "Holy Sol Shadows," he mentioned, a hint of nostalgia in his tone. "My old family of sorts."

"Wait, you're telling me you used to be one of them?" Benimaru asked, my eyes narrowing as I processed his words.

"Used to," Joker replied, exhaling a plume of smoke. "The Holy Sol's Shadows, the top-secret squad that handles the temple's dirtiest work alongside your team."

Benimaru glanced at me, his eyes reflecting concern as he noticed my focus shifting to the Holy Sol Shadows surrounding us. The Shadows wore white uniforms reminiscent of harlequins, their masks adorned with curved eyes and devoid of mouths, a haunting image that sent chills down my spine. When they moved covertly, they wore black cloaks over their uniforms, their reverse prayer gestures marking them as executioners of the church rather than redeemers.

"Can you believe I was part of such a joyless bunch?" Joker said with a smirk.

"Intruders," one of the Shadows intoned as they stepped forward from the group. "This holy ground is no place for such unclean creatures. The two who were snooping around should have served as your warning."

The air grew thick with the metallic scent of blood, mingling with the damp, musty odor of the Nether. My breaths came in sharp, controlled bursts. My heart pounded in my chest, not from fear, but from the adrenaline coursing through my veins. The narrow corridor that had once felt so confining now seemed too small to contain the rage building inside me.

I scanned the remaining Shadows, my eyes burning with an intensity that made even the most seasoned assassins flinch. They had thought they could corner me, trap me like prey—but they had underestimated the fire that burned within me. Every move they made, every feeble attempt to stop me, only fueled my determination. The thought of my team—Akira and Ichi—kept pushing me forward, urging me to unleash my fury upon these men who dared to stand in my way.

My eyes darkened, a shadow of something primal flickering within their depths. "So... you're responsible?"

I stepped forward, but Benimaru grabbed my wrist, trying to hold me back. I flicked my wrist sharply, causing him to release his grip as I continued my advance.