Chapter 17: Shadowed Preparations

[Next Day]

As Aaron practiced in the secluded garage, he muttered to himself, "Alright, let's try Black Flash again. I've got to reduce the time impact." He focused, his cursed energy crackling around him as he attempted to recreate the precise timing needed for the technique. A flash of energy surged through his fist, but the impact wasn't perfect. "Damn, still off by a fraction of a second. But it's getting closer," he noted with a hint of frustration, though he couldn't help but feel a small sense of accomplishment.

Moving on to psychokinesis, he lined up three knives on a table. "Come on, just like before," he whispered, extending his hand. He concentrated on the knives, willing them to lift. The first one wobbled into the air, followed by the second, and finally, the third. "Three knives... not bad," Aaron said, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He managed to keep them aloft for several seconds before they clattered back onto the table. "Distance needs work, though. They're still too heavy."

After finishing his workout, Aaron felt the aches in his muscles, but he knew he was ready for his next job. He took half of the money from his previous job out of his bag, leaving the rest inside. "Split," he commanded, and the concrete floor beneath him parted. With enhanced strength, Aaron lifted the slab, dug into the soil, and buried the bag. "Move," he said, and the concrete sealed itself, leaving no trace of the hidden stash. It was a security measure only he could access.

Satisfied with his preparations, Aaron decided it was time to shop for his next mission. He made his way to the underground black market, a place he'd found after days of careful information gathering. There, he purchased a new set of black tactical wear with tear and fire resistance, sturdy boots, and a fresh set of face masks—one as a backup. The masks were made from stain-proof material, ensuring that any stains could be easily removed with a simple wash. He also picked up a pair of knives, sharper and more balanced than his last.

As night fell, Aaron felt the weight of his decisions settle. He was patched up, better equipped, and more determined than ever. It was time to move toward his next destination.

Silence entered the dimly lit pub, the chill of the night air still clinging to him. The usual murmur of conversations ceased briefly as patrons glanced up, their eyes widening in recognition. The shopkeeper, Garett, looked up from behind the bar with a mixture of fear and weariness etched into his face. His unshaven appearance and tired eyes betrayed the stress of recent events.

As Silence approached, Garett's hands trembled slightly, but he nodded in acknowledgment. His fear was evident, but he managed to remain standing.

Silence, his face hidden behind the mask, spoke with an air of authority. "I'm here about the jobs you mentioned last night. Show me what you've got."

Garett, visibly nervous, reached under the counter and pulled out a set of pamphlets. Each one detailed various job offers, ranging from high-profile heists to more clandestine operations. He handed them over to Silence with a shaky hand, his gaze dropping to the floor, too scared to meet Silence's eyes.

Silence took the pamphlets, scanning through the offers with a critical eye.

After a bit of 'Silence' he just smirked and said, "Can I do all of them?"....

[Fast Forward]

The city of New York had been thrown into chaos over the past two weeks. Every corner of the metropolis seemed to be under a dark cloud of fear. News reports and police bulletins painted a grim picture of a city in distress. Reports of brutal attacks emerged daily, leaving citizens on edge and the NYPD struggling to keep up.

Underground Scene:

In the underbelly of the city, the sense of unease was palpable. The usually busy black markets and underground hubs were eerily quiet. Dealers and low-level criminals spoke in hushed tones, their conversations dominated by fear of the unknown. Rumors about the mysterious figure known as "Silence" swirled through the criminal networks. Tales of his ruthlessness and efficiency were told with a mix of awe and terror. No one knew where or when he would strike next, and that uncertainty was more terrifying than the violence itself.

"In the silent void where his steps echo, shadows whisper of their end. Beware the quiet hunter, for Silence never forgives."

Newspaper Headlines:

The latest editions of the Daily Bugle were spread across newsstands, their headlines glaringly bold and sensational:

"City in Chaos: Mystery Killer Eludes NYPD!"

"Blood on the Streets: Unseen Assassin Wreaks Havoc Across New York!"

TV Broadcast Transcript

Anchor: "Good evening, New York. Our city has been plunged into chaos over the past two weeks as we witness an unprecedented wave of violence. The NYPD is on high alert, but despite their efforts, the perpetrator remains at large."

[Cut to footage of crime scenes, flashing police lights, and concerned citizens.]

Anchor: "The attacks have been brutal and methodical. Victims are found with severe injuries—missing limbs, internal bleeding, and multiple knife wounds—often left to bleed out before death. The NYPD has significantly increased patrols, urging all residents to stay indoors after dark for their own safety."

[Cut to a billboard with Jameson's face, broadcasting a heated debate.]

Jameson (on billboard): "This is an outrage! The NYPD is failing us! Where is the leadership? Where is the action? Instead of cowering behind closed doors, they should be out there, finding this monster! New Yorkers deserve better than this pandemonium!"

[Cut back to the anchor, who looks somber.]

Anchor: "The city has fallen into an eerie silence as fear grips its residents. The nightly news has become a grim reminder of the uncertainty that now envelops New York. We will continue to provide updates as this situation develops. Until then, please stay safe and vigilant."

As the whole of New York was going in an uproar, Aaron remain blissfully unaware of what his actions had caused and even if he knew he wouldn't care much as the world will slowly go to much larger chaos in just some years so its better if they get used to it.

As Aaron lay on the floor of his makeshift gym, sweat soaking into the concrete beneath him, he marveled at how far he had come. His physical endurance had doubled, his cursed energy control refined, and his body had become a well-oiled machine through rigorous training. Yet, despite his impressive progress, he felt a gnawing realization: to be truly formidable, he needed to master close combat and enhance his assassination skills further.

His mind drifted to martial arts. The thought of learning precise, disciplined techniques that could complement his already formidable powers intrigued him. He envisioned himself moving fluidly, delivering strikes that becomes more deadly with cursed energy attacks and may also help in his development of black flash. As his experience grew, so did his ability to identify and correct his flaws. He was now focusing on perfecting methods for assassination and espionage—tricks like silently targeting his boots to immobilize them or creating soundproof barriers to conceal his presence.

Aaron's eyes gleamed with a dark, sinister light as a new, chilling idea began to form. The concept of soundproof barriers had fascinated him, but now he envisioned something even more terrifying: a barrier that could completely block all sound from entering or leaving an area.

A sinister smile curled on his lips as he contemplated the possibilities. "What if I could create a zone where no sound could penetrate or escape?" he mused to himself, his voice barely more than a whisper. "In a fight against a group, their coordinated attacks would be rendered useless. The chaos they'd experience, the confusion… they wouldn't even know what hit them."

His eyes narrowed, a cold, calculating glint appearing as he pictured the pandemonium such a barrier could unleash. He could almost hear the silence of their confusion, the way their movements would become frantic and disorganized. It was a chilling thought, one that filled him with a dark excitement.

Aaron's smile widened as he began plotting his next steps, eager to turn this sinister vision into reality. The thought of plunging his enemies into such disarray was exhilarating, and he couldn't wait to test it out.

Aaron, lying on the cold concrete floor of his warehouse gym, shifted his focus to his next goal: mastering his healing abilities and improving his Reverse Cursed Technique (RCT). He knew that understanding and utilizing positive energy would be crucial for both sustaining himself in battle and recovering from injuries.

In the Jujutsu Kaisen universe, Reverse Cursed Technique (RCT) involved using positive energy to counteract or heal the damage inflicted by cursed energy. The process began with understanding the nature of cursed energy. By creating duplicate negative energy and combining them, one could harness positive energy to heal wounds or enhance one's own body.

Aaron started by meditating deeply, focusing on the flow of his cursed energy. He visualized the negative energy being purged from his system, replaced by a warm, soothing flow of positive energy. This required immense concentration and control, as the process involved channeling his cursed energy in a completely opposite direction.

He practiced this technique repeatedly, gradually improving his ability to generate and sustain positive energy. Each session was exhausting, but the potential benefits were worth the effort. He learned to harness this positive energy to heal minor cuts and bruises.

After solidifying his understanding of RCT, Aaron turned his attention to his broader goals. He had resolved to earn money in a way that would allow him to live comfortably without resorting to corporate work—a notion that had irked him deeply from his past life. Drawing on his previous experiences, he explored stock markets and investment opportunities, devising strategies to build a secure financial foundation. His meticulous planning and prior knowledge set him up for success in this new venture.

Just as he was about to finalize his plans, a ringtone pierced the stillness of the warehouse. It was a burner phone he had acquired for his underworld dealings. With a practiced motion, he reached for the phone and answered.

"Silence," came the voice on the other end, the shopkeeper from the pub, his tone tight with apprehension. "The kingpin wants to meet you."

Aaron's eyes narrowed, a mix of curiosity and anticipation flickering across his face. This could be a pivotal moment, a chance to delve deeper into the underworld and perhaps uncover new opportunities. He was ready to seize it.