original

A Lesser Evil: Cyber Mercenaries

Kapitel 1: A MERCENARY

In the dimly lit room sat a silhouette, distinguished only by the brilliant blue sparkle of his eyes, untouched by worry amidst the room's obscurity. All other features remained concealed in the darkness, just like everything else within.

Melodic music in the background further soothed the atmosphere, the opening Rickenbacker and vocal range spanning from F3 to G5 revealing the genre - indie pop.

#Georgia, wrap me up in all your

I want you in my arms

Oh, let me hold you

I'll never let you go again like I did

Oh, I used to say…#

The tranquility was however shattered as a symmetrical, silver object with a spear point hurtled towards the silhouette. Unfazed, the figure gracefully evaded the incoming attack, seizing an outline connected to the weapon with astonishing speed, he pushed the hand holding the silver object backward.

A painful scream, a spatter of blood, and a resounding thud followed, yet the calmness in the blue eyes endured.

The room fell silent again, with only the background music audible. The blue-eyed figure rose, swiftly evading another strike, then retaliating with a calculated move, producing another groan and thud.

Multiple outlines emerged, encircling the figure, but the serenity in his gaze persisted as he drew a gleaming silver dagger.

The assailants closed in one by one, thrusting and swinging, but the blue-eyed figure deftly countered, inflicting pain with each strike, accompanied by more groans and thuds.

Minutes passed in this deadly dance, and soon all that could be heard was the persistent background music.

#I would never fall in love again until I found her

I said, "I would never fall unless it's you I fall into"

I was lost within the darkness, but then I found her

I found you#

Despite being marked by crimson stains, the figure remained unfazed. He moved purposefully, and after a moment, a click echoed, illuminating the room.

Lifeless, masked bodies lay on the floor with throats slit and stab wounds, now clearly visible under the room's illumination.

The blue-eyed figure scrutinized the scene with an unfeeling gaze. In the newfound light, his features became apparent: brown hair, a temple fade hairstyle, blue eyes, a slim frame, and a youthful face. He wore a bloodied black suit.

After wiping the dagger clean and stowing it away in his suit, the figure doused the room in whiskey, ignited it with a match from his suit, and left, locking the door behind.

The crackling flames' sound resonated even from outside as they consumed the room's contents.

The blue-eyed figure strolled away from the premises, seamlessly merging with the dimly lit side of the street. After covering a considerable distance from the blazing building, he reached into his pocket, retrieved his phone, and dialed a number that was promptly answered.

"It's finished," he declared in a cold, enigmatic tone.

"What... are they all gone? How did you find them so quickly?" inquired a voice on the other end, sounding male-like.

The blue-eyed man however abruptly ended the call, showing no interest in discussing the matter further. He stowed his phone back in his pocket.

He then signaled for a taxi, which promptly halted to pick him up.

"Where to, sir?" asked the taxi driver, seemingly unfazed by the bloodstains on the man's suit.

"Nimble Bar," the blue-eyed figure responded curtly from the backseat. The taxi driver initiated the ride, but after stating, "That'll be 15 credits, sir."

…

Upon reaching his destination, the taxi driver stopped the vehicle. The blue-eyed figure exited the car, produced a transparent card, which the driver promptly scanned with his phone, wearing a satisfied smile as he said, "Thank you, sir."

A few steps away stood a building adorned with a neon sign that read 'Nimble Bar.'

The figure with striking blue eyes strolled nonchalantly to the bar, pushing open the glossy doors. Without glancing around, he headed straight for an unoccupied chair at the counter.

Inside the dimly lit bar, the cacophony of loud metal music echoed everywhere, featuring the relentless sounds of electric guitars, bass, drums, and vocals.

#Is there no standard anymore?

What it takes, who I am, where I've been, belong

You can't be something you're not

Be yourself, by yourself, stay away from me

A lesson learned in life

Known from the dawn of time#

The blue-eyed man appeared unfazed by the noise as he ordered a 'Jägerbomb' from the female bartender behind the counter, who was dressed provocatively.

Before long, a glass of clear liquid, with an aroma reminiscent of licorice, was handed to him. The blue-eyed figure savored the scent, taking a moment to sniff the drink before downing it in one swift gulp.

"Another," the blue-eyed man muttered, his tone cold. The bartender promptly responded to his request

In no time another glass of Jaggerbomb had been passed to him.

Raising the glass half way up to gulp down its contents, his hand suddenly paused midair as he was interrupted by words directed at him and said in a provocative and jeering tone.

"Well fellas look who it is…If it isn't Draven. I thought this bar was only for 'Real' Mercenaries..." A voice came from behind.

"Ah, Draven, my dear boy! The self-proclaimed mercenary who thinks he can conquer this era armed with nothing more than a stabbing knife."

Draven turned briefly to confront a tall, bald man in his late thirties or early forties, clad in tight black leather pants and a green tank top that showcased his muscular cybernetic arms. Behind him stood a group of five, each adorned with cybernetic enhancements in various parts of their bodies.

The bald man's face bore a wide, mocking grin, echoed by his entourage, and as Draven glanced in their direction, the smirk on the bald man's face grew even broader as he leaned in closer.

"I see you've got some bloodstains on you from your latest escapade. Probably just bullying those small-time thugs again, huh?"

The group behind the bald man erupted into boisterous laughter, mocking Draven's actions.

However, the bald man's tone shifted abruptly, his grip on Draven's shoulder becoming firmer as he adopted a more serious demeanor.

"A small kind piece of advice, young man, from someone who's been in this game far longer than your sorry ass."

"Consider getting yourself some cybernetic enhancements, even if they're those cheap laggy types. Ditch these ugly ass suits you always wear, if possible sell them altogether alongside that trusty stabbing knife of yours."

"Grow your stupid ass from the level of a small time thug into a true mercenary; that's where the real action is."

The bald man paused briefly, his tone taking on a comical edge again.

"Actually, who am I kidding? Even the small-time thugs these days are upping their games with cybernetics. Watch your back, Draven my boy; you might lose more than just your pride in your next scuffle with them."

Amidst the taunts and jeers, Draven remained silent and unmoved. After the bald man finished his tirade, he nonchalantly sipped from the glass he held mid-air.

His expression remained cool and unbothered by the bald man's provocations as he calmly placed the glass back on the counter.

"Another," he requested in an icy tone, paying no heed to the tall man beside him and his attempts at riling him up.

The bartender was about to fulfill his order when the bald man suddenly smashed the glass onto the counter, his face contorted with anger as he glared at Draven's unflinching demeanor.

"I'm talking to you, kid! You can't won't just ignore me like that!" he bellowed furiously.

Despite the bald man's outburst, Draven remained unfazed, his attention still fixed on the trembling bartender as he awaited for his order to be served.

The bald man's frown shifted into an unsettlingly wide, manic smile.

"I see you're so eager for a death wish," he said in an oddly calm tone.

The smile remained on his face as one of his cybernetic arms retracted to reveal a blaster-like muzzle.

"Well then, I'll be happy to oblige," he added with a diabolical grin, pointing the blaster at Draven's head.