Capítulo 21: Execution.

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Accelerator sat in a quiet corner of the Tendou Civil Security Agency, his eyes fixed on the holographic interface of his inventory. He meticulously reviewed the gains he had acquired the previous night from raiding the politician's mansion. The spoils were impressive—stacks of money, valuable items, and documents that could potentially be used for leverage. He had also taken care to eliminate any potential threats by killing the politician and his entire personnel, ensuring there would be no loose ends.

"Looks like these kids won't be starving anytime soon," he muttered to himself, a rare, faint smile playing on his lips. The money he had seized would be enough to feed the Cursed Children for at least a year, maybe more. It was a strange feeling, this sense of responsibility. In Academy City, he had been a monster, driven by anger and a desire for power. Here, he was still a monster, but something had shifted. He found himself caring for these children, wanting to protect them and give them a better life.

He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. "Tch, focus," he told himself. "There's still work to be done."

His musings were interrupted by the sudden sound of chaos from outside. His ears perked up, and he quickly made his way to the window. What he saw made his blood run cold. A massive Gastrea had landed in the middle of a bustling street, sending people into a frenzy of panic. They screamed and fled in all directions, desperate to escape the monstrous threat.

"Just great," Accelerator muttered, already preparing to head out. But something else caught his eye—a group of children, eyes wide with fear and desperation, seizing the opportunity to steal food from abandoned shops. They were Cursed Children, and they moved with a mix of terror and urgency, grabbing whatever they could before anyone could stop them.

The sight stirred something within Accelerator. He knew they were only trying to survive, driven by hunger and fear. But he also knew how the people would react. As if on cue, a group of adults who had been left behind in the chaos spotted the children. Their expressions twisted with rage and hatred.

"Thieves!" one of them shouted, pointing at the children. "Get them! They're stealing from us!"

"Monsters!" another yelled, rallying the others. "They're taking advantage of the chaos! We can't let them get away with this!"

The mob quickly formed, their anger palpable as they began to chase the children. Accelerator's eyes narrowed, and his fists clenched at his sides. He moved quickly, using his vector manipulation to propel himself through the air, landing in the middle of the street with a thud.

The sight of him stopped the mob in their tracks. They stared at him, a mix of fear and confusion in their eyes. "Who the hell are you?" one of them demanded.

"Doesn't matter," Accelerator replied, his voice cold. "Leave the kids alone."

"Those brats are stealing from us!" another shouted, stepping forward. "They need to be punished!"

"They're just trying to survive," Accelerator shot back, his anger simmering beneath the surface. "You think they have a choice?"

"They're monsters!" a woman screamed, her face contorted with hatred. "They don't deserve our pity!"

Accelerator's patience snapped. "Haah?! Fuck off!," he growled, his eyes blazing with fury. "Hurting kids because you're too scared and ignorant to see the truth."

The mob hesitated, their anger mingling with uncertainty. They had never encountered someone like Accelerator before, someone who stood up for the Cursed Children so fiercely. The tension in the air was thick, and for a moment, it seemed like a fight was inevitable.

Before anyone could make a move, a loud roar echoed through the street. The Gastrea, momentarily forgotten, reared its ugly head, its eyes glowing with malevolent intent. The people screamed and scattered, their anger turning to fear once more.

Accelerator took the opportunity to gather the children, his voice urgent but calm. "Come with me."

The children, too scared and desperate to argue, followed him without question. He led them through the chaos, using his powers to deflect any debris or attacks from the Gastrea. His mind raced with plans for their safety, knowing that this was only a temporary reprieve.

As they reached a safer part of the city, Accelerator turned to the children, his expression serious. "Stay here and don't move. I'll deal with the Gastrea."

The children nodded, their eyes wide with fear and awe. They had heard stories about Accelerator, the man who protected Cursed Children, but seeing him in action was something else entirely.

Accelerator propelled himself back towards the chaos, his mind focused on the task at hand. The Gastrea needed to be dealt with, and quickly. He landed in front of the creature, his eyes locking onto its glowing orbs.

"Alright, you ugly bastard," he muttered, his hands crackling with energy. "Let's see what you've got."

The Gastrea roared and charged at him, its massive form barreling through the street. Accelerator stood his ground, his powers surging as he prepared to strike. With a single, powerful blow, he sent the creature flying, its body crashing into a nearby building.

The people watched in stunned silence as Accelerator fought the Gastrea, their earlier anger forgotten. His movements were precise and deadly, each strike calculated to inflict maximum damage. The creature roared in pain and fury, but Accelerator didn't relent. He moved with the confidence and power of someone who had faced countless battles before, his eyes never leaving his target.

Finally, with a final, devastating blow, Accelerator brought the Gastrea down. Its massive body slumped to the ground, lifeless and broken. The street was silent, the only sound the heavy breathing of the onlookers.

Accelerator turned to face them, his eyes cold and unforgiving. "Remember this," he said, his voice carrying a dangerous edge. "These kids are not your enemies. They're just trying to survive, just like you. If I see anyone hurting them again, face me you bitches"

The people nodded, their earlier hatred replaced by a mix of fear and respect. They had seen what Accelerator was capable of, and they knew better than to challenge him.

Satisfied, Accelerator turned and walked back to the children, his mind already racing with plans for their future. He needed to find a safe place for them, somewhere they could live without fear of persecution.

Accelerator was about to return, feeling a rare sense of accomplishment after saving the Cursed Children from the mob and defeating the Gastrea. But as he turned a corner, a new commotion caught his attention. The noise drew him closer, and what he saw made his blood run cold.

A large crowd had gathered in a small square, their faces twisted with cruel satisfaction. In the center, a single Cursed Child was being lifted into the air, a rope wrapped tightly around her neck. She was being hanged, her small body swinging lifelessly as the crowd cheered and jeered.

"They actually did it," Accelerator thought, his mind reeling with disbelief and rage. "They hanged a child."

He froze, unable to look away from the horrifying scene. The girl's body swayed gently, her eyes closed, her face pale. The people around her were laughing, congratulating themselves on a job well done.

"Serves her right!" one man shouted, his voice filled with glee. "Thieving little monster got what she deserved."

"Yeah," a woman added, a smug smile on her face. "These brats think they can just take whatever they want. Not in our town."

Accelerator's vision blurred with rage, his mind barely able to process the depths of the darkness he was witnessing. These people, who he had thought might be redeemable, were celebrating the death of a child. His thoughts raced, flashing back to the cruel treatment he had seen in Academy City. But this… this was worse. This was pure, unfiltered hatred and ignorance.

"Mongrels" he thought, his fists clenching so hard his knuckles turned white. "Just how bad is their taste?"

Without another thought, Accelerator dashed forward, his vector manipulation propelling him through the air. He reached the girl in an instant, cutting the rope with a precise flick of his fingers. Her small body fell into his arms, limp and lifeless.

He laid her gently on the ground and checked her pulse, his heart pounding in his chest. It was faint, barely there, but she was still alive. Just barely. The sight of her frail form, so close to death, broke something inside him.

"You're going to be okay," he whispered, though his voice was shaky. "I won't let you die."

The crowd fell silent, their earlier jubilation turning to confusion and fear as they realized what was happening. They stared at Accelerator, their eyes wide with a mix of shock and anger.

"What do you think you're doing?" one man demanded, stepping forward. "That brat deserved it. She was stealing from us!"

Accelerator didn't respond. He couldn't. His mind was consumed with rage, a cold fury that burned brighter than anything he had felt before. These people, who took pleasure in the suffering of a child, were beyond redemption.

"How many times do I have to fucking say this?" he said, his voice dangerously calm. "A scared and helpless brat yet you really did it"

Another woman sneered, crossing her arms. "These monsters don't deserve our pity. They're a menace."

Accelerator stood slowly, cradling the girl's fragile form in his arms. He looked around at the crowd, his eyes cold and unforgiving. "You're the real monsters," he said, his voice carrying a lethal edge. "You don't deserve forgiveness."

Something snapped inside him. All the anger, the frustration, the helplessness he had felt since arriving in this world came to a head. These people were no different from the scum he had fought in Academy City. They were just as cruel, just as heartless.

"They're nothing but maggots," he thought, his grip tightening around the girl. "And they need to be extinguished."

He took a step forward, his eyes never leaving the crowd. "Heh, you think you're safe because you outnumber me?" he asked, his voice dripping with contempt. "You think you can just hurt these kids and get away with it?"

The crowd shifted uneasily, their earlier confidence faltering. "You don't scare us," one man said, though his voice lacked conviction. "You're just one guy."

Accelerator's lips curled into a cruel smile. "One guy is all it takes."

He set the girl down gently, making sure she was safe before turning back to the crowd. His eyes blazed with a cold, unyielding fury. "You've made your choice," he said, his voice echoing through the square. "Now you'll face the consequences."

The crowd's fear was palpable now, their eyes darting around for an escape. But it was too late. Accelerator's power surged, the air crackling with energy as he prepared to unleash his wrath.

"Consider this a warning," he said, his voice low and deadly. "Hurt these kids again, and I won't stop at just scaring you."

With a flick of his hand, he sent a shockwave through the square, knocking the crowd off their feet. They scrambled to get up, their eyes wide with terror as they realized the extent of his power. Some were stumbled and hit their heads from structures, some even died from the surge. Although the result was minimal, it was enough.

"Run," he commanded, his voice booming. "Run, and never come back."

The crowd didn't need to be told twice. They fled in all directions, their earlier bravado shattered. Accelerator watched them go, his eyes cold and unfeeling. He didn't care about their fear or their hatred. All that mattered was the safety of the Cursed Children.

He turned back to the girl, gently lifting her into his arms once more. "You're safe now," he whispered, his voice softening.

As he walked away from the square, the weight of the world seemed to press down on him. The darkness he had seen today was a harsh reminder of the cruelty that still existed, a cruelty that he was determined to fight against.

"This world is rotten," he thought, his resolve hardening. "But I'll burn it down if I have to. For them."

With each step, his determination grew stronger. The fight for the Cursed Children was far from over, but he was ready. He would face whatever challenges came his way, and he would do it with a fierce, unrelenting resolve.

Accelerator carried the unconscious girl in his arms, his thoughts racing. The cruelty and hatred he had just witnessed weighed heavily on his mind, and he felt a deep, unrelenting anger towards the people who could so callously harm a child. He glanced down at her fragile form, her life hanging by a thread, and made a decision.

Gently, he placed the girl on a nearby bench, ensuring she was comfortable. He reached into his inventory and pulled out a small vial filled with a dark, viscous liquid. It was a sample of Kibutsuji Muzan's blood, a remnant from his time in the previous world. Accelerator had spent countless hours modifying the blood, removing its weaknesses and enhancing its strengths. He had eradicated the vulnerability to sunlight and the insatiable craving for flesh, creating a substance that could turn someone into a powerful being, capable of incredible feats.

He stared at the vial intently, his mind torn. This blood could save her, make her stronger than any Cursed Child he had encountered. But unleashing this power into the world came with risks. Would she remain the same, or would the power corrupt her? Could he control the consequences of such an action?

Reluctantly, he put the vial back into his inventory. "Not yet," he thought. "It's not the right time."

Instead, he pulled out another item—a small syringe filled with a clear liquid. Sumire Muroto had given it to him during their last meeting. It was an experimental serum designed to enhance the regeneration capabilities of Cursed Children. If it worked as intended, it could save the girl's life without the risks associated with the demon blood.

Accelerator hesitated for a moment, then nodded to himself. This was the better option, for now. He carefully injected the serum into the girl's arm, watching as her body began to respond almost immediately. Her breathing steadied, and the faint pulse he had felt earlier grew stronger.

"Good," he muttered, relief washing over him. "You're going to be okay, brat."

As the serum worked its magic, Accelerator lifted the girl back into his arms and started walking towards the hidden refuge where he had left the other Cursed Children. The weight of his actions pressed on him, but he knew he was making the right choice. He had to protect these kids, no matter the cost.

When he arrived at the hideout, the other children looked up in surprise. Their eyes widened with a mix of fear and curiosity as they saw the unconscious girl in Accelerator's arms. They crowded around him, their expressions filled with concern.

"Is she going to be alright?" one of the older girls asked, her voice trembling.

"Yeah," Accelerator replied, his tone softening. "She'll be fine. She just needs some time to heal."

He laid the girl down on a makeshift bed, covering her with a blanket to keep her warm. The other children watched in silence, their eyes filled with gratitude. Accelerator turned to face them, his expression serious.

"You bunch need to make sure she's taken care of," he said, his voice firm. "But we also need to think about all of you. You've been through enough. It's time you had a proper meal."

The children's eyes lit up with excitement and hope. They had grown accustomed to scraps and stolen food, never knowing when their next meal would come. The promise of a real meal was almost too good to be true.

Accelerator reached into his inventory once more, pulling out stacks of food he had gathered from the politician's mansion. Bread, fruits, and even some treats he had found in the kitchen. The children's faces brightened as he distributed the food, their eyes wide with amazement.

"Eat up," he said, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "There's plenty for everyone."

The children eagerly took the food, their expressions filled with joy and relief. They ate with gusto, the fear and pain of their pasts momentarily forgotten. Accelerator watched them, a sense of satisfaction washing over him. He had done something good, something meaningful.

As the children ate, Accelerator sat down beside the unconscious girl, keeping a watchful eye on her. Her breathing was steady, and her color had returned to her cheeks. The serum was working, giving her the strength to recover.

"Ahh, frustrating. Damn it." he whispered, more to himself than to her. "I really hate this shit"

The other children finished their meal, their bellies full for the first time in as long as they could remember. They gathered around Accelerator, their faces filled with admiration and gratitude.

"Thank you," one of the younger girls said, her voice shy. "You saved us."

"Don't mention it," Accelerator replied, his tone gruff but not unkind. "Just stay safe and stick together."

The children nodded, their trust in him solidifying. They had seen the darkness of the world, but they had also seen a glimmer of hope in the form of this strange, powerful man who had come to their rescue.

As the night wore on, Accelerator continued to watch over the girl, his mind racing with thoughts of the future. He knew that this was just the beginning. There were more children out there, more lives to save, and more battles to fight. But he was ready. He had the strength, the knowledge, and the determination to make a difference.

For the first time in a long while, Accelerator felt a sense of purpose. He was no longer just a monster. He was a protector, a guardian of those who had been cast aside by the world. And he would do whatever it took to ensure their safety and their future.

With a deep breath, he settled in for the night, his resolve stronger than ever. The fight for the Cursed Children was far from over, but he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. And he knew, with a fierce determination burning in his heart, that he would not let them down.

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