章節 12: One By One

I'm sorry for being slightly inactive these past few days, I have a lot of fun planned for the next few chapters. Which I am looking forward to :)

The city's atmosphere had changed in the past few days. Rumors of crime scenes, police lights flashing in the dead of night, and a potential gang war were spreading like wildfire.

The news that morning came with chilling updates—"Police Investigate a Series of Brutal Murders in the North End." The screen showed reporters standing near police barricades, with detectives examining the scene in the background. Officers provided vague details, hinting that the recent deaths might be connected. Phrases like "gang-related" and "targeted attacks" were being thrown around.

Liam stood at the corner of a small convenience store, watching the TV behind the cashier's counter. The news anchor's voice was calm, showing how used he was to narrating horror.

"...police are currently investigating if these incidents are linked to ongoing gang activities. The latest victims were found near an abandoned warehouse, they were reported to be a 37 year old male and....''

Liam took a breath and stepped outside into the cold winter air. He had to be more careful now—the more attention the police paid to these deaths, the riskier his task became. But this wouldn't stop him. He needed to keep pushing, and he needed to do it his way.

The Yakuza presence in the city had grown bolder, extorting small businesses and intimidating the innocent. They thought no one could touch them. It was time to change that.

In the middle of the night, Liam was hidden atop an old building, crouched down, his eyes following a small group of three Yakuza members walking below. Their conversation was a mixture of laughter and low mutterings. They were relaxed—unaware that someone was following them.

Liam followed them around a corner into a darker, quieter street, staying in the shadows to avoid being seen until they were far enough from the crowded parts of the city. He stayed in the shadows, making sure no one spotted him until they were far enough from the crowded parts of the city.

One of the men paused, fumbling with his lighter as he attempted to light a cigarette. Liam saw his opportunity. Without hesitation, he dropped silently from the fire escape, landing softly behind the rearmost man. In one swift motion, he grabbed him from behind, muffling his scream before snapping his neck and lowering him to the ground without a sound.

The second man turned around, the cigarette still dangling from his lips. His eyes widened at the sight of Liam, but he had no time to react. A heavy punch struck his jaw, sending him against a brick wall. The third thug, seeing his friends drop like flies, stumbled backward, reaching for a knife.

"No chance," Liam muttered, as he caught the thug's wrist and twisted it. The knife fell, and a knee to the ribs sent the man to the ground, gasping for air.

Liam stood over him, eyes narrowed. "Where's your boss?" he demanded. The thug stared up at him, trembling, his lips quivering without making a sound. Liam could see the fear in the man's eyes, but the thug still chose to remain silent.

Without hesitation, he snapped the man's neck, leaving the three bodies in silence. They were all the same—a threat that needed elimination. Another corner of the streets that needed cleaning.

Days passed, and the mood among the Yakuza began to shift. The leader, Hiroshi Sato, sat in his office, his face twisted in a scowl as he listened to yet another report of missing members.

"This makes twelve in the past week," one of his lieutenants said, his voice low, afraid to speak too loudly. Hiroshi's fingers tapped on his desk, tension growing in the room.

"Twelve in a week," Hiroshi repeated slowly, as though tasting the words. He stared at the man in front of him, eyes narrowing. "And you have no idea who's responsible?"

The lieutenant shook his head, avoiding eye contact. "We've searched, boss. No one has seen or heard anything. It's like they just vanish."

Hiroshi gritted his teeth in anger. "This is unacceptable. We cannot afford to show weakness to the other gangs. We need to be ready. Recall all higher-ups and every capable member. Increase security at key points. I want everyone back at the main hideout. No more splitting up."

He leaned back as he glanced towards the wall on the left side of the room—a wall adorned with maps of the neighborhood and photos of rival gangs. This was his territory. Whoever was picking off his men was making a mistake, and Hiroshi was ready to make an example out of them.

The streets were quieter now. Liam noticed the difference immediately. The smaller groups of Yakuza that used to roam freely had vanished, replaced by fewer but larger patrols. The ones that remained moved in packs, at least six or more at a time, their eyes looking around nervously at every corner.

Liam knew what this meant thanks to a lower-level grunt; they were regrouping, pulling back to wherever they felt safest. It was a strategic move, but it also gave an opportunity. It meant the most dangerous men were all cornered in one place.

During his latest raid, Liam grabbed one of the lower-level grunts, slamming him against a wall. "Where's your boss?" he demanded.

The thug coughed, spitting blood, his eyes wide with panic. "I—I don't know," he gasped. "Only the higher-ups know where the hideout is. They don't tell us anything!"

Liam stared at him for a moment, then dropped him to the ground before swiftly ending his life. Another body left behind, another problem solved. He had learned enough to confirm his suspicion: the real action was at their main hideout, and only their upper members had access to it.

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Liam's efficiency had increased. He moved quicker now, each raid becoming training in precision and control. His awareness had sharpened; he could see the direction of a gunshot before it was fired, dodging them with ease due to frequent close calls with gang members. The Yakuza might have thought they were safe with their numbers, but he was becoming something far more dangerous with each fight he had.

That night, during a raid on another Yakuza safehouse, Liam found the lead he had been waiting for. Among the files and cash was a folder—photos, videos, all containing a series of kidnappings. Children with tears streaming down their cheeks. The images were brutal, but they were also proof—proof of the Yakuza's cruelty and proof of where they were keeping the hostages.

He flipped through the photos, his jaw tightening at the sight of the frightened, pained faces. Liam clenched his fists, the image of a small child bound in chains flashing through his mind. He knew where they would be, and he knew it was time to finish what he started.

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章節 13: Awakening 1

The rain poured from the sky, soaking Liam to the bone as he crouched in a narrow alley across from the Yakuza's main hideout. In daylight, the building looked like just another corporate building—mirrored glass and concrete. But hidden from the world was a fortress, a hideout specializing in crime. 'In the night, this place looks more like a creepy place.' Liam thought.

Tonight, it would all end—all the fear, corruption, and violence the Yakuza had spread throughout the city. Liam tightened his grip on Incursio. Though currently unawakened, Liam felt that the weapon could sense his intentions.

Liam crossed the empty street, his feet barely making a sound on the wet pavement. He approached the side entrance, a relatively unguarded gate, moving as fast as possible in the hopes of avoiding detection.

Two guards stood by the door, their figures barely visible in the dim streetlight. Before either of them noticed, Liam had closed in. He drew Incursio, and the first guard fell to the ground—a swift strike severing his head from his neck, ending his life instantly. The second guard tried to react, reaching for his earpiece, but Liam's hand was already around his throat, not letting go until the guard's body went limp.

He slipped inside, the metal door closing behind him. The interior of the compound was old and dirty, a big difference to the powerful presence the Yakuza wanted to project. The hallway stretched forward, lit by old yellow lights, 'there's people up ahead,' Liam thought after hearing distant murmurs of conversation echoed from further in.

Liam moved silently. He knew the layout—he had memorized every corridor, every possible exit. The information he'd gathered from the safehouse had painted a clear picture of this place, and now it was time to bring it all down.

He could hear the voices ahead. A group of Yakuza soldiers, their tones casual, unaware that someone was approaching them. He got closer, his eyes narrowing. There were four of them, leaning lazily against the walls, their weapons holstered. They didn't see him coming.

Liam jumped forward, his movements swift and precise. The first man fell with a gurgle, Incursio's blade cutting across his throat. The second turned, eyes widening, but Liam's fist struck his temple before he could make a sound. The remaining two drew their weapons, but Liam was already moving. He spun around, evading a knife strike, his knee driving into one man's ribs before spinning and stabbing his sword into the other.

The hallway was silent once more, the bodies slumped to the ground. Liam paused, his breath coming out in controlled exhales. This was just the beginning.

He moved deeper into the compound, reaching a hallway that opened into a larger area. Liam saw them—men clustered in groups, some playing cards, others drinking. 'I can't take them all on at the same time. Not if I want to save the hostages,' Liam thought.

He navigated the corridors until he found a reinforced door, 'that has to be the place where they keep the captives,' Liam thought. The smell hit him as soon as he approached—an air mixed with fear and despair. Liam took a deep breath, pushing the door open.

Inside, the room was dark, and the stench even worse. He saw them—women and children, huddled together, their faces streaked with tears, their eyes wide in terror. Liam's heart clenched at the sight. This was why he was here.

"It's okay," he said, his voice softer now. He crouched down, looking at them, his eyes locking onto theirs. "I'm here to get you out."

The captives looked at him in disbelief, their eyes darting between Liam and the door. He took a step forward, extending a hand. "You're safe now," he repeated, his voice steady.

Suddenly, Liam heard movement from behind—rapid footsteps followed by the clicking of weapons being readied. He turned slowly, his heart pounding as he saw them—Yakuza soldiers, dozens of them, their guns aimed at him and the hostages. He tightened his grip on Incursio, his eyes flicking between the armed men and the hostages, calculating his chances.

"Follow us. The boss wants to see you," one of the soldiers said.

Liam's jaw clenched, but he slowly nodded, his gaze shifting back to the terrified captives one last time before turning to the soldiers. The Yakuza surrounded him, keeping their weapons pointed at him as they led him through the compound. Step by step, they ascended a flight of stairs, tension thick in the air.

The soldiers guided Liam to a set of doors, which opened to reveal a luxerious room—completely different from the corridors below. There, surrounded by about thirty heavily armed men, stood Hiroshi Sato. The boss wore a dark suit, his eyes regarding Liam with a mix of amusement and disdain.

"Just as predicted," Sato said, a smile curving his lips as he looked at Liam. "The hero who couldn't resist coming to save the captives. You might be wondering how I knew, right?" After a short pause, he continued, his smile widening. "I planted that evidence in the safe house, knowing you'd come running. And now look at you—like a rat trapped in a cage."

Sato gestured to one of his armed men, who approached as Sato whispered something to him. The man nodded and, with a motion, led five others into a back room. Liam's stomach twisted, and his knuckles whitened around Incursio's handle.

Moments later, the men returned, bringing with them five hostages—two children, an elderly woman, and a young couple. The captives' eyes were wide with horror as they were forced to stand against the wall, near where Liam stood.

Sato turned to Liam, his voice dripping with mockery. "See? Now because of you, they are going to die. I want you to watch, little hero, as the people you came to save meet their end. Their blood is on your hands."

Liam's eyes darted between the hostages and the man holding them at gunpoint. The children's faces were pale, tears streaming down their cheeks. The young couple clutched each other, trembling, while the elderly woman stood in resignation, her eyes meeting Liam's, as if thanking him for trying.

Sato stepped closer, a dark glint in his eye as he looked at Liam. "What are you going to do now, little hero?" He turned away, as if Liam were no longer a concern, then barked, "Kill them."

Time seemed to slow. Liam's heart beat heavily in his chest, every fiber in his being screaming at him to act. In that split second, he made his decision. He moved.

Incursio flashed forward, the blade cutting through the air, and before the executioner could register the movement, Liam's sword sliced through his neck.'Got him just in time.' The man fell, but not before the sound of a gunshot echoed through the room.

Liam's eyes widened in horror as he saw the elderly woman stagger, her frail body slowly collapsing to the floor. The children screamed, their high-pitched voices shattering the silence in the room.

"No!" Liam's voice was raw, filled with pain and anger. He spun around, his eyes filled with fury as he faced Hiroshi Sato.

Sato watched, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. "See? This is what happens when you play the hero. You can't save them all."

Rage bubbled in Liam's veins, his grip on Incursio tightening until his knuckles turned white. His entire body trembled—not with fear, but with fury. 'How dare he? This isn't over. Not yet.'

"You will pay for this," Liam growled. Sato smirked, stepping back as his guards moved in, weapons raised. "I don't think so. After all, you are next," Sato said.

Liam was outnumbered, but he no longer cared. The fire in his soul burned brighter, Incursio blazing, it's handle shifting forward. 'We can do this. No, we HAVE to do this,' Liam screamed out in his mind.

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