Yemon's fear was at its peak. His fingers were fidgeting uncontrollably with stress.
'Stop!' He exclaimed at himself internally and he held his hand together.
He started breathing in equal intervals, stabilising his heartbeat. He inhaled and exhaled silently but strongly.
*Clomp* *Clomp* *Clomp*
The sound of heavy boots approaching Yemon invaded his ears. It was getting louder and louder as time passed.
Nonetheless, it did not disrupt the rhythm of his concentration. This was by far the most difficult moment that he adjusted into.
The eerie atmosphere got denser as the danger approached Yemon. Yet, he completely adapted to it somehow in time so he was pretty calm.
He was determined to reveal himself to the potential reaper of his life.
Yemon turned and confronted the man in shabby black clothes.
"The little rat has come out."
The man grinned at his presence and was ready to pounce on him. His hand were moving happily and finally formed a fist.
He had medium-length dark accompanied with a good looking standard of his face. He also had some facial hair that was a stub on his chin.
He looked down at Yemon with his brown eyes as he was taller than him. That was one factor that made him intimidating.
"Wait a minute. I have some business with you, Jin Yuudai."
"....Huh?"
The man took the time to process what Yemon blurted out.
"So you know my name." The man named Jin Yuudai was not disturbed at his identity being discovered.
Still, Jin continued asking Yemon.
"You have some business? With me?" He wanted to confirm the words he heard.
"Yes."
Yemon stood still with a steel resolve. Jin was silent, taking his time to assess what was the deal with the guy in front. He did not look to be special and he was not daunting.
Jin was not impressed with Yemon whatsoever. If there was anything that could catch his eyes, then he would have at least pay attention to him.
However, he did not care about Yemon.
*Whoosh!*
Jin's right punch was like a bullet aimed at Yemon's head. Yemon narrowly escaped a fatal blow by just moving his head to the right.
Then using the momentum, Yemon used his shoulder as a pivot. He grabbed Jin's same hand that he threw and executed a Judo throw.
Yemon had to exert a little bit of force as Jin's weight was heavier than he expected.
The man was thrown out of the dining room, to the corridor of the house.
However, he nullified Yemon's counter attack by landing on his 2 feet safely. Yemon was surprised but he did not let it surface in his expression.
'He has good control over his body.'
Yemon let go of his grip and stepped back to maintain a distance from the man.
'Not going to rush it, even though I was in a good position to receive a strike?' Jin acknowledged Yemon's cautious movement.
It was apparent that Yemon had some experience in these kinds of situations so Jin got excited.
It was to the point of being interested in Yemon's line of work.
Is this man a Hero? A soldier of the SMF the police? A hitman? An assassin of an evil organization or something much more unexpected?
Jin got into a stance and prepared to launch a more 'professional' attack. However, Yemon did not want to enter into combat mode.
"Can we talk it out on why am I here in the first place? It concerns your safety."
"Safety? As you can see I am completely fine."
He shrugged it off and leapt towards Yemon at an astonishing speed. Jin tried to kick Yemon in the stomach but he dodged it with a simple sidestep.
'He is not ready to listen, is he?' Yemon concluded.
Jin did not stop there as they got into an intense slugfest. Yemon parried most of the heavy punch and kicks but some slipped through his defence.
"Gah?!"
A high kick messed up Yemon's right shoulder. He has taken damage but he endured it.
Immediately, he noticed Jin's left hook creep up to him. Yemon skillfully blocked it with his left forearm and proceeded to do a low sweeping kick.
That made Jin do an acrobatic backflip and dodge the attack by a hair's breadth.
They were again at a distance.
Unfortunately for Yemon, he was clutching his right shoulder as it was getting painful. Lifting his arm would need some effort and resolute.
"I have come here to help you. Won't you even listen for a minute?"
He pleaded for a peace discussion. Still, Jin was nowhere near that kind of dispute. All he wanted was a fight.
He glanced at his right. Looking at it closely, Yemon deduced that his shoulder was dislocated. From that high kick, the result was disastrous.
'Shit!'
He could not help but feel the difference between him and Jin.
"Don't tell me that this is where this fight ends."
Jin sounded disappointed as his tone lingered some joyful emotion.
"Even though I was starting to enjoy it."
That infuriated Yemon.
"Tch!"
In a fit of rage, he rammed his dislocated shoulder onto the wall as hard as he could.
*Thump!*
"AAAAAAHH!!!"
He let out an anguished scream as millions of messages bombarded into his brain about the excruciating pain he experienced at the moment.
Jin was surprised but at the same time, elated.
"This guy..."
Yemon pushed his body lightly against the wall he was leaning on and stood straight.
The dislocated shoulder was back in its place. Yemon shook his arm, checking if he could use it considerably.
He then glared at Jin ferociously which took him by shock.
The calm demeanour was not there at all. All that was left was a monster with a thirst for the destruction of Jin.
*Ba-dump*
"This is what I wanted~"
Jin approved of what he was seeing. Yemon took a serious fighting stance and challenged Jin.
"I am warning you. You are not getting off with only a small injury."
To that cold threat, Jin laughed happily and he was overflowing with satisfaction.
"HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! Aaaah~"
Jin crouched like an athlete preparing for a dash. His aroused face was getting distorted as he was getting impatient.
"Aaaah~ My heart tingles~"
Instantly, he rushed to Yemon, planted his foot and lifted to kick at his sides. Yemon did not budge seeing the high speed kick.
Instead, he positioned his elbow near the point of impact and went against the direction of the kick.
*Crack!*
The sound of bones cracking entered both individual's ear. However, neither of them was worried about that. Yemon stared at Jin with an angry gaze.
Whereas Jin grinned more as the sensation of bones cracking could be heard.
Jin threw a punch without a concern about his leg. Yemon countered that too by parrying it and throwing an uppercut. Jin's face got bashed up.
But it was not enough to stop this onslaught of attacks. Jin tried to headbutt Yemon however he got countered on that too.
He was trapped in a chokehold as Yemon's forearms and biceps were strangling his neck.
Yemon tripped him and made both of them fall while still trapping Jin in a chokehold.
*Bam*
"HAHAHAHAHA!!! THAT'S MORE LIKE IT!!"
The ecstasy in Jin never disappeared even in a dire situation like this. The veins in Jin's neck became more visible as he tried to escape.
"WHAT SHOULD I DO~!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!" Jin sarcastically and playfully called out to Yemon.
Yemon continued to strangle him more and more.
"*Cough!* HAHAHA!! THAT'S I---!!*Cough!*"
The murderous glint in Yemon's eyes became stronger and stronger as well as his grip.
".....*Cough!*...MORE~..."
The mind of Yemon was foggy as his body took control of his actions. The blank memories were engraved as if nothing was there, just bloodlust.
He did not know who he was grabbing, what he was doing in the first place or what is his objective.
'When am I going to be free...?'
That single phrase echoed through Yemon's mind.
What did he mean by that? He simultaneously felt that he comprehended it and not knowing entirely.
All he felt was warmth on his cheeks. It was starting to spread across his body.
"...Son.."
Yemon snapped back and stopped what he was doing. The sparks of homicidal thoughts vanished.
*Cough* *Cough*
He looked down and found Jin laying in front of him, suffering from his chokehold. But judging by his delightful face, Yemon assumed otherwise.
"...*Cough*.....Haha.....Why did you stop?"
Jin struck a conversation with Yemon, not understanding his actions. Yemon was catching both his breath and thoughts.
"Because.....I do not want to kill you."
"....."
Jin gasped for air. He wondered where that predator was who was hungry for violence. Nevertheless, he stayed quiet about that and continued to ask a late question.
"What is your name?"
"....Yemon."
"Surely that is not your real name."
"My real name is confidential."
"That is not fair."
Yemon stood his ground and refused to tell him his real name.
"You know my name but I don't know yours. I feel like we should be on equal grounds if we are going to discuss."
"...? Can I assume that you are going to listen to me now?"
"It depends now."
Yemon sighed as he leaned his back to the wall next to him whilst still laying on the floor.
"Okay then. I will start calling you what everyone else has been."
"I can deal with that. Now, say it."
"...Omocha."
"Good."
'Omocha' derives from the word 'toy'.
Well, as the media put forward, it is another meaningful nickname just like Mara.
Jin Yuudai, a.k.a, Omocha is a frightening murderer who uses only his bare hands.
From autopsies of his victims, the causes of death vary from strangulation, blood loss, concussion or broken skull.
The list of victims was long, especially the ones who lived in Aomori. However, he was not going about killing indiscriminately. It was like Omocha was on a quest.
He would enter residents where martial artists, pro fighting athletes or even polices and SMF soldiers would live in.
He always targeted a family where at least one member is skilled in combat.
The reason? It is uncertain as to what Omocha is getting from killing them but one thing is for sure.
He is not some petty killer. Omocha is a strong man that even pro athletes have difficulty to win against.
Anyway, right now, Yemon started to divulge his plan.
"I am forming a group of people like you to complete a certain task."
"People like me?"
"Criminals."
Jin had a doubtful gaze as he pondered on why criminals were needed.
"Why criminals?"
"I am not recruiting 'just' criminals. They are specially chosen, like you."
"Oh? What separates us then?"
"You are a Magic-User."
That made Jin pause with amazement. Only he knew about this so why does Yemon also know about it?
Jin realized that Yemon was really not with some small-time organization. He was part of something bigger and more sinister.
"Can't you ask Heroes to do it? They are also Magic-Users. I don't know why you would specifically need criminals like me."
"Because the job I need to complete, is what seems to be considered unacceptable to Heroes. They will not participate if I tell them."
"Hoh~"
Followed by a smirk, Jin beckoned Yemon to continue.
"So? What is that objective you want to achieve."
"You will know as soon as you join me. You do not have to worry more as there are some benefits for your cooperation."
"Hm? Like?"
Yemon simply replied, "Anything you wish for."
Jin scratched his head and contemplated.
"Hey, did you really say anything?"
"Yes."
Yemon felt a chill for a moment. All the hairs in his arms stood up.
"Anything~?"
"....I guarantee it."
Jin leaned back after observing Yemon's behaviour. He was sure of it now.
"Yeah. I'll join."
"...Really?"
"Yeah."
Yemon tried to stand with the help of the wall behind him but received a sharp pain from his back.
"-!"
He suppressed his groan. Yet, Jin noticed this abnormality.
"I did not hit you in the back, did I?"
"I am fine."
Jin saw the struggle Yemon put up as he stood straight. Yemon took out his phone and tapped something in it. Then he informed Jin while he was still laying down.
"You are going to meet me up in this location this on Monday night. All the other members I have recruited, are going to be there."
"Got it."
*Knock* *Knock*
"Hello! This is the police!"
The voices behind the door interrupted their discussion.
It seems like this was the end of their meeting. Yemon retrieved his phone into his pocket, then was about to turn to leave.
"Wait a minute Yemon."
".....?"
He stopped to hear what Jin wanted to say.
"Don't you want to know what my power is?"
"It is okay to not show it to me now. Later, you can reveal it."
There was no anticipation in Yemon's tone. He was telling the truth and did not want to restlessly witness his power.
*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*
"We had a noise complaint from your neighbour!"
Their faint voices were ignored. Jin stated.
"Believe me. You are going to need my power."
"Eh?"
Jin stared at Yemon then suddenly, felt a pain in his right hand, his back and his shoulder.
"...Kuk!"
The familiar pain started to get to Yemon as he moaned in agony. Seconds later, he felt somewhat lighter. But there was something else he wanted to check.
Hurriedly, he removed the bandages in his right hand and to his surprise, the impaled hand was healed completely.
His back too felt that like there was never a cut wound. Finally, his shoulder was doing alright. His fatigue and stress lessened.
Yemon was stupefied. He stared at Jin.
"Isn't it fantastic?"
Jin joyfully asked.
The power to heal at the cost of the pain experience when receiving a wound. This was very troublesome.
Yemon processed this information in his brain.
Now that he thinks about it, this kind of power to be with this man is surreal. A killer having the power to heal.
The danger signals towards Omocha was beyond what Yemon expected. Such a formidable foe, Yemon could only thank his luck that Omocha did not continue the fight and use his power on himself.
After all, the result would have been unfavourable and can cause death.
At the corner of his mind, he wondered why Omocha did not use his powers previously. Did he feel something when fighting Yemon? This was a mystery to him.
Yemon forced a smile as he stared at Jin's elated expression and said.
"...Thank you very much."