Chereads / The Starving Dogs / Chapter 31 - The Presence Of A Predator

Chapter 31 - The Presence Of A Predator

Top Dog waltzed inside the building has his group furiously fought. He didn't bother moving to help, although it would be an insult to the victims if he did. Troy's group moved efficiently and easily subdued the Twin Fang members. Upon seeing Top Dog walk towards the stairs Troy quickly had his group follow.

Their footsteps echoed in the hall and to those in the building it became the source of fear. It was worth noting that while the rumors of 'Top Dog taking down those wishing to be a District' hadn't spread yet, other rumors have. In a small time since being promoted to District so many world shattering things have been accomplished. Jay solo wiping the Heavy Thorns, and yet only a simple underling of Top Dog was among the first. This was followed by Top Dog subduing Black Iron, a legend from the first generation, and then another rumor of him winning a war against two other Districts. Moreover he beat the two leaders alone.

Such rapid feats could only be the dream of many gang members. The Rep and Cred these gave were substantial and Top Dog's name quickly spread across the neighboring Districts. Soon enough the appearance of Top Dog became known, and he became the focus of envy and fear. Not many wanted to challenge someone who's momentum became near impossible to stop. Now this rumored legend was at their front doorstep and currently wiping out their members. Who wouldn't feel fear?

Bang-!

Another locked door was shattered by a kick. Top Dog walked in as if he owned the place and noticed quite a bit of scared faces. Not sensing any hostility Top Dog decided to give them a chance, "Those who don't want to fight can piss off. Twin Fang is disbanding today."

Without waiting for an answer Top Dog continued to the next set of stairs. The Bell building was three stories tall, and Top Dog had a feeling the leader was at the very top. It was a common thing to do after all. For Top Dog he had the biggest room on the second floor of the Motel. A matter of the leader getting the best treatment. Such practice was commonplace. Although I think in this situation it was also a form of protection? Similar to how a dungeon would progress, you fight the boss last. This was also why Top Dog's actions were rare, since leaders rarely acted first unless going against other leaders.

Walking past Troy's group shot hostile glares at the frightened members, daring them to make a foolish move. Surprisingly none of the members leapt at the opportunity and meekly watched Top Dog ascend to the next floor. Glances were exchanged as they all saw who would be the first to leave. Many of them wanted to do so immediately, but was unwilling to be the first.

Bang-!

Many of them flinched at the sound of another door becoming a victim. One person even directly said, "Screw this, I'm out. Never wanted to become Twin Fang anyway."

Like a pair of dominoes many of the others followed. Soon enough the second floor was cleared out. Top Dog had managed to win a fight without even fighting. The power of his Rep had reached tremendous levels. Of course this fear didn't apply to everyone.

"So it really is the Top Dog!", a confident voice called from the third floor as Top Dog busted through.

"By the sounds of it you're the dumbass running this posse."

"You think you can just bully me here? If I don't stand my ground how can I face the other Districts."

"Bully? Ya seem to have the wrong idea. I'm simply enforcing order."

"You call beating gangs into submission order?"

"Only those who have too large of an ambition for their own good. Morons who think they can become a District because of a small slip up."

"I'd be a fool not to take this opportunity."

"Ya still are.", Top Dog didn't say anymore and merely waved his hand forward.

Troy leapt forward with his group and ran towards the leader and his elites. A fight immediately took place, both leaders merely staring at each other. Top Dog slowly removed his hands from his pockets, "I should warn ya, I'm not in a position to take my time with this. If ya want to get out of this alive I recommend submitting."

"Think I wouldn't call that bluff?", the leader of Twin Fang scoffed.

Shaking his arms the leader of Twin Fang ignited. Literally. Flames crawled up his body and the warmth of the room began to steadily crawl upwards. Every step he took the ground had scorch marks from the flames. As he moved his hands to crack their knuckles the flames whipped about. Despite the burning going on, the leader of Twin Fang seemed to be just fine.

Top Dog frowned, "Damn, do ya have any idea how expensive these jackets get?"

"Scared?"

"I just don't want to ruin it.", Top Dog slipped off his jacket and flung it onto a nearby chair. Stretching his neck he approached fearlessly, "Think lighting up like a match is going to scare me off?"

Twin Fang ran across the room and leapt towards Top Dog. These flames weren't a visual trick, rather they were true and honest flames. It was simply that the Twin Fang Leader's ability allowed him to perform just fine despite being ablaze. This meant that anyone who wanted to land a blow on him needed to get past a burning barrier.

To Top Dog, this didn't matter.

"Good fucking luc-?!", the Twin Fang leader grew uncertain as Top Dog snatched him from the air.

Gripping them by the neck Top Dog roared in an inhuman voice. Rotating and swinging with a powerful might Top Dog slammed the Twin Fang leader into the wall leading to the stair way. This old building clearly had some budget cuts, for this wall only had wood and plaster to protect it. The Twin Fang leader passed through it with heavy injuries as he struggled to free himself of Top Dog's grip.

"I fucking told ya didn't I?!", Top Dog's voice barely sounded human.

Lifting the leader free from the wall he threw them across the room. Hitting the outside wall the leader stopped with a thud and slid to the ground. Thankfully the outside walls weren't made so cheaply, else the leader might have taken a fall too. Top Dog gripped the wrist of the hand he used to hold the leader. His arm was covered in heavy burns. Tightening his grip he stopped his hand from shaking.

Stomping towards the leader Top Dog's voice continued to rumble in a menacing matter, "Always some dumbfuck who thinks all it takes to become a District is some powerful ability! Ya have no substance! The very people making your gang left the moment someone strong appeared. Where's the loyalty?! This is to become a District?! It disgusts me!"

The twin fang leader lifted himself to his feet, "Don't kid me. You of all people don't have a place to say that. You got lucky, some person wiped out the potential next District and suddenly you get raised to a golden throne. A bastard who got promoted like some sort of royalty has no place to say anything!!"

"A shame ya think that. Because of it you're now in this position."

Someone leapt towards Top Dog, slipping past Troy's group. Perhaps seeing Top Dog's injured arm they thought it was an opportunity to take down a legend. If it succeeded their Cred would rise through the roof. Filled with such ambitions they planned to take down Top Dog here and now!

A shame Top Dog wasn't willing to entertain these dreams. His fist clenched and he swung with a heavy might. An overhead swing arced beautifully as Top Dog bent his body. Slamming into the assailant's face he continued the swing downwards. The assailant dropped to the ground faster than a rock and remained motionless.

Top Dog stumbled back, "Ah, shit!"

Gripping his injured arm he felt a violent twitching. His voice became almost unrecognizable as he stepped closer to the leader, "I'm ending this now!!"

Something was very wrong. The Twin Fang leader could feel it. There was a terrifying look in Top Dog's eyes. A look of murderous intent. A chill rose up his spine with every approaching step. He was going to die. Top Dog was going to kill him. Primal fear made him subconsciously turn his ability off. Yet he couldn't find the will to speak a single word.

Suddenly an impact blossomed on his head and he fell cold. Troy tossed aside a metal object and turned to Top Dog, "It's done. We should leave."

Top Dog visually calmed upon seeing his target knocked out. His burnt hand moved to his face, "Damn. . . hand me my jacket."

One of the Street Dogs cautiously handed it to Top Dog. He took it and carefully slipped it on, "Let's go back. I'm tired."

A nervous air spread about the Street Dogs, but they silently followed. Troy eyed his burnt hand and saw it look perfectly fine. His eyes narrowed but he decided to stuff his hands into his jacket's pockets instead.

Not a word was spoken, nor will be.