"Take that, you bitch!" one of the men shouted.
"Die, whore!" another guy growled, brandishing a sharp blade.
"You think she's hot, huh?" a third man taunted.
"Wait! She's hot. We can do something else with her," one of the attackers suddenly changed his mind.
"Yeah, you're right!" another agreed.
"Let's do it!" the third man suggested, and the tense, hate-filled atmosphere seemed to give way to a sinister new plan.
They were agreeing on something, but I had no idea what it was.
"Stop, don't do this. Stop!" I shouted desperately.
"Easy, kitty. It'll be over soon," one of the men replied.
"No!! Izumi!! Help me!!" Ui cried out, her voice filled with terror and anguish.
"Shut up, bitch!" the other aggressor ordered.
Ui was struggling, and I didn't know exactly what they had done to her, but my curiosity was aroused. However, due to the crowd around, I couldn't see clearly what was happening.
"Everyone step back."
Everyone around stepped back, and I could see her shirt torn, revealing part of her body. It was at that moment that everything became clear to me.
"Don't do this. Kill her now," my voice was filled with cruelty and indifference.
"Izumi! Why?" Ui asked, tears streaming down her face.
"Because you annoy me," my response was cold and emotionless.
I could see her gradually losing her strength, her eyes reflecting deep and painful sadness. Her fragile body was visibly shaken, and the situation around her became clearer to me.
"Leave it to me," a man with rooster hair said, his voice oozing confidence.
He approached slowly, holding a knife, and without hesitation, he struck Ui's leg. The instant pain spread through her body, and she let out a distressed scream. Blood began to flow from the wound, staining her clothes and the ground around her.
"Torture is the best. Let's go for another one."
"Arrrggghh! Izumi, help me," Ui pleaded, her face contorted in pain and fear.
He continued to stab her legs, and I was mesmerized by the scene. Every time the blade pierced her skin, something inside me transformed, creating a strange and unfamiliar feeling. It was a mixture of shock and fascination that left me perplexed.
"Arrrrggghhhh! Izumi!" Ui screamed in agony.
"Now, in the belly," rooster head continued with his sadistic act.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!" Ui's scream filled the air.
"That scream was good."
"Why, Izumi?" Ui sobbed, looking at me with tear-filled eyes.
"Shut up, bitch."
I was completely confused about what was happening to me. It was as if my own behavior was in conflict, trying to deny the facts before my eyes. I forced a smile, but it didn't form.
What was happening to me? I wished for her death, but every time I saw her suffer, and she said my name, something inside me hurt intensely. It was a mix of complex emotions that I couldn't fully understand.
"I'm tired of stabbing you. You only know how to scream for Izumi."
"Izumi, why?..."
Her voice was slowly fading, and I could feel her energy weakening. Yet, at no point did she project any negative energy towards me, no hatred or anger. I was torturing her, but why didn't she show hatred in response?
These questions haunted my mind, and I couldn't understand why I was so concerned about it. Again, I felt confused, and this seemed to happen frequently in the presence of this woman who intrigued and disturbed me in ways I didn't comprehend.
"I think I'll stab your heart and end this."
'Heart? She's going to die? Will I finally have peace?'
I started to force a smile, but I knew I wasn't being sincere. I looked at her again, and our gazes met. Then, to my surprise, she smiled. Why was she smiling? Shouldn't she be on the brink of death?
"Die, bitch!"
I watched the knife approach her chest, aware that it would likely cause her death. Time seemed to drag on, as if we were trapped in an agonizing eternity.
The knife was about to pierce her chest, and the tension in the air was almost unbearable, and I was completely immersed in this critical and distressing moment.
"Ah! What is this?"
"What happened?"
'What am I doing? Why did I make this decision? What's the reason behind it?'
"Where is that woman? Where!!!"
"I was sure you wouldn't abandon me, Izumi," she said, looking at me with a smile.
'Why are you the only one who affects me so much?'
I understood that this woman's presence could divert me from my path of vengeance, and that's why I felt the need to get rid of her. However, at the same time, I couldn't bear the idea of seeing her being killed. It was an internal dilemma that consumed me, a battle between my objectives and the ambiguous feelings she aroused in me.
"You idiot, I was at the best part."
"Stop, you idiot!"
'There is! What's that on my neck? Blood? Who made this? I have no idea who did this, but…'
"Take it off!" I exclaimed while activating my killing intent.
He didn't withdraw the blade, and I could feel the cold contact of the metal on my body, but in some strange way, I didn't feel any pain.
"Too late! Eliminate him while we still have the chance."
Several blades pierced my back, but something strange was happening to my body. Although I had the ability to easily dodge these attacks, I did nothing to avoid the blades.
It was as if something inside me was holding back my ability to react. I began to suspect that this change could be related to this woman, now unconscious, who was somehow deeply shaking my being.
'Now I understand. It was obvious, but I was denying it. This woman who messed with me, I can't allow her to die.'
I began my movement, slowly advancing towards the door. Each step was marked by a feeling of strangeness and confusion, as my mind was still trying to comprehend the events I had just witnessed.
"Don't let him escape!"
I felt the approach of some people, and, acting quickly, I activated my Iz speed, disappearing from the scene. On the road, I activated my cure Iz, even though I knew it wouldn't completely heal my wounds because the blades were still in my body. Maybe, somehow, I was hoping that this ability could also heal her.
"Lord Izumi, what happened?"
"Open the door."
"Yes, Lord Izumi."
I continued to walk with her, but suddenly I stopped hearing the beats of her heart. Incredulity and shock washed over me. I couldn't recall the events that followed.
When I regained consciousness, I was back home, and Ui was in bed. I had no idea about the state of my face, but anger boiled within me.
The blades were no longer in my body, and I didn't know how they had been removed, but that was the least of my concerns. My only obsession at that moment was those men.
I grabbed my swords and held them so tightly that my hands started to bleed. This feeling of fury and despair reminded me of the moment I lost my mother, and now it was back, stronger than ever.
'Now I understand.'
I gazed at Ui for a few moments, impelled by the anger that consumed me, and walked out onto the street. I activated my murderous intent, preparing myself to seek revenge against those who had caused so much suffering.
"I will exterminate all of you!"