Ali stood in the centre of the penthouse, his fingers brushing over the sleek black metallic case that had been delivered with the girls. Without a word, he flicked it open, revealing its contents: neatly folded black military pants made from a durable fabric that would allow for unrestricted movement, paired with a tight, long-sleeve upper body shirt that clung to his muscular frame like a second skin.
A metallic black mask rested in one corner, its smooth, reflective surface gleaming ominously under the penthouse's lights. At the bottom of the case, Ali found a bulletproof vest-lightweight.
The final items were a pair of black military boots, polished and sturdy, designed for both combat and speed.
With deliberate movements, Ali dressed, each piece fitting perfectly, accentuating his imposing build. The black fabric blended seamlessly with the shadows of the room, turning him into a figure that seemed to meld with the night itself. Once fully dressed, he secured the bulletproof vest over his torso, adjusting it to ensure it sat comfortably before strapping a belt around his waist.
Attached to the belt were his two knives, sharp and lethal, along with a handgun and a small detonator that would soon play a pivotal role.
Fully equipped, Ali stood by the floor-to-ceiling glass wall that offered a panoramic view of Tokyo's skyline. The city was alive with lights and movement, unaware of the bloodshed about to erupt within its heart. His reflection in the glass was a dark silhouette, barely distinguishable from the night beyond. Just as he lost himself in thought, his phone vibrated in his pocket, pulling him back into the moment.
He retrieved the phone and answered the call without hesitation. Gunther's voice crackled on the other end, tense and urgent. "It's starting. The CCG has finished the barricade, and they're going to move in any second now."
"I'm on my way," Ali replied coldly, his voice steady as he ended the call. His hand instinctively moved to the detonator at his waist, the weight of it a reminder of the destruction he was about to unleash. After one last glance at the city, he turned away from the glass, his mind already focused on the mission ahead.
Descending the stairs from the penthouse, Ali left the hotel with his metallic case in hand. His steps were quiet but deliberate as he moved through the city streets, heading toward the auction. The night was still young, the streets sparsely populated, giving him a clear path as he closed in on his destination.
Meanwhile, inside the auction house, the ghouls were already on high alert. Each of them wore purple hooded coats, their faces obscured as they peeked cautiously through the windows. They were heavily armed, clutching assault rifles in anticipation of the CCG's advance. Outside, the CCG had set up a barricade along the main street, a formidable blockade meant to contain the ghouls within.
The tension in the air was thick, the promise of violence looming.
Beneath the auction house, in a hidden underground room, a man in a suit sat across from a larger figure draped in a purple coat. His back was turned, but the faint glow of his red eyes pierced through the dim lighting. "Everything is going according to plan," the man in the suit said, his voice laced with venom. "The CCG will pay for what they've done."
The hooded man opposite him nodded in agreement, his voice gruff and full of resolve. "We're ready. We'll avenge the young master." With that, the hooded man left the room, disappearing into the shadows as the plan continued to unfold.
In the corner of the room, a young man with white hair sat with a menacing smile playing on his lips. He seemed unconcerned with the rising tension, lost in his own world as he listened to music through his silver earbuds. An earring hung from his ear, adorned with the insignia of the Air Guild, while a thick silver chain dangled from his waist. His presence, though quiet, carried a dangerous energy, a latent violence ready to be unleashed.
High above, on the roof of the bank that Ali had previously rigged with explosives, an old man stood with his hands folded behind his back. It was the same man from Anteiku, his expression grim as he surveyed the battlefield below.
He had no desire to be a part of the impending chaos, but fate had thrust him into the heart of this storm. Though reluctant, the OWL was ready for the carnage that was about to unfold.
Behind the CCG barricade, five members of the Stone Guild stood together, discussing their strategy. Their leader, a hardened military man, turned to face the auction building. His eyes narrowed with determination. "We'll advance and kill every ghoul inside. Any player who stands in our way will die. The Stone Guild invested in me for this mission-—I won't go back empty-handed." The others nodded in agreement, tightening their grips on their rifles as they prepared for the bloodbath ahead.
Around the auction, other factions watched intently, players and ghouls alike.
Most players in hiding wore plain clothes and lacked the weapons needed to fight. They were hesitant, unsure of their role in the chaos about to erupt. Yet, despite their reluctance, they lingered, hoping for a chance to seize an opportunity amidst the violence.
Inside a van stationed at the heart of the CCG barricade, high-ranking officers issued the final order. "Move in. All soldiers and officers, advance."
The CCG forces began their slow, methodical approach toward the auction house, their weapons raised and ready. Among them were members of the Stone Guild, as well as players who had managed to integrate themselves into the CCG ranks. As the soldiers moved closer, tension mounted, the air thick with anticipation. Nearly seventy CCG members now surrounded the bank, inching ever closer.
On the roof, the OWL watched carefully, waiting for the right moment to make his move. But then, something caught his eye-a figure standing on the opposite building, masked and holding a metallic suitcase. It was Ali. The two men locked eyes across the expanse then without hesitation, Ali raised the detonator in his free hand, his eyes cold behind the mask. "Boom," he muttered, pressing the button.
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The explosion tore through the night, a series of deafening blasts that sent shockwaves through the area. The building beneath OWL shook violently, the floors collapsing in on themselves as the bombs went off in rapid succession.
The entire structure leaned forward, its foundation crumbling as it began to fall.
CCG soldiers below looked up in horror, their eyes wide with shock. They had no time to react.
The building crashed down on top of them, the sheer force of the collapse crushing them instantly. Dust and debris filled the air as the once-sturdy structure was reduced to rubble, burying the soldiers beneath it.
"Killed foot soldier of the CCG (1/10)"
"Killed foot soldier of the CCG (2/10)"
"Killed foot soldier of the CCG (3/10)"
"Killed foot soldier of the CCG (4/10)"
"Killed foot soldier of the CCG (5/10)"
"Killed an officer of the CCG (8/10)"
"Eliminated a fellow player, you are rewarded one Paradise coin."
Ali's interface flooded with alerts, the system meticulously tracking each life he had taken, each mission objective exceeded. The notifications continued to flash before his eyes until they finally stopped at "Killed an officer of the CCG (85/10)." It was a massacre, and Ali had single-handedly decimated the CCG forces with his calculated explosion.
With a slow, steady breath, Ali discarded the detonator, letting it fall to the ground. He walked to the edge of the building's roof, his cold eyes surveying the destruction below.
Then, without hesitation, he stepped off the roof, free-falling into the cold night air.
The wind whipped against his mask, a sharp chill that cut through the Tokyo night. For a moment, he closed his eyes, feeling the rush of adrenaline. As he reopened them, Ali clicked a button on the handle of his suitcase, and with a mechanical sound, the case opened, transforming into a massive red longsword.
The weapon pulsed with energy like blood pumping through a muscle, its blade glowing a fierce crimson.
With a swift motion, Ali stabbed the sword into the wall of the building behind him, the Bikaku-grade weapon slicing effortlessly through the concrete. The sword dragged along the wall, creating a deep gash in the structure as it slowed his descent. He landed gracefully on the ground, pulling the sword free with a powerful tug, leaving the high-story building scarred by his passage.
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