The slums of the Underworld were a maze of danger and opportunity, and Jin Sparrow had spent enough time navigating both to know the thin line that separated the two. There was always an undercurrent of chaos here, but now, with the gang war spiraling into deeper violence, that chaos was reaching a fever pitch. Demons that had once walked these streets with confidence now moved with wary eyes, quickened steps, and concealed weapons. And Jin was no different.
Disguised as a rogue mercenary with no allegiance to anyone but himself, Jin Sparrow had made a name for himself in the slums as someone who knew how to move through the cracks, always one step ahead of trouble. It was a skill that had served him—and by extension, Mikhael—well. But tonight, something felt different. He could sense it in the way the air seemed charged with an unseen tension, as though something big was about to happen.
Jin's long coat trailed behind him as he moved through the narrow alleyways, his eyes scanning the dark corners of the slums with the ease of someone who had made this place his hunting ground. The larger factions were still licking their wounds after the recent raid, but the power vacuum that had been created was making the smaller groups nervous. That nervousness made them dangerous, desperate.
Mikhael had tasked Jin with investigating an issue that had recently surfaced—an opportunity that, if handled correctly, could provide them with the resources they needed to tighten their grip on the underworld. Jin didn't know the full details yet, but the rumors swirling through the slums had pointed him in the direction of a local tavern where information flowed as freely as the drinks. It was a place where mercenaries, criminals, and demons of every stripe gathered, and Jin had a feeling that tonight, he would find exactly what he was looking for.
As he approached the tavern, a small, rundown building wedged between two crumbling stone walls, he paused, his senses sharpening. The soft murmur of voices inside reached his ears, mixed with the clinking of glasses and the occasional laugh. But there was something else beneath it—a tension, a sense of unease that told him this wasn't just another ordinary night.
Jin adjusted his coat and stepped through the door, the worn wood creaking under his weight. Inside, the tavern was dimly lit, with a thick layer of smoke hanging in the air. The patrons—mostly low-level demons and shady characters—eyed him warily as he made his way to the bar. Jin had been here before, and though he wasn't a regular, he knew how to blend in. He moved with the casual grace of someone who belonged, but who also knew not to get too comfortable.
He slid onto a stool at the bar, nodding to the barkeep—a burly demon with a scar running down the side of his face. The barkeep grunted in acknowledgment, pouring a drink without a word. Jin accepted it, but his focus was on the conversations happening around him.
"—another one taken out by a bounty hunter, I heard. Sliced him clean in half, just like that."
"Bounty hunter?" Jin's ears perked up as he caught the tail end of the conversation from a nearby table. Two demons were hunched over their drinks, speaking in low voices, but the words were clear enough. "They're everywhere now, crawling all over the slums. You get a price on your head, and it's only a matter of time before they come knocking."
Jin took a slow sip of his drink, turning slightly to get a better look at the two demons. They were typical slum rats—rough around the edges, with a mix of desperation and fear in their eyes. But what caught Jin's attention was the word they had used: **bounty hunter**. That was something he hadn't heard much about in the slums before. Mercenaries, sure. Assassins, definitely. But bounty hunters were a different breed—organized, professional, and motivated by one thing: money.
"And how much do you think they're getting paid for a job like that?" one of the demons asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
The other demon shook his head, taking a long drink before answering. "Doesn't matter. They take on jobs no one else will, and they get paid plenty. Heard they're part of some guild or something. If you've got a mark on your head, you might as well be dead already."
Jin's mind raced. A guild of bounty hunters operating in the slums? That was new, and it piqued his interest. If there was money to be made—and a lot of it—by taking on bounties, then that was something Mikhael needed to know about. Money was power in the underworld, and if bounty hunters were making it by hunting down marked demons, then Mikhael could either use them or take control of the system altogether.
The two demons continued talking, oblivious to Jin's interest. "They've been hitting the small-time players first," the second demon continued, his voice low. "But the big bosses? They're next. Heard one of 'em's already got a bounty on his head."
Jin raised an eyebrow. That was interesting. If the big gang leaders were being targeted, it meant the bounty hunters were getting bold. Taking down a high-profile target in the slums would cause ripples, and if someone was willing to pay for it, it meant there was serious money involved.
He finished his drink and stood, tossing a few coins onto the bar. The barkeep grunted again in acknowledgment, but Jin's mind was already elsewhere. If the bounty hunters were becoming a force in the slums, it was time to dig deeper.
---
The Hunt Begins
Jin slipped out of the tavern and back into the darkened streets, his coat trailing behind him as he moved swiftly through the alleys. The information he had overheard was valuable, but it wasn't enough. He needed to find out more about this guild of bounty hunters—who they were, how they operated, and most importantly, how much money they were making. If there was profit to be had, Mikhael would want to control it.
He knew of a place where he could start. It was a rough part of the slums, even by the standards of this lawless place. It was the kind of place where deals were made in blood, and the only currency that mattered was power. If there were bounty hunters operating in the slums, that's where they would be.
Jin made his way deeper into the underworld, the alleys growing narrower and more treacherous. The streets were quieter here, but the danger was palpable. He kept his hand close to the hilt of the dagger hidden beneath his coat, his senses on high alert. He had dealt with more than his share of scum in the slums, but bounty hunters were a different kind of predator. They didn't kill for revenge, or for territory. They killed for money, and that made them both dangerous and useful.
The area he was heading toward was known as The Warrens, a network of tunnels and ruins that had long since been abandoned by anyone with sense. It was a place where deals were made in the shadows, where mercenaries and criminals met to exchange information, weapons, and sometimes lives. It was also rumored to be the home of a few bounty hunters, though Jin had never verified that for himself.
As he approached the entrance to The Warrens, he slowed, blending into the shadows as he moved cautiously. There were no guards, no visible sentries, but that didn't mean it was safe. The silence here was dangerous, and Jin knew better than to announce his presence.
He slipped inside, the air growing colder and the scent of damp stone filling his nostrils. The tunnels twisted and turned, and Jin moved with practiced ease, his eyes scanning every dark corner for signs of life. He wasn't sure what he was looking for, but his instincts told him he was close.
After what felt like hours of walking through the labyrinthine tunnels, Jin finally found what he was looking for. Ahead, the faint glow of light flickered, casting long shadows across the stone walls. Voices, low and hushed, echoed through the corridor, and Jin moved closer, careful to stay out of sight.
He stopped just short of the entrance to the chamber, pressing himself against the wall as he listened. There were three voices, maybe four, speaking in a language he didn't recognize. He couldn't make out the words, but the tone was clear—this was a negotiation, and the stakes were high.
Jin risked a quick glance around the corner, his eyes narrowing as he took in the scene. In the center of the chamber stood three demons, all of them tall and heavily armed. They were clearly bounty hunters—mercenaries by trade, their bodies covered in scars and their eyes cold. Across from them stood a smaller, nervous-looking demon, his hands trembling as he handed over a large bag of coins.
"That'll cover the first half," one of the bounty hunters said, his voice a deep growl. "You'll get the rest when the job's done."
The smaller demon nodded quickly, backing away as the bounty hunters inspected the payment. Jin couldn't hear what was being said next, but the message was clear—someone had just placed a bounty, and the hunters were ready to collect.
Jin's mind raced. This was exactly what he had been looking for. These bounty hunters were part of something larger—an organization that was operating in the shadows of the slums, collecting money to take out targets
for whoever had the coin. If Mikhael could tap into this, or better yet, control it, they would have access to a steady flow of money and influence.
But first, Jin needed more information. He couldn't confront the bounty hunters directly, not yet. He needed to follow them, see where they went, who they worked for. If he could gather enough intel, Mikhael could make his move.
---
The Pursuit
Jin waited until the exchange was finished, watching as the smaller demon scurried out of the chamber and disappeared into the tunnels. The bounty hunters remained for a few minutes longer, speaking in low voices before finally turning and heading deeper into The Warrens. Jin followed them at a safe distance, keeping to the shadows as they moved through the maze of tunnels.
The bounty hunters were careful, but not careful enough. Jin had spent years learning how to move unnoticed, and he used every trick he knew to stay out of sight as he followed them. They didn't seem to be in any hurry, and Jin wondered if they were heading back to their base of operations.
After what felt like hours of winding through the labyrinth, the bounty hunters finally stopped in front of a large, rusted metal door. One of them knocked twice, and after a brief pause, the door creaked open, revealing a darkened room beyond. The hunters stepped inside, and the door slammed shut behind them.
Jin approached cautiously, pressing his ear to the door. He could hear muffled voices on the other side, but he couldn't make out the words. He considered his options. He could try to sneak in, but that was risky. If he was caught, it could blow his cover and ruin everything.
Instead, he decided to wait. The bounty hunters would have to leave eventually, and when they did, Jin would be ready.
---
The Guild of Bounty Hunters
Hours passed, and Jin remained in the shadows, his patience wearing thin. But finally, the door creaked open, and the bounty hunters emerged. They spoke briefly with someone inside the room before heading off in different directions, disappearing into the tunnels.
Jin waited until they were gone before slipping up to the door. He pressed his hand against the metal, feeling the cold surface beneath his palm. This was it—this was where the bounty hunters were operating from. If he could get inside, he might be able to learn more about how they worked, who they took orders from, and how much money was flowing through this operation.
He reached for the handle, but it was locked. No surprise there. Jin frowned, his mind racing as he considered his next move. He didn't have time to waste, but breaking in would be risky.
Instead, he stepped back, taking one last look at the door before disappearing into the shadows. He had seen enough for now. He would report back to Mikhael, and together, they could plan their next move.
---
Back to Mikhael
By the time Jin returned to Mikhael's shelter, the night was well underway. He slipped inside, his coat still trailing behind him as he approached Mikhael, who was seated in the corner, deep in thought.
"Find anything?" Mikhael asked without looking up.
Jin nodded. "Yeah. There's a guild of bounty hunters operating out of The Warrens. They're taking bounties from anyone with enough coin, and they're targeting both small-time players and big bosses. It's organized, professional. Whoever's running it knows what they're doing."
Mikhael's eyes gleamed with interest. "And the money?"
"Plenty of it," Jin replied. "They're getting paid well for every hit. If we can tap into this, we could have a steady flow of resources."
Mikhael leaned back, his mind already working through the possibilities. Money was power in the slums, and if they could control the flow of bounty contracts, they would have both. But there was more to it than that. If they played their cards right, they could use the bounty hunters to take out rivals, manipulate the power structure of the underworld, and solidify their hold on the slums.
"Good work," Mikhael said, standing. "We'll keep an eye on them for now. But when the time comes, we'll take control of that guild—and with it, the slums."
Jin grinned. "Looking forward to it, boss."
As the night deepened, the wheels of Mikhael's plan continued to turn. The slums were ripe for the taking, and soon, with the bounty hunter guild in their grasp, they would control not just the flow of money—but the fate of every demon who dared to cross them.