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Toshi moved forward, his legs shaky and unsteady, barely able to keep his steps even. The crowd parted as he walked, every set of eyes drilling into him, a thousand silent judgments pressing down on his shoulders. His breath hitched, his heart hammering louder with each step until it felt like it might burst from his chest.
He reached the double doors, towering and imposing, and pressed his palm against the cold surface. He shoved with all his strength, muscles straining, but the door barely moved, groaning in resistance. He kept pushing, sweat beading on his forehead. Slowly, agonizingly, the door began to shift.
' Open you stupid fucking door. '
Then, just as it gave way slightly, Toshi felt the pressure lighten. His eyes widened in surprise as he glanced to the side. An outstretched arm was beside him, someone helping to push, easing the burden. The door opened wider, and for a moment, Toshi's tense face softened into a flicker of relief, his lips twitching into a faint, uncertain smile as he stepped forward.
"There you go," the man said gently, giving Toshi a small, pitying smile as he pushed the door the rest of the way open.
Toshi let out a nervous chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck. "Thank you, I guess," he muttered, his voice unsteady. With a deep breath, he shifted his gaze ahead and stepped through the doorway.
When he walked through the doorway, he paused, turning to glance at a woman standing just inside the frame. She watched him with a nonchalant demeanor, her expression unreadable, as if she'd seen this scene play out far too many times before. Beyond the doors lay a simple hallway, dimly lit, with rows of identical doors lining both sides, a corridor of doors.
"You again...?" Toshi muttered, his brows furrowing. It felt like he was seeing this woman everywhere he went. "Don't you have other things to do...?" he asked, raising a skeptical brow. She merely adjusted her glasses, pushing them up the bridge of her nose with a practiced motion, her expression unfazed.
"I'm more of a tour guide than anything," she replied with a scoff, almost insulted by his question. Toshi let out a tired sigh. "Alright, lead the way," he said, gesturing for her to lead the way. Without another word, she spun on her heels and walked forward, the back of her heels clicking sharply against the floor.
As they walked, Toshi's gaze wandered around the corridor. "So, where are your bodyguards at...?" he asked, glancing around at the empty hallway, expecting to see the familiar, bodyguards from before to follow her.
But there was nothing, no guards, no security. Just her, walking steadily ahead, the dim light casting a shadow over her back. Toshi's attention shifted back to her, his curiosity piqued.
"Don't even try it... I have a detonator in my hand. One wrong move, and I'll blow your head clean off," she warned, her eyes narrowing with a cold, cutting glare.
Toshi's hands went up defensively, the chains around his wrists rattling with the motion. "Hey, I was just asking... no need to be so harsh," he said, forcing an awkward smile. A single bead of sweat slid down his cheek, falling off his chin.
She said nothing, her gaze lingering on him for a moment before she turned away and continued down the winding hall. They twisted through a few more corners until she stopped at a plain, unmarked door. She opened it and gave a curt gesture for Toshi to enter.
He stepped inside and found a surprisingly simple room. It was sparsely decorated, with only two deep red couches positioned across from each other. A crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a soft glow that filled the otherwise empty space.
She followed him in, gesturing to one of the couches. "Sit," she said. Toshi hesitated but eventually sank into the plush cushions. She remained standing, watching him with a piercing, unreadable gaze.
'This much stress can't be good for me, all in one day,' Toshi thought, letting out a heavy sigh. He gripped the fabric of his shirt, trying to calm the erratic pounding of his heart.
With only a passing glance at the woman, who remained silently observant, Toshi sank into the couch, forcing himself to settle. "So, what am I doing here?" he asked, his voice carrying a hint of frustration. She didn't respond, which only made Toshi feel more awkward. He shifted uncomfortably, fidgeting with his fingers, staring down at the floor.
Suddenly, the door swung open with a loud bang, walking in was short and fat man, with a wide, round belly that stretched against the fabric of his clothes. With a garish tiger-print fur coat draped over his torso, swaying as he moved. Around his thick, stubby neck hung a heavy gold chain that clinked with every step.
He wore a simple white button-up, unbuttoned halfway down to reveal a tangled mess of thick chest hair. His pants, tight and equally tiger-striped matching with his coat, while having a red loafers on. He grinned with a smug confidence, his beady eyes gleaming as they darted between Toshi and the woman, who remained impassive and still.
His hair was slicked back with so much gel it looked like a solid, shiny mass. The overpowering stench of booze hit Toshi's nose the moment the man entered the room. A wide, sloppy grin spread across his face, revealing a single golden tooth that glimmered against the chandelier's light.
"Hiccup—Where is he?" the man slurred, his words thick and tangled. He stumbled forward, barely managing to stay upright, as he waved the half-empty bottle of booze in his hand. A few drops splashed to the floor, adding to the sticky mess already trailing behind him.
The woman's jaw tightened, and she took a slow, deep breath, clearly restraining her frustration at the man's manners. She didn't even bother hiding her disdain as she spoke.
"Let me see your ticket, to confirm that you've completed the transaction," she said, cutting straight to the matter at hand. Her tone was cold, impatient. The drunken man burped loudly in response, "...So thwats its fwor..." he slurred, sticking out his tongue in concentration as he fumbled through his pockets. After a few moments of clumsy digging, he pulled out a small, crumpled piece of paper. He waved it in front of the woman's face, his eyes half-closed and unfocused.
She leaned in, checking over the paper. After a moment, she nodded. "Alright..." she muttered, reaching into her own pocket and pulling out a small metal key. With a quick flick of her wrist, she tossed it towards the drunken man. "That's it. I hope you enjoy our service," she said, her voice flat and detached.
The man barely managed to catch the key, nearly stumbling forward as he grabbed it. "Woah... yeah," he mumbled, a lazy grin spreading across his flushed, red cheeks.
The woman shook her head, clearly unimpressed, and shot Toshi a sidelong glance. Before turning and slipping out of the room, leaving the door to creak shut behind her.
The silence that followed was thick and uncomfortable. Toshi shifted in his seat, unsure of what to expect next, as the man stood there staring at him. His face was red, his breath heavy with the stench of alcohol, and his gaze was unfocused, yet oddly intense. It was like he was sizing Toshi up, though his drunken state made it hard to tell what was going on behind those glassy eyes.
'Is this guy... drunk?' Toshi thought, staring blankly at the man. The man coughed, clearing his throat with a wet, hacking sound before leaning forward, trying to appear authoritative despite his obvious drunken state.
"Alright, you piece of shit," he snarled, his voice suddenly sharp and aggressive. "You try anything, and remember...I've got the detonator. One wrong move, and your head's gone. I'm the one in control here, so watch yourself." He straightened up with a clumsy, self-important flourish, chest puffed out. "You may address me as Sir, and nothing else. Got that?" His words came out slow and slurred, as if forcing himself to sound intimidating.
Toshi's eyes narrowed, his lips twitching with a barely contained grin. 'If I weren't in these shackles, I'd beat the shit out of him,' he thought, the image of pounding that smug face making his chest tighten with satisfaction. 'He has such a punchable face.'
Toshi couldn't help but smirk inwardly as he glanced at the man's bloated, flushed face. It was almost too easy to imagine his fist connecting squarely with it. His thoughts wandered to the satisfying sound it might make...the kind of impact that would wipe the smug look off the man's face in an instant.
The man, straightened his posture, trying his best to appear more intimidating. His chest puffed out slightly as he gestured toward the door. "Let's get moving. And don't even think about stepping out of line, or I'll make sure you regret it."
Toshi's grin widened slightly, though he masked it as he turned his head to avoid eye contact. ' Oh, I'll regret it, huh? If you only knew what I was thinking right now... '
"Got it, Sir," Toshi replied with deliberate laziness, drawing out the title just enough to make it sound insincere. He shuffled forward as the man began to lead the way, his shackles clinking softly with each step.
The silence between them was suffocating, but Toshi didn't mind. It gave him time to think, to observe, and, most importantly...to plan. He kept his eyes low, feigning submission, but every so often, his gaze darted around the corridor, mapping out exits, potential hiding spots, and weak points in the man's posture.
As they turned a corner, Toshi couldn't help but laugh as the man walked. The man froze mid-step and spun around, glaring at Toshi with narrowed eyes. "What say something?"
Toshi shrugged, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "No sir."
The man shot Toshi a hard glare, teeth clenched, but didn't bother replying. Instead, he turned and kept walking, his heavy footsteps echoing down the hall. They made their way to another door, and with a rough shove, the man pushed it open, revealing the Atrium from before. It was still just as crowded, probably even more than usual.
They moved steadily toward the massive front doors, the sunlight resting just out of view. Toshi squinted as they stepped out, the sudden brightness stinging his eyes.
The afternoon sun hung high, bathing the stone steps in golden light, and a warm breeze caressed his face. After being locked away in a cold, dark cell for what felt like an eternity, the fresh air felt like a blessing. Even if he was still bound by shackles, the sensation of sunlight and open air made him feel a strange kind of freedom.
"Where are we going...?" Toshi asked, his feet aching from the long walk. The man stopped, a twisted grin spreading across his face, his golden tooth catching the sunlight.
"To gamble," he said, his voice dripping with excitement.
Toshi's brow shot up in surprise. Gambling? Of all the things he'd expected, this was not one of them.
. . . . .
The sky above them was a dark canvas, only the moonlight breaking through the night, casting its pale glow over the grimy alleyway. Toshi and the fat little man walked in silence, the soft shuffle of their footsteps the only sound. They continued through the narrow passage until the man stopped in front of a metal door attached to a crumbling building. It looked old, like it had seen years of neglect.
With a quick motion, the man raised his hand and knocked on the door in a rhythmic pattern.
*Knock* *Knock* *Pause* *Knock* *Pause* *Knock*
It was like a beat. The rhythmic knocking echoed in the alleyway as the metal hatch on the door slowly opened, revealing a pair of watchful eyes.
"Password...?" The voice came from behind the door.
The fat man cleared his throat, his voice lowering as he spoke firmly, "Goat."
At his words, the sound of locks turning echoed from behind the door, followed by a slow creak as it slowly opened. The man guarding the entrance didn't say another word, but his eyes flicked between the two before he stepped aside, allowing them enter.
Toshi and the man stepped into the building, the air inside musty, with the scent of old wood and rust. The room was empty, with only a narrow staircase leading deep downward. Sir, without a moment's hesitation, turned and started down the stairs, his footsteps slow as he struggled down the stairs.
Toshi followed closely behind, feeling a strange unease crawl up his spine. The stairs creaked under their weight as they walked down deeper into the building.
The tunnel at the bottom of the stairs was dark and narrow, stretching out into a bright light.
" KILL HIM. "
" SMASH HIS HEAD IN! "
" SKIN HIM! "
The sounds of muffled screams and distant shouting echoed from far down the passage, sending a chill through Toshi's body.
Was he in an underground pit fight.?
TO BE CONTINUED.
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