(Bonus Chapter Due to Power Stones, Thank You to all who support my work! Special Thanks to all who have given me reviews. Thank you, your support keeps me going.)
As the group trekked back to the warehouse, the girl they had saved clung to Guldrin's side, her trembling hands clutching the hem of his jacket. The adrenaline from their earlier encounter was beginning to wane, replaced by the raw emotion of survival and gratitude. Her sobs were quiet, muffled against the sleeve of his jacket as she struggled to compose herself.
Guldrin had seen this reaction before, the trauma, the relief, and the overwhelming confusion of being thrust from one nightmare into another. His heart ached for the girl, but he kept his face neutral, his focus on their surroundings. The night was far from over, and the world outside their safe haven, remained an unforgiving battleground.
Shiro greeted them at the warehouse entrance, her expression shifting from curiosity to concern as her eyes landed on the girl. "What happened? I saw you walking toward the warehouse with a little girl in tow, who is she?" she asked, her voice soft but urgent.
"Don't know her name, we found her in one of the buildings," Maki explained, her tone clipped as she secured the door behind them. "She's been through hell."
Shiro's eyes softened as she knelt in front of the girl, her usually aloof demeanor giving way to a surprising warmth. "It's okay now," she said gently. "You're safe here."
The girl, barely older than eleven or twelve, lifted her tear-streaked face, her eyes darting between Shiro and Guldrin. She hesitated, her voice small and shaky as she finally spoke. "M-My name is Akane," she began. "They... they took me and my sister."
That caught everyone's attention. Kohta, who had been unusually quiet on the return trip, straightened, his brows furrowing. "Your sister?" he asked, his tone unusually sharp.
Akane nodded, her tears threatening to spill over again. "Her name is Asami Nakaoka. She's a police officer." She paused, her small hands gripping the fabric of her tattered clothes as she struggled to continue. "We were... we were together when those men came. They held someone hostage and forced her to surrender. Afterward... after she gave up, they took me and... and…" Her voice broke, and she began to sob uncontrollably.
Shiro wrapped an arm around her, murmuring words of comfort as Guldrin knelt beside them. "Take your time," he said softly, his usual gruffness replaced by a surprising gentleness, but an undeniable rage boiled under the surface of his facade.
Akane wiped her face on her sleeve, taking a shaky breath. "They brought me here. Their boss said… said they could do whatever they wanted with me." Her voice dropped to a whisper, barely audible. "I was so scared. I don't know where they took my sister, but... they made us walk for a long time before they stopped. Maybe… maybe twenty minutes away."
The room fell silent as her words sank in. Maki clenched her fists, her expression dark. Kohta's face turned red, his fists trembling at his sides. "They said they were trading her… They took her to…" He didn't finish the sentence. The implication was enough to send a surge of anger through the room.
Kohta was the first to break the silence. "We can't let this stand," he said, his voice shaking with emotion. "We have to save her."
Guldrin nodded, his own anger simmering just beneath the surface. "Agreed. But we'll do this smart. We don't know how many of them there are or what we're walking into. I am not a bleeding heart, but we can't turn our back if we can help without putting our group in danger. Despite what Takashi said, I do have a heart, I just don't let it control me."
Maki crossed her arms, her sharp eyes scanning the group. "I'm in. This isn't just about revenge; it's about sending a message. People like that don't get to live in this world. I didn't lose my extended family fighting for my country for people like that to live here!"
Shiro hesitated, her gaze flicking between Guldrin and the trembling Akane. "What about her?" she asked. "We can't leave her alone."
Guldrin met Shiro's eyes, his expression softening. "She stays here with you. Keep her safe. We'll take care of this."
Shiro nodded, pulling Akane into a gentle embrace. "Don't worry," she said. "You're safe now. I can be a new big sis for you; there is no rule that says you can only have one big sister." She nodded, and the girl looked at her like she was an angel, while Guldrin and the rest left with grim faces, their intents clear.
The group set out with grim determination, their weapons secured and their minds focused on the mission ahead. The streets were eerily silent, save for the occasional groans of the undead in the distance. The moonlight cast long shadows on the cracked pavement, illuminating the group as they moved like wraiths through the night.
Kohta led the way, his uncharacteristic silence betraying his deep-seated anger. His grip on his rifle was tight, his knuckles white as he scanned the path ahead. Maki followed close behind, her eyes sharp and calculating, every step deliberate and silent. Guldrin brought up the rear, his mind racing with tactical considerations. Despite his rage, he knew they couldn't afford to be reckless.
They reached the spot where Akane had been found and began retracing her steps. Guldrin knelt to examine the ground, his sharp eyes noting the disturbed dirt and broken grass blades. "They were dragging her," he murmured. "You can see how uneven the steps are. No wonder her feet and legs had wounds all over them…"
Kohta crouched beside him, his jaw clenched. "Bastards didn't even try to hide their trail. They were confident no one would come after them."
"They underestimated the wrong people," Guldrin replied coldly. "Let's move."
The trail led them through a maze of abandoned buildings, the decrepit structures standing as grim reminders of the world that once was. The air grew heavier as they approached their destination, the faint sound of laughter and clinking bottles drifting through the still night. Guldrin raised a hand, signaling the group to stop.
Maki crouched beside him, her sharp eyes narrowing as she peered through her scope. "I count six guards outside. Armed, but not well. They look relaxed."
"Overconfident," Guldrin said. "That works in our favor. Kohta, you take the left flank. Maki, find a vantage point and take out any stragglers. I'll move in from the right."
Kohta nodded, his anger fueling his resolve. Maki slipped away into the shadows, her movements silent and precise. Guldrin watched her disappear before turning to Kohta. "Stay sharp. This isn't just about saving Asami. It's about sending a message."
Kohta gave a grim smile. "They'll get the message."
The operation began with the sharp crack of Maki's silenced rifle. One of the guards dropped without a sound, his lifeless body slumping against the wall. The others barely had time to react before Kohta's rifle roared to life, his shots precise and deadly. Guldrin moved in like a shadow, his blade slicing through the air with lethal efficiency.
The guards never stood a chance. Within minutes, the outside of the building was cleared. Guldrin signaled for the group to regroup at the entrance, his breathing steady despite the adrenaline coursing through his veins.
Inside, the scene was far worse than they had anticipated. The air was thick with the stench of sweat, alcohol, and blood. Several men lounged around, their laughter cruel and grating. At the center of the room was a woman, her hands bound behind her back and her uniform torn. Despite her battered appearance, there was a defiance in her eyes, a refusal to be broken, though she didn't resemble Akane, and her badge said Yumi.
Guldrin's blood boiled. He clenched his fists, forcing himself to remain calm. "Maki, take the ones at the back. Kohta, cover me."
The group moved with deadly precision. Maki's shots were silent and swift, each one finding its mark with unerring accuracy. Kohta's rifle barked once, twice, dropping two more men before they could react. Guldrin moved like a wraith, his blade a blur as he dispatched the remaining men with ruthless efficiency.
The room fell silent, the bodies of the men sprawled across the floor. Guldrin knelt beside Yumi, cutting the ropes that bound her wrists. "Where is Asami?" He asked as the woman looked at him with a thankful gaze.
Yumi's eyes fluttered, her gaze turned wary as his words sank in as she looked up at Guldrin, her expression a mixture of fear and gratitude. She rubbed her wrists where the ropes had left deep, raw marks. For a moment, she just stared at him, seemingly weighing her words carefully before speaking in a hoarse voice.
"They took her… earlier," Yumi began, her eyes darting to the door as though the memories were too fresh. "She was supposed to be traded… for someone else." Her voice faltered at the thought. "A little girl… not even ten. I… I think her name was Alice. They said age means nothing in this new world, and that she would be his… plaything! Please, as a police officer, I can't allow that to happen, but as weak as I am now… I can't save her, please, SAVE HER!"
Kohta, who had been scanning the room for any further threats, froze. His rifle tightened in his grip, his eyes darkening as he turned to face Yumi. "A kid? They were going to trade Asami for a FUCKING kid?"
Yumi nodded, her eyes filled with sorrow. "They said something about someone by the name of Shido wanting Asami, that she was the one they really needed… and Asami was just a bargaining chip for the boss to get the little girl... A way to get to her. I couldn't hear much, but…" She trailed off, shaking her head, the horror of it all sinking in. "It's wrong. They're sick."
Guldrin felt the rage burning hotter inside him, a steady and seething flame that threatened to consume him. He had thought he'd seen the worst of humanity, but this? This was something else entirely. To trade a grown woman for a child was beyond even his most twisted expectations. "Takashi… you better hope and pray you had no knowledge of this, or I will flay you alive," Guldrin muttered
"We will find them, no one who thinks that way is worth breathing the same air as everyone else," Guldrin said through clenched teeth. He was already moving toward the door, his blade in hand, his posture taut with barely contained fury. He couldn't… he wouldn't… let this stand.
"Wait," Maki said, stepping forward from her vantage point, her sharp eyes glinting with resolve. "We need a plan. Going in blind is dangerous, especially if Shido's involved. The guy's not some small-time thug. He's got a reputation. Even I know of that bastard's cunning, his father was a politician, and he used to commit crime after crime with no repercussions… If he is now free and running things, he won't be held back by the former laws that kept him slightly more tame."
Guldrin turned to face her, his expression cold and hard. "We don't have time for plans. Asami's gone, and wasting more time planning could let them put that poor little girl, Alice, in more potential danger… Sometimes, you need to just act and deal with the consequences. I am sure as a former special forces sniper, you understand that sentiment."
Maki's lips curled into a tight, frustrated frown, but she didn't argue. "Fine," she said, though there was a hint of caution in her voice. "But if we're going in, we do it clean. I'll cover you from the outside." Guldrin shook his head, "Maki, bring Yumi back to the warehouse, she has been through a lot, and it is time to let her rest and recover… I can't imagine the horrors she has been through." Maki nodded, she wanted to argue but knew he was right.
"I'll stick with you," Kohta added, his eyes burning with an intensity that mirrored Guldrin's. "I'm not letting that bastard stay alive to hurt anyone else, and Takashi, he is trash if he let this happen, so much for believing in the righteousness of humanity. Even if he didn't know, he is still garbage!"
Yumi, now free from her restraints, stood shakily. Her hands were still trembling, but her resolve was clear. "Please… you have to stop them. There's no telling what they'll do to her once they trade her to Shido. I don't know exactly who he is, but the others... they were scared of him. That's all I know."
Guldrin didn't give her a second look, already walking toward the door, his mind spinning with the information he'd just received. His thoughts were dark, the shadows of the world outside pressing in on him like a vice. If they were right, the boss of this foreign group had already taken Asami to Shido's base of operations, and given who he is, Guldrin knew that if he wasn't stopped soon, Shido would make their world a hundred times darker.
The group split up, Maki leading Yumi, and Guldrin and Kohta going further into the city as they moved out of the building quickly, their footsteps echoing eerily in the silence of the abandoned streets. The night was thick with tension, every corner hiding the potential for danger. Guldrin didn't slow, his focus entirely on the task at hand. His thoughts kept returning to the words Yumi had shared about Shido and the child they were planning to trade to him. The idea of such a grotesque exchange gnawed at him, and a deep, visceral disgust swirled in his gut. There was no world where this kind of thing should be allowed.
As they moved through the broken streets, the sounds of their footsteps were drowned out by the distant groans of the undead, wandering aimlessly, as though the horrors of the world had turned them into mindless husks. But for Guldrin, the true horror lay in the living, in those who still carried their own brand of madness. Shido, Takashi and whoever followed him, were monsters far worse than any of the undead.
The appliance store that they had watched Shido's group retreat to after their confrontation with Takashi at the bridge, came into view soon enough, its shattered windows and crumbling facade a dark mockery of what it had once been. The faint orange glow of a fire flickered inside, casting eerie shadows on the walls of the building. Guldrin held up his hand, signaling for Kohta to stop. He could hear voices faintly from inside, low, murmuring, and occasionally punctuated by laughter.
"We move fast," Guldrin said in a voice that left no room for debate. "Kohta, cover me from above. I will wait for your signal, and be ready to breach. Take an earpiece, stay in contact." He tossed him a small earpiece they had grabbed from the warehouse before their departure.
Kohta caught it, placed it on his ear and nodded, checking his rifle one last time. "Let's go."
The night hung heavy in the air, the tension palpable, as if the very world itself was holding its breath. The ruins of the city stretched before them, its silence broken only by the occasional shuffle of the undead, their grotesque forms stumbling aimlessly, unaware of the dangers that still lurked in the shadows. But those were the easy targets, the ones who were already lost to the world. It was the living that posed the real threat, and as Guldrin and Kohta moved cautiously toward the dilapidated appliance store, that threat was all too real.
The store's broken windows were like jagged teeth in the night, the flickering orange glow inside casting long, unnatural shadows across the cracked pavement. Guldrin's heart pounded in his chest, but it wasn't fear that fueled him; it was a fury that threatened to consume him whole. The thought of what they had done to Alice, to Asami, and to everyone else who had fallen into Shido's sickening web of depravity gnawed at his very soul. 'If only I wasn't passed out, I could have killed him on that bus before he pulled this shit.' Guldrin thought as he looked at the building.
His breath steady, Guldrin crouched low, his eyes scanning the perimeter of the building. He could hear faint voices coming from inside, low and guttural, mixed with the sounds of laughter, like wolves tearing into a carcass. A part of him wanted to burst in, to tear through the walls and slaughter them all, but he knew better. Precision. Caution. They couldn't afford to make any noise, not with Shido and his followers so close.
Kohta had already moved into position, his rifle aimed at the upper windows, ready to take out any threats from above. Guldrin took a final glance at him before seeing Kohta signal to breach. Kohta had taken up position on a high-rise balcony, using the railing as a bipod.
Guldrin moved like a shadow, silent and deadly, slipping through the alleyways that led to the rear entrance of the store. The stench of decay and burnt plastic hung in the air, mixing with the faint smell of food that came from a pot left unattended inside. Guldrin's mind was racing. They had to move fast, had to save Alice and Asami before it was too late.
As he reached the door, he paused, pressing his ear against the rotting wood of the long-abandoned shop. The sounds inside were clearer now, the conversations more distinct. He could hear Shido's voice, cold and commanding, his words punctuated by occasional bursts of laughter. Guldrin's fist clenched around the handle, his mind racing with thoughts of what he would do to the man once he got his hands on him.
But there was something more, something that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. It wasn't just Shido's voice. There was another sound, faint at first, but growing clearer. It was the soft whimper of a dog, barely audible over the noise inside, but unmistakable. It was the sound of a dog trying to protect its master, Guldrin's heart sank. The dog, too, was caught up in this nightmare.
He motioned for Kohta to stay alert, and then, after noticing the door was locked, he shrugged and with a single, fluid movement, Guldrin kicked the door open. The sound of wood splintering and metal scraping across the floor echoed through the building, a violent warning that their presence had been made known. But the element of surprise was still on their side. As the door crashed open, Guldrin was already moving inside, his blade a flash of silver in the dim light.
The first man didn't even see him coming. Guldrin's blade struck with lethal precision, slicing through the man's throat in a single, fluid motion. Blood sprayed across the floor, staining the filthy tiles. The man crumpled to the ground, his body twitching for a moment before going still. Guldrin didn't pause to admire his work. He was already moving on, his focus unwavering.
Kohta's rifle cracked, the sound of a shot silencing one of the men in the corner, his head exploding in a red mist. The remaining four men scrambled, reaching for their weapons, but it was already too late. Guldrin was among them, his blade dancing through the air like a vengeful spirit. The first man to raise his gun never had a chance. Guldrin was faster, his blade carving through his chest, cutting through flesh and bone with ease. The man dropped like a rag doll, his body twitching as it hit the floor.
The remaining men were slower, caught off guard by the sheer speed and brutality of the assault. Guldrin dispatched them with ruthless efficiency, shooting some with his MK 23 and cutting through them one by one, his movements fluid and relentless. Blood splattered across the walls, the floor, and even the ceiling, the carnage painting a grotesque picture of vengeance.
Kohta was like an angel of death, his rifle barking as he took out the last two guards with pinpoint accuracy. The room was silent now, save for the sounds of their labored breathing. The stench of death filled the air, mixing with the foul odor of rotting food and garbage. Guldrin wiped the blood from his blade, his expression grim as he surveyed the scene.
"Clear," Kohta muttered into his earpiece, his voice cold. "Now, find the girls."
Guldrin nodded and moved deeper into the building, his footsteps echoing through the narrow halls. The firelight flickered ahead, casting long shadows that seemed to stretch like fingers toward them. As he rounded a corner, he found what they were looking for, Alice and Asami, chained to the wall, their bodies bloodied and bruised, their eyes vacant but still alive. At least the worst didn't happen, which was evident by their intact clothing, and rising chests.
In the corner, lay a man wearing an identical uniform to the men they killed at the Russian-speaking group before, "He killed the boss that was going to trade him Asami, haha, serves you right, deal with a monster like Shido, and think he will fulfill his side truthfully. Naive." He scowled as he kicked the man, seeing a wide-open wound in his chest and head.
Guldrin turned his sigh back to the girls, the sight of them sent a fresh wave of anger through Guldrin, but there was no time for hesitation. He was already moving toward them, his hands quick and efficient as he unlocked the chains from the walls, and lifted them both into his arms. Since he didn't have the keys, he wasn't able to remove the manacles from their wrists, but at least they were freed from the wall.
Asami was limp in his grip, her body bruised and battered from whatever horrors she had endured. Alice, on the other hand, was barely conscious, her small frame trembling in his arms as he cradled her gently.
A dog, with a collar that said 'Zeke', was huddled in the corner, his tail wagging weakly as he saw Guldrin approach. Alice's eyes fluttered open, and she weakly reached out toward the dog, her voice hoarse and barely audible. "Please… take him with us…"
Guldrin didn't hesitate. He scooped up Zeke, holding the dog carefully in his arms as he continued to carry the girls toward the exit. The faint sounds of their whimpering were a stark contrast to the violence that had just unfolded. They had saved them, but there was no time to celebrate. There was no victory here, only the bitter taste of what they had witnessed, what they had narrowly prevented.
As they made their way back toward the entrance, they heard a noise behind them, a faint creak of floorboards, the shuffle of footsteps, and then a voice that made Guldrin's blood run cold.
"Well, well… looks like you're a bit late."
"Fuck… Kohta, do you have a shot?" Kohta's voice came in, "No, I am moving now to see if I can find an angle, stall for time." Guldrin's heart sank, what more could he do than to set the girls down slowly and engage in conversation.
Shido stepped out from the shadows, his smile twisted with sadistic pleasure. He was flanked by Takashi, his face cold and unreadable, his eyes dull, as though he had already made his choice. The change in him was undeniable. The Takashi that Guldrin had once known, the one who had fought to protect those he loved, the one who had been filled with hope, was gone. In his place was a hollow shell, a man who had been consumed by Shido's depravity, who now stood as a willing servant to his dark cause.
Shido played with a .22 revolver, his voice dripped with mockery as he surveyed the room. "I was hoping you'd make it here. I knew you wouldn't be able to resist. But I'm afraid you're too late. The girls are already mine, and Takashi has made his choice. Hahaha, he said you were heartless, but I knew, I knew you wouldn't be able to resist playing the hero… After that feat of selflessness facing off against that abomination by yourself… I knew, you hide it, but you are someone who would sacrifice yourself for someone else. A. Fool."
Takashi's gaze flickered over to Guldrin, but there was no recognition in his eyes. No warmth. No humanity. Only cold indifference. "This is the new world," he said, his voice flat, devoid of emotion. "And in this world, power is everything. You should've known that by now, Guldrin. People like you… you're just weak. You set me on this path when you took everything from me! When I found little Alice outside the apartment, I saved her like a hero, Shido saw it and took me in, but he made me choose… Alice, or safety, I chose safety as you would have."
The words struck like a physical blow, but Guldrin didn't flinch. His rage burned hotter than ever, but he knew that they had to act fast. Shido was a cunning and dangerous foe, and Takashi, despite his fall, was still a formidable opponent as Guldrin had to protect the girls. Guldrin's grip tightened on his blade, his MK 23 in his other hand, as he prepared for the inevitable confrontation.
"You've made a grave mistake, Takashi," Guldrin growled, his voice low and deadly. "You're about to find out just how far you've fallen."
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