Scar Gun was a notorious figure in the area, a hulking man whose reputation for bullying spread like wildfire in the slums. His nickname, "Scar Gun," was earned through years of ruthless intimidation, and he reveled in tormenting both men and women. With a gang of loyal thugs at his disposal, Scar Gun ran roughshod over the neighborhood, using his power to prey on the vulnerable.
Two years ago, Scar Gun aligned himself with a mysterious figure—a shadowy big boss who introduced a money-lending operation in the area. Life in the slums was already a struggle for most families, and many lived paycheck to paycheck. Leonardo's family, like so many others, was caught in the same web of financial desperation. With two younger sisters to look after, and parents who felt the crushing weight of poverty, they were forced to borrow money from Scar Gun.
What followed was the start of their spiral into the abyss of loan sharking. High-interest rates piled up, and soon, they were drowning in debt. It wasn't just Leonardo's family—many others in the neighborhood were trapped in the same cycle, struggling to make payments they could never hope to afford.
Scar Gun, meanwhile, lived a life of luxury amidst the suffering of others. His wealth grew as he charged outrageous interest rates, exploiting the pain of those around him. Whispers spread that his benefactor, the mysterious boss behind the money-lending empire, was a figure known only as the "Doom-Breaker," a name that sent chills through the neighborhood. No one dared to cross Scar Gun. The consequences were too terrifying to even imagine.
---
"Brother Scar, this is half a month's salary for me. Could you show some leniency and give me a few more days?" Leonardo pleaded, his voice filled with desperation.
Bang!
Scar Gun slammed his fist on the table, knocking over the beer and scattering the food across the room, splashing it on Adam.
"Stop whining about being poor!" Scar Gun snarled. "Listen up, if your family can't pay up by next month, I'll take your two sisters and sell them to Mor'Dhul to work as hostesses!"
Mor'Dhul, like Crypta, was one of the twelve fortress cities of the Darkhaven Imperium. But while Crypta was known for its sturdy walls and military might, Mor'Dhul was infamous as the "City of Sin." Its streets were filled with every vice imaginable, a breeding ground for corruption and debauchery. Many hopeful souls from the slums traveled there seeking fortune, though most never returned, swallowed by the city's dangers.
Adam's fists clenched in fury, his body trembling with the urge to strike. His gaze burned with hatred as he stared up at Scar Gun, who smirked in satisfaction, oblivious to the fire building in Adam.
The thug sneered, noticing Adam's glare. "You dare look at me like that, you little brat?" He grabbed Adam by the collar, his fingers digging into the fabric.
The scythe tattoo on Adam's arm flared with heat, sending a sharp pulse of warning through him. Rose instinctively stepped forward as if to protect her master.
Adam frowned and quickly quelled her urge to act with a single mental command. He didn't want to attract attention, especially not in broad daylight. The Warfare Department of the Darkhaven Imperium couldn't find out about this—everything was too delicate.
"Don't worry," Adam muttered, his voice calm despite the rage boiling beneath the surface.
Leonardo, sensing the escalating tension, stepped in with a nervous smile, trying to defuse the situation. "Brother Scar, please, just give us back the money! I promise we'll pay it all back! Here—this five hundred dollars is for you. Please, be generous and let us go."
Scar Gun's mood shifted slightly, but only enough to release Adam with a satisfied grunt. He waved dismissively at his men, who were already entering the restaurant, their presence adding to the oppressive atmosphere.
"That's better. Get lost!" Scar Gun growled.
Without wasting another moment, Leonardo hurriedly dragged Adam away, but as they walked down the street, Leonardo, still shaken, spoke in a trembling voice, "I thought I was going to die! Hey, Adam, are you really going to take action against Scar Gun?"
Adam smirked, his gaze distant. If it came to blows, Scar Gun wouldn't last long. He was just one scythe stroke away from defeat.
Leonardo continued to voice his concerns, but Adam remained silent, his mind already formulating a bold plan.
---
Later that night, the slums took on an even darker, more sinister tone. Adam moved silently through the alleys, his footsteps muffled by the damp ground. He was no longer the unassuming man who had pleaded for mercy earlier—tonight, he was a predator, cloaked in shadows.
He had changed into a black sports suit, his face concealed by a mask and sunglasses, with a worn baseball cap pulled low over his brow. His disguise was carefully constructed, meant to blend in with the darkness.
Tonight, his target was clear: the criminal syndicate run by Scar Gun.
Adam knew that Scar Gun and his men often gathered in an old, abandoned warehouse at the northern edge of the slums. It was a place where deals were made and lives were ruined.
As Adam approached the warehouse, he paused, his eyes narrowing. The air felt heavy, charged with the promise of violence.
Peering through a crack in the broken window, he saw Scar Gun standing across from a tall, imposing figure. The tension in the room was palpable. Scar Gun's men were huddled around, casting wary glances at the two figures in the center.
"Mr. Robert, it's not that I, Scar Gun, don't know how to show gratitude," Scar Gun said, lighting a cigarette with shaking hands. "But the amount you're asking for is just too much."
He took a deep drag and exhaled, smoke curling around his face. "Look, I have so many brothers who rely on me to survive. You wouldn't want us all to starve, would you?"
The atmosphere in the warehouse grew thick, suffocating. Scar Gun's nervous glances betrayed his anxiety as he faced Mr. Robert, the figure who had helped him establish his money-lending empire.
Adam had planned to act immediately, but as he observed the situation, his caution grew. Mr. Robert wasn't just a typical thug—he was something more. Rumors on the streets suggested that he was a legitimate Doom-Breaker. And Doom-Breakers weren't to be taken lightly.
---
"Scar Gun, do you have any misunderstandings about our relationship?" Mr. Robert's lips twisted into a strange smile, his eyes gleaming darkly as he lifted his head.
Before Scar Gun could respond, vicious vines shot out from the void, moving with inhuman speed. They wrapped around his massive body before he could react.
The room fell into stunned silence as Scar Gun's men recoiled, their faces painted with fear.
"Doom-Breaker... he's a Doom-Breaker," one of the thugs whispered, his voice shaking.
The vines tightened around Scar Gun's form, digging into his skin. Blood began to seep from the wounds as the vines constricted, their barbed roots sinking deeper into his flesh.
The massive flower that emerged seemed almost sentient, its petals curling like the fangs of a venomous serpent, angling toward Scar Gun's head.
"Do you really think there's fairness between us?" Mr. Robert's voice was icy, dripping with disdain. He leaned closer, and the vines responded instantly, tightening their grip.
Scar Gun gasped for breath, the veins in his forehead bulging as he pleaded for mercy. "Mr. Robert, I was wrong… I'll follow your rules for the monthly distribution… Please, spare my life…"
Outside the window, Adam's eyes widened. This was no ordinary thug—Mr. Robert was the real deal. A true Doom-Breaker.
But there was still the question: what level was this monster? Could Rose handle it if necessary?
Suddenly, Adam's scythe tattoo flared with heat, a sharp warning racing through him. Inside the warehouse, Mr. Robert's expression shifted, sensing the faint pulse of Quantum Force from outside.
With a casual flick of his wrist, Robert sent Scar Gun flying across the room, his body crashing into a stack of crates. The vines pivoted, now aimed directly at Adam.
Bang!
The warehouse wall exploded, splintering under the force of the attack.
Rose's form blurred as she intercepted the blow, her scythe raised defensively. Her movement was fluid, precise—like a guardian angel, ready to strike.
"Such immense Quantum Force?" Mr. Robert muttered, his eyes narrowing in disbelief.
"Who's hiding behind that wall? Show yourself!" he shouted.
Amidst the crumbling debris, Adam stepped forward, his voice loud and clear.
"I tried to stay under the radar, but you've forced my hand… Enough! No more pretending!"
Robert's eyes locked onto Adam as his Alienor flared to life.
In that moment, Adam's Alienor Encyclopedia activated, instantly granting him full insight into Robert's abilities.
---
[Alienor Name: Flesh-Eating Queen Plant]
[Affiliation: ? ? ?]
[Potential Evaluation: A]
[Level: Ordinary Level 2]
[Monster Class: Beast Class, Strengthening System]
[Basic Ability: Entanglement attack, medium- to long-range assaults]
[Special Ability: Death Dance—vines launch rapid, indiscriminate stabs, restricting enemy movement.]
[Description: A carnivorous plant from the horror swamps, known for its extreme reach and bloodthirsty nature...]
[Enemy Analysis: This opponent is weak and not worth your attention. Eliminate it swiftly and avoid unnecessary risk...]
Adam smirked as he read the data, confidence surging through him.
He dusted off the grime clinging to his clothes and stepped into the decaying warehouse, each step exuding newfound determination.
Behind him, Rose moved fluidly, her scythe gleaming and ready.
"Everyone, stay calm!"
Adam rolled his shoulders and raised his arms, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he shouted: "I'm here to rob!"
..