In the lower city existed a certain renowned district.
Clubs and casinos made up the scenery. Despite the bright neon lights, it was one of the darkest places in the city.
Everyone could live out their primitive desires here, sometimes even enticing upper-class citizens like the whisper of a devil.
In a dim strip club geared towards the middle-class a man was seated in a private both.
He proudly showed off the scars adorning his bare upper body. His eyes were cloudy as they scanned the curves of the graceful girl dancing before him.
Many lower-class citizens would flee in fear when they spotted his bearded face, recognizing one of the most ruthless crime bosses in Red Oak, Serin the Butcher.
Ironically the man didn't get his nickname from his deeds but because he worked as a butcher before one day burning the hole place down.
Suddenly a knock on the door drew Serin's attention. He huffed in displeasure as his rough voice rang out:
"What is it?"
"Boss, important news."
"Come in."
The door opened as a thin woman with burn marks on her skin entered.
"Boss, news about Liam Varsmith."
"Who? Never heard of it. If you came to waste my time, just leave your head behind!"
Serin's assistant knew her boss's temper, continuing without fault.
"The target our VIP clients asked us to keep a look at."
"Oh? That homeless boy?"
"Yes."
"What's the news?"
"He became a hunter today and left the city for the first time."
"Is he still alive?"
"Yes."
Bang!
Suddenly Serin's hand hit the table, cracks spreading on its surface. A low cry escaped the dancer's mouth, but she didn't dare to stop.
"That boy left the city and we didn't get rid of him? Who was it that saw him?! Cut off two of his fingers! If I hate something the most it's useless subordinates!"
"The Levrowska twins saw him leave the city but didn't dare to act without guarantee, thus they came to inform me."
"Hmpf. Excuses."
"Don't worry boss. My prediction was already correct. The target eventually couldn't hold on and became a hunter. Now we just need to continue observing.
The next time that kid leaves the city we will follow with a dozen people, and nothing will go wrong!"
"So much effort for a kid! Why not just end him right now?!"
"Boss, we already analyzed it. If not even our VIPs dare to give the order to kill him within the city, then they fear something.
The only one able to restrain them is the army.
I'm certain the kid isn't simple.
Even after more than a year our clients don't urge us, meaning they acquiesce with our actions.
Thus, let's play it safe and let him die outside. Let some beasts feed on his corpse so no one can find any evidence."
"Whatever. I let you handle this matter."
"Don't worry boss. I won't disappoint you."
"I know."
Serin exchanged an ambiguous look with his assistant before the woman left.
***
Meanwhile, Liam was back in the lower city with a lot of money on his black card.
He scurried through the alley as he planned for the next few days.
After a few minutes of walking, he reached a shabby metallic fence. The gate opened with a sound which begged for some oil, drawing a few people's attention.
Liam sighed as he looked into a bunch of hopeless eyes. People huddled around fires in barrels, clad in rugged and dirty clothes. All of them were beggars, gathering in this spot below a highway for some comfort.
Liam knew this place from his memories as he and his sister had called it home for the last four years.
Suddenly a surprised voice reached Liam's ears.
"Liam?! Ish id you?! Wow I didn'd even recognie you in dish fandcy geddup!"
Liam looked at the middle-aged man who had approached him. The man had graying hair, wearing a black robe. He looked somewhat healthier than most others despite his mouth swollen from an illness.
"It's me Pastor Frey."
The man had always insisted on being called pastor. No one knew if he really held this profession in the past, but he indeed served as a spiritual pillar for the beggars gathered here.
"Wow. Look ad you! Where did all dish come from?"
"Ahh nothing, I just had some luck."
Liam smiled, not daring to mention Ben's. He knew that it would only lead to a tirade about the sin of theft form the pastor.
But this was also the reason why Liam could feel at ease in this small community. The people here stuck together, not robbing each other.
Furthermore, it wasn't as if others never gained a windfall through some sudden luck. Unfortunately, clubs and casinos had a tight grip on most of the homeless, sucking the credits out of their pockets.
Pastor Frey showed a friendly smile as he led Liam to one of the fires.
A young man was already waiting for them.
A lot of fond memories came to Liam's mind as he looked at the boy one year older than him.
"Trey!"
"Liam! Damn, you look so cool! Like a warrior!"
Liam chuckled as his best friend greeted him excitedly. Knowing that Trey always dreamed of being a warrior, Liam's outfit naturally surprised him.
"But where did you leave Serena? Don't tell me you sold her!"
"Hey, what are you thinking of me? She is with Doctor Hearley!"
As he joked around with Trey, Liam felt a surprising warmth in his chest. He could hardly remember the last time he was able to have such a genuine conversation with his peers.
In his former life Liam had to realize early on that people got close to him because of his parents. Even when he grew up other always treated him different because of his accomplishments.
Many only saw a 'mister perfect' instead of Liam Varsmith.
"She is still with the doctor? Was her health worse than we thought?"
"Not quite. To be honest, we were lucky, and Doctor Hearley offered us a room in her apartment. We moved there."
The surrounding beggars overhearing Liam's words were surprised. Quickly, congratulations came from their mouths. Most sounded genuine, with only a few of them revealing jealousy.
Liam smiled kindly looking into the dirty faces.
"Thank you, guys. Don't worry, after earning some money I won't forget you!"
Liam meant what he said. When he and his sister became homeless, Trey's parents found them and introduced them to the community.
But only after a vote were they allowed to stay.
Surprisingly the vote was overwhelmingly positive, with not a single voice disagreeing.
As these memories appeared one by one in his mind, Liam couldn't help but feel touched. These people at the bottom of the food chain were generous enough to take in some kids, teaching them how to survive on the streets.
However, the homeless didn't expect much, politely declining Liam's offer.
Even Trey's mother sitting next to her son shook her head.
"Don't worry about us little Liam. We are already happy if you're doing fine. Just try to find a stable job and get your own life back on track."
Liam held back a tear as he looked at the older woman.
"No. I really mean it! In fact, I already have a bit of money.
Trey, do you have a black card?"
"Ehm. Yes."
Liam took the card from his friend, holding it against his own. Immediately 400 credits were transferred.
Contrary to regular cards, black ones didn't show the money on them. Thus, no one could figure out what had happened.
The only one in the community with a device to check the amount was the pastor. But before the man could act, Liam quickly stood up.
He dashed towards a spot protected from wind to the side. Two dirty mattresses covered the ground.
This was Liam's and Serena's 'home'.
Liam stared at the ground with a dazed look, wondering how people could live in such a condition.
Glancing at the other homeless he could only let out a sigh.
Soon, Liam did what he came here for. He took off his equipment, storing it among a pile of bags next to the beds.
His eyes fell on the wound on his hand. Liam tore off something form an old shirt, loosely bandaging his wound.
Next, he rummaged through the bags. After a moment he pulled out a stuffed animal. It was a small brown bear in surprisingly good condition.
Looking at it with a smile, Liam could already hear hurried steps coming from behind his back.
"Liam! Liam! Wait!"
But Liam didn't comply. He knew that Trey's mother came to give him back the money.
Liam turned around, dashing past the thin woman.
"Sorry Miss Ecras, I need to go! If you don't want the money, give it to Pastor Frey for emergencies!"
"You!"
Trey's mother could only watch helplessly as Liam escaped through the gate.