The rooftop air was thick with tension, as the city lights below flickered faintly through the mist left by the rain. Augustus stood at ease, his red suit immaculate, though his gaze held a sharpness that betrayed his calm demeanor.
"You've still got a soft spot for kids, Butcher," Augustus said with a faint smile.
Ran didn't respond immediately, but the words seemed to strike a nerve. Unbidden, a memory flashed in his mind—the news report from a week ago.
"The death is being investigated as murder. Her two children were able to survive the ordeal. The police suspect the killer is one of the super-powered individuals known as Espers..."
The reporter's voice had lingered, just like the weight of what Ran had done.
"I saw your work on the news last week," Augustus continued, his tone almost conversational. "Leaving the prosecutor's kids alive. What do you think your boss would say about that?" His voice took on a mocking edge. "Would he relish the Begonia Group's reputation becoming one of indulgent soft-heartedness?"
Ran scoffed, dismissing the jab. "Ha. Worry about your own problems, Red. You were pretty fucking stupid sending your brother to that place."
The mood shifted abruptly as a massive burst of fire surged toward Ran's direction. Mana reacted instinctively, drawing her shield, a shimmering wall of energy snapping into place.
Gift: Shield Generation
"That was a warning," Black said, his eyes glowing a fiery orange.
Gift: Pyrokinesis.
"Speak to the boss with respect," Black growled, his voice low and dangerous. "Or not at all."
Ran's eyes flared green, and he conjured a blade of glowing mana in his hand. The air around him seemed to hum with the intensity of his power.
Ran's green eyes flared dangerously, his voice low and venomous. "That fire was pretty warm for just a 'warning,' you piece of shit. Looks to me like you're trying to hurt Mana."
Mana sighed, lowering her shield slightly. "Uh, I'm pretty sure he was aiming at you," she said dryly, though Ran ignored her completely.
The two squared off, their powers crackling in the air like an impending storm.
"Now isn't the time for a fight," Augustus interjected smoothly, stepping between them. His voice carried an authority that made both men hesitate. "We're here to negotiate, no?"
Ran grumbled but let his mana blade dissipate.
Augustus sighed, the weariness in his tone almost genuine. "I'll admit, sending my brother to that place wasn't the smartest move from a safety standpoint." He shrugged lightly, his usual smirk returning. "But you know, he's a little... sheltered. I wanted him to get a taste of his decision—and of the outside world."
"'The outside world,' you say," Ran echoed, his voice sharp with disbelief. "You sent him to that place for some life lesson? What the hell kind of brother are you?"
Ran scoffed, his green eyes narrowing. "'The outside world,' you say? I had people with me when I infiltrated their little test. It's a goddamned miracle your brother didn't get himself killed. And if he had, you'd have ripped out my trachea, huh? Even though it wouldn't have been my fault."
Augustus tilted his head, a faint smile on his lips. "What did he do to that man?"
Ran frowned. 'Why is he asking?'
Ran then shrugged. "He killed my man. Guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
Augustus's smile widened, this time genuine and almost foolish. "That's good to hear."
Ran stared at him, utterly bewildered. "What the hell?"
Mana cleared her throat, stepping between them. "Okay, why don't we get back to business? How did everything go?"
Augustus turned, his expression sharpening as he called out, "Butterfly."
Butterfly stepped forward, her voice calm and professional. "The assassination of Mr. Lin went smoothly. No witnesses. No collateral damage."
Mana's eyes widened in shock. "No witnesses? No collateral damage? How is that possible? Mr. Lin was one of the Corps' key connections. He had round-the-clock security. It should've been impossible for any outsider to get close to him."
Butterfly smirked, and in a heartbeat, her form shifted. The once-calm woman transformed into a young girl, her voice cheerful and childlike.
Gift: The Perfect Disguise.
"I wasn't an outsider," Butterfly said, her tone almost gleeful. "I was his daughter."
Ran and Mana stared in stunned silence as Butterfly twirled playfully, her disguise flawless.
"I perfectly replicated everything—from her voice to her mana," she said, her cheerful tone almost unnerving. "The look on his face when I slashed him while wearing his daughter's face was priceless."
Mana's stomach turned, and she quickly reached into her pocket. "I've heard enough," she muttered, tossing something small and metallic to Augustus. "The deal."
Augustus caught the object effortlessly, glancing down at it with curiosity. His amused expression returned.