In his days as a US Marine, Dave was a soldier of steel by day and a shadow hunter thirsting for justice by night. His presence, tearing through the city's darkness and punishing the wicked, was a thorn in the side of those dealing in dark trades. After retiring, Dave tried to erase the crimson shadow, focusing solely on his happiness with Jane. Her smile opened the door to his tightly closed heart, and the two, about to be married, swore eternal love.
But happiness was as fleeting as a sandcastle. Jane had been out of contact for days, and a sense of unease drove Dave to her house, only to find the door firmly locked. Dave's heart pounded. Five years of Marine service, Muay Thai, and amateur MMA champion experience made opening a locked door child's play for him.
The inside was a scene of devastation, the signs of a fierce struggle resembling the aftermath of a storm. Dave desperately searched for clues among the scattered objects. Then, a small note pinned to the inside of the door caught his eye.
"I have her. - Vulcan"
The three words froze him to the bone. Vulcan, the boss of the city's underworld drug cartel. Years ago, Dave's righteous fists had cost him billions and five years of imprisonment. The news of his release was as chilling as the shadow of death.
What was coming had arrived.
He had to find Jane. But Vulcan's fortress was a trap. His organization, with hundreds of henchmen and elite soldiers, was like a massive citadel. A reckless charge would mean certain death. Dave calmly formed a plan.
He retrieved the red and black suit he wore in his vigilante days. The suit, woven from Kryptonian fibers, accentuated his muscular physique and clung to him like a second skin, maximizing his movements.
As night fell, Dave, cloaked in darkness, headed for Vulcan's fortress. He skillfully evaded surveillance cameras, moving through the shadows like a phantom. He silently dispatched ten sentries, bypassed the large room where the elite forces were stationed, and reached Vulcan's third-floor room.
"Okay, only two at the door. Once I take care of them, it's just me and Vulcan," Dave thought.
After a fierce fight, he subdued the two guards and caught his breath as he opened the door.
Vulcan sat on the sofa, a wine glass in his hand. His eyes gleamed like a predator's, having spotted its prey.
"Why so late? I've been waiting, heh heh heh."
"Where's Jane?"
"Somewhere, I suppose. It's not worth telling you for free. After all I've been through, heh heh heh."
The thought of Jane in pain ignited Dave's fury. He strode over and lifted Vulcan by the collar.
"Tell me now, or I'll kill you. It's just you and me here."
"If I die, you'll never find Jane, will you? She might be dead within an hour," Vulcan sneered.
"Is that so? Then how about this?"
Dave didn't hesitate to grab Vulcan's groin.
"Tell me, where's Jane? If you want to stay a man." Dave tightened his grip.
"Aaargh! The great Dave grabbing my balls, huh? Big, aren't they? Envious?"
Dave tightened his grip further. "Tell me now, before I crush them."
Dave held the position, gradually increasing pressure for five minutes. Then, a cold object pressed against his head. A gun.
"Hahahaha! Did you think it was just you and me in here? Am I a fool?"
Dave had no choice but to release his grip and raise his hands. A super-elite operative was hiding in the room, awaiting Vulcan's orders. Vulcan had seen through Dave's character.
The door opened, and five armed elite operatives entered, restraining Dave.
"Dave, I don't plan to kill you or Jane, heh heh heh. But I want to see you suffer, heh heh heh. I'll make you an offer."
Vulcan continued, "I've locked Jane up somewhere. I'll give you hints to her location if you ask. But each question will cost you one of your testicles. You get two chances."
"You bastard…" Dave gritted his teeth. Losing a testicle was like giving up his manhood. But he had to save Jane.
"Of course, you don't have to. Then Jane dies, and you live in misery forever, heh heh heh."
Vulcan gestured, and his men dragged Dave to the table. They laid him down, his torso on the table, his groin exposed in the tight suit.
Vulcan's hand reached for Dave's groin. Crunch!
"Uuuuurgh!" A tsunami of unfamiliar pain washed over Dave's entire body.
"That's just a taste. The game's just started. Two chances, so choose your questions wisely."
Dave gasped and asked, "Where's Jane?"
"Hidden on Ukigoni Island, haha."
As soon as he answered, Vulcan squeezed Dave's left testicle. Pop!
Uuurgh!
The pain of a crushed testicle was unimaginable. His vision blurred, and his body convulsed. He thought he could find her if he knew the island.
"Stop, that's enough. Let me go."
Dave didn't want to lose the other one.
"Hmm… Dave, I think you misunderstand…" Vulcan chuckled. "Listen, Dave, you don't have a choice. Both your testicles are mine. I'm letting you ask questions out of pity for Jane. So, ask your second question."
The dread of losing his manhood overwhelmed Dave. But he had to save Jane.
"How do I get to the island?"
Vulcan whispered, "Don't know… hahaha."
"You bastard! Gwaaaaaah!"
Vulcan smiled and squeezed Dave's remaining testicle. Dave struggled with all his might, but pinned to the table by the elite operatives, he couldn't break free.
"Go save Jane now, Mrs. Dave."
Pop! Vulcan felt Dave's testicle rupture in his hand.
"Now we're even. Live the rest of your life as a woman. I'm off, Dave, hahaha."
Overwhelmed by pain, Dave lost consciousness and was dragged out by the operatives, dumped in front of his house. Vulcan kept his promise and didn't kill him. Dave collapsed on the ground, and three days later, his friend Ian found him.