Kiro and Raiji arrived at their new, nicer apartment complex a clean, well-lit building that felt a world away from the slums. A short while later, Veyra followed, her arms laden with takeaway bags.
VEYRA: "Boys, I got gifts! Fast food burgers and fries. The lab-grown stuff tastes really good this time."
They dug into the meal, the comfortable silence of shared hunger filling the room. Once the last fry was gone and the wrappers were tossed aside, Veyra's expression turned serious.
VEYRA: "So, Kiro, listen up. About those bounties I gave you... I got suspicious after you told me what The Fool said."
RAIJI: (Raising an eyebrow) "You've been bounty hunting, Kiro? Nice."
KIRO: "What about them?"
VEYRA: "They're not criminals. Well, The Fool is a gambler and a cheat, but not evil. And the dwarf... he's actually an ex-slave. And The Fool is in debt to some dangerous people one of the clans. I don't know which one yet. But if we can find out which clan deals in slaves, we've got a lead."
KIRO: "We should ask the Guild Master. Maybe he knows? He seems like a good guy."
VEYRA: (Hesitant but thoughtful) "I don't know... but okay. He seems like he can be trusted. For now."
RAIJI: (Getting up and stretching) "Alright, you two got a plan. And I will go to the pits. Money is calling my"
VEYRA: (Cutting him off, her voice firm) "Oh no, buster. You are staying right here. You are heavily injured. You rest up for the next week. No arguments."
KIRO: (A wide, evil smile spreading across his face) "Yes! And not just me!"
3 DAYS LATER
The short break was over. Veyra stood in the doorway of the apartment, hands on her hips.
VEYRA: "Kiro! Your three-day 'break' of sparring with Raiji is over. Let's go."
KIRO: (Stretching) "Sure. Where to?"
VEYRA: "Don't forget, we spoke about this. Research on the bounties. I could have gone alone like three days ago I went to a bar to ask a thug some questions. He seemed like bad news."
KIRO: (His relaxed posture instantly gone) "Wow, wow, wait! You went alone to a bar to question a thug? Come on, Veyra, that's dangerous!"
VEYRA: (Waving him off) "Yeah, yeah, I know." She pulled out her sleek kinetic pistol and checked the charge with practiced ease. "Don't worry. I brought my friend. And I know how to use it. I run a business in the slums, remember? An illegal one. I must know how to defend myself." Her tone then shifted to sarcasm. "But now we're just dealing with entire clans, so I guess I need a big, strong man with me... which is why I brought you. At least you can fake the strong part, Mr. Muscles."
KIRO: (A mix of offended and understanding) "Oh... okay. That makes sense. And I am strong! You just didn't explain what we're actually supposed to do."
VEYRA: (Letting out an exasperated sigh) "Let's just go. First stop: Joe's."
The Guild hall was more packed and chaotic than normal. A sense of frantic energy filled the air as hunters scrambled for notices. It was a total rush hour.
VEYRA: (Approaching the receptionist's desk) "Excuse me. Could I see Joe? Tell him it's the rookie. His new favorite."
RECEPTIONIST LADY: (Skeptical, not looking up from her screen) "Yeah. And I must believe you?"
KIRO: (Stepping forward, puffing his chest out slightly) "I am a VIP."
The receptionist finally looked up. Her eyes widened in recognition.
RECEPTIONIST LADY: "Oh! Look, I think I saw you before. You're the one who took two bounties in one day on your first try! I'm a big fan! Sure, go ahead. He's in his office." She gestured towards the back. "Sorry about the chaos. It's a rush hour. Somehow the Navy went wild on someone, wants to close the sector early. They're mad."
They moved past the chaos and into a cluttered office overflowing with paperwork. An old man with a long white beard sat behind the desk, rubbing his temples.
RECEPTIONIST LADY: (Poking her head in) "Boss? The rookie wants to see you."
JOE: (Without looking up) "Is he a man? Send him away. And you... still here?" He finally glanced at the receptionist with a perverted smile.
KIRO: (Stepping into the doorway) "It's me. From the other day."
VEYRA: (Stepping in beside him) "And me. I've got questions."
GUILD MASTER JOE: (His demeanor shifting immediately to a charming, if slightly sleazy, professionalism) "Sure, sure! Come in! What's the question? An interview by my new favorite female?" He looked at the receptionist. "Could you leave us? It's private."
JOE: "So, what's the problem? The two bounties, right?"
Kiro remained silent, letting Veyra take the lead. He was the action and the thinker, not the talker with strangers.
VEYRA: "That's right. But how did you know about the slaves and the loans?"
GUILD MASTER JOE: (Leaning forward, his voice dropping) "I've suspected it for months. But there's little I can do from here. I kept those two bounties hidden. No one should have gotten them..." He looked at them intently. "...BUT YOU TWO DID."
VEYRA: "There's a guy called Bob. One of the oldest here. He hooked Kiro up with a fast license. He was the one who gave us the bounties. Never said a source, just a 'hooded man.' My info leads to the clans, but I don't know which one."
JOE: (A look of grim satisfaction on his face) "I suspected one of the clans was behind it too... but this 'hooded man' is news to me. So, I was right to trust you two." He pulled out two new bounty files and slid them across the desk. "Here. Two more bounties. Take them. Destripador and Neo."
KIRO: (Finally speaking, his mind connecting the dots) "So... we must take these bounties. I think I know what you're trying to say. They know more. We continue the investigation through them."
BOUNTY FILES:
ALIAS: Neo
RACE: Dark Elf
BOUNTY: 50,000c
CUBE: None
DESCRIPTION: Information broker. frequents high-end clubs. Slippery, uses tech and illusions.
ALIAS: Destripador
RACE: Human
BOUNTY: 120,000c
CUBE: None
DESCRIPTION: (NULL)
GUILD MASTER JOE: "I recommend taking Neo first. My info says he's got the connections, the intel on Destripador. They've been seen together."
VEYRA: "Okay, okay. Neo first. But why is Destripador's bounty so low? He's the top serial killer right now, number one, isn't he?"
GUILD MASTER JOE: "That's right. Beautiful
KIRO: (A low, almost jealous growl of hint of flirting.)
simple reason." He leaned back in his chair, a nostalgic look in his eyes. "Back in my day, I took down 'Destripador, the Kingslayer.' Bounty at the time? 600 million credits. So big. I was 24." A proud smile touched his lips. "Got praised by the Guild Master of that era. Then, five years later... a new one popped up. I asked the Guild Master, 'Is this a fake?' He said yes. The one I caught was a fake, too."
He sighed, the memory clearly a complex one. "No one knows who the real one is. The name is a mask, a legend. The current one? He just started. That's why the bounty is low. He's unproven. A copycat."
KIRO: "Oh... so nobody knows the real one."
Without another word, Kiro got up, ready to move. The clubs wouldn't wait.
VEYRA: (Sighing as she stood to follow) "Alright, let's go. I'll guide you. You'd just get lost and start a fight with the bouncer."
GUILD MASTER JOE: "Good luck."
VEYRA: (Sighing in frustration) "We've been to five clubs. This is the very last one. This must not be our day."
The club was a den of shadows and purple neon light. Drinks flowed freely from the bar, served by waitresses in sleek outfits that glimmered under the pulsating lights.
KIRO: (Scanning the crowd, his eyes narrowing) "Wait... is that him? White-ish hair, long... and elf ears?"
VEYRA: (Following his gaze) "Yes. That's him. That's Neo."
KIRO: "Let's lay back and watch. See what he does."
VEYRA: "Good idea."
They took seats at the far end of the bar, doing their best to look like patrons.
KIRO: (To the bartender) "I'll take a water."
VEYRA: (Shaking her head with a faint smile) "He's just not a drinker. First time I'll be having whisky."
BARTENDER: "Coming right up."
They sat in silence for a moment, pretending to watch the neon lights and the crowd. Their drinks arrived. Kiro sipped his water. Veyra lifted her whisky glass but only took one tiny sip, faking a drink. She'd never actually liked the stuff.
Then, a new man approached Neo. He was tall, wore an expensive suit and a hat, and had a well-groomed mustache.
VEYRA: (Placing a hand on Kiro's back) "Coming right back. I think I see a cute guy."
KIRO: (A flash of jealousy in his eyes) "But... you're with me."
VEYRA: (Patting his back reassuringly as she stood) "Don't worry. He's just cute."
She walked off, subtly taking a small listening device from her pocket. She leaned casually against a wall near Neo's booth, just within range.
TALL GUY: "Hi, Mr. Neon. You must really come back for your check-up on that cyberwear. There are new models out."
NEO: (Pulling up a holographic display from a pad on his arm) "New ones? Yeah, I checked the web. There's a really good one. I mean, really good. It's called the Hazel Model. The right arm's an easy install. The eyes, mostly red. Can get a man married right on the spot."
TALL GUY: "I'll see you then. I'll make the plans at the doc's office for Friday, 5 pm."
As the tall man walked away, Veyra smoothly returned to Kiro.
VEYRA: "We're ready, Kiro. Let's go."
KIRO: "But... that thing... the cyberware..."
VEYRA: (Her voice dropping to a urgent whisper) "Yes, I know. I'll buy you one later. Let's go. Follow that Neon guy on the roofs. Keep yourself hidden."
They ducked into a dark alley beside the club, the bass from the music still vibrating through the walls.
KIRO: "Alright, about to high jump. Hope this works."
VEYRA: "So, you heard most of it. They were speaking in basic code. I got close enough to record them." She handed him a small, sleek recording device. "Take this. If he speaks to anyone else, record him."
She could see the confusion on his face from before.
VEYRA: "So, you're not good at code, I could tell. That 'cute guy' bit? I tricked you by accident. I wasn't seeing anyone there. They're scum. So, that guy's a doctor... which is why he's got info. But it was in code. He asked him if there were any more victims. Based on past victims, it's a woman, and married, and wears red. That's all I know for now."
KIRO: (Nodding, his expression turning serious and determined) "Thanks. I'll get to the bottom of this. Don't engage. Just watch."
VEYRA: "Yes. We need more info. Now go!"
Without another word, Kiro crouched low. His legs coiled like springs before unleashing their power, propelling him straight up to grab the ledge of the first building. He began moving, leaping from wall to wall with impossible agility, a shadow scaling the city's canyon until he vanished onto the roof.
Kiro landed silently on the rooftop, his eyes scanning the streets below. He found Neo, already a block away from the club, walking with a purpose. Kiro followed, leaping from roof to roof, a silent shadow tracking his prey from above.
Neo stopped in a grimy alley that reeked of garbage and decay, right next to a rusted sewer grate a place where no one would ever go willingly.
NEO: "Hi, Grieg. You got the stuff?"
GRIEG: A short, hooded man with a beard and a bold, suspicious look stepped out of the shadows. "Yeah. New knives, fresh off the black market. Here, two untraceable knives. Remember now, they're 'bombed' scrubbed of all serials and maker's marks." He handed Neo the lethal-looking blades.
NEO: "I need two more. Just for backup. I'll pay double."
GRIEG: "Not again, man. I got other clients, not just you. Only doing it 'cause you're good for the cash." He reluctantly handed over two extra laser knives.
They split. Grieg vanished back into the sewers like a rat. Neo turned to leave.
Kiro saw his chance. He ran across the roof, ready to drop down and continue the tail.
But Neo stopped. He didn't turn around. He simply put his hands together and sighed, speaking to the empty air.
NEO: "(Sense). You, stalker. What are you looking for?"
Before Kiro could react, five shadowy elves, their features blurred and shifting to look almost identical to Neo, materialized around him on the roof. They threw a flurry of punches.
KIRO: (Blocking and parrying the shadow elves with ease) "How?!" Their movements were incredibly fast, but their hits felt fragile, weak. "Maybe it's just me?"
Seeing an opening, Neo himself jumped into the air, using one of his new knives. He didn't aim for Kiro he stabbed straight through one of his own illusionary clones, the blade driving toward Kiro's chest.
Kiro caught the blade inches from his skin.
KIRO: "Blades don't work on me. How did you find out I was following you?" He held the knife tight in his hand, the point pressing against his palm.
NEO: (A cruel smile spread across his face) "You're the new bounty hunter. Tell hell I sent you."
KIRO: "What?" He started to feel a sudden, dizzying haze cloud his mind. His vision swam.
NEO: "It's poison. It entered your system the moment you touched the blade."
As Kiro's strength failed, the last remaining shadow elf lunged. But it didn't throw a punch. It threw a knife the second untraceable blade aimed straight for Kiro's heart.
Kiro, weakened and disoriented, couldn't react in time.
The knife struck his chest.
BANG.
The blade exploded on impact, a concussive blast of force and shrapnel designed to leave no trace.
Kiro's eyes rolled back. His legs gave out.
He fell hard onto the rooftop, motionless, smoke curling from the crater in his chest.