The man's face turned red with rage.
Vince, trembling only moments ago, froze. Normally he would not hesitate, but now it was different. This was life or death.
This old head could kill me with that crowbar…
The man, almost as tall as Vince despite his age, glared down at him. Vince raised his knife, holding it out to keep some distance. He steadied his breath and braced himself.
The man roared and gripped the crowbar with both hands, lifting it high before charging.
CLINK!
Metal clashed as the crowbar slammed down. Vince caught the strike with his knife, one hand gripping the hilt, the other bracing the back of the blade for support. The impact rattled his arms.
Taking his chance, Vince pulled back and lunged forward, stabbing the man's left shoulder.
"Ahh!"
Blood spilled, but the man barely flinched.
What?!
Before Vince could yank the blade free, the man seized his arm with frightening strength.
TWACK!
The crowbar crashed against Vince's arm. Pain exploded through him, but he forced himself to stay standing.
The man chuckled. "Doesn't feel so good, does it?"
Another brutal strike followed.
"AHHH!"
Vince screamed this time. His knees buckled, his arm throbbing.
What does this guy take?!
Panicked, Vince swung a desperate punch with his free hand.
The man calmly raised the crowbar to intercept.
DINGGG!
The strike echoed. Vince's fist tore open on impact, blood dripping from his knuckles.
This hurts… this hurts too much!
The man's boot slammed into Vince's stomach, sending him sprawling across the concrete. The knife, still buried in his shoulder, was ripped free and tossed aside, clattering near the sofa.
THUD!
Vince hit the floor hard, clutching his stomach as he crawled backward.
"S-stay away!"
His face twisted in terror, eyes wide with true fear. The man only smiled, pointing at his son's lifeless body.
"Stay away? You think he would've wanted the same thing? No… your twisted head killed him. I should've known there was something wrong, a priest in this part of Koburn claiming he follows Oeus. You're full of crap, kid."
Vince's chest tightened.
He's too strong. Why? He held my arm in a vice, smashed me hard enough to nearly shatter it…
His thoughts raced. His only goal now was survival. Then it clicked.
A smile spread across Vince's face.
That's it. He's relying on the only power humans have when cornered… adrenaline.
The man's smile faltered. "What are you grinning at? Finally lost your mind?"
Vince laughed as he staggered to his feet, brushing himself off. "Oh, nothing."
But his eyes darted toward the table.
The revolver.
"I'm sorry, old man."
In a burst of speed, Vince dashed and snatched the gun. Up close, it was more terrifying than before: a heavy revolver with a polished wooden grip, a dark steel cylinder, and black engravings pulsing faintly across its surface.
Holding it sent a chill through him. It felt alive, hungry, like it wanted to swallow him whole.
Still, Vince smirked. No matter what this gun is… I'll end it now.
He leveled the weapon at the man's head.
The man stood still, almost as if he accepted his fate. He closed his eyes.
Vince exhaled. "Well… great fight we had. What I did to your son is in the past now."
His hand trembled, but he squeezed the trigger.
Click. Click.
Nothing.
Vince's heart dropped.
FUCK.
He threw the gun aside and glared at the man who stood there laughing like a madman.
"The gun didn't fire, huh?" The man's tone was sharp.
Before Vince could move, the crowbar was already swinging toward his skin.
SWOOSH!
The air split as Vince rolled across the sofa, knocking it over. His eyes locked on the knife.
The man leapt from the table, crowbar raised high. Vince stretched for the blade, but before his fingers could reach it—
CRACK!
Pain shot through his hand as the crowbar smashed down.
"AHH, DAMN IT!"
Clutching his wrist, Vince staggered back, but the man gave him no room to breathe. Another swing followed.
THACK!
The crowbar slammed into his back. Vince groaned, stumbling forward.
He lunged toward the knife again, but instead of grabbing it, he collapsed on top of it, curling into a ball.
The man chuckled. "That's not going to protect you!"
THUD! THUD! THUD!
Each strike crashed against Vince's body, like being pummeled by a storm.
Please… just a little longer.
Tears formed in his eyes as he endured, coiled tight against the wall. The man was breathing heavier now, swinging like a beast. Vince clenched the knife with all his strength, hidden by his side.
The man's arms slowed. He gasped for air, dropping his guard.
Now.
Vince lunged. The knife sank into the man's stomach.
STAB!
He yanked it free and drove it in again.
STAB! STAB! STAB! STAB!
"DIE! DIE! DIE!" Vince's voice broke as rage overtook him.
Blood poured like water, spraying across the floor. His robes were drenched, his hands slick as he carved deeper and deeper. The knife tore through old wounds until they split wide, spilling everything.
The man's eyes lost color, his skin draining pale. Vince's face twisted with fury, stabbing long past the moment life had left him.
Finally, he stopped.
THUD!
The body collapsed like a sack of rice, crumpling into a heap.
His lower torso was nothing but a mangled hole.
Vince stood there, chest heaving, the knife dripping red. His hands shook as he stared at what he had done.
"Why… why did I do this?"
The urge to break down clawed at him, but with the fear of more people nearby, Vince swallowed it down and forced himself back to task.