Chapter 31: The Gang
A little later, Shryl was walking alongside Akira through the alleys of the poor districts, specifically in the area controlled by the gang. Despite the chaos and corruption, gangs played an indirect role in organizing things and enforcing rules on the residents, even though most of their activities were illegal: human trafficking, drug sales, or any activity that brought money.
Nevertheless, the city administration turned a blind eye as long as they didn't cause unrest inside the wall.
Akira hadn't chosen this path; Shryl had led him here because she needed a quick plan. To buy time, she decided to stroll openly through the district, trying to attract the attention of the remaining gang members.
As they walked, Akira noticed someone following them.
"Alice… someone's tailing us."
"I know. I think they're gang members. Probably just curious to see who you're with."
"Was this part of your plan?"
"This girl isn't ordinary. She deliberately took the longest route to the base to announce to everyone that changes are coming."
They arrived at a large building—the gang's headquarters. They entered and headed straight to the meeting room.
The large room had little except a massive iron chair, where the previous gang leader used to sit. Shryl stood in front of it, staring silently… then sat on it, while Akira leaned beside the chair, arms crossed.
Half an hour passed…
"They're coming."
"I know."
A group of young men and women entered, led by a thin boy, who looked cautious.
"Shryl… what's going on here?"
"And why are you with this boy?" the boy asked sharply.
Shryl answered calmly:
"Don't you understand yet? It's simple… we're here to reorganize the gang."
"And what does this boy have to do with it?"
"He decided to take over the gang… after we confronted him, I spoke with him. He won't kill you for what happened, don't worry."
The boy's eyes widened:
"You mean he's going to become the gang leader?"
"No… since he's busy with his work as a hunter, he appointed me as the leader instead."
She looked at them coldly, then continued:
"Will you stay? Or should I ask Akira to escort you outside?"
The boy studied Akira silently:
"He looks my age, maybe younger… doesn't seem strong. Is he just pretending?"
Then he addressed Akira directly:
"Do you agree to this? That she becomes the gang leader? That means you're just a subordinate."
Akira replied coldly, without turning:
"I see no benefit in this."
"So what's your stance?"
"None of your business. I'm not part of the gang. I'm just helping Shryl, and if she asks me to help, I will. That's all."
He turned to Shryl and said:
"It's getting late. I'm leaving."
"You know where to find me."
He walked calmly toward the exit, moving through the room as the others stepped aside without objection.
The boy shouted behind him:
"Wait! We're not done yet!"
But Akira ignored him completely and continued on his way.
The boy continued:
"It's foolish to leave us alone… you know we need someone strong among us."
Without even looking, Akira replied flatly:
"Not my problem."
The boy growled in anger:
"You bastard!"
He charged at Akira, raising his fist.
Akira moved with lightning speed, kicking him hard in the chest. The boy flew through the air, hit the wall, and collapsed unconscious.
A heavy silence filled the room.
Akira looked at the remaining gang members:
"You need to choose your members carefully, Shryl. I don't want to see anyone like him… or I'll kill them all."
The children in the room trembled. They had the same thoughts as that boy, but after witnessing what happened, they buried their intentions deep within.
"Anyone else?"
No one answered.
"…No? Then I'm leaving."
Akira left the room, heading toward the exit, leaving behind a heavy silence.
Shryl sat on the chair and looked at them with a faint smile:
"Will you join?"
No one responded.
She muttered to herself:
"You need more motivation, apparently…"
Then she raised her voice:
"Listen carefully. I negotiated with Akira so he wouldn't pursue you. We tried to kill him, and it was fair that he could retaliate. But he didn't, he almost killed me, and I convinced him that we could be useful to him. I hope you understand what I mean."
Even the dumbest among them understood the message:
Either join the gang, or become prey to a hunter… and no one wants that.
"So… what's your answer?"
"We… we'll join."
"Me too."
In the end, everyone agreed to join, whether out of conviction… or fear.
Shryl stood confidently:
"Let everyone return to their work."
"Find the other members and inform them of what happened."
"Retrieve all the gang's property. Anyone who refuses to return or return what they took, note their name immediately."
"Move! I don't want to see anyone slacking!"
Everyone began leaving the room, leaving only Shryl… and the boy lying on the ground, unconscious.
Akira patrolled the alleys near Shryl's base silently. He chatted with Alice about the gangs spreading through the districts. Though he was born and raised in this harsh place, his interactions with gangs had always been superficial, barely noticed.
Alice suddenly pointed to a narrow alley:
"Five people are approaching. Four are unranked, and the fifth is first-rank… all well-armed."
Akira glanced in the indicated direction.
"They're probably just passing by."
Alice replied firmly:
"No… they're here to kill Shryl."
Akira sighed, his tone mixing hesitation and annoyance:
"Ah… it won't be easy."
"We don't have to do anything. If she dies… it's just her bad luck, nothing more."
He fell silent, staring at the approaching men. He thought for a long moment, then muttered:
"Maybe… this is a good chance to try out my new skills."
Alice's voice rose inside his mind:
"Are you sure?"
"Is there a problem with that?"
"No… just be careful."
Akira focused on the door. The men were a few steps from entering. He raised his hand slowly, muttering:
"Shadow Manipulation."
Something strange flowed from him toward the ground. The alley shadows began responding, connecting like a single network. He directed them toward the nearest shadows under the group, imagining dark tendrils wrapping around their legs, restraining them.
In the next moment, the five men froze in place, trapped in the shadows clutching them.
Akira shot out from the shadows like an arrow, his long katana smoothly drawn.
With one strike, he severed the first man's head. There wasn't even time to blink.
The second tried to scream, but the shadows held his legs, forcing him to his knees. The crimson blade pierced his chest directly.
The third trembled, spoke, tried to move his hand, but couldn't. Cold sweat preceded blood, then his muscles went limp, and he fell dead without resistance.
The fourth watched his companions fall one by one. He raised his head, tongue unable to form words.
No words were needed. The crimson sword split him in two.
The fifth, the leader, remained standing. His trembling eyes followed Akira approaching, step by step… until he was just a step away.
"Impossible…"
He muttered, blood trickling from his forehead though he hadn't been hit.
"That sword… that light… you…"
He whispered in a strangled voice, as if his lungs could no longer breathe:
"You… you are… the Crimson Child…"
In the next moment, the crimson blade pierced his heart.
The leader collapsed to the ground, silence descending over the alley as if life had withdrawn.
The shadows slowly receded.
Akira stood amid the five bodies, breathing calmly, eyes unwavering.
He swung his sword, cleansing it of blood in one motion, then returned it to its sheath slowly. He didn't glance back at the bodies. He turned and left the dark alley silently, leaving Shryl's fate to chance alone.