Standing atop a billboard, I looked down over the District below.
…Yeah. This place was disgusting.
I took a long drag from a cigarette I picked up on the way here, letting the smoke sit in my lungs before exhaling slowly.
"Fuck…" I muttered. "A whole month just to get here. Hope everything's fine back home."
v
"I couldve arrived faster but I kept getting lost The city is too big.." I sighed.
Something vibrated in the pocket of my coat.
"Huh?"
I pulled out my phone and glanced at the screen.
Nannie:
Dante, I've got something important to do in District 1. Don't wait up.
I stared at it for a second before sighing.
"Looks like you're busy too, huh…" I said quietly.
My legs ached from constant rooftop jumps and hitching rides wherever I could. Still, I leaned forward, eyes scanning the streets below.
"I really hope this trip's worth it," I muttered. "Now then… where are those family-loving freaks?"
People moved through the streets like ants. Normal civilians aboveground.
The alleys, though?
Yeah. That's where the real trash hung out.
"…Aha."
I narrowed my eyes.
Far off in the distance a group of bulky men in purple outfits. Loud. Laughing. Way too relaxed.
"Well, well," I grinned. "Would you look at that."
Targets acquired.
I stepped back, took a short running start
and leapt.
Building to building, rooftop to rooftop, I closed the distance fast.
"Phew…"
I crouched on the edge of a roof, looking down at them. The Middle members were laughing, completely at ease.
"You guys are way too happy for a syndicate," I muttered.
Didn't change anything.
LEAP OF FAITH.
I jumped.
Mid-fall, I yanked Rebellion free and slammed the blade into the side of the building, sparks flying as it dragged downward and slowed my descent.
Just before hitting the ground, I kicked off the wall.
One clean arc.
The first guy barely had time to look up.
Slash.
His neck opened in a red line.
The last thing he saw.
White hair.
I landed behind him as his body collapsed forward, then slowly straightened up.
The rest of them froze.
"Who the hell are you?!"
"Do you know who we are?!"
Their voices overlapped angry, furious.
Not scared.
I turned, smirking.
"Name's Dante," I said casually. "And uh… skill issue, lil bro."
I lifted my hand and beckoned them forward.
"Come on."
"DIE!"
They charged all at once. No formation. No strategy. Just rage.
"Bunch of brutes," I chuckled.
The first one fell before he even reached me.
Then
BAM.
A fist wrapped in golden chains slammed into my face, knocking me back a step.
"Fuck," I hissed, rubbing my cheek. "That actually hurt."
I cracked my neck and straightened up.
"I'll give you that," I grinned. "You pack a punch."
Then my smile sharpened.
"But that ain't doing shit."
One swing.
He split clean in half.
The others followed one after another each charge ending in steel and blood.
Silence returned to the alley.
"Haaa…" I exhaled, rolling my shoulders. "Man, that felt good."
I looked around at the bodies littering the ground.
"…Damn it. Should've left one alive to ask where their base is."
I scratched my head, staring at the mess.
"So… where to next"
Ding.
A metallic sound echoed.
I looked up.
A chain slipped from above.
There perched awkwardly on a ledge was a skinny, frail-looking guy in the same purple clothes. Pale. Shaking.
Our eyes met.
He was terrified.
I slowly turned to face him, standing amidst the corpses of his comrades.
He flinched.
Then turned and ran.
"Oh?" I raised an eyebrow.then laughed.
"Well, ain't you a blessing," I said, breaking into a sprint.
"Lead the way, kid."
And just like that.
I had my trail.