The city was alive with the hum of activity, even as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the cobblestone streets. Lanterns flickered to life, their warm glow illuminating the narrow alleys and bustling marketplaces.
We strolled through the less savory parts of the city, The slums, where the air smelled of stale ale and desperation. The buildings here were cramped and crumbling, their windows boarded up or shattered. This was the kind of place where people went to disappear, or to make others disappear.
Makima walked beside me, her hands tucked into the pockets of her coat, her expression calm and unreadable. She looked like she was out for a casual evening walk, not like someone who had just twisted a man's limbs into unnatural angles. I glanced at her, a smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth. "You know, for someone who just killed a few and crippled a guy, you're awfully relaxed."
She didn't look at me, her gaze fixed on the alley ahead. "It's not the first time, and it won't be the last. Besides, he's still alive. That's more than he deserves."
"Still, that's annoying," I muttered, leaning on the wall behind me. "You killed five people, and the system didn't even blink. What's the deal?"
Makima stood by the window, her arms crossed, her expression as calm as ever. "It's not about the killing itself," she said, her voice smooth and measured. "It's about you doing the killing. The system doesn't want me to complete that mission for you. It wants you to take action this time."
Letting out a sigh, I asked even though I already knew the answer. "Yeah, but why? What's the point? Dead is dead, right? Does it really matter who pulls the trigger, You're my summon so if you do it is the same as me doing it?"
Makima turned her head slightly, her sharp eyes meeting mine. "Perhaps it's not just about completing the mission. Perhaps the system is trying to change you. To push you to evolve."
I raised an eyebrow, but Makima continued. "Into someone who can do whatever it takes to survive. To win."
I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees since I was squatting down. "So, what? Is it some kind of twisted training program? Kill or be killed?"
Makima's gaze didn't waver. "In a world like this, hesitation is a luxury you can't afford. The system is forcing you to confront that reality. To become stronger. More ruthless."
I sighed, running a hand through my hair again. "Guess it can't be helped then."
Makima's smile widened, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Consider it a challenge. If you want to survive, you'll need to adapt. And if that means getting your hands dirty, then so be it. Remember Meliodas, no other life in this world is more valuable than your own, consider others sheep in your grand plan."
I chuckled, though it was more out of habit than genuine amusement, something like this is expected to come from someone like Makima, but she would never say it to keep the *good person* persona. Now being my summon it seems she did not care about that. "Maybe..."
Makima's lips curved into a faint smile. "Consider it a learning experience. You'll need to get used to it if you want to complete your missions."
Finishing our conversation, we turned a corner and there he was, the last of the criminals we'd been tracking. He was sprawled on the ground, his limbs twisted at grotesque angles, his face contorted in pain. He tried to crawl away, but Makima's power had left him helpless. His breath came in ragged gasps, and his eyes darted around wildly, searching for an escape that didn't exist.
I crouched down in front of him, my smirk fading as I studied his face. He was young, maybe in his early twenties, with a scar running down his cheek and a look of sheer terror in his eyes. "Hey there," I said, my voice calm but laced with menace. "You've had a rough night, huh?"
The criminal's voice was a hoarse whisper, trembling with fear. "P-please… don't kill me. I'm… I'm a member of the Eight Fingers. If you kill me, they'll come for you. They'll make you regret it."
I raised an eyebrow, my interest piqued. Eight Fingers, huh? This was exactly the kind of lead I'd been hoping for. I glanced at Makima, who was standing a few feet away, her arms crossed, watching the scene with detached interest. "Well, well. Looks like we hit the jackpot."
The criminal's eyes widened, and for a moment, he looked hopeful, like he thought he'd actually intimidated us. "Y-yeah! So if you let me go, I'll put in a good word for you. They might even forgive you for this."
I ignored his babbling, my mind already racing with possibilities. "Tell me about the Eight Fingers," I said, my tone sharp and commanding. "Who's in charge? Where are they based? How do I find them?"
The criminal hesitated, his eyes darting between me and Makima. "I… I can't tell you that. They'll kill me if I talk."
I leaned in closer, my voice dropping to a low growl. "And what do you think we'll do if you don't talk?"
He flinched, his breath coming faster. "P-please… I can't…"
Makima tilted her head slightly, then smiled at the criminal's answer "My Lord," she said, her tone calm but commanding. "I've found them."
I turned to her, raising an eyebrow. "Found who?"
"The Eight Fingers," Makima replied, her golden eyes gleaming. "I've spread my control across the city, rats, pigeons, stray dogs. They roam every street, every corner, gathering information. One of the rats discovered the Eight Fingers' meeting location. All eight executives are currently gathered."
Excitement flickered in my eyes, I glanced down at the criminal, who was still trembling on the floor. His eyes were wide with fear, and he was trying to say something, but his voice was too weak to form words.
I crouched down in front of him, my grin fading as I studied his face. "Sorry, buddy," I said, my tone almost apologetic. "But you're not much use to us now. Might as well make yourself useful one last time."
Before he could react, I lunged at him, my hands wrapping around his throat. He tried to resist, but his limbs were too broken to do anything more than twitch weakly. His eyes bulged, and he made choking sounds as I tightened my grip.
I could feel his pulse racing under my fingers, his body trembling as he fought for air.
I didn't let go.
I couldn't.
My heart was pounding, my hands shaking, but I kept squeezing. White foam bubbled at the corners of his mouth, and his eyes rolled back into his head. Still, I didn't stop. I didn't know how long it took, it felt like an eternity but eventually, his body went limp.
I didn't realize I was still holding on until Makima gently touched my shoulder. "Meliodas," she said, her voice soft but firm. "He's dead. You can let go now."
I blinked, my hands slowly releasing their grip. I stared at the lifeless body in front of me, my breathing heavy and uneven.
My hands were trembling, and I could feel a cold sweat breaking out on my forehead. I just killed someone, I thought, my mind racing. 'I actually did it.'
Makima crouched down beside me, her gaze steady. "You did well," she said, her tone calm and reassuring. "It's never easy the first time. But you did what needed to be done."
I looked at her, my expression a mix of shock and disbelief. "Did well? I just strangled a guy to death. How is that 'doing well'?"
She tilted her head, her lips curving into a faint smile. "You completed the mission. That's what matters. And now you're one step closer to your goals."
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "Yeah. One step closer."
I stood up, wiping my hands on my pants, though it did little to erase the feeling of what I'd just done.
But as I looked at Makima, her calm demeanor helped ground me. She was right. This was just the beginning. If I wanted to survive in this world, I couldn't afford to hesitate.
"Alright," I said, my voice firm now. "Let's go. You said you found their hideout, right? Let's crash their little meeting."
Makima nodded, her expression as calm as ever. "As you wish."
I reached out, pulling her to me by the waist. She didn't resist, her body leaning into mine as I called out. "Kurigiri take us to the location Makima found."
"Yessir." He replied.
The world around us blurred, and in an instant, we were gone.
We reappeared in a dark alley, the air thick with the smell of damp wood and rotting garbage. The hideout was close just a few blocks away. I could feel the adrenaline coursing through me, my earlier nervousness replaced by a grim determination.
Makima straightened up, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "They're nearby," she said, her voice low. "All eight members are inside. What's the plan?"
I grinned, though it lacked my usual carefree tone. "The plan? We walk in and take control. Easy right?"
Makima's smile widened, her eyes gleaming with something almost like pride. "I was hoping you'd say that."
"But before that, I got something to do first." The system notification made the smile on my face grow wide and wider.
[Mission completed]
[Reward: A rank summon]
"Open the summon." I was happy and wanted to know what I would get.
[Congratulations]
[Character: Mahito]
[Rank: A-rank]
[Anime: Jujutsu kaisen]
"Why do I keep summoning psychopaths..."
TO BE CONTINUED --->