With a frown, I grabbed one of the cards and read the information.
[King Without A Crown]
[Power Through Dominion: The more land or territories under your control, the stronger you become physically and possibly even spiritually.
Conqueror's Stamina: Upon accepting the challenge to seize another's territory, you receive a surge of stamina. Your body feels refreshed, your endurance extends and fatigue becomes a distant thought while fighting for conquest.
Magnetic Presence: You exude a natural charisma that compels others to follow, serve or at the very least respect you. This effect is passive and grows the more people you lead or lands you rule.
Iron Will: You are resistant to domination or manipulation, whether magical, psychic or even persuasive. Your sense of self is unshakable, making mental control extremely difficult to impose.]
"How much stronger are the people here than in my old world?" The question lingered unanswered as I let go of the card and watched it float next to the other one. I grabbed the second card and read it as well.
[Undying Spark]
[Rapid Regeneration: Any injury short of lost limbs heals incredibly fast. Cuts, punctures or internal damage mend almost instantly, allowing you to keep fighting through normally lethal blows.
Refined Body Control: You possess an advanced awareness and control over your body's every movement. You're capable of instinctive precision, heightened reflexes, and muscle efficiency beyond natural limits.
Unrevealed Potential: The true extent of this spark is currently unknown. It may grow over time, evolve under stress, or be tied to a deeper mystery within your soul or origin.]
'Unrevealed Potential?' With a joyful hum, I ripped the card and felt warmth bloom in my chest before it dulled. The exhaustion from the day faded away but I shook it off and turned away from the other card, which floated behind me as I walked off. Why was I refusing to accept the blessing? Simple or at least simple for me. I had lived a life under the rule of another. I knew what I was and I loved how I lived my old life as nothing more than a loyal attack dog for my boss. It gave me purpose, a reason to think of nothing but fighting and dying for those I had to protect. For me it was a simple and easy life, even if it led me to an untimely end.
'Though I guess it wasn't really my end...' I shrugged as I walked along the park, glancing up at the darkening sky. The thought of what to do next entered my mind. 'Maybe I can find a new boss?' The idea left a distasteful feeling in my chest. Leaving both my old life and my old boss behind seemed impossible, but I didn't know what else to do. It wasn't like I could just go to school, not only because I was probably listed as dead but also because I hated the very idea of school.
'Though that could lead to more problems...' While I wasn't the best at planning or predicting my enemies next moves, I knew from experience that the Elder who ruled this place likely had most, if not all of the gangs under his watchful eye. 'And probably most businesses, which rules out the idea of working for them.' I scratched my chin, feeling the wheels turning in my head as I tried to figure out my purpose without betraying my own code.
Then, it hit me. I snapped my fingers and smiled. "I'll kill the Council of Elders."
-
The moon hung high in the sky, casting a soft glow upon the buildings of Japan. I briefly appreciated how the rays of moonlight reflected off the pools of blood below me, which used to belong to a small gang hiding out in a nearby warehouse.
"H-how are you a-alive?"
I looked slightly down at the last gang member, a young woman who trembled in the cold chains I had used to restrain her for questioning. In response to her question, I shrugged and crouched down to be at eye level with her, but frowned as I remembered how short this body was.
'I'm probably around 5'6? Whatever. I've got time to grow.'
Shaking my head, I pushed the thoughts aside and met her gaze, running my fingers along the knife one of the members had left behind when they departed from the living world. "Answer my questions, and you live. Don't answer or lie and you die. Understood?"
She mutely nodded, so I placed the knife down to my right and tilted my head.
"Name of the Elder of Kumamoto, quirks, location of branches and main bases, business run by them and their main location."
With a downcast expression, she responded as I watched closely waiting to see if she would lie.
"Keiji Fujiwara. He calls himself the 'Innovator of Humanity.' Though I haven't met him before, our leader..." She briefly glanced at a headless corpse before looking down at the ground. "He said the Elder is obsessed with science and evolution."
I raised an eyebrow at that but shrugged. While it was strange, it wasn't the weirdest thing I'd heard.
"I know that there are a few bars, motels and hospitals that are branches, as well as someone that owns a port that acts as the messenger and 'Spokesperson' for the Elder."
'The man must be either in a remote location in Kumamoto or in another city... Hopefully not in Osaka.'
"C-can I leave now? That's all I know... really!"
I hummed and turned my head to the right, glancing at the barrel that held a fire they had used for warmth and light. Then, I looked back at the woman and smiled.
"I'll untie you. Move, and you'll die."
She nodded, so I undid the chains and stood up grabbing the knife I had set down earlier. As she looked up at me, I grabbed her by the hair.
"W-what—"
I ignored her yelling and the nails digging into my arm as she flailed. I walked over to the barrel and noticed a container nearby. 'Gasoline, probably.' I absently thought.
I hefted her up to her feet before reaching the barrel.
"I-I told you everything!"
I nodded. "I know, but you moved."
Her eyes widened and her mouth opened to say something, but it was quickly replaced by screams as I shoved her face first into the barrel of fire.
"I won't apologize, because I know you'll never forgive me, girl—"
I ignored the pain in my arm as it burned, holding onto her tightly as she screamed. I picked up the container and let go of her, grabbing her flailing feet and shoving her deeper into the flames, making them grow.
"And while I know nothing is set in stone, I can't risk anyone knowing I still live.. at least, not yet."
With that, I backed away and tossed the container in, sending the fire into a brief inferno as it consumed the gasoline and the woman.
-
I watched with slight interest as my wrist stitched itself together where I had cut it, before turning away and stepping off the body of another small gang that had been hiding in a warehouse not far from the previous one. I had repeated the same process: kill, question and kill. The answers were nearly identical, with only a small amount of new information gained.
Keiji Fujiwara apparently had the backing of a large Yakuza and was a supposed science obsessed old man. The "Spokesperson" for the geezer remained unknown as apparently, you needed "qualifications" to meet the person.
'Annoying.'
One of the things I hated most about rival gang leaders was that they were difficult to meet and had some ridiculous process to get an audience with them. Sighing, I shrugged off the fatigue that was becoming hard to ignore. It made me frown as I looked down at my blood soaked knife and hand.
For some reason, this body felt as strong if not stronger than my old one. 'Is this the power of youth?'
Though I hadn't tested my speed, I could tell this body was faster than mine, probably due to the lean muscle it had over my older more muscular build. 'Yet I can't fight as long as I used to. Maybe it's because I need sleep.'
Shrugging, I moved around the bodies and grabbed any usable knives before walking out of the warehouse and heading towards Okadake Park, where I planned to sleep in a bush.