Somewhere in the alleys...
"Boss, this one's lively!" the mohawk gangster grunted, struggling to keep the brunette girl restrained.
"Shut up! We're almost at the boss's place!" the gang leader snapped back, annoyed.
"Why do I always get the worst job..." the mohawk muttered under his breath.
The leader ignored his complaints and pressed forward, leading the group deeper into the maze of alleyways toward the old pub where their boss waited.
Unbeknownst to them, a figure lurked in the shadows, quietly tracking their movements. Silent and patient, the observer watched every step they took.
One of the gangsters glanced around nervously, unease creeping into his voice. "Uh... boss, I think someone's following us."
The leader halted briefly, scanning the darkened alleys. He saw nothing but flickering streetlights and abandoned crates.
"Quit whining," he growled. "Let's move!" Without another word, he continued onward, the others trailing behind.
Meanwhile, back at the mouth of the alley...
Jonathan studied the red-haired woman carefully. "Who are you? What do you mean someone was abducted?"
The woman took a steady breath and introduced herself. "I'm Rebecca, an employee from Nexlark. I don't know why those thugs came after us... but they started chasing the moment we left the office."
"Thugs?" Jonathan asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes," Rebecca said, nodding quickly. "They were aggressive from the start. We barely got away."
Jonathan mulled over the situation. The alleyways leading to the slums weren't a place any sane person wandered into lightly. Even he knew the dangers lurking there.
"And what about Nexlark and the Enforcers?" he asked. "Surely, they're capable enough to handle this?"
Rebecca shook her head. "We tried contacting them... but no one's come. We've been calling for help, but—nothing."
"I see..." Jonathan muttered, his mind weighing the risks.
Rebecca stepped closer, her voice earnest. "Please... will you help me?"
Jonathan hesitated. Every part of him warned how reckless this could be. But another part—the part that believed in standing up for others—refused to look away.
After a long pause, Jonathan clenched his fists and nodded. "Alright. I'll help."
Rebecca's face lit up with relief. "Thank you! You're a lifesaver!"
She quickly explained where they had been attacked earlier. Jonathan listened carefully, committing the directions to memory.
"You shouldn't come with me," he said firmly once she finished. "It'll be safer if you stay here."
"No," Rebecca said, determination flashing in her eyes. "I need to make sure my friend is safe."
Jonathan sighed. He could already tell arguing would be pointless. "Fine. But stay close—and do exactly what I say."
Without wasting another moment, they headed into the twisting alleyways leading toward the slums, shadows swallowing them whole.
---
At the scene...
Two enforcers arrived, responding to the distress signal sent by Rebecca and her friend. They scanned the area cautiously, waiting for reinforcements.
"What do you think?" the male enforcer asked, glancing around.
"This is where the signal was lost," the female enforcer replied. "They could be far by now. There's no signal coverage deeper inside the alleys."
"We could head in and investigate," the male suggested.
"I advise against it," the female countered. "We need backup. It's too risky to go in blind."
Moments later, a sleek white car lined with neon lights pulled up to the scene. It bore the Nexlark insignia.
A hero.
The enforcers straightened, surprised by the arrival. They saluted as the hero stepped out.
"What's the situation?" the Nexlark hero asked, his voice sharp and composed.
The female enforcer answered quickly, "Sir, two Nexlark employees sent a distress signal. It's highly likely they've been abducted."
"I see..." The hero scanned the area, his gaze sharp. "Are you the only ones here?"
"Yes, sir!" they both replied.
"I'll head in alone. You two—secure the perimeter and make sure no one else gets through," the hero ordered.
Without hesitation, he strode toward the mouth of the alley, disappearing into the darkness.
The enforcers watched him go, a mixture of awe and concern in their eyes.
"I can't believe I'm seeing him in person," the female enforcer said quietly.
"Who is he?" the male enforcer asked.
"That's Darius Cane," she said, her voice tinged with respect. "The legendary hero."
The male enforcer looked intrigued. "What's his ability?"
"He's a master of stick and knife fighting. No one's better in close combat."
"I see..." The male enforcer glanced toward the dark alley. "I hope he can handle this alone."
---
At the bar...
Inside a smoky bar near the slums, a huge bald man sat at the counter, his massive frame hunched over a drink. The bartender worked silently, mixing another round.
Patrons filled the tables, the air thick with smoke and the stench of cheap liquor. The place buzzed with noise and foul odors.
The gangsters burst through the door, dragging the brunette girl behind them, her mouth muffled by a cloth.
The huge bald man turned from the counter, his heavy footsteps thudding across the floor as he approached them.
"We got what you asked for, boss!" the gang leader announced, shoving the girl forward.
The boss grabbed the girl's ID and scowled. Without warning, he swung a fist into the gang leader's face, sending him staggering back.
"This isn't the one I asked for!"
The gangster grunted in pain, wiping blood from his mouth. "I'm sorry, boss! The other one escaped!"
"You should've done your job properly!" the boss barked. "Now the enforcers will come sniffing around—and worse, Nexlark!"
"I'm sorry, boss... we can fix this!" the gang leader pleaded.
"I believe not..." the boss said coldly, his voice low and dangerous.