Alex Seclair: Master of Vengeance

The start of Vengeance

As Carlos crouched behind a bullet-shattered desk with pounding heart and shirt breaths short, the System reactivated in his vision with an electric red glow.

> [ LOW GRADE LIMITED SKILLS AND TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR USE AND WITHOUT SYSTEM COINS]

A list flickered open before him:

> ACCESSIBLE TOOLS (Coin-Free Tier):

– Phantom Edge Dagger (Equipped)

– Tempest Boots (Equipped)

– Adrenaline Pulse Shot – One-time boost of reaction time for 3 minutes.

> ACCESSIBLE SKILLS (Free Tier):

– Enhanced reaction timing near-instant with situational anticipation.

– Knowledge of vulnerable body points for temporary paralysis.

– Expands spatial awareness in combat zones.

After a few moments of pondering, not so sure of his choices, he touched the screen for his alternatives.

> [TOOLS AND SKILLS EQUIPPED]

His heartbeat leveled while his breaths measured. The chaos around him didn’t fade but it slowed. His sight adjusted as the system highlighted moving threats, weak angles and blind spots.

One robber rounded the hallway corner but Carlos didn’t run. He dashed forward with the tempest boots surging beneath his feet and sidestepping just as the rifle raised.

With one switch twist and strike, he drove his elbow into the man’s throat, followed instantly by two fingers jabbing into a nerve on the side of his neck.

The man’s weapon clattered from his hand as his body seized and dropped, paralyzed.

Two more turned from the vault corridor and aimed their guns. But Carlos darted into a roll, slid beneath a table and emerged behind a marble support.

One of the men fired but he missed. He bolted forward, using a pillar as spring support and launched himself off it with a spinning heel kick.

His boot cracked the first robber’s jaw as the second tried to aim. But it was too late.

In three rapid hits, Carlos disabled him without even drawing blood. The men crumpled to the floor, groaning and twitching. And one remained, panicking.

“Stay down every one of you. Stay, the hell, down!!” The last man screamed at the scared hostages.

But Carlos walked toward him from the side aisle with confidence and a dagger in his hand. The man turned and saw death walking.

“D- don't come any closer!” the man warned.

But Carlos moved at him before he could react and was behind with a steel pressed to his throat.

“Drop it.”

The man eyed Carlos grimly and slowly, the rifle hit the floor.

“On your knees.”

The last gunman obeyed, with his hands in the air whilst laughing carelessly like he was drunk.

Carlos wondered why but stepped closer and noticed the tattoo burned into the man’s arm, just beneath the sleeve.

It was two battle axes crossed together with blood dripping from their edges. He narrowed his eyes to get a clearer view.

His nudge tells him that he must have come across it somewhere before. But he couldn't tell exactly where and when.

“What does that symbol mean?” He asked. But the man turned, shone eyes viciously at him and didn’t answer. He furiously grabbed the tattooed arm and squeezed it.

“Speak!”

But he spat on Carlos' face aggressively which increased his rage.

But after he rubbed off the saliva with the side of his shoulder, he angrily took out the Phantom Edge, turned it slightly to reveal its serrated reverse and dragged it slowly across the man’s shoulder just enough to scream.

“Aghhhh! ” the man yelled in pain.

“You’re going to tell me about the man you work for.” He demanded.

Something in him dug deeply for answers, prompting his curiosity.

“I—I can’t! He’ll kill me!” the man refused.

“Who? Hughes Stein?”

The man’s eyes widened, confirming it without words.

“Where is he?” He quizzed at the man. Pressing the dagger again—lightly across the collarbone this time and blood trickled as he screamed the more.

Sweats covering his entire face.

But Carlos noticed his insistence and for a moment, didn’t know what else to do.

The grim looking man bursted out in laughter — making him feel a bit timid.

“See you’re having a hard time tryna be tough on me, huh?” The man taunted with a smirk to his face which angered Carlos.

“Look here, you fool, you are going to have to tell me about this… Stain or I’ll show you what I am made of.” Carlos threatened, running the dagger more deeply.

“He’s untouchable. He’s been running the Stain Mafia for over twenty years! Even the cops fear him.”

“He has judges… media contacts… even someone at the Mayor’s office,” the gunman added, unremitting.

“No one ever tries to stop him. Not until you. You should count yourself a dead man. Stain will not rest until he’s ended your miserable life and fed your corpse to his dogs.” The man snapped with enough grimness to his eyes.

Carlos leaned in, his voice calm but chilling.

“Then he just met his first problem.”

The man gave as much laughter that made him appear crazier, even while everyone else watched.

Not long, the police stormed in. Carlos stood to notice the sirens’ wail in the distance.

The building flooded with Coast Wesley Police Department officers.

“FREEZE! EVERYONE STAY DOWN!” One of the cops commanded at every one as they set in.

Within moments, the scene was secure. But the man had swiftly taken up the rifle from the ground and pulled a shot to his head.

His actions left him unconscious. Drained and lifeless.

A pile of blood flooded the bare tiled floor from the man’s head as most of the people in the bank screamed at the sound of the rifle and ran in fear for their lives.

Carlos remained, flabbergasted— battling the very scene that had just taken place in front of him as the cops rushed to the point of the scene.

The unconscious robbers left were cuffed and their weapons were collected.

Carlos stood off to the side with enough calm. There was no blood-stain detected while he stood exhausted but intact.

One of the cops, who was tall and thick-bearded—approached him. His eyes were wide with something between awe and suspicion.

“You were the guy who stopped all of them?” he asked and Carlos gave a simple nod.

“I see…”The officer acknowledged and offered a hand.

“Name’s Officer John Mathers, the head of cops in Coast Wesley. That was the bravest damn thing I’ve seen in ten years.”

Carlos shook his hand but was unable to smile. He couldn't find enough answers as to why the last armed man had gladly taken his life after all he’d revealed to him.

Just then, his eyes scanned around and spotted one of John’s men.. and froze. He was one of the cops who'd taken possession of his precious necklace in exchange for money.

“How would you like to be rewarded, Mr…”

“Carlos Rodriguez.” He said to the cop and leaned forward, calmly.

“One of your men had once reclaimed a valuable item of mine, a silver necklace.”

John paid much attention to Carlos as he spoke and followed the direction of his eyes to spot the cop, standing afar off, close to one of their vehicles.

“Is that him?” John asked, turning to Carlos with concerns.

Carlos detected his patience and nodded slightly.

“I gave it up to get out of custody. That was before I saved a whole bank of innocent people. I would like to reclaim it back.” he said to John.

“Is that all? You won't mind asking for some monetary reward or something?”

“I’d consider having my necklace back compared to any other reward sir. It means way more to me than any can imagine.” He explained.

John studied the sincerity lying still on the young man’s eyes. For sure, it wouldn't be considered unwise for any one of his kind to demand a substantial reward as a way to appreciate their efforts.

Which is the reason why he is extremely amazed at the young man in front of him. One of a kind he had never witnessed in a long while.

“...Alright. You wouldn't mind following us back to the station. Since many of the people who saw you acknowledged you as the hero who stopped the men from making a successful operation,

“There would be a need for a few questions while you reclaim your possessions. Is that alright?” John asked politely.

“Alright, Mr John.” He nodded.

“Sergeant Carter,” John called out to the cop.

“Yes sir.” The cop responded after he swiftly appeared in front of them. He met eyes with Carlos’ and his gaze stiffened

“This young man claimed to have been apprehended before, is that correct?” John questioned him

“Yes sir.”

“And do any of his possessions lie in your stead?" Carlos watched as the cop took a while before he responded,

“Yes.” to John.

“Good. As an act of reward, ensure he's being refunded all that has been taken from him, including his money. And you are reprimanded effectively for denting the image of this good force.” John instructed grimly.

John signaled a cop who appeared in a dash and accorded him a salute.

“Ensure Sergeant Carter is suspended from his position for ten months due to bribery, understood?” John demanded.

“.....yes sir.” the cop responded with a salute.

Carlos stood amazed at John’s instantaneous act of chastisement at the very minute of his report on the deceitful cop, Carter.

“Come with us Mr Rodriguez.” John said, leading Carlos to one of their vehicles.

Leaving Carter behind, whose face evened with dark rage and vengefulness for the lowly young man.