2025-05-02 15:28:33Inside, the air was thick and musty. The smell of rust clung to everything. He moved quietly through the narrow halls until he found a stash of jewels. Ahead, he watched as henchmen placed a gold bar into a secret compartment.
He ducked behind a stack of crates, heart racing, sweat dripping down his back. The men didn’t leave.
More mafia members entered. One of them stood out—tall, sharp in an expensive suit, a luxury watch glinting on his wrist. He walked like he owned the world. Nearly 6’7”.
Dane’s breath caught.
That had to be him—the Butcher Boss.
The air changed as the boss stepped into the room where the gold bar was hidden. Moments later, a man’s voice screamed:
“Please! Forgive me! I didn’t mean to betray you!”
Bang.
A gunshot rang out. The screaming stopped.
Dane’s mind raced.
I need to get out. Forget the gold. I need to leave. I need to live.
He turned to escape, but now there were more men outside the ship, guarding the exits.
Panic surged through him.
No way out.
He darted across the room, eyes scanning frantically. Then he spotted an empty barrel and dove in, heart thudding against his chest.
He held his breath, praying no one heard him.
Because if they did—he was dead.
As he hid in the barrel, Dane’s heart pounded wildly. Slowly, he lifted the lid to peek outside—but then froze. It seemed like the men had already walked away.
He waited, counting the seconds in his head. Twenty minutes passed.
Finally, he climbed out, glancing around cautiously. Seeing no one nearby, he took a hesitant step forward.
But it was a trap.
The Mafia boss had already figured out someone was hiding.
Dane felt a cold hand touch his back.
Before he could react, a powerful fist slammed into his face, knocking him out.
When he woke up, he was tied to a chair in a dimly lit room that reeked of blood and rot. The air was thick, heavy with something foul. He looked down—no injuries yet.
Suddenly, a voice spoke from the shadows.
“You’re awake, huh? Good. Now it’s time for torture.”
The voice was cold. Unfeeling.
His eyes gleamed with ruthless ambition.
“I want it all. I want to rule over every mafia in this country. And to do that, I need men like him.”
“You’re going to tell me what you were doing on my ship, near my cargo. Are you a spy? Who sent you?” the Mafia boss demanded.
Dane trembled, his whole body shaking with fear. He opened his mouth, but all that came out was a stammer.
SMACK!
A heavy slap crashed across his face. His cheek split open, blood trickling down.
He had never been so terrified in his life. The Butchara Mafia—he knew exactly who they were. Everyone did. They were the most feared criminal organization in the country.
“Oh? So you’re not going to talk?” the Mafia boss sneered. “Fine. You’ll experience real pain first.”
He turned to his henchmen.
“Tie him tighter. Flog him.”
The beating began.
The whip lashed against Dane’s skin again and again.
“HELP! SOMEBODY, PLEASE HELP ME!” he screamed.
The Mafia boss only laughed.
“You idiot. Who do you think is going to hear you?”
Blood ran down Dane’s back. His vision blurred. His body shook violently.
“Ready to talk now?” the boss asked.
“Yes! Yes! I’ll talk! Please, forgive me! Spare me!” Dane cried.
“Then talk.”
“I… I overheard two men outside the bakery. They said something about gold bars being loaded onto this ship. I—I just thought… if I stole one, I could escape this life. That’s all. That’s the truth. Please, spare me…”
The boss narrowed his eyes.
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Eyes Before Fists
“But look at him,” Gary said, pointing at Dane. “He’s breathing too fast—like he’s completely out of breath. It won’t be fair if I fight someone who’s already tired, especially since he’s quicker than me.”Gary’s words made sense, and Butcher nodded slightly. Then he turned his eyes toward Dane.“Then go sit down. Just sit on the ground there for two minutes,” Butcher said, voice steady.Dane shook his head. “Nah, I think I’m good. I’ll just stand.”Butcher’s expression changed instantly. His face hardened, and his tone turned ice cold. “I said sit on the ground. Now.”His clenched fist tightened slowly, veins rising under his skin. The air shifted, pressure building. No one said a word.Dane hesitated. He felt everyone’s eyes on him—Lily standing nearby, her face unreadable. Jane, who had been watching quietly. A few of the generals leaned in, sensing the tension.No… why me? Dane thought. Why do I have to sit on the ground like a child? Lily’s here. Even Jane is watching. I’ll look
Who Has What It Takes?
Butcher’s gaze swept across the room, meeting the eyes of each general with steady resolve. “I know some of you are still doubting Dane. Even though I’ve said he’s strong, that he has potential, some of you aren’t convinced yet. That’s understandable. New blood in this world always raises questions.” He paused, letting the words settle. “But here’s the truth—Lily, with her full strength, will beat Dane every time. If she uses a knife, there’s no contest. You all saw it with your own eyes. The moment she went all out, Dane barely survived. There was no chance for him to win.”He stepped forward, voice dropping slightly as if revealing a secret. “But what if they fought without weapons? Just fists. Big hands, bare knuckles. What do you think would happen then?”The room grew quiet, the generals exchanging glances, weighing their thoughts.Butcher’s voice came back, confident and clear. “One thing I can guarantee—Lily will be faster. No question. Her speed is unmatched. But if Dane manag
First Strike
Before anyone could call for the fight to begin, Lily was already in motion. Without warning, she lunged, her knife slashing toward his neck.Dane’s reflexes kicked in just in time. He jumped back, eyes wide, breath caught in his throat.“What the hell?!” he shouted. “No one said we started!”Lily tilted her head. “If your enemy’s trying to kill you, do you think they’ll announce it first? You think they’ll wait for a bell or whistle?” She stepped forward again, eyes narrowing. “No. Because now, I’m your enemy. And you’re mine. Understand that.”“I told you—I’m not holding back,” she continued. “I aimed for your neck. But I’ll admit—you dodged it. So maybe you’re not all talk. Maybe you’ve got a little speed. Or maybe that was just luck.”And then she charged again.The second strike came faster. The blade sliced through the air, aimed at his chest. Dane shifted, barely twisting in time. He remembered Butcher’s words during training—Always move. Always expect the unexpected. Blend. Be
Unarmed Against a Knife
She paused mid-step and looked over her shoulder. “Yes, boss?”He took a step forward, eyes locked on her. “Do you want to use a weapon?” he asked, his tone unusually thoughtful. “If so, which one would you prefer?”Lily gave a half-smile. “A knife,” she said simply. “I’d love to use a knife. It’s what I’m best with.”Butcher nodded slowly. “Do you want me to get someone to prepare one for you?”Lily shook her head without hesitation. “No need. You know I always carry two.” She tapped the side of her legs lightly. “One on the left, one on the right. I’m never without them.”Butcher allowed himself a small smirk. “That’s what I like about you. Prepared. Focused.”She gave him a short nod of respect, then turned on her heel and walked confidently toward the compound.The others were already gathering, circling the training yard like spectators at a gladiator match. The sun glared overhead, casting long shadows on the dirt. Everyone could feel it—this wasn’t just a test for Dane. It was
Survive the Circle
“Yeah… we’re sorry,” Kenny replied quickly, backing off.Butcher straightened and took a deep breath. “I want to make something else very clear. You all saw the news about what happened to Kenshi. The Yakuza crossed a line. Some of you might’ve guessed it was me. Some of you didn’t. But now, let me say it plain—I was the one who took him out.”Murmurs echoed across the room, but no one dared speak.“And this is the law from now on,” Butcher continued. “Any time, any group, any gang, or any mafia dares to disrespect the Butcher Mafia—our full name, the Butchara Mafia Group—there will be no forgiveness. None. That group, or person, must be eliminated. No second chances. Understood?”“Yes, sir!” they all shouted, almost in unison.Every general repeated it—yes, sir! Even Dane joined in, though he wasn’t one of them. Not yet.Butcher looked around, then locked eyes with Lily.“A fight. Between Lily and Dane,” he said calmly.Lily’s brows rose slightly, amused. “Really?”Gary frowned and l
Two Faces
Dane blinked, stunned by the sudden shift in tone. It was like Kenny had two completely different personalities—one joking and easygoing, the other fierce and deadly.“The only reason I haven’t done anything is because what you said was a real challenge,” Kenny continued, voice hard and steady. “A challenge that I respect. I could kill you right now. But I’m not going to.”Then Kenny’s face broke into a sly smile.Dane’s mind raced. Shit. This dude’s no joke. He’s almost as strong as Butcher. When it comes to strength, it’s crazy. Like two people in one—one moment angry and serious, the next calm and smiling.As Dane watched, all the generals were called to the table by Butcher’s sharp voice.“Generals! To the table!” Butcher commanded.One by one, the generals filed over to the large wooden table where Dane and Kenny sat. Butcher took the seat at the head like a king.“I want you all to meet Dane,” Butcher said in a deep voice that filled the room. “His name is Dane.”The generals ex
Taking Over the Table
He wore the robe of a monk, simple and clean, with prayer beads wrapped tightly around his hand. He was small, bald, and looked peaceful—but everyone knew that peaceful look could flip in an instant. He was silent but deadly.And then came the sixth general—Kelly. Beautiful, with a soft yet sharp appearance. Her long hair was parted into two high ponytails. She wore a yellow dress that stood out in the room of dark clothes and black jackets. Her round face and wide eyes made her look innocent—but her silence hinted at something more.The seventh general, standing still and quiet, was Jane. She wasn’t as strong or feared as the others, but she had earned her place. Everyone knew she had potential. But right now, she couldn’t stop glancing at Lily. And then back at Dane.Butcher stepped forward and cleared his throat.“You all know why we’re here,” he said. “This is Dane.”All eyes turned toward Dane.Butcher continued, “He’s the reason I changed plans. I want you to see what I see in h
The Seventh General
The air outside was hot, and the sky above was clear. Butcher drove without saying a word. Dane stared out the window, his fingers tapping lightly on his bat. He wasn’t sure who these people were that they were going to meet, but if Butcher was bringing him along, it meant something serious. Butcher didn’t do social visits. Not unless it involved business, power, or plans.They drove for nearly thirty minutes, past traffic, past rows of buildings, into a more secure-looking district with private roads and high walls. Finally, As they arrived at the large compound, they were immediately surrounded by armed men. Dane remained still in the car, eyes fixed straight ahead, his face calm but alert. He looked out the window, his expression unreadable. Butcher told him to get out, then added, “Wait—open the door. We go out at the same time.”Dane nodded and opened his door. Butcher did the same. Both men stepped out of the car together. As soon as Butcher’s shoes hit the ground, every armed g
The Meeting Moved
“Dane! Wake up!” Butcher snapped as he tapped Dane’s leg. “I changed my mind. It’s no longer next week. It’s now.”Dane groaned, turning his face lazily. “What do you mean now?” he mumbled. He squinted, still half-asleep, trying to make out Butcher’s face.“We’re going to meet the general I’ve been telling you about. Today. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Now.”“Wow, Butch… please,” Dane murmured, his voice hoarse. “Just five more minutes. If I sleep for five more minutes, I swear I’ll be recharged. I’ll have more strength.”Butcher narrowed his eyes, then shouted, “Will you get your ass off that fucking bed now?”The voice thundered through the room like a gunshot. Dane shot up immediately, startled. He didn’t even argue again. He stumbled off the bed, scratched his head, then dragged himself into the bathroom. He took a quick bath, came out, dried himself, and dressed fast. He didn’t want Butcher coming back to scream again.He wore a black fitted shirt, tactical boots, and jeans. He l
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