49 A Beast's Mind

*From Inferno Hound's perspective*

The words of the guy holding the gun made me feel sick. If only that little boy wasn't threatened, then I'd have unleashed my hounds on him without a second thought.

I was never one to make unnecessary actions. For as long as I can remember they've been the ones doing the talking. Two entities not bound by the limitations of this world; simply because they're not from this world.

Fighting up front has also never been my style, my dogs would do all that for me with a single thought.

So I guess when he said I couldn't summon them made me helpless. With the exception of covert missions, I always did everything with my dogs. So losing them now of all times when an innocent is threatened makes me feel like an idiot.

But that doesn't mean I have any intention to let that guy go scot-free. Splashed with a sudden inspiration, I recalled the other young man I saw in front of me.

'That guy, he's an S-rank Dancer and the other fellow hasn't noticed yet.'

I quickly realized the truth of the matter and gave a few eye signals to Black Knight, my superior-in-name. If he was as smart as they made him out to be, then he should be able to understand them.

After the few eye signals to Black Knight, I focused all my attention on the guy holding the old fashioned pistol. Pretending as if I'm actually complying with his demands.

It isn't very hard to fool the poor fellow, and Black Knight seemed to know that. Hence, he began to launch his attack; right under the enraged avenger's eyes.

I notice the guy's fingers twitching near the trigger and I knew I couldn't just stay quiet. It was time for once to do my own talking.

"Hey, Kid. I know it must've been rough to lose your brother. But, I just want you to know that it isn't my fault. They issued out a bounty on his head and I accepted it. There were no personal feelings involved there, it was just business."

I could easily become a world-famous actor with my skills. The sad truth is that I actually don't even remember the kid's brother or anyone similar looking to the kid.

And unfortunately for me, the kid wasn't some simple avenger with slightly better wits.

"So, that's how you pass it off as? Business?! You took a f*cking human life, my brother's life! And let me just make something clear, I know there's no way there was an Association-issued bounty on my brother's head. In fact, I know the reason why you killed him!" The kid yelled, the gun in his hand shivered but not with fear.

I thought of many conclusions to his accusations but none of them seemed to fit. And from his next words, it looked like the kid didn't like playing the suspense game

"I was there when it all happened. My hands were stained with his blood. I cradled his body as the life slipped away from his eyes. There wasn't even much left of his body because your stupid dogs ate it all!! And the real reason? It was because of a f*cking doll!"

Now he was nothing less than screaming, his eyes turned bloodshot but mine retained the permanent colour.

I'm guilty. But not because I did it. But because I've done it so many times that I can't count anymore.

One part of me wished Black Knight would just launch his attack and everyone would just go his or her way but another part wanted to let Black Knight listen carefully, making him aware of the mistakes one could make in the business.

And last, of all, there was a little part in me that wanted to turn myself in, to atone for all the mistakes I'd made over the years.

'But I can't do that, not for another person when I still have goals to reach.'

And with a prayer upon the kid's soul, I gave the signal to launch the attack.

. . .

*Switch to normal POV*

Hugo watched, blissfully unaware of the turmoil Inferno Hound faced. This time around, with an event surrounding someone else, he had no "insider's tip" regarding the situation.

'If that's all that happened and Inferno Hound killed that guy's brother because of a doll. Then I have to say, that's pretty cruel. But who am I to even give an opinion, I'm not any better.'

It was also at that moment of self-shame that Inferno Hound gave the signal to do it.

'He must have overcome his insecurities and demons by now. Though I really want to know what happened, I'll do it.'

And like that, with one thought from a man, the issue came to a close.

The dagger flew across the room to the point the man stood, stabbing him squarely in the arm that he held the gun.

"Urgh!" The man groaned in pain, tears trickling down his eyes. But he didn't make a single sound, because he knew the sorrow he'd faced was more than this.

That attack wasn't enough to deter him, but it proved just about enough for people to rush over and grab the boy.

By the time that happened, there was already a huge crowd formed around them in a circle. The crowd included people who had their flight's delayed because of the unexpected event and people who were waiting for their Hover ships to arrive.

They all whispered in hushed tones, criticizing the actions of the two men. However, contrary to what one would think, most of the fire was on Inferno Hound because of his past actions rather than the ambitious young man who abducted a child.

Though, a few people still chose to look at the abduction of the child as a greater offence. Mostly because of blind faith in the Association.

Hugo didn't say anything but left the matter to the present authorities. Inferno Hound also mentioned nothing of the matter as soon as the boy left the picture.

He gave a dejected sigh and felt a numb sensation course through his veins, entirely overpowering everything else.

'This is life. Everything goes on.'

Eventually, their flight resumed track and everyone boarded the Hover ship moving along as if absolutely nothing had happened. The same went for Hugo.

People had to move on, much as time did. Without waiting for anyone.

"Hmm."

The verbal utterance was accompanied by awkward fidgeting and a frown. It was obvious that even though Hugo said to himself that life goes on, something about that event made him feel unsafe.

It also reminded him of the last time he was in Alpha.

'I hope this trip isn't more than I bargained for.' He thinks, sighing and sinks into his seat, only to be interrupted by the sound of clothes rustling next to him.

"Thank you." A small voice whispered as the rustling of clothes stopped.

"Mr Hound, how can I help you?" Hugo said this without lifting a single eyelid. Very much aware that the only person who would say thanks to him was this strange man.

"Nothing. I only wanted to say thanks for your earlier actions."

Hugo's face resurrected a frown from before and a bubbling heat rose from his gut.

"Why'd you do it though? I want to know the real reason why you killed that man's brother?"

Inferno Hound fell silent at that point and Hugo's eyes opened to see what kind of reaction the man would have at his question.

"I think it was for the doll." The hitman managed to ejaculate a shaky smile and referenced the reason given by the angry avenger.

"I won't accept that half-hearted answer you know?" Hugo shook his head.

"I know. But that's all I can give you, a half-hearted answer."

Inferno Hound said nothing more than that. But his actions proved to be a window wider than his words.

"If that's all, you can leave now. Your apology is accepted."

Inferno Hound wasn't convinced, but still left Hugo's accommodation out of respect. And as the door closed, Hugo knew he'd just opened the door into a beast's mind.

. . .

[All passengers are required to leave the Hover ships. You have reached your destination]

The passengers that were heading to Alpha had finally reached their destination. And gave relieved sighs upon getting there. Because of the event that happened at the ports, the vast majority of passengers had been quite uneased throughout the entire journey, Hugo included.

'Everything went okay. But today I feel like I've witnessed the birth of a new kind of villain.'

His breath shook upon remembering the vengeance-driven man back at the Hover ship port in Theta.

'But I'll be alright. Nothing can threaten me so long I'm here.'

He gave his self words of assurance, as a method of bolstering himself before he knew what was to come. However, if there was anything he was scared of; it wasn't a powerful villain.

. . .

*Somewhere deep within the Alpha region main port*

"Sir, the concentration of high energy has landed. Actually, they're two." A timid but determined voice shook as each word came out.

"Can you identify the two?"

"Yes sir."

The voice was accompanied by clicking noises, and by the time the noises stopped, the clicking continued.

"The sources are S-rank Skydancer Black Knight and B-rank Inferno Hound."

"Hmm, those are two problematic people. And the problems that will awaken after their arrivals are even more problematic." The chief of security's voice didn't waver, but the man was aware of the issues following two.

"Especially that Black Knight kid. Send our stealthiest team after him, I reckon there are a lot of unsightly figures who wish to end his life. Make sure that doesn't happen or our region will be flattened."

"Understood, sir!"

The junior officer saluted and went back to work. But unaware to him, his boss had was smiling. And that wasn't the smile of a normal human.

"It looks like WE will have to come out of Hiatus to deal with this old pain in the ass."

And under the dim lighting of the room, a bright blue light shone out of the man's eye temporarily.

***

Author's note: Don't worry, the chapter is here. There were just some issues with my laptop that prolonged the time.