8 Intermission

On one particular operation, Leo and Luis went to the Yakuza headquarters to have a deal with their boss. They were tasked to retrieve an old traditional Katana and bring it back to him. It was said to be an important heirloom.

There, they met with a member, who was involved with its disappearance. On a table, he places his hand. He took a cutting knife and strike down his fingers. He cuts off two, and blood splatters. They knew it was a mark of betrayal, a sign of failure to comply. It wasn't anything surprising.

To Luis, Leo is a person who has more authority over him more than the person he would call his boss. He would never betray him. He would never turn his back on him. However, if he ever did, he will not just cut off two of his own fingers, three, or five... no, he will cut off his own limbs.

***

"Sir, I've been informed that one of the two adventurers we brought inside the city has performed in a duel."

"It caused a commotion among the city thugs."

"Well, tell me how." Sitting on his office chair, Bernard Hilda responds to the information given by two of his men.

"Well, sir... the younger brother seems to have beaten up the dueler Jonas with his bare fists."

"Really now?" Bernard laughs, tapping his knees in delight.

"Yes, sir... his helmet was broken into two, his chest armor has been chunked, and his weapons have been crushed. It was as if he was mauled by a monster."

"Did he survived?"

"Surprisingly, he was left alive. However, his face is now beyond recognition."

"Bahaha!" Once again, Bernard wheezes. "They sure give him what he deserved!" He said.

"Sir, I think we should have restrained them."

"What for? Because they're not what they told they were?" Bernard mentions.

He was referring to the fact that Leo and Luis were not adventurers at all, which he was led to believe the first time they met. It was when he interviewed Leo that he figured out they were lying. He did a good job trying to hide it, but looking in all directions, he'll eventually be figured out. However, Bernard chose not to condemn them; it was a decision with its own reasons and benefits.

"That's not only it, sir... It's because they're dangerous." So serious, the man claims. "Even the bandits and the prisoners... crushed heads, severed limbs, gored torsos... what they did to them was inhumane."

"It seems you don't understand," Bernard replied as the room soon turned quiet. After, he stood up and gaze his eyes at his men, "Those bastards got what they deserved."

"Bu-But!"

"There are no buts! Those two brothers, Leo and Luis... are indeed not human. They are natural-born killers. But it seems that they know how to follow the rules. As they said, those bandits attacked them first. If they were lying about that, then we wouldn't be alive to see Zealean again. They would've just attacked us too."

"Even so... like you said! They're killers!"

"We owe them!" Out of nowhere, Bernard raised his voice. "And I'm thinking we're going to owe them more."

"Wha-What do you mean, sir?"

"Those bandits include a number of people we hate the most in the world. They were about to be executed when they suddenly escaped. The truth is, we wouldn't be able to catch them for ourselves. I prayed to God, and he sent the grim reaper." As Bernard speaks, a smile appears on his face. "I hate people who kill the innocent. I want them to burn in hell. But those who kill them, I pray for. Now, I don't know what those brothers will do after, but I'm confident they will only get rid of those who will get in their way."

As Bernard stood in the middle of the room, all remained quiet. His two men stare at him with mixed emotions. Somehow they agree with what he said, but somehow, they also don't.

"I will make contact with the two of them again."

"What for, sir?" One of his men nervously asked.

"I'll ask them if they could do a job for me. Something the mercenaries and adventurers can't; something you men have no experience with. You know what my dream is, right? When I said Zealean was the most peaceful city, that was merely a farce... that was merely a dream... I want to realize Zealean in its purest form. I want it to become a city where crimes are non-existent. Those brothers have the potential to help me."

***

"What did you say." In a room covered in shadow, a figure asked in a cold, deep voice.

"I-It's Jonas, boss... he's been beaten, and his injuries... tsk!" One of the men in the group who were kneeling in front of the figure said as he clicks his tongue. As he was struggling to speak, he was not able to continue. Another took his place to tell the story.

"Who did it to him?"

"We don't know their names... they're from outside the city. They're adventurers!"

"Adventurers? To be beaten by those people to that extent... pathetic, get rid of Jonas. I don't want him embarrassing me."

"How about those adventurers?"

"What about them?"

"Aren't they dangerous?"

"Aren't we the ones who supposed to be dangerous!?" He yells. "I'm not the parent of a shameless kid who's going to do the talk for the trouble he caused! My time is to be spent on more important things!"

"Ye-Yes, boss!" The men stutters.

"Those idiots will realize who I am and they wouldn't dare get in our way again. Give them enough time and they'll be silent, like those bastards calling themselves as the guardians of this city."