Savage king

Now that Ranta had stopped squealing, Tejumole could get back to work. She picked up a piece of paper and silently read through it.

Occasionally, she would correct a phrase or add a new sentence. And when she finished with a sheet, she would set it aside and pick up a new one.

She repeated her actions amidst the silence. Time passed and Ranta who lay on the desk was beginning to feel drowsy as he watched Tejumole work in his listless position. It didn't take long for his eyelids to flutter a few times before finally closing.

Knowing that his host would forget his existence if he went back, Ranta choose not to withdraw to the space.

Thus, the yellow pig succumbed to sleep with the gentle flipping of pages and the consistent ticking of the clock as his lullaby.

When she heard the light snores, Tejumole tilted her head to Ranta's position. Seeing his shut eyes, she used her pen to poke his nose, but he gave no response. She then turned to the clock and saw that it was 4:30 pm.

Time had unknowingly passed.

"4:30… The little one will be done soon."

Saying this, she finished grading the final sheet and placed it with the rest. She then placed the thick bundle in her drawer and packed up her things.

When she was done, she got up from her chair and walked to the door, leaving Ranta on the table. She soon stepped out and locked the door behind her before walking away.

Her office was now vacant and Ranta, who was sleeping peacefully on the desk, had simply vanished.

•••

Wednesday, 12:30 am…

The night was dark and moonless. The clouds that hid the stars and concealed the moon were the only things that could be seen in the void-like sky. Sitting on a tree branch was a petite figure. They faced in the direction of the residential estate some distance away.

Though it was night, the buildings in the residence were brightly lit. A fitting word to describe this place would be affluent. Because even from this distance, one could tell that this place was the home of the wealthy.

"Hey, haven't you realized that most people carry out their louche, covert activities at night? It's like there's this unwritten rule, you know? That if you want to do something bad, do it at night. Kinda like what we're doing now! I get that it's easier to move at night, even the witches and evil spirits only come out when it's dark. Do they lose their powers during the day, or they're just nocturnal…? Hey, TJ… are you listening to me?"

"No."

"Don't ignore me!"

"You're being noisy. People are sleeping."

Tejumole groaned and swung her legs back and forth. She looked at the heavily guarded estate just a few feet away. Who would have expected the Erujeje group to be based here? In one of the most prominent living quarters in the southwest. It was so accessible. So close to civilian life.

Moreover, even though this place was the home of the filthy rich, the roads leading here and away were still traversed by the public. For them to settle in such an open place, Tejumole didn't know if their strategy was to hide in plain sight or if these people were just bold. The people who lived here were all rich and powerful figures, but their envy-inducing wealth was gotten through the suffering and anguish of others.

They had to be punished. All of them.

"Tsk. You're so boring~ When are we going in? I can't wait to kick some scummy butts… I wanna see fluids~"Aanu was very excited, and it reflected in her voice.

Tejumole jumped from the tree and landed with a 'thud'. She then started to walk, heading towards the guarded gates, before saying:

"That's gross. Since when were you so perverted?"

"I'm still charming~"

•••

"Why won't you listen? This punisher person should not be taken lightly. Look at what they did to Dunni. We need to take precautions."

In the centre of the large estate, in a room on the topmost floor of the tallest building were a group of men sitting around a table. The room was spacious and brightly lit. It reflected the figures of all six people who were engaged in a discussion.

Sitting at the head was a rugged man with a bushy beard. He had a centipede-like scar that ran from the corner of his eye down to his jaw. He sat with his legs crossed on the table with a cigar hanging on his lips. The smoke emitted from the burning cigarette drifted towards the person sitting next to him, entering his nostrils and causing him to cough.

"Cool your jets, black snake. You're making a big deal out of nothing. Yes, that punisher or whatever, he took out RH but that bastard, may his soul rest in peace, was a complete muscle head. The dude just got careless and ended up as prey this time. You're overreacting, my friend."

Savage king waved his hand dismissively and spoke in his gruff voice. He looked at his second-in-command with a gaze filled with scorn, seemingly conveying 'since when were you such a coward?'.

"The boss is right. That person only got lucky."

"Exactly. If he dares to show his face here, boss will easily take care of him."

"Right! Boss savage king is the strongest!"

"Yeah!"

The room erupted in chatter, with the other four expressing their confidence in their superior.

"See, the four pillars agree." Savage king paid no heed to the worries of his second-in-chief. Causing the man with a lanky build to gnash his teeth in anger.

"I already hearkened to you and increased security. Not even a mosquito will be able to get past our defences now."

"But it's not enough. This person is not the average vigilante. His means are strange, and thought-provoking. Have you never wondered how he could kill so many people in the underworld without getting caught? No one has ever been able to capture him or discover his whereabouts. Even his appearance remains a mystery!"

Bang!

Savage king dropped his feet on the floor and banged his fist heavily on the table. It caused cracks to form on the table's surface and the others to stiffen as they watched him cautiously. His expression was visibly displeased and livid. He looked at Black snake with red, bloodshot eyes.

If looks could kill, then black snake would have died ten times over. With widened nostrils and his jaws clenched, savage king spoke in a deathly cold voice:

"Black snake, how come I never knew you were this cowardly? My Erujeje group is a place for the tough and ruthless. The men under me are fearless, loyal, and resilient. I do not need lily-livered men in my organization." Savage king narrowed his eyes at the end of his speech. Quietly threatening, they gazed at black snake like a predator watching its prey.

The room fell silent. It was so quiet that they could hear each other's breaths.

The tension in the air was so tight that it made the group straighten their backs unconsciously.

Black snake who was the target of the devilish stare felt as though there were a bunch of ants nibbling on his skin.

A chill ran up his spine, but he gulped the fear that had almost consumed him and raised his head.

Looking at the man he had known for more than forty years, he said.

"Boss, this is not cowardice. We have known each other for many years. Too long for you to doubt me. You are familiar with my skills, and you know I never back from a fight."

"I know."

"But boss, you know my intuition is even stronger than a prophet's. I...we, have never gone wrong in trusting my instincts. Because of my intuition, we escaped from multiple dangers, dodged hidden traps and reached our current position."

Black snake spoke in a clear voice. He had to make his boss understand the severity of this issue. He had been feeling uneasy since a while ago, and he could no longer quell his anxiety.

Savage king lowered his gaze and remained silent. He seemed lost in thought. Black snake's words had remained him of why he was so useful.

If that was the case, then;

"Then, what do you suggest we do?" After a while that seemed like sitting on pins and needles to the other five in the room, savage king spoke in acquiescence.