Modern Crusaders

As John walks on the grounds of New Lion City, the once-powerful, now destroyed nation of Singapore. With rubble and debris of the tall and beautiful buildings and structures still on the very ground as John heads to work.

The once uniform and colourful HDB blocks now becoming lifeless and dilapidated. The once culture-filled melting pot now a slum that no country would even bother to absorb. With him reaching the door of the only building that managed to stand tall, a once-bustling community centre. His extremely bruised hands hesitantly reaching for the door's handle. In his mind, he thinks to himself about never working in this hellscape ever again. He works as a powerless crusader, helping the actual heroes who have attained the God-given powers do shitty chores which could also lead to some risking their lives. From the setting of a prototype bomb to the scouting of dark unknown caves the lives of powerless crusaders are just mere slaves.

"Crusaders my ass", he thinks to himself as he enters the building and seats on his tiny cubical desk with an almost broken computer telling him when and where to risk his life next.

"Hey look, a false pawn", John overhears behind his back as they snicker at his pathetic existence. He didn't want to do this job anymore but had no choice as he was stuck in a contract that scammed him.

He has been here 4 years and counting already, facing beatings from those who could rip cars in 2 and those who carry buildings. Just because he's a false pawn, a name given to powerless as an insult. The world is a cruel place currently with philosophy being unnecessary and diplomacy being stupid against monsters. So he has no choice to get a beating or get a harder beating for not following the contract.

"Hey false pawn boy", a man shouted at John.

John turns his head around with a tired, jaded expression and see's a short plump man being lifted by the man who shouted and John.

"This is one of your people, you go deal with him."

John rolls his eyes and complied, but out of nowhere, he was attacked by 2 people. With punches causing air to escape from his lungs and his arms to get bruised a gruesome black. He falls down his chair and down to the ground, the pain never changes for him.

"This is what happens when you disrespect us, got it?"

The short man shivers in fear and nods timidly.