Chapter 13: Prison Break

[3rd person POV]

Stepping out of the room, Saul didn't leave immediately but instead asked the guard for directions to the nearby restroom. Entering the restroom, he took off his outer clothing, revealing his overweight body underneath. Suddenly, a tear appeared on his abdomen, and numerous small mechanical bugs emerged from it, each about the length of 5cm.

Even with the naked eye, one could see Saul's body rapidly deflating. "Commence," Saul ordered, and the swarm of mechanical bugs immediately dispersed, crawling into the pipes within the restroom and spreading throughout the prison.

Saul grasped the tear on his abdomen, and a green thread emitted from his fingertip, sewing up the opening. With the task complete, Saul's body swelled back to its original form. The confident lawyer nonchalantly walked out of the prison as if nothing had happened.

[POV ends]

------------------

[Rojo POV]

Back in the prison cell, countless thoughts swarm around me as I wonder if I've made a mistake. As the leader of a band of thieves, I loathe being controlled by others. With my skills and appearance, I could live a good life without resorting to a life of crime.

However, I cannot deny that the rewards are too tempting: freedom, wealth, and power, all within just 5 years. By the end of the contract, I would only be 30, a millionaire with the strength of an army.

I reminisce about the time when I was still wearing the Alien armor, feeling like I could do anything, as if the whole world belonged to me.

That was until the octopus-faced asshole and that brown-haired brat appeared, destroying everything. Clenching my teeth, I promise myself that one day I'll crush them all under my feet.

------------------

The sky had turned dark, and I could hear a noise coming from the prison cell. As the door opened, a strange figure emerged, wearing a skull-shaped mask. From the neck down, the figure was covered in a black outfit, except for the two arms, which were encased in a steel-like metallic material. He also carried a suitcase.

"Ready to go?" The voice echoed from behind the mask.

"Yes," I replied firmly.

"Then put this on." He spoke as he threw the suitcase towards me, and I reflexively caught it.

Inside the suitcase was a suit of armor accompanied by an metal Mask. While the stranger turned away, I discarded my prison uniform and put on the new armor.

"It fits perfectly," I exclaimed. I was truly satisfied with the new attire. The black and red colors, hugging my body, accentuated my figure. The skull emblem on my chest gave a strong impression without losing its elegance. The best part was the comfort it provided, as if it were an extension of my own body.

"It was specially made for you. Consider it a perk of being a new member. The suit is highly resistant to heat and bullets, integrated with an exoskeleton. All your physical abilities are enhanced tenfold," the masked figure explained.

As I moved, I felt my body becoming significantly lighter. I tested a few strikes in mid-air, and the sound of the wind tearing followed, exhilarating me. I wanted to continue experimenting, but the figure stopped me.

"Enough for now. There will be plenty of time for testing later. We have other tasks to accomplish."

Leaving the prison cell, instead of leading me towards the exit gate, he led me deeper inside.

"Hey, mystery guy, do you have a name or some edgy title?" I asked.

"Kevin," he replied gently.

His answer left me slightly speechless. "Just Kevin? Not Knightmare, Killshot, or Krueger?"

"No, just Kevin. Is there a problem with that?" Kevin replied, looking straight at me. Although our heights were not much different, his presence exuded a strong and imposing force.

I knew not to ask any more questions. After a while, we stopped at another prison cell, and I wondered if he was going to recruit more members, but his actions spoke louder than words.

A key appeared on Kevin's fingertip, or rather, the key seemed to grow out of his finger. He opened the prison cell, and I saw a female prisoner peering out curiously.

Before she could react, Kevin pulled out a metal baton and pointed it forward. The tip of the baton shot out a mesh net, capturing her and causing an electric surge that rendered the female prisoner unconscious.

"Would you kindly carry her for me?" It was a question, but I knew there was only one answer.

We continued in the same manner with two more cells before heading towards the exit. With two female inmates on my shoulders and one carried by Kevin on his side, I noticed something peculiar—everything was strangely calm and quiet.

The initial shock had made me forget basic awareness. A criminal in an unmistakable outfit casually strolling around the prison and collecting prisoners as if shopping in a supermarket.

This wasn't a movie. There were cameras everywhere, guards, and alarms. Why was everything so effortlessly easy? It wasn't until we neared the exit door that I saw a few figures lying on the ground and... snoring?

Two of the men were even embracing each other tightly. My curiosity reached its peak, and I asked Kevin:

"What's happening here?"

"Don't you see? They're sleeping."

"Why?"

"Sedatives."

"How?"

"You'll find out soon enough."

And that's where the conversation ended.

--------------------

Stepping out of the prison area, I noticed a blue Dodge Challenger-like car waiting nearby. After securing the three new members in the back seats, I saw Kevin open the trunk, and a horrifying scene unfolded (for me). Countless rustling sounds emerged from the surrounding bushes, as if numerous people were trampling on them, and a swarm of insects crawled out. They swiftly made their way, squeezing into the trunk and any crevices they could find. The sudden incident startled me, causing me to jump and cling onto Kevin. Once he closed the trunk, I awkwardly settled back on the ground.

Kevin stared intently at me, causing my face to flush slightly. Thankfully, my protective mask concealed it as I snapped, "What are you looking at?"

"The leader of a gang of thieves, someone with experience in killing, yet afraid of a few small bugs," his voice carried a mocking tone.

"I'm not afraid of bugs," I shouted. "It's just that it happened so suddenly, and the sheer number caught me off guard."

"Of course you do... of course... of course..." he nodded as if he understood, but through his gaze and tone, I could tell what he was really thinking. However, before I could defend myself further, he simply entered the car and directed his words towards me, "Don't worry, they're just mechanical bugs. Thanks to them, you were rescued."

I clenched my teeth and reluctantly followed suit. Despite the discomfort caused by the insects, hearing Kevin's reassurance assured me that they wouldn't cause any harm.

As we entered the vehicle, I observed Kevin slowly removing his mask. Out of curiosity, I peered inside and witnessed a sight even more shocking than the swarm of insects earlier. This terrifying individual looked... so young. Although I had seen younger individuals involved in crime, based on Kevin's appearance, demeanor, and aura, I had assumed he had years of experience under his belt.

"How old are you?" I blurted out.

"Fifteen. Is there a problem?" He responded with suspicion.

"A problem? How could there not be a problem? I was thrown into prison by a kid before, and now I'm being rescued by someone not much older. Is the youth of today truly this terrifying?" I roared silently in my mind.

Perhaps understanding my thoughts, he spoke up, "Just under a week ago, you witnessed and fought against extraterrestrial beings. Is this really more unbelievable than that? Now, buckle up, we're about to depart."

Ignoring my thoughts, Kevin started the car. Outside, under the chassis, two wings emerged, and a rocket engine appeared at the rear. With a burst of blue flames, the car propelled into the darkness of the night.

[POV ends]

---------------------