Chapter 17 - Subjugation (1)

Today is the day that I must capture Calvin. Because the tracking chip is in his clothes, as soon as he changes them, I will not be able to track his location anymore. As I am observing the travel patterns of the tracking chip, I notice that it has stayed stationary for more than 15 minutes by now, I assume that place to likely be Calvin's home or some sort of base. Fortunately, it is still within the confines of the Golden Gate district. I take all my things, head outside the motel, and grab a taxi. I give the driver an address and we depart. 

As we are heading towards Calvin, I make sure to keep an eye on my computer in case he decides to move once more. Luckily, the tracking chip's location has not changed by the time I arrive. I transfer 8 notes to the driver and exit the vehicle. What meets me is what seems to be an abandoned warehouse in the middle of nowhere. It looks to be in a state of disrepair. There are holes and cracks in the worn-down windows. The bricks from which the building is built are covered in graffiti and dirt. Even calling it a building might be an exaggeration, it would be more accurate to refer to it as relic of bygone times. 

'Is this where he keeps the people he traffics maybe...?' 

Using the cover of the night, I approach the warehouse. I move stealthily to avoid making noise and alerting the enemies. At one point, I hear voices coming from inside of the building. I find suitable cover and listen in on the conversation. I hear a voice resembling that of Calvin's 

"Why does he always need to make me come to such a remote and dangerous place for transactions?? He never even shows up himself!!" 

"Don't worry boss, with us around, no harm can get to you." 

I decide to take a peek using my camera and assess the situation. What I see is two [enlightened] and Calvin standing in the middle of the warehouse, discussing. The [enlightened] consist of a man and a woman. The man is rather scrawny and pale looking with disheveled black hair falling to his shoulders. The woman on the other hand, wears her auburn hair in a bun revealing her face. She wears a suggestive outfit leaving little to the imagination. Perhaps it is because of her ability, or simply because she is very comfortable with her body. Her teeth are jagged, and her fingers are decorated by long pointy nails. From what I sense, the man is at the earliest point of the 1st stage, but the woman is well into the midpoint, her level being similar to mine. Nonetheless, If I play my cards right, I should be able to win. I do not see or sense anyone else nearby, subjugating Calvin should not be too much of a challenge. 

I make my mind and choose to go for the woman. Since she is the strongest of the two, taking her out first with a surprise attack will make things easier. I get as close as I can, hit my shield and focus all of its effects on the woman. 

'Song of idleness' 

She is momentarily unable to move, and I lunge at her with my sharpsong, aiming straight for her neck. Since she is [enlightened], she might live if she gets help fast. As I emerge from the shadows, the man immediately notices me. I can see him in the back drawing his melo-string and aiming it at me. Regardless, by the time he loads an arrow, it is too late, I am already at the woman's neck, and she is unable to move to evade or block. The deal is already sealed, but the woman smiles, and my blade is repelled upon contact with her body. The man fires his arrow and I block it with my shield. The woman speaks. 

"Finally, the rat has shown itself!" 

"..." 

'Did they know I was coming?' 

Calvin looks in my direction and speaks. 

"Did you think I wouldn't notice the tracking chip you put onto me back at the Lounge? How long do you think I've been in this business boy?" 

He turns to speak to his bodyguards. 

"Neutralize him. Try not to kill him though, I want to know who sent him." 

'...sh*t, it was a trap from the start...!!' 

The woman lunges at me, she does not use any type of instrument. She is attacking me with her nails and her teeth, they seem to be even more durable than my sharpsong enhanced with pure flow. All I can do is defend against her relentless assault. 

"My entire body is a weapon little boy!" 

At the same time, the man in the back launches arrow after arrow in my direction which I must use my shield to block. I am currently in a terrible situation, but I have not lost yet. As the woman attacks me, I find the right opportunity and use the song of imbalance. She trips, I sidestep and aim my sharpsong at her joints. Surely, to be able to move, her joints must not be hardened. Yet, my sharpsong is repelled once more. 

"HAHA!! I TRIPPED! HOW DID YOU DO THAT!? TOO BAD FOR YOU THOUGH, DID YOU THINK MY JOINTS WOULD BE SOFT? I CAN HARDEN AND SOFTEN ANY PART OF MY BODY SEPARATELY AND INSTINCTIVELY!!!" 

It looks like I've run into some sort of battle junky. I answer her. 

"Now that's just unfair don't you think?" 

"Says the guy with 3 different abilities!" 

'Touché.' 

The man in the back is still firing arrows at me but my shield endures, they are not too powerful. That's when, from my right side, I am hit by something. My stance is destabilized and the woman uses this chance to launch an attack at me. Unable to react in time properly, I raise my left arm to block it and she claws through it, rendering it nearly unusable. 

'What just hit me!?' 

The man firing arrows from the rear speaks. 

"Hehe, wouldn't you like to know what Just happened." 

'Alright, this might be harder than I thought' 

Their synergy is a real problem, and now there is this mystery attack I need to deal with. However, I am still not out of options. I do not yet fear that I may be unable to win this fight. We are only getting started.