Betrayal

"Oh. You didn't actually expect us to take you all the way to that city, did you?"

Not even a second after Gabe said this, the first man lunged at us. One of his lackeys blindsided Ren from behind, knocking him to the ground. The impact drove the air from his lungs, leaving him struggling to get up. The man who had taken him down recovered much faster and was already winding up to kick Ren in the side.

Ren probably would have been seriously injured if Kai hadn't intervened. With his gift activated, Kai took the brunt of the blow with his right calf. A gust of wind rushed past Ren as he crawled to his feet. Just as he reorganized himself, Kai delivered a brutal counterattack. Ren heard the sickening crack of breaking bones but didn't have the luxury of time to watch.

"Are... you okay?"

Kai was struggling to hold off two new opponents rushing to attack him but still found time to check on Ren.

"Yes... I'm fine."

Ren wasn't concerned about Kai, though. With his gift—Strength—Kai could double all his physical abilities. It was a relatively common ability, but in his hands, it was deadly. There was no need to worry about him... at least for now.

Ren sprinted past Kai, scooping up Kael and hoisting him onto his back. As he ran toward the city, he took one last glance at Kai. They had a plan for situations like this—it was a necessity. In the outskirts, people would kill without hesitation. Not only did it grant them the opportunity to steal any Boons their victims carried, but it also meant fewer people to attract Scavengers.

In this case, Kai's role was to distract the attackers while Ren made sure of Kael's safety. Ren's top priority was to find a secure hiding spot.

Running as fast as he could with the weight of a school kid on his back, he scanned his surroundings.

"Kael... are you hurt?"

Ensuring Kael was unharmed was also part of the job.

"N-no!"

Kael's response came quickly, and by the time he answered, Ren had already found the perfect spot and ran for it. A narrow alley, barely wide enough for two people to stand side by side.

'This is perfect.'

Ren and Kai were outnumbered ten to one. While Kai had most of them occupied, Ren was still certain he'd have to face a few on his own. Limiting the number who could attack at once was vital. Here, only one person could fight him at a time.

Glancing behind him, he saw four men in pursuit. They were gaining on him, albeit slowly. Ren wasn't strong—anything but. He couldn't take these guys in a fair fight. He hadn't even obtained his gift yet.

That just meant he had to be sly. Ren hadn't survived fourteen years in this hell on luck alone. He survived because he was exceptionally dirty.

He was nothing if not resourceful, and right now, he had an incredible Boon with him. He stood no chance against even one of these guys in a contest of brute strength. They were Revengers—each one of them could handle ten of him without struggle.

But this wasn't a contest. There were no rules.

Setting up his trap, he ensured it was well-hidden before tucking Kael behind a dumpster at the end of the alley. He gave him a pat on the shoulder.

"I'll be right back. Oh... and make sure to cover your eyes."

Ren walked back toward his trap, ensuring Kael was out of sight. Even if Ren died here, he would be damned if he let Kael go with him. One way or another, he would protect him.

Taking one last glance to confirm Kael was hidden, Ren turned his gaze to the entrance of the alley.

Four men were squeezing into the narrow space, struggling to pass each other. Eventually, they gave up and lined up in a single file.

Ren threw up his hands, stumbling backward and nearly falling on his rear. His entire body shook as he put on the act.

"P-p-please don't kill me! I'll do anything you ask! I swear!"

It was an Oscar-worthy performance.

The four men burst into laughter. They exchanged glances before the leader spoke lazily.

"Really? You've already given up?! Oh, but we won't hurt you. Why don't you come here? If you hand over your things, we promise to spare you."

It was an enticing offer... if it had been real. But they weren't even trying to sound convincing. They wanted their victim to know they were lying.

Ren upped his act.

"R-really? You promise?"

He stammered, feigning desperation.

"Here... take my stuff. P-please, just spare me."

He tossed his bag onto the ground just within arm's reach. As he did, he discreetly pulled something crimson from it, slipping it into his sleeve.

The leader smirked. "Oh? A smart one. We definitely won't kill you—wasting someone with instincts like yours would be a damn shame."

Ren mentally marked him. He'd make sure this one suffered. He had no patience for those who mocked the weak.

As they inched closer, Ren faked an audible gulp.

Then, an eerie sound cut through the alley. A wet, slicing noise.

The first man faltered a bit, confusion flickering across his face. Then came the sound again—three more times. A noise like raw meat being cleanly severed.

Ren backed away as they advanced, ensuring he stayed just out of reach of the leader.

As the last sound rang out, and Ren pulled a crimson dagger from his sleeve. Another Boon. Just like the trap.

He had found this dagger embedded in the corpse of a five-foot-tall mosquito—one of the many Scavengers that plagued the world. That was how Boons were obtained. Scavengers formed their abilities around items, imbuing them with unnatural properties. The stronger the Boon, the more powerful the monster.

And this dagger was exceptional.

The mosquito had been a Knight Fiend, not particularly dangerous monster—at least not for someone of Kai's caliber, but it's ability was not one to scoff at.

The ability to absorb all blood it came into contact with—thus, the dagger's deep crimson hue. Ren had wielded it many times. It had tasted both Scavenger flesh and human blood.

As the last sound faded, he let out a devious snicker and dropped the act. He didn't particularly enjoy killing, but a part of him couldn't help but feel overjoyed at the thought.

After giving it some thought as to what to say, he gave into a grin. "Ahhh, too bad! You fell for it so easily! I wish I could of had some more fun..."

His eyes gleamed with malice as he turned to the leader. "And it looks like you'll be the first to go."

Just as he finished speaking, the first man in line stumbled and collapsed.

Nothing seemed wrong—at least, not with the upper half of his body. But when he looked down, he saw it.

His legs—gone from the shins down.

A gut-wrenching scream tore from his throat.

"AAAHHHHHH! WHAT THE HELL!"

Ren laughed again, a wild, insane laugh.

These men were supposed to be Revengers. The best of the best. Defenders of humanity. Yet he, a mere mundane human, had taken one down with ease.