Standing there, he puts a poker face at what happened before his eyes. More like, he doesn’t understand the whole situation.

The only thing that he knows besides the scattered panic crowds, and lined-up personnel with firearms in front, is how heavy his eyes are, both of them. And amid the chaos, Kruger is nowhere to be seen while Zack is still assessing the situation in the vicinity.

I lost him…

“There he is! Get him!”

 “Eh, what’s this?” Zack’s attention quickly shifts when he heard a voice from behind.

“Don’t let him escape!”

“Some guards, huh? How vexing, really…”

A hiss slipped out from his lips as he grasps the current situation he was getting into. Shortly after, two personnel have already appeared before him, going straight to take him head-on with the knife in their hands.

Both officers attack simultaneously, Zack quickly dodges to the side and lands a hard uppercut right to his jaw, sending one of them flying and then hitting the ground.

At the same time, a swift knife movement from other personnel closes in, trying to rip open Zack’s stomach with all he’s got. In a single move, Zack deflects the attack, grabs his body with both arms, and slams it onto the unconscious guard on the ground stacking on top of one another.

“There’s no escaping from this one, you filthy rats!” Another wave of officers rushes in and gets him surrounded from all directions. 

“Man, just cut me some slack and lemme go home, would ya??”

All six of them attack simultaneously, leaving not even a single gap for Zack to leave the place unscathed.

Each one of them wielded an ill will to take his life, like a pack of hunting dogs fueled by complete obedience to their thick-headed master. Drooling all over the place the moment they’ve seen the cornered rats, rushes to end the hunt as soon as possible.

Forgetting the latent danger lurking behind their prey.

“What’s he doing?”

With a quick reflex, Zack pulls the arm of the first officer that reached him before even having a chance to land a hit. Firmly shoving his body forward, Zack uses him as a human shield. Throwing him away right at the three guards standing behind him as they swing their knives at the same time.

Soon after, the ground was stained by his blood.

“You piece of shit!”

Another pair of officers rush toward Zack, without forethought throwing away their bodies toward him as they lost their composure.

In a single sequence, Zack slightly dodges to the side, lands his knee hard at the abdomen, then finishes with a hit on the nape making him lose consciousness. The next moment a knife swings around wildly, giving a wide opening for Zack to throw his body into the ground head first.

They were even hardly able to tell what was in front of them.

“So fast!

“Ho-how even that happened?”

“Keep your focus! We have to- Ack!?”

“Too slow, moron.”

In the blink of an eye, the guard’s arm was already twisted to the back.

A loud cracking noise reverbs accompanied by a scream of agony as he falls to the ground after Zack’s kick hits his skull.

Feeling something closing in, Zack instinctively lay low while pivoting his body on his left leg, tackling the person who comes from behind to end it with a blow right at the abdomen.

As Zack stands still for a moment catching his breath.  At that moment, the last one takes the opportunity to make his move. Rapidly closing their gap.

“Found you.”

Right at the moment before a knife stabs, Zack turns around and pulls the guard towards him, giving him a sturdy headbutt. Fresh blood flows from the officer’s head as his consciousness slowly fades away.

A fist flies straight to his jaw, Zack gave him an uppercut and makes him thrown away like a ragdoll. He then quickly chases it down to land a finishing blow and pin his head to the ground.

Unmoved, knocked out by the sheer agility, so does the crowd observing in silence.

“You guys pathetic...”

That being said, I wanna sleep really bad…

If this keeps on going, I’ll end up in prison, ain’t I?

Ain’t a problem with bed and all actually, but…

It’s kinda irritating to think this is all cuz’ of her!

Zack lifts his head and wanders his eyes to the surroundings when the quietude finally gets into him. The crowds behind him ceased any kind of movement, frightened. The personnel far ahead stay alert for the rest of the time, pointing their guns forward.

He hasn’t realized until now, how stood out he is in the middle of the commotion.

Just like that?

Even though they have those guns… why aren’t they start shooting?

Are they scared to injure those people? Their assets?

What a hypocrite…

Clap!

Clap!

Clap!

“You sure have shown us some proficient talent. A physical prowess like no other.” A man is slowly walking toward Zack from the side. Sarcastic slow claps come forth along with him.

“Again? Y’all don’t know when to stop, huh?” For a moment, Zack takes a glance at him.

Neat black hair, a black uniform, insignias on both shoulders, and weapons dangling around his waist. It’s the one from before, the Lieutenant’s right hand.

“Is that how the convicted should talk in the moment of his punishment?”

“Huh? Cut the crap. Ain’t going my way outta here just to take y’all head on in the fir-”

“Shh… The convicted must not speak so freely against the authority, that’s the first rule of execution.”

“I ain’t know any of that shit befo-“

“Ahh… language, it’s the second thing. Mind your words of choice to converse with the executioner, would you?”

“Huh? What does it have to do with?”

“Well, it’s to make both executioner and the convicted know each other and be on good terms before they shed blood. It makes their death more honorable and engraves the impression, don’t you think?”

“Still don’t get it…. This is gettin’ tiresome, you know? Stop b*tchin’ and just lemme take my stuff already.”

“I will, after explaining the last rule, that both sides have to properly introduce themselves. ...My name is Israzel Rukevic, the First Sergeant of the Southern District Local Enforcer Bureau on your service...”

A sergeant, huh?

“And, It’s an honor to be your executioner today.” Rukevic takes a few steps toward Zack that already taking his stance. “Come on, now. Don’t be scared, it’s your turn. Don’t you want to be acknowledged by the person who will severe your head?”

What’s the difference it’ll make even if it’s a sergeant…?

“Nah… what’s the point? Either way, it’s useless to remember the name if dea-“

Slash!

Without even letting Zack finish his word, a blade has already cut against his neck.

Before long, the crimson stain has spilled to the ground beneath.

Spelling nothing but bloodshed before their eyes.

Dyed the peaceful morning in red.