In the isolated areas of the city, where the signs warned of the danger of the presence of Renkai Energy, a car positioned itself beneath the rain, the water striking hard against the roof.
Two men stepped out of the doors, smoke blinding their sight. They murmured to each other whether the seller had left, considering the conditions of that area.
However, leaning against a wall, arms crossed and one leg twined over the other, someone called out to them. Covering her face with a dark hat, she walked toward the men's voices, her steps sinking into puddles of water. Soon, she stood before them.
With a short smile, she remarked that it would be bad manners not to introduce herself. The men did not care to know her name, they only wanted to finish with it quickly, settle the purchase, and leave that cursed area.
She coughed, her hoarse voice betraying disappointment at the reception, but what could she do? At last, she took a white package from her pocket and tossed it to the ground, in the distance between her and the young men. One of them walked to the package, crouched without looking away, and picked it up. As they turned back, their nervous fingers had already begun trying to open it.
Suddenly, another cough. It would be better if they handed over the money before opening it, she demanded, and the man, with an ironic question about how he could forget, threw a thick bundle of Lynes toward her, which she hid against her chest. It had been an excellent negotiation, but if they would take some feedback, they could stand to be more polite.
Turning her back, she heard a tearing sound, followed by noses sniffing up the product. They let out cries of pleasure, curses spilling from their mouths, but, upon seeing her eyes shining in the middle of the smoke, they fell suddenly silent.
When they noticed the figure turning away, they called to her once more. What did they need? The men, exchanging glances with trembling hands and noses painted white, asked her how much another package like that would cost. She smiled.
It was a test, for them and for the little group they belonged to. If they wanted more, they would have to compete in an auction she would hold, and, to make them even more excited, she would not only hand over packages, but also the recipe.
The men only agreed eagerly, without questioning even once. Within seconds, they went to the car. The vehicle started and, as quickly as it had arrived, it was gone.
Alone on the streets, she walked until she left the smoke that had covered her. Looking up at the moon, shining full in the sky, the woman let out a yawn. It would be best to go see the girls as soon as possible.
***
Arriving at the library, she was greeted by Shaphira, leaping into her arms. Slady let out a brief sound of surprise, but soon held her, asking, in a light tone, if she wasn't too old to still want to be carried.
In the kitchen, Elisa stirred with a wooden spoon in the pan. She looked quite stylish in those clothes. Slady thanked her, setting Shaphira down and adjusting the coat over her chest. So, what was for dinner?
With a slight lift of her lips, Elisa gestured with her head. Slady stood beside her and leaned in, watching the liquid bubble, venturing a guess, would it be a mix of rice, meat, and vegetables? Exactly, Elisa confirmed.
At the dinner table, Slady brought the food to her lips, crushing it between teeth and tongue. The flavor felt so alive. Compared to her old self, there had barely been any taste at all. The texture of the meat, the softness of the rice, and the flavors of the peppers and carrots caressing her tongue. Slady felt shivers as she ate.
The two girls ate with the same naturalness as always. Shaphira always stuffed her mouth full, and Elisa ate with a calm similar to Slady's.
The rain still beat against the roof, the smell of wet earth seeping into the balance between wood and the shining materials that now accompanied the structure of her home. Above them, the lamplight shone, yellowed. Along with the sounds, the only thing added was the cutlery carrying food to the mouths of those eating it.
Would they be going back to work tomorrow? Elisa lifted her face, swallowing what she ate, confirming that yes, she and Shaphira would follow the advice Slady had given, investing in low-intensity Infernos. It really needed to be done, they were still new to the field. Just because they had received training from her, from Faller, and from Victoria didn't mean they could consider themselves powerful. Real combat is made up of much more than just strikes.
The two stayed quiet as they listened to her. Shaphira's ears perked up, and Elisa barely blinked. When she finished, the older girl agreed. Facing the same creatures of the same race was something, besides being very difficult, very strange. She didn't know how to describe it, but it was like, it was like the word Slady always said when something was wrong.
Illogical.
Slady nodded. She understood how Shaphira felt, and, in truth, she should even get used to it. Humans themselves do it, every day, they even take pleasure in it.
A silence echoed through the room. No clatter of cutlery silenced it. Coughing, Slady said, with a smile, that they shouldn't worry about such things. Right now, the only thing that mattered was becoming strong and knowing how to defend themselves in that world. And she, more than anyone, trusted them.
The two exchanged looks and shook their heads. Shaphira stood, picking up the plates and carrying them to the kitchen, the water already running in the background. Elisa remained staring at Slady for a while, and she did the same. Had she said something wrong?
No, truthfully, she wanted to talk to her, alone, could she? Of course. Slady stood and glanced at Shaphira, did she need help with the dishes? She declined, it was little work. But Slady couldn't help noticing that her tail hung low.
In the bedroom, Slady went to the window and sat on the bed, stroking her own arm. Elisa sat beside her, pressing her lips together. She had some questions about her father. Slady could answer any of them.
When Slady met him, was he young or already older? Slady crossed her arms over her chest, Raizer had already been older, practically middle-aged.
And what was her mother like? Slady fell silent, looking away. She had been the sweetest woman she had ever known. Was she a good person? She had been wonderful, even at fifty years old, still wanting so much to have a family, it had been a blessing that Elisa was born.
The young girl almost smiled, but the smile soon faded.
How had she died?
Slady's hands clenched, a breath drawn in through her mouth before leaving it. In the Second Renkai Awakening.
And what killed her?
The Destroyers of Wrath and Lust.
Who were they?
Slady didn't know exactly, she'd had little time to see them, she'd been lucky to survive that time. They were to blame for everything. They killed Elisa's mother, destroyed her father's heart, and killed two talented siblings, who might have been the future of that generation.
Elisa asked nothing more, her head lowered toward the floor. Slady looked at her, why all those questions?
Elisa took a while to answer, and when she did, she said simply that it was curiosity. Slady disagreed, she'd known her too long to believe Elisa would have such a question without a reason. The girl only turned her head and thanked her for the attention, wishing her a good night.
The door closed.
With the rain the only thing breaking the silence, Slady breathed deeply, her face burying itself in her hands.
***
The next morning, atop a building, Slady had propped a notebook on her legs, writing. In the distance, Truth floated with hands resting in her lap. So this was the place he intended to do it all? Yes.
Before them stood a wooden mansion. Around it, there was nothing but grass, as if not even public servants had dared approach that place. From the window of one of the rooms, there was a shirtless man smoking a cigar while, inside the hall, several young men of more delicate appearance moved about, with occasional shouts and casual insults spilling out of that place.
And today would be the day the first step toward the end of her career would take place. Truth let out a long sigh, standing beside her, was she truly certain about all this? Wouldn't it be too dangerous? Gathering hundreds, perhaps even thousands of men in a single house could get Slady killed, she had no technology, nothing left to defend herself with.
She let out a brief laugh, she didn't need any technology, only this wonderful body she'd been given. What did she mean?
Slady, turning to the Destroyer of Truth, crossing her arms behind her back, remarked that when she woke up in that state, especially when the transformation was complete, she felt a sense of fitting into place. Maybe it was the abilities adapting themselves, but she felt that, for the first time, she felt capable of true strength. As if, in fact, she were in her true body. And the old one had only been a poorly made prototype.
Hadn't it been?
Slady raised her gaze, clenching her left fist at her waist. They'd already had that conversation, she wouldn't answer again. The entity raised an eyebrow and then vanished.
She took one more step toward the edge of the building's abyss. Elisa, Shaphira, may they forgive her for what she would do tonight.
And another cough came out, with a grotesque rasp in a spit of blood.
***
Sitting on the couch, Slady closed her eyes. How much time had passed since her first sale? A few months already, she hadn't imagined it would come so fast. And, by the looks of it, the two girls had enjoyed a good vacation until then. She shouldn't exaggerate either, Truth, she had trained them like never before.
Checking the watch on her wrist, Slady leaned back on the couch, smelling the food. Suddenly the door slammed and she stood, adjusting the skirt of a dress. A smile froze on her face, it was just a little celebration for their return to work, she would never wear that damn outfit again anyway.
But, upon opening the door, she found not two, but four figures.
Victoria covered her lips at the sight and Faller let out a low laugh. Elisa's eyes went wide and Shaphira turned completely red.
She would, without a doubt, never try something different again.
Victoria approached, embracing her, how lovely, how perfect! Faller, touching his wife's waist, politely asked that there be no excess, they were the guests and should not, in any way, embarrass someone so welcoming.
Elisa walked up to her and touched her hair and her clothes, Victoria had been completely right, it was something different.
And Shaphira, approaching slowly, received a glance from Slady. She didn't need to get used to the sight, if she didn't want to. She only nodded, quickly stepping back. Faller only smiled at the scene, Victoria also took her seat, and Elisa stayed beside Slady, apparently Shaphira had had a more unexpected reaction.
Maybe it made sense, she'd known a man for as long as she could remember, the shock was absolutely expected at seeing him dressed in something feminine, being a woman now. Elisa shook her head, and had she by chance liked it? Or gotten used to it? Fortunately, faster than she'd expected. But they didn't need to talk about that, not in front of anyone.
Serving everyone, Slady sat in the chair, crossing one leg over the other. Her lips pressed together as the fabric of the skirt settled beneath the leg resting on the other. Adjusting herself, she coughed once more, turning her face to the side.
Was she coming down with something? No, she asked Victoria not to worry, rainy weather could bring its small consequences. Faller agreed, as terrible as illness was not having the right to rest, a most unfortunate fact. His wife rolled her eyes, he should stop being such a liar! He'd only washed the dishes and cleaned the house twice that week, far too rude for a gentleman like him!
The husband tilted his head, his beloved lady was always right, and he had been slightly indelicate in uttering such horrendous words that amounted to a lie.
The conversations continued without interruption. Slady remained eating without looking up from her plate. The murmurs blended with the sound of rain beating against the roof. A sigh escaped her lips, her chest rising and falling slowly.
It was now.
I'm sorry.
Gradually, everyone's voices grew more distorted, as if trying to keep speaking against an overwhelming sleepiness. Faller even remarked that maybe Slady's cooking was so good that the fatigue was inevitable. Victoria looked at her, did she feel the same sleepiness too? Yes, she'd put in a lot of nutrients, it would take a lot of energy to digest it all.
Shaphira had already begun blinking slowly, Elisa tried to keep her eyes open, turning slowly toward her, what was she...?
Then all of them fell face first onto their plates.
Slady remained with her head down, why did they have to come on that exact night?
***
Coming out from beneath the stairs, Slady adjusted her earlier outfit, her eyes fixing on the scene in the kitchen. She still had to take care of this.
Later, opening the doors, Slady let herself be soaked by the raindrops, hiding her face with the tilt of her hat and covering her chest with her overcoat. May God forgive her for what she was about to do.
***
On that same street visited earlier, a figure wrapped in shadow approached. Against her chest, there was an extra bundle, her eyes, shining with the reflection of the flickering streetlights, settled on the illuminated mansion.
Opening its door, the shouting that had filled the place now vanished. Lifting her chin, Slady saw, one, two, five, twenty five, a hundred, three hundred fifty, five hundred.
Five hundred men scattered throughout the mansion, they seemed almost crammed together, but, in fact, the mansion was larger than she could have imagined. Licking her damp lips, Slady coughed before declaring that the day had come.
Two men sat there, in two chairs. One of them, with a thick voice and a bare chest, introduced himself as Morieng. And the other, his muscles standing out with veins, with young women dressed vulgarly serving him drinks, introduced himself as Forgent as well.
Someone like her should feel, at the very least, deeply grateful to be in the presence of two men no one had ever seen and lived to tell of it, and, above all, for having built such a great reputation so quickly, putting a number of unfortunate souls at risk in a war over such a coveted recipe.
She didn't disagree, she was very lucky, but it was the result of everything, of her determination and patience to create the perfect product. After all, she couldn't disappoint by rushing things. But, truly, she still felt curious about such an absurd number of people.
Morieng simply informed her it was one event among many. Everyone needed to see, even the little bees of that hive. And of course, to make sure the seller wouldn't flee in case she was a fraud. She understood the reasons for preventing her escape, but it was a little unnecessary, she was just a merchant, incapable of fighting or even possessing an awakened Mana Liberator.
The other, Forgent, laughed, it was only a joke. Finally, now there was no more need for stalling, let her show the products.
Slady turned slowly with her back to them, her back curving into a hunched position. Immediately, countless men aimed their weapons, whether firearms or blades, even magic forming from their hands.
But, with a turn, she revealed several white packages in her hands. They should stay calm, she was only reaching for the packages! The two hulking men raised their eyebrows, was that all? No, there was more. Pulling from her chest, which clearly revealed, due to the neckline, her femininity, a paper. That was the recipe.
Now a gleam lit up in the eyes of everyone present. And not only over the paper, unfortunately.
So she was a female producer? A beautiful rarity indeed. With a sigh, Slady lowered her hands, she had wished so much to hide that fact. The women of the house stared at her with wide eyes. And the men only wrinkled their noses at them. She needn't worry, those bitches never knew how to be more than, she understands.
He made a clear gesture with his hands.
Slady pressed her lips together, she understood completely. Well, if they wanted, in exchange for a bit less money paid, they could give those women to her.
The two men looked at each other, the men on the upper and lower floors looked at each other. Even the henchmen looked at each other. And in the end, every gaze turned to the few young women present in the room, both of them wiping their faces without pause.
How they would love that. But, unfortunately, they were only hired prostitutes, so they had owners. A pity, then they could have their fun with them as much as they liked.
Sitting down in front of them, crossing her legs, she set the products on the table. Time for them to try it. Morieng smiled, already rubbing his nose. Forgent frowned, and what if it contained something? Had she, by chance, tested it herself?
Slady shrugged, an addict can't work. Morieng shot a look at Forgent, at least there was someone responsible in this business, not some distrustful piece of shit who goes around sniffing his own workers' drugs.
He should go fuck himself, he only did it to guarantee the quality of the product. So, if she wanted to sell, she should prove the drug was truly good. Morieng slammed the table but agreed, to avoid a fight, it would be best for her to test the product in front of everyone.
Slady pressed her lips together, looking around. All the young men stared at her with tongues sliding across their mouths and pupils gleaming. Among so many people, she could even make out the pair she had sold to before.
With a sigh, she lamented, but leaned forward, covered one side of her nose, and sniffed. In that instant, she pressed her back against the chair, closing her eyes, biting her lips, a drop of blood trickling down to hit the floor. The veins of her neck stood out, rising to her temple, pulsing. Her hands gripped the wood of the table, nearly crushing it, which drew wide-eyed stares from the men.
Within seconds, she lowered her head. Heavens, this was incredible! With that, Slady wiped the saliva from her mouth. The two leaders exchanged glances and nodded. Each took small pieces of plastic, separating a portion, and sniffed.
Both men's eyes went crossed and the veins rose to their heads. My God! This is simply magic! Forgent placed a hand over his face, he should shut his mouth, he spoke too loudly, but yes, it was, in fact, magical.
But, in the next instant, Morieng punched Forgent in the face. Consequently, this made him roar and pull a dagger from his pocket, stabbing the other in the neck. The saliva, in microscopic amounts, spread through the room, reaching other men, who began reacting the same way.
Without waiting another moment, as they already aimed their weapons at her, Slady grabbed a katana from one of the men and ran to pierce the electrical conduit powering the entire mansion.
With that, everything went dark.
***
At sunrise, the mansion, bathed in light, lay in silence. Entering through the rooms, there was nothing but red. The bodies hung, stuck together, pierced, cut in half. Men who commanded fire had been reduced to ashes. Men who commanded wind had been found in tiny pieces of flesh.
Weapons lay scattered across the floor, blades painted red. In the windows, there were wires that had wrapped around the ceiling. In the hands of some of the men, those same wires remained.
On a floor without a drop of blood beneath her body, there lay a woman with a dark hat and hair tied in a simple ponytail. One of her eyes hung disconnected from its socket, dangling against her cheek. Teeth were missing from her mouth, where a tongue should have been, there was only emptiness.
She was missing all her fingers, one of her feet was also missing. In her hands, which numbered a few pairs and a few odd ones, nothing was held, they only seemed to rest upon the warm wood beneath her.
Suddenly, the missing limbs began to return. The eye pulled back into its socket once more. The fingers, lost among the mountains of bodies, formed gashes of blood that bonded to the stumps and returned. And the entrails simply slotted back into place inside her. The separated skin stretched, covering itself once again.
When her face, once deformed and unrecognizable, returned to its former beauty, both eyes opened, taking in the scene for a long five seconds. Then, she sat up, looking at her own hands and the loose pieces of clothing. All around, throughout the mansion, there was smoke. A glimpse of memory reminded her of when she'd thrown a capsule of that gas.
Suddenly, she leaned forward and began to laugh, her shoulders trembling, tears starting to flow down her face. She had really done it. Oh, how cruel. Then, she lay back down once more on that clean floor, letting out an uncontrollable burst of laughter, trying to catch her breath, but only laughing more and more. The tears falling without ever ending.
A few moments later, she opened a door. There, the smoke was much thicker, in the corner of that room, were the prostitutes. Slady smiled, a smile shining in the darkness. She walked toward them and crouched down, her voice, her appearance, her being distorted in the eyes of those women, came out in a masculine tone and with a masculine appearance. They were free now, soon the police would come and they could return to their former lives before they'd lost their freedom.
There was only one condition, tell them who it was. Let them know and fear the monster who caused so much terror. And more important than that, don't see the truth behind the door.
Soon, her masculine figure covered in shadows left that place, closing the door. And then, another door closed as well.
***
Hidden from the light, slipping into the shadows, she walked slowly with a frozen smile on her face, still laughing softly. A short while later, she found her house and, with clean hands, opened the door.
But there was a figure standing there, holding a sword with both hands, electric vibrations approaching like a wave toward Slady. The man's voice, muffled by the effect of the drug, told the intruder to leave, or he would die. But Slady, shrinking back, still laughing, now seeming to cry, only lamented. He would never be able to kill him.
Then she lunged forward with a scream at a speed that seemed to whip the air, her hands opening, sharp nails aimed toward the man's chest.
But instead of an attack, it was a touch against his chest. And he collapsed beside her, still breathing. Slady's eyes, once gray, now shone white, and an angelic voice came from her mouth.
This is already a limit that will not be crossed.
The red glow in her chest ceased. Slady stood still now, the gray back in her eyes. A white light swept over her entire body, removing the blood from her clothes and skin. The door closed on its own.
And she fell to the floor.