A month ago.
Adrian cracked his knuckles. "All right, time to teach you clowns a lesson."
One of the delinquents sneered. "We were gonna kill you anyway, so why not now?"
They charged—one straight at him, the other two from the side.
Adrian muttered, "Too unfair, don't you think?"
He dashed toward the doorway. "From here, only one can come at a time," he thought.
A bat swung at him. He dodged, the weapon smashing a window to pieces.
Adrian vaulted through the shattered frame and landed outside. The bat-wielding delinquent chased after him.
The others climbed out a second later, looking around in confusion. "Where did they go? Just a second ago, they were right here!"
From behind, Adrian slipped his arm around one delinquent's neck in a chokehold. As the second one tried to hit him with a bat, Adrian let go, and the strike landed on his friend's head instead.
The third delinquent appeared, circling around the house. "Running circles, Adrian?!"
Adrian smirked. "You came from that side, huh?" He thought quickly, "Three at once is too much… I need to split them, like i just did."
The dazed delinquent staggered, shouting, "You bastard, you made me hit my friend!"
Adrian snapped back, "Don't hit blindly, idiot."
He turned his head, scanning for the first guy who had circled. "Where did he go? He was just there—wait, is he coming from the other side?"
He spun around—too late. A bat slammed into him.
Adrian's vision blurred. "I let… my guard down…" He collapsed to the ground.
The first delinquent stepped out from behind a tree, laughing. "Haha, he thought I was sneaking behind, but the guy in front nailed him instead!"
Another checked Adrian's body. "He's still conscious."
"Then let's finish him!" the leader shouted.
Suddenly, a black car rolled to a stopped. Three men stepped out.
From the back seat, a tall man with curtain hair, an earring, a rolled-up red-lined shirt, and a dragon tattoo on his arm stretched his shoulders. Ralph.
Beside him, a blonde with a golden chain and a half-empty beer bottle sauntered out, smirking. Liam.
From the driver's side, an older man with a white beard and a cigar stepped out. He wore a long white coat, heavy with gold rings and chains. Becker Sento.
"Wait there, you bastards," Becker barked.
The delinquents froze. Their eyes widened. "T-Topbrass himself… why is he here?"
Becker puffed on his cigar. "Ralph, check if the brat's dead."
Ralph crouched, smirking. "He's conscious, boss."
Liam chugged from his bottle. "So what now, boss? Kill the him already?"
Becker ignored the delinquents' trembling. He strolled closer, his eyes on Adrian. "Nice to meet you, grandson of Ceaser Bathan."
Adrian's breath hitched. "W-who are you? And how do you know my grandpa's name?"
Becker's smile was cold. "Your grandfather is a stubborn old man. Always meddling in my business."
Adrian narrowed his eyes. "What business?"
Becker's grin widened. "Drugs supply. He retired from SARS ten years ago, yet he still whispers in the ears of the police, interfering with me."
Liam slurred, "Boss, just kill him already."
Becker tilted his head. "Should we?" His gaze locked on Adrian.
Adrian croaked, "You came to kill me?"
Becker shook his head. "I changed my mind. I would not kill you. But your grandfather."
Adrian staggered to his feet. "W-why Grandpa… Don't… don't even try!" he shouted.
Becker smirked. "My men are at your house right now. One signal from me, and your grandfather is dead."
Adrian fell to his knees, helpless. "Don't… don't do it. He's my only family."
Becker leaned in, amused. "Would you do anything if i ask you?"
Adrian's voice broke. "Anything. Whatever you say."
Becker glanced at Ralph and nodded.
Ralph calmly pulled two knives from his shirt and sprinted toward the delinquents.
They panicked. "W-why is he coming at us—"
In less than eight seconds, Ralph slit all three throats. Blood sprayed across the dirt.
He handed Adrian a bloodied knife and began wiping his own blade with a handkerchief. "Such a pain, this blood," he muttered.
Adrian trembled, staring at the corpses. "He… he just killed them why…"
Becker's cigar glowed red as he laughed. "So, this knife covered in blood and these three corpses… the proof that you killed them, right?"
Adrian stammered. "Wh-what are you saying? I didn't kill them!"
Becker blew smoke in his face. "That's what the police will think. And once your grandfather hears his grandson is a murderer, he'll never dare interfere again."
Liam snorted. "What a roundabout way to do things."
Becker chuckled. "It's the best way, Liam."
He looked back at Adrian. "So… say you didn't kill anyone, then admit you did, and I'll leave your grandfather alive."
Adrian muttered, "Fuck you."
Becker froze, his eyebrow twitching. "What did you just say?"
Adrian lifted his head, fury in his eyes. "I said fuck off, you asshole. Even if Grandpa hears I killed someone, he won't back off."
Becker's smirk returned. "That, we'll see." He turned his back. "Goodbye. We will never meet again."
Liam groaned. "What the hell, boss? I didn't even get to kill anyone."
Ralph shrugged. "You were too busy drinking."
The car rolled away, leaving Adrian kneeling on the ground.
"Grandpa… I'm sorry," he whispered inside his head.
In the present…
Leo raised a brow. "So that's what happened."
Shykin trembled a little. "Weren't you scared?"
Adrian glanced at him. "Thank god that creepy smile's gone."
Finn slapped Adrian hard on the back, laughing. "Man, how can you be so calm?"
Ethan leaned back, smirking. "Really, Adrian? Saying fuck off to one of the Topbrass? Hah!"
Adrian frowned. "Yeah… so what is this Topbrass exactly?"
Leo almost choked. "Y-you don't even know Topbrass and you were calling him an asshole?"
Ethan waved a hand. "In simple terms, for now… Topbrass is the boss of our level of gangs."
Adrian's eyes narrowed. "So he really is your boss? You guys are with him, right?"
Ethan shook his head. "Nope. You see, there isn't just one Topbrass. Our gang's boss is a different Topbrass."
Leo stared at Ethan, unimpressed.
Ethan blinked. "What?"
Leo sighed. "G-great explanation."
Ripley stretched and stood up. "I'm going. Storytime's over." She disappeared into a room without another word.
Adrian watched her leave. "What's her deal…" he muttered in his head.
Rian stood next. "I'm also going." Without waiting for a reply, he walked out.
Ethan clapped his hands once, grinning wide. "From now on, you're a member of Shadows."
Adrian shook his head. "No… I decline."
The room went silent for a moment, then everyone burst into laughter.
Adrian scowled. "What's so funny?"
Finn chuckled, barely holding himself. "Like you even have a choice."
Ethan smirked. "I decline? Hah, good one."
Leo leaned forward. "See, Adrian. This is our life now. No… it's your life too."
Ethan's smile faded into a sharp, serious look. "Together, we'll climb to the top. I promise… Shadows will rise."
Adrian felt his skin crawl. "That look again… why do I… have goosebumps?" he thought.