Inside a hotel in the capital, Algiers.
Diego was folding his clothes on the bed while the TV blared in the background.
A news channel was airing disturbing footage. Murder victims in narrow alleys and poor streets. Mutilated bodies. Scattered limbs. The scenes were brutal.
A female reporter spoke:
> "The number of unidentified bodies continues to rise, pushing society into a constant state of fear and anxiety, despite the efforts of national security to contain this crisis that threatens national safety.
We now turn to our colleague Issam with the latest developments from the city of Oran."
The camera cut to another reporter standing in a street packed with criminal police and ambulances.
Red and blue lights flashed across the walls of nearby buildings. Yellow crime tape sealed the street from both sides. Crowds filled the area, chanting in unison:
"Cleanse the country of mutants!
Death to the mutants!"
The air was thick with tension. Anger. Fear.
The reporter said:
> "Earlier this morning, residents discovered several dismembered bodies dumped in trash containers.
This has fueled nationwide protests calling for the cleansing of the country from mutants, despite their declining numbers in Southern Europe and North Africa since the United Nations declared a global purge under the pretext of protecting humanity.
Yet some groups still live in hiding, and they are now considered the greatest threat to our societies."
Back to the studio.
The anchor replied:
> "Thank you, Issam. That was Issam reporting from Oran.
In another announcement, the Prime Minister stated that steps will be taken to finalize a deal with the United States to purchase Robot Unit 103—"
Diego sat in silence, lost in thought.
Are mutants really all this dangerous?
But why?
There has to be a logical explanation.
I feel like they're hiding something from us.
He stood and reached for his coat when a thought hit him.
"Wait a second… I know where I should start looking for mutants. But I'll need a weapon. Just in case."
Diego exited the hotel in downtown Algiers and walked along the sidewalk between tall buildings. The sky was heavy with clouds, as if rain was inevitable.
Cars and buses roared past him. Traffic never stopped.
He searched his phone for the nearest hunting supply store, then waved down a yellow taxi.
It stopped.
He got in.
The car pulled away.
"Take me to nasr Street," Diego said.
As the taxi moved, he stared out the window, admiring the city until they reached the destination.
Diego stepped out and looked up at the glowing sign of the store, lit in multiple colors.
"Hunting Supplies."
In a low voice, before stepping inside, he muttered:
"Alright… let's do this."
He entered.
The doorbell chimed.
He walked between the shelves, scanning fishing gear, deer-hunting tools, and more.
I need something stronger, he thought.
The store was nearly empty. He approached the clerk.
The clerk smiled warmly. "Welcome. How can I help you?"
"I need a deer-hunting weapon," Deiigo said. "Something powerful."
"Alright, one moment."
The clerk turned and brought several items, placing them on the counter.
"We have this type of speargun pistol," the clerk explained, demonstrating it. "It fires one spear per shot and comes with multiple spears. Different sizes, as you can see."
Diego picked up the largest one.
"Damn… this is heavy."
"Yes, it is," the clerk said. "You can buy the smaller one, but I should warn you—its impact is weak. It's meant for rabbits."
Diego hesitated, thinking.
"I'll take this one," he said.
He chose the smaller model.
"Alright," the clerk said. "I'll need your license."
"My what…? My license?" Diego asked.
"Yes. Your hunting license," the clerk replied, still smiling.
A wave of tension hit Diego. He pretended to search his jacket.
"Wait a second… I think I left it in the car. I'll be right back."
He stepped outside, frustrated.
"Damn it… I'm such an idiot. I forgot you can't buy a hunting weapon without a license."
Light rain began to fall as he walked down the street.
"What am I supposed to do now? I can't go into those streets hunting mutants without something to protect myself.
Damn it… I'll have to buy a gun straight from the black market."
Back at the hotel, Diego sat at his laptop, deep in the dark web, searching black-market sites for firearms.
After hours of searching—and thanks to his experience navigating these places—he found someone selling weapons he had hacked and verified as a real dealer.
They contacted each other and agreed to meet at a secluded location.
Diego left, nervous, but confident he wouldn't be set up.
He took a taxi to the agreed location.
After a long drive outside the city, the car entered narrow alleys in poor neighborhoods.
They arrived.
Diego stepped out. The taxi drove away.
He stood there, heart pounding. Sharp eyes watched him from windows, from passersby—even from children playing nearby.
He checked his phone and thought:
I rushed into this.
A skinny young man approached him. A drug addict.
"Are you Diego?" the man asked.
Diego hesitated. "Yes."
"Alright… where's my money?"
"Show me the gun first," Diego said.
The man glanced around, then pulled out a small handgun.
"Ten bullets. Now hurry up. Give me the money and let me leave before the cops show up."the man
"Deal."Diego
Diego took the gun and handed over the cash.
As the man turned to leave, he stopped and looked back.
"You're a foreigner… You're not here for the 'Matches Until the End,' right?"
"What? What is that?" Diego asked.
"Forget it. Never mind," the man said, sensing Diego wasn't one of them.
"Wait—hold on," Diego said, curiosity kicking in. "Yes. I am here to attend."
The man paused.
"Then you'll need a ticket to enter. You can buy one on a site you'll find on the dark web. Even betting is available there. Now go. Before the police come."
The man disappeared.
Diego exhaled sharply.
"That was a stupid idea… thank God it worked out."
These matches feel connected to mutants.
I need to figure this out before heading to Oran.
Inside his hotel room, rain poured heavily outside.
Diego searched carefully until he found the site.
Ticket price: $100.
Start time: 11:00 PM.
After a long silence, he chose to gamble his life for the sake of his curiosity.
He bought the ticket and headed to the meeting place.
It was an Olympic swimming pool.
Diego got off the bus in front of it.
Luxury cars filled the entrance. Heavy security guarded the area.
Diego whispered, stunned:
"Wait… this looks completely legal."
He entered through the main gate after guards checked his ticket.
Inside, the place was lavish.
He stepped into the massive Olympic pool area. The pool itself was empty, but the stands were packed.
Front rows filled with businessmen and the ultra-wealthy.
Diego sat in the back rows, silently observing.
Suddenly, silence fell.
A group of guards entered through the doors. Formal suits. Sunglasses. Communication devices.
At the center walked a bald man wearing an elegant white suit.
It was Victor Morelli, a major mafia boss.
Victor Morelli spoke:
"Ladies and gentlemen… welcome to our beloved competition: 'Matches Until the End.'
You may begin placing your bets after choosing tonight's competitors."
He moved to a luxurious chair and sat between two giant bodyguards.
A waitress brought him coffee and sweets.
Diego watched from afar, still confused.
A countdown appeared on the giant screen.
The crowd counted along, cheering.
"4… 3… 2… 1—!"
The screen flashed rapidly through profiles, then stopped.
Three prisoners in orange jumpsuits. Chained hands. Chained necks. Their appearances were terrifying.
Facing them stood a pale man. Exhaustion burned in his eyes. A collar around his neck. Chains on his wrists.
Victor Morelli announced through a loudspeaker:
"Woooo! Tonight we have the three brothers… versus Victor Morelli announced through a loudspeaker:
"Woooo! Tonight we have the three brothers… versus Soyo Zakiiiiii!"
The crowd roared with excitement.
The wealthy front rows remained calm, silently placing massive bets.
Diego, in the back, whispered in horror:
"What the hell is this…?!"
Victor Morelli continued:
"So… who will win tonight?
Let's not keep our dear audience waiting.
Bring in the competitors."