TN: And we're back! sorry for the week long hiatus, it was not intentional since I had to get my right leg in a cast after tripping 3 floors down a stairwell (like an idiot ://) and be unable to use my PC setup upstairs BUT I should be OK now.
Anyways, Thanks for Arcanic Madness, WeissAkumu and WolfWTF for becoming as Supporters!,
===BREAK===
For Vito of the Lucenti family, this had to be the most agonizing moment of his life.
The terrifying giant stared at the surveillance cameras, his eyes like flames, as if capable of scorching Vito's soul through the wired network.
The Mafia godfather, while not exactly the ruler of all New Eridu's underground, was still a formidable figure. He had witnessed many powerful enforcers—some skilled, some well-equipped—but one who could rely purely on brute strength to smash through a ten-centimeter-thick alloy vault door? This was the first.
He quietly ordered a background check on the giant—and was utterly shocked.
This individual had ties across the black, white, and gray markets. His track record included taking down Razor, the defiant enforcer of the Defense Force, the Dead End Butcher in Dead End Hollow, and single-handedly overturning Vision Corporation's security team.
Any one of these alone would be a nightmare for the Lucenti family. This giant bore no visible scars, maintained close ties with the Public Security Bureau, and even in the black market, was someone Markus the flamboyant arms dealer warned people not to provoke.
As a Mafia boss who had risen through street fights, Vito knew exactly the weight of Markus "Lightning" Red. This arms dealer was one of the few capable of supplying military-grade weapons and special equipment in bulk.
Even someone like him had said: do not provoke this giant…
Damn it, Anthony DeLuca! Why did you have to stir up this monster!
Vito cursed inwardly, hoping that the idiot would be smart enough to stay put and not cause more trouble. If the giant could find Vault No. 3, he could find the others—or even Vito himself.
Honestly, Vito considered losing only Vault No. 3 almost trivial. As long as he could keep the giant from further destruction, anything else could be managed.
He couldn't imagine facing this giant directly—he might die instantly.
While praying that Anthony would behave, his phone rang. The usual pleasant chime now grated on him, stoking fear: what if Anthony really couldn't be found…?
"Mr. Vito…" His deputy's voice trembled, sending Vito's heart into his throat. "We've searched…"
Anthony DeLuca was indeed missing.
Vito felt a chill in his chest, collapsing into his chair. A creeping dread spread throughout his body.
"It's over… it's over…" he muttered. "The Lucenti family… might disappear…"
"Mr. Vito! Godfather!" The deputy called frantically over the phone, trying to bring him back. "We aren't completely without information. We know where he went. Today, he took several of his men and drove into a Companion Hollow near Fourth Street. I've already sent people after him…"
"He went into Hollow Zero, and you'd better get him out for me!" Vito grabbed at a lifeline, shouting orders. "Use all manpower, finances, and contacts. Whoever finds Anthony DeLuca will have saved the entire Lucenti family—I'll reward them with anything they want."
He slammed down the receiver, but it didn't solve the problem. The giant wanted a person, not intel.
Vito's eyes returned to the surveillance feed. The giant stood motionless, like a volcano ready to erupt. Vito feared that any single move could annihilate the entire family.
Thump… thud… In Ignis' ears, he only heard the heartbeats of those present. Too quiet—uncomfortably quiet. The air reeked of blood from his recent massacre. Simon, the suited man, had passed out after emergency treatment from the Bangboo. The cashier barely dared to breathe, terrified of provoking him and being torn apart.
Nekomata leaned against the wall, her twin tails flicking. The scent of blood was overwhelming for her sensitive senses.
The Salamander knew that if the target insisted on hiding, it would take the Mafia some time to locate him. But he had to wait—at least until the godfather made some sort of concession.
Of course, the Salamander wasn't relying solely on this channel. He had already arranged other helpers.
Rain had obtained Anthony DeLuca's phone number, which Ignis passed to Phaethon. His phone vibrated—Belle had sent a message. Vito was ready outside the Hollow.
Another message arrived: Jane Doe sent a frontal photo of Anthony. Ignis quickly forwarded it to Nicole and the others.
These updates slightly eased his anger. Everyone was taking action; those who kidnapped Emile would be brought back.
A sudden screech of brakes stopped above. Nekomata drew her trench knife, ready for combat.
Footsteps trembled; someone almost fell on the stairs. A man appeared around the corner in a high-end evening suit.
"Y-You… I-I'm V-Vito of the Lucenti…" His voice shook. His eyes flicked over the broken bodies and pools of blood on the floor.
"Have you found him?" Ignis didn't bother with pleasantries.
"I-I…" Vito dared not look up, but heard heavy footsteps approaching. Fear crushed him; his mind filled with the horrific scene he had seen. Limbs and torsos were scattered like splashes of paint in a Cubist work. Even a seasoned street fighter like him, skilled with a dagger and lethal, felt overwhelming terror.
"Listen. I know finding someone takes time." Ignis looked at the aging godfather. "I can give you some time."
Vito felt some pressure ease; his trembling legs could barely hold him.
"Understood… understood…" He didn't dare raise his eyes, only stared at the giant's boots. "Our men are on their way into the Hollow. We'll report any updates immediately."
"Look me in the eye," the giant bent down, pinching his chin to force him to meet his gaze. "Remember, do not hide anything. If you lie, I will flatten all of Lucenti family's assets and kill every member."
"Y-Yes…" The burning anger and repressed hatred in those eyes froze his breath. The sheer presence of the giant threatened to crush him; the once-powerful godfather felt his heart might fail at any moment.
"Big guy, if you hold him like that any longer, he might die of fright." Nekomata's tail flicked; she warned Ignis.
The Salamander reluctantly let him go. Vito gasped for air. The godfather had lost all authority and composure, chilled to the bone, shaking uncontrollably. He felt close to dying of a heart attack.
"Sir… I will… I will do everything… to bring him back…" Vito swore sincerely, more honest than ever—even as a child, he had never made such a promise.
"Save your vows," Ignis sneered. "Mafia promises mean nothing. Just remember: if you deceive me, I will twist your head off—just like you've seen with these people."
Vito shrank under that gaze. The once-ambitious ruler of Fourteenth Street's illegal trades had completely lost his will.
"Let's go…" The Salamander said to Nekomata before heading upstairs. "Simon's phone is with me."
"Don't even think about tricks, meow," Nekomata whispered as they passed Vito.
Outside, she scrubbed at her paws to remove the blood, but her body remained stained. Ignis' brutal fighting style had coated her in dried blood.
"Not taking the bus like this," she muttered, wiping her hair, sticky with congealed blood.
"Run back? That's over ten kilometers," Nekomata groaned. "I know a ride that can pick us up like this…"
The Salamander stopped her from getting her phone, patting his shoulder. "Get on. I'll take you back."
She eyed the blood-soaked coat but thought: Might as well shower when we get back. She jumped onto Ignis' shoulder.
"Let's go. I'm bathing first!" she said, patting him.
Twenty minutes later, Ignis returned to his forge. Nekomata was bathing while he sensed a summoning.
It came from the Khorne Chainaxe he had locked in his reliquary.
Truthfully, the Salamander didn't want to deal with it—but the weapon seemed agitated by his blood, nearly leaping from its box.
Reluctantly, he took the daemonic weapon.
"Blood and fury! I like this!" The daemon laughed shrilly; the chainaxe roared, blades whirring.
"Hatred, burning rage, and the stench of blood. The false god of the Golden Throne can do nothing for you—but the true god of the Brass Throne can."
The daemon's voice echoed in his mind.
"Chosen mortal, embrace your fury, release your hatred, and burn this city that destroyed your friend to ash!"
"Make the world perish with him! Let all die for him!"
The insane laughter pounded his head. Ignis channeled the Emperor's psychic power; golden flames engulfed the axe.
The laughter quickly turned into wails; the chainaxe fell silent. Ignis cut the psychic link, exhausted from overuse of his powers.
"Damn… I thought you'd lost control entirely," muttered the daemon.
"What is it?" the Salamander held his head, dizzy.
"Ha, nothing. Just seeing you covered in blood, I thought I might finally recruit you." The daemon was surprisingly candid. "Didn't expect you still had your mind. Interesting."
"You think I'd choose Khorne? That cancer on the Brass Throne?" Ignis almost laughed with anger. "Forget it. When I find a way to destroy you, it's over for you."
He prepared to lock the weapon away. Today he was irritable; the daemon had been dormant, now stirred into mischief.
"You're calling the Blood God by name… impressive." The daemon in the chainaxe seemed impressed. "But destroying me isn't necessary. You've been acting… odd."
"What do you mean?" The Salamander felt dizzy. Too much psychic exertion?
"You haven't noticed," the daemon mocked. "Forget it. Compared to the false god you worship, those androgynous creatures annoy me more."
Blood flames surged, wrapping Ignis' body.
"Remember our pact. If you ever get the chance to cut down those loathsome Pinkskins, take me along." The daemon spoke in his mind. "Helping you this time will cost me a lot of recovery."
Amid the flames, strange purple runes appeared, wrapping him like chains. The Khorne daemon despised spellcasters and other daemons. Using its power, it broke the warp magic entwining him.
When the rune chains shattered, burned out on the floor, his restless anger vanished.
He finally felt a rare calm, his thoughts steady, the sudden surges of bloodlust gone.
This manipulation of emotions was certainly Slaanesh's doing—but when had it been placed?
Ignis breathed deeply, recalling recent events. He hadn't ingested anything strange; his holy marks hadn't triggered alarms. How had this spell bypassed the Emperor's protection?
It had to be that Slaanesh-mutated beast from the Bangboo kidnapping.
After killing that daemon, his emotions had gone awry, and even his forging had failed for the first time.
The spell hadn't directly harmed him, so the holy marks didn't react…
Unexpectedly, another daemon had helped remove the curse.
Next time facing a Slaanesh daemon, he'd bring this weapon—poison with poison.
"Trying to join the Blood God now?" the Khorne daemon sensed his thoughts. "We treat our followers well…"
"Shut up!"
He locked the axe back in the reliquary.
===BREAK===
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