Chapter 54
In front of Jamie Wilson was the corpse of the man he had been chasing for years.
A clean cut on his was visible, made by the blades of The Sonic Roller.
[This my payback to you Mr. Big.]
After finishing the body, Jamie stood up and ran towards his motor bike.
He fought a very long battle.
Ten years ago, he was part of a small Chinese gang in the state of California that got brutally taken out by Crimson, who were also formerly based in California. What started out as a small territorial dispute escalated into a full annihilation of their gang. In that war, his best friend as well as the woman he loved were killed. Of course, a bit of Jamie died alongside with them.
On that fateful day, they got ambushed by Crimson which led to the vehicle they were riding to plunge into the ocean. It was a miracle how Jamie managed to survive that crash.
In that instant he lost everything dear to him. He cried so much on that day. As his tears dried, something within his triggered.
I’m not going to leave things as it is.
Since that day, swore to take revenge. He trained himself to master weapons and field tactics. He worked as a hired gun to save money and built up his intelligence network.
“Nothing comes out of revenge?”
What of it? I’m not thinking of getting something out from revenge. I just couldn’t forgive him so I’ll kill him. I’m just fighting to satisfy myself.
“The dead don’t rejoice?”
How do you know? I’m sure that my best friend Romeo would rather have Mr. Big dead than me dying alongside with him. “It’s bad to pledge your life in pursuit of revenge” but what of it? As long as the person says he’s okay with it, what rights do you have to stop them?
I already lost everything. My life is already falling apart. There’s n.o.body worthy to advise me. I’m fighting because I want to fight.
Amidst Crimson’s globalization, Jamie fought alone. People might say “Why don’t you create allies?” I’m not stupid. I won’t let some half-a.s.s person near me, after all, human nature is unpredictable. He might betray me at any moment.
He fought alone. Hunting during at night, using unconventional methods, he kept coming for Crimson. He started with small fry and made his way up to the commanders, as well as the Top Bra.s.s. He hunted like crazy.
No, maybe he was already crazy. Without his constant banter and jokes, he doubted if he could remain sane after many years.
That he, at one occasion got labeled as one of the Rocks Organization.
Don’t make me laugh. I don’t intend on becoming a hero. I kill because I want to. I’m nothing more than a murderer.
The public commented that his fighting method were “dirty”, but he shrugged it off. He did what needed to be done in order to achieve his objective. He can’t lose focus by such petty comments.
I’ll defeat you. Alongside with your subordinates at that time, and the Crimson you created, I’ll bring it down.
Jamie got on his motor bike and headed out into the city. The night lights pa.s.sed him as he made his way into his hideout.
In his many years of fighting, he met that man. He came to trust that man not because of reasoning, but because of one simple reason. Their interest intersected. That man wanted to kill Mr. Big and make Crimson into his own.
Maybe this was what Jamie wanted all along. Like him and his gang, He wanted Mr. Big to be eliminated by a stronger force of evil and lose everything he held dear.
That was why he decided to cooperate with him.
And now they achieved their objective. He mysteriously didn’t feel anything when he confronted Mr. Big in his last moments. H
e even heard out Mr. Big’s final request. He didn’t hate him, but as the person he was about to kill, he granted his final wish. Of course it wasn’t enough for him to let him go.
He only felt a small sense of achievement. That was it.
Jamie arrived in his hideout.
He sat on his sofa and turned the TV on.
A popular drama series was playing. It was about guys from California enjoying their youth and falling in love.
[Aah, today’s the final episode huh… What a convenient timing]
The drama was already running its tenth season. His first love, Jessica used to watch it every weekend. She loved the series and was antic.i.p.ating the happy ending it would bring out in the end. She even convinced Jamie to watch it with her.
During that time, Jamie held no interest on the show. He always laughed how drama was a cliché and had an uninteresting plot.
But now, he watched it every time.
[… A happy ending huh…? It’s as Jessica said…]
The show was over. The protagonist got united with the heroine and they got married.
[……]
Jamie reached out for a bottle of Wild Turkey (?) and poured some of the liquid into a gla.s.s. He took a cigarette out and lit it.
When he defeated Sonic Youth, that man said “I hope heaven exist for you”. Jamie thought of something similar. In the past ten years, he was pondering over the same thought. “I hope h.e.l.l exist”
His best friend Romeo, as well as his first love Jessica and his whole gang, if h.e.l.l existed, they would be no doubt there.
And no doubt he was also going there.
For ten years, he had been hunting Crimson and watching that drama. He was now getting tired of it.
Jamie puffed out a smoke.
[I defeated the Mr. Big you know? I’m amazing right? That Crimson is already over. With my help, that j.a.panese guy is going to take over it! Hyuu-! As expected of me!]
Jamie took a sip of Bourbon.
[Is it okay if I go there now?]
Jamie closed his eyes. His cigarette’s fire had already gone out. His bottle of bourbon was already empty.
[Is it okay, Jessica? If I ever meet you in h.e.l.l, I hope you won’t get angry at me. I’ll even tell you how that drama you like to watch ends…]
Jamie stood up and existed the room and headed out somewhere.
The last sighting of Slipknot was over Washington Bridge. All of America witnessed him, but his body was never found.
Thinking of his capability, people began to speculate that he somehow managed to stay alive using some kind of technique. Yet, n.o.body saw Slipknot after the battle of Washington Bridge.
In the end, who was he? Why did he fight off Crimson? Where has he gone?
n.o.body in the world knew the answer. There were a lot of theories, but none of them fit Slipknot.
Then he must’ve carried something heavy with him, only he could ever know. Let’s stop speculating and instead let’s thank him. He saved New York multiple times after all.
People of the city thought of him that way no, and the hero called Slipknot, disappeared from existence.
Neito was going through data sheets in his office. It was his job as the current Head of Crimson. Crimson’s quarterly report, suggestions from Metallica on the Metallica-Crimson merging, reports from Tsurugi back in j.a.pan, as well as his training schedules.
He was handling desk work (which he never was good at), when a knock came into his office door.
[Come in.]
As the door opened, Anice came in.
[Hi Nate! A man called Ikenou sent a report t.i.tling “Suggestions on Utilization and Usage of Crimson’s Flying board to Metallica’s Modified Humans”]
[Aah, thanks. Just put the data disk over in that area.]
[You’re welcome! Hey Nate, it’s already dark, aren’t you starving?]
[Eh? Really? Is it already dark? Well I’m starving but…]
As Neito honestly answered, Anice pulled out a paper bag.]
[Fufu-n♪ I thought so! Here, I’ll give you this! It’s Anice special turkey sandvich!]
Looking into the bag, Neito saw a huge sandvich.
Looking up, he saw Anice who was waiting for his comments.
[Aah… Yeah… Thank for the meal… Yeah. It’s really good.]
Anice’s expression brightened up as he said those words.
[Ya-y! Thank G.o.d!]
[……]
Looking at Anice, he was endowed on his thoughts.
Six months had already pa.s.sed since Mr. Big’s death and him taking over Crimson’s operations. Anice already returned to her former bright and energetic self.
When she heard of her father’s death, she was crying on Neito’s shoulders all day long. She didn’t ask him “Why?” nor bore a grudge against the perpetrator Sonic Youth. In her own way, she understood her father’s job and the dangers brought in with it.
His father, who was a villain, had been killed. Maybe she already prepared for such thing to happen.
But in the end, it was impossible not to cry after losing her loved one.
Neito had nothing to say. He only had right to offer up his should for her to cry on. His shoulders were wet as she cried into them.
She just called his name, but then shrugged it off as she wept more.
Neito wanted to confess everything to her and kill himself. But he couldn’t do it. It was for his objective as well as the promise he made to her father as her died. He held those feeling in.
On that might, he wanted to leave her and go wandering off into town to buy a drink but he stopped himself. He couldn’t bring himself to hurt himself. After all, it was an opportunity created by her father. No way would he throw his life recklessly.
He had to bear and watch the once bright and energetic Anice sink into depression.
But she didn’t stay depressed for too long. She was the daughter of the former boss and was the mascot of Crimson.
She smile was what kept Crimson’s spirit up. Everybody knew this, as well as she did.
Neito took out “Sonic Youth”, and after many weeks, she returned to her former bright and energetic self.
He knew it was though for her and some people also agreed but she insisted “If I keep crying I’m sure my Papa would also be sad” Everybody wanted to protect her.
And despite that, Neito still kept the secret.
Neito was only ent.i.tled to stand beside her, not being able to usher the words of comfort.
He hated himself for that, but he couldn’t show outside. He was glad the she was returning to her former self, but yet, he still couldn’t forgive himself.
He just had to live with himself.
[……]
[Hm? Are you okay? Am I that cute for you to s.p.a.ce out?]
Anice was acting cute and innocent, point her face. She wanted him to laugh.
Noticing her, Neito composed himself in a panicky manner.
[Ah, well, did you already have dinner?]
[Nope. I’m about to have some. Ah! Do you want to eat together here?]
She was like a small dog wagging her tail behind her. There was no way he could refuse her.
[Ah, yeah. I’m okay with it.]
[Yay♪ A dinner date in the office♪ I’m going out to order Chinese.]
[Wha-… don’t take it that way…!]
Without saying another word, Anice dashed out of the room.
It may have been tough for her, be she still like Neito. Unlike before, she was now straightforward with her feeling towards him.
Looking at it from her perspective, it would make all sense. The man she formerly liked took it up upon him to take revenge for her father’s death and supported her as she mourned.
[What am I going to do about this…?]
Looking at her, Anice was the cute type. And she even was Neito’s type. Her smile was nice and he always had fun when she was with him. There was even a time when he got the b.u.t.terflies with her.
But he never could respond to her feelings. There were three reasons.
One, after doing something that horrible to her, he had no right to enjoy her by his side.
Two, there was a huge chance he might get killed. He didn’t want Anice to bear the pain of losing someone she loved again.
The third and final reason is-
Beep Beep
Neito got interrupted in his train of thoughts. That sounds was of his transponder connected to Metallica’s main office. In other words, an emergency line.
[Yes, Komori here.]
A man he was familiar with popped up into the screen. With a huge body and long propped hair, people comment that the man resembled like a boar. He had an astounding aura as well as high charisma, being in charge of Metallica’s supreme commander.
[General… Raz? Is something the matter?]
It was General Raz that made the emergency call. Neito composed himself and faced the monitor.
[Thank you for those words.]
As usual he was an imposing individual. Neito made a small laugh.
[Return? But Crimson’s case hasn’t been settled yet…]
[Eh…?]
He knew that meeting existed. M- Meeting, it’s a meeting where all of Metallica’s top bra.s.s come together.
Neito was finally recognized as part of the higher echelons of Metallica. He may have done a lot, but there were more people who stood above him.
That’s why he wanted to confirm once again.
[Me…?]
Those words. It seemed like the merging of Crimson and Metallica was really a big deal for them. Of course, with Crimson, Metallica can now have a stronghold in America, and the globalization meant their influence spread further in the world.
This joint-venture was a turning point for the company. With Crimson’s Over-technology and Metallica’s Modified Humans, Metallica’s military might increased. Both directly and indirectly, it was all thank to Neito.
[Thank you very much…]
(Remember that Head-field word I mentioned during the Maroon Five arc? Turns out he was a guy and the company’s VP)
[… Our President is…?!]
Neito got riled up by General Raz’s words. The president was the one who stood on top of Metallica. And as such, he is the world’s greatest villain. It would be easy to say that he had the most influence on the world.
The mysterious thing about Metallica’s president, there was no updated information you could find on him. Even Neito didn’t see or know him.
The president was always shrouded in darkness. He is there, but he merely pulls the strings in the company.
The reason for this occurrence is unknown. It would never come out of public.
Neito speculated that the old guy in his interview might have been the president, but that would never happen. If the president went out that public, there was no way he could maintain being mysterious. That must’ve been another executive.
The president’s general ident.i.ty was already well known. Metallica’s president, his name is even written down on modern textbooks.
Toujiro Blackmoa
Half American and Half j.a.panese, he’s far better that Professor H’s modified humans, and stronger than General Raz. He built the great evil organization Metallica on his shoulders, and was considered as a genius by the world.
But many years had already pa.s.sed. People already speculated that he was now an old man. There were even some rumors stating that his position as president was already filled in by a new individual.
In other words, he being the president, is glorified throughout the company. He is also the one Neito was aiming for.
So I’ll finally get to see that man huh…?
Neito liven upped his expression and answered.
[Understood. I’ll be returning tomorrow.]
The transmission from General Raz cut off.
The next moment, Anice came into the room with the Chinese take-outs.
[I’m baーck♪ did something happen Nate?]
Anice was now sitting on the sofa, looking at Neito’s face.
[Hm? Oh it’s nothing. Let’s eat.
Brushing it off jokingly, he bit into his sandvich. Anice laughed in return. She gave him some Chinese spring-roll and poured coffee for him.
Anice talked about the things that happened to her today. It was funny so Neito laughed. Anice mentioned a twenty-first century manga she was reading. Neito listened intently.
That how their meal went throughout the night.
After all of that was over. Headed for j.a.pan. He made it this far. A little more and he can have what he wanted.
He couldn’t just jump and plan directly to bring down the president. He needed to know him first. But now…
[Have some of this Nate! It’s really good!]
[What… is that? Is that gyoza?! Uwah. Aren’t American people ashamed of making this?]
(Implicitly implying that American made gyoza sucks)
I can’t tell you everything Anice. I can’t even apologize for it. I’ll keep the promise I made with your father. I’ll keep going forward.
It wasn’t atonement for him, neither did he expect to be forgiven. But still,
When all of this is over, if ever you’re still by my side I will…
As he was listening to Anice words as he chewed on his sandvich and got lost in his thoughts.