NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 77: Operation Purgatory (Part 1)
The anticipation had simmered for three long days, and now the moment of truth had finally arrived. It was time to unleash the full force of my meticulously crafted plan: Operation Purgatory. The name alone carried the weight of our collective thirst for justice and retribution, echoing with the resolve to make things right.
Today was the day of reckoning for those who had inflicted unimaginable pain and suffering upon countless innocent souls—myself included. No longer would they evade the consequences of their heinous acts. Today, their dark deeds would be exposed for all to see, and judgment would be swift and unforgiving.
As dawn broke, I awoke refreshed, ready to embark on this journey of vengeance. The twins stood by my side, their eyes gleaming with anticipation, eager for their moment to shine. I had meticulously instructed them, as well as the others, on the roles they would play to ensure the success of our operation.
While waiting for Ryuji, my trusted ally, to arrive, I donned my overcoat and gripped my kodachis firmly. To conceal my identity from the guards and central AI, I tore a strip from the bedsheet, fashioning a makeshift mask. In this high-stakes game, every detail mattered.
As I finished my preparations, a familiar knock echoed at the door. But today was different. Instead of the usual tray of food or a piece of paper, the twins were handed a set of keys. With a click, the door of my cell swung open, revealing Ryuji, fully geared up and ready for war.
A smile crept across my face as I took in his determined expression. I patted his shoulder, a gesture of trust and faith.
"I'm giving you Eve now. Take good care of her—and yourself. Show me what the Nakamura family is made of," I said, my voice firm.
Ryuji smiled and nodded, then, to my surprise, he kneeled before me, swearing an oath: "This sword of mine will always be by your side to cut down your enemies and uphold the wishes and honor of my family. Till the last breath I take, this is my promise to you, boss."
A warmth spread through me, a sensation I had rarely felt—the warmth of having someone reliable, trustworthy, and fiercely loyal by my side. It was an addictive feeling, one I could easily get used to.
I helped Ryuji to his feet and clasped his shoulders tightly, declaring, "As a brother, your revenge is mine. Till the day I breathe my last, I promise we will take the heads of all those who shattered your life and stole all that was precious to you. We’ll walk this path until your family’s souls rest in peace. Stay safe and proud, my brother."
Releasing Ryuji, I turned to the twins, my voice a mix of caution and determination. "Kindness is a virtue, but too much is a sin. Your enemies won’t show you mercy, so there’s no need to show them any. It’s better to live with the burden of remorse than for your story to end here. Do you understand? Come back to me safe, no matter the cost."
The twins nodded, their eyes resolute, fully grasping the weight of their mission.
With that, I left my cell, mana surging through my veins as I leaped from the second floor, landing with bone-crushing force on a guard's head. The sickening crack of his skull caught the attention of the others, who turned, wide-eyed, toward the impending chaos.
Without hesitation, I moved, my kodachis slicing through the air with deadly precision. Heads rolled, and with each strike, a twisted satisfaction bloomed within me as I collected the souls of my enemies. Six down, and there would be more to come.
Infusing extra mana into my legs, I sprinted toward the prisoners' cells, obliterating the locks that held them captive. The prisoners who could still walk and fight emerged, greeted by the carnage before them. Joy and fury mingled in the air as they seized the fallen guards' weapons and joined the fray. Bloodshed ensued—a chaotic symphony of violence.
From a dimly lit corner, I watched, my eyes locked on the unfolding chaos, eagerly awaiting the twins’ next move and Ryuji's signal to continue our audacious plan. With each passing moment, the body count climbed, and my soul-collecting skill grew stronger. Mercy was a luxury I could not afford—I claimed the souls of both guards and prisoners alike. Why? Because those prisoners who reveled in the thrill of killing were the very ones sentenced to death. The nonviolent or kidnapped prisoners huddled in their cells, trembling in fear, praying for a sliver of hope.
As the chaos intensified, the twins excelled in their role, unleashing the prisoners from the second floor and inciting them to unleash their pent-up rage upon the guards. With each new prisoner added to the fray, the pandemonium grew, resulting in more lives lost and more souls claimed. The tally reached a staggering fifty and continued to climb.
Time seemed to crawl as I stood there, sensing the presence of two familiar figures beside me. There was no alarm—they weren’t ordinary individuals. Albert, the ever-reliable butler, and Aurora, the brilliant scientist, stood by my side, their eyes fixed on the mayhem. A mix of excitement and astonishment flickered in their expressions.
After what felt like an eternity, Albert broke the silence, his voice filled with curiosity. "Master Xeno, may I assume that all of this chaos is your doing?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his tone.
A mischievous smile curled on my lips as I met Albert’s gaze. "I did promise you, didn’t I?" I replied, my voice dripping with anticipation. "But let me assure you, my dear friend, this is just the beginning. The real fun is yet to come."
As if on cue, the blaring alarm interrupted our conversation, signaling the moment to set my plan into motion. Before departing, I turned to my steadfast companions, a note of seriousness in my voice.
"Remember, my friends, promises are meant to be kept. Don’t go back on our agreement, or the consequences will be crystal clear. Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s time for me to take center stage. I’ll see you when this whirlwind is over."
With those words, I left the prison area, my heart pounding with excitement. The tally of souls I had taken stood at a staggering seventy, and the night was far from over.