The burning orange sun sank behind the crumbling buildings of the city, casting long shadows across filthy streets. A dry wind stirred dust through a forgotten alley, where three men cornered a lone girl like wolves to a lamb.
"C'mon, sweetheart. Don't be shy now."
The taller one licked his lips, his government badge glinting faintly in the fading light.
"Smile a little, it'll hurt less."
The girl trembled, back pressed against the damp wall, clutching her bag like a lifeline. Her voice barely escaped her lips, "Please… just let me go."
"Let you go?" one of them laughed, voice sharp and venomous. "You think you're above us? You know who we are? We own this f*cking street."
Their laughter echoed through the passage, loud, disgusting, and cruel.
But then —
A sharp thud silenced them.
A figure dropped from the rooftop like a phantom. His landing cracked the concrete beneath his feet. Dust rose. Shadows crept.
Face hidden beneath a dark scarf, only his cold, piercing red eyes stared through the gloom. His presence froze the alley in thick, suffocating silence.
"What the hell is this?" The second officer scoffed, stepping forward. "A f*cking hero? In this city?"
The man stood still. Calm. Silent.
Then his voice cut through the air, low and cold enough to freeze blood.
"Let her go. Leave this alley. Or you won't see another sunrise."
The first officer laughed loud and ugly.
"You got a death wish, asshole?"
He cocked his pistol, aiming straight for the stranger's skull.
"Get the f*ck outta here before we paint this alley with your brains."
The third added, spitting at the ground, "This ain't your fcking business. Walk away before we fcking erase you."
The man didn't move.
Not an inch.
Just stared.
Eyes like dying stars.
Then the first officer snarled, tired of the game.
"Alright. Die, then."
He pulled the trigger.
A flash.
Gunshots roared.
But the man moved like a phantom. Bullets sliced through empty air as he dashed forward, a blur of shadows and rage.
Before the first officer could scream, the man's right hand grabbed his head.
And then —
Black fire exploded from his palm.
The flames hissed like a thousand whispers from hell.
The officer's face burned, melted, and cracked in seconds.
Screams filled the alley, raw and horrifying, as the stranger smashed his head into the pavement, splattering the ground with bone and ash.
The second officer stumbled back in horror.
"Wh-What the f*ck are you!?"
But it was too late.
The man lunged, driving his bare hand straight into the man's chest — ribs cracked like paper, and his heart squished in his fist.
The man ignited the heart from within, and the officer burned alive, collapsing in a heap of smoke and molten flesh.
The last one dropped his gun, knees shaking, tears spilling from his eyes.
"P-Please… please, spare me. I was just—just following orders, man. I'll leave! I'll leave! I swear, I won't tell anyone. Please—"
The man walked forward slowly, raising his hand as a black flame sword materialized from his palm, crackling with power.
"Mercy?"
His voice was ice.
"You didn't offer her any."
In a single, merciless slash, he cut the man's throat wide open.
The alley fell silent, save for the sound of dripping blood hitting the concrete.
The girl at the far end stood frozen, tears in her eyes, body shaking uncontrollably.
The man lowered his sword, the flames dying from the blade, but his right hand still dripped with warm blood.
As the setting sun broke through the clouds, its golden rays cloaked the alley in dying light.
The man's face remained hidden in the shadows.
But his red eyes glowed, burning with cold rage, staring straight at the terrified girl.
He said nothing.
And the alley grew silent once again.