(https://youtu.be/4O746lUintc —> Edgrunner really want to stay at your house.)
[Natasha's House — Underground Dungeon]
Deep under the mini castle that was Natasha's home was the dungeon of horrors Aleksandra used to torture the victims they needed information out of.
This torture room's latest resident was a mercenary hunter going by the codename of Smoker, the leader of the Edge Mercenaries.
"Well, I must say, You were certainly a tough nut to crack."
Unlike what one would think, Smoker's current appearance was completely spotless. No one could find even a drop of blood in his clothes even if they were to search with a microscope. In no way did he look like someone who had gone through a heavy torture session.
But the ground below him was littered with blood and gore. Proof that something horrible did indeed happen to him not long ago.
Aleksandra meanwhile, was wiping and cleaning her now bloody tools. She was very careful with the way she used the towel. So much so that one had the impression she was taking care of her greatest lover.
It was only after it was done that she gave another glance toward Smoker. She advanced towards him and took a chair before sitting face to face with the now broken man.
Smoker's face was haggard, his expression was somewhat lost but he seemed still able to think for himself.
Raising his head with difficulty, he looked at the beautiful black-haired woman sitting in front of him with a smile tugged on her mature yet beautiful sustenance. That beautiful and enchanting face of a mature lady was, in fact, hiding a vicious and merciless monster.
Those last few days had been hell for him. Not only did he suffer from psychological torture, but also the guilt of dying and leaving nearly all his companions. As if that wasn't enough, she would inflict him the greatest pain while never asking him anything after.
Indeed, even to this day, she had still not asked anything from him. He had an inkling about what she wanted and he had even been ready to answer her.
But— There were no questions. None whatsoever.
Torture and endless torture and when he was about to reach the brink and attain the sweet release of death, he would be healed by a priest and a new round of agony and suffering would start.
"You are… A sadistic bitch."
"Heh… You should blame the inquisition. I was trained following their program."
She gave a light laugh and licked her lips.
"Very well, my friend. Now I will ask you three important questions. 1) Where is your remaining ally? 2) What was the exact goal? 3) Who ordered you to come?"
She asked once and stayed silent, crossing her feet, she waited for him to speak.
"I want you to promise you will let go of Transporter.."
"Such a thoughtful leader. Very nice. But it won't change the reality. Now tell me."
Smoke resigned himself to his destiny, "At least… Give them the money they deserve."
He knew that the amount of money he had stored away was nothing for big people like them. He also knew that by telling them about this now, he was basically giving them his entire handle. But such a thing didn't have any importance right now. It was a necessary gamble that he needed to make.
"Money? You mean your secret stash?"
"No. Another one."
"Hmm… I usually don't make deals. But I like you. Let's do it."
Smoker gave a bitter smile. To think the well-being of his friend's family was just something that would be resolved on a whim of a woman.
Smoker began to speak as he gave all the information he obtained when they received the commission.
They had hacked the information base thanks to Diary's powers and had made sure to know who their employer was.
Aleksandra stopped smirking when she heard the information that was being relayed to her by the man. What she hated more than anything were stupid young masters who could only think with their dicks.
The Clan was mostly active in Los Angeles and Russia. They had close to nothing linking them with the Native wolves in Las Vegas.
If the young man had challenged Natasha to a duel and won the bout, then there was nothing she could do about this. She might even have respected the man for his courage to challenge her Lady for her hand in marriage and coming out triumphant.
'Are people looking down on us now?'
Did they grow too soft? Or was it because they were not as renowned in America as they were in Russia?
Either way….
'I guess we can use it.'
Las Vegas was a true land of opportunity and like a dog finding a bone, there was no way she would let this chance slip out of her hand. If they could dip their hands in the honey jar and share the revenue, this would increase their influence in California and America as a whole.
When Smoker finished explaining everything his head slumped a little. He knew that he had outlived his usefulness now. There was no other way for him to escape his inevitable fate. It was time for his demise. And he was ready for it.
"Smoker… No, I should call you, Mark…. Mark, would you like to have a smoke?"
Smoker gave a low chuckle as he looked at the hand holding a big cigar.
He knew very well the meaning behind this. Since it was so. At least he would go down with some dignity.
Taking the cigar from her hand, he looked as she lit it up.
His hazy gaze seemed to be fixated on the horizon as memories of the past replayed in his head.
They all had dreams. They were all rejected by society. People from the slums who had lost everything dear to them because of the Supernatural creatures and as a result obtained the power to "see" through the Veil covering this world.
They grew up in this harsh hardened world. They had no means to become powerful hunters as they did not have a great family supporting them. But each of them worked hard in their own way and they continued to grow until they were recognized and respected by the world.
He took a deep breath of the cigar, inhaling the smoke with it, and ignored Aleksandra as she stood up and walked behind him.
[You know, where I am from we have a saying — Legends aren't remembered by how they live but rather by how they died. Only by dying in the most epic way possible can one be remembered for eternity.]
He grinned when he remembered what Diary told him when they were still newbie mercenaries and nearly died during a particularly daunting mission.
[So, if we die, let's all die in a cool way at least, right?]
Smoker exhaled as he felt the cold and hard iron against the back of his head.
"Seems like none of us are going to become legends, my friends."
Bang!
Aleksandra did not flinch as blood and brain matter splattered all over her face and clothes.
Her expression was cold and impassive as she looked down at the corpse that now had a large hole in the head.
She looked up at the surveillance camera above…
"Call the cleaning crew and prepare a bath and new clothes for me."
There was not even a ripple in her heart as she walked out. She had simply done and seen too much in her long life to still be affected by such a meager scene.
When she walked out, a maid was holding a towel for her.
"Thanks. Where is the Lady?"
"Miss Natasha just went out a few moments ago. It seems that she received a call from her friend."
"I see."
Her icy and indifferent expression melted as though it was all a lie. Only the news of her Lady could make her smile with joy.
"I hope she will have fun."
This was a somewhat normal day in the life of a devoted maid.
(AN: Seriously though. If you didn't watch Edgrunner go watch it. Like damn. It has been a long time since an anime made me feel so much. I just wish it was just a little longer. The anime is already nearly perfect in my opinion but just two or three more episodes to flesh out Maine and the other Edgrunner would have been so good.)
