The Warden of The Witches

Sacrifice

A year ago, in the old city district, members of the Blood Hand Gang and the Skull Gang clashed fiercely in the abandoned warehouse area near the docks. The sounds of shouting and fighting echoed relentlessly.

"Courting death!"

Carmila delivered a fierce side kick to one thug's leg, then grabbed his hair, forcing his head down and shattering his nose with her knee.

"Attack! Slaughter these pups and let them know whose territory this is!" Carmila exclaimed excitedly.

As a cadre and ace enforcer of the Blood Hand Gang, she personally led her subordinates into battle.

Lately, the activities of rival emerging gangs had become increasingly troublesome, constantly harassing the Blood Hand Gang's territory and its affiliated businesses.

Today, she personally led an ambush, finally catching this group of lackeys.

The Skull Gang had about a dozen members causing trouble this time. In contrast, the Blood Hand Gang only had five people, but under Carmilla's unstoppable assault, they quickly gained the upper hand. The dozen or so Skull Gang thugs began concentrating their efforts to surround Carmila, but they were swiftly knocked down one after another. Soon, only a few dared to approach.

Carmila picked up a brick and swept it across the chin of a burly man, knocking him unconscious.

"Not a single decent fighter! Isn't there anyone to give me a satisfying challenge?" she laughed wildly, surveying the remaining thugs.

The exhilaration of freely wielding violence filled her mind. At that moment, she keenly heard movement behind her, without hesitation, she twisted her body and threw a punch.

With a cry, the young man attempting to attack her from behind stumbled backward, clutching his ribs. The weapon in his hand fell to the ground.

"For heaven's sake, why is it you again?"

Carmila abruptly recognized the young man before her, the same one who had infiltrated the warehouse she was guarding.

The one who had pitifully claimed to be selling himself to cure his mother's illness.

The young man, holding his shoulder, looked at Carmilla with fear in his eyes.

Carmila didn't hold back. A powerful right hook struck the young man's cheek, sending two bloodied teeth flying.

The young man, now on the ground, felt the intense pain from his broken teeth, almost rendering his mind blank.

"Survive only to come back as cannon fodder? It wouldn't be unjust even if you were beaten to death!" Carmila picked up the fallen bat, her eyes filled with killing intent fixed on the young man.

The young man gasped, scrambling up from the ground and darting away.

"Trash!" Carmila spat, tossing the bat aside.

At that moment, the sound of galloping hooves approached.

"The Cops are coming!" someone shouted.

The brawlers immediately stopped, turning to see a squad of mounted police charging toward them, one of the officers firing warning shots into the air.

"Run!" Everyone scattered in all directions.

"Damn it!" Carmila realized she had been set up, turning and sprinting towards a low wall, vaulting over and escaping.

Two hours later...

In the old city district, Skull Gang stronghold.

"I can't believe you all made it back," the Skull Gang cadre said, observing the lined-up members in the room.

Two teenagers stood among them, one with bruised marks on his face.

"Sixteen against five yet you guys was still lost, embarrassing! You guys look quite clean, were you just spectating during the fight?" the cadre berated loudly.

"The organization put a 500 bounty on that Dino girl. All you had to do was get her into the hospital, didn't you want the money?"

The teenager with bruised marks silently licked his broken tooth root. He had hoped to claim the reward set by his gang for attacking Carmila.

"Well, this time there's still some achievement," the cadre's tone suddenly softened. "Latest news, the police have caught Carmila. A few of our brothers got nabbed too, but it's worth it. Unfortunately, it's just a brawl charge. She'll be out in ten days or so. We need to seize this time to expand our territory, understood?"

Some more perceptive underlings cautiously glanced at the cadre, sensing that maybe the mounted police were tipped off by someone within their own ranks.

The police have been actively trying to dismantle the Blood Hand Gang, the most influential force in the old district. Carmila, being a cadre of the Blood Hand Gang, is a prime target for the law enforcement.

The cadre, while putting a bounty on Carmila, also sent their members to harass the territory she manages. The goal is to provoke conflicts and provide an opportunity for the police to make arrests.

In essence, these newcomers are sacrificial pawns used by the gang to distract Carmila. The cadre surveyed his subordinates and focused his gaze on the young man with bruises.

"Billy," he called out to the young man.

"Yes!" Billy immediately tensed, eyes fixed on his own toes.

"Among those who returned, you're the only one with injuries. I heard you had the courage to ambush that woman. Although lacking experience, you showed some intelligence." The cadre suddenly reached out, patting Billy's shoulder with a hint of approval. "I say, all of you should learn from him. When it's time to step up, don't act like turtles hiding in your shells. Why do I even bother keeping you all?"

Billy looked up, pleasantly surprised, unsure of what to say.

"Got beaten by that woman, huh? Seems quite a serious injury..." The cadre asked in a concerned tone.

"I-I'm fine..." Billy nodded nervously.

"Youngsters think a few punches won't hurt, but you might have hidden injuries. You could die without even realizing it." The cadre spoke with apparent kindness. "I know a good doctor; I'll take you for a checkup later. It was your first fight today, and you did quite well."

"Th-thank you, big brother!" Billy bowed gratefully.

"You stay here; I have something to discuss with you privately. The rest of you, go back." The cadre waved his hand, signaling the others to leave.

The scar-faced teenager left the room with the others. Before exiting, he instinctively glanced back at his good friend left in the room.

Once the door closed, only Billy, the cadre, and two stern-looking bodyguards remained.

"You indeed didn't disappoint me. I can tell you're loyal to the organization." The cadre placed both hands on Billy's shoulders. "Seeing your performance today, I've decided to promote you. I've heard about your situation—your mother's illness and the need for a substantial amount of money, right? Perhaps I can help you with that."contemporary romance

Billy widened his eyes in surprise and then bowed again, "Thank you so much!"

"No problem, no problem, it's only right." The cadre chuckled. "However, in return, I have an important task for you. So, Billy, are you willing to make a sacrifice for the organization?"

"Sacrifice?" The young man sensed something amiss, raising his head.

As he looked at the cadre's eerie smile, a chill suddenly ran down his spine.

The next day, the young man's lifeless body was discovered in an alley near his home.

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