From that day onward, Shadow became a beacon of hope for women and a figure of respect—and fear—for some men. As weeks turned into months, the state experienced an unprecedented peace, with the crime rate drastically decreasing. Men began to regard women with warm eyes, not with lust, and the community thrived under this newfound respect.
However, one day, that peace was shattered. Breaking news flashed across screens: a girl had been found dead in a nearby lake. The police reported that she had been sexually harassed by a boy, who, after committing the heinous act, had thrown her into the water and fled. The community was horrified, shocked by the brutality of the crime. Whispers of fear and anger spread like wildfire, and the people began to question whether the state would revert to its former, darker days.
As the news circulated, many turned their ire toward Shadow, mocking him and laughing at the idea that he could protect them. Yet, amidst the chaos, few seemed to mourn the loss of the girl whose life had been so cruelly taken.
Shadow, who had been patrolling the streets all night, woke late that morning. He stumbled into the kitchen, brewing a cup of coffee to shake off the fatigue. As he poured the steaming liquid, the news blared from the television, filling the empty room with a sense of foreboding. The cup trembled in his hand as he caught the details of the tragedy unfolding on the screen.
With a heavy heart, Shadow set the cup down on the table, the coffee splashing slightly. He knew he had to act. The time for hunting had come again.
Rushing out, he mounted his bike and sped toward the area where the girl had been found. But as he arrived, a chilling silence enveloped him. The site was eerily empty, devoid of the usual crowd that would gather in the wake of such a tragedy. The only figure present was the lifeless body of the girl, lying on the ground.
Shadow's heart raced as he parked his bike and rushed to her side, checking for a pulse. His fingers brushed against her cold skin, panic rising within him. Suddenly, without warning, a sharp spray hit his face, and darkness enveloped him.
As he fell to the ground, his vision blurred, he heard a familiar voice cutting through the haze. "Well, well, well, the great Shadow lying on the floor. How amusing," it taunted. It was Robert, his former friend, the one he had trusted.
Shadow's consciousness faded, and when he finally opened his eyes, he found himself tied to a chair, the room dimly lit and filled with muffled voices. Panic surged through him as he struggled against his restraints.
"Ah, look who's awake," Robert said, stepping into view, a sinister grin plastered across his face. "What shall we do with him now?"
The tension in the room thickened as Shadow's mind raced. Betrayed by someone he once considered a friend, he realized he was in a precarious situation. The stakes had never been higher, and he needed to think fast.
"Robert," Shadow spat the name like venom, his voice low and dangerous. "What do you want? Did you kill that girl?"
Robert's lips curled into a sinister smirk. "She was in the way, just like your sister."
Shadow's eyes turned cold, a chill running down his spine. "Don't you dare talk about her with that fucking mouth of yours."
"Touchy as always," Robert taunted, his tone mocking. "How angry you are. But I don't have time for this. You know, today a person who changed my life will be here. Of course, the hospital you banned—the one closing down for supplying fake medicines that were actually drugs."
Shadow's heart raced as the realization hit him. "So, you were also a part of this? You helped this group kill Asha, didn't you?"
With a dangerous smile, Robert leaned closer. "Yes, I did. In fact, I was one of them. I enjoyed it a lot."
Before Shadow could respond, an imposing figure entered the dimly lit room. An old man with a muscular build approached his presence commanding. He waved a hand, signaling Robert to step back, then turned his full attention to Shadow.
"You and your sister were in the way," the old man said, his voice smooth yet menacing. "So I took care of your sister. Now, this time, I will do the job properly."
With a swift motion, he pulled a gun from his waistband and pressed it against Shadow's forehead. "Are you ready to get killed?"
Shadow met the old man's gaze with calm defiance. "Is that all you've got?"
The members of the gang surrounding them exchanged shocked glances, as if Shadow had sprouted horns from his head. The old gangster's eyes narrowed, irritation flickering across his face. "I don't have time for this nonsense. Robert, do it."
Without hesitation, Robert lunged forward, delivering a brutal kick to Shadow's face. Pain exploded in his skull, and blood spilled from his lips as he staggered back. But even as he fought to regain his composure, a smirk crept onto his face.
"You know what?" Shadow said, his voice steady despite the throbbing pain.
Robert paused, curiosity piqued. "What is it? Any last wishes?"
Shadow leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with a mix of defiance and mischief. "Yeah, a last wish. Want to hear it?"
"Tell me fast before I kill you," Robert snapped, impatience creeping into his tone.
"BOOOOOOM!" Shadow shouted, his voice echoing in the room.
In an instant, chaos erupted. The sound of an explosion reverberated through the air, shaking the very foundation of the building. The gang members froze, their expressions shifting from confusion to terror as the walls around them began to tremble.
Shadow seized the moment, adrenaline surging through him. He had set a trap, a contingency plan for this very scenario. The explosion was a signal, a diversion that would bring the authorities crashing down on them.
As the dust settled and panic ensued, Shadow broke free from his restraints, his heart racing with the thrill of the moment. He had turned the tables, and now it was time to fight back.
Shadow stood, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, a fierce glint in his eyes. "You morons thought I was an idiot who would believe that type of news without preparing anything?" He swiftly removed the ties binding his wrists and wrapped them around his fists, readying himself for the fight.
Without warning, he charged forward, delivering a powerful punch to the nearest thug's face. The man staggered back, but Shadow didn't miss a beat. He pivoted on his left leg, driving a fist into the thug's stomach, then followed up with a swift kick to the man's legs, sending him crashing to the ground, knocked out cold.
The remaining gang members, including Robert, stood frozen in shock, their eyes wide as they witnessed the display of raw power and skill.
"Focus! Kill him right now! Use your guns!" the old gangster barked, his voice laced with urgency.
But before he could finish his sentence, Shadow snatched a gun from one of the fallen thugs and fired at the remaining members, the shots ringing out like thunder. One by one, they fell, until only the old gangster and Robert remained.
With a calculated aim, Shadow shot the old gangster in the leg, eliciting a scream of pain that echoed through the room. The old man crumpled to the ground, clutching his wound, fury etched across his face.
In a flash, Shadow appeared in front of Robert, delivering a punch to his stomach. But Robert, with surprising agility, caught Shadow's fist with a single hand and retaliated with a powerful kick to Shadow's chest, sending him flying back several feet.
Shadow hit the ground hard but quickly pushed himself up, determination burning in his eyes. "Is that all the great Shadow has got?" Robert taunted, a smirk playing on his lips.
"That was just a scratch," Shadow replied, gritting his teeth against the pain. "Now shut up and come at me."
Robert's expression darkened, and he charged forward, throwing a wild punch. But Shadow was ready. He sidestepped and delivered a swift kick to Robert's face, sending him flying several meters across the room.
As Robert struggled to regain his footing, Shadow turned his attention back to the old gangster, who was attempting to crawl away. Without even looking, Shadow fired the gun, the bullet finding its mark and silencing the old man for good.
With a flourish, Shadow tossed the gun aside, the weapon clattering to the ground. He then caught Robert's next punch with one hand, the force of it reverberating through his arm. In one fluid motion, he kicked Robert hard in the chest, sending him crashing against the wall.
"Is that all you've got?" Shadow taunted, his voice steady and confident.
Robert groaned, struggling to get back on his feet, but Shadow was relentless. He advanced, ready to finish what he had started, the thrill of the fight coursing through his veins. The room was filled with tension, the air thick with the promise of retribution. Shadow was no longer just a man seeking vengeance; he was a force of nature, determined to eradicate the darkness that had plagued his life for too long.