Maverick (Blank)
Chapter 11: Blank's Childhood (10)
[30 Days Later]
In a village, standing in front of a house burned to ashes. Only dust and charcoal, already crumbled, adorned the blackened view of a destroyed house. A man was making a phone call.
"Hello, it's me. Boss, as you requested. We've been searching for 30 days, but there isn't a single other clue."
A man with a missing right leg, sitting on a black chair with stacked bricks behind him, listened and clenched his fist. Veins were visible on his arm as he gritted his teeth.
[You must be joking. Not a single clue about Kaeri there?]
"True. None at all."
Crack.
The man slammed his phone onto the floor, shattering the screen and popping off the cover. He hit the table in front of him hard, from top to bottom, quickly. (Damn!)
His eyes widened and reddened. His body burned from feet to head, sparing no part. His teeth bit together, and veins bulged on his neck. (I'll kill him if we meet again.) His body began to tremble.
"KAERI!"
[2 Years Ago: (Kaeri) Destruction of Underring Branch 4 (8 Months)]
Kaeri stood on a thick plywood ring with cushioning mats underneath. So the footing wasn't as hard as stone nor as comfortable as pillows. He stood facing a large man of the same height. Both wore only shorts with bare torsos and no protection.
"KAERI! KAERI! KAERI!"
"CRUSH THAT BRAT!"
"HURRY UP AND WIN! I NEED MONEY!"
The ring's lower part was open, with hundreds of eyes watching from above, even thousands. The pressure was intense, and the noise was so thunderous that standing was difficult due to weak legs.
The two stood facing each other with discriminating looks. Their eyes were sharp and expressionless. Clenched fists were ready, and leg muscles were prepared.
[Alright! Everyone is so enthusiastic! This time we've entered the final round. Let me introduce to all of you!]
All the humans watching raised their hands, some even jumping excitedly.
[On the left, the young man we call the underdog. Won 5 times without injury and now stands firm in the final phase.]
His supporters' eyes sparkled. They bit their lips and clenched their fists tightly. Their eyes were wide but full of hope.
[Bet: $67,965]
[KAERI!]
"HOO!!"
"GET HIM, KAERI!"
"I'LL GIVE A BONUS IF YOU WIN!"
[And on the right, an adult man with tight muscles and a body full of scars. Their heights are almost the same! The man who killed 2 previous participants.]
Supporters on the opposite side began to stand. They lowered their heads and saluted the fighter they bet on.
[Bet: $81,534]
[GRUCKGER!]
"GOOD WORK, CHIEF!"
This was Kaeri's final match. But he didn't expect his last opponent to be the boss of a thug organization participating in Underring's annual event.
Kaeri furrowed his brow and narrowed his eyes slightly toward the brown-skinned man with tattoos on his face. (It's getting difficult now.)
A bespectacled young man was seen sitting in the stands with crossed legs and a hand supporting his left cheek. He was watching intently. (Kaeri... You must succeed, or our mission fails and we die here.)
[Okay! Since everyone is so excited, we will begin the final match of the Underring annual event.]
[Three!]
[Two!]
[One!]
[START!]
The match began. Without wasted movement, Kaeri ran and made quick pivot steps to the right and left. Gruckger raised both hands to anticipate any attack coming his way.
Kaeri used his right hand to throw a hook aimed at his head. Gruckger quickly protected the left side of his head, but that was just Kaeri's feint. He took a spinning step and delivered a dirty boxing punch with his left hand right into the ribs of the man before him.
"Ugh..."
Kaeri quickly threw a low kick upwards, but Gruckger swiftly grabbed his ankle before it reached his face. However, with reflex, Kaeri used his left foot to jump and bent his right knee. So he could kick upwards towards the nose while his body was inverted.
Slap
"Ugh!"
The man was thrown back and held his slightly crooked nose. But before he could look at Kaeri, the young man jumped with both feet and pressed his soles onto Gruckger's face.
The man was sprawled, giving Kaeri momentum to mount him and strike from above with a barrage of punches.
Crack crack crack
Kaeri punched until his face began to lose shape. His nose was broken, and his head was bruised everywhere. Blood began to flow from all directions, even from his mouth. All the spectators were tense, their eyes wide. No sound. Silence. Empty. Only Kaeri's punches that hadn't stopped.
"STOP!"
All eyes looked at the source of the voice. They all stared wide-eyed and saluted. Kaeri also looked. Two men who were brothers and one large bodyguard were looking at him.
"Brother, look... That kid is amazing," said the younger brother with admiring eyes.
The older brother chuckled softly. "This is good. I need a strong agent here."
Kaeri remained silent, sitting on Gruckger's hard stomach. He stared sharply at the two of them. (Oh, so it's them.) He also looked at the large bodyguard beside them. (He needs to be dealt with too.)
"Hey, you! Your name is Kaeri, right?" uttered the older brother. He smiled and continued, "Join me starting tomorrow."
The three of them returned to their seats. Kaeri became the center of attention. In this year's Underring event, he won every round without leaving a single scar on himself.
[Grinning.]
After finishing, he returned to a large underground room. The room was larger than 3 basketball courts, with clay walls and yellow lights around. As he walked, 4 young women approached Kaeri with blushing cheeks, full of interest in the young man.
"You're Kaeri, right? Come with us for a moment," said one of the women, biting her index finger with her legs pressed together. "We'll give you a freebie. All four of us can satisfy you."
Kaeri looked at them. Then he raised the corners of his lips and smiled. He moved toward the four of them, making all the women shy and excited. (I have a plan.)
[5 Months Later]
A man 3 years older than Kaeri—the younger brother. He put his arm around Kaeri while walking. "Hey! Look who's an executive now," he said with a smile.
The older brother walked in front with raised lips. "Good work, Kaeri. Our income and security have doubled since you've been here."
"You became the final boss in the arena. Everyone lost, and we kept winning bets because of you. More people are coming too," said the younger brother.
Kaeri just walked with them without showing any expression. After finishing, Kaeri went to a room containing photos and memories of the older and younger brothers. He was alone because he was asked to fix a broken light. But he placed something in the ceiling before installing the light. (This is a bomb. At least they'll be buried here.) And a knife was seen behind Kaeri's shirt.
Simultaneously, the bodyguard relaxing on a sofa was approached by the 4 women. They all came with faces full of desire.
"Sir, come with us to the room," they all pleaded, trying to surround the bodyguard. Some women tried to touch sensitive areas to arouse him. The bodyguard wearing sunglasses remained still.
The older brother, as the boss there, watched his bodyguard. He smiled. "Go ahead."
The bodyguard nodded. He stood up, carrying one girl and followed by the other three women. The older brother chuckled softly. He went to meet Kaeri, who was fixing the light, and entered his room. "Hey, Kaeri. Are you done?"
Kaeri climbed down the folding ladder. He answered, "Yes, boss." The older brother smiled. He was 30 years old but really liked Kaeri, who was still young. He was so loyal and obeyed his words. "Haha, I'm proud. I already consider you my family—"
Stab
Kaeri plunged his knife right into his heart. The man froze, and his blood began to flow quickly, soaking the floor. With a weak, trembling body, he tried to speak. "Y-you." Kaeri smiled. He pulled the knife out and threw the man against the wall.
When Kaeri looked toward the door, he was startled by the younger brother, whose eyes were wide and hands trembled while holding a glass of wine. "Y-you bastard!"
The younger brother then ran, but quickly, Kaeri stabbed his right thigh, causing him to fall and sprawl on the ground.
Creak
"Ugh..." He was in pain. His body was face down, holding his right leg, which was damaged by Kaeri's knife. Then Kaeri stepped out and closed the door.
Click
Boom
The room's ceiling exploded, and rocks began to fall, crushing the two inside. Kaeri just walked. The surroundings were so quiet. No one was around. He was done here because this place would be swarmed by police in a few hours.
He walked away toward the exit. Alone and lonely. As he entered the large lobby, he found a bespectacled young man with curly hair leaning as if waiting for him. He held a blood-stained knife in his hand. The young man looked at Kaeri and smiled.
"Bodyguard's taken care of. Let's go home." Kaeri answered with a nod, though his eyes were empty now. His gaze was unclear, and they walked together toward the surface and immediately returned to the organization's center.
That was Kaeri's mistake. He didn't ensure whether the younger brother had died along with his older brother or not. He immediately left the exploded room without confirming. Perhaps that time was a tragedy full of dilemmas for him.
At the moment the Underring higher-ups considered Kaeri as family and a competent executive, at that same moment, Kaeri betrayed them and destroyed Underring Branch 4 so cruelly and suddenly.
That happened in the past. But that grudge still existed within the younger brother, who was still alive and leading Underring Branch 4 to recover and meet demands from Underring Central.
One night they were together, sharing stories, but that same night, they all gambled their lives and hunted each other.
That was... a story from the past.
---
Back to the present, and time kept moving. Underring still couldn't find any evidence in the village, as time dragged on without hesitation. Now, still together, the siblings lived alone in a remote village near the mountains.
[September 20, 2023]
Kaeri was carrying a large plate with a square bread decorated with brown and black cream, sprinkled with choco chips on top. A small candle was lit with fire, bringing the delicious dish before the boy, now 16 years old.
"Happy birthday, Kaelan," said Kaeri, smiling until his eyes closed.
Blank returned the smile. But suddenly. "Meow." The now-grown cat sat on the teenager's lap. He was surprised. "Kaema! Do you like bread too? Do you want some?"
Kaeri chuckled softly. "No way a cat likes bread, haha." Then he placed the bread on the table and instructed Blank. "Blow it out."
The teenager's eyes sparkled. His mouth opened with a heart now healthy again and a gaze full of color adorning him. Comfort and safety had been in rhythm with his life so far. "Phew~"
Kaeri clapped, and Blank smiled widely until his eyes were completely closed. Then the birthday cake was cut and shared between them. "Meow." Blank was startled. "Oh, you really want some, Kaema? Here, try aaa..."
Kaeri laughed watching the teenager's antics with his cat. This was a heartwarming moment for their small family, even though it was just brother and brother in one house. It was enough to make Blank smile every day. The boy became active and friendly to everyone. He learned a lot from his brother and neighbors around. Even though he didn't go to school, the teenager had earned a lot of money through the camera Kaeri owned and other jobs.
But Kaeri's gaze was fixed on a message on his phone screen. His face was a bit flat, eyes weary. He bit the flesh inside his mouth and read the message he received.
[From my dearest younger sister]
[Brother, when are you coming home? Why is college taking so long? I beg you, bro... Mom has been in a coma for 6 weeks, and I'm not in school right now... I'm scared alone... I'm just at the hospital taking care of Mom... Please visit us in the city, bro... I beg you, we miss you too, and I'm all alone...]
Kaeri then looked at Blank. He was seen having fun with his cat and eating bread until his mouth was messy. He said, "Kaelan. I'm going to the bathroom for a moment."
Blank looked and listened to his words. He nodded his head. "Okay then."
Kaeri went to the backyard. He opened the door and closed it. The breeze brushed the trees behind the house, and the morning sun warmed anyone outside. It should have been a tranquility that anyone could enjoy and heal their heart.
But Kaeri lowered his head even though he was standing in the backyard. His shoulders began to move, and he closed his eyes. And at that moment...
[Kaeri shed a tear]