Chapter 11: Preparation in the Shadows
Evening – 6 PM
The sun dipped low behind the city skyline as Rei sat at his desk, bathed in the faint glow of his phone screen. His face was calm—expressionless—but his eyes held a cold intensity. On his screen, transaction after transaction marked "Completed" lit up in a neat column.
The black market was a different world. A world that never slept. It was built on silence and trust between those who never met, never asked questions. It was ruthless, but efficient—just the way he liked it.
He had ordered many things. Some were harmless on the surface—easy to dismiss. But others were dangerous, illegal, the kind of things used in back alleys and whispered crimes. Together, they formed a kit designed for something more than survival. It was preparation. It was power.
Every object had a reason. Every piece of gear was a puzzle piece for what he was planning.
With a quiet breath, Rei locked his phone and set it aside. He leaned back, eyes closed, letting his thoughts swirl.
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Pain – A Sudden Awakening
A sudden, sharp pain cut through his chest like a warning shot. It wasn’t unbearable, but it was strong enough to make him sit up straight, breath quickening.
His hand moved to his ribs. The ache was deep—not sharp like a cut, but more like a dull pressure, spreading slowly.
(Why now?)
He didn’t show fear. He didn’t panic. But his mind took note of it.
He sat there for a moment, breathing through it until the pain faded into a dull echo.
Another piece of the puzzle—his body reacting to something. Stress? Exhaustion? Or something worse?
He pushed the thought aside.
There was too much to do. He didn’t have time for weakness.
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
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Downstairs – Aunt’s Return
The sound of keys jingling snapped him out of the silence.
The front door opened. Heavy footsteps. The scent of winter wind followed his aunt as she entered the house, pulling off her coat.
Rei made his way downstairs, posture relaxed, expression unreadable.
His aunt tossed her coat onto the sofa and raised an eyebrow when she saw him.
Aunt: “Well, well. You really do have a talent for this, don’t you?”
Rei said nothing at first. He waited.
Aunt: “That tip you gave me about the stocks? You were right. Again. I made a small fortune today.”
Her smile was full of pride, but also something else—something cautious. She was starting to realize her nephew was no ordinary boy.
Rei offered a small nod, as if it were obvious.
Rei: (calmly) “It was inevitable.”
She stared at him for a second, as if trying to read him. She failed.
Aunt: “You really never doubt yourself, do you?”
He tilted his head, giving her the smallest of smirks.
Rei: (quietly) “What reason would I have to?”
She laughed, not fully sure if it was a joke or not.
Aunt: “Sometimes, I wonder what’s going on in that head of yours.”
He looked away.
(If only you knew.)
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A Message – “Out for Delivery”
His phone buzzed again. He took it out and looked at the notification.
> [Your package is out for delivery.]
He smiled—barely, but it was there.
(They’re faster than I thought.)
The black market was efficient. But this speed confirmed something: he was dealing with professionals. Not freelancers. Not amateurs. That was good. He couldn’t afford mistakes.
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The Delivery – Hidden Tools
About half an hour later, the doorbell rang.
He opened it to find a delivery man standing there, dressed in plain clothes. No logos. No company name. His eyes didn’t meet Rei’s.
The man handed him a medium-sized box, nodded once, and turned without a word.
Rei closed the door softly and carried the box up to his room. The lock clicked behind him.
He placed the box on his desk, peeled away the outer packaging carefully, and opened it.
Inside, everything was laid out with care.
A black hoodie. Smooth, breathable, made for movement. No markings. It looked ordinary, but it wasn’t.
A syringe—new, sealed, and sharp.
Several tools—each small, cold, and made for precise actions. Opening, disabling, breaking.
And a small box, tucked in the corner.
Rei stared at it.
He didn’t open it. He already knew what it held.
(Not yet. I’ll wait.)
His hand hovered over it, then moved away. Timing mattered. Everything had to be perfect.
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Gathering Information – The Criminal
Back at his desk, Rei pulled out his phone again.
Another transaction was complete.
This time, the price wasn’t for tools. It was for data.
And what he got in return was gold.
> Name: Takashi Aizawa
Age: 38
Criminal Record: Armed robbery, drug distribution, human trafficking
Sentence: 10 years (early release on bail)
Status: Getting bailed out tomorrow
Rei read through the profile in silence. Every word painted a picture.
A man who hurt others for profit. A man who caused pain without a second thought. A man who walked free thanks to a broken system.
Rei’s fingers tapped against the desk, his thoughts running fast.
This man… was perfect.
Not just as a test subject—but as a symbol.
Someone the world wouldn’t miss. Someone who deserved worse than jail.
(Tomorrow… is the day.)
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Final Thoughts – A Plan Unseen
Later that night, Rei lay in bed, arms behind his head, eyes on the ceiling.
His mind didn’t slow down. It never did.
He could see it all—the movements, the steps, the outcome.
Everything was falling into place like chess pieces on a board.
His tools. His knowledge. His target.
He wasn’t just preparing. He was creating a new version of justice. One where the powerful weren’t police, judges, or politicians—but people like him. People who understood the rules and weren’t afraid to break them.
His breathing slowed. His eyes drifted shut.
But even in sleep, the plan stayed sharp in his mind.
“Tomorrow is the day… I will definitely…”
Silence.
End.
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