Before they could retaliate, I snuffed out every seed of vengeance, one by one.
They searched desperately for me, but I disguised myself as a limping, ragged hobo and stayed out of sight.
The underboss was a frequent visitor to a seedy sex shop, and I took care of him there.
When Don Red Bloodeyes tried to flee the state, I, disguised as a cab driver, made sure he reached the ends of the earth - permanently.
I disposed of the guns, knives and blunt objects I'd stolen and used, as well as the execution list I'd written, by throwing them into the steel mill's blast furnace.
I gave Raul's wife some money to support her for a while and said goodbye.
"William... I know. You..." she began.
"Don't think about it," I cut her off. "You need to go back to your parents' house and focus on your future - for yourself and for Raul's child."
Her sadness was palpable, and Raul's regret echoed in my mind.
I gently put my hands on her shoulders and tried to comfort her.
Before I left, I took one of Raul's favorite books as a memento.
＊＊＊＊
On a cold day, I sat on a bench at the train station, the north wind biting my face as I smoked a cigarette.
A man in a beige coat sat heavily beside me. He had a round face, a mustache, and a stylish hunting cap.
"That looks good," he said, nodding toward my cigarette. "Would you mind giving me a light?"
I obliged, lighting the cigarette in his mouth.
"Thanks. So... where are you from? And who do you serve?" he asked.
"Huh?"
"You were the one who took care of the Bloodeyes, weren't you, William Stance?"
We sat in silence for a moment before he looked at me.
"One of my boys spotted someone who looked like you near the textile mill we run. You used to ride in the back seat at Dyson's, didn't you? It took some time, but we put it together. I never thought anyone could take out all 30 of them in such a short time."
"Who are you?" I asked cautiously.
"Biff Cuse, advisor to the Thunders family. I'm their number two."
Biff held out his hand for a handshake.
I hesitated, studying him carefully. "What do you want from me?"
"Where are you going?"
"Nowhere in particular."
"Come work for us."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"We have been struggling with the tyrannical BloodEyes. You did us a favor by cleaning up the mess. The entire city owes you a debt of gratitude. And I personally appreciate your skills."
I stubbed out my cigarette and looked around.
Biff was looking off into the distance.
"Look," I said, "I know the Thunders family is the biggest mob in Eldland, but I'm not interested in joining you."
"So you're on your own after all," he replied quietly.
"Yes. Raoul is gone. I'm alone again."
"Revenge... that's what this was about, isn't it?"
"Pretty much."
"You quit the steel mill, didn't you? Join our family. We have plenty of work and friends. You'll never have to worry about making a living again."
Biff took off his hat and bowed slightly.
"Don Stone Thunders would like to meet you. Please consider it."
I watched the train I was supposed to catch pull away, lost in thought.
Biff remained there, silently pleading, still as a statue.
"So, Mr. Cus," I finally said, "will you protect Raul's wife and child for the rest of their lives?"
"Yes. I've already looked into their situation. We'll guarantee them safety and a secure future back home."
"Can I trust you?"
"Yes. Our family operates on trust."
A long silence followed.
Finally I held out my hand.
"All right. Let's meet Don Thunders."
I've always stayed calm at work.
Emotions don't drive me, and I never make mistakes.
When you're not controlled by emotions, your hands don't tremble.
I lived in the shadows, cold-hearted and methodical.
Biff gave me a name out of respect: "The Man with a License to Kill."
It became a legend in the underworld.
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