The process of moving into the slums was effortless despite it being cramped with sewer rats. Haco wasn't timid in ending the lives of those who have given up. Those who have wasted their opportunities and just waiting for death to come. If they had the balls, they should just end their own lives, or so thought Haco.
In the center of the slums, artisans were working hard in building new homes. His home was almost finished and those being built next to was trying hard to catch up.
The artisans began about the same time, but the cost took him by surprise when his good fortune reached the bottom. It didn't help he had to pay for all the commodities such as food and water.
As humiliating as it was, he went around making deals in exchange for money so the construction could continue.
He knew it couldn't continue this way. The slums were vast. No one wanted to live in a dumb. But things were steadily improving.
There was just one problem.
After having walked away from the construction, through endless sheds that looked like they would fall over with a sneeze. Through a few alleys filled with addicts.
He stopped short from going out and watched two heavy-handed Imperial Police Officers dragging a sack together. Their identities were clear by the armor they were wearing. Being a group having 'Imperial' in it meant they had to look the part too. Or they would be a disgrace to the Emperor and those before that trusted them to keep the peace in the Capital.
They ended up approaching the valley Haco was hiding in. When they did reach, together they heaved the heavy sack.
"I think we'll be breaking the record today."
"Yea. This is a light one"
"It's kind of a pity how such a good high-class prostitute ended up being worthless."
"Yea. That last prick was really heavy-handed. Even going as far as pulling teeth out."
"Must be a sick bastard."
"You question that? Do you know any sane bastard that brings a plier to a brothel?"
They continued the conversation after throwing the sack in a big arc into the dark valley.
In the dark, Haco lit a fire in his hand and looked at the woman. He wasn't sure how old she was, by the bloody bruises on her face, but she was an adult. It was swollen black and blue and was missing her teeth—and a lot more.
A few fingers, toenails, and worst, the nibbles had been yanked off.
What might have been fair skin once, had marks of being hit by two aligned objects. Properly hits from the plier's handle.
But she was alive—if she could even be categorized as that. Her chest heaved a little, but the only shine she had in the eyes was the reflection of the blue flames.
This is why the slums were called dumb. Just a place to leave trash at.
This was just another case of many.
Around Haco's foot swirled fire while he lifted it. It transformed into a talon as he gently proceeded to stab a claw in the woman's neck.
It felt like stabbing into dead meat as it brought no reaction to the girl. She'd properly felt worse pain…
Then Haco stuffed her into the sack once more and walked out of the slums to the palace with it over his shoulder.
While being responsible for the Gravekeepers, Haco was still doing his bodyguarding duties for Esdeath.
He took a little detour to the torture yard and dumped the sack in a container there. It contained other bodies with similar injuries. Some, even worse.
Done. He arrived just on time in front of Esdeath's door and knocked, "Haco, reporting for duty."
Just another day for Haco at the moment.
'When I get off duty, I will try to get in contact with the captain of the Imperial Police. I just hope he's a greedy idiot like any other and would stop treating my territory as a trash can with a deal…'
---
Downtown.
The people with average ability and background were living. It would cost about a normal soldier's wage to pay the rent.
The captain of the Imperial Police—Ogre—walked with an agenda in mind.
Behind, followed a few officers.
When they reached a house that looked bigger and grander than the others. It certainly was a grade higher than the neighbors—but still not on par with the higher class.
Standing in front of the door, he held the knob, not bothering with knocking. With a twist, it broke and the hinges of the door broke with it.
It was the sign for the officers to storm in and apprehended everyone. They were trained and collected and did things professionally.
Ogre walked into the living room and began reading the crimes the family of three had committed.
"You are under arrest for having swindled money and evaded tax payments. To pay for your crimes, your children will be placed in an orphanage while you have to work community service until the debt is paid."
Ogre didn't stop reading despite the mother screaming she was innocent and never had done such a thing—because he already knew.
He was just framing them so a business partner—which did the crimes—could continue filling his pocket.
This woman had once worked in the said business partner's shop, and now that her husband had died in war, it gave the perfect reason as to why she would swindle money. Feeding three kids would soon make her unable to pay the rent here.
The situation quickly got solved with onlookers looking through the windows and from the street.
In the end, Ogre took the mother away while the other officers took the kids.
Community service was just another word for being forced into prostitution and Ogre would definitely teach this widow the art first.
The orphanage was a lot more complex. Their fates depended on ability, appearance, and age. It all came down to calculated worth. But one thing is for sure, they wouldn't find an idyllic childhood there.
A few hours later when the sun was about to fall.
Ogre had solved his desire. Despite having violated the widow, he did it with the care of not damaging goods—physically.
It was just that a unique woman strode past him. She'd a disposition he'd never seen before.
It kindled the desire once more, to an all-new level.
His two demon eyes opened wide with the lustful smile that crept up.