Return From Prison

Prologue "Boss, your mission is complete. It's time to step out and be recognized." Rys smirked, his eyes gleaming with a newfound intensity. "The days of staying lowkey are over. It's time they learned who truly holds the power in this world. Every single one who underestimated me before will pay a hundredfold now that I am free." "Madam, everyone involved in your grandfather's imprisonment and your parents' death has been identified." Ren stood up, her black eyes burning with determination as a smirk curved her lips. "Let's go. It's time for those traitors to pay. They thought they could destroy my family and walk away unscathed? I'll make them regret the day they dared to cross the Heavenwoods. No mercy—only justice." Chapter 1: The Beast's Awakening In the northernmost part of the city stood Ironclad Dominion Prison, a fortress-like penitentiary infamous for its unbreakable security. Not even a fly or mosquito could slip through its heavily guarded walls. This was no ordinary prison; it was a purgatory for the most terrifying criminals. The mere mention of its name sent shivers down spines, as it was widely believed that no one left its confines alive. Inside one of the high-security cells, the door creaked open, revealing a man sitting on a plush sofa. His long hair cascaded past his shoulders, and his beard framed a face that exuded raw power. At 26 years old, he stood at an imposing 5'7" with sharp, piercing eyes that seemed to see through one's soul. His toned, athletic build and unyielding demeanor made him look unapproachable. Two officers entered. One walked with steady steps, clearly accustomed to the man's presence. The other was visibly trembling, sweat dripping from his brow. "Mr. Rys, your food is ready," the calm officer announced, placing the tray on the table. Rys turned his penetrating gaze toward the officer before shifting his eyes to the quivering man. His lips curled into a smirk as he stood up and took a step forward. "Don't come any closer!" the trembling officer barked, pulling out his gun and pointing it at Rys with shaky hands. Rys chuckled darkly, unfazed by the weapon. In a swift motion, he grabbed the officer's wrist, forcing the barrel of the gun to his own temple. "If you're going to use a toy like this, make sure it's aimed at the temple—not just anywhere. You look like a rookie." The officer's face turned pale, his hands faltering as the gun slipped from his grip. He stumbled backward, collapsing to the floor in terror. Whispers of Rys's inhuman strength echoed in the prison; they said he could kill an elephant with a single punch. Rys laughed and handed the gun back to the calm officer, then returned to his seat, picking up a piece of chicken from his plate. He bit into it, savoring the meal as if he were in a five-star restaurant, his prison life seemingly luxurious. "So," Rys said nonchalantly, licking his fingers, "other than bringing me food, what's the reason for this visit?" The calm officer sighed, glancing at his petrified colleague. "Mr. Rys, I came to inform you that today is your release day. So, finish your meal and prepare to leave." Rys's sharp eyes locked onto the officer, his expression turning cold. "Are you ordering me around?" The officer's knees buckled under the weight of Rys's gaze. He shook his head frantically. "N-No, sir. Take your time, Mr. Rys." From the corner of the cell, an elderly man with a composed demeanor spoke up. "Emrys Knox Vaughn," Uncle Kevin began, his voice steady and commanding, "once you leave this prison, don't forget to find Angelo. He'll hand over the company—Vanguard Enterprise." Vanguard Enterprise is a multitrillion-dollar conglomerate renowned for its technological innovations. Rys swallowed hard. "But Master—" "No buts," Kevin interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You are to become the chairman of this company, and your mission is clear: eliminate the corruption and illegal activities festering within its walls." Taking a deep breath, Rys nodded. "Yes, Master." Standing, he stepped out of the cell, the two officers trailing behind him. As he walked through the prison, inmates and guards alike stopped to watch. Some congratulated him on his release, calling out, "Boss Rys!" Others whispered in hushed tones, relieved to see the monster leaving their midst. "Finally, our nightmare is over," one inmate murmured, only to freeze when Rys glanced in their direction. Rys smirked, his voice calm yet chilling. "Behave yourselves while I'm gone." "Y-Yes, Boss!" came the unified response, the inmates bowing their heads in respect and fear. When Rys reached the gates, the massive steel doors creaked open, and the bright sunlight hit his face. A helicopter awaited him outside, blades whirring. Without hesitation, he boarded, his expression unreadable as the chopper lifted off, carrying him toward the heart of the city. .... Baguio City Rys stepped out of the helicopter, carrying a small, worn-out bag in one hand. His long hair and unkempt beard gave him an intimidating appearance as he walked into the Civil Affairs Bureau. Inside, the atmosphere shifted noticeably as he joined the line, towering over the others with his commanding presence. While waiting, Rys noticed a young boy staring at him with wide, fearful eyes. He attempted a friendly smile, but the boy burst into tears, clutching his mother's skirt. Rys frowned, glancing around awkwardly. Another child locked eyes with him. Determined to lighten the mood, Rys made a funny face, puffing his cheeks and crossing his eyes. Instead of laughing, the second child gasped in terror and hid behind his father. Rys scratched the back of his head, muttering to himself, "Kids these days..." He felt the judging stares of the children's parents, prompting him to avoid eye contact with anyone else for the rest of the wait. "Next!" a woman behind the counter called. Rys approached, his imposing figure casting a shadow over the desk. The woman froze for a second, startled by his appearance, but quickly composed herself. "Good morning, sir. How may I help you?" she asked, her professional tone faltering slightly. "I'm here to file for a divorce," Rys replied gruffly, placing his bag on the counter and fishing out his marriage certificate. "May I see your certificate?" the woman requested, extending her hand. Rys handed it over, his piercing gaze making her hands tremble slightly as she compared the photo on the certificate to the man before her. She blinked in surprise. "Sir... this is you?" she asked cautiously. Rys smirked. "Last I checked, yeah. Is there a problem?" "N-No, sir. Everything seems to be in order," she replied hastily, stamping the necessary forms and entering details into the system. "Please wait for a moment while I process the paperwork." Rys nodded and stepped aside, leaning against the counter as the woman worked at lightning speed, eager to finish the task. After a few minutes, she returned with the finalized documents. "Here you go, Mr. Vaughn. Your divorce becomes official once your wife signs the papers and returns them here," she said, handing him the papers. Rys took them, nodded in thanks, and turned to leave. Just as he reached the door, he paused. A mischievous grin spread across his face as a thought crossed his mind. Moments later, the Bureau erupted with the cries of terrified children. Outside, Rys strolled away, laughing heartily as he walked towards the house where he used to live. ..... Rys approached the familiar villa. The sight of the slightly ajar door brought a smirk to his face. He pushed it open and walked in without hesitation, nostalgia tingling in the back of his mind. Inside, the living room was dimly lit, but his sharp eyes immediately spotted two figures on the sofa. A man and a woman, both naked, were locked in a passionate embrace, oblivious to his presence. Rys silently moved toward an armchair and sat down, propping his elbow on the armrest and resting his chin on his hand. The woman straddled the man, her movements growing bolder as their lips met hungrily. Rys watched with a mix of amusement and disdain, his foot tapping lightly on the floor. Finally, he lifted his boot and set it on the coffee table, the loud thud breaking the lovers' trance. The woman's eyes flew open, and she froze, staring at the shadowy figure in front of her. Letting out a startled gasp, she shoved the man away and scrambled to cover herself with her hands. Rys smirked, his voice laced with sarcasm. "If you're that desperate, why not use a bedroom? Making a baby in the living room seems... unsanitary." The woman's breath hitched at the familiar tone. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she stammered, "R-Rys?! You're... you're out?!" Rys leaned forward, his smirk deepening. "Out of prison, not dead. Why do you look like you've seen a ghost, Yasmine?" Her panic grew, her voice trembling. "Y-You! How did you survive that place?!" Rys chuckled darkly, his aura radiating dominance. "What can I say? Monsters belong in cages, but they never stay there for long." Yasmine smirked, her eyes gleaming with mockery as she folded her arms across her chest. "So what if you're out of prison?" she sneered. "You're still the same useless man you were before. Just look at yourself! You look like a beggar." She let out a condescending laugh. The man beside her, stood and casually pulled on his pants, exuding arrogance as he sat down next to Yasmine on the sofa. With a smug grin, he handed her a shirt, which she lazily draped over herself. "I didn't expect you to get out so soon... Oh wait, no," the man corrected himself, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "I didn't expect you to survive at all after I sent you to that hellhole." Yasmine leaned into the man, her voice turning sweet and sultry. "Arthur," she cooed, her hand trailing along his chest, "if you managed to throw him into hell once, I'm sure you can do it again, right?" Arthur smirked, his ego inflating with her praise. Rys, who had been silent up until now, suddenly laughed—a deep, cold laugh that sent chills down their spines. "Throw me back into hell?" he repeated, standing tall and towering over the pair. "You clearly don't know, Yasmine. Even Satan himself kicked me out because I was about to take his throne." Yasmine's confident smirk faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered, opening her mouth to retort. Before she could speak, Rys reached into his pocket and pulled out a neatly folded piece of paper. He stepped forward and placed it on the coffee table between them. "Sign this," he said, his voice calm but commanding. "And we're done." Yasmine picked up the document, her eyes scanning the words. Her expression shifted to shock. "Divorce?" she repeated, her tone a mix of disbelief and irritation. Without hesitation, she grabbed a pen from the table and signed her name with a flourish, her lips curling into a grin as she handed it back to Rys. "There," she said mockingly. "What now?" Rys took the paper without another word, glanced at her briefly, then turned and walked away. His silence was deafening, leaving Yasmine and Arthur stunned. They exchanged confused looks, unsure of how to react to his uncharacteristic calmness. "Was that really Rys?" Yasmine asked, doubt creeping into her voice. Arthur chuckled dismissively. "So, your ex-husband grew a backbone. Big deal. You're divorced now, which means you're all mine." He pulled her into another kiss, his hands already working to undress her again. ..... Rys returned to the Civil Affairs Bureau and handed over the signed divorce agreement. At last, he was free from his ties to Yasmine. But before leaving, he couldn't resist. He turned toward the children who had only recently stopped crying after his earlier antics. Fixing his stern face into another ridiculous expression, he immediately sent them wailing once more. Satisfied, Rys strode out of the building, his laughter echoing behind him as he walked away.