City of Sinners

City 20

We were standing along with the other survivors at a certain corner of the forest lairs of the bees. And … we were watching. Just watching.

While biting my lower lip, I could not help myself but to feel pity and worried as the Owl gang—which is now less than the half of the original number they are supposed to have—have been struggling to save their most important member.

I have heard that one of them has suggested that the should escape the place, and let Agos honorably die in that place—because if they keep on going, more and more deaths will they be having in exchange of one single life.

But then they discovered that it is not working like that. Because … once they enter and fight, they could never go back.

And that I think is the reason why their fighting prowess against the bees were tarnished. Actually, they were not fighting the waves anymore. They were just … trying to survive.

And I am worried that if we keep on just watching them, they will all die in vain.

That is why, with an impulse of my emotion, I looked at Solomon.

“Solomon, are we not going to help the Owls? They’re freakin’ struggling.”

Solomon looked back at me, but he quickly pulled away his gaze. “L—Let’s just stay here first. I have hopes they could survive.”

“What?” I asked, incredulously.

“Solomon’s right, Sitri. The Owls could save Agos,” added Jerross, the leader of the Eagles. I thought they both are having misunderstanding. Why are they supporting each other’s thoughts?

“I’m not belittling or thinking that the skills of the Owls are weak. And as much as possible, I want them to handle all of this. But look at them! They all need damn help!”

No one answered me. With an unbelievable eye-fixing to the scenes of Owl’s hardship, they acted as if they haven’t heard what I have said, and just kept on watching them. Even Solomon. And despite the fact that on his eyes is the reflection of worry, he did not damn move. Bullshit!

“What the s**t is wrong with all of you!” I blurted, frustrated from what was happening. And then … I realized something. “Ah … the fact that there’s a possibility Owls would be gone for good, that’s why you don’t want to help them anymore, isn’t it? A minus factor to your egoistic competition.”

I think I hit a spot. They all flinched and shifted uncomfortably as I said those things, which confirmed me that it was their reason why they are not helping us.

“What a bunch of maniacs,” I said.

My mind came blank for a second. And before I could realize, I was in the most front of Solomon. With the grit and anger that has naturally come to my body, I hit my palm to his face. A well-earned sound of slap has echoed, despite the buzzing of the bees. And yet, aside from that loud slapping sound, no sound or reaction from others that has followed.

I was in the blank state of my mid when that happened. It was seriously because I could not control my body. But, just after I came back to realization of what has happened, I decided not to regret it: not to regret the wild slap that I have done in him. Instead, I started to think of reasons why I have done it.

“You are no fit for a leader if you have that kind of mindset. A leader should not be on the highest position; it should not be on the front line. Just like an Alpha, you should be the lowest, the last in line. So that you can see everything. Ensure their safety. Come to them immediately if their lives is at steak. You’re not a real leader. You’re a dummy.”

“Sitri, you don’t understand—”

“Oh sure? I don’t understand the reason why they were not being helped? Why they are not receiving any kind of aide from the supposed to be ‘leader of all gangs’?”

And then, I heard a scream. It was from a man that was still in the field of vision of the bees.

“Help! Help! Help us!” it screamed and pleaded.

With that, my tears went falling uncontrollably.

“You’re a sucker.” Then I turned my back to him.

“It’s none of your business anymore, Sitri. Helping them is not our business anymore … if you hadn’t realized it.” It was Jerross who started to blab bullshits.

I looked at him and smirked. “What? What’s he darker reason that I haven’t realized yet which was stopping you from saving them?” I asked.

Jerross was looking at me, and swear, ever since, I hated his presence.

“Y—You don’t realize that … this is not about surviving as a whole anymore. This is surviving while bearing competition with each of the gang. And … there is a possibility that one by one, each gang will be decimated as this Cirles of Hell goes by. You should realize that after you saved Valour.”

My smirk goes wider. More insulting. “After I have saved him and the bees stopped attempting to kill the whole gang anymore?”

Jerross nodded as he directly looked at me. “You see, five gangs were destined to be stuck here in this s**t place, and only one gang will prevail. That’s likely what will happen.”

“Help us, please!”

“You think I haven’t realized that yet?” I asked. “That’s a shame because I am more intelligent than you. And besides, who said that those guys were Owls? Just now, they’re Vultures.”

Then, right after that declaration, I noticed the sharp gazes of the bees towards us. As if, with my declaration, the bees has accepted it: that those remaining Owls—less than ten of them, plus Agos—were now part of the Vulture gang.

I first looked at my gang to see their reaction about what I have just done. Surprisingly, all of them were smiling proud and confident. Even Valour was cool of it because he has now drank healing and energy potions. He could now also fight, and his face, along with others were of a face of Vultures ready to scavenge through this dead place just to save lives.

I am never this proud to my gang.

Then I looked back at Solomon and Jerross and the other of the gangs. I smiled. “You must be thinking that Vultures were fool. But sometimes, the wisest choice came to those who doesn’t think that much, but works according to morale.”