“I found an American,” said the young boy V met earlier.

  “Akira, what are you talking about?” said a young girl about the same age.

  “When I went to the library earlier to drop off those books, there was this tall man, and he asked me if I had ever seen an isekai,” Akira replied.

  “Well, did that guy seem special to you at all?” Akikoa said.

  “I didn’t feel anything special about him. I don’t even think he has any magic power. He did dress oddly; he wore a trench coat, a blue suit, a cowboy hat, and sunglasses. Hey, have you seen Kenji anywhere?” Akira said.

  “Yeah, he’s outside working on his swordsmanship,” Akikoa said.

  “He’s never been the type to sit around,” Akira said.

  “Mr. Minamoto, I have a request for you,” said the king.

  “Your wish is my command,” said Kenji.

  “Well, there are these people who call themselves the Devils, and I would like you to capture them,” said the king, leaning closer to Kenji.

  “Now I don’t have much of a problem with what they’re doing. The only thing these two people seem to do is steal money or kill corrupt nobles. They seem to be trying to destroy the slave market in this country, something I've been trying to do for years. Now, if you can capture one of them and bring one to me so we can discuss the reasons for their actions, I would be grateful,” said King Alexander.

  “I will do my best, my king. Do you know where they may attack next?” said Kenji

  “I believe it will be somewhere west of the royal capital. I’ll give you a map of the markets and give you a carriage. Bring anyone you think will be useful,” King Alexander said.

  “Akira, Akikoa, we have to head west,” Kenji said.

  “What’s the mission, Kenji?” Akira and Akikoa asked.

  If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

  “We’re going after two people who call themselves the Devils. They’ve been freeing slaves from the markets, and the king wants to discuss their reasons.” Kenji said.

  “Hey, I met this strange guy, and he said he was an American,” Akira said.

  “Did you bring him?” Kenji asked.

  “No, after we talked, he just disappeared like sand in the wind. I would have if I could find the guy afterwards.” Akira said.

  “Well, did he seem useful?” Kenji asks.

  “He didn’t seem powerful,” Akira said.

  “He can’t be that important, then. He must be doing the same as us, just trying to get home. Ok, we're moving out tonight, so get ready,” Kenji said.

  A few hours after that conversation, back at the Devils’ camp. I built a bomb. More like I built grenades, four of them. It seems like they would be useful if we ever have to kill a hundred goddamn people again. There's been a cloud following us for the last few days, and of course, we've been doing some night raids. I feel like we've been getting a bit sloppy lately about these raids. Have they been more secure? All in all, I have 160 rounds left, with 7 rounds in the magazine in the gun. The humidity made me feel nasty. The plan tonight is to hit a pretty large market. We are taking both bikes, and of course, we are leaving the sidecar behind. A lightning bolt lights the sky, and thunder booms. The engines bellowed, and the heat was hot. We made it to town and hid the bikes. We put our masks on and readied ourselves.

  "We are the Devil and Here to Do the DEVIL'S WORK." We said.

  No one’s here. Shit.

  “It seems like you got it right once again, Kenji,” Akira said.

  “Give up now, and we won’t need to kill you,” Kenji said.

  “Have you killed a man, boy? Have you ever felt warm blood cover you after killing over a hundred men? Have you seen the devil dance in front of you with only two weapons in your hands and the pits of hell opening up to take him or kill you, or you kill him? Boy, you do not know what death is and what killing is like, for you have never been to hell and become its king.”

  The first shot was from a large icicle that passed my cheek, drawing blood. I fired off 5 rounds, leaving me with 2 bullets in the mag. Miyamoto drew out both his katana and wakizashi. Akira lunged right at Miyamoto with his longsword. Kenji and Akikoa started firing off spells at me. The ice kept cutting me like razors, and I kept firing, reloading after every 17 rounds. I pulled two grenades out of my pockets, lit both ropes, and chucked both down towards the damn bastards.

  “FIRE IN THE HOLE AND FUCKING RUN, SWEET FUCKING CHRIST!”

  BOOM.

  “Why are you doing this?”

  “Because, man, no matter where you are, you have to keep your ethics,”

  The wounds were much deeper. I started to cough up blood.

  “Come on, give up and come with me.”

  I pulled my gun. He pulled his katana.

  The rain fired down like bullets out of a machine gun—fast and remorseless.

  Time to die.

  “I am the Devil and must do my work,”

  I fired, and Kenji dashed toward me.

  We stood there for around 30 seconds…

  He stayed up…

  I dropped.

  He walked away…

  I dragged myself to my bike and started driving; I don’t know where. I started to unpack the cigarette box and light one. After about 10-15 minutes, I fell off my bike... I pulled out my flask and had my last drink. Then I pulled out my cig and started smoking.

  I took another drag…

  Death has finally come for me.

  God, I hope Miyamoto made it back to camp. I hope the kid doesn’t shed any tears. I hope Celeste gets into a good school and lives a long and delightful life. Let the record show that I took the blows and did it my way.

  The darkness slowly crept in, and I took one long drag.

  I raised my arm and said, “Bang!”