### **Chapter 88 :
Title:The Lockers' Bridge
The chapter begins with Headless standing at the entrance of the Holy City, his presence casting an eerie silence over the bustling underground world. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and the faint metallic tang of blood. People whispered among themselves, their voices a low hum, as they speculated about the earlier explosions. "What was that? Did you hear it? Sounded like the whole city was coming down!" one man muttered, his voice trembling.
Headless ignored them, his headless horse trailing behind him with a rhythmic *CLOP-CLOP* of hooves against the stone floor. His two swords hung at his sides, their blades gleaming faintly in the dim light. He moved with purpose, his aura radiating an overwhelming sense of dread. Those who crossed his path quickly stepped aside, their eyes wide with fear.
As he walked deeper into the city he came upon a scene , his gaze fell upon Vodoyme and Lucius. Vodoyme was kneeling beside Karl's lifeless body, his hands trembling as he tried to stabilize Lucius, who was severely burned and barely conscious. The sight of Headless froze Vodoyme in place. His eyes widened, and for the first time, fear flickered across his hardened face. He scrambled backward, putting distance between himself and the headless figure.
"W-What are you doing here?" Vodoyme stammered, his voice cracking. Lucius, barely able to move, groaned weakly. "Who… who is that?"
Vodoyme's voice was barely a whisper. "He's… a legendary WarSword. A sellsword. But he's loyal to only one man."
Headless didn't speak. He simply tilted his headless form slightly, as if studying them. Then, in a voice that seemed to echo from the void itself, he asked, "Where is the target?"
Vodoyme swallowed hard, his throat dry. "They… they escaped. Went deeper into the city."
Headless didn't respond. He walked past them, his movements slow and deliberate. For a moment, Vodoyme thought they might be spared. But then, with a swift *SWISH*, Headless's swords flashed. Two heads rolled to the ground with a sickening *THUD*, their bodies collapsing moments later. The sound of blood spilling filled the air, a wet *SPLATTER* as it pooled around the lifeless forms of Vodoyme and Lucius. Headless didn't look back. He continued deeper into the city, his mission clear.
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Meanwhile, Sakamoto and Rajesh had ventured further into the underground city, a place teeming with criminals and outcasts. The air was thick with the stench of sweat and desperation. The city was perpetually dark, lit only by flickering lanterns that cast long, eerie shadows on the walls. As they walked, two figures emerged from the shadows, knives in hand. They blocked the path, their voices sharp and threatening.
"Hand over everything you've got, or we'll gut you right here," one of them snarled, his blade glinting in the dim light.
Rajesh sighed, pulling back his hood to reveal his face. The two figures froze, their eyes widening in recognition. "W-We didn't know it was you!" one stammered, dropping his knife with a *CLANG*. "Forgive us!"
Rajesh waved a hand dismissively. "Where can I find the Lockers?" he asked, his tone calm but firm.
"At the Tower Bridge," the other figure replied quickly, his voice trembling. "Just follow the main path."
Rajesh nodded, tossing them a piece of bread. "Here. Don't cause trouble." The two men grabbed the bread and scurried away, their footsteps echoing with a *PITTER-PATTER*.
As they continued walking, Sakamoto turned to Rajesh, his curiosity piqued. "Why did they listen to you? Why do they respect you so much?"
Rajesh chuckled softly. "I designed this city," he explained. "It's a place for criminals and outcasts, so they don't wreak havoc in the main city. Instead of killing them, I keep them here. They know I could wipe them out if I wanted to, so they show respect."
Sakamoto nodded, absorbing the information. "And the Lockers? Who are they?"
Rajesh's expression grew serious. "They're a powerful group, skilled in spiritual abilities. As their name suggests, they're masters of Shen blocking—an ancient martial arts technique that disables Shen abilities by targeting specific points on the body. It's the first step in helping you control the hybrid inside you."
Sakamoto's eyes widened. "You think they can help me?"
Rajesh nodded. "If anyone can, it's them."
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The scene shifted to the Tower Bridge, a massive wooden structure spanning a roaring waterfall. The sound of rushing water filled the air, a constant *ROAR* that drowned out all other noise. The bridge creaked under their weight as they stepped onto it, the wood groaning with each step. Sakamoto glanced over the edge, the sight of the cascading water making his stomach churn.
As they walked, Sakamoto turned to Rajesh. "What Hunter Association did you belong to before you retired?"
Rajesh chuckled, his voice carrying a note of nostalgia. "I wasn't part of any association. I was a sole hunter, just like Bartoni was before he joined the Seoul Hunter Association."
Sakamoto frowned. "What's a sole hunter?"
Rajesh raised an eyebrow. "You're not stupid, kid. It means I worked alone. No affiliations, no alliances. Just me, my sword, and my mission."
Before Sakamoto could respond, a blood-curdling scream echoed through the air, cutting through the sound of the waterfall. The scream was followed by the sickening *THUD* of two heads hitting the ground, their bodies collapsing moments later. The sound of blood spilling filled the air, a wet *SPLATTER* that made Sakamoto's skin crawl.
Rajesh's expression darkened. "We've got a problem a real one ," he said, his voice low. "Let's move. Now."
They quickened their pace, the sound of their footsteps a rapid *THUD-THUD-THUD* against the wooden planks. As they reached the end of the bridge, Rajesh glanced back. Headless had stepped onto the bridge, his headless horse trailing behind him. The figure moved with an unnatural grace, his swords gleaming faintly in the dim light.
Rajesh grabbed Sakamoto's arm, pulling him toward the tower. "We need to get to the Lockers. Now."
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