Ability Wielders - Chapter 144 White Hood

Why were people so terrified, you ask? Because the man in front of them was the notorious White Hood, a serial killer that targeted the upper class of the meritocratic society. His white-colored irises beyond that mask was his trademark.

His reasoning? This kind of society was unjust in his eyes. Although many people are aided by the government during rough childhood, what about those late bloomers? What about the poor lower class that are oppressed and couldn’t gain more experience because of their ‘lack of experience?’

Of course, this was solely one prerequisite for his targets. Most upper class are arrogant as fuck, an ad verbatim statement by White Hood. He views those condescending people unworthy of the skill and wealth they possess. As such, he culls them, ‘cleansing the world of these evils.’ One’s loathsome attitude was the nail in the coffin that would paint a target on your back.

Every murder scene that White Hood left was beautiful and elegant. The kill is clean with a single hole on the middle of the forehead. Each and every corpse was encapsulated in a blood drawing of a rose.

Additionally, the woman next to him was the infamous Harlequin, the assistant of White Hood. Prior to helping out White Hood, Harlequin was already a psychopathic killer that killed people, male or female, that have a history of sexual assault.

“I see that our reputation precedes us.” White Hood chuckled at the mic, deepening the dread that the crowd was in. White Hood’s attitude turned 180 degrees. “Quiet, all of you!”

“Ah, fuck, my bad luck is seriously getting ridiculous.” Hayden cursed under his breath. “Good thing I picked this remote place to stay at.”

As mentioned, the place where they were at was adjacent to the wall and was covered by the throngs of classical piano music enthusiasts. It was helpful that there were tons of wielders in the crowd, allowing him to mask himself.

He scooched to the back side of Eun-ha, Likoria, and Sayuri. He whispered to the three, “The woman is a Level 4 wielder. The man is a Level 5 wielder.”

“What?” Eun-ha and Sayuri were both shocked of Hayden’s analysis. How in the world would he possess that sort of information? They couldn’t sense anything from the two, hence, they knew that their Origin Limiters were activated for the meantime. Also, Hayden was a Level 2! It was strange that he can sense Levels… Eun-ha spoke for the two, “We trust you, but…”

“Questions later.” Hayden was dreading the situation they were plunged in. “Likoria, can you contact them from where you’re standing?”

Eun-ha and Sayuri were lost in the duo’s conversation. For the intervening time, they chose to trust Hayden and Likoria. They figured that Likoria highly likely belonged to the entity that conferred Hayden the World Items.

White Hood dropped the mic. A voice, oddly loud yet spoken softly, boomed out from where he was standing. “Since all of you recognize me, this will make it easier. As you know, this is the World Government Island. For my 96th to 100th kill, I wanted to bring it to the grand stage. Heh, can’t believe the World Government has so many loopholes.”

Everybody was too busy getting ahold of themselves to listen to White Hood’s soliloquy. “Don’t worry, most of you will be able to walk away scot-free. I already have my five targets for the night. And that is…”

White Hood announced his targets in a laidback manner. White Hood was true to his reputation for not targeting the humble people. Hayden, Eun-ha, and anybody else that Hayden had personal relationships with weren’t in the list.

Most people in the hall were relieved upon hearing this. Hayden sighted the targets among the crowd. The five people were clearly in distraught. Abruptly, White Hood spoke cryptically. At least to those normal humans. “No, no, I wouldn’t do that if I were you, Principe Di… ja… Djamilatou? Is that right? Anyway, do you want to live longer or die right now?”

Somewhere far away, Hayden caught a glimpse of a trembling middle-aged woman with onyx-colored skin and short black hair. From his Danger Sense, the woman was around Level 3.

The woman, gaping at White Hood, didn’t heed White Hood’s warning and activated her Ability. From what Hayden gathered, she was going to transform. Unfortunately for her, White Hood got the jump on her and shot her in the head.

In the front, Hayden saw White Hood holding a black glock with a smoking barrel. Looking back to the woman, Hayden was taken aback by how clean the perforation of the bullet was. The blood couldn’t escape as well, making for a clean death.

Everybody screamed, aghast of the scene that transpired in the span of mere seconds. Hayden ignored them as Danger Sense’s sensitivity to White Hood increased by a whole margin.

Hayden’s heart throbbed loudly. This time, the trepidation that was welling within his heart was that of a normal person’s: Genuine fear. He quivered, sandwiching herself between Eun-ha and Sayuri then involuntarily reaching out for their hands.

Needless to say, Hayden’s fear was not the fear of death. It was the fear of losing Eun-ha and Sayuri in vying to protect him. If Hayden lost Eun-ha and Sayuri, it was a fate worse than death. It will be hell.

Eun-ha and Sayuri felt Hayden shaking. They turned their heads to him, only to see a grave analytical expression in place of a fearful one. They spotted the usual Hayden: Someone that was finding for a way out for everyone that was dear to him.

It was admirable that, in the face of death, Hayden stayed strong to keep his cool and was even finding a way for them to survive. It was reassuring for Eun-ha and Sayuri, who were internally panicking due to their survival instincts acquired from battles screaming for them to retreat upon hearing the words ‘Level 5′ and ascertaining that that White Hood was Level 5.

This made them fall for Hayden more unconsciously. They refocused their gazes at the people in front, mysteriously feeling safer and determined to escape this quagmire to live their lives with Hayden.

“Silence, you pieces of shit!” White Hood roared with anger. “Tsk, Principe, always the one who dislikes these kinds of things. Does nobody here recognize the beauty and practicality of my art?”

No one responded to the imposed question. Why would anybody answer? The one in front of them was a serial killer. Anyhow, Hayden possessed prior knowledge that about 30% of the people in here were wielders. This was thanks to his Danger Sense.

“Anyhow, I’ll make this quick.” White Hood’s voice was giddy, to the point that it was gleeful. Hayden could tell that White Hood was a true psychopath. “All the targets, well, there’s no use doing this, but… Every target I’ve named, please step out. Don’t delay the inevitable.”

As predicted, no target presented themselves to White Hood. Nobody in this room wanted to be killed. This included Hayden. Why would they? They were leading good lives. The best lives that anybody could ask for. Why would they want to be killed?

“Harlequin.” White Hood rotated his head to face Harlequin. “Bring them to me.”

“Yes, darling.” Harlequin giggled. It would have been an attractive giggle if it wasn’t for the situation at hand.

In no time, four people, three men and a woman, was kneeling in front of White Hood. The corpse was in the far right, lying down with both hands intertwined atop the chest. Hayden was dazed at how there was no sonic boom by how fast Harlequin moved.

“You may be wondering how there are no alarms tripping in this area?” White Hood pranced around the four people. “Well, let’s say that there’s a certain famous rebellious hacker that rigged the place. Oh, gosh, I shouldn’t put you into suspense and at least satisfy your curiosity before your death. It’s Cyberus!”

Hayden’s eyes narrowed when he heard this name. During his study of programming, he has come across four legendary hackers who cracked the World Government’s defense system. Cyberus was one of those four people.

What Cyberus did was hack into the database of Identity Numbers and spread the Identity Numbers of hundreds of celebrities and rich people globally. At that time, Identity Numbers had minimal security against attacks because of the confidence of the Cyber Guards to its own line of defense.

Thus, from thereon, these hundreds of celebrities’ scandals, text message history, and social medias were imperiled. However, there was one theme across these Identity Numbers. It was that all of these people were part of underground organizations that either sold drugs or trafficked humans.

Following that, Cyberus hijacked the internet systems of the Worldwide Cable and hosted a video message. Everyone was warned of the consequences of doing evil deeds.

What’s legendary about this hijacking was that Cyberus was unable to be tracked by the World Government. The governing body that held the power of the internet at its fingertips.

As might be expected, once that catastrophe was done, the World Government’s Cyber Guards fortified its security. Yet, Cyberus was able to penetrate the cyber defense of Cyber Guards twice more without getting caught, exposing hundreds of vile and repulsing people to the world.

Hayden was more impressed due to him knowing the fact that the Cyber Guards was a wielder. Probably a Level 6 even. If Cyberus was that good of a hacker…

‘Fuck, I’m so screwed.’ Hayden thought. ‘In all likelihood, Gaia’s in slumber with the unlocking of my Void Sealing. If so… Shit.’

If Cyber Guards couldn’t stop Cyberus three times, it wasn’t far-fetched to assume that Cyberus has the capability to bypass the World Government’s security a fourth time.

“Cyberus did a good job securing this place, didn’t he?” White Hood cackled vehemently. It was unsettling. Even for Hayden. “This place is perfect. Sound-absorbent walls. Full of patronizing affluent people that pretend they like classical music to be ‘classy.’ Majestic hall that suits the art I do. Oh how quaint.”

White Hood sounded as if he was in ecstasy. He walked over to a man, pointed a gun at his forehead, and shot. Everybody in the venue held back a scream.

“Oh, yes. How gratifying.” White Hood’s words and manner of speaking struck everyone that he was sexually aroused. It was a peculiar scene. “And another one!”

In a blink of an eye, three people were dead. Hayden, Eun-ha, and Sayuri didn’t bat an eyelid. The three had a similar train of thought: Those people probably deserved it if they were in that position.

On top of that, in their world, it was eat or be eaten. Eun-ha and Sayuri grasped this. Hayden, a ruthless person who doesn’t care about strangers’ lives, naturally would fathom this. The same could not be said for Likoria.

On the side, Likoria had her hands in a tight fist. Her eyes were widened, petrified of the sight in front. One question circled in her mind. How can a person kill another while laughing in that manner?

She would understand if the person was murdering for self-defense, but… Killing for enjoyment? What kind of cruel act was this?

Her entire body trembled in fury, her gaze stuck on the scene upfront. Without a warning, another bullet lodged itself on the forehead of a woman. It was the fourth kill.

By this point in time, Likoria’s mind was blank. She was prepared to charge in mindlessly without thinking of the repercussions. She didn’t care. This was not right even if the person has sinned heavily.

Likoria was preparing to dash when Hayden’s deep voice entered her ears. “Don’t move. Do you want to die?”

“But-” Likoria was preparing to argue when Hayden interrupted her in between.

“No buts, you fucking spoiled brat.” Hayden’s tone, whilst hushed, was undeniably irate. “There are all kinds of people in the world. Many people out there are like him. Some are worse. At least this guy has modus operandi. What if, in your Tiroga, you encounter murderers that slaughter human life purely for enjoyment? Yes, there are people out there that does that. White Hood here targets those that are deserving, to say the least. If you want to die playing the hero for an individual that may have sexually assaulted, trafficked humans, or did all types of illegal things. Be my guest.”

Hayden’s logical words reverberated in the mind of Likoria. Howbeit, it was not of being convinced. It was of puzzlement of how Hayden can stand by and do nothing at the meaningless loss of a human life.

“You still want to go and play the hero?” Hayden whispered, enraged more than ever. “Okay, let me appeal to your heroic heart. What would you rather do? Stay quiet in oppression for the moment and later exact revenge for them, or be killed now? Remember that as long as you’re alive, there is a chance to spite these kinds of people. As long as you have the will, that is.”

This, believe it or not, pacified the stimulated heart of Likoria. Hayden achieved what should have been impossible: Fulfill someone’s own emotional needs through the use of logic. It was an extraordinary feat that was exclusive to people like Hayden, a person that can read most people akin to an open book, can achieve.

Hayden sighed in relief once he discovered that Likoria’s state of mind became tranquil. Truth be told, Hayden couldn’t care less if Likoria wanted to commit suicide by running to a Level 5 wielder serial killer.

What he was truly worried about was Likoria bringing attention to their side of the hall. It was relatively quiet and unnoticeable here. Hayden didn’t want to compromise their position by letting Likoria run from here.

The final bullet found its way into the forehead of the last target. White Hood’s figure, seemingly satisfied, flickered. The corpses were now around his feet, arranged in a flower-shape. Their clothes have also been changed into white ones.

‘Tsk, where’s Starakt when you need him?’ Hayden bit his lip in discomfort. He tightened his grip on Eun-ha and Sayuri’s hands, to which Eun-ha and Sayuri responded by doing so too. ‘I hate this… Why is it that I feel that there’s a deeper meaning to this performance?’

Hayden was sure that a high-profile serial killer wouldn’t carelessly reveal themselves in a maximum defense island simply to celebrate five of their kills. Nonetheless, if Hayden was being targeted, the dread in his heart would indubitably be much worse.

Thence, Hayden didn’t put this feeling into heart for the prsent. He watched White Hood’s ending moments in the spotlight.

“At last!” White Hood raised both of his arms as if reveling in a masterpiece he produced. Intense, and horrifying for that matter, classical music played in the speakers from the grand piano. The one who was playing was Harlequin. “My magnum opus is finished! Rejoice. Applaud!”

A second passed. Two seconds. And three. It was only at the fourth second that a person from the audience slow clapped. This snowballed into a boisterous round of applause.

“This is where my performance ends.” White Hood bowed. The stage was clouded in opaque smoke. When the smoke dissipated, White Hood was long gone.

When White Hood disappeared, the alarms in the hall blared. It was well-timed and unquestionably intentionally done by Cyberus.

Robotic sentinels alongside members of the Incognito Corps, the secret service of the World Government, flooded the place. The members of the Incognito Corps were alarmed when they discerned the grotesquely picturesque scene at the stage.

The place was cordoned off to the public, with the Incognito Corps escorting people out. The Incognito Corps warned the people who witnessed the event to not make anything public, or they’ll be forced to resort with a ‘forceful countermeasure.’

When that stern admonition concluded, everybody was let off the hook without any kind of interrogation.

…..

Somewhere in World Government Island, in a hotel room. White Hood, Harlequin, and another man in a cool futuristic dog mask entered through the front door. The man was obviously Cyberus.

They were greeted by a person of a tall stature clad in a black cape and in total mystery. The aura around the person was that of the typical villainous character found in novels or in cartoons.

“Have you located the targets, Robin?” Unlike what you would expect, the person’s voice was that of a woman’s. Not a man’s. “Have you used your Ability on him?”

“Yes, I have, Missus.” White Hood bowed deferentially to The Missus. “The first two future threats you’ve wanted dead will be dead in the most public setting possible. During their game in the Annual Youth Pride.”

“Make sure you don’t fail.” The Missus said. “Failure is not an option.”

“And it will never be.” White Hood, Harlequin, and Cyberus responded in unison.

“Good.” The Missus tittered, the atmosphere lightening up. “You are all dismissed. Oh yes, Alliah, stay.”

Harlequin didn’t leave as she asked. “Yes, Missus?”

“That Hayden Emperador.” The Missus said with intrigue. “Was he the one to kill our precious Bayrak?”

“Yes.” Harlequin confirmed without thinking much. “He is strong and has a much higher threat than the two we’ve targeted. However, we cannot touch him. Or any of the people associated with him.”

“Yes, yes, Overseers and all that.” The Missus sighed in dismay. “Do we have to plant people in that… What was that? Hand of Gloom?”

“The native people that live in that country refer to it as Kamay ng Lagim.” Harlequin corrected. “That is the Filipino translation of Hand of Gloom.”

“Yes, Kamay ng Lagim.” The Missus’ tone shifted into that of intrigue. “Philippines has an interesting world of wielders. Anyhow, even if it was Bayrak’s own mistake, we don’t leave a person behind. We will avenge his death. Okay, we’ll plant some of our inferior members in that Kamay ng Lagim for reconnaissance, and for killing Hayden. Make sure it’s done by the end of the Annual Youth Pride. Accompany them as well, be their counselor.”

“Understood, Missus.” Harlequin emotionlessly replied. “It shall be done.”

“Do well and I’ll reward you.” The Missus revealed her white hand from underneath her cape and waved it at Harlequin. “Dismissed.”

Harlequin left with a spring in her step from the satisfaction of The Missus’ mention of the word ‘reward.’ When Harlequin was far enough, a man materialized kneeling in front of The Missus.

The man was bulky and was wearing a dark green suit that suited his brown skin color. The man wore a green feathered masquerade eye mask, which was enough to conceal his identity. His features were that of a handsome man.

“Missus.” The man didn’t stand up from his respectful genuflection in front of The Missus. “I’ve come to report that the most higher-leveled threats have been neutralized by the assassins.”

“Good job.” The Missus nodded. “Remain standing by. The wielders sent by the different countries to protect their young are strong. We cannot let our guard down.”

“I will do as I am ordered.” The man didn’t shift from his position at all prior to vanishing.

“Hayden, huh?” The Missus mumbled and laughed. “Finally, some action.”