The Blood Jackets
Gu Erin looked at the Devil's Den, in fact it looked completely normal, compared to other buildings around it… Gu Erin looked at the other buildings that seemed to be covered in neon lights and entrances guarded by bouncers. The Devil's Den in comparison looked like an old brick warehouse with a single door with a small light post above it. There was not even a single sign on the building indicating it was open for business.
However, just as Gu Erin was about to walk to the door, it opened, a group of men came out dressed in black suits, similar to Gu Erin's. Yet when Gu Erin looked closer he noticed that they almost looked, heavy.
He understood now that these were bodyguards, however, he did not pay much mind to them as he continued to walk to the door, all the while keeping to the side. With a leisurely stance Gu Erin waited for them to pass. Just when the group of five finally passed by something caught his attention. It was only for a moment but he swore he saw a pair of eyes that did not match. The woman and her entourage passed him by, leaving Gu Erin behind.
"Heterochromia?" he muttered to himself, "what a rare trait. Why, why does it give me a weird feeling?"
Shaking it off Gu Erin went into the Devil's Den, instead of an open space he entered a hall of old brick just like the outside of the building. At the end of the hall a reinforced door stood proudly, Gu Erin was sure the wall would give out far earlier than that door. Guarding this door was a giant of a man. His eyes combed over Gu Erin, however when their eyes finally met the giant froze for a split second before grinning.
"You know where you are?" He asked, seemingly testing the waters. He didn't recognize Gu Erin, however, he could tell that this youth wasn't normal.
"Yes. Are you going to open the door?" Gu Erin asked back lazily. He walked forward with the same leisurely pace.
In response the man talked into his sleeve, there was a buzzing sound before a loud clunk filled the hallway. The man quickly patted Gu Erin down before opening the door for him, seemingly appreciating the fact that he didn't make trouble like most rich second generations.
"Enjoy your stay, don't cause a mess unless you can afford it." He said meaningfully before ushering Gu Erin in.
Gu Erin then walked into an open space, it was rather luxurious, it was bustling with people, however it wasn't overly crowded. Everyone in the Devil's Den had a refined air about them. A bar lined one of the walls as comfortable booths lined another. In the center there were countless gamblers trying their luck against each other or the house.
Gu Erin simply ignored all of these scenes and walked further into the Devil's Den heading for the stairs, the first layer of the Den was the Den of Greed, the second the Den of Lust. Finally, the third floor was for the true devils. That is the place that ordinary people should not go without having seen the true face of humanity.
Gu Erin passed by a group of youths his age, obviously second generation young masters, they were snorting some sort of drug, no doubt cocaine. One of them noticed him and waved invitingly, a curious smile tugging at his lips. Gu Erin however, shook his head and gestured to the stairs he was heading to. The other youth's smile turned into one of understanding, before giving him a thumbs up and waved for a skimpily dressed waitress. On her tray were not drinks but an assortment of drugs.
Gu Erin returned his focus to the second floor, walking down the stairs he was hit with a strong smell of incense. It was overwhelming, but if one focused they could still smell the strong scent of sex in the air. A strong and rapid bass shook Gu Erin's core as different lights filtered down from the ceiling. Before him was a room half the size of the Den of Greed. The walls had doors lining them, no doubt rooms to entertain more private customers. However, that didn't stop a few.
In front of Gu Erin, he saw a man fucking a woman standing up, she was moaning, barely perceptible over the sound of the music. Her face was full of pleasure as the man used her hair to pull her back onto him. Noticing his look, the beauty winked at him with a smile full of promise. If this was the Gu Erin from the morning his heart would have been shaken, instead all he felt was… annoyance. The man did not pay Gu Erin any attention, focused on the girl in front of him, no doubt the girl was faking her moans, but from the looks of it the man could care less.
Gu Erin once again shook his head, although he didn't mind places like these it wasn't his ideal setting either. Besides, this den of temptation was just another stop for him. Across the Den of Lust was another staircase leading downwards, unlike the other one this one was guarded by two men. Their faces were not as kind as the bouncer at the entrance.
Gu Erin made his way through the tightly clumped up girls and men, all of them were either beautiful or handsome. Customers of both genders sampled the goods around them. Gu Erin noticed more than a few pairs of feet below the table but only one individual sitting back comfortably.
Disregarding this and focusing his mind, his gaze shifted back to the guards, only to find them looking back at him, it was obvious. Gu Erin had ignored everything else only walking directly towards them, they would have been incompetent if they hadn't noticed his presence. Smiling inwardly Gu Erin decided to put on a little show just for these two guards.
Matching his steps to the sound of his own heart beat he walked to them casually, all the while pressuring them with his intent. This was not killing intent that would trigger the fight or flight response. It was closer to a mental pressure that made one feel like an ant before a mountain. The feeling of insignificance was almost identical to the aura pressure of releasing one's cultivation that would affect those of a lower realm.
The two of them stood ram rod straight, small beads of sweat forming on their brows, Gu Erin finally stopped in front of them, he uttered a single word, it was not loud nor overbearing. Yet to these two guards it felt like an imperial decree.
"Move"
Without them even understanding the situation the two guards moved out of the way, their bodies subconsciously following the order given. As Gu Erin passed by, one of the guards looked over to his partner. Without words being shared between the two they understood. One of the guards proceeded to talk into his sleeve. Both of them were still somewhat affected, so his message received far greater attention than normal. As the individual on the other end seemed to pick up on the strange tone in the guard's voice.
Gu Erin looked at the new space before him, unlike the other two floors, this place was completely silent, and only a few people were present. Each of them sized Gu Erin up before going back to their own business. Three desks filled this small room, each of them a great distance apart. A single receptionist sat opposite to the clients' taking notes of their orders.
This was not a Den, this was a business, in this place one could get anything. Organs, slaves, guns, information, anything that the Blood Jackets could get their hands on was sold here, as long as you had the money.
A door on the other end of the room swung open, the sound of the hinges reminding him on how silent it was. A receptionist came forward and sat at the third desk waiting for Gu Erin to come forward. Taking the hint, he moved towards the desk before sitting down on the lavish chair.
"Would Mister like anything before we proceed?" the receptionist asked respectfully. She like every other worker in this establishment had good looks, but it was far lower than the workers in the Den of Lust.
Gu Erin shook his head before looking at the receptionist. "I'll cut to the chase, I want to meet the Blood Jackets." Gu Erin said lightly as if his request was only natural.
The receptionist froze for a second before answering firmly. "I'm sorry sir that goes against our policy, I'm afraid this can't be done."
Gu Erin ignored the receptionist, instead he took a forum off the desk before writing a message on the back of it. He then located a camera and showed it the message, it simply said, "I'm here to see Kei Sung."
Gu Erin then refocused his gaze on the receptionist. No words were spoken between the two, the receptionist glared at him, obviously displeased for going over her head. Gu Erin did not react keeping his impartial mask the entire time.
Not a minute later the receptionist seemed to get a message as her head cocked slightly to the side, she no doubt had an ear piece. She didn't reply to whatever information she received. She only stood up before turning her attention to Gu Erin once again.
"Please follow me." She said simply but her tone was far more cautious, and with a hint of annoyance.
Gu Erin nodded before getting up, however before leaving he took the complementary lighter on the table and set the piece of paper aflame before following after the receptionist. As Gu Erin walked he noticed that the other groups present had their gaze fixed on him. No doubt if the Heaven's did not descend tomorrow he would find his life far more precarious then normal.
As soon as Gu Erin walked through the door he noticed that it looked rather luxurious, like a mansion of some millionaire. However, as soon as the door shut Gu Erin felt a tingling sensation at the back of his head. He did not need to turn around to know that there was a gun pointing at him.
"Quite rude, but acceptable. Am I to die now, or am I to meet Kei Sung before you make me disappear?" Gu Erin asked in a measured tone.
There was no answer for a long moment, before another voice sounded. "Little Xi you can go now." The voice was full of confidence, but there was a hidden edge to it.
Steps sounded on the marble floor as a toned man came into view, Gu Erin could instantly recognize his old friend Kei Sung, but unlike the normal carefree smile he normally wore around, it was replaced with a serious frown.
However, he wasn't alone, around the same corner came twenty or so others dressed in refined suits, all of them had either deadly, or curious gazes. In this entrance hall Gu Erin finally came face to face with the infamous Blood Jackets.