Chapter 7: Thugs

{Shiro's POV}

I walked confidently towards the three thugs who were discussing my identity in this world. According to them, they had just killed the Shiro of this world. It led me to theorize that perhaps I had been transmigrated into his body, thereby healing his injuries in the process, and Dr. Alex had found me unconscious in an empty alley.

"What are the chances that my theory is correct, Ciel?" I asked my A.I, seeking confirmation.

[There is a 75% probability that Master's theory is correct.] Ciel promptly replied.

"Should I consume them and extract their memories, or should I simply ask them?" I mumbled quietly as I approached the three thugs.

"If they show hostility, I will consume them," I decided, finalizing my course of action.

One of the thugs suddenly spoke up, "Is it really Shiro?" He squinted his eyes, focusing on my approach. "The Shiro I know isn't that muscular, and he's taller than Shiro," the group's leader remarked. "Perhaps he just resemble Shiro," suggested another thug.

I smiled subtly at their conversation as I drew nearer, then greeted them, "Hello, gentlemen. I couldn't help but overhear you discussing me."

"Yes, you bear a striking resemblance to one of our friend," one of the thugs acknowledged.

"So what? Does it bother you?" The boss attempted to intimidate me, brandishing his crowbar.

"A friend? A friend you just killed?" I revealed, catching them off guard with my words.

"You heard us from that far even with our low voices?" the other thug exclaimed in surprise.

"It seems we'll have to kill again, boys. Grab your bats," the leader declared, preparing his weapon.

"We go by the name Smasher. Hope you won't forget us after you're gone," one thug boasted confidently.

"This place will be your grave," another thug threatened, trying to intimidate me with his bat.

I chuckled dismissively at their feeble attempts and third-rate villain dialogue.

"There's only one character I know who can truly smash, and unfortunately, it's not you guys," I retorted, wearing a malicious smile.

"If you third rate villains decided to kill me then I have no choice but to kill you. I go by the name Reaper, cause I will ripped you guys to shred." I added as my hands slowly change into red and black five-fingered claw.

"What is that?" The thugs exclaimed in unison, taking cautious steps backward. They sensed the impending dread. Witnessing my transformation, they immediately grew fearful and attempted to flee.

"Where are you all going? We're not finished yet," I taunted, exuding a lethal intent as I swiftly caught up to them. One thug's chest was impaled by my clawed hand, and he was slowly consumed.

"You... you're a monster!" the other thug stammered, stumbling backward in terror.

"Oh, come on, we're the same. Haven't you killed someone before? That makes you a monster too," I replied, with killing intent, gripping his head. Slowly tightening my grip, I crushed his skull. "No! No! Noooo! Don't kill me... arrgghhh!" the thug pleaded, but it was futile as his skull shattered. His lifeless body was also consumed by my black and red goo.

"I'm slowly becoming accustomed to consuming deceased bodies," I muttered, observing the remaining thug, who happened to be the leader of the group. He crawled toward his crowbar, his pants soaked with urine.

"Don't come any closer, or I'll... ki... ki... kill you!" the leader threatened, his hands trembled while clutching his weapon.

"Kill me then," I retorted, smirking at him.

"HAAAAAA!" the leader shouted as he swung his crowbar at my left face, but I caught it and immediately impaled his heart. His body, too, was consumed by my black and red goo.

My theory was further confirmed as I extracted and assimilated their memories. They had killed this world's Shiro at the same location where Dr. Alex had found me, solely to steal his belongings. Their methods of theft were more barbaric than that of barbarians. They had also claimed five more victims before ending the life of this world's Shiro. Their deaths were well-deserved.

"I need to gather more information about myself tomorrow. It's getting late, and I must find a place to stay. Even though I don't experience fatigue, I still appreciate some sleep," I murmured, leaping away from the alley and scaling the roof of a nearby building. I then started running and jumping across multiple buildings, even attempting to glide for the first time, emulating Alex Mercer and James Heller.

"Wohooooo!" I exclaimed as I glided towards my destination. I couldn't wait to discover the extent of my abilities in the future. But for now, I needed to gather more information and prepare for the future events.