Chapter I : Shin Asuka

In an abandoned warehouse, in a port in the southern district of New York, loud noises could be heard, but no one bothered to check what it is. The noises were coming from people. Yelling, cursing, threatening, this were from people of different groups called gangs frequent in the southern part of New York. And in this cold evening, the low temperature were not noticed as the action that was happening within the warehouse pierces the cold with burning vigor and anger within the "gang war" that was in full boom.

Every single person in this gang war was going nuts. Punches and kick were thrown. Swinging crowbar and every kind of weapons found in the street were being used. In the middle of the raging torrent between several gangs that are at war, there was a group of 13 teens who was standing out of all the rest.

The reason that they stand out, one is that not one of them had past 20 years of age, second, pile upon pile of bodies can be seen around them. Third, there carefree way of disposing thugs or enemy gangs were awe inspiring. With not much effort, each people that ganged up against any of the teens were ruthlessly disposed off.

There is a young man among the teens that was being avoided at all cost by their enemies. Anyone that has guts enough to try his might against him end up on the floor with only whites in their eyes. This young man efficiently knocked out any who faces him with minimal movements, a swift strike and deadly accuracy which usually ended up in one hit defeat(kill) on any foe that gets close. He was the leader and the strongest in the group of teens that was sweeping away enemy gang members. His name is Shin Asuka.

Shin is a 17 year old martial art expert. He fights like a demon and was merciless to anyone that becomes his enemies. With a bored look on his face and black messy hair, Shin is tall for his age and has a solid build that can withstand blow after blow if one can be lucky enough to hit him. However, none of the people there was able to even touch him nor his companions. When he moves, he was like a whirlwind and whatever item he picked up becomes a weapon in his hands.

Shin is a part of a group that was supporting one of the gangs that are fighting in the warehouse. When Shin's group joined the fray, the opposing gangs lost hope, some stayed but others ran. With every movement made, man would fall. They were young but they are also the source of fear and awe to many of the gang members in the southern Ner York.

As the fight concluded, only few remaining people and a group were left standing. Shin's group who was standing inthe middle of bodies and the group they were supporting as well as other supporting gangs that is allied with the. In their midst, an uproar could be heard from the leader of the gang.

Leader of the gang: Bwahahah! That was fun! Ain't had that for quite awhile now, right Shin?

Shin: Sorry about that brother Guy, we arrived late. It's because Cray here have to go and make a stop at his gran's house.

Kid with an evil eye, Cray: What are you talking about? We would have been able to leave earlier if you and Celena did not volunteer to help granny to clean the shop.

Chinese girl, Celena: What did you say!? Aren't you thankful that we help gran, out of the goodness of our heart? Hmmp!

Cray: Yeah right, you just wanted Gran's sweet cookies as a reward.

Celena: (blush) Nuuhh..!

Boss Guy: No biggie, you kids had done more than enough, even if you came hours late, we could have finish them ourselves but with some casualties but hey! All's well that ends well.

Guy was the boss of the gang that Shin was close with. Shin came to know Guy right after he moved in the area and when they had a confrontation. When they fought Guy was the only one who did not show fear or giving up. Even after he was beaten by Shin, he kept standing up, along with his group. This formed respect and became fast friends. From then on, Shin was introduced to his gang which at first, looked scary but overtime, he learned that it was composed of people who wanted to band together to stop the other gangs from extorting money and threatening the neighborhood they lived in.

Shin: What had cause this anyway? Usually, every gang in the area knows your reputation?

Boss Guy: Eh? Some guy had gathered the old gangs that we cleaned up previously and plotted revenge on us. They thought, they can overpower us with their numbers.. Hah!

Celena: They never learn do they, ahahah!

Huge man called Garr: Let's break their arms and legs so they won't do this again. Show them not to mess with the folks in the neighborhood.

Boy in glasses, Crest: Dude, that's too much. And besides, that won't be beneficial with us in the future. Let's have the boss deal the consequences, we're just helpers here.

Garr: Bah! Fine! You're right, if we break them, we won't have punching bags anymore bwahahaw..

Shin: (scratches his head while watching his companions) Eheheh.. is that fine with you boss? Since were done here, we're going home. I still have practice with the old masters in my place.

Crest: Yeah, I still have to do some assignments you know?

Shin: As you can see, my friend's all have some things to do and jobs to finish as well.

Boss Guy: Like I said, no worries Shin. I'm thankful that you came, really save our asses some bruises.

Cray: Like you couldn't handle them boss, if we arrive any later, there wouldn't be any people left for us to beat.

The rest of the gang burst in laughter at the banter between their boss and Shin's group. Shin and his companions were respected and loved by the whole gang member and the people in the neighborhood. They were helpful and always stops when someone needs assistance.

While Shin and co. were going their separate ways, Crest suddenly asked Shin about the news that just came out 2 days ago.

Crest: Shin, what do you think about the news the other day?

Shin: Oh, you mean the new game that's being released by that big company. What is it, a virtual reality game right?

Crest: Yeah, that's it. Are you interested with it. They say that anything goes there. I read that if you have certain skills in real life, it will carry over to the game and adds it as an additional skill for you.

Cray: Oooh, I'm going to buy one of those once it's released.

Celena: So, your all interested with the game as well huh.

Shin: It's not bad but let's face it. Not all of us can get the game. I bet it's way expensive as heck to buy one of those. I saw the console, and its not just a box, it's size is like a freaking cockpit of a helicopter. You'll need a big room for it and a lot of money. Althou our place is huge and empty, it's a pity we need the money for everyday needs..

Cray: You know..

Shin: Come on Cray, you know we don't want to take money from you. If your parents finds out your hanging with us, they'd ship you in a box and send you to a military school.

Cray: Fuck! They've already done that once. It's a good thing I escaped and beg, ahahah.

Crest: Yeah, so that's not an option for us. For me, I might touch my savings to get one.

Shin: How about you Celena, are you going to get one too? You're restaurant in downtown is booming, isn't it?

Celena: (sigh) Yeah, but even though it's like that, I don't get much you know.

Shin: (sigh) I do want one as well.., I want to try adventuring too, especially with the rest of you guys. (sigh) Let's forget it for now and just work hard to save money. Some day, we might be able to one.

The rest of the group had separated and had gone their own way. Walking back home, Shin was still thinking about the game when he heard gun shots close by. Shin, curious about the loud gunshot, run swiftly to the place where the gunshot were heard. When Shin get there, a movie like scene were 2 men, still shooting at the other group and 1 was unconcious on the floor, while another man in a suit was hunch down on the other side of the car being protected by the two men in black.

Shin was used to this kind of scene because every week, this action like scene happens in the streets of New York were gangs run rampant. When Shin was loosing interest, the two men that was protecting the man in suit fell and was shot by the other side. The man in suit notice Shin and the two stared at each other. There was resignation in the eye of the man, knowing that it was his time or he is ready to get caught by the other group.

Shin: Che! I wasn't planning on this but it's not in my character to just watch another who needs help.

While the other group approached the man in suit and started dragging him to their car, Shin moved silently and easily cought up to the group of armed men. Even though shin was still young, he was trained by masters and elders of martial arts. He was already proficient in the killing techniques at such a young age. So even though his confronting armed men, he did not bat an eye and proceeded to eliminate the group one by one. Shin did not use killing moves when he was in the gang war earlier but at this moment, each of his strike is ruthless and focus on the part of the body which will break easily or fell a man dead. Shin can also used various things on his surroundings as a weapon, so when Shin had picked up a broken glass from the car, he used it to end the lives of the men that was dragging the man in suit. They did not even realized what was happening.

Once every single one had been taken care of, Shin looked again at the man gaping at him at what happened. Shin turned around after and was ready to leave. The man quickly stand up and got his composure. He quickly chased after Shin, the man that saved his life.

Man in suit: Wait! Please don't leave!

Shin: What do you want? I don't need thanks okay, I did it because I wanted to.

Man in suit: Even so, you still save my life, and I wont stop until I repay you.

Shin turned around to face the man but stops when he finally recognize the man in front of him.

Shin: You! Your..

Man in suit: That's right. My name is James Hartland and I owe you my life.