My hero academia:Am I worthy?

The night silence was broken only by the quiet footsteps of Izuku as he made his way through the maze-like corridors of an old industrial building. This place was the perfect cover for the Shadow Broker, a man who manipulated information as if it were puppets. His reputation was terrifying, but Izuku showed no signs of fear—only focus.

At the entrance, he was greeted by one of the guards, a sturdy man with a furrowed brow. He nodded briefly and led Izuku through the labyrinth of corridors. At the end of their path stood a massive door, behind which was a spacious office with dim lighting and a man whose name was known to every criminal element. Inside, behind a massive wooden desk, sat the Shadow Broker himself. His black suit was impeccably pressed, and every movement was precise and elegant. The scar under his left eye added a hint of menace to his appearance, while the mole beneath his lip lent him an odd attractiveness and charisma.

— Silent Phantom, — the Broker said, spreading his arms wide. His voice was velvety, but with a hint of mockery, as he felt untouchable. Everyone knew the rules: those who threatened his territory never lived longer than a week, and if they did survive, they became his slaves until they took their last breath.

— An unexpected visit. And I must admit, the new suit suits you. Much darker than before. Now you look more like someone with whom jokes are ill-advised, — the Broker remarked, but Izuku did not respond to the compliment. His white eyes behind the mask scrutinized the Broker, as if trying to decipher any hidden intentions from his movements. The Broker was known for his enigmatic nature and often left his particularly gullible clients in the dark, which would later lead to unpleasant consequences.

— I need information, — he said briefly. Izuku looked directly at his informant, the only one who could provide information about a man named Kabe. Judging by the name, it was more of a nickname than a real name, Izuku concluded.

— As always, straightforward, — the Broker smirked, gesturing for Izuku to take a seat. His right-hand man cast a disapproving glance at Izuku, who was waiting for some sort of trick from his mysterious merchant.

— Sit down and tell me what brings you here, — the Broker said. Izuku remained standing, distrustful, narrowing his lenses as he pronounced his target's name with a threatening tone that emphasized his intentions.

— Kabe, — he said. — You know who that is? The Broker's smile widened, but his eyes remained cold. Kabe was a client of the Broker, but always late with payments, which had annoyed him on more than one occasion.

— Ah, Kabe... One of my clients. Though I wouldn't say he is the most reliable. This man is in no hurry to repay his debts, and that greatly spoils my mood, — the Broker smirked, sitting comfortably in his chair, sifting through various documents.

— Where is he? — Izuku interrupted sharply. The Broker leaned forward on the table, clasping his fingers together after placing the papers down. His client expressed full readiness and seriousness, trying to ease the tension between them.

— Let's say his location is a valuable asset. But for you, I'll make an exception. Not because I am so generous, but because I think we can help each other, — he winked at Izuku, then turned his attention back to the documents, adjusting his hairstyle. The Broker expected such a reaction from his client.

— You're not playing with the right people, — Izuku hissed, his voice echoing in the room, attracting a disapproving glance from the Broker's right-hand man.

— Threats are unwarranted, — the Broker replied lightly chidingly, fiddling with the table, but realizing that his client's patience was running out, he decided to make concessions for his own benefit.

— I can give you a name and an address, but in return, you'll help me with Kabe. I have a debt that needs to be collected. His refusal to pay is disrespectful to my business. — Izuku slowly nodded, though he had no intention of playing by the Broker's rules. He was trying to think of other excuses, but otherwise, he wouldn't get the information about Kabe's whereabouts.

— Give me the information, — he said, — and the debt will be yours. The Broker smiled, his hand reaching for the drawer of the desk. He pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to Izuku.

— Here's everything you need to know. Kabe likes to hide, but I'm sure you'll find him. If he isn't particularly cooperative, break his arm and tell him it's the first and last warning. — Izuku took the paper, glancing at the address. It was five kilometers from the Shadow Broker's warehouse, but the question of why he allowed him to deal with Kabe instead of sending his own people to collect the debt remained open.

— If he deceived you, I need to know what he might be useful for. This is important.

— Oh, he is useful, — the Broker replied, leaning back in his chair. — But I doubt he'll last long if you've taken on the job. — Izuku said nothing, simply turning and disappearing into the shadows with the document in hand. The Shadow Broker watched him with a slight smirk on his face. With anticipation for the upcoming plans, he looked at his subordinate, who stood behind him, monitoring Silent Phantom's every move.

— So gloomy. This city is starting to get used to the shadows... — he muttered, putting the papers back into the drawer. Rising from his chair, he headed toward the exit of the room until he was stopped by his subordinate's words.

— Sir, are you sure he can be trusted? What if he tries to turn us in to the police or the heroes? — Sir, are you sure he can be trusted? — the subordinate repeated, watching his superior closely. His voice sounded cautious, but the Shadow Broker merely smiled, as if this question amused him.

— Trust is an illusion, — the Broker replied, his voice calm, but with a hint of hidden threat.

— Silent Phantom knows that crossing the line is unwise. I've invested too much effort to strengthen my connections. No one will risk opposing me. Not even him. — The subordinate frowned but remained silent, continuing to watch as his boss gracefully strode around the room. His boss was confident in his words and never threw them around casually. He always fulfilled what he said, but if someone broke their word, the subordinate dreaded to imagine what would happen to that person.

— Do you think the police or heroes will come here with a warrant? — The Broker sneered, casting a confident glance at his subordinate. His eyes expressed calmness, and his brown pupils slightly dilated as his right-hand man cracked his knuckles.

— Most of them have long been bought off. Some with money, some with power, and some with simple promises of safety for their families. — He stopped by the window, looking out at the city shrouded in night fog. A city where people were more likely to survive with one another, like in one large anthill, whose purpose was to live, eat, and rest if they were alone. But people are different; some wanted more, and when they couldn't achieve success, they turned to him with requests. He willingly provided them with money, but the words, often not backed by anything, played a cruel joke on people.

— The authorities are not guardians of the law. They are players. And I hold too many trump cards for any of them to want to upend the table. You must understand that our business is more than just deals. It's a network. And everyone in it knows what happens if someone tries to break that network. — The subordinate involuntarily tensed at his words. He knew his boss was not just making threats. These words were the truth. He often witnessed how numerous debtors were tortured before his eyes, and in some cases, he himself participated in those atrocities. They begged for mercy, for more time, but his master never gave second chances to those who failed to fulfill their promises.

— And Silent Phantom? — he asked, his voice sounding uncertain.

— He might turn out to be different from the others.

— That's the beauty of it, — the Broker said with a soft smirk, turning to his subordinate.

— He is not like the others. That's why I allowed him to enter my world. Because he could serve as an excellent cover for my operations. He doesn't even realize how he plays into my hands. — He adjusted the cuffs of his suit, regaining his usual, serene confidence.

— Don't worry, — he added. — If he tries to betray me, he will learn that even shadows can burn. — The business thrived, and many customers came to him with various requests, from information to equipment, weapons, and money, though with markups that displeased other people. There were also those who offered cheaper prices for the same goods and services, but such people did not remain free for long. Thanks to heroes and the police, at his behest, he quickly eliminated competitors. They gained fame and medals while he became even richer. Bribes played their part, and if not for them, he would not have had connections with the police and many heroes. Unfortunately for the Broker, he often had to tread carefully, as heroes who ranked above 50 were difficult to bribe, but each had their price, and for the sake of power, they were willing to trample over others.

****

The night silence was broken only by the rustling of the wind and the soft thuds of shoes against metal beams. Izuku moved silently, his figure blending effortlessly with the shadows. The address he received from the Broker led him to a large warehouse on the outskirts of the city. This place appeared abandoned, but the cargo trucks suggested that this was merely a facade.

— There's definitely something interesting here. I sense fear. Someone is hiding inside, — Venom whispered, his voice sounding hungry and eager. Izuku saw multiple people loading unknown boxes into a truck, and judging by the photographs and information, Kabe should be there.

— Kabe, — Izuku replied briefly, stopping on the roof of a neighboring building. He surveyed the warehouse, analyzing every entrance and potential observation points. He noted that heavily armed guards patrolled the perimeter. Their movements were precise but not overly professional. They were mercenaries, used to intimidation but clearly not accustomed to real work.

— They're not expecting us. Great. This will make hunting Kabe even more interesting, — Izuku nodded, his eyes narrowing behind the black mask. He noticed a small truck parked by a side entrance and two people carrying boxes inside. The boxes bore a logo he didn't recognize—a symbol of one of the underground factions connected to the Broker. But that wasn't why he was here.

— He really is using Kabe as bait, — Izuku said quietly.

— But I won't let him control me. If Kabe is useful, he'll tell me everything he knows. — Wasting no time, he descended from the roof, moving stealthily to remain out of sight of the cameras. As he approached the warehouse, he noticed an open ventilation grate. A perfect entry point. Quickly and quietly removing it, Izuku slipped inside, his figure hidden in the thick shadows. Inside, the warehouse was larger than it appeared from the outside. Rows of boxes stretched up to the ceiling, and in the center of the room was a small open area with several tables. On one of them lay a map of the city marked with red and blue dots. Izuku noticed a man in a dark cloak standing next to the map.

It was Kabe. He nervously fiddled with a stack of cash, clearly discussing something with two other men who stood a bit further away from him.

— This is likely a deal; they're negotiating, — Izuku whispered. The people hauling heavy boxes looked pitiful; their faces showed that they were not doing this of their own volition, being forced to comply. But there was one notable detail about all this. While Izuku was in the ventilation shaft, he saw silver collars on their necks, which were unfamiliar to him.

— Are they slaves? — Izuku whispered in horror, watching the scene unfold below. Why were they doing this? What was their benefit? — he wondered as he continued to crawl through the ventilation shafts. As he moved, Izuku questioned himself.

— If all his workers are ghouls, maybe he knows where the parents of those children are. — Izuku kept moving through the ventilation shaft, keeping an eye on every sound and movement below. The scene unfolding before him was disturbing. Ghouls working under duress, their haggard faces and silver collars—all pointed to something far darker than mere illegal business.

— Those collars... they control them, — Venom whispered. Izuku silently agreed with his assertion. He saw many workers with various animal traits toiling away, unaware of their circumstance.

— So they're not just victims, — Izuku replied, his gaze growing even darker. He couldn't stand such things, but...

— Why are the heroes and police inactive? Maybe they're working with them? — Everyone knew that not many heroes or police patrolled the less fortunate areas. But no one knew they could be so corrupt.

The ventilation shaft led him to the other side of the warehouse. From there, he could better observe what was happening. Kabe stood at the table, his voice loud and confident, though his movements betrayed tension. He waved a stack of cash, trying to persuade the two men across from him. They looked clearly displeased, judging by their furrowed brows.

— You don't understand! — Kabe's voice sharply reached Izuku. — This is the last shipment. After this, they will disappear. We can get out of here, and no one will find us.

One of the men shook his head, crossing his arms over his chest, displeased with his partner's raised voice.

— Your words mean nothing, Kabe. We need guarantees. Those collars are worth a fortune, and you've already delayed two payments. We can't afford to take risks. — In the criminal world, it was valued how people could keep their promises, although an ordinary person wouldn't understand such words and rules, but for criminal elements, words were currency. Those who talked too much and engaged in empty chatter automatically lowered their authority.

— Guarantees?! — Kabe gritted his teeth, his fingers trembling with tension. Not only was he in debt to them, but also to the Broker, who had put him on the spot.

— I can offer you more than just guarantees. I have a list! A list of people you can sell! They don't even suspect they're in the crosshairs! — Izuku clenched his teeth upon hearing this. His heart tightened with anger. Kabe was not just a criminal—he was trading lives and fates like ordinary trinkets, but what fueled Izuku's hatred for this man was the fact that he specifically traded ghouls. Most people with mutation quirks lived far from prosperous areas.

— This isn't a deal; it's a monstrosity, — Izuku whispered, preparing for action. The tendrils vibrated on his hands, ready for a fight, even though everything below looked calm.

— We'll break their plans. Kabe will pay for everything, — Venom declared in a heroic manner, but Izuku silently agreed with his words. He quietly moved toward the nearest grate that led directly into the hall. Watching Kabe's every move, he waited for the right moment.

— If the list is real, we'll proceed. But you must be prepared for the consequences if you deceive us. — Kabe nodded, sweat rolling down his forehead. He pulled a small notebook from the inner pocket of his cloak and placed it on the table.

— Here's everything you need. Don't let me down, — Kabe said with some nervousness.

— This is your last deal, Kabe, — the second man replied sharply, putting the notebook in his pocket. — If anything goes wrong, you will be the next toy. — At that moment, Izuku decided to act. He jumped down, his figure emerging from the shadows with the grace of a predator. The light from the lamps illuminated his mask, the white eyes on it seemed to glow.

— I'd think twice if I were you, — he said coldly, his voice echoing in the large room. Kabe paled, his eyes widening. The men across from him reflexively reached for their weapons, but they didn't have time—Venom's black tendrils swiftly knocked the weapons out of their hands.

— What the...?! — one of them began, but his voice was cut off as a tendril gripped his throat. Reflexively pulling them towards himself, Izuku forcefully threw them into the concrete columns, knocking them out.

With a terrifying gaze, he met Kabe's eyes. The latter raised his hands, indicating surrender, but Izuku had no intention of playing his games. Kabe trembled like a scratched record, cold sweat rolling down his cheek, and it was hard to tell what he would do next. Would he drop to his knees begging for mercy or threaten him like all the other criminal bosses? With slow steps, Izuku approached him, creating an aura of fear around him, and with a swift leap, he landed on Kabe's desk, grabbing his tie and lifting him off the ground.

— What did you do to those people? — The white lenses of the mask narrowed, looking into his soul, and unable to withstand the pressure from the executioner, Kabe didn't understand which people he was referring to.

— I don't understand which people you're talking about! — With fear in his eyes, he accidentally activated his quirk, which involved weak manipulation of paper, and all the documents and notebooks were lifted into the air, prompting Izuku to slap him across the face with the back of his hand to calm him down.

— Don't play dumb. What did you do to those people in this warehouse? And what are those collars? — While he threatened him, Kabe nervously tried to concoct a lie, but Izuku anticipated that he would try to deceive him, and without going along with him, he released Kabe's tie and grabbed him by the throat with a tendril, lifting him into the air. Kabe struggled for air, his fat body hanging like a piece of meat in a slaughterhouse; everything about his physique suggested that he clearly indulged himself. He could barely take a breath, thrashing helplessly, and any attempt at resistance was met with a tighter grip from the collar, blocking his air supply. This was all he could say about them — Kabe could only say this while feeling his thick belly constricting around him.

— I'm asking for the last time: what are those collars? — The tendrils slowly circled around him like a snake, and any careless word meant only one thing: "pain and humiliation."

— They're... special... collars... for ghouls, — he could barely articulate this without choking, but his answer only intensified Izuku's anger. Izuku clenched his fists even tighter, barely restraining his rage. His voice came out cold, like metal, as he spoke.

— How are these collars structured? — Izuku asked without delay. The fury in his veins poisoned his mind, and his head pounded with the effort to contain his rage, preventing him from tearing Kabe to pieces.

— They're... suppression... devices. They turn ghouls into obedient animals. Their DNA, based on their quirks, releases their animal nature and makes them obedient. Any attempt at resistance on their part is met with an even tighter grip from the collar, blocking their air supply. That's all I know about them, — Kabe managed to say while feeling the black tendril tightening around his thick belly. In tears, he tried to squirm away as Izuku nearly flipped him upside down and threw him to the ground.

— Aaaaah!!! — he screamed throughout the warehouse just moments before the black tendril caught him again, preventing his head from hitting the floor.

Izuku stood, clenching his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his skin through his gloves. His breath became ragged and heavy, and the white lenses of his mask narrowed, reflecting the raging fury within him. Every word Kabe uttered was like a poisoned arrow piercing his consciousness, poisoning his rational mind. Collars turning people into slaves. Ghouls stripped of freedom, forced to obey another's will. Experiments, broken fates. It was worse than he could have imagined.

— They turn people into toys... and you facilitated this, — he hissed through clenched teeth, his voice sounding like the growl of a wounded beast.

His body barely contained the internal storm. Venom, sensing his master's fury, came alive; his tendrils writhed around, like black snakes ready to pounce on anything that moved. A thin layer of symbiote began to cover the walls nearby, leaving behind coal-black stains.

— Those collars... they're not just devices, — Izuku continued, his voice low and hoarse.

— They are chains. Chains that you have shackled around those who are already suffering. Ghouls are already outcasts in society, and you've turned them into commodities! — Each word resonated like thunder in the empty warehouse, and Kabe, lying on the floor, trembled with fear, not daring to even raise his gaze. He saw not just a man before him, but something that had risen from the depths of nightmare. As if the very punisher from the underworld had ascended to this mortal realm to enumerate all his sins before him.

— You want to say this is "just business"? — Izuku pressed on, his hands trembling with overwhelming rage.

— That it's merely "supplies"? You think you can live in peace, closing your eyes to what happens behind your back? — His voice was laced with a mix of hatred and pain. Hatred for Kabe and those like him. Pain for those who suffered, whose lives had been shattered. Images of children who once lost their parents flashed in his mind. Images of those who cried for help, but were ignored by society. Everything became clear; if he didn't take this matter into his own hands, everyone would continue to turn a blind eye to it.

A tendril of Venom suddenly struck beside Kabe, shattering the table into splinters. He screamed, cowering and covering his head with his arms as though that could protect him.

— You are responsible for all of this. You are an accomplice! — Izuku roared, his voice echoing throughout the warehouse. In his fury, the tendrils flailed wildly, finally rising from his back and grabbing onto the concrete columns. They lifted him up, amplifying his already intimidating presence; he loomed over Kabe like a predator, looking down at his prey.

— But I won't let you continue. I will destroy everything. I will find those people, and I will break your chains, leaving nothing but ashes. — Fury tore through his nerves, and the adrenaline coursing through his blood boiled, fueling Venom's nature.

— No... no, please... — Kabe wheezed, his face drenched in sweat and tears. He tried to say something, but each word drowned in the thunderous pounding of his own heart. Izuku clenched his teeth, feeling his body literally tearing apart from the inside. Venom supported this rage, feeding it with his own hatred. His voice echoed in Izuku's mind.

— We will tear them all apart. No one will escape.

— Yes, — Izuku whispered, no longer holding back.

— I will burn this filthy business to the ground- The tendrils abruptly recoiled, like a snake that had only been waiting for its moment. Kabe lay on the floor, barely breathing, his gaze wandering into emptiness. He understood that this man—or being—would leave not a stone unturned from everything he had built.

Using [Symbiote:Dash], he closed the distance between himself and once again grabbed Kabe by the tie, shaking him like a puppet.

— Gomei and Anko, do you recognize these names? — Izuku clenched his fists, feeling a wave of anger rising within him. The symbiote sensed his fury, writhing around and covering the warehouse's surface with thin black veins. Kabe, breathing heavily, pressed himself to the floor, his eyes darting from side to side. He understood that he had no choice.

— G-Gomei... Anko... Y-yes, I know them, — he rasped, his voice trembling. Izuku remained silent, but his presence weighed heavily on Kabe, like a heavy burden.

— Speak, — he commanded, his voice cold and detached. Kabe swallowed nervously, desperately searching for words.

— They... they were sent to the "Black Tent"... — The white lenses of Izuku's mask narrowed, emphasizing his motives, but he needed to restrain himself from killing Kabe. The voices grew increasingly insistent, urging him to do it, but he willed himself to hold back.

— What is it? — Kabe gasped, looking at him in fear.

— It's a place where they bring ghouls... There, they... perform. They are forced to show their quirks in front of an audience... — Izuku froze. He had heard of underground establishments but never expected to confront this in person. He had heard and read that freak shows had existed since ancient times and that such performances crossed the line with the law, but what surprised him more was that such places still existed on this earth.

— How do I find it? — His voice was tense. Every second counted for the lives of these people, as any lost minute could mean their deaths.

— It moves, but they have one location where they stay for a long time during the week... — Kabe coughed. — They don't stay in one place, but I know they should be at the docks today... Fourth warehouse... They are leaving later tonight. — This information was enough for Izuku to understand what he needed to do.

— You... you won't kill me, will you? — Kabe didn't finish his sentence. Izuku released him, exhaling heavily. He was tired of seeing his face but couldn't kill him without delivering the Broker's message; otherwise, he would become a target for the Broker, having killed his client.

— You're lucky the Broker allows you to live. If it were up to me, I would have ended you long ago. — Leaning closer to Kabe's face, he tried to hide, but Izuku's gaze was too terrifying to ignore, and he swallowed a huge lump of fear. He relaxed slightly and exhaled heavily, relieved to still be alive.

— But don't think I'll let this go easily. — Grabbing him by the arm, Izuku lifted him, but the Broker, realizing what he intended to do, tried to persuade him.

— Wait, what are you doing? Please, don't. Noooooo!!! — The warehouse was filled with Kabe's wails, and holding onto his arm, he groaned in pain from his broken wrist. Grabbing Kabe by the leg, Izuku forcibly squeezed his leg and threw him into the nearest crates, and the cries of pain turned into hoarse groans from Kabe.

— We need to go, — Venom whispered in anger, but unbeknownst to him, Izuku was searching for something on Kabe's broken desk.

Not finding any control panel, Izuku cursed quietly and looked towards the exit. The huge barn doors concealed numerous ghouls working against their will, but he was drawn to the quiet moans. These were the same two henchmen who had regained consciousness. Sneering maliciously, Izuku grabbed their heads and threw them towards the door, breaking them.

Izuku stood in the middle of the warehouse, his breathing heavy, but his eyes burned with determination. Around him lay the bodies of Kabe's henchmen, their moans mingling with the dull echoes of blows and the cracking of breaking bones. But this was only the beginning. From the dark corners of the warehouse, mercenaries began to emerge, armed to the teeth. Their eyes were cold, and their movements precise. They knew why they had come and had no intention of letting Izuku leave alive.

— Do you really think you can save them? — one of the mercenaries, a tall man with a scar across his face, said mockingly, spinning a knife in his hands. — You're just one. And there are many of us.

Izuku didn't reply. His body tensed like a spring, and his eyes narrowed. A storm of emotions raged inside him — fury, despair, but most importantly, determination. He couldn't afford to lose. Not now. Not when innocent lives were at stake.

The first mercenary lunged at him with a shout, but Izuku was faster. He dodged the blow, grabbed the mercenary's arm, and twisted it with a crunch. The scream of pain echoed through the warehouse, but Izuku was already moving on. His fist struck the jaw of the next opponent, sending him into a knockout. The third mercenary tried to hit him from behind, but Izuku, seemingly sensing this, quickly turned and blocked the strike. His leg struck the mercenary's knee with full force, causing him to bend in pain before falling to the ground.

— He's too fast! — someone shouted from among the mercenaries, but their voice was drowned out by the roar of Venom, who now fully controlled Izuku's body. The black substance wrapped around his arms, turning them into deadly weapons. Izuku no longer held back. He knew that every blow, every broken joint was a step closer to the freedom of the ghouls.

The mercenaries began to retreat, but Izuku didn't give them a chance. He moved like a whirlwind, crushing everything in his path. One by one, the mercenaries fell, their weapons breaking, and their bodies piling on the floor. Someone tried to shoot him with a pistol, but the bullet only lodged in the black mass, causing no harm. Without slowing down, Izuku approached the shooter and struck him hard in the chest, sending him crashing into the wall.

— Is that all you have? — he hissed, his voice low and threatening, as if it came from the depths of hell. — You thought you could stop me?

The last mercenary, trembling with fear, dropped his weapon and tried to flee, but Izuku was already there. He grabbed him by the collar and lifted him into the air.

— Where are they? — his voice was icy. — Where are the ghouls?

— In... down below... — the mercenary rasped, pointing to a hatch in the floor. — There's a basement... They are there...

Izuku dropped the mercenary to the ground, not giving him another thought. He approached the hatch and forcefully tore it open. Below, in the darkness, he saw dozens of eyes staring at him with hope and fear. They were the ghouls, locked in cages, exhausted and drained.

— You are free, — Izuku said, his voice quiet but full of determination. — I will get you out of here.

He descended and began breaking the locks on the cages, freeing them one by one. The ghouls, initially distrustful, began to emerge, their eyes filling with tears of gratitude. Izuku felt his heart constrict with pain for them, but he knew this was not the end.

— We must leave, — he said, helping the last ghoul out of the cage. — They could return with reinforcements.

But before they could take a step, a loud bang echoed, and the light from flashlights blinded them. Above, at the entrance, stood new mercenaries, their faces concealed by masks, and their weapons aimed directly at Izuku and the freed ghouls.

— Did you really think you could escape? — a voice rang out from the crowd. It was a new opponent, larger and stronger than the others. His eyes glowed with malice. — You just signed your death warrant.

Izuku stood in front of the ghouls, shielding them with his body. His eyes burned, and the black substance of Venom wrapped around him, ready for another fight.

— If you want them, — he hissed, — you will have to go through me.

Entering [Rage mode], Izuku lost control of the power that surged within him. He felt every new muscle in his body enveloping him, and he was ready to take on the 16 enemies who had come to reinforce their ranks.

— Well, if you're ready to die for them, then burn in hell with them! — An automatic gunfire erupted, aimed not only at him but also at the nearby ghouls, who covered themselves with their hands from the bullets. But Izuku protected them, creating a shield from his symbiotic mass to keep them safe from gunfire. A hundred bullets pierced the shields, and no one was harmed by the crossfire. When everything stopped, he stood tall, retracting the remaining tendrils.

— You have no idea what's about to happen, — Izuku whispered. Rushing towards the mercenaries, some of them threw themselves into hand-to-hand combat, but the tendrils grabbed them, twisting their arms and lifting them. Throwing five into the crowd, Izuku unleashed [Symbiote:Blast], exploding hundreds of tendrils from his body, roaring like a beast.

— Aaaaaaaaaa! You will all regret getting involved in this! — The blows came with monstrous force, and some couldn't withstand the full strength, falling dead from a series of strikes. Using [Symbiote:Yank], he lifted seven enemies into the air, slamming them to the ground, but their equipment softened the impact of the fall, which only infuriated Izuku even more. Grabbing one by the neck with a tendril, Izuku pulled the villain toward him in one swift motion.

— Try to withstand this! — With one powerful blow, he shattered the bones of the unfortunate man, sending him flying dozens of meters back. But that was not enough; his mind whispered more insistently, demanding even more cruelty for the actions committed.

— More...

— We must get rid of them...

— They are unworthy of life...

— Trash...

— We can do anything...

— Kill them...

Struggling with his own mind, Izuku fought to remain sane against the power bestowed upon him in that moment due to anger and adrenaline. Seeing what Silent Phantom was capable of, some tried to flee, but Izuku captured them, narrowing his lenses to a terrifying glare.

— No one leaves here until they receive their punishment. — In the next moment, Izuku grabbed most of the opponents with tendrils, holding them in the air by their necks and summoning the tendrils back to him, drawing in the enemies. Izuku unleashed [Symbiote:Blast], crippling the bones of the enemies who fell unconscious to the ground. One of the mercenaries, seeing how his comrades had become punching bags, fell to his knees, trembling from the power of Silent Phantom. Witnessing this scene, Izuku felt unsatisfied; his primal nature urged him to fight, but he didn't want to cripple them, as he had been watching the battle in shock.

Without thinking, Izuku grabbed that guy using [Tendrill Pull], pulling him closer. He fell to his knees, trying to surrender, but his opponent's words threw him off balance.

— Fight! — he uttered, frightening him even more. Realizing that he couldn't leave his enemy conscious, Izuku used [Symbiote Charge], first striking his stomach, causing him to spit out saliva. The second blow landed on his face, and with a powerful stomp on his leg, Izuku accumulated strength and delivered a devastating uppercut, knocking him out. The man soared into the air for several meters and fell to the ground, not getting back up. All the enemies were incapacitated, and as they witnessed the brutal way Izuku dealt with them, they were terrorized by his power and attempted to flee, but they knew he was their savior and did everything possible to protect them.

The warehouse was engulfed in silence.

Mangled bodies of the mercenaries lay everywhere; some were unconscious, others groaned in pain, and a few didn't move at all. The smell of blood, metal, and gunpowder permeated the air. The black substance of Venom slowly retracted back into Izuku's body, but he remained tense. His chest heaved heavily, his hands trembled from residual rage, and the white lenses of his mask narrowed to menacing slits.

— We could go further...

— We could tear them apart...

— Erase them from the face of the earth for what they did to the innocent...

But amidst this carnage, his gaze fell on what he had come for — the ghouls.

They huddled together against the warehouse wall, as if afraid to take even a step. Their bodies were thin, covered in bruises and scars, and their eyes... they reflected fear. Many had been kidnapped or deceived by false promises of work and a better future; now they stood together, trembling at the sight that had incited Izuku's anger.

But not only from their tormentors.

Fear of him.

Izuku clenched his fists. He recognized this feeling. He had seen how people looked at him with horror in the city. He was used to it... but now it hurt. They feared him, feared what he might do to them.

— Are we... free? — the voice of an old man with tiger fur trembled with doubt before his hero or yet another tormentor.

— Y-yes... — stammered a girl with cat ears, clutching her younger brother to her chest. He watched her; the cries and screams of the hero terrified him, leading him to close his eyes, unwilling to see what he was doing to them.

— He saved us... — a whisper swept through the crowd. They looked at him, but no one moved. Finally, a timid step forward was taken by a young ghoul with delicate, glowing wings. She seemed less frightened than the others. Her big eyes looked directly at him — not with horror, but with something else... gratitude for her rescue. She knelt before him, lowering her body and hands to the ground, bowing her head. She was afraid to meet his gaze, but the consequences of her being sold as a toy for all sorts of amusement terrified her, and realizing this, tears streamed down her cheeks as she quietly sobbed.

— Thank you... — her voice was barely audible, but in the silence, it sounded deafening. And then something changed. Others followed her lead. One by one, the weary, rescued people bowed their heads before him. Their hands trembled, their hearts raced, but they understood: this monster, this terrifying warrior in the dark... he was not their enemy.

He was their protector.

— Thank you... — a new voice rang out.

— I thank you... — another.

— We owe you our lives...

Some could not hold back their tears. They wept, unable to believe that the nightmare they had lived through had finally ended. Izuku stood in the center of this scene, still breathing heavily. He looked at the people before him, at their fear mixed with admiration... and felt his heart constrict.

They should not fear him.

He should not be a monster to those he saved.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm within. Then he stepped forward and slowly knelt down to be at their level.

— You are free. Now nothing threatens you, — he whispered, his voice hoarse from the fight but firm. Some people looked at him with wide-open eyes.

— But... where do we go? — asked an elderly man with goat horns. Izuku did not answer right away. He knew he couldn't just leave them there. They were too vulnerable, and the mercenaries could return with reinforcements.

They needed shelter.

Izuku had nothing to offer; he didn't know people or organizations that fought for the rights of ghouls. There was only one option: call the police.

— I have no ideas, — he managed to say. They exchanged glances of confusion about where to go after everything they had experienced.

— Do you have homes? Loved ones or family? — he asked, and most people nodded at his words. Out of fear, they didn't know how to respond, as being in captivity meant that every day or hour could mean being taken far from home. The fear of the unknown engulfed them, leaving them hopeless.

— Then go to them. I will call the police, and they will take you home. — Calmly, Izuku looked at their faces, which had relaxed from the horrors they had witnessed. One of the older men stepped forward.

— Thank you, young man. — The elder, who spoke first, stepped forward, his tiger eyes carefully watching Izuku. Other elders among the rescued followed him — an old man with goat horns, a gray-haired woman with wings, a short ghoul with armor on his back.

They stopped before him and bowed.

— You saved us... — the elder's voice trembled, but it resonated with strength.

— We don't know who you are, but you descended into this hell and freed us. The elders exchanged glances, then clasped their hands in a traditional gesture of blessing.

— May the spirits of the protectors guard you, warrior in the mask.

— May your path be illuminated, even if you walk in darkness.

— May your strength be directed toward good, not destruction.

— May the human in you always prevail over the beast.

Izuku silently watched them. He didn't believe in gods or spirits, but he understood that for these people, their faith was the only support in a cruel world. He didn't argue. He didn't say he didn't believe in their words. He simply stood and listened, allowing them to express their gratitude in the way they could. When the blessing ended, the old man with goat horns spoke again:

— How shall we call you, savior?

Izuku paused for a moment. He couldn't reveal his true name. In the eyes of these people, he was Silent Phantom.

— Phantom, — he quietly said. The ghouls nodded, unable to contradict their savior.

— Thank you, Phantom.

But Izuku had questions. He looked at the crowd that gazed at him with gratitude. He needed to find the parents of the children who had fallen into trouble. Perhaps someone among them had seen them when they were sent to the freak show.

— Has anyone heard of people named Gomei and Anko? — The people exchanged glances, but no one answered. Only dead silence.

— No one?

— I'm sorry, — shook his head the elderly man with armor.

— Those names are unfamiliar to us. — Izuku gritted his teeth. This meant that his only lead was Kabe's words. If he wasn't lying, then that's where he needed to search for answers. But there was no time to think. In the distance, the wail of sirens could be heard. The police. Some ghouls flinched, fear flashing in their eyes.

— It's alright, — Izuku said firmly, but he couldn't stay. He had to go help the people who were still trapped in the freak show; he needed to save not only this family but also the others who had been sold.

— I called them to help you get home. — But he himself couldn't remain. If the police saw him here, they wouldn't bother to determine whether he was a hero or not. They would try to arrest him.

— Go to them, — he said, stepping back into the shadows. — Let them take you home.

— And you? — asked the girl with wings. With reverence, she approached him and hugged her hero tightly, tearfully thanking him. Izuku couldn't push her away; he understood the depth of her gratitude and didn't want to appear rude or dismissive.

— Thank you... Thank you for everything... — She held him tighter, resting her head on his chest, grateful to him. Thanks to him, she was now free. But his next words interrupted her.

— I have things to do.

Before anyone could say another word, he disappeared into the darkness.

***

When the police burst in, they found only a group of freed ghouls and dozens of beaten, mangled mercenaries.

— What happened here?! — exclaimed one of the officers, surveying the wrecked warehouse.

— He saved us... — quietly replied the old man with tiger fur.

— Who?

But no answer came. Only silent glances towards the darkness where Silent Phantom had vanished. Meanwhile, Izuku was already racing across the rooftops, hiding from the city lights. He knew the police wouldn't forget about him. Now they would be looking for him even more actively. But that didn't concern him. Now he had a lead.

He had to find Gomei. Anko. And Kabe, who had led him there.

Izuku hid in the shadows of the ventilation system, watching a spectacle that resembled a public execution. The crowd screamed, whistled, and laughed. They enjoyed the show.

On the arena was still the boy with bird wings. He was breathing heavily, his body twitching from electric shocks. One of the overseers grabbed him by the hair and dragged him back into the cage.

— Boring! — shouted someone from the audience.

— Where's the real show? — yelled another. There were so many people, and every attempt at resistance was met with beatings and electric shocks that delighted the audience. Izuku had to close his eyes as they endured the pain.

— Yes, yes! Give us something tougher! — a third voice called out. The host smirked.

— Well, ladies and gentlemen! Do you want a spectacle?! — The crowd screamed in response. It sickened Izuku to see people applaud the cruelty being enacted. The brutality and spectacle were undeniable, and it was human nature. Just like in ancient times, people watched fights in the arena, and now they continued to do so, albeit with different rules.

— Then we present to you our main act… HUNTING! — Izuku frowned. From the distant cages emerged several ghouls. They looked exhausted: some limped, others bore healing wounds, and some could barely stand. Among them was a girl with silvery fur and wolf ears. Her hands were shackled, and a metallic collar adorned her neck.

— The rules are simple! — the host continued, smiling for the audience's amusement, making strange gestures that entertained the spectators like a local clown.

— Our fighters have to last five minutes! If they survive, they will receive food and water! If not... well, you understand. — The crowd erupted in excitement. Several people in heavy combat suits entered the arena. They wielded rubber batons, electric whips, and paralyzing pistols.

— LET'S BEGIN!

The ghouls tried to escape, but there was no cover on the arena. The first blow struck a tall man with a scorpion tail. He screamed as he was paralyzed by the shock and fell to the ground. Before he could get up, one of the hunters struck him with a baton. The screams mingled with the laughter of the audience.

The wolf girl was shoved into the center of the arena. She tried to resist, charging at the hunters, but they toyed with her. One hit her with a taser, another tripped her, causing her to fall, and a third grabbed her by the hair, forcing her to her feet.

— Come on, warrior! — someone yelled.

— Show us your beastly nature!

— Or maybe make her publicly lick our boots? — The loud laughter rang out. One of the hunters grabbed her by the chin, roughly forcing her to look into his eyes.

— Well, girl? — he sneered. — Ready to entertain us? — She spat in his face, unafraid, but it was a mistake; he punched her in the face, and the next blow landed in her solar plexus.

— Bitch... — his fist slammed into her stomach with full force. Izuku clenched his fists. He wanted to jump down, tear them apart, destroy them. But he couldn't. It was too early. If he attacked now, the ghouls could be killed. He was forced to watch. Forced to wait. His nails dug into his palms so hard that the skin began to tear, and drops of blood trickled down his fingers.

***

The show went on.

In the cages behind the stage, someone moaned, someone begged for mercy. Among the captives were children. They looked at the arena with empty, dead eyes, having grown accustomed to it. The crowd reveled in the spectacle. Izuku felt rage boiling within him, but he gritted his teeth.

— Wait.

— Just a little longer.

— When it's all over...

He would wipe this circus off the face of the earth. The circus had continued since Izuku's arrival, and he noticed Gomei and Anko among the ghouls, both with collars around their necks. They were indeed unusual, with their snake-like features, but what was more frightening was the fact that they wore collars. The crowd held its breath in anticipation as the ringmaster raised his hand, calling for silence.

— Ladies and gentlemen! — his voice echoed across the arena.

"Now you will witness the rarest and most thrilling act! Straight from the depths of the East… the Dance of the Snakes!" The audience buzzed with excitement, clapping and shouting in anticipation. Izuku, still hidden in the shadows, tensed up. From behind the curtains, they were brought out.

Two heteromorphs—a man and a woman. Their bodies were covered in smooth scales, and in place of legs, they had long, serpentine tails. Their faces were unusually beautiful, with vertical pupils and delicate features, but that wasn't the most frightening part.

Around their necks were metal collars. Izuku immediately understood that these were not just simple control measures. When they reached the center of the arena, the ringmaster pulled out a flute from his pocket and, with a smirk, brought it to his lips. A piercing, mesmerizing sound filled the arena. Gyomei and Anko jerked as if struck by an electric shock. Their eyes widened, and their pupils narrowed into thin slits.

The flute began to play a melody—smooth, hypnotic. Their bodies… obeyed. They began to move. Izuku watched as their tails writhed in time with the music. Their arms glided through the air, mimicking the movements of real snakes. They danced slowly, mesmerizingly, against their will. The crowd watched, spellbound.

"Look at how gracefully they move!" shouted the ringmaster. "Just like real snakes!"

Gyomei and Anko couldn't stop. Their bodies danced despite the fear in their eyes, despite the pain. The collars glowed faintly each time they slowed down, forcing them to move faster. Anko, the woman, clenched her fists as if fighting an invisible force, but another wave of sound forced her to bend even more, her tail sliding smoothly across the ground. Gyomei, the man, gritted his teeth but also couldn't resist. Izuku clenched his fists.

"This isn't a dance."

"This is torture."

"This is abuse."

But the crowd saw nothing wrong with it. They laughed, clapped, and whistled, enjoying the spectacle. Izuku, however, felt his heart tighten. They had mocked him for being quirkless, and now they were mocking these two for having unique and special quirks. The children of these parents shouldn't have to see them in such a humiliating light. It was horrifying to witness this firsthand, even for him. It pained him to see them being abused for the amusement of the crowd.

As he watched, Izuku remembered how he had been bullied for being quirkless, how everyone had smiled and laughed, and no one had stood up for him. Everyone had approved of it, even the teachers and the principal, who should have been his support, simply shrugged and said it wasn't their problem. He remembered how they had suggested he end his life so he could be reborn with a quirk in another life. All those disgusted looks he received when walking down the street. And his case wasn't unique—there were others who had it even worse than him. If it hadn't been for Fuyumi that day, he might have followed that advice and jumped off the roof, cutting the strings of his life forever.

As he reflected on his past, Izuku didn't notice the people starting to leave the circus. He had spent an hour and a half in this pit of despair, and all the abuse he had witnessed fueled his anger. But now he faced a choice: destroy everything, risking the hostages' lives, or save them, knowing that if he did, everyone would find out about the escape, and he might never see them again. But he couldn't risk innocent lives for the sake of his anger. He had to take these parents back to their children.

Finally, seizing the moment when everyone had left and the lights were cut, he emerged from the hatch. It was dark everywhere, and one careless move could arouse suspicion.

Izuku moved like a shadow through the darkness. His eyes, accustomed to the lack of light, easily found their way through the cages and barricades. The air was thick with the smell of dust, sweat, and fear. He heard quiet groans, whispered prayers, and the cries of children. Each sound fueled his rage, but he held himself back. Now, it was more important to act calmly. He spotted a guard standing at the exit of the underground area. The man was relaxed, smoking a cigarette and muttering to himself. Izuku crept up behind him like a ghost. His hand, wrapped in symbiotic mass, clenched into a fist.

[Elbow Smash]

The elbow strike to the back of the head was precise and lightning-fast. The guard didn't even have time to scream. His body went limp, and Izuku carefully lowered him to the ground to avoid drawing attention. He took the keys dangling from the guard's belt and moved on. The cages were lined up, each holding heteromorphs. Their eyes, filled with fear and despair, watched Izuku as he approached the first cage. He raised a hand to calm them.

"Quiet. I'm here to free you," he whispered. He inserted the key into the lock and turned it. The cage door creaked open. Two children, trembling and frightened, were the first to step out. Izuku knelt to their level.

"It's okay. I'll get you out of here," he said softly. One by one, he opened the cages, freeing the heteromorphs. Each of them looked at him with distrust, but hope flickered in their eyes. Izuku helped them out, supporting those who were too weak to walk on their own.

When he reached the last cage, Gyomei and Anko were inside. Their serpentine eyes looked at him with surprise and gratitude. Izuku quickly unlocked the cage and helped them out.

"Thank you. We thought we'd never see the light again," Anko whispered, her voice trembling. She thought of her children, left alone and vulnerable, and the thought terrified her.

"Don't thank me. We need to move quickly and quietly," Izuku replied. He led them toward the exit but suddenly heard footsteps. Another guard, apparently suspicious, was approaching. Izuku gestured for the group to stop and stepped forward.

A long tendril shot out from his back, wrapping around the guard's legs and yanking him forward. Before the guard could scream, Izuku delivered a precise blow to his jaw, knocking him unconscious.

"Let's go," Izuku said, returning to the group. "We're almost out."

They moved on, navigating through the dark corridors. Izuku led the way, ready to face any threat. His heart beat steadily, but a storm raged inside him. He knew this circus had to be destroyed, but for now, the priority was saving these people.

When they finally emerged into the open, the cold night air hit their faces. The heteromorphs, trembling and frightened, looked up at the starry sky as if seeing it for the first time.

"You're free," Izuku said, turning to them. "But you need to get as far away from here as possible. They'll come looking for you."

"What about you?" Anko asked. Izuku looked at them and then back at the circus, hesitating

To be continued