Shun Zhang: The Red Beast

First Stance

In school, I was once asked to fill out a career questionnaire. Many didn't think much of it, but I had taken a lot of time to think: what kind of person would I be?

But for a twelve-year-old Zhang Shun, a boy who was as naive and mentally deranged as the family he had been forced to grow up with, the outcome of all that thinking was as silly as one would expect.

"An adventurer."

The teacher gave me a raised eyebrow, and the sarcasm in the way she had read my questionnaire was met with an uproar of laughter.

"An adventurer? Like an RPG? The Chinese boy can't understand Japanese?"

"How stupid!"

And I remember being confronted by that same teacher and held true to my response to this day.

The power to run away and go on lots of adventurers.

To be able to obtain such power in the near future was always a dream I wanted.

My father was a psychopath. He enjoyed abusing the rest of us whenever something good happened. It was almost like he was allergic to good things. The day me, and my brother, Zhang Wen, had our birthday, my mother had bought a duck to celebrate. My father proceeded to flip the table and yell at us for no good reason.

My mother wasn't any better. She believed every hobby I had was "dangerous". A "Christian" woman, who took her faith to the realm of schizophrenia. She caught me playing video games and ordered I throw them into the trash because she believed it was "controlling me".

Needless to say, the idea of escaping such a family was almost like a dream.

I would do anything to escape this family.

But I wasn't exactly someone particularly intelligent, like Wen. Wen was a prodigal, he escaped easily. But I was stupid.

And so I would resort to anything.

Anything to escape my life with these people.

CRUNCH. CRUNCH. CRUNCH. CRUNCH. CRUNCH.

"Shun Zhang of the Red Circle Triad!" Several voices echoed in the distance.

"We know you're there!"

"Come out! And pay for what you did to Master Leung!"

I slowly emerged from the darkness, the cloth that contained Leung's head slung to my side like a prized trophy.

Several Masters gasped upon seeing the severed head.

Many more reacted with outrage.

"How could you... how could you!" A Master shouted at me, a polearm brandished in his hands.

"Master Leung was a good man! A loving father! A caring teacher! Yet you ruthlessly killed him! And you dare to have his head as a troph-"

I stomped on the ground with tremendous force, unleashing a shockwave that repelled everybody back.

Dozens, if not hundreds of martial artists had surrounded me. All wielding swords and weapons of every kind.

Even gang members from rival Triads had come to try to take me down.

I slowly ran my hand through my hair. The blood-soaked bandages left behind a streak of red against the black.

"Master Leung was a target. The greatest martial arts practitioner in all of Hebei Province. Now that you see the might of Boss Lok's son, I am disappointed that you still have the audacity to try to threaten me."

My Mandarin was still a little off, despite my parents being of Chinese descent. But I definitely got the point across.

Because the masters became even more enraged.

"Get him! Kill Shun Zhang of the Red Circle! For Leung!"

"FOR LEUNG!"

I brought my foot back, assuming my stance.

A demonic voice rumbled in my mind.

Shun-dono. There is no alternate route. We must kill every master here. And with how renowned and loved Leung-sensei is, the entirety of the martial arts community has come after us.

"I know, Hataka-sensei. And not just the masters. But rival Triads have come for my head. They think that I will be weaker now that I am supposedly backed into a corner."

Then let us bring about mischief. Show them just how deluded they are. For a Japanese oni foreigner like me to be able to tear them apart with their own martial arts.

A crazed smile appeared on my face.

"For Boss Lok! Of the Red Circle Triad!" I snarled, rushing forward. The attackers retaliated with a battle cry, as the sounds of battle filled the air of the village.

For Boss Lok, I would do anything.

I was Boss Lok's son. There was nothing to leave behind. My father was a shitface, and my mother was a delusional freak. I would throw these parents of mine in the trash at any convenience.

I had no hesitation in calling Boss Lok of The Red Circle my father and my master.

And on that day, I had fought off hundreds of martial arts practitioners and killed many. Blood soaked through my clothes, and the more red that I saw, the more excited I had become.

The greater my lust for death filled my veins.

My victory over the greatest sifu in Hebei earned me a moniker because, by the time I was finished with my battle, I had killed 90% of the martial arts community all at once. The blood that covered my body, and my expression of pure malice earned me the name The Red Beast.

The most ferocious martial artist to ever have lived.

At least...

That was how it was.

Until the day I had lost my oni.

"Shun! Are you awake? We're going to be late for our deliveries!" A young boy said.

I buried my face in my pillow.

Mendokusai.

Pain in the ass, in Japanese.

"Oh for crying out loud," A woman's voice said, as the door ripped open, revealing a short, four foot girl who was holding the door by its hinges.

"Shun Zhang! Wake up already, you idiot child!"

I got up from my bed and yawned.

"Good morning, Lady Melinoe."

Melinoe's face turned red in rage.

"Don't good morning me, you troublemaker! Flock is going to be late because you slept in!"

"Who cares about being late or not? It's just a delivery."

"Just a delivery?! My reputation is already bad enough as it is! I don't need to be known as the Goddess of Tardiness as well!"

A boy peeked from the broken door frame.

"Lady Melinoe! No matter how bad your reputation is, I will always love you!"

Melinoe's anger suddenly disappeared, transforming into feelings of fluster as she turned to Flock and threw her arms around him.

"Flock! How adorable you are!"

I slowly got out of my bed and glanced at the bandages that were neatly folded on my nightstand.

There was not a single speck of blood on them.

Almost like a complete contrast to how they used to look many years ago when I was a member of the Triads.

"Five minutes, Melinoe. I will be ready by then."

Flock and I made rounds as we made delivery after delivery throughout the city of Folia. A city of adventurers, as many would call it, as it is the only city to possess a Labyrinth. As such, many adventurers of different lands and races have come to Folia to try their hand at exploring the Labyrinth. The gods and goddesses have blessed the people of Folia with power, depending on how well their body receives it, to try and conquer the Dungeon. Groups of adventures would aggregate into factions, following a specific god or goddess.

The top Legions were the Poseidon Legion and the Venus Legion, with an average of twenty or thirty members each.

As for Flock and me, we belonged to the lowest of the low.

Melinoe, the Goddess of Ghosts.

"Melinoe is so kind, I just wish more people could realize her and see her more than a Goddess of Ghosts," Flock frowned.

"Perhaps she wouldn't be so terrifying if she didn't resort to ripping open my door every morning."

Our first stop was actually to another Legion, the Apollo Legion. We arrived at the gates, and I couldn't help but let envy take over.

"What a big gate. We don't even have one," I grumbled.

The gate opened, revealing a maid.

"Flock! Always a pleasure seeing you in the morning!"

Flock handed her the package.

"Delivery! How are you, Bethel?"

"I'm doing great! That's very thoughtful of you to ask. You know, my offer still stands. We would be more than happy to let you join our Legion. Even Apollo himself is encouraging it! Melinoe... doesn't really have a good rep around here, being such a scary goddess and all..."

Flock smiled.

"I appreciate the offer, but I will always choose Lady Melinoe."

The maid made a disappointed expression.

"I understand. I just think your talent is being wasted delivering packages is all..."

I grunted.

"Hey, my talent is being wasted too."

"You belong where you are, troublemaker!"

"HUH? You think you can get away with saying stuff like that?!" I growled, marching forward, but Flock grabbed me and held me back.

"No! Shun! Control your anger! We can't afford any more property damage after you destroyed the Tavern last week!" Flock cried out.

The maid frowned.

"What did Shun do?"

"She made a mistake guessing Shun's age is all," Flock reasoned, but annoyance filled my body and manifested in the form of a fast reply.

"She did not just mistaken me! She called me a kid! I'm fifteen years old! I am eligible to order drinks without the need for an adult! I'll do more than trash her place next time, in my homeland, the people I lived with had a custom where those who disrespect us get their fingers cut off!!!"

Bethel took the package as more members of the Apollo Legion peeked out of the windows.

"Ugh... Melinoe's Legion..."

"Do you think that creepy goddess will ever get more than two members?"

"I understand the Chinese pickpocket, but Flock? The guy deserves someone better."

Flock and I made our way back to the village, but I noticed Flock had a troubled expression.

"Are you really letting what Bethel said get to you? Melinoe is Melinoe, no point letting others speak ill of her."

"I know... but I'm just upset that people aren't even giving her a chance. Lady Melinoe is sweet and caring. One of her dreams is to have a Legion just as big as Poseidon!"

Dream on...

The only reason Melinoe even had members was because Flock himself was a human angel, kind, compassionate, and would give anyone a chance.

As for why I ended up in the Legion, it was because I had no fear of ghosts.

Considering for several years I let myself be possessed by the demonic ghost of a martial arts grandmaster and caused mass chaos in China.

"She's the goddess of ghosts, that already is creepy enough. Not to mention the fact that our Legion home is literally a run-down shack. You've gotta be crazy to even consider approaching us," I grumbled.

"Hey. You two look like you could use a woman," A female voice said coyly above me.

"Huh?" I muttered.

I slowly looked up to see a girl in front of us. Knee socks... and a pair of high heels made her look a lot taller than she probably was. A cardigan that had sleeves covering her hands, and complimented by long blonde hair which was so obviously dyed, considering there were streaks of brown at the roots. The jingle of earrings and jewelry rang in my ears.

I encountered many women like this when I used to work for Boss Lok of The Red Circle Triad.

They were often considered "rewards" for us Triad Members for completing kill contracts.

But due to my age at the time, a fourteen-year-old wouldn't be given a reward like that. I was instead compensated with copious amounts of "dragon powder", which made my vision blurry whenever I inhaled it.

I made eye contact with the girl.

"Do you take us for fools? We are not like the men you've played with, we will never give you the time of da-"

"Hi! I'm Flock, and this is Shun! We're members of the Melinoe Legion!" Flock said happily.

Don't go acting all cutesy at a time like this!

I shot to my feet.

"Flock! Don't talk to her. She is bad news."

Flock blinked.

"But-"

"Let's get out of here."

The girl suddenly interrupted us, laughing and putting a hand to the back of her head.

"I was just kidding. You two are just kids after all. I don't play with minors."

"Who are you calling a minor?!" I growled, but the girl didn't look at all fazed and responded by wagging her finger at my forehead.

"I'm bad news? Look who's talking. Rumour has it that you used to work for a Chinese Mafia. Compared to that, being a flirt means nothing."

This bitch sure had a death wish coming!

Flock stepped in between us.

"Now now... get along you two! I recognize you... it's Tilly, right? We were supposed to give you a delivery today."

Tilly twirled her hair on her finger.

"Yeah... I figured it would be easier to come get it myself."

"Why is that?" Flock asked.

I narrowed my eyes.

This gyaru had an unusual expression. Almost like uneasiness. But before I could continue analyzing her expression, Tilly suddenly reverted back to her flirtatious demeanor, wrapping an arm around Flock, who squeaked in surprise.

"You don't need to know, kiddo. Why don't you have some fun with me this afternoon? The guy I'm seeing doesn't need to know."

I grabbed the package, shoved it in her arms, and yanked Flock away.

"Your package. Now leave us alone, you whore," I growled.

Tilly tilted her head, a shadow cast on her face. She looked like she was going to say something, but stopped herself, turning around and walking in the other direction.

Good riddance.

"Tilly!" Flock suddenly called out, stopping the girl in her tracks.

"What is it?" Tilly asked.

Flock fiddled with his thumbs.

"I know it isn't any of my business... but that knife in the package... you're planning on using it to kill monsters in the Labyrinth, right?"

Tilly's expression turned dark, gazing at us from the distance. In contrast with the many people who were walking in the town, she definitely stood out. Likely intentional, to attract the attention of men.

"You are correct, little Flocky. It isn't any of your business."

My hand made a fist.

I served Boss Lok in the Red Circle for many years.

I could tell when someone had an intention to kill.

And Tilly had that expression.

"I- I don't know what it's like to take a life. Monster or human. I've never been in the Labyrinth before, but if something is bothering you... that you would consider killing a human, please. Please, you can talk to us!" Flock called out, freezing Tilly on the spot.

The girl gripped the package, her knuckles turning white.

"If only... more men were like you, Flock..." I heard Tilly mutter, before turning around and leaving us with our last package delivered.

* * *

"Lady Melinoe, what is a whore?" Flock asked while Flock, Melinoe, and I were having dinner.

Melinoe's fork froze midair for a few moments before the goddess slowly got up and gave me the signature "Goddess of Ghosts" glare.

"Flocky... where did you hear that word?" Melinoe smiled evilly.

"Umm... Shun called the girl we did our last delivery for one."

"You don't need to know what that word means. And Shun? Take off your hand bandages for me."

I squirmed away.

"Ummm... why?"

Melinoe giggled.

"Just trust in your goddess. You are my child, are you not?"

"I didn't sign up for YEOOOWWWW!" I screamed as Melinoe pressed an ice cube against my sensitive skin.

"Stop teaching Flock weird words!"

"There's nothing weird about knowing about whores!" I complained, desperately putting the hand bandages back on my hands.

"At some point, he's gonna know. If we are to expand our empire we need to consider a larger range. That includes the Night District!" I protested.

"First off, don't call my faith an empire! I am not an evil goddess! And second of all, how in the world does a fifteen-year-old have such a dirty mind?! You are the complete opposite of Flock here!" Melinoe exclaimed.

Flock poked at his food.

"Lady Melinoe... have you ever killed a human before?"

The atmosphere suddenly turned dark.

Melinoe let go of me and turned to Flock, concern laced her eyebrows.

"Flock, why are you asking this?"

"Dunno, I just feel like asking."

"Does this have something to do with your deliveries?"

Flock glanced at me, then at the knife on the table.

"The girl we met, had a knife delivered to her and wanted to pick it up herself. When I asked her what she going to use that knife for, she said it wasn't any of our business. But she looked like she wanted to kill someone."

The goddess sighed, putting the dishes into the sink, which was practically falling apart. The space was so cramped that only Melinoe could fit inside and wash the plates.

"I have been a goddess for many eons. Not once have I had to kill a mortal. It goes against what we stand for. But I have seen many mortals kill other mortals."

"But why?"

"Perhaps it is for satisfaction. But most of the time, it is always because they believe it is the only solution. A mortal human killing another human is not the same as killing a monster in a Dungeon. The decision to kill a human is a big one because once the blood has been spilled one becomes a murderer. And the killing will not stop."

I gritted my teeth.

I knew that feeling all too well.

After all, the first person I had killed wasn't even something I wanted to do. It was because if I didn't kill her, Hiiro and I would have died.

But after killing my first, my body had become used to it, and killing the next had less of an impact. And before I knew it, I was killing nonstop for Boss Lok.

Even if you leave the killing behind, the guilt always stays.

Nothing can erase the fact that you took a life.

"Flock, I understand you are concerned for this Tilly girl, but you don't know her full story. I don't want you getting involved with her shady business. Tilly is one of Astarte's Legion members. And even amongst her followers, she is one of the bottom caste, notorious for starting sexual relationships with married men and getting into affairs. This kind of business is not suitable for a fifteen-year-old boy. Tilly is dangerous."

"But-"

"Flock."

Melinoe turned around and put her hands on Flock's face.

"Promise me you don't get involved with Tilly. You're... you're one of the only children I have. I don't want to lose you. I'm worried."

Flock blinked.

"Lady Melinoe..."

Hey, wait a second.

I was a child of Melinoe's Legion too.

Flock took a deep breath.

"I won't turn my back on someone who needs help, Lady Melinoe. I promise you I will always stay true to myself. Because I still have a dream to make you the greatest god in all of Folia."

Melinoe hesitated, a blush formed on her face as no words left her mouth.

After dinner, Flock and I lay in our bunk bed, looking out the window to see the city of adventurers and the night.

"Shun, were there any stars in China?"

"No. Too much pollution. Lots of blood though."

Flock shifted in his covers.

"I wonder what Tilly is up to at this time."

"Probably getting railed by a middle-aged man."

"What does that mean?"

My mind flashed back to Lady Melinoe pressing ice cubes against the palms of my hands.

"Ah... forget I said anything," I grumbled.

More moments of silence passed. And I would be lying if Tilly wasn't on my mind.

I normally had very negative views of people like Tilly, people who would enjoy the temporary rush of pleasure, playing with men to obtain sex.

It disgusted me, but was I any different? When I served Boss Lok, I was thirteen at the time, and I felt pleasure of my own. By killing and taking lives as a Triad member.

I found it fun to ruin people's lives, because if I couldn't make something out of myself, like Wen did, then I might as well ruin it for others.

Wen and I were brought up the same way. We went to the same school in Nara, Japan, where we were born. We both went to the same Shaolin Temple to study kung fu.

Yet Wen had become a prodigy, top of his class, and became the youngest Warrior Monk ever in the history of the temple. Then became the youngest master to open a dojo. Then became a member of the Venus Legion, as the first Martial Artist adventurer in all of Folia.

Compared to Wen, I was a failure.

Failed out of school, failed out of the temple, and had to resort to using an evil spirit to become strong, only to have the evil spirit killed.

And here I was, lying in a bunk bed with goodie two shoes Flock of the Melinoe Legion, the worst-rated Legion in all of Folia, and a joke of a goddess who everybody found creepy.

The idea of finding any sort of pleasure was akin to taking dragon powder, in a way. Temporary happiness was better than no happiness.

"I want to save Tilly," Flock said, breaking the silence.

"What? Did you not hear a thing Lady Melinoe said? Tilly is dangerous."

"Tilly... Tilly is going to take someone's life because she thinks it's the only solution. I don't know what it is like to fall in love. But I don't want something as precious as love to be ruined for her. Tilly was crying today. I saw it. She doesn't want to kill, and she is not a killer. She looks like someone who needs help."

I sighed, resting my head against the rags of what was supposed to be a pillow.

"Lady Melinoe... your empire is gonna have to wait. Your two troublemakers of children are going to be away for a while," I muttered.

I got up and approached the door.

"You were always like this, Flock."

Flock blinked.

"Like what?"

My mind flashed back to the day I had barely escaped China with my life, blood pouring from my wounds.

I was about to die, I remembered the pain. The machete wounds.

Yet, someone, I was able to swim to Folia, where I collapsed. Everybody avoided me like the plague.

But you didn't.

Flock.

You look like you needed help. My name's Flock and this is Melinoe! Come join our Legion!

If even a former Triad member could share a bed with this wholesome bag of fun, and eat warm meals prepared by a goddess...

What right did I have to refuse someone like Tilly?

I smiled evilly.

"Flock, hope your tracking skills aren't rusty. Let's track 'em down. We're gonna find Tilly."

Flock gave me a confused look.

"But I don't have anything to track with-"

I handed Flock a stick of lip balm.

Flock's eyes widened.

"What in the- where did you get that? Isn't this Tilly's?!"

"Yes. I stole it."

"But why?!"

I gave Flock a peace sign.

"Pickpocketing is rudimentary for Triad members. I was going to sell it for cheap cash, but looks like it has a much better use. Let's get to tracking. And save this gyaru."

* * *

"Remember, Shun. This is all speculation. No more stealing or anything like that, got it?" Flock scolded me.

I pouted.

"A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do to expand his goddess's empire."

"That again?" Flock laughed nervously before the two of us hid inside the bush.

We found Tilly outside under one of the bridges of the city. There wasn't anyone around, being the middle of the night and all.

And just as I had predicted, the man she was sucking face with was definitely middle-aged.

"That apron... is he a blacksmith?" Flock whispered.

"No. That man is no blacksmith," I muttered, focusing on the blood stains all over it.

Fish blood.

He was part of a fish market, which was a perfect coverup for killings.

Tilly you dumb broad. You got yourself mixed up with Folian Mafia?

I tried scanning Tilly's body to try and find the knife, but I couldn't make it out from this distance.

"Flock, do you know any vision magic?" I asked.

"No, why?"

"We need to get closer."

"Closer?"

"Yes. I need to be able to see Tilly's body better."

Flock squirmed away from me.

"Shun! That is so indecent!"

"What? No! I didn't mean it like that! I just need to know where she's keeping her-"

"I agree with Flock. Checking me out sure is indecent, you horny little boy."

"Ah."

I slowly turned around to see Tilly standing behind us, her hands on her hips. Did her skirt somehow get even shorter than the last time we met?

"Uh, greetings... Tilly-san," I muttered, my semi-broken English transitioning to Japanese in nervousness.

"Hi, Tilly!" Flock said happily.

But Tilly's face of disdain shut the both of us up.

"Do you mind explaining why you stole my lip balm, Shun?"

"I don't know what you are talking about."

"Don't act stupid with me! After I chatted with you two, I patted my pockets, and my lip balm was gone! I should have expected that from you two. Men always only want one thing, no matter the age!"

Flock got to his feet, returning her lip balm.

"Tilly, we're worried about you. That knife you bought, are you planning on doing something to that man wearing the apron? Who is that man in the first place?"

Tilly regarded us, taking the lip balm and slipping it into her... cleavage...

"And I told you two that it is none of your business."

"But Tilly, we're just trying to help-"

"I do not need to hear this from you. Shun's theft of my belongings is enough evidence for me. All men are the same. I don't need to receive help from pre-pubescent boys of all people to deal with my situation. Go home, it's late. And Zachery will get suspicious if I'm gone for too long."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Zachery? Is he that Mafia guy?"

Tilly sighed.

"No, you moron. Zachery runs a fish market along with the rest of Triton's Legion. There's none of this Mafia silliness that you probably are used to."

I glanced at Zachery, who popped a cigarette as more people of the Legion joined him.

"Sounds like bad news," I grumbled.

"Tilly, you don't need to get mixed up with Zachery if he's making you feel these things," Flock reasoned, but Tilly swatted her hand.

"You will never understand what my situation is like, kid. Go home."

"Not until you tell me what's going on!"

"I said go home, you stupid- stupid..." Tilly's voice broke, the lip balm dropping to the floor.

Even I was taken aback, as Tilly's body became wracked with sobs.

"You don't understand. You can't possibly understand. You two are just children. You don't understand what it's like to be treated as an object not just by all the men you once trusted... but your own goddess..."

I clenched my teeth, remembering what Lady Melinoe had said.

"You're part of Astarte's Legion, right?" I asked.

Tilly glared at me, trying to keep her makeup from falling off along with her tears.

"Yes. I am the lowest of the low. Astarte is the Goddess of Fertility and Sexual Love. But for people like me, we are considered outcasts. But we still need to abide by our Legion's practices, or we will become Unnamed. I have no choice but to have lovers. All the men I've met have been the same. They only want my body. They can act kind all they want, but in the end, they all want the same thing. This isn't something that you two can solve. This knife is the only thing that can let me have control. It's all I have."

Flock pursed his lips, glancing at me, before turning back to Tilly.

"Tilly... could it be that you want a friend?"

The girl's eyes widened in between sobs, as she stopped.

"D- Don't be silly. I'm twenty years old now. I'm past silly high school friends and the like. I don't need-"

Flock suddenly stepped forward and took her hand, causing Tilly's face to flush red.

"I can be your friend! Your first friend if you need it. I don't know what you've been through, or how bad these men in Triton's Legion are like. But if you're hurting, you turn to the people who are closest to you. Lady Melinoe taught me that. So let me be that person."

Tilly let go of Flock's hand and slowly patted him on the head.

"Silly kid. I'll... I'll think about it. Thank you, Flock."

The girl turned around to make her way to Zachery, who was still smoking cigarettes and laughing up a storm.

From a distance, I could hear their conversation.

"That Tilly girl... how long are you going to keep playing around with her, boss?"

"Eh, she's still got a few month's worth."

"Think we're being a little mean to the young lady? I mean..."

"Who cares? She's just a distraction from my wife. Once I'm done with her, she can go find another man. That's the point of her Legion, isn't it? Besides, it was her fault in the first place to let a bunch of strangers do her like that, only a lunatic would want a slut like that to be a partner."

The boys roared with laughter, and I could make out Tilly's hands trembling as she made her way back to her lover.

"A failure!"

"An unwanted failure of Astarte! Who would ever feel bad for that?"

And as the insults continued, I suddenly found myself trembling alongside her.

Failure.

Unwanted.

To be treated like a joke.

You are such a failure, Shun. Why couldn't you be more like Wen? No wonder your father always puts your hands into boiling water! If it wasn't for the fact that you are Wen's twin, I would have gotten an abortion! My mother's words spoke in my mind.

Leave me, Shun. You're making me look bad. I am part of the Venus Legion now. You can be Unnamed for all I care, but never step foot in the same room as me ever again, Wen had said.

You are an unwanted failure of a brother.

"I'm going to see if I can invite Tilly out tomorrow, maybe we can talk-"

"No." I cut Flock off, rage filled my eyes.

Red covered my vision.

"I will visit them. Tonight. We played it your way, Flock. Reason won't get Tilly out of this. We will do this my way.

"And show them how the Triads do things."