The Dark Novels

Genji was at a loss, not having a plan since he knew so little about the slums or Copperhand. He relied on Ripper and Pip for guidance, and he secretly hoped that Gin might lend a hand too. Dare chimed in, raising his hand to suggest, "Maybe we should start by discussing Copperhand's associates?" The rest of the group nodded in agreement.

Ripper was the first to speak, enthusiastically mentioning the names of Copperhand's associates, "Alright, there's Viper, Mut, Tick, KT, Sumber, Hill, and Copperhand himself, obviously."

Genji's eyebrows raised in surprise at the relatively small number of people working for Copperhand. "Wait, is that it?" he asked, trying to comprehend how such a notorious figure could have so few henchmen.

Pip chimed in, shaking her head, "Well, there were others, but you two killed them. The ones who still work for him are strong, much stronger than any of us." Her words carried a sense of caution, reminding everyone of the dangers they would face.

This time the short guy with green highlighted hair spoke up, his confidence apparent in his voice. "Why don't we try cornering them one by one? With eight of us, I'm sure we can take them out."

Ripper shook his head, dismissing the idea. "Nah, they usually go around in groups of three, so that ain't happening."

Genji, however, focused on something else – the short guy's mention of eight of them. He furrowed his brows and asked, "Hold on, what do you mean there are eight of us? Because there's nine." At that moment, Dare muttered sarcastically, "Like you would be any help."

Genji wanted to argue, to say something to Dare, but he couldn't. He knew he couldn't even help them come up with a plan because, unlike them, he knew practically nothing about Copperhand. So, he kept his mouth shut.

Ripper, however, was undeterred. "Well, we have to think of something. Just storming into his place and attacking will be risky," he replied.

Suddenly, Gin appeared behind Ripper, spooking him for a moment. She wore a playful smile on her lips as she chimed in, "Why not just storm into his place and attack?" Her suggestion sounded daring and caught everyone's attention.

As Ripper turned to face Gin, slightly flustered by her sudden appearance, he hesitated before responding, "Well, it's not that simple, Gin. Copperhand's got some powerful folks working for him. We need a plan, something smart," he replied, trying to collect his thoughts.

Gin's mischievous smile persisted as she continued, "See, that's exactly why I'm suggesting this. Copperhand wouldn't expect it." Ripper wanted to retort but found himself pausing, acknowledging the truth in her words. Dare chimed in, supporting Gin's idea, "I agree with her. Copperhand is smart, and he would anticipate someone making a calculated move. This could catch him off guard." Most of the group, except for Pip, Ripper, and Genji, nodded in agreement.

Despite their reservations, they had no other ideas, and the enthusiasm of the group was beginning to build. Ripper sighed and nodded, "Alright, not like we have any other options." Gin's mischievous smile widened as she suggested, "Well, you all should probably go right now. It's early in the morning, so it's perfect."

Dane jumped to his feet, his energy infectious, and exclaimed, "Time to grind Copperhand into scraps!" The rest of the group joined in, raising their hands and yelling, "Yeah!" The fervor of their battle cries made the tension in the room palpable.

Genji couldn't help but feel disappointed in himself for contributing nothing to the planning. *I did nothing, and they're supposed to be helping me,* he thought, the weight of his own perceived inadequacy weighing on his mind. He wished he could offer more, but with his limited knowledge and lack of experience, he felt helpless in the face of the impending confrontation.

**10 Minutes Later**

As they made their way through the slums, Genji noticed the curious glances from the residents. They were probably wondering what they were up to at this early hour. The morning atmosphere in the slums felt different—quieter, with fewer people bustling about. Genji was grateful for this respite from witnessing the suffering of the residents, as he was already in a poor mental state.

The narrow, winding alleys and dilapidated buildings of the slums made it challenging for them to move swiftly. Ripper, being familiar with the area, took the lead, followed closely by Dare and the others. Pip walked beside Genji, occasionally glancing at him with a reassuring smile.

Genji appreciated her efforts to make him feel at ease, but he couldn't shake off the feeling of being out of place. He was an outsider, a stranger in this world, and he felt it more strongly than ever as they pressed forward.

As they approached Copperhand's dwelling, the dilapidated building stood as a stark reminder of the harsh conditions in the slums. Ripper, facing the run-down structure, couldn't help but feel the weight of their dangerous endeavor.

Turning to Genji, he hesitated for a moment before suggesting, "Mate, how about you stay out here, hidden, while we handle this? It might be safer for you." Genji felt a pang of hurt in his chest at the thought of being excluded, and he mustered the courage to speak up, "But why? I want to help. Wasn't this whole thing my idea in the first place?"

He wanted to prove himself useful, to contribute in any way possible, feeling guilty for not having done much until now.

Ripper looked at Genji with a mix of concern and consideration. "Mate, I know you want to help, but this is a dangerous business," he explained gently. Before Genji could say anything, Ripper continued, "You helped me, and I appreciate it. So I don't want you getting hurt."

Pip chimed in, trying to soften the blow. "Don't worry, Genji. We'll handle this. Once it's safe, we'll let you know," she assured him with a reassuring smile.

Genji felt a mix of frustration and annoyance welling up inside him as Ripper and Pip tried to dissuade him from joining the fight. *Why are they doing this? Do they think I can't help at all?* he thought, his grip tightening around the knife Ripper had given him.

"Ripper, I'm not backing down. I want to be part of this," Genji asserted, his voice firm and resolute. Ripper seemed annoyed but eventually relented, letting out a heavy sigh. "Fine, have it your way, mate," he said, turning away. "Let's go, everyone. We've got a 'lord' to deal with."

Pip's expression showed a hint of disappointment at Genji's decision, but she remained silent. With his mind made up, Genji steeled himself for the impending confrontation, clutching the knife tightly as they moved forward.