Bruno struggled to get back home, pushing open the old, worn-out door with force.
"You're injured?" Caesar sat by the bed, the sunlight from outside streaming through the window, shining on his golden hair, dazzling like gold. His face, handsome like a Greek statue, looked almost divine in the soft light, like a solemn statue of a Buddha in a temple, looking down upon the world.
"It's not serious, cough, cough... I'm used to it." Bruno leaned on the table, sitting down while wincing in pain. "More importantly, I have something to tell you."
Caesar looked at Bruno, who was in such a messy state, and froze for a moment. "Why are you in such a bad shape?"
"That's not important."
Bruno held his abdomen, took a deep breath, and tried to suppress the excruciating pain from his broken ribs.
From Bruno's expression, Caesar sensed a tense atmosphere. After a brief thought, he guessed the reason and said calmly, "Has someone found me?"
"How did you know?" Bruno asked, realizing he had just asked a stupid question. He shook his head. "Never mind, you people are too mysterious. I shouldn't ask too much. I saw a few men in black suits on the street. My gut tells me they're here for you."
"They found you?"
Caesar frowned slightly, glancing at Bruno, whose clothes were dirty and disheveled. It was clear he had rushed back.
"Yeah, but it's fine. I tricked them."
Bruno forced a smile, gritting his teeth through the pain. "They won't expect this. You should leave quickly. I'll draw a map for you. Go to the port and find a man named Apaki. He'll take care of getting you out of here. Don't waste any more time."
Saying that, he took out a piece of paper and started sketching on it. At the same time, he took off his necklace, folded it, and handed it to Caesar.
Caesar hesitated for a moment, then took the map and necklace. "I'll go. What about you?"
"Don't worry, I'm fine."
Bruno chuckled lightly and patted his chest. "Once you leave, I'll move to another place. Those people are after you, they won't care about a small-time thug like me."
Hearing this, Caesar felt more at ease and nodded. "Alright, thank you for these few days, Bruno Frigo. If I survive this, I promise to repay your kindness in the future!"
"Ha, sounds good, I'll be waiting then." Bruno laughed, opening his arms and giving Caesar a hug, patting his back. "Go on, don't waste any more time!"
Caesar knew time was tight. Staying here would only put him in more danger. He didn't hesitate further and, after saying his goodbyes, slipped into the alley.
After watching Caesar leave, Bruno turned around, biting back the pain, and hurriedly began cleaning the house. His main task was to erase any trace of Caesar, including discarded bandages and other items.
At that moment, his heart suddenly gave a strange flutter, only this time it was stronger.
It felt like something inside him was stirring, and an ancient, solemn voice echoed in his mind, almost calling for something terrifying.
Bruno accidentally knocked something to the floor, stumbling toward the drawer. He pulled out a mirror and stared at his reflection.
His face was reflected in the mirror, but something was different. His veins were bulging, his expression twisted in a grimace.
What terrified Bruno even more was that his eyes had turned golden, like burning hot molten lava, exuding an indescribable, violent aura.
"What is this?!"
Bruno couldn't understand why he had changed like this.
But the cautious instincts he had developed since childhood seemed to be telling him that these golden eyes signified an ominous presence.
"No, I have to leave quickly!" Bruno was unsettled. His heart was racing. He felt like danger was closing in.
After clearing away everything related to Caesar, he grabbed some cash from under the bed, hurriedly opened the door, and left, heading in the opposite direction of where Caesar had gone.
Bruno grew up in this slum, and he had offended many powerful figures. Of course, he didn't have just one place to stay.
This was also why he was confident that, even if those people found out later, he could still escape their pursuit.
Who would go out of their way to find a petty thief?
With this thought in mind, Bruno pushed through the anxiety in his chest, leaning against the wall as he navigated the alleyways.
The roads in the slums crisscrossed like a maze. Even if outsiders wandered in, it would be hard for them to find the right exit, let alone track down a person.
He reached a house, glanced around to make sure no one was watching, then knocked on the door softly, saying, "Charles, it's me, Bruno."
But there was no sound from inside.
"Not home?" Bruno frowned, then knocked again. "Charles, I know you're in there, stop playing dead!"
Still, no answer came. After thinking for a moment, Bruno decided to enter and see for himself.
But when he pushed open the door, what he saw made his heart drop. Charles lay in a pool of blood, his wide eyes staring, filled with a deep sense of unwillingness.
"Charles?!"
Bruno's face turned pale, his pupils shrinking.
At that moment, he clearly saw three pairs of golden eyes suddenly glowing in the dark corner of the room. They were like searing hot lava, radiating an intimidating and overwhelming presence.
"Bruno Frego, born August 17, 1996, in the Spanish district of southern Naples. Your mother was a prostitute named Vol, and you've lived alone since you were seven. You're skilled in theft, have been a member of the Mafia, but after the leader's death, it disbanded. Now you survive by stealing and scamming. Am I right?"
From the darkness, the figures with golden eyes slowly stepped forward, holding several pieces of paper, their faces cold and sinister as they gazed at him.
"It's you?!"
Bruno's heart almost stopped, his pupils slowly dilating. The person before him was none other than the man who had kicked him on the street not long ago.
"Let me introduce myself. My name is Damon Gattuso."
The young man threw the paper he was holding onto the ground. The cold, murderous intent felt almost tangible as his eyes, dark and indifferent, stared at Bruno.
"Bruno Frigo, although you've deceived us, I'm willing to give you a chance. If you tell me Caesar's whereabouts, I'll forgive your deceit and even reward you handsomely."
"C-Caesar?" Bruno's expression stiffened instantly. His heart raced, and cold sweat trickled down his temples. "I don't know, sir, I don't know anyone named Caesar."
Bang!
The figure before him blurred in an instant.
Then, before Bruno could even comprehend what had happened, he was sent flying uncontrollably as if hit by a cannonball, slamming violently into the wall.
"Wah!"
A mouthful of blood spat out, and Bruno felt excruciating pain throughout his body. It felt like his organs were about to shatter.
Damon slowly walked over and placed a foot on Bruno's chest. His golden eyes cast a cold, cruel gaze down at him, and he spoke indifferently, "Think carefully and then answer my question."
"Cough, cough. S-Sir, I really don't know," Bruno gasped, feeling as if a mountain was pressing down on his chest. It was nearly impossible for him to breathe. He struggled to speak. "Please, spare me. I'm just a small-time thug. I really don't know anyone named Caesar."
Crack!
Damon stomped down, and the sound of breaking ribs echoed through the air.
"Ah!"
Blood leaked from the corner of Bruno's mouth, his face contorting in agony as his complexion turned purple from suffocation.
"Bruno Frigo, I'm not interested in playing these little tricks with you." Damon twisted his foot, applying more pressure. The cruelty in his golden eyes grew more intense. "You're wondering how we found you, right?"
Bruno couldn't speak. His mind was buzzing, and he was on the verge of suffocating.
"It's simple. Because you've come into contact with his blood!"
Damon bent down slowly, his cold, venomous eyes locking onto Bruno.
"See these eyes? This is the mark of a hybrid, someone with dragon blood in their veins. Once awakened, the 'golden eyes' will appear, and people like you, trash, can have them too."
********
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