Blood of the Innocent

File 16: Duty

"My name is Samuel," said the man who came out of the bathroom, "You should be quite familiar with me as I am the newest Capo of the Draiocht Gang."

"Woah!" yelled Inferno, "You're the new Capo? You're really old!"

Minny hit the back of Inferno's head, "Be respectful."

"Ohoho!" laughed Samuel, "It's quite alright. Despite being the newest Capo, I know quite a lot of things going around in Proiettilo. As a well renowned member of Draiocht, I've been chosen to become a Capo after Butcher had murdered the previous one."

"You said something about Capo?" asked Minny.

"Yes, yes," replied Samuel, "It seems that the Boss has personally picked you to become a Capo. This is possibly from the experience you've had ever since you were a child or your past achievements such as the elimination of the Magia Wizard project."

"So, I'm just Capo? Just like that?"

"You'll need an initiation of course, as well as a little fee."

"A fee?"

"That fee being your undeniable loyalty to the Boss. You must make sure that you will always serve the Boss no matter the consequences. That you serve the Boss even at the risk of your own life. That is the duty of a Capo of Proiettilo.

If you accept this responsibility, I would like you to put your hand out freely to me."

Minny stared at Samuel, thinking about her decision. In the background, the rest of the gang awaited. She finally put out her hand, wide enough for Samuel to see it.

"Per il Capo," announced Samuel.

Instantly, the top part of Minny's right index finger was sliced off by a flash of light. Minny yelled in pain as blood rushed out of the finger. Suddenly, metal parts began emerging from the wound, creating red and blue wires that shoot out of the bloody hole. As Minny regained her composure, she looked back at the injury she sustained. The top part of her finger was made out of metal.

"W-What is this?" asked Minny, confused and astonished that her finger had been repaired.

"I possess Cybernetic Magia," explained Samuel, "I can easily create any machine from thin air, giving me access to tons of firepower. My Magia isn't only limited to weapons as you can see, but as cybernetic attachments to limbs. Think of a prosthetic arm or leg. I can easily develop those quickly. Right now, I chopped off your finger very quick and replaced it with a cybernetic finger. This finger lets every member know that you are a Capo of Proiettilo."

"I'll have to be very responsible and careful then. People target Capos a lot, and this finger could give a dead giveaway."

"It may increase risk of you being targeted, but there are more benefits to that cybernetic finger. For starters, it cannot be replaced. No amount of Illusion Magia or any Magia in general can create a finger like that such as I. This would completely confirm your identity."

"Any other benefits?"

"The finger allows you to talk to the Messenger."

"The Messenger?" asked Lettuce, "Isn't he the guy who can speak directly to the Boss?"

"Indeed," replied Samuel, "The Messenger is the only person the Boss trusts to relay him information of what is currently happening within Proiettilo. However, only Capos such as Minny and I are able to speak to the Messenger."

Minny stared at her finger. She was greatly confused.

"I know that you can communicate to the Messenger with this cybernetic finger," said Minny, "But how am I able to talk with him using this?"

"Just apply small pressure to the cybernetic finger," explained Samuel, "Very gently. Not too forceful or not too fast. Don't press too hard either. It's all based on the pressure level."

Minny began pressing her index finger with her thumb, awaiting for any message of some kind. Suddenly, a loud beep began to ring out of the finger. The Bangtan Gang gasped at the sight of what was happening.

"Greetings Minny," said the voice from the other side, "You must be testing out the feature of Samuel's cybernetic finger. My name is the Messenger."

"Is this some sort of voice recording?" asked Minny, who was skeptical.

"It isn't a voice recording of any sorts," replied the Messenger, "I'm a completely normal human being who is taking on this communicative device. I'm just going to have to ask you to trust me on this."

"Alright.."

"Anyways, I've got some very important matters to attend to. Remember to only use this during emergencies. Not only that, but I will also be using this device to communicate to you of any orders that the Boss may have for you. Goodbye for now."

The finger beeped once more, signifying the end of the call. Minny stared at Samuel who was smiling at his creation.

"Thank you," she said.

"I should be thanking you, Capo," replied Samuel, as he turned to leave, "You've done a multitude of achievements within this organization. You even dealt with your attackers in a decent manner. I'll wish you all luck now."

As soon as Samuel disappeared from their eyes, Minny turned to the gang and flashed her cybernetic finger. The gang began to celebrate in joy.

"Can I see the finger?" asked Wraith excitedly.

"Are you technically a cyborg?" smiled Exodus.

"Finger.. food?" asked Dante.

"Yeah, what other things can the finger do?" asked Inferno.

"One at a time," smiled Minny, "Remember. I need to be responsible with this duty. Now that I'm a Capo, we've got some big shoes to fill in."

THWAK!

Lettuce's eyes opened wide, "An attack on the Capo already!?"

Minny fell to the ground. There was a small pin in her neck. Lettuce quickly took the pin out with his Telekinetic Magia, bringing it to his hand while the other gang members surrounded Minny's body. Persona began touching Minny's neck, healing her.

"That pin was poisonous," explained Persona, "If I hadn't healed her, she would've died. However, right now she's in a coma-like state. We need an antidote."

"Who shot her?" asked Wraith.

Lettuce, who inspected the pin, announced, "This pin comes from Sicario Gang #7 of Western Italy, specifically Rome. These bastards.."

Persona stared at Minny, who was unconscious. They needed to find and defeat this gang without her help and guidance.