Chapter 372: Utter Degradation

West stared at the phone. “Why?”

“Because he got on my nerves.”

A long silence followed before West slowly closed his eyes. “I’m sorry…”

The man who seemed to be in his late thirties turned around and began fleeing.

However, before he could get far, West pulled out his Guardian Sword from the Inventory and swung.

“KIAAARRRHHHHH!” A loud cry rang out as both of the man’s legs were cleanly sliced off.

When he returned to Shadow Reapers that evening, Jax could tell something was wrong. “You okay?”

West dropped into his chair. “No.”

Jax said nothing while West stared at the ceiling. “This is getting ridiculous.”

Jax clenched his fists.

“We’ll find another way.”

“We need Aria and Liz first.”

“I know.”

West closed his eyes. “That’s the only reason I’m still doing this.”

—

Angel Trigger was sitting in an expensive private lounge when his phone rang.

“What?” He voiced after answering.

As a doctor spoke from the other end, Angel Trigger’s expression changed almost immediately.

“Sixth surgery?”

He stood. “What do you mean half successful?”

The doctor continued explaining that the surgery had succeeded in stabilizing his brother but the injuries were still very severe and that recovery would be long.

There was a strong possibility that Mathew would never completely return to the condition he had been in before the incident.

Angel Trigger’s fingers tightened around the phone. “But he’ll live?”

“Yes.”

“He’ll recover?”

“To an extent.”

Angel Trigger closed his eyes. “Understood.”

He ended the call and for several seconds, he stood completely still.

West walked inside, just returning from another one of Angel Trigger’s errands.

He looked mentally exhausted. “Done.”

As Angel Trigger slowly turned, West noticed the expression on his face. “What happened?”

Angel Trigger walked toward him without answering.

West’s eyes narrowed and before he could process what was going on…

BAM!

Angel’s Trigger fist smashed into West’s face.

West staggered but another punch followed before he could balance his footing.

BAM!

BAM!

West could have stopped him, evaded, blocked or counterattacked but he didn’t.

Angel Trigger continued punching him again and again and again till blood began running from West’s nose.

Eventually, Angel Trigger grabbed him by the shirt and slammed him against the wall. “You did this.”

West remained silent.

“My brother is lying in a hospital bed because of you.”

He landed another punch on West’s face, causing him to tilt sideways.

Angel Trigger let out anguished heavy breaths. “You destroyed his life.”

West wiped blood from his mouth. “I already told you why I did it.”

Angel Trigger stared at him and punched him again. “I don’t care!”

Eventually, Angel Trigger stepped back while West remained standing with his back against the wall with blood dripping onto the floor.

Angel Trigger took a deep breath. “We’re going on a road trip.”

West frowned. “What?”

“Get ready.”

“Where?”

“To see my brother.”

—

The journey took them several cities away.

Angel Trigger traveled with several subordinates, while West was transported separately.

The destination was one of the most prestigious private medical facilities in the world.

The kind of place where ordinary people couldn’t even get through the front gate.

The building looked more like a luxury resort than a hospital with private security surrounding the facility, state of the art medical equipment and enormous rooms.

Everything was designed for patients whose lives were considered extremely valuable.

Angel Trigger walked through the corridors without speaking while West followed.

Eventually, they reached the room and the door opened up.

Mathew lay on the enormous medical bed with his body still covered in bandages and his limbs supported carefully while machines monitored his vital signs.

His condition had improved compared to before but he was still far from healthy.

A nurse was currently changing his hospital clothing as Angel Trigger walked inside.

“Stop.”

The nurse immediately froze while Angel Trigger pointed toward West.

“You do it.”

West looked at him. “Huh?”

“Yes,” Angel Trigger smiled.

“You’re so concerned about my brother, aren’t you?”

West stared at him. “This is ridiculous.”

Angel Trigger’s expression hardened. “Do it.”

West looked at Mathew and then back at Angel Trigger before sighing. “Fine.”

As the nurse stepped aside, West carefully began to change Mathew’s hospital clothing from his soaked undies to the outer clothing.

Angel Trigger’s subordinates stood nearby, recording.

One of them snickered. “Look at the mighty West Einstein.”

Another laughed. “The great Shadow Reapers leader.”

“Reduced to this.”

West ignored them, focusing entirely on the task while Mathew remained unconscious throughout the process.

West carefully adjusted his clothing and made sure none of the medical equipment was disturbed.

When he finished, he stepped back. “Done.”

Angel Trigger looked at the recording and laughed. “You really are something.”

West remained silent as Angel Trigger walked closer. “You know what I find most fascinating?”

“You could have fought me.”

West’s expression remained cold.

“You could have killed some of my men.”

“You could have escaped.”

Angel Trigger smiled. “But you keep obeying.”

West’s eyes narrowed. “Because you have them.”

“Exactly,” Angel Trigger patted him on the shoulder.

“That’s why this is so much fun.”

West brushed his hand away while Angel Trigger laughed.

“You hate this.”

“You absolutely hate me.”

“And yet you’ll keep doing whatever I ask.”

West stared directly into his eyes. ‘For now.’

Angel Trigger’s smile faded slightly when he noticed the unbroken look in West’s eyes.

“Still got some fire in there, don’t you? By the time I’m done with you…” he drew closer to West and whispered directly in his ear. “Only be a shell of your former self will remain.”

…

…

For the next couple of days, West continued to do Angel Trigger’s bidding but by now, the humiliation had stopped feeling surprising.

Despite the ridiculous demands, he just couldn’t refuse and Angel Trigger was enjoying every moment of it.

The luxury suite they had been staying in was silent when West stepped through the door that evening.

He looked terrible with dried blood smeared across his knuckles and stained clothing.

However, he wore a very calm expression.

Angel Trigger was sitting comfortably near the massive window overlooking the city below. A glass rested in his hand while two of his subordinates stood nearby.

“You’re late,” he voiced without turning around.