After one year.
Rain had just started when the deal began.
The alley was tight, hidden between two old buildings where the light barely reached. Water dripped from broken pipes above, and the ground was already turning dark with mud and oil.
Two men stood close to each other.
One was counting money quickly.
The other was holding a small packet in his hand, looking around nervously.
It was a simple exchange. Quick. Illegal. Usual.
They thought no one was watching.
But they were wrong.
At the end of the alley, Basim stood still.
The rain touched his face, but he didn't move to avoid it. His eyes were fixed on them. Calm. Silent. Like he had been there long before they arrived.
Behind him, two of his men stepped forward quietly. No noise. No rush. Just controlled movement.
The criminals noticed too late.
One of them turned his head—
But it was already over.
Basim raised his hand slightly.
That was enough.
His men moved in, fast and precise, grabbing both men before they could react properly. No chaos. No struggle that lasted long. The alley swallowed their resistance quickly.
The money fell into the water. The packet stayed in the rain for a moment.
Basim walked forward.
Slow steps.
Each step made the silence heavier.
He stopped in front of them and looked down.
No anger in his face.
No emotion at all.
Just decision.
He took out a knife.
Not threatening.
Just present.
He took the packet from the ground, looked at it for a second, and then tore it open. The contents spilled out into the rainwater and slowly started flowing into the drain.
The water carried it away like the city itself was refusing to keep it.
Basim looked at them.
His voice was calm.
"You think this is just business."
A pause.
"It's not."
The two men were shaking now. Not from pain. From understanding.
One of them tried to speak.
"Please… we were just—"
Basim didn't let him finish.
He stepped closer and, with a slow movement, cut a small part of their ear with his knife. First one. Then the other.
The blood fell to the wet ground and mixed with the rain, disappearing slowly into the drain like something unwanted being erased.
Basim spoke again, quieter this time.
"i love to collect things from people like you."
No shouting. No anger.
Just finality.
The words stayed in the air longer than the sound of rain.
His men pulled the criminals away into the darkness.
Later, in a small empty room, only one light was hanging from the ceiling. It flickered slightly, making the walls look uneven.
The two men were seated again. Wet. Silent now. No confidence left.
Basim stood in front of them.
"Why?" he asked.
The first man spoke quickly, trying to build a story.
"My mother is sick… I have no job… I need money… I had no choice."
His voice was shaking, but practiced. Like he had said it before.
Basim listened without interrupting.
Not a single reaction on his face.
When the man finished, Basim looked at him for a long moment.
Then he said softly:
"Check it."
One of his men left the room.
Silence followed.
Not empty silence.
Heavy silence.
A few hours passed.
The man returned.
He didn't need to speak.
The truth was clear.
Everything was a lie.
Basim nodded once.
Not surprised.
Not angry.
Just confirming what he already understood.
He stepped closer.
The man lowered his head immediately, like that could hide him from reality.
Basim spoke slowly.
"You didn't do this because you had no choice."
A pause.
"You did it because you didn't want to choose right."
The room felt colder.
Basim turned slightly and gave a simple signal.
After some moments.
The criminals were naked in the room.
Their privet parts were missing.
Blood was still freesh on floor.
Criminals were shouting with pain.
After some time.
No shouting.
No struggle shown.
Just removal from the system they were harming.
After it was done, Basim walked into another room.
Salazar was already there.
Waiting.
As always.
He looked at Basim for a moment and spoke quietly.
"You are becoming very consistent."
Basim didn't sit. He stood near the window. Outside, rain was still falling heavily.
"I'm just seeing things clearly," Basim said.
Salazar nodded slowly.
"Clear vision removes confusion," he replied.
Basim continued.
"And confusion is what allows people like them to survive."
Salazar didn't argue.
He simply said:
"So you remove survival from them."
Basim stayed silent for a moment.
Then he said:
"I remove the problem."
Salazar studied him carefully.
"And tomorrow?"
Basim looked outside at the rain.
"There will be more problems."
A pause.
Then he added:
"And more corrections."
Salazar nodded once.
"Then we continue."
Basim turned away from the window.
Before leaving, he stopped for a second.
His voice was low.
"Be ready."
Then he walked out.
Salazar remained alone, watching the rain hit the glass.
And for the first time, even he didn't smile.
Because what was forming now was no longer just an idea in a man's mind.
It was becoming a system that did not ask permission to exist.