[JapanUrbanLegend] Crab drum can

 In a dimly lit alley in Tokyo, the face on the flyer emerged faintly under the light. A man with his head hung low trembled as a group of yakuza slowly surrounded him.

“You’ve no idea how much trouble you’ve caused us,”

the tallest man drawled, holding the flyer in his hand.

The man tried to explain himself, but no sound came out. His hands and feet were bound as he was thrown into a heavy metal barrel. The clanging of steel echoed through the alley.

One of the yakuza approached the barrel with a hose in hand. Something squirmed at the end of the hose.

“Please! You don’t have to do this!”

The man’s desperate plea came from inside the barrel, but his cries were drowned by the yakuza’s laughter.

“Let’s see what happens to him.”

The hose was turned on, and small creatures poured out. Shimmering claws and sharp legs crawled into the barrel. The man screamed and thrashed around.

“Let’s see how he fares.”

The yakuza circled the barrel, watching with morbid curiosity. Yet, as time passed, the scene didn’t unfold as they had expected. The crabs crawled over the man’s skin but didn’t attack.

“What’s this? That’s all they’re going to do?”

One of the yakuza muttered in frustration. Another snickered in disbelief.

“They’re tough in the ocean, but what did you expect here?”

Inside the barrel, the man gasped for air. Overcome with terror, he writhed, but the crabs merely skittered about, exploring their surroundings.

“Forget it, let’s just end this.”

The leader spoke. The barrel’s lid was opened again, and the man was dragged out. His face was pale, and his entire body was soaked with sweat and tears.

“If you’d just brought the money, none of this would’ve happened,”

one of the yakuza said, tossing him to the ground as a final warning.

From that day, the man left Tokyo. Though he survived, the time he spent in the barrel haunted him forever. The bizarre terror he experienced left no visible wounds but scarred him deeply.