"A blade forged in suffering can still choose what it cuts."
Nightfall.
The café was closed. The chairs were stacked. The neon lights outside buzzed faintly.
Aeris stood in the back room, staring at herself in the mirror.
No apron. No towel.Just a black coat, high boots, a utility belt, and her modified SKS with a bayonet blade—strapped across her back.
She tied her hair tighter. Pulled the collar up. Her reflection didn't smile.
This isn't me.This is who I became.
FLASHBACKOne week ago – Rooftop of Café Salvare
Hilda (lighting a cigarette):
"Hold your stance. You're leaning too far left again."
Aeris (gripping the pole):
"I'm used to being hit. Not dodging."
Hilda (clicks tongue):
"Then unlearn it. I'm not teaching you to tank. I'm teaching you to win."
She stepped in, corrected Aeris's posture, and jabbed forward with her cane.
Hilda:
"When you're up against someone who doesn't care if they die, don't fight like someone who already lost."
Aeris (low):
"…Understood."
Present – Warehouse District
The target was simple: a black-market broker carrying experimental tech stolen from an allied faction. He wasn't dangerous—but his guards were.
Aeris crouched on a rooftop, watching the warehouse through rain-specked goggles.
Her breath was steady.
"Observe first. Move fast. Kill only when necessary."
That's what Hilda taught her.
She leapt down silently, boots crunching gravel.
Two guards. One patrol. One sniper.
She moved like mist.The first went down without a sound—blunt strike to the neck.
Second turned, too slow—her blade caught him under the ribs. One twist.Gone.
The sniper never saw her. He was already dead when his eye caught movement.
She entered the building, shadows wrapping her steps.
FLASHBACKTraining room – basement
Hilda (throwing Aeris to the mat):
"Stop hesitating!"
Aeris (panting):
"He looked like someone I—"
Hilda (stern):
"Your enemy isn't your guilt. It's the one pointing a weapon at your throat."
She knelt beside her, gentler this time.
Hilda:
"You don't have to enjoy killing. But if you're going to walk this path… you have to survive it."
Present – warehouse interior
The broker backed up against crates, trembling.
"P-Please, I don't—whatever they paid you—I'll double it."
Aeris (voice calm):
"I'm not here for money."
She pulled out the briefcase and confirmed the item inside: a glowing blue capsule.
Satisfied, she turned to leave.
Broker:
"Wait… aren't you the one they said can't die?"
She stopped.
"You again," he muttered. "Like a damn ghost."
Aeris:
"No."
She looked back—expression cold.
"Ghosts don't bleed."
Back at Café Salvare, she handed the case to Hilda without a word. The older woman nodded once.
Hilda:
"You did good. Any problems?"
Aeris (removing her coat):
"No. Just rain."
Hilda raised an eyebrow but didn't press.
She slid a warm plate of food across the counter.
Hilda:
"Eat. You're still alive. Might as well taste something."
Aeris took the fork.
And for once—The silence between them wasn't empty.