Nero's first mission was an assassination… he had expected nothing less.
He glanced at the clock on the wall. 12 noon. He must have spent more time than he realized.
"Where are our work clothes?" he asked, his voice calm, almost emotionless.
"They're at my house, near the Science District," Axel replied.
The Science District—the wealthiest area in the East Zone, nearly rivaling the West Zone in resources and influence. Among the poor, it was a haven of relative luxury.
"Do you live there?" Lux asked, eyes fixed on Axel.
"I used to. Now I live here," Axel replied, a mocking smile curling his lips.
Nero let a small, silent chuckle escape... Ha… ha. What a joke.
He shifted focus to his own body. It was time to test his aura. "I'll activate it."
A black-and-purple mist spiraled from him, responsive to his thoughts. He could move it, shape it, divide it—control it completely.
He jumped. In midair, he channeled his aura into his feet, feeling an illusory floor form beneath him.
He leaped again… miscalculating slightly and crashing into the ceiling.
Lux and Kōri laughed. Kōri's laugh was delicate, almost musical, while Lux's was bolder, more boisterous.
"That was… stupid," Axel said, trying to suppress his own laughter.
Damn. They'll never let me live this down.
Axel calmed, his eyes serious again. "Well, you know how to double jump, but next time, try it in an open space."
"Right. Tell us your powers or abilities. Nero first, then Lux, then Kōri."
"I can create small objects, perform a double jump, and I can see other people's weaknesses and anticipate their movements," Nero replied.
"I can make anyone lower their guard for two minutes, and I can see in the dark," Lux said, leaning back comfortably.
"My abilities allow me to create and mold ice, with a five-second cooldown. I can freeze water, and the ice resists heat," Kōri added, her tone calm but reserved.
Axel studied them thoughtfully. "Let's go get your clothes. We'll stop by a friend's house first."
Nero's mind wandered briefly. He wanted to test his creation ability…
Poker had always been a favorite game. He focused on a seven of clubs card: the color, shape, texture. He visualized it clearly and shaped it with his aura.
Ten seconds later, the card materialized in his hand.
"Deactivare," he whispered, drained from expending so much aura. He held the card in one hand, opening the other to inspect his aura.
A black-and-purple sphere, outlined in dark gray, hovered above his palm. Half of it seemed empty.
"What's that?" Kōri asked, startling him.
He turned, seeing her pointing at the card.
"A… letter," he said, feigning indifference.
"A… what?" Kōri's eyes widened, a rare expression of surprise on her face.
"Uh… it's an object I just created," he added quickly, trying to sound coherent.
She frowned, suspicious, then shrugged. Nero exhaled silently. Almost got caught… need to be more careful.
"Kōri, Nero, come out." Axel's voice echoed from outside the house. He and Lux were already waiting.
Nero had never been to the Science District, so he had no mental map of the area.
Lux stretched, cracked his knuckles, and grinned. "I feel so yellow."
"Lux… do you assign colors to emotions consciously, or does it happen naturally?" Nero asked.
"It's natural, though I don't know why. I have amnesia, after all," Lux replied casually.
Axel and Kōri had gone ahead slightly, guiding the group through the dangerous, cluttered streets of the East Zone.
An alley appeared ahead, and they spotted a man and a woman. The woman pressed against the wall, her clothes torn, tears streaming down her face. The man loomed over her, pants down, speaking aggressively.
He was raping her.
A surge of cold rage settled in Nero's bones—but Kōri moved first.
She extended her hand, molding a sharp piece of ice into the shape of a knife. With precise, controlled movements, she drove it into the man's neck. His body collapsed, blood spraying across the alley.
Kōri crouched, striking again to ensure he could not harm anyone else.
The girl slid down the wall, sitting on the ground, trembling, barely older than eighteen.
Lux and Axel observed—Axel with detached calculation, Lux with visible discomfort.
Kōri cleaned her weapon, her eyes still burning with anger and a flicker of sorrow. Nero placed a calming hand on her shoulder. She exhaled slowly, tension easing slightly.
After a minute, they continued walking, leaving the girl behind, curled in shock beside her attacker.
Each of them carried a different expression: Axel, impassive; Lux, unusually serious; Kōri, calm but with bloodstained hands.
Ten minutes later, a towering gray-brick wall loomed before them—six meters high.
The entrance to the Science District.
"Stop. You need a permit to enter," a guard said, blocking the iron gate.
Axel smiled. "Chitrine."
The guard paled, immediately opening the gate.
They entered. Suddenly, the district's wealth was apparent: stone paths, immaculate buildings, families laughing, and fountains sparkling in the sunlight.
"This way," Axel said, leading them to a shop labeled Forge.
Inside, a man of about fifty greeted them warmly—but his expression changed sharply when he saw Axel.
"You!" he barked.
"Hey, Nake. I'm here for my order," Axel replied mockingly.
"Don't give me that!" Nake's fists clenched, and he seemed ready to strike.
"You owe me 25 Longs!" Axel countered.
"Fine, fine. I'll pay… just give me the order."
Nero observed silently, wondering if Nake was a Sinner.
After a moment, Nake relented, producing thirteen boxes. He handed them to Axel, who kept one and divided the rest among the three.
"Changing rooms are that way," Nake instructed, pointing.
Nero entered one, stripped off his clothes, and opened the boxes. Four outfits lay neatly folded. He chose the ones he preferred and dressed.
Wait… the clothes weren't at Axel's house. He lied.
He left the dressing room, noting Kōri and Lux in their new outfits.
Nero's ensemble: black pants, black shirt, a hat with gold embellishments, and matching feather, plus gold ornaments accenting his attire.
Kōri wore a black dress with a knee-length skirt, semi-transparent gloves, and a tilted hat.
Lux was dressed as a butler of the era, black hat and jacket draped casually over his shoulders.
Footsteps echoed. Axel appeared in his new outfit: a brown shirt, blue jacket, pants, and hat, all reinforced with aura.
"These clothes are strengthened with aura. That's why they're durable and resistant. Thanks to Nake and his Rank 11 booster."