The girl walked into a small, dimly lit room, the door closing softly behind her. The air was thick with the scent of cigarette smoke, and the only sound was the low hum of electronics. From the left side of the room, a voice spoke out of the shadows.

"How was the job?" it asked. the girl recognized the voice immediately - it belonged to her employer, a mysterious figure known only as Zero. She had worked for this individual for years, taking on the bounties he provided in exchange for payment and protection.

"It was fine," She replied, keeping her tone neutral. "Target eliminated, payment received."

Zero chuckled softly. "As efficient as always," he said. "And the target - was he any trouble?"

She hesitated for a moment, her mind flashing back to the man she had killed. "No trouble," she said finally. "Just another bounty."

Zero nodded. "Good," he said. "And what about the other matter we discussed?"

The girl tensed slightly. She knew what he was referring to - a side job he had offered her, one that was riskier than her usual work. She had agreed to take it on, but she was still nervous about the potential consequences.

"I'm working on it," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "It's taking longer than I anticipated, but I'll get it done."

Zero didn't reply, but Baby Blue could feel his gaze on her, piercing through the darkness. She knew that he was a dangerous man, one who didn't take kindly to failure.

She turned to leave, eager to get out of the claustrophobic room. But before she could take a step, the man spoke again.

"Be careful, Aiko," he said softly. "You know the risks of this job better than anyone. And remember - in Elysium, no one can be trusted."

Zero was a man shrouded in mystery. Few knew his true identity, and even fewer knew where his loyalties truly lay. But one thing was certain - he was a man who got things done, no matter the cost.

Rumors had circulated for years about Zero's connection to the Shinsekai Corporation, a powerful Japanese conglomerate that had expanded its reach into almost every aspect of daily life in Elysium. Some whispered that he was a high-ranking member of the corporation's shadowy inner circle, pulling the strings from behind the scenes. Others claimed that he was a rogue operative, working for himself and using the Shinsekai name as a cover. Whatever the truth, one thing was certain - Zero was powerful. His vast network of contacts and resources made him a valuable asset to those who knew how to find him. And for those who crossed him, the consequences could be deadly. Despite his reputation, Zero remained an enigma to most. He rarely appeared in public, preferring to conduct his business through intermediaries and anonymous channels. But those who had worked with him knew that he was a man of his word, and that his connections and resources were second to none. And for Aiko, Zero was more than just a source of income - he was a lifeline in a city where danger lurked around every corner.

As for Zero's true loyalties - that was a question that few dared to ask. In Elysium, where power was the only currency that mattered, it was best not to question the motives of those who held the keys to the kingdom. And for Aiko, it was enough to know that Zero was a man she could trust - at least, as much as anyone could be trusted in a city like this.

Aiko made her way through the neon-lit streets of the city, her senses on high alert as she moved through the throngs of people that crowded the sidewalks. She knew that danger could strike at any moment in this area, and she was always prepared for the worst. As she arrived at her building in Area 07, she let out a sigh of relief. The building was one of the few in the area that was still standing, a testament to its sturdy construction and the resilience of its residents. She made her way up the stairs to her apartment, her footsteps echoing in the silent hallway.

Once inside, she kicked off her boots and made her way to the bathroom. She turned on the shower, letting the hot water wash away the grime and sweat of the day's work. As the steam rose around her, she closed her eyes and let out a deep breath, trying to calm her racing thoughts. But even as she tried to relax, her mind kept turning over the events of the day. The fight, the kill, the bounty - it was all part of the job, but it still weighed heavily on her conscience. She knew that she was doing what she had to in order to survive in this city, but sometimes the cost seemed too high.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

As she stepped out of the shower and wrapped herself in a towel, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. The pale skin, the short black hair, the piercing blue eyes - it was all so familiar, and yet she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to her past than she knew. She pushed the thought aside, knowing that dwelling on the past wouldn't do her any good. Instead, she focused on the present - the job she had to do, the dangers she had to navigate, and the people she had to trust, however reluctantly.

Aiko froze for a moment as a knock echoed through her apartment. She knew that it was never a good sign when someone came knocking at her door unannounced, especially not at this time of night. With a sense of trepidation, she made her way to the door and cautiously peered through the peephole. On the other side, she saw a familiar face - her ex-boyfriend, Alecs.

Alecs was the last person she had expected to see tonight. They had parted ways months ago, after a bitter argument that had left both of them hurt and angry. She had thought that she had moved on from him, but now that he was standing on her doorstep, all those old feelings came rushing back. For a moment, Aiko hesitated. She knew that Alecs was trouble - he had a history of getting into trouble with the law, and he was always looking for a quick way to make a buck. But at the same time, she couldn't help feeling a twinge of nostalgia for the time they had spent together. Finally, she made up her mind and opened the door. Alecs stood on the other side, his face twisted in a mixture of anger and regret.

"Can we talk?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Aiko hesitated for a moment, then nodded. She led him into her living room, where they sat down on opposite ends of the couch.

For a moment, they sat in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Finally, Alecs spoke up.

"I know I messed up, Blue," he said. "I shouldn't have said those things, I shouldn't have walked out on you like that. But I can't stop thinking about you, about what we had."

Aiko felt her resolve wavering. She had always been a sucker for a good apology, and despite everything, she still had feelings for him. But then she remembered why they had broken up in the first place. She remembered the fights, the lies, the way he had used her for his own gain. She knew that she couldn't let herself be sucked back into that toxic cycle.

"I'm sorry, Alecs," she said, her voice firm. "But we can't go back to the way things were. It's too late for that."

Alecs nodded, a look of resignation on his face. "I understand," he said. "I just wanted to say...I'm sorry."

With that, he stood up and made his way to the door. Aiko watched him go, feeling a sense of relief mixed with regret. She knew that she had made the right decision, but it still hurt to see him go.

Alecs was what the government referred to as an outlaw - a person who operated outside the bounds of the law. Unlike Aiko, he wasn't registered as a bounty hunter, and he didn't answer to any authority. Instead, he worked independently, often in collaboration with a group called The Widow Makers.

The Widow Makers were a notorious gang of outlaws who specialized in all manner of illegal activities, from smuggling to assassination. They were ruthless and highly skilled, and they had a reputation for getting the job done at any cost. Alecs had fallen in with the Widow Makers several years ago, after he had been discharged from the military for insubordination. He had always been something of a rebel, and the military had never been a good fit for him. But he had discovered that his skills as a soldier translated well to the world of mercenary work, and he had quickly made a name for himself among the outlaw community. His eye implant had earned him the nickname "One Eye" - a reference to the fact that he had replaced one of his eyes with a cybernetic implant that gave him enhanced vision and targeting abilities. It was a common practice among outlaws, who were always looking for ways to enhance their abilities and gain an edge over their opponents.

Despite his reputation as a hardened outlaw, Alecs still harbored feelings for Aiko. He knew that their relationship had been toxic, but he couldn't help feeling drawn to her. He had always admired her strength and independence, and he had been attracted to her fiery spirit. But he also knew that he could never be what she wanted him to be. He was too entrenched in the world of outlaws and mercenaries, too used to operating outside the bounds of the law. He knew that he could never be the kind of man she deserved, and that realization hurt him deeply.

As he made his way back to his own apartment, Alecs knew that he would never be able to forget Aiko. She had left an indelible mark on his heart, and he knew that he would always carry a torch for her, no matter how far he drifted from her world. For now, though, he had work to do. The Widow Makers were planning a heist on one of the major corporations in Elysium, and Alecs had been tasked with leading the charge. It was a dangerous mission, and he knew that he might not come out of it alive. But he also knew that it was the only life he had ever known, and he couldn't imagine doing anything else.