The next morning Aiko sat at her desk in her apartment, staring at the dossier that Zero had given her. The Black Dragon. She had heard of him before - everyone in the bounty hunting world had. He was said to be a B1-class independant hunter, which put him a few notches above her own classification.
The Black Dragon was a name that sent shivers down the spines of those who knew it. He was a myth, a legend, a ghost that haunted the city of Elysium. Some people believed that he was a vengeful spirit, a supernatural force that had taken it upon himself to punish the corrupt and the powerful. Others thought that he was a skilled hacker, able to breach even the most secure networks and steal sensitive information with ease. But whatever he was, there was no denying that he was a force to be reckoned with. His targets were always high-level individuals - politicians, corporate executives, wealthy socialites - and he never left a trace behind. There were no witnesses, no fingerprints, no evidence of any kind. It was as if he simply appeared out of nowhere, struck his target, and vanished into thin air.
Rumors about The Black Dragon had been circulating in Elysium for years. Some people claimed to have seen him - a shadowy figure with glowing red eyes, dressed in all black. Others said he was a former member of the Shinsekai Corporation's bounty hunter division who had gone rogue after being wronged by the corporation.or a former government agent who had been driven to vigilantism after seeing the corruption and greed of those in power. But no one knew for sure.
Regardless of his origins, The Black Dragon had become a symbol of hope for many in the lower classes of the city. He was seen as a hero. for Aiko however, he was just another mission from her employer, and a challenging one at that. She knew that Zero had given her this assignment as a test. He wanted to see if she was truly ready to move up in the world of bounty hunting. And she knew that she couldn't do it alone.
She reached for her comms device and dialed a familiar number. It rang for a few moments before a voice answered.
"Hello?"
"Hey, it's me," Aiko said.
There was a pause on the other end of the line, and she could hear the faint sound of someone moving around in the background.
"Hey," the voice said. "Long time no see. What's up?"
"I need your help," Aiko said. "There's a job I'm working on, and I could use an extra set of eyes..." she stopped for a moment and added. "... or fists."
"Okay," the voice said. "What's the job?"
"It's about The Black Dragon," Baby Blue said.
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There was another pause on the other end of the line. "You're kidding, right?" the voice said. "No one's been able to catch him."
"I know," Baby Blue said. "But I've got a lead. And I need your help to follow it up."
There was a moment of silence, and Aiko held her breath, waiting for a response.
"Okay," the voice said finally. "When do you need me?"
"Tonight," Aiko said. "Meet me at the usual spot."
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The Lady Euphoria was known as one of the grittiest bars in the eastern district of Elysium. As Aiko walked through the doors, she was hit with the overwhelming smell of cheap alcohol and cigarettes. The dim lighting and heavy music made it hard to see or hear anything, but she made her way to the bar, where she ordered her usual - a glass of Dark Shade. She sat down on one of the stools and waited, her eyes scanning the room for any signs of her contact. The Lady Euphoria was known as a hub for bounty hunters, fixers, and all sorts of underworld characters, so it was the perfect place to meet someone discreetly.
After a few minutes, a figure entered the bar, and Aiko recognized him immediately.
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The man's face was weathered and lined with wrinkles, giving him the appearance of someone who had lived a hard life. His sharp, angular jawline was covered in a thick, unkempt beard that was flecked with grey hairs. His nose was slightly crooked, as if it had been broken and poorly set at some point in the past. He stood well over six feet tall, with broad shoulders and a powerful build. His muscles bulged beneath the fabric of his black jacket, which was made of a heavy, durable material that looked like it could withstand a lot of punishment. The jacket was adorned with various pockets and straps, with a badge that read "Schakal" . His lengthy mane, as white as snow, Was neatly fastened in tails on either bow., and his face was covered in a patchwork of cybernetic implants. His eyes glowed a bright red, which gave him an eerie, almost inhuman appearance.a telltale sign of someone who had undergone extensive cybernetic enhancements.
As he approached the bar, his heavy boots thudded against the floor, and the patrons sitting nearby glanced up nervously. He didn't seem to notice them, however - his attention was focused solely on Aiko. She stood up to greet him, and he towered over her, casting a long shadow across the dimly lit bar. She offered him a nod of greeting, and he responded with a curt grunt. He ordered a drink and sat down across from her, and she could feel the weight of his gaze as he studied her.
For several long moments, they sat in silence, sipping their drinks and watching each other. But eventually, the man spoke.
"So, kiddo" he said, his voice low and gravelly. "The Black Dragon, hein ?" he remarked, his German accent unmistakable in the way he pronounced the word "Dragon".
Aiko took a deep breath, steeling herself for the task ahead. She launched into the details of the mission, explaining what she knew about the elusive bounty hunter and outlining the plan she had devised to catch him.
The man listened intently, his eyes flickering with interest as she spoke. When she finished, he leaned back in his chair and let out a low whistle.
"That's a tall order," he said. "But I like your style. I'm in."
Aiko breathed a sigh of relief. She knew that she couldn't take on The Black Dragon alone, and she was grateful to have such a seasoned hunter like Hans at her side.