Hiroto paced restlessly around Sumoto’s office, his frustration growing with each moment. It had been days since they had hacked into the detention center’s systems, and the lack of progress was eating away at him. Every second that ticked by was another moment Aiko remained trapped in that hellhole.

“Anything new?” Hiroto asked for what felt like the hundredth time.

Sumoto, hunched over his array of monitors, didn’t even look up. “Nothing yet. I’m still combing through the latest camera footage.”

Hiroto grunted, resuming his pacing. He knew his impatience wasn’t helping, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that time was running out. Something was wrong at that detention center, and he feared for Aiko’s safety with every fiber of his being.

Suddenly, Sumoto’s sharp intake of breath caught Hiroto’s attention. He rushed to his friend’s side, peering at the screen. “What is it? What did you find?”

Sumoto’s face had gone pale, his eyes wide with disbelief. “I... I don’t understand. This can’t be real.”

On the screen, chaos unfolded in one of the detention center’s common areas. Inmates scattered in panic as one of them—a blond-haired girl Hiroto recognized as Ginger—seemed to burst into flames. But it wasn’t just Ginger who was on fire; the flames spread from her to other inmates, engulfing them in seconds.

“What the hell?” Hiroto breathed, unable to believe what he was seeing.

Sumoto’s fingers flew across the keyboard, rewinding and replaying the footage. “It’s not special effects or camera tricks. This is... this is real.”

A chill ran down Hiroto’s spine. “How is this possible?”

Instead of answering, Sumoto opened another window and accessed a database Hiroto didn’t recognize. “I need to check something,” he muttered, running a facial recognition scan on Ginger’s image.

Moments later, results popped up on the screen. Sumoto’s frown deepened. “This is the Shadow Dealers’ database. Ginger’s in here, along with dozens of other inmates from the detention center. They’ve all been... disappeared.”

“Disappeared?” Hiroto echoed, a sinking feeling in his gut.

Sumoto nodded grimly. “Erased from official records, families told they’re dead or missing. But they’re all there, in that detention center.”

As Sumoto continued digging, he stumbled upon a heavily encrypted file labeled “Operator 47.” After several tense minutes of hacking, the file opened, revealing a trove of classified information.

“Oh my god,” Sumoto whispered as he scanned the contents. “Hiroto, you need to see this.”

Hiroto leaned in, his eyes widening as he read. The file detailed a secret program run by someone named Malcolm. He was training the girls to be assassins, using advanced psychological manipulation techniques to control them. But that wasn’t the most shocking part.

“They’re developing powers,” Hiroto said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Unexplained abilities. Like Ginger’s... fire.”

Sumoto nodded, his face ashen. “And the guards... they’re encouraging fights between the girls. The nurse is pumping them full of experimental drugs when they end up in the infirmary.”

Hiroto’s fists clenched at his sides, rage boiling inside him. “We have to stop this. We have to get Aiko out of there now.”

Before Sumoto could respond, a soft whirring sound filled the room. Both men turned to see a section of the wall sliding aside, revealing a hidden entrance. Sumoto’s sister stepped through, her eyes red-rimmed and filled with tears.

“Sister?” Sumoto said, rising from his chair. “What’s wrong—”

His words caught in his throat as a man in an impeccably white suit entered the room, his piercing gaze sending chills down his spine. His presence seemed to suck the air out of the space, an aura of cold authority radiating from him.

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“Good evening, gentlemen,” the man said, his voice smooth and cultured. “Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Malcolm.”

Hiroto’s hand instinctively moved toward the hidden weapon at his waist. Still, before he could reach it, another figure entered the room. This man was tall and lean, with the coiled readiness of a predator. He crossed the room in a blur and disarmed Hiroto, twisting his arm behind his back.

“And this,” Malcolm continued, gesturing to the man restraining Hiroto, “is Operator 47. I believe you’ve been reading about our work.”

Sumoto stood frozen, his gaze darting between Malcolm, Operator 47, and his sister. “How... how did you find us?”

Malcolm’s lips curved into a bitter smile. “Your sister has been quite helpful in keeping us informed of your activities. Though I must say, her loyalty to family proved... inconvenient.”

Sumoto’s sister let out a choked sob. “I’m so sorry, brother. They threatened to kill you if I didn’t cooperate.”

“Now, now,” Malcolm said, touching her shoulder. “No need for dramatics. We’re all friends here, aren’t we?”

Hiroto struggled against Operator 47’s grip, his mind racing. How had it all gone so wrong so quickly? “What do you want?” he growled.

Malcolm’s eyes gleamed with interest. “What I want, Hiroto, is for you to join us. “Hiroto, join us,” said Malcolm, his eyes gleaming with interest. Malcolm’s eyes gleamed with interest as he told Hiroto, “Your skills and dedication would be put too much better use than this futile rescue attempt. Join us, Hiroto.”

“Never,” Hiroto spat.

Malcolm sighed as if disappointed. “I thought you might say that. But you see, you don’t really have a choice. Your friend Aiko has been making remarkable progress in our program. It would be a shame if something were to... happen to her.”

Hiroto felt his blood run cold. “If you hurt her—”

“Hurt her?” Malcolm laughed. “My dear boy, I’m giving her power beyond her wildest dreams. Are you willing to stand by her side as she evolves, or will you force me to eliminate a potential threat to her progress?”

Sumoto, who had been silent until now, spoke up. “What exactly are you doing to those girls? The powers we saw...”

Malcolm’s eyes lit up with enthusiasm. “Ah, you’ve seen our results! Impressive, aren’t they? We’re unlocking the hidden potential of the human mind and body. These girls are the future of warfare, espionage, and power itself.”

“They’re people,” Hiroto snarled. “Not your lab rats or weapons.”

Malcolm waved a dismissive hand. “They’re so much more than people now. They’re becoming gods among men. And Aiko... oh, Aiko has shown such promise.”

Hiroto’s heart clenched at the mention of Aiko’s name. What had they done to her? “I want to see her,” he demanded.

“All in good time,” Malcolm replied. “First, we need to come to an understanding. You and your friend here have quite the skill set. It would be wasteful to eliminate you like common nosy vermin.

Sumoto stepped forward, placing himself between Malcolm and his sister. “And if we refuse to cooperate?”

Malcolm’s smile never wavered, but a dangerous glint appeared in his eyes. “Then I’m afraid things will become quite unpleasant for everyone involved. Starting with your sister and ending with your friend, Aiko.”

The room fell silent as Malcolm’s threat settled over them. Hiroto’s mind raced, searching for a way out, a plan, anything. But their options seemed painfully limited, with Operator 47 restraining him and Malcolm holding all the cards.

“What exactly do you want us to do?” Sumoto asked, his voice tight with suppressed anger.

Malcolm clasped his hands together, looking pleased. “I’m so glad you asked. You see, our little program has grown beyond the confines of that quaint detention center. We need individuals with your particular set of skills to help us... expand our operations.”

Hiroto’s stomach churned at the implications. “You want us to help you kidnap more girls?”

“Not just girls,” Malcolm corrected. “We’re broadening our horizons. Men, women, children... anyone with the potential for greatness. And you two will help us identify and gain these special individuals.”

“You’re insane,” Hiroto spat.

Malcolm’s eyes hardened. “Insanity is a matter of perspective, my young friend. From where I stand, I’m ushering in a new era of human evolution. The question remains: will you join us willingly, or will we need to employ more... persuasive methods?”

Hiroto glanced at Sumoto, seeing his own desperation and anger reflected in his friend’s eyes. A madman trapped and cornered them with seemingly unlimited resources and no moral boundaries.

“If we agree,” Sumoto said slowly, “you’ll let us see Aiko?”

Malcolm’s smile widened. “Of course. In fact, I insist upon it. She’s become quite the star pupil, you know. Her progress will surely impress you.

Hiroto felt sick of thinking about what “progress” might mean in Malcolm’s twisted world. But if agreeing gave them a chance to see Aiko, to potentially save her and the others...

“Fine,” Hiroto said through gritted teeth. “We’ll do what you want. But I want to see Aiko first.”

Malcolm clapped his hands together. “Excellent! I knew you’d see reason. Operator 47, you can release our new colleague now.”

As the iron grip on Hiroto’s arm loosened, he fought the urge to lash out. Now wasn’t the time for rash actions. They needed to play along, gather information, and find a weakness in Malcolm’s operation.

“Well then,” Malcolm said, gesturing toward the hidden entrance. “Shall we? I believe it’s time for a family reunion.”