image [https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GRa1uo8aYAAOWUe?format=jpg&name=900x900]Strange things often happen in this city. As I approach the window of my studio, I stretch, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. I gaze at the thick, oppressive fog starting to lift. It's not just an ordinary morning mist but rather a mysterious, almost living veil that engulfs the contours of Sokatsu City. Through the haze, the building lights flicker like will-o'-the-wisps in a dark forest, making every street corner potentially dangerous. The fog, to me, has always felt like a silent guardian, both concealing and revealing the city’s secrets to those who know where to look.

This morning, it feels like the city itself is trying to hide something from me, a truth buried beneath its layers of steel and glass. With some free time on my hands, I dive into my investigations, searching for the truth behind the numerous rumors and urban legends circulating online. The artificial light of the screen contrasts sharply with the thick darkness outside, reminding me how deceptive appearances can be in this city. Unfortunately, classes have taken a back seat.

This morning, as usual, I’m late for class. I rush to get ready, quickly throwing on a jacket before dashing out. I decide to take my favorite shortcut, a path that saves me some time. The streets are still quiet, barely animated by the distant sound of a levitating tram. But today, my path is blocked. AGL banners float in the air, marking a troubling scene. The AGL, or Armament and Genetic Labs, is more than just an organization maintaining order. Their influence is omnipresent, extending its tentacles into every aspect of life in Sokatsu City.

Their presence here, on this usually peaceful street, seems almost surreal. Debris from drones and the lifeless body of a human agent litter the ground. The air is heavy, filled with palpable tension, as if the city itself is holding its breath. The presence of police, journalists, and onlookers highlights the gravity of the incident. A strange sensation mixed with insatiable curiosity washes over me. Heart pounding, I pull out my phone, my eyes scanning the scene. It’s there, while zooming in on a suspicious scratch, that I realize this wasn’t just a technical malfunction. Knowing full well I’m already late, I don’t hesitate to take a few pictures.

But my efforts are interrupted by a police officer who brusquely addresses me, pushing me aside without much care.

AGL Officer — "Move along! Nothing to see here. Come on, miss, let us do our job."

I know this means yet another sleepless night scouring the web, but I’m determined to uncover the whole truth. The sensation of the phone in my hand reminds me that I already have evidence to analyze. Despite my mind being preoccupied with what I’ve just seen, I hurry to the institute. The weight of what I witnessed lingers, a shadow in my thoughts.

When I arrive, I clumsily push through the institute’s gate, spotting Rin, lost in his thoughts.

Kin — "Rin! Are you coming? Helloooo!"

He jumps, which makes me smile despite the gravity of my concerns. Grabbing his arm, I drag him through the crowd, all eyes on us. As we walk in, I feel the heavy stares of the other students settle on us, but mostly on Rin. He rarely attends classes, except for exams, which earns him critical looks from his classmates. They know he doesn’t attend lectures, yet his grades are always excellent, sparking both jealousy and disdain. The atmosphere in the class is tense, almost electric, as if something unexpected is about to happen.

Today, his presence seems to signal that the professor might have forgotten to announce a test, which would explain the tension. The murmurs intensify, turning into a nervous buzz.

I can feel the hostile gazes directed at Rin, and I need to act fast, knowing he might turn back at any moment.

Professor — "Ah, I don’t recall scheduling a test this morning, let’s see…"

The silence suddenly becomes heavy, and the murmurs begin to fly. I sense the tension rising. Why is Rin here if there’s no exam scheduled? This question seems to haunt the minds of all the students present.

Kin — "No, it's just that…"

Rin — "If it bothers anyone, I can leave."

Kin — "RIN IS HERE BECAUSE I ASKED HIM TO!"

This declaration silences the murmurs. The looks turn to me, incredulous, and I feel heat rising to my cheeks. The students wonder why I would ask Rin to come, and I can feel their hostility growing stronger.

Professor — "Ah… Okay, well, take your seat, class is about to begin."

Rin — "You didn’t need to shout like that. The way you said it, people might misinterpret."

Kin — "I don’t care, they had no right to look at you like that. If anyone tries to mess with you, I’ll make them regret it."

I mime punches in the air to illustrate my point, dramatically exaggerating the initial sentiment. Rin’s only response is his usual sigh. The class begins, and I do my best to focus on the professor’s explanations. But my mind keeps wandering, replaying the scene from this morning. The hours pass by, marked by furtive exchanges with Rin, until the end of the day finally arrives. I feel both relieved and eager to continue my investigation.

As I pack my things, I notice the old professor approaching us, a knowing smile on his face.

Professor — "Mr. Pawaa, I’m pleased to see you taking an interest in my course. I’d like to get your opinion on one of the formulas I’ve been working on lately."

Kin — "See you tomorrow, Rin."

I prefer to slip away quickly, not wanting to get caught in a conversation I probably wouldn’t understand. As I step outside, I breathe in the cool evening air as the sun begins to set, painting the sky in warm hues. My mind turns to my next investigation project, haunted by the impact marks and scratches in the dark alley where I discovered the AGL robot’s body. Perhaps this is the starting point of my next adventure. The contrast between the golden light of dusk and the darkness of my thoughts brings me back to reality.

Suddenly, I hear screams. I see Kana and Mio, two girls from my class, being harassed by four suspicious individuals who don’t seem to belong to our institute. Their movements are strange, almost mechanical, and a chill runs down my spine. Without thinking, I step in to help.

Kin — "Hey, leave those girls alone! Or else… Oh no!"

To my surprise, the first of the two boys, who didn’t seem threatening, lifts me up with shocking ease, as if I were a twig. His touch is ice-cold, and I feel a wave of numbness creep into my arm. I’m disoriented, my arm going numb as if my energy is being drained. Panic wells up inside me, but I force myself to stay calm. I finally break free, and with a quick motion, I strike his side. He doesn’t flinch. My blow, which would have knocked out a normal person, seems ineffective. It’s like hitting a wall. My heart races, worry turning into terror. That’s when I notice a detail I had missed until now: his eyes, an electric blue, almost artificial, glowing with an inhuman light. A glint of madness. A cold shiver runs down my spine.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

These are people under the influence of NerveBlaze, the drug that’s been spreading more and more at the parties in Sokatsu City. My mind starts calculating all possible options, searching for a way out. The effects are terrifying: enhanced strength, total absence of pain, and those glowing blue eyes that seem almost luminescent, revealing their trance-like state.

As I try to ready myself again, I feel a violent pressure on my leg. The second assailant, taller and more imposing, just as crazed as the first, grabs my ankle and violently pulls me back. I crash hard to the ground, pain radiating through my body. I lose my balance and collapse on the pavement, my body hitting the hard ground. The reality of my situation crashes over me like a cold wave. Before I can get up, he looms over me, his electric blue eyes boring into mine, reflecting uncontrollable rage.

A sense of helplessness washes over me, but I refuse to give in. In a reflex of survival, I try to kick him in the leg, but he dodges with surprising agility. He takes the opportunity to land a kick to my ribs, knocking the wind out of me. The pain is sharp, like a fire spreading through my chest, but I force myself to stay focused.

There’s no time to think further, as he grabs a metal beam. I roll to the side to avoid another hit and crawl toward the stairs, hoping to find something to help me get back on my feet. Every movement is a colossal effort, the pain slowing my reflexes, but adrenaline drives me forward.

Suddenly, my hand touches my handbag, and the metallic sound revives my hope. The cold, familiar feel reminds me that I’m not defenseless. It’s Rin’s infamous "gift," not really a gift, but something that could save my life.

Memories flood back. I remember being with Rin… the day he gave me this item.

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It was a rainy day, really rainy…

The sky was dark, and the heavy, steady raindrops hit the ground with such force that I could hear them even through the windows of my apartment. I hate walking in the rain, but that day, I had wasted precious time looking for my umbrella, to no avail. As a result, I missed the tram and was now alone at the station, waiting for the next one under the pouring rain.

The tram station was almost deserted, with the few passersby hurrying to avoid getting soaked. The sound of rain on the metal roof was almost hypnotic, and to pass the time, I amused myself by tossing crumpled paper into a nearby trash can. It wasn’t exciting, but it kept my mind occupied.

Just as I was starting to get seriously bored, a familiar voice broke the rhythm of the raindrops.

Rin — "Rather than tossing paper balls into the trash and slouching on the bench, you should get up; the tram will be here soon."

I jumped, not having heard him approach. I turned to see Rin, drenched despite his coat, with an expression somewhere between annoyance and amusement. Seeing him here, in this rain, surprised me. He usually prefers to walk, even in weather like this.

Kin — "I can’t help it if I’m bored, and besides, I’m good at this. I haven’t missed once."

Rin — "If you want to brag, try something heavier and much farther away. Catch this!"

He tossed me a small leather pouch, which I caught just in time, still surprised by his intervention. The pouch was heavier than I had expected, and I scrutinized it, intrigued.

Kin — "Wow, it’s heavy! What’s in this little pouch?"

Rin — "Just lead pellets. Here, aim for the trash can."

I frowned, amused by the challenge.

Rin — "No, the other trash can."

Kin — "What?! But that’s way too far."

Rin — "Make it, and I’ll buy you a pastry."

A challenge and a reward? Now that piqued my curiosity. Despite the pouring rain drumming on the station roof, I focused, and after a few clumsy attempts under Rin’s watchful eye, I began to understand how to throw the pellets with precision.

In the following days, whenever I found myself waiting for the tram, I practiced with the pellets. No matter the weather, I was determined to hit the trash cans or other distant targets. Sometimes, Rin would pass by and watch my progress without saying a word, but I could see a glint of approval in his eyes.

After a week of practice, I finally managed to hit the trash cans at the far end of the small station without missing my target.

Rin — "You’ve got a real talent. Even I can’t be that precise at that distance. Here, this is a gift from me."

He handed me a strangely shaped case, designed to clip onto the back of my hips. I was both intrigued and touched by his gesture. Then he gave me a small bag that made a metallic clinking sound with every movement.

Kin — "Why are you giving me a gift? It’s not even my birthday."

Rin — "You’re annoying! Just take it and that’s it."

I opened the bag to discover its contents: throwing knives, perfectly balanced for my hands. My heart raced, torn between excitement and surprise.

Kin — "Thanks… No need to yell. But you’re crazy, these are knives!"

Rin — "It’s no worse than your taser in your jacket pocket and the pepper spray in the back pocket of your jeans."

I was still in shock over his gift, but I smiled despite myself.

Kin — "W...Well... Anyway, thanks for the... gift."

Rin — "There’s no one around. Try hitting that sign over there, on the building."

Kin — "But it’s too far, it’s got to be at least on the second floor. Like I’d even..."

Talking as I threw, I almost reflexively launched one of the knives. The memory of that precise throw is still vivid in my mind. The knife flew like an arrow, hitting the sign exactly where I wanted, right between the eyes of the news anchor I hated.

Kin — "Wow, who’s the best? I’m awesome!"

Rin — "But be sure to go get it. If the AGL or one of their drones sees that, you’ll be in trouble."

I laughed nervously, suddenly realizing the implications of my act. Rin’s light chuckle echoed in my ears as I became aware of reality.

Kin — "What?!"

What a painful memory, but it had prepared me well for what was to come. I had a hard time retrieving that knife and endured Rin’s mockery over my failed attempts. Thankfully, he went to get it for me.

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Back in the present, I grip the knife tightly, ready to use it to defend myself. In one swift motion, I pull the sheath from my bag and fasten it to my hips. To my surprise, just as Rin had designed it, the sheath automatically clips into place on my lower back, perfectly adjusted. The reassuring weight of the other knives settles instantly. Rin was right—this accessory is much more practical than I had imagined.

Sensing the urgency of the situation, I instinctively slide my free hand toward the pouch and pull out a second knife. With both blades now in hand, a surge of adrenaline floods my body. He’s already upon me. I strike. The first blade slices through the air, hitting his thigh. He wobbles. I don’t hesitate. The second blade sinks into his calf. His body stumbles.

Using the momentum of his charge, I pivot on my heels, slightly pulling on his injured leg to further unbalance him. Stopping my attacker’s momentum dead in its tracks.

His body loses balance, and he crashes forward, unable to maintain his speed and strength. He crumples to the ground, his weapon slipping from his hands, felled at an incredible speed.

Yet, even after precisely targeting his leg joints — typically weak points — he struggles to get back up, but it’s in vain. Pain is now visible on his face, his expression twisted in agony. Where anyone else would have given up, he persists, and I wonder how much longer I can hold out.

As the other guy with the broken arm approaches, I summon every ounce of remaining energy. My body is on fire, every muscle protesting, but I refuse to give up. In a final effort, I manage to dodge the blow just in time and plunge my knife into his side. The metal sinks into the flesh, but once again, he shows no sign of pain. However, the attack buys me just enough time to get to my feet, while he takes a few steps back.

My heart is racing. They seem invincible. A cold terror creeps into me. I feel my determination falter. Every move is a struggle against this growing panic. I can’t fail. If I fall, what will happen to Mio and Kana? I can’t give up. Not now.

I find myself in a bad spot, literally backed into a corner. Panic threatens to overwhelm me. I still have several knives left, but will they even work? I feel exhaustion creeping in, each movement becoming harder. I see Mio and Kana being dragged away, and my heart clenches. Fear for them mixes with my own distress, but I know I have to act. I can’t let them be taken. I have to outlast them, but I’m running on empty too.

Just as my attacker reaches for me, everything happens in a fraction of a second. The air around me seems to freeze, every sound, every movement slowing down like in a nightmare. A sudden crash, reality twisting for a moment in a whirlwind of dust and debris. I blink. Is it… no, impossible… My mind refuses to accept what I’m seeing. My attacker, his face embedded in the wall. And of course, Rin...