The metallic doors opened, and Black stepped away from the sunlight, entering the artificial light of the building. Before him stretched a vast white corridor with brown accents resembling wood along the lower edges. There were no doors along the path, and at the end was a wall that branched into two other corridors.

In the center stood a group of seven agents, dressed similarly to those on the ground floor but not the same ones. They were in a triangular formation, and in the middle, an elderly man stood out, appearing to be in conversation with a Black agent sporting a goatee. The man had a slight smile at the corner of his mouth, but upon noticing the elevator's arrival, he stopped speaking and adopted a completely serious expression.

Fei Hu proceeded forward, while Bai Hu gestured with his hand for Black to follow, and Black stepped out of the elevator without question.

“More agents? What could come next?” The lavender scent in the corridor confused his senses, evoking the comforting feeling of a field of flowers mixed with the anxiety of the unknown ahead.

– So, this is the enhanced one? – the old man asked, looking in Fei Hu’s direction, who simply nodded.

He turned his gaze to Black, who looked back with a stern expression. Then, in a disdainful tone, he continued. – You call yourself Black? Is that even a name?

Black studied the old man; his age was evident from the white, triangular beard and matching hair. He was stocky and wore a gleaming black military uniform with white accents. Circles connected by cables traced lines that glowed a faint blue across the uniform, matching the color of his eyes. On his chest, along with several insignias, was a golden emblem with a zero and Mandarin characters.

– You caused quite a stir, from what I read, even injured soldiers from the African Zero Division – the old man said as he circled Black. – So… what are you? What did Jupiter see in you that warranted sending you here?

“Who is this son of a bitch?” Black’s eyes followed the old man as he spoke, especially noting the items on his chest.

– You know what I think...? – the old man said with a serious tone.

– What? – Black asked, his eyes sharp.

A slight sneer appeared on the old man’s face, as if it were personal. – They should never have let a freak like you out of that cage…”

At the man’s words, Black’s eyes widened. Like a flash, memories came flooding back, hitting him like a car; he was immobilized and naked, able only to move his trembling eyes. Tubes were inserted into his orifices, especially one that went through his mouth down to his throat.

His fists clenched tightly, and his muscles tensed; he broke the cuff binding him with ease. Then, he lunged toward the old man, preparing to deliver a right punch, drawing his arm back as he advanced.

– You bastard!

Halfway there, Black was intercepted by Bai Hu, who caught his arm mid-swing. His opponent’s grip was astonishingly strong, holding steady without the slightest tremor. Black’s arm was pulled, bringing him face-to-face with Bai Hu.

– Out of my way! – Black shouted.

Then using the rotation to swing his left fist toward his opponent’s face. Bai Hu, however, remained unaffected, dodging beneath Black’s punch and then countering with a powerful left hook to the center of his torso. The impact’s dull thud echoed through the corridor; a punch thrown with immense force.

Black winced; the pain was clear on his face. He took a step back, attempting to retreat, but was quickly struck at the back of his left leg, forcing him to one knee. Then, another punch to his face caused blood to spill from his mouth.

The old man remained motionless, his eyes fixed on Black, raising a hand to signal the other agents not to intervene. Bai Hu kept his fists clenched, watching Black, who was staring at the floor after the last hit.

“Why...?” Black looked at the drops of his own blood on the floor; his hands trembled as he leaned his body against the almost sterile ground, the red being the only thing out of place.

“What did I do so wrong? Why are they doing this to me!?” His lips pressed together, and tears formed in his eyes, but he lacked the strength to let them slide down his face. Then, the buzzing returned to his ear, gradually increasing.

“I’m through! This must be their fault...” The dull glow of his eyes began to take on a more vivid hue, intensifying rapidly. He clenched his fists and slammed them against the tiles on the floor, which quickly cracked. “IT’S ALL THEIR FAULT!”

Bai Hu noticed Black turn to face him, his eyes now shining with an unusual light, no longer that dull yellow but a vibrant shade. Black quickly advanced toward him with open hands. Then, Bai Hu threw another punch at his face, which landed squarely but didn’t stop him. In fact, it seemed as if Black wasn’t affected by the attack at all.

Black’s hands quickly reached Bai Hu’s neck, lifting him off the ground with ease. Bai Hu delivered several kicks to Black’s torso and attacked his face with punches, but Black didn’t seem to feel any damage.

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The old man gestured for the agents to surround Black, and they complied, forming a circle around him and aiming their weapons at him.

“Why am I holding back...?” Black felt almost numb; the buzzing nearly obscured his perception of the outside, as if he were watching everything through a screen, gradually losing control.

“I can’t understand...” He slowly tightened his grip on Bai Hu’s neck.

Fei Hu pushed aside an agent who was in his way and moved toward the confrontation ahead, slowly clenching his fists.

The force of the choking increased as Bai Hu struggled to break free, repeatedly attacking the arm that held him, but to no avail.

“Why does this feel so wrong...?” Then, for less than a second, Black saw his hands covered in blood; his eyes widened, and a pain surged, as if a needle pierced his brain. He then let Bai Hu go, staggering back with his hands over his head, breathing heavily.

– Get on your knees! – commanded an agent who had previously been beside the old man, his voice imposing. – Now!

Black fell to his knees on the ground as the buzzing slowly faded from his ears. Sweat dripped from his forehead, and his eyes lost their shine, returning to that dull hue.

He looked around; weapons pointed at him. In the agents’ gazes, he could sense anger, but also fear. Something he had witnessed before.

Images flooded his mind again, recalling the time he tried to escape; agents like these shot at him, and he felt the pain of the bullets, which didn’t pierce his skin, only leaving light wounds. His clothes tore, and he tried to retreat until he retaliated, hitting a man who was thrown back several meters, screaming in pain. The agents recoiled, displaying the same look, the same fear.

– See? You’re nothing but an uncontrollable monster, and deep down you know it. – said the old man, circling the area as he stared at Black. – It’s better if you surrender; just say you accept the procedure of Division Zero... You’ll be doing yourself and everyone here a favor.

– I... – Black’s deep, tired voice echoed through the profound silence. – I...

A smile began to form on the old man’s face but quickly vanished when he heard a voice coming from the path behind him.

– I see you don’t have good manners with guests!

At the intersection of the corridor appeared the figure of a man. He wore a brown trench coat and a fedora hat. His face was covered by a metal mask with a black visor that resembled a carnival mask, but in a gray tone.

– Sergeant Maverick, could you explain to me what exactly is happening here? And you all, put those damn weapons down! – said the man in the trench coat, directing his words at the old man and the agents as he approached with quick steps.

The man in the trench coat approached Maverick, the old man. His walk was peculiar; he slightly opened his legs as he walked and leaned his body forward. The agents’ gazes sought approval from Maverick, who simply nodded in agreement, keeping his eyes on the masked man.

– It’s called the Tyx security protocol, in case you forgot – said Maverick, watching the trench-coated figure pass by him.

– What I remember is that the kid is a guest! You know what you did could seriously complicate your career, right? – questioned Tyx, stepping in front of the sergeant.

– I’m doing my duty. – replied the old man in a firm voice. – All that happened was that the enhanced individual decided to attack, and we dealt with the threat; now everything is under control.

Tyx stared at Maverick, then looked at Black, who was kneeling on the ground.

– Is that so? Then, Sergeant Maverick, I demand that you fulfill your duty, since the situation is under control; hand over custody of young Black.

Black narrowed his eyes, shifting his gaze between Tyx and Maverick. The latter didn’t seem intimidated, but his furrowed brow showed dissatisfaction.

– You know that’s not how it works. The enhanced individual threatened the safety of this building. – Maverick said, with a smirk, puffing up his chest as he spoke. – Therefore, custody of him is once again entrusted to Division Zero.

– That would be true... – Tyx replied, looking at Maverick’s puffed-up figure. – But only if there were any damage to property or individuals, and of course, you must attest that you were unable to carry out a simple escort.

Maverick furrowed his brows, glaring at Tyx as he spoke.

– As far as I can see, none of your agents are injured; on the other hand, there is Black’s blood on the floor... So, are you sure you want to proceed with this? – Tyx finished his speech, looking at Maverick, who retracted his lips, slightly twitching his left eyelid as he moved closer to him.

– You’re lucky, because if this case weren’t under Jupiter’s protection... things would be very different. – the sergeant whispered near Tyx, who maintained his composure without being shaken. He then stepped away from him and ordered: – Let him go!

All the agents stepped back from Black, positioning themselves along the sides of the corridor.

– Let’s go! – declared Maverick, leaving the area with the other agents, who complied without question. Fei Hu and Bai Hu followed them as well, but the latter continued to stare at Black until the elevator doors closed.

“Who is this guy? Why do they obey him?” Black glared at Tyx with an eyebrow raised.

Tyx approached him, offering a hand to help him up, but Black ignored the gesture and stood up on his own.

– I apologize for what happened, but I’m afraid we have more urgent matters to address – Tyx said. – Are you okay?

– Who are you? – the young man asked, staring at Tyx from head to toe while rubbing his arm, still feeling the pain from Bai Hu's force. – Are you an enhanced one, a convergent?

– I’m a Defender, to be more exact. My name is Tyx, but I believe you already know that from our colleague, the white-haired sergeant.

Tyx placed his hand on his mask, pressing two mechanisms on either side of it, removing it to reveal his face; he had a thin mustache, thin lips, and light brown skin.

– Why did you help me? – Black asked seriously, wiping his lips.

– It’s part of my job – Tyx cleared his throat and replied in a light tone. – Could you follow me? I have matters to discuss with you.

– And why should I do that? – Black said, frowning. – I don’t know you, and I don’t trust you; why should I follow you?

– Direct, I respect that – Tyx replied, keeping a smile on his face. Turning his back to Black, he took a step away from him, remaining in the middle of the corridor. – Listen, I know you have reasons to be suspicious. However, if you’re unable to follow me for a simple conversation, maybe Maverick is right about you.

“Right about me...?” That question echoed in his mind as he lowered his head, staring at his open hands while remembering that glimpse.

– Alright... I’ll go with you... – Black said, lifting his head and clenching his fists.

– Perfect. – Tyx replied with a smirk. – Let’s go; I need to introduce you to some people.

– Hey... Tyx, right? – Black interrupted him, raising his head with an uncertain look.

– What is it?

– I... I’m not what they say I am... – Black said, looking away.

Tyx stood still for a moment and then simply nodded slightly, a faint, contained smile appearing as they both walked down the corridor.