They said someone’s upbringing could affect one’s life.

Be it wealth or misfortune, fate itself has chosen an undeniable path for the living until the moment they draw their last breath.

But, isn’t everyone the same the moment they were brought into this world?

We’re all breathing from the same air.

Drinking the same water.

Eating the same food.

Living on the same planet.

Growing from the same fragile infant body.

If so, then why everyone in this world can’t have a just life instead?

After all the hardships throughout years of being caged inside this damned walled city, why people can’t just live their lives in peace with each other like they used to?

The world is already harsh to the living, yet they choose to keep these f*cking discrimination going around.

And yet, here I am, standing straight on top of the last train tonight. The vistas quickly change before my eye as the cold southern breeze hit my body covered in black and white clothes.

Right before it stops completely at the next station, I take my leave by jumping to the building next to the elevated railway. Cruising my way throughout the night from one rooftop to another.

It’s already late, for both the night and the appointment.

Hastening my steps, slowly I overheard noises. Down there, the overlapping sound of sirens is going against the pushy crowd consisting of thugs and unfortunate people. Gathering in front of the entrance of one of the tallest tower buildings in the district.

The Amethyst Tower.

It’s still a few buildings ahead, but the height is enough to make my neck sore looking up.

After all the fuss from yesterday, so this is what we end up with, huh…?

If only every soul is given the same chance and right, we wouldn't have to start a riot in the first place.

What a pity…

I take a deep breath, grit my teeth, and dash toward the edge of the building. Planting my feet firmly, I throw the cloth-anchored knife from my hand to the tower’s side while jumping far forward.

To hell with the wide gap of the main road stretching below.

I’m gonna swing my way in here!

“What’s that?”

CRASH!

Shatters of glass come flying through the air along with the kick, right on an officer’s face. That ended up knocking him out for good before even knowing the answer. With a loud crashing noise to follow, the chaos sure got louder down there.

Standing up after the landing roll, I can feel something twitching from the stuff placed on my ear lob.

Wait, what’s the name again? 

How do I make it stop?!

[Master! You good? I saw you make a reckless entrance there! Not bad for being a latecomer!]

I f*cking swear, one more time I hear her voi-

[By the way, why are you late? It's not like you have any friends to hang out to kill some time, though… Or is it some kind of a trick that you need to do for becoming a notorious outlaw in this city, master?]

Argh…

At this point, I would prefer to put my plates full and get beaten up by some pesterer rather than be constantly hampered by this damn girl every time.

If only I had not met KayBee a month ago.

Hold up, is it KB, KayBee, or Kaby?

Whatever it is, such an annoying creature…

[Earth to master, are you still with me, master? Looks like your act put everyone on the edge and they started to be far more aggressive after the last 30 minutes! You’re so cool, master!]

With that, I gave her the silent treatment.

“Spectre, what’s now?”

[Hey! A good teacher shouldn’t ignore his pupil! Don’t ignore- Hey! Don’t just walk away! I can see you from afar with this self-crafted scope-for-airsoft-sniper of mine, you- Bzzt…]

From the sound of it, looks like the connection changes afterward.

[Okay… since you want it fast, simply put, the file that our- I mean you need is in a particular room.]

This time, it’s a male voice, muffled. Still, KB's upset voice is leaking in the background nonetheless.

“Where is it?”

[On the thirteenth floor, inside the server room, there’s another room at the end of the corridor. The file that ou- I mean you need is in the form of a flash disk. Grab that and you’ll be able to make some cash out of it.]

“Can I trust you? How about the whole rumor? This ain't some kind of a dumb f*cking joke, yeah?”

[I’ve checked the footage and layout of the entire floor for the last couple of days. So you don’t have to worry, I guess…]

“Not so sure, ain’t we?

[I-It’s just… that there’s so many guarding the building inside, all the way up to the rooftop! I-I don’t think that- Hey, hey! -Who do you take me for? The legendary shooter, Killer Bunny is here, you know! Everything’s gonna be all right if we work together, mast-]

“Shut the f*ck up. If anything, you’re just helping me stressed out.”

The radio went silent after that. Perfect.

I fix the mask to completely cover the whole lower face up to the nose as I step forward to the sound of footsteps. The officers are getting closer from the next corner. 

I smell nothing but premonition approaching fast.

I wonder if there's a way to do things without any violence. Or is that how humans are destined to be?

How vexing…

“It’s Skullface!”

“Wha-what?! You’re kiddin-“

Thud.

One out cold, seven to go.

Equipped with firearms, they blatantly sprayed bullets the moment meet my eyes, praying for my demise. 

All the while I’m keeping my hands clean from being a murderer, despite being labeled so.

Ridiculous to think that what it takes, is a single phrase and glance to make someone filled with killing intent up to the brim.

A name that put everyone’s guard and bloodlust through the roof, even if the demon is from the crusaders of saints themselves.

What an irony.

How many people that already been downed? Is it 20? 30? Or even more than 50?

I don’t even give a shit anymore up to this point where the server room is in front of me.

All that’s left, is what I need to end this entire-

[Master, master! Bad news master!]

[Change of plan! Hear me out, as for now, the thing that you’re looking for is already relocated to the rooftop and ready to take off! Taking too long would probab-]

“Are you f*cking messing around with me, you d*ckhead?!”

Ah... this feeling of being outwitted…

It feels familiar.

Being naïve, being reckless.

I should probably know it’s been my daily meal, day in and out.

But, what I don’t get is…

I thought I was slick, smooth enough to wrap this up without a mess.

Yet, when I reached the rooftop and snatch the file out of their hands right before they took off...

…How come I ended up being overthrown from the platform?

A huge fiery blast right in the blink of an eye at everyone’s presence.

Sending my damned ass into the death’s door.

Free falling hundreds of meters above the ground. Straight into an inevitable end.

At that moment, what I saw last time, is a black chopper hovering far above.

Looking down at its victim in arrogance.

As if, taunting me to arise back from the afterlife.