Mazuki traced his fingers over the raven symbol on the coin and whispered:

— "Who are you? And why me?.."

The questions weighed on his soul like a stone. However, his body eventually succumbed to exhaustion, and he drifted into a deep sleep, carrying his unanswered questions with him.

At that same moment, a deathly silence reigned at the Apex Headquarters.

— "Commander, we still don't understand what happened... Raven appeared out of nowhere and the soldie—"

— "Shut your mouth!"

The Commander’s voice cracked through the room like a bolt of lightning.

— "You cannot even carry out such a simple task, and then you crawl back here defeated by terrorists?"

The soldier’s voice trembled:

— "Sir, we truly did our best, but they outnumbered us..."

— "I don't have time for 'buts'."

— "Commander, please forgive me! It won't happen again!"

With a cold expression, the Commander pulled open his desk drawer and reached for his sidearm. Just as the soldier thought he might be forgiven, the Commander raised the gun in the blink of an eye and shot him through the head.

Amidst the smell of gunpowder filling the room, the Commander turned to his assistant:

— "I want a detailed investigation. If word of this reaches his ears, it will be the end of us."

— "Yes, Sir!"

Morning arrived. The same routine began for Mazuki: a wretched house, an empty fridge, and questions waiting to be solved. Today, the turmoil inside him forced him out of the house early. As he entered the school courtyard, a familiar roar broke the silence:

— "MAZUKIIIIIII!!!"

Tamaki was sprinting toward him with his usual boundless energy. But just as he was about to reach him, Mazuki made an unexpected move and delivered a sharp backhand strike to Tamaki's face.

Tamaki collapsed from the force of the blow. Clutching his face, he asked in a pitiful voice:

— "Why did you do that?"

— "Idiot, I told you not to walk with me."

Tamaki stood up, a grin returning to his face:

— "It's my choice. What do you always say? 'People should follow their own desires; time doesn't wait for them'."

Mazuki took a deep breath:

— "Ehh... suit yourself."

— "Oh, by the way, Mazuki. I heard from the other kids that some officials have come to the school because of what happened yesterday."

Mazuki shook his head, a strange smile playing on his lips:

— "I was expecting exactly that."

— "What? I don't get it," Tamaki said, puzzled.

— "Whatever, forget it."

Mazuki headed toward the Principal’s office. He stopped in front of the door, took a deep breath, and knocked.

— "Come in!" called Principal Yuji.

As he entered, Mazuki’s eyes widened. Seeing the Apex officials standing there, he struggled to hide the rage burning within him.

— "Ooo, our main hero has arrived," Principal Yuji said mockingly.

— "Why did you call me here? I have classes," Mazuki said in a cold tone.

— "Silence! Someone who cares about classes wouldn't break school rules. Ahem, ahem... Excuse me, gentlemen."

An officer named Minamota Sota looked at the Principal and spoke:

— "I really don't like the way you approach the children, Mr. Yuji. Hello, young man. My name is Minamota Sota. I am one of the two individuals authorized by Apex for the Kiro district and its surroundings."

— "Pleasure. But I still don't understand why I've been summoned."

— "Ah, forgive me, my mistake. It seems an incident occurred yesterday in front of the school building with a Yamato Lin."

— "I remember," Mazuki interrupted. "If you're talking about that, it was purely self-defense. I even have witnesses."

Sota smiled:

— "I believe you with all my heart. But the main issue isn't Yamato—a youth like him has no future anyway, he’s insignificant. What I want to know is: where were you after that incident?"

Mazuki’s self-assured demeanor was instantly replaced by panic. If they found out about his encounter with Raven, his oath of vengeance would end before it even began.

— "After that incident yesterday, I went home. Later, I went to my night shift job."

— "I see... So that's how it was, huh? But strangely enough, we checked with your workplace and found out you didn't show up last night."

Mazuki felt backed into a corner. Just as he was about to lose hope, there was a knock at the door.

— "Come in!"

A handsome boy with blonde hair entered. Principal Yuji immediately began to fawn over him:

— "Ooo, our school's top student, Katari Ren! What wind blew you here, Ren?"

— "I've come to clear up a little misunderstanding," Ren replied calmly.

Sota said, annoyed:

— "We are in the middle of something important. Come back later."

— "Unfortunately, Mr. Sota, what I have to say is exactly about your conversation."

— "What do you mean? How do you know about our conversation?"

— "Well, this school belongs to me. Which means I have information about everything inside it. Oh, forgive me, I haven't introduced myself. My name is Katari Ren. I am the son of Katari Gin."

Sota was stunned:

— "Katari Gin is someone I know and respect. Please give him my regards."

— "Thank you. Back to the matter at hand. Mazuki... yes, he wasn't at his old workplace last night."

— "Old?" Sota was surprised.

— "Yes, old. Mazuki now works at our factory. He started yesterday."

— "Then why did he lie to us?"

Mazuki tried to intervene:

— "I didn't lie—"

Ren immediately cut him off:

— "It might be because he was embarrassed. He didn't want to tell the other kids 'I work at Katari Ren’s factory.' By the way, why are you questioning Mazuki so intensely?"

Sota accepted defeat and stood up:

— "If that's all there is to it, it doesn't matter anymore. You got lucky today, Mazuki. Watch yourself next time."

As soon as the Principal and Sota left the room, Mazuki grabbed Ren by the collar and pinned him against the wall:

— "Damn you! Who are you and why did you do that?"

— "Easy, Mazuki... You can't treat the person who just saved you like this."

— "I don't remember asking to be saved! I don't even remember your face! Tell me why you helped me!"

— "Calm down. I witnessed the incident with Raven yesterday. In fact, you could say I was there."

Mazuki’s hands slowly dropped. Ren continued:

— "Excellent. Now let's talk like two normal human beings."

— "I have nothing to talk about with you. How do you know about yesterday?"

— "Well, that's exactly why I know."

Ren reached into his pocket and pulled out a metal coin. Mazuki froze. The coin in Ren’s hand was identical to the one in his own pocket.

Mazuki looked at Katari Ren in disbelief after the strange tension in the Principal’s office. It was the exact same as his own.

— "What does this mean? How can you have this coin?" Mazuki couldn't hide his shock.

Ren replied in a steady tone:

— "For the same reason you have it."

Mazuki remembered that night. — "Damn... Were you the one who left this coin and the necklace in front of my house?"

— "No, no," Ren shook his head. "I truly have no information about that. Wait a minute... What necklace? What kind of necklace?"

Mazuki reached into his pocket and pulled out the star-shaped necklace. In that instant, Ren’s expression changed completely. It was as if he had been struck by lightning; his eyes widened, and he lost his breath. In shock, he stared at the necklace and whispered to himself:

— "Is this... is it that?.."

As Ren reached out a trembling hand to take the necklace, Mazuki pulled back quickly.

— "Where did you find this? How did you get it?!" Ren's voice was no longer stable.

— "That's none of your business, and I'm under no obligation to tell you," Mazuki replied coldly.

— "You idiot! Do you have any idea what you're holding?!"

— "I don't know, but you seem to know very well. Tell me everything—the coin, the necklace, and about Apex!"

Ren glanced around for a moment. — "I'll tell you everything, fine. But this isn't the place. Do you know the forest near the edge of town? Meet me there after school. Make sure you aren't followed."

As soon as school ended, Mazuki headed toward the forest as planned. All the way there, he thought about how Ren had frozen when he saw the necklace—that look of fear and wonder. He hoped all his questions would finally be answered. As he entered the dense trees, he saw that Ren was already there.

— "Welcome," Ren greeted him.

— "Talk," Mazuki went straight to the point. "What is the secret behind all this?"

Ren smiled, but there was sadness in it. — "You’re very impatient, just like he said you’d be."

— "Who is 'he'? Are there others involved in this?"

— "There is so much in this that you don't know yet... First, Mazuki, tell me: what is Vayen energy for?"

— "What? What kind of question is that?"

— "Just answer it."

— "An unjust power system that divides people into layers of strong and weak," Mazuki said firmly.

Ren shook his head. — "You're right, but Vayen is more than just that. You—those on the other side of the wall—were told Vayen is only White and Yellow, right?"

— "What do you mean?"

— "Do you really believe such a powerful system only has two layers? Listen: Orange Vayen, Red Vayen, Green Vayen, Blue Vayen, Dark Blue Vayen, Purple Vayen... And finally, what some call 'God's Wrath' and others see as the power that will end the world—Black Vayen."

Mazuki froze. — "Is there someone who possesses this Black Vayen?"

— "It's rumored that the 1st Commander of Apex, Ikuta Kuyosu, has it. But it’s only a rumor."

— "Ikuta Kuyosu... Fine, but what is this coin? What do the symbols represent?"

Ren explained patiently: — "This coin is our credential, the sign that we have joined them."

— "Who do you mean by 'them'? Why are you speaking in riddles?!"

— "Okay, okay, don't get angry. I'm telling you. Mazuki, you see the state of society, the injustice practiced against the people."

Mazuki grit his teeth: — "Of course, I know it better than anyone!"

— "I know you're the best person to understand that," Ren continued. "People exactly like you couldn't endure this injustice anymore and rose up. They built their headquarters far from Tokyo and swore vengeance against this system. The four animal symbols represent the four clans that are allied worldwide:

1. Raven (Raven Clan): Controls the territory of Japan.

2. Dragon (Draco Clan): Controls China and Central Asia.

3. Wolf (Wolves Clan): Controls Turkey and the Middle East.

4. Bull (Toro Clan): Our headquarters in Spain and Europe.

Yes, Mazuki, we aren't as small an organization as you think."

Mazuki asked in awe: — "When you say 'we'?.."

— "We are—'The Dwellers of the Underground'."

— "Fine, I don't understand anything, but I'm not going to question it either. I don't care. My problem is with Apex, not with 'people'. I have no business with killers like you."

Ren grew angry: — "You think we are the killers? The real killers are those on the other side of the wall! They think they can do anything because they are rich and powerful. Who do you think supports Apex?"

— "What do you mean?"

— "The other side of the wall—Mera City—is full of the wealthy. To them, we are just a pile of trash."

— "What's wrong with you then? sen varlı və hörmətli ailədən gəlirsən, why do you do this?"

— "Being wealthy doesn't mean I'm a killer. There are people precious to me as well—the residents of Kiro. I can't afford to lose them."

Mazuki said mockingly: — "Wow, unexpected answers from you..."

— "Look, Mazuki, you don't believe me, and maybe you're right. But there are no innocent people in this world; there are only those whose mistakes haven't come to light yet. You have this coin because they chose you. They want you among them."

— "No thanks," Mazuki tossed the coin toward Ren.

— "You don't understand! Join us and get the revenge you want!"

— "I told you, my problem is with Apex."

Ren shouted: — "Are you going to let your father's killers walk free??!!!"

Mazuki froze. His steps stopped. He turned around slowly:

— "What do you know about my father?"

— "Everything! Mazuki, did you recognize the man in the Principal’s office?"

— "No, but he was one of Apex’s dogs."

— "True, but he is a big, rabid dog. That man was Minamota Sota, the 7th Commander of the famous 'Elite 7'. Also known as 'The Silent Current'."

Mazuki frowned and grit his teeth at the mention of the "Elite 7".

— "And this necklace? Is it from the clan too?"

— "No," Ren’s voice softened, "it doesn't belong to the clan, Mazuki. It is a legacy. A very powerful and important legacy left to you by your father..."

Mazuki’s eyes welled up, but he tried to hide his emotions. — "Father... A legacy from my father?.."

— "Yes. You must protect this necklace. When the time comes, you must fulfill your father's final wish."

— "But how—"

— "That's enough information. It’s getting dark. You have until tomorrow to make your decision," Ren said, slowly disappearing into the shadows of the forest.

Mazuki gripped the coin in one hand and the necklace in the other.

— "Dwellers of the Underground... I’m going to need you very much."

Mazuki picked up his bag and headed toward the exit of the forest.