“What are you saying?! How much do you think I paid you?! A traitor like you won’t get more work!” the pig-like man shrieked, spitting as he denounced the Secret Ninja’s betrayal. Understandably—Secret Ninjas, mid-city’s combat escorts, were mercenaries who’d take any dirty job for the right price.
Contracts and rewards hinged on reputation; one betrayal scarred trust. Losing trust meant fewer clients, eroded credibility, and harsher jobs. Organization-affiliated ninjas might get decent work, but for independents, betrayal could be fatal.
“You,” Gloria said.
“…”
“Your name?”
“…Unnecessary.”
“I decide what’s necessary. I was considering Silentium jobs for you… but that’s unnecessary too, huh?”
Silentium jobs—the words sparked a glint of greed in the ninja’s eyes.
“The Silentium Commander’s busy, you see. Hardly time to send letters, emails, or gifts to friends. When I descend to the undercity, I don’t even bring a guard. If you’re willing… how about being my personal combat escort? I’ll guarantee待遇 and living conditions.”
“…Why?”
“Why? Fate, I suppose. I’m planning to invite a friend to mid-city soon, and I need preparations—extra hands, not mine. So, what’s it gonna be? I prefer a peaceful resolution.”
Gently brushing the ninja’s invisible blade, Gloria added, “I’m ready to give you work,” heedless of the danger.
Trust was impossible. No one could accept a stranger’s words outright. Hesitating, gripping the blade’s handle, the ninja’s cybernetic eye received an email. Reading it, he sheathed his blade. “Isuzu… call me Isuzu.”
“Isuzu, nice name. Can I give you a job?”
“…Yes.”
“First, take this girl to mid-city. Use my name, Gloria, as her sponsor—she’ll pass the gates, even as an undercity kid. Then contact Chikuan. Shady doctor, but skilled.”
“Understood. Anything else?”
“The rest is mine. Get to your job.”
“Yes, sir.”
As Isuzu moved, a low voice growled, “Wait.” Danan approached, shotgun aimed.
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“What’s wrong, Danan?” Gloria asked.
“I’m killing him.”
“Why? He won’t harm you anymore.”
“Guarantee that? Ridiculous. Enemies who’ve crossed blades don’t just drop grudges. He’ll come for me. I’ll kill him first. Threats… uncertainties must be eliminated. Move, rich boy, let me kill him.”
“Then I’ll order it. Isuzu, you’re forbidden from harming or attacking Danan. Got it?”
“Understood.”
Idiot? Danan muttered, finger on the trigger, sensing multiple killing intents. He scanned the surroundings.
“…”
Armed guards at the elevator near the stairs aimed rifles at Danan and Isuzu, ready to fire. To the Crucible’s members, Hydro de Benzene’s patrons—Gloria and the man—were paying customers. Danan and Isuzu were freeloaders, outsiders. If Gloria died here, Danan would be riddled with bullets, and Isuzu wouldn’t be spared.
“…Just this once. Raise a blade at me again, and I’ll kill you,” Danan growled.
“Sorry, Danan,” Gloria said.
Infuriating, hateful… Letting a threat live was unthinkable. No guarantee Isuzu would obey Gloria forever. If Gloria died, his orders void, Isuzu would target Danan again. As a Secret Ninja, to reclaim lost trust, he’d wield his blade once more. Danan’s obsession with killing Isuzu was to protect his life—to cling to a fleeting existence.
Sighing deeply, sheathing his shotgun and Heres, Danan glanced at the motionless girl, sighed again, and asked Gloria, “What’s your plan for this kid?”
“I’m thinking of adopting her. She says she’s not merchandise, but that just means she has no value here. Danan, I believe—”
“Believe what?”
“We must save tomorrow’s lives over today’s. Honestly, my life doesn’t matter. If I die, someone else takes my place. But women and children… men must protect them. For the future, we can’t keep discarding the weak.”
“That’s—”
Just idealism. Reality kills the weak. Burning with hatred for Gloria’s ideals, calling him a fool, Danan clenched his fist, glaring at the smiling youth.
Dreams were fine. He understood personal beliefs were untouchable. Striving for ideals was admirable. But forcing them on others? Unforgivable. Do it alone. Don’t drag others in. Hope for tomorrow, for the future—but death ends it all. Weakness loses everything.
“So what? Saving one kid satisfies you? That’s just self-indulgence, forcing your desires on her.”
“You’re right,” Gloria admitted.
“You’re right?! Can you take responsibility? You think a kid from this hellhole can survive mid-city?! Answer me, Gloria!”
“…You called my name for the first time, Danan.”
Fury bared Danan’s teeth as he grabbed Gloria’s collar. Those words felt like a denial of his entire existence, forcing him to face the reality he’d ignored, stirring hatred from his core.
“Danan,” Gloria said.
“Shut up!” Danan roared.
“I want to believe in human goodness, in hope for tomorrow. As Silentium’s Commander, I must believe in others, show kindness, or no one will follow. Danan, you have your way, and if you believe it’s right, I won’t deny it. I won’t force mine on you either. But… if a better world is possible, I’ll stick to my path.”
“Don’t spew pretty words, Gloria! No matter how you struggle, how you lead, only mid-city changes! The undercity stays the same—worse, even! You think you’re a god? Huh?!”
“…Gods just sit in armchairs, watching humans. If someone tried to be a god, I’d despise them. I don’t want that. Humans… must stand on their own. Bearing sin, gasping under punishment, groaning with wounds, we move forward, Danan…”
“Then!”
“I’ll save who I can reach, who I can see. Even if they’re burned by sin, they don’t need to carry original sin. I can’t forgive those who bring sin to Silentium and mid-city, who revel in evil, plotting to win alone. That’s why—”
I’m here. Snapping his fingers, Gloria had Isuzu restrain the man. Eyes blazing with the same passion as Danan’s, he stroked Danan’s mechanical arm with a blood-caked hand.
