Ka-nar sat across from Sato Akari in the dimly lit executive lounge. The walls were glass, overlooking the neon-soaked city, yet the room itself felt suffocating—like the silence was waiting to crush him.
Akari smiled warmly, pouring Ka-nar a drink. His tone was honeyed, every word dipped in politeness.
"Ka-nar-kun," Akari said softly, sliding the glass across the table, "you've impressed me more than I expected. That Neno Lens in your possession... it's extraordinary. The world doesn't even know how much power hides in it."
Ka-nar didn't drink. His fingers tapped the armrest, cautious. The last few days had taught him something: trust was poison.
"I came here," Ka-nar said, voice firm, "to find out the truth about your company, not to be flattered."
Akari chuckled, leaning back. His long fingers clasped together like a priest in prayer. "The truth… Yes. The truth is, Ka-nar-kun, every great invention, every empire, is built on sacrifice. You think your Lens is unique? It is just a fragment. A spark. What we build here—what I build—can change nations. And you… you could be part of it."
Something in his smile twisted. Ka-nar's gut tightened.
The room's lights dimmed further, and with a faint click, Ka-nar noticed the subtle shift: heavy shutters sliding into place over the glass walls, sealing him inside.
Ka-nar shot up from his chair.
"What is this?"
Akari's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "A controlled environment. Don't be alarmed."
The doors behind Ka-nar hissed open. Heavy footsteps echoed in the hall. Ka-nar didn't need to turn—his skin already crawled with recognition.
Satsujin.
The mercenary's metallic exoskeleton glinted as he stepped inside, eyes glowing faintly beneath his helmet. The air itself seemed to harden with his presence.
Ka-nar's heart hammered, but his expression didn't break.
Satsujin's voice was low, sharp. "So this is him? The boy your company was asked to deliver?"
Ka-nar whipped his head toward Akari. "Deliver? What the hell are you talking about?"
Akari's mask of politeness cracked, replaced with a cold grin.
"You're clever, Ka-nar. But not clever enough. The Akuma Gang has invested heavily in my company—my expansion, my research, my contracts. The deal was simple. They provide protection, funding, and influence in exchange for… one condition."
His words struck like a hammer.
Ka-nar's throat felt dry. "And that condition… is me?"
Akari didn't bother answering.
Satsujin stepped closer, the floor trembling under the weight of his exo-frame. "I warned you before, Ka-nar," he said, voice metallic, every syllable dripping with menace. "You think that shadow of yours—the so-called protector—will always save you? He isn't here now."
Ka-nar's body screamed to run, but the shutters sealed every escape. His eyes darted, scanning the room: cameras in the corners, reinforced walls, one narrow ventilation slit. A cage.
He clenched his fists. His Neno Lens flickered faintly, data overlays springing to life in his vision. He could see the movement prediction of Satsujin's frame, but his fear tugged at him—every projection showed his defeat.
"Why?" Ka-nar whispered, more to himself than to them. "Why sell yourself to the Akuma Gang? You're supposed to be building something greater!"
Akari's tone turned cold as ice.
"Because ideals don't feed empires, Ka-nar. Power does."
Satsujin cracked his knuckles, metal scraping metal.
"Enough talk." He pointed at Ka-nar, his voice rising like a growl. "This time, boy, you face me without your guardian angel. Let's see what you're worth."
Ka-nar's chest tightened. He could feel the ground closing in, the weight of betrayal, the predator's gaze. For the first time since receiving the Lens, he realized just how small he still was.
But another thought pushed through the fear, steadying him—the Protector's words.
You can't depend on me forever. At some point, you'll have to fight.
The shutters locked with a final metallic clang. Ka-nar was trapped with the beast.
And Satsujin was already stepping forward.