Mason sat on his bed, mask off, placed right besides him on his sheets. So much had happened in the space of just one hour. He watched a man die.
And although the scientist he saved tried to console him, it didn't change what happened.
By sidestepping mid-air, it cost a man his life.
For a while he glanced at the Dual Specter in his hand — and various thoughts raced across his mind.
What am I doing?
Why am I doing this?
Just why?
Dr Reginalds words sunk in. He indeed was just a kid. He got his hands on advanced tech and all he did since then was play around with it.
No aim, no goals. It was just all for fun.
And now that fun cost a man his life.
But he refuses to sober for long — not after the discovery he just made. These heroes... These villians. They weren't natural born at all.
Many years ago, it wasn't a phenomenon that gave birth to talents. No, it was these goddamn scientists trying to play God, and for a while they did. And it gave birth to these super humans.
But it was all just a plot, a ploy to raise stocks and earn money off the fame. These people didn't care about saving the world, they only cared about the results that came from their creation.
And it cost him the people he loved the most in this world — his parents.
He squeezed his hands into a fist. Was he angry? Hell yes. Didn't he want revenge? More than anything. But he wasn't dumb, in his fit of rage, he realized what Dr Reginald said was right.
He couldn't take on the corporations, let alone the superhumans they had at their disposal. The Flame Hero — Blaze, The Metal Hero — Titanium, and so much more.
Even with his fight against Lady Impulse, it was painfully clear. If it wasn't for those couples, his ass would probably be in the ICU or worse — jail.
All this while, he fought without a cause. Tackled crime for fun, he never really had an agenda behind his motives.
But now he did.
"Nex..." He muttered under his breath.
According to Dr Reginald, it was more than just Nex Industries. Who knows how many corporations were involved in this. But one thing was for certain.
He now had a true goal, a true purpose. And his true enemies were identified.
It wasn't just these false heroes, it was the corporations that hired them. And now, he had to approach things differently.
"Night Hunter huh." He glanced at the Dual Specter once more, and it became clear. If he was going to fight against these people, he had to do it smartly. And what better way to do that was there besides the shadows.
Now that he had a true goal, a true purpose. He believed he didn't just come across HAVA, he was chosen by NanoForge.
He wasn't fighting to save Nova Ciity now, he had no desire to become a hero or anything else like that.
"With this system, I will bring down these corrupt agencies and avenge my parents. With this system, I am justice."
He realized now, that was the true purpose of the Vigilante.
That was the true Shadow Vigilante — Night Hunter.
[Master, I have successfully edited and cut out the unnecessary parts of the video you asked me to record? Would you to upload it to the page?]
"Hm? Unnecessary parts?" His thoughts were interrupted by H.A.V.A.
[Yes, the parts where you got blasted through a table and sidestepped a potentially dangerous blast, additionally, the conversation between you and the scientist Doctor Reginald.]
"Oh... Right." He remembered, the cybernetic arm cannon of the kidnappers boss. "Yeah, upload it."
[Affirmative.]
Proving the Shadow Hunters wrong was the least matter on his mind. Another pressing issue was the cybernetic arms of the boss. Cybernetics were damn expensive, even if he stole it. How the hell did he get it installed so perfectly?
"A corporate agency maybe? No, why would they do such when they have superhumans at their disposal." It was too much to think.
But for now, all he could do was observe from the shadows. And watch the chaos erupt in the fan page.
Later that Night — Nex Industries
Within a room arguably at the top floor of the industry, three individuals sat around a large circular table, with a large translucent panel hovering above it's center.
The individuals in question — Dr Helen, the vice head of the purple syndicate and the CEO of Nex Industries — Mr Alexander Graves.
They all observed the panels, and watching the highlights of the battle between the Vigilante and the kidnappers who attempted to abduct Dr Reginald.
"What do you think Mr Alexander?" The vice head of the Syndicate asked.
Alexander had his elbows on the table, fingers interlocked, and his chin resting on it. He observed the feed carefully — with a cold glare that said one thing.
He wanted this man dead.
After all, it was because of him the shipment of the V-core days ago went wrong — and it nearly cost all of Nova City it's life.
"His gadget is interesting, a glove that can release a strong line and simultaneously emit pulse waves while maintaining control. He has quite a tech at his disposal. But it is as you said Dr Helen. Still surprised doctor?"
They all turned their attention to the door as it slid open, and a man dressed in a lab coat — with a tousled blonde hair, walked in.
He took off his glasses, pulled out a handkerchief from his labcoat's pocket, and cleaned it's lenses.
"No." He put his glasses back on and slid it up the bridge of his nose. "Can't say that I am."
"I see." Alexander muttered under his breath. "So, what do you make of this Vigilante? Dr Reginald?"
All eyes fell to the man who walked in — Dr Reginald, the man Night Hunter supposedly saved.
He sighed.
"He is no threat to our plans, just like Dr Helen predicted."