Twelve and a half years ago.
In one of the secret laboratories of the Guardians gang, the most dangerous gang in the lower district, a masked boy stormed the place. He wore a white mask painted with a sad expression, and in his hand was a water blade.
The first guards who blocked his way were cleaved in two with a single strike, while the rest were cut down in mere seconds.
Inside one of the upper chambers, the chief researcher was staring at a metallic sphere placed on the table before one of his assistants rushed in, panting.
"Sir… there's an intruder."
The chief lifted his head slowly.
"An intruder? How did he find this place?"
"We don't know yet, sir."
"Send the guards to deal with him."
"We already did, but…"
"But what? Speak!"
"He killed them all."
"How many?"
"Around twelve."
"And a single intruder did all this?"
"Yes, sir. He's alone."
The chief was silent for a moment, then said sharply:
"Send in Sample Six."
"But sir, that sample is unstable…"
"Carry out the order immediately."
"…Understood."
Meanwhile, the masked boy was storming through the chambers one after another. Anyone he found alive, he tried interrogating, but the moment he pinned them down, they would bite their tongues or crush the small capsules in their mouths, releasing instant poison and dying before uttering a word.
Finally, after several attempts, he managed to grab one before he could kill himself. The boy shoved his fingers into the man's mouth, yanked the poison capsule out of his throat, and flung it away. Then he dragged him to a nearby chair and tied him tightly.
He leaned in slightly and said:
"Don't worry. I just want to ask you a few light questions."
The man trembled as he replied:
"I… I don't know anything…"
"You haven't even heard my questions yet."
"I swear, I don't know anything!"
The masked boy sighed heavily, then said with mockery:
"Can you stop repeating the same words like a parrot?"
"I swear… I know nothing…"
"Obvious! Looks like I have no other choice then."
He raised his right hand, covered in a black leather glove etched with faint golden runes. He murmured calmly:
"First rule: no lies."
The glove glowed golden, and soon transparent chains shot out, binding the man to the chair.
"Now tell me, where do you take the children you kidnap and buy?"
The man's body shook, he tried resisting, but finally answered:
"I don't know where they come from or where they go. My job is only to receive them from the guards and record their entry into the lab."
"Did you process a girl with red hair and violet eyes here? Her name is Valera."
"No, I haven't seen a girl like that."
"Are there other laboratories besides this one?"
"Yes… about ten of them."
"Do you know their locations?"
"No, but the map is kept with the head researcher."
"Where is he?"
"In Chamber Eight."
"Do you have any system pieces here?"
"In the storage there's a high quality system piece called the Happy Mask."
The masked boy nodded.
"Thanks for the information. Now… farewell."
He raised his sword, ready to end the man's life, but the man suddenly cried out:
"Please! Don't kill me! I have a wife and daughter waiting for me!"
The boy stopped, his voice colder:
"Really?"
"Yes! I swear… I'm not lying…"
"Then why are you working here?"
"I was forced! If I disobey, they'll kill my family!"
A brief silence followed before the masked boy lowered his sword. The watery blade disappeared, returning to just a hilt. Then he struck the man's head, knocking him unconscious. Blood trickled from his forehead as he collapsed. The boy untied him afterward.
He left the chamber and headed to the storage room, which luckily wasn't far. The door was locked, but one heavy punch shattered the iron lock, and he kicked it open.
The storage was empty of guards. He scanned the shelves until his eyes landed on a black mask with a smiling expression. He lifted it quietly, examined it for a moment, then slipped it into his long coat pocket.
He looked around and muttered with faint regret:
"…Should've asked him about the mask's effects, but it's too late anyway."
Then he left the room, heading for Chamber Eight. On his way, he spotted a young girl standing at the end of the corridor. She looked about his age, with long brown hair and hazel eyes.
"What are you doing here."
Before he could finish, a fireball shot at him. He leapt aside, sliding across the floor. He quickly stood and pulled the hilt from his coat, summoning the watery blade once again.