Everyone is born with a talent.
But people are not deserving of it.
And so, if that belief is ever proven correct,
I shall take it for myself.
********
The train station was empty now. The last train had departed, leaving only Nagi and four assassins who had stayed behind. The air was still, but the tension was razor-sharp.
Outnumbered four-to-one, Nagi stood calmly, unbothered.
The assassins activated their techniques, chanting in unison: "WHITE."
Nagi's left God Eye flared open, scanning each of them in an instant.
Assassin A's hands morphed into wolf-like claws.
Assassin B showed no obvious change, but Nagi suspected body reinforcement.
Assassin C's arms sprouted octopus-like tentacles, which Nagi found irritating just to look at.
Assassin D's fingertips gleamed, guns that could fire bullets.
Nagi (thinking): Diverse techniques… but none of them will matter. The first one, though… I might have use for that.
Before he could finish the thought, they made their move.
Tentacles lashed out from C, wrapping around Nagi while A, B, and D charged to finish the job quickly.
The tentacles tightened, but Nagi calmly placed his left hand on them.
Nagi: [WHITE: PARASYTE]
The red limbs instantly rotted to a sickly dark brown. Assassin C gasped, the strength leaving his body, the restraint breaking. Nagi tore free and lunged for Assassin B.
Nagi (thinking): The weakest one here. I'll remove him first.
They clashed in hand-to-hand combat. The others stayed back, wary now of Nagi's touch. They assumed that was his only trick.
However, they were wrong.
From the sidelines, D raised his hand and fired four bullets at Nagi.
Assassin D (thinking): He can't dodge while locked in combat.
But in the blink of an eye, Nagi switched places with B. The bullets tore into B's vital points, killing him instantly, even with body reinforcement active.
The remaining three froze in shock.
Assassin A: What?!
Assassin D: He… teleported?!
D didn't get time to process the thought—Nagi had already chosen his next target. He sprinted toward D, dodging bullet after bullet with inhuman precision.
Then he spoke again.
Nagi: [WHITE: KILLER ORIGAMI]
From the pouch at his waist, dozens of sheets of paper shot forward like blades. D tried to blast them apart, but there were too many.
They sliced off his fingers first, silencing his gunfire. Then they swarmed, cutting and tearing into him relentlessly. Within ten seconds, D lay dead in a pool of his own blood.
Nagi stood over the corpse, unimpressed.
Nagi (thinking): These ones weren't worth the effort.
The two remaining assassins stood frozen, C still weakened by Parasyte, A bristling with his claw technique.
Assassin C: Damn it… This isn't what they said about the bodyguard Tenki hired.
Assassin A: How many techniques does this guy have?!
Nagi walked toward them, with a look of disappointment written on his face.
With a sigh, he spoke: [WHITE: CLAWS].
In an instant, his hands morphed into the same wolf-like claws A possessed. The assassins' eyes widened—not just at the mimicry, but at the fact A's own technique had suddenly vanished.
Assassin A: What?! Why can't I activate mine?! Why does he have it?! … I see… that eye… he can…
His words never finished.
Minutes later, the station floor was painted red. The assassins lay lifeless, their blood pooling beneath them.
Nagi stepped over the bodies, his expression one of boredom.
Nagi: What a waste of time. They called themselves assassins? They give anyone that title these days, but at least I gained a new technique.
******
Nagi Sakamoto
Nagi Sakamoto was the last surviving member of the Sakamoto Clan, one of the three highest-ranking clans among the Lighters. After his entire clan was wiped out, Nagi went into hiding to stay under the radar, avoiding the attention of the HFA, who would either try to recruit him or arrest him for bringing about his clan's end.
Nagi possessed four distinct techniques, along with the Left God Eye, a unique ability passed down through generations of his clan.
*****
1. [WHITE: PARASYTE]
By making physical contact, Nagi can infect his opponent with a parasite-like curse that steadily drains their strength. For Lighters and Shadows, it specifically consumes their energy, weakening them until they can no longer fight.
2. Left God Eye (Inherited Ability)
The Left God Eye allows Nagi to acquire the techniques of others. Through it, he has gained several powerful abilities:
[WHITE: KILLER ORIGAMI] – Grants complete control over paper, shaping and hardening it into lethal weapons.
[WHITE: TELEPORTATION] – Allows instant teleportation to any point within his line of sight. This ability also enables him to switch places with a target, provided he has touched them beforehand.
[WHITE: CLAW] – Recently acquired, this technique lets him grow razor-sharp claws capable of shredding through flesh and armor alike.
Nagi had lived a hard and solitary life. He cared for no one but himself, acting only when it benefited him.
He believed in maximizing his own pleasure at the expense of others, living solely for his own gain. Yet, despite his ruthless nature, he was plagued by a constant sense of emptiness, a crushing boredom he sought desperately to escape.
But so far, he had found nothing.
*******
Meanwhile, on the train, Tenki sat nervously in his seat, his thoughts plagued by worry.
What if the assassins from earlier… actually killed Nagi?
His anxiety was short-lived. When the train reached the next station, his eyes widened in shock—Nagi was already there, leaning casually against a post as if nothing had happened.
Tenki: (stunned) Huh?! How did you get here so fast?
Nagi: (ignores the question) Let's keep moving. My job's almost done, and I'm tired of this crap.
Tenki: R-Right…
The two left the station and hailed a taxi.
After a short ride, they arrived at the gates of a grand mansion, Tenki's family estate. This was where the will and testament of Tenki's late father would be read.
Inside, they entered the family room, where a heavy, tense air hung over the gathering. At the center stood a young lawyer clutching a document. Nearby sat Garba, a broad, heavyset man with a cold, unpleasant look on his face. Several other relatives and attendees were already present.
Garba's lips curled in irritation the moment he saw Nagi walk in with Tenki. It was clear the sight of them together meant one thing, the assassins he had sent had failed.
Nagi and Tenki took seats, a maid quietly serving them tea.
Lawyer: (clearing throat) So, is everyone present?
Tenki: Yes—
Garba: (cutting in coldly, pointing at Nagi) What is he doing here? He's not a member of this family. Who is he?
Nagi: (flatly) Huh? What's your problem, old fart?
Tenki: Uh… he's my bodyguard. I hired him to protect me.
Garba: Protect you from what, I wonder.
Nagi: Oh, come on, old fart. You wanna pretend you didn't send assassins to kill this little wimp right here?
Garba: WHAT?! This is an outrageous accusation! How dare you—
Nagi: Whatever, man. I just want to get paid and get out of here. (turns to lawyer) So, can we get on with it?
Tenki: (nervously cutting in) It's fine, Uncle Garba. Let him stay.
Garba: (clicks tongue in annoyance, turning away) Tch…
Lawyer: (sighs) Very well… with that settled, I will now read the last will and testament of John William.
*******
Last Will and Testament
I, John William Thompson, a resident of [Hopstop Town, State C], being of sound mind and body, hereby declare this to be my Last Will and Testament, revoking all prior wills and codicils made by me.
I appoint Mary Johnson, my housemaid, as the sole executor of this will. In the event that Mary Johnson is unable or unwilling to serve, my property should be escheated to the state.
I direct that all my just debts, funeral expenses, and the costs of administering my estate be paid as soon as practicable after my death from the assets of my estate.
I give and bequeath all my personal property, real estate, and financial assets, including but not limited to the entirety of my home located at Benville, all funds in my bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and any other investment assets, to Mary Johnson, who has loyally served me for many years.
It is my explicit intent to disinherit all my immediate and extended family, from any part of my estate. I make no provision for them herein, as I believe they have been sufficiently provided for during their lives or are otherwise not deserving of any part of my estate.
All the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate, including any properties or assets not specifically mentioned, I give, devise, and bequeath to Mary Johnson, as a token of my gratitude for her loyalty and care during my lifetime.
If any beneficiary under this will, or any heir of mine, directly or indirectly contests or initiates legal proceedings to challenge this will or any of its provisions, they shall forfeit any right or interest in my estate.
I request that my funeral arrangements be simple and private, with no extravagant ceremonies, and I leave the responsibility for such arrangements to Mary Johnson.
In witness whereof, I, John William Thompson, have set my hand to this will, this 14th of January 2020, at my home.
Signature:
John William Thompson
Witnesses:
Edward Frictar (the lawyer)
*******
The contents of the will pleased no one and it had disregarded every member of the family, even Tenki, the man's own child.
Tenki sat frozen, struggling to comprehend what he had just heard.
Garba, on the other hand, erupted in fury. He shot up from his chair, stormed over to the lawyer, and seized him by the collar.
Garba: WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?! IS THIS SOME KIND OF SICK JOKE?!
Lawyer: I read exactly what's written. If you doubt me, see for yourself.
Garba snatched the will from his hands, scanning it quickly. His face paled. The words were clear and undeniable—his late brother had left the entire inheritance to the family's maid.
The maid herself had quietly stepped out before the will was read. It was just as well, what came next would have been far worse with her in the room.
As they tried to process the revelation, an unnatural chill filled the air. A cold, oppressive aura gripped the room, forcing a shiver down every spine. Slowly, all eyes turned toward the source.
Nagi sat silently in his chair, his posture relaxed but his eyes carrying a darkness that swallowed the air around him. The realization had struck him, everything he'd done, all the trouble he'd gone through, had been for nothing.
Tenki: (nervously) M-Mr. Nagi…?
Nagi's gaze sharpened, and he rose from his seat. The room seemed to shrink as his presence grew heavier.
Nagi: You told me this job was worth my time, Tenki. I didn't sign up for a glorified babysitting gig just to watch you get humiliated like this.
Tenki: (stammering) I-I didn't know! I thought my father would leave me something! He always talked about family, and—
Nagi: (cutting him off) Family? That word means nothing to him. (gestures at the will) He just disowned you, just like he did the rest of them.
Garba (recovering, voice trembling with anger): You think you can just stroll in here and insult my family, boy? This is none of your business!
Nagi (smirking): Oh, it's my business now. You're all part of this pathetic little game. (his voice drops, dripping with menace) And I'm starting to think I made a mistake protecting him. But mistakes… can be corrected.
The lawyer shifted uneasily, glancing toward the door.
Lawyer: Perhaps we should—
But it was already too late for words.
Tenki's hands shook. His mind raced, caught between the man who had sworn to protect him and the fractured remnants of his family.
Nagi's next words were low… final.
Nagi: …Time to clean up.
*****
A few minutes later, the maid returned carrying a tray of fresh tea. She opened the door, then froze.
The tray slipped from her hands, crashing to the floor, tea spilling everywhere.
The once pristine family room was painted in red. Tenki, Garba, and the lawyer lay sprawled in their own blood, their bodies marred with deep, deliberate cuts. They were already gone.
Nagi was nowhere to be seen.
The maid's eyes widened, and instinct took over.
She screamed.