(In the lavish garden of Nelson's palace, President Nelson stands tall and composed, his hands clasped behind his back in a stance that suggests absolute control. Facing him are two figures clad in concealing cloaks and hoods.)
Nelson: (Calmly and with authority)
"Welcome to the palace, both of you."
(The two individuals shed their concealing garments. It's a surprise—they are the Merchant and his Nephew who previously clashed with Kazuma in the market.)
(The young man, Lex, is revealed with his sharp black hair and piercing black eyes. Dark lines are drawn beneath his eyes (perhaps signs of exhaustion or battle-ready ornamentation). He wears a shell-patterned black shirt, and faint dark spots (acne or subtle markings) dot his face. To his left stands his Uncle, with coarse black hair, narrow eyes, and deep wrinkles.)
Lex: (In a quiet voice tinged with arrogance)
"Why have you summoned us today, Mr. President? Wasn't the agreement that we were to remain strictly out of sight?"
Nelson: (Smiling coldly)
"Do not be rash, Lex. Impulsiveness does not suit those who execute precise missions like yourselves. The matter at hand transcends mere hiding or selling in the marketplace."
Lex's Uncle: (In a rough, businesslike tone)
"Lex is right. Do not waste our valuable time. We are here under the umbrella of the secret contract. What is the fee we will be receiving for this new task that has drawn us out of our hideout?"
Nelson: (Takes a step forward, his eyes fixed on Lex)
"I appreciate your directness, and that is precisely why I chose you. The mission demands both competence and intense hatred for the target."
Lex: (Raising an eyebrow)
"Hatred? Are you referring to the silver-haired boy, Kazuma? That arrogant child who humiliated us in public at the market?"
Nelson: (Nodding calmly)
"Precisely. I want you to employ every ounce of resentment you harbor towards him. Your mission is to abduct Kazuma and deliver him to me. Alive, and with the minimal amount of damage possible."
Lex's Uncle: (Shaking his head scornfully)
"Kidnapping a child? That seems like an overly simple task for such a high price. Is that all there is to it?"
Nelson: (His smile widens, becoming more cunning)
"No. That is merely one part of the grand scheme. This boy is a valuable bait. If he is brought to me, a person of immense power will follow him without hesitation."
Lex: (With keen interest)
"Immense power? Are you speaking of the man known as Jin?"
Nelson: (With feigned surprise)
"I see your intelligence is accurate, Lex. Yes, Jin. If you bring me Kazuma, I will guarantee you not just wealth, but a position of authority under my leadership in the new order I am currently establishing."
Lex's Uncle: (With decisive gravity)
"A new order? Is this truly a coup against the current authority, or a confrontation with the 'Shamahan,' as rumored?"
Nelson: (With strong determination)
"This is the first step toward rebuilding the entire village on a foundation that guarantees power and absolute sovereignty. And you, will be among the pillars upon which this structure depends. Are you ready to convert an old insult into power and stature?"
Lex: (A look of old hatred surfaces on his face; he smiles slowly)
"As long as I get a chance to humiliate that boy, and it serves my ambition... then let this kidnapping mission be the beginning."
Lex's Uncle:
"When do we begin, and how do we bypass the palace guards?"
Nelson: (Gesturing toward a map on a nearby table)
Nelson watches Lex and Kagi after he finishes explaining the broad outlines of the plan.)
Nelson: (Calmly, observing Lex)
"Kagi, why did you insist on bringing Lex with you on a mission of this magnitude? I fear his presence might only serve as a distraction to you."
Kagi: (In a rough, serious voice)
"Do not underestimate him, Mr. President. Lex is no ordinary child. He possesses the necessary skills and will be a great asset in the execution."
Nelson: (Raising an eyebrow)
"Are you certain this won't make you both an obstacle to each other, especially in a critical situation?"
Lex: (Interrupting with unrestrained anger)
"Show some respect, President. I am not an obstacle to anyone."
Kagi: (Intervening firmly between them)
"As I assured you before, Lex will be very useful. His combined skills guarantee success."
Lex: (His tone softens, returning to seriousness)
"Very well. Now that we've finished debating my competence, would you kindly address the core issue? Why did you specifically summon us?"
(Nelson pulls a printed photograph of Kazuma from his pocket and places it on the table.)
Lex: (With sudden calm upon seeing the photo)
"What is this? (He looks at his Uncle) Uncle, do you remember him?"
(Kagi picks up Kazuma's photo and examines his features with cold composure.)
Kagi: (Calmly confirming the memory)
"Yes, I remember him well. That intrusive boy who stood in our way at the market."
Lex: (His calmness and focus return)
"Good. And what if we succeed in capturing him and bringing him to you? What reward will you grant us?"
Nelson: (With a cold, calculated smile)
"I will secure for you a life of absolute luxury and legitimacy. You will no longer need to sell those dirty drugs in the back alleys, nor will you have to hide from the police. You will be part of the system, with clean money and a prestigious position."
Kagi: (With narrowed eyes)
"Luxury in exchange for kidnapping a child... I fear the true price of this mission is far greater than what you have mentioned, Nelson."
(In the palace garden, where Nelson negotiates with Kagi and Lex.)
Nelson: (With deliberate calmness)
"The agreement is clear. You will kidnap him and hand him over to me, and then you will receive your full payment."
Kagi: (In a steady, uncompromising voice)
"We will not settle for a paltry sum tossed to us like crumbs. We require a clear financial guarantee now, not deferred promises."
Nelson: (With biting confidence, he tosses a small sum onto the table)
"Let's be serious. I will give you the equivalent of roughly fifteen dollars ($15) now, to cover your immediate expenses. Consider this a down payment of trust."
Kagi: (Extends his left hand for a handshake, not reaching for the money)
"Then, this is acceptable. We are allies, in principle."
Nelson: (With cold composure, ignoring the handshake)
"What is required of you now: Capture him today. Search for him in every alley of the village, and in every apartment. Once the mission is accomplished, take your money and leave this village forever."
Lex: (With restless quiet)
"Then we have an agreement."
Nelson: (Concluding the matter)
"Go and find him now."
⏳ Frustrating Search and the Fall of Night
(The Narrator, in a rough, realistic voice): Kagi and Lex embraced their shared objective, filled with the exhilaration of the money and future promises. The search began immediately; in every alley, every apartment, and the abandoned outskirts of the village. But luck was not on their side. They did not find Kazuma. It was fortunate for the boy that he had left the village with Hiden for Kimura the previous night, or he would have fallen into the trap.
(Night fell, and Kagi and Lex returned to the palace. Anger permeated the atmosphere.)
(Nelson slams the table with both hands violently, veins bulging on his forehead, his eyes bloodshot.)
Nelson: (In a voice mixing contained rage with contempt)
"You have no right to justify failure! How could you not locate a single child in a semi-deserted and besieged village?"
Kagi: (With a calmness that contrasts sharply with the situation)
"We did what we were told. We searched everywhere possible. We apologize, but I suspect he has already left the village."
Nelson: (Gritting his teeth venomously)
"Damn it! Damn it all! That was the only way—the fastest opportunity to capture Jin!"
Lex: (With an arrogant smile not devoid of provocation)
"Why are you so angry, Mr. President? Wasn't he just bait? Give us our money and let us leave, as you promised."
Nelson: (Forces a yellow smile, then clenches his jaw tightly, speaking with venomous calm)
"Do not mistake me for a fool, Lex. I will give you the money, and all the promised luxury, but... only when you capture Kazuma."
Lex: (Shouting nervously)
"But you promised us the money once we agreed! Kazuma might have left the village forever!"
Kagi: (Calmly attempting to mitigate his nephew's sharpness)
"Calm down, son. Let us think of another solution."
(Nelson, having regained his cold composure, looks at Kagi and Lex.)
Nelson: (Calmly, processing the matter in his mind)
"You and your companion will remain in the village. In the meantime, I will initiate the chemical gas deployment."
Kagi: (With suppressed fury)
"Nelson, you have crossed the line this time! This is not a tactic; it is total destruction of the village and its inhabitants."
Nelson: (With cold calmness and a chilling smile, suggesting madness)
"I will ignite the chaos, and I will release the gas for one purpose: to specifically lure Kazuma. As soon as he hears that the village is suffocating under the catastrophe, he will return to rescue it and surrender himself to me. Or, Jin himself may come to save him. It is one strike that hits two targets."
Lex: (With a voice tinged with concern)
"If we remain inside the village, our fate will be death by gas suffocation. Do you truly consider our lives to be so expendable?"
(Nelson bends down, then straightens up, holding two specialized masks with a distinctive design—a wide eye opening and a long, prominent nose piece.)
Nelson: "These are for you. They are guaranteed to protect you from inhaling air polluted by the chemical agents. You will need them to be my eyes and ears amidst the chaos."