After Black Mask became a globally wanted criminal, he was forced to flee into a forest filled with predatory creatures so that no one could discover his whereabouts. As he wandered, he began questioning himself: "Am I truly a criminal? Did I really commit a shameful act? All I ever did was help while hiding behind an anonymous identity!"
His thoughts dragged him back into his past, and he longed for the bliss of ignorance, for awareness had been nothing but torment to him. Yet, he refused to surrender. Determined, he decided to uncover the truth about the mysterious man in the black suit. For this, he sought the help of his loyal friend, Kevin—a researcher who never hesitated to assist him.
Kevin began investigating and discovered that the man's name was Edward. Black Mask then resolved to track down Edward's secret hideout. One night, he broke into an abandoned building, deserted for many years for reasons unknown. While searching for clues, Black Mask uncovered fragments of Edward's life: he once had a family, but they abandoned him, calling him insane due to his obsession with science.
Left alone, Edward deserted his home and relocated to a laboratory in another country, where he pursued experiments not only on humans but on all living creatures. However, a new obstacle confronted Black Mask: as an internationally wanted criminal, he could not travel freely. Desperate, he turned again to Kevin, asking for a way to cross borders.
Kevin told him about a man named Ace, someone capable of smuggling him legally, without arousing suspicion. Intrigued, Black Mask went to meet Ace, only to discover that his office was within a government building—a police station.
There, he encountered Ace, a broad-shouldered man in his late thirties to early forties. Ace said: "So, you are Black Mask. Kevin has told me about you. I'll give you a way to travel legally." With that, Ace tossed him a phantom mask.
Once Black Mask put it on, he looked like a completely different person. Ace also handed him a forged passport, warning him to beware of the meticulous police inspectors. With this disguise, Black Mask made his way to the airport. To his shock, the plan worked flawlessly.
After a twelve-hour flight, he arrived in the new country. There, he removed the mask and retreated to a secret location he already knew of. He began laying the groundwork for an ambitious plan.
Eventually, Black Mask discovered Edward's hideout: it was hidden within a wildlife reserve. Beneath a colossal tree lay an advanced underground laboratory, so futuristic it felt like stepping into another era.
Venturing deep into the vast forest, Black Mask began his search for the tree. What he didn't realize, however, was that his true adventure was only just beginning…