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Chapter 1 - Locked for Murder

This is the juiciest melon I've ever tasted.

The General said, eating his melon, as Philip commented,

"What the helly?"

Then Clint feeling amused, commented,

"You have a wise word choice there, General."

"Oh, hell nah. Have you ever heard him say that to Philly?"

"Brother.... Come on man" (laughter)

The location is classified. There was a temporary camp with soldiers resting, hidden in the forest with soldiers guarding the perimeter. Three soldiers were having fun when I appeared. Clint asked.

"Ohhh, hey Korean, wanna join?"

"Gotta swap with James."

"Ahh, sure."

Gunshots started as they all engaged, the General said,

"What the hell."

Clint replied, taking his gun.

"They found us?"

I said as they all started to vacate.

"This soon? We gotta move right now."

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We were the best team, in the horrible, odd missions. Odd but crucial ones. We were assigned to a manhunt, to assassinate the richest corrupt arms dealer who was about to hit his fortune—a high load of nuclear weapon materials, enough to cause multiple brutal extinction-level events.

So the stakes were high—failure could cause world abomination. Back to the mission: It was frightening. We rushed to the other side of the forest as vigilantly as possible. We tried to escape terrorist squads. Many didn't make it out; some were AWOL. Philip couldn't make it. He had just joined the team after celebrating his daughter's wedding. Clint didn't make it either. He was one of those guys you can hate but also respect—if he's on the team, we're just gonna be fine. That's the compliment the General gave, which was enough to let him call me "Korean." We were sabotaged.

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Few, including me, managed to get into an abandoned house. The General still managed to walk with Charlie mid-fight—Charlie had his feet blown off due to a grenade. Including me, General, Charlie, and Jordan survived. We heard footsteps as we aimed, only to find it was James who messed up and caused this disaster.

"What? How did this happen?"

"They were too close, I wasn't able to sense them until it was too late." The General was pissed.

"God damn it, James. We lost 10 of my best because of your mistake."

"I am sorry, General."

"Don't be sorry to me, James. Be sorry to the men who lost their lives."

I tried to calm the General. Charlie, resting against the wall, said,

"So what's the plan? Lay down, wait for reinforcement."

"No," the General said and continued.

"Nah, the situation is beyond our scope for help. We raid them before they raid us." Jordan worriedly said,

"What about ammunition?"

"Thanks to Levi, he managed to get some ammo from the dead." James said,

"Are you sure about this?" the General replied.

"Yes, and you're staying with Charlie." Charlie hesitated, saying,

"No, take him. I'll just drag you down..."

"That's an order, Charlie. He stays with you. I can't afford to lose another comrade."

"Take care of him, here." I gave some rags and continued,

"If things escalate, you're skilled enough to survive your way out."

"Ready, formation turtle. Levi take the lead."

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The situation turned assassination into a suicide mission. We sneaked in using disguised clothes and managed to walk through the base. Thanks to the fake proxy explosive, we compromised their search and activated the radio jamming device. We made our way to their base—an old abandoned Nuclear Power Plant.

We cut through the fence, eliminating the facility. Due to lack of comms, we crashed through the power supply site and shut down the supply. Snipers started shooting at us as Jordan tracked and eliminated them.

We entered the main facility. The place was filled with rusty metal and stagnant water in every damp space. The guards were on high alert, so we had to kill them with explosives and sneak behind the remaining ones. Inside the main hallway, we got there and...

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"There was...? What?"

"Sorry, can we stop this now?"

"Yeah sure, whenever you feel comfortable we can continue later then."

"Okay then, thank you for the session, Dr. Tilda."

"Thank you, Levi, for being open with me. What you have suffered is traumatic, and sharing it means a lot. Until next time, take care."

The psychiatrics left, Levi was craving for chocolate as he checked in his fridge, it was filled with everything except what he wanted.

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He picks his jacket and walked to the nearest store,

Thank you, sir. Have a great day!

He is a tall Korean-American with a lean yet well-defined physique built for endurance rather than sheer bulk, grabs his bag while leaving. As he does, a large yet unfit man with a rough, sharp face and rage-filled black eyes, wearing a blue jacket, steps forward toward the counter. Levi glances at him, noticing the scorpion tattoo on his neck, then exits the store.

Outside, snowflakes fall, landing on his jet-black, slightly tousled hair that naturally frames his face. A faint scar cuts across his left eyebrow, a subtle reminder of past encounters. Cars move along the road, citizens jog, and the first light of dawn begins to break. His straight nose and firm lips rarely betray emotion, maintaining a composed demeanor. Though his smooth skin hints at youth, the faint shadows under his eyes speak of restless nights and a mind that never truly rests.

As he walks the streets, he takes a bite of the chocolate bar he bought, feeling completely relaxed. He tries to contact Suki when suddenly, his happiness fades as he hears...

(faintly)

"Somebody... help..."

Levi's heart skips a beat as past trauma resurfaces. His instincts kick in. He starts running toward the voice, weaving through the corners of the block. He takes a left, then a right, and stops.

A sharp, metallic scent hits his senses—fresh blood. Taking a left, then a right, he stops as he spots the same man in the blue jacket. The man has a woman cornered, his grip tightening while she struggles in distress. She has already given up hope, her strength fading like a trapped bird about to take its final breath.

The thin, dark alley is empty, despite noise from nearby streets. Levi reveals his true self. The man suddenly freezes, unable to move. His body trembles as if stabbed by a thousand invisible needles. The critically injured woman clutches her abdomen where she has been stabbed. Levi wastes no time, one swift kick and the man collapses.

The rancid stench of garbage fills the alley as snowflakes descend silently. Levi lifts the injured woman onto his back and rushes toward the road. The wail of sirens grows closer. An ambulance arrives.

The paramedics take the woman. A second medic approaches to speak with Levi, but before he can say a word—Levi vanishes.

The crowd, now gathered at the scene, snaps pictures of the rescue, whispering among themselves, searching for the mysterious savior.

Meanwhile, Levi moves unseen through the streets. His senses track the man in the blue jacket, who stumbles away, trying to escape—though from what, he isn't sure. Levi watches from a distance as the man begins to sweat, his fear rising. His body stiffens, his breathing becomes shallow. It's as if he's being pulled toward Levi, compelled by an unseen force.

As he gets closer, his mind is invaded by something terrifying. He sees no, relives his past crimes. Every act of violence, every moment of cruelty, every horror he has committed. He stands there, trembling, unable to comprehend the force gripping him.

The ambulance has already left.

Levi, now on the other side of the block, stares at the man. Blood gushes from his nose and mouth as Levi delivers blow after blow, his fists landing with relentless fury, until he finally finds peace.

He stops. His knuckles ache, his breath is ragged. He looks skyward as his phone vibrates in his pocket. Levi's calm voice is baffled with the Russian voice.

"Hello."

(Raged) "Why now?!"

"What..." (interrupted)

"You used your abilities off-duty."

(Convincing) "To rescue civilians."

"Cut the bulls**t, Sergeant! If anyone finds out.!"

"No one saw it."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I... (halts) am."

Levi exhales sharply. Between breaths, he looks at the man before him. His face is no longer recognizable, disfigured beyond reason, a twisted mess of flesh and blood. Levi speaks in hopelessness, realizing what he has done.

"This is your last warning, Sergeant."

"Scouter... I killed a civilian. A rapist, to be precise."

(Silence.)

"...Protocol Repent has been initiated for Subject ID AXL-924-Ω-G4-101. Report to jail immediately or you will be terminated. Understood?"

"Yes." (Gasping for breath.)

Levi grabs his bag and walks away, leaving the lifeless body in the middle of the alley. Blood pools around it, spreading slowly through the snow.

A black sedan pulls up in front of him. The door swings open. Inside, a soldier sits motionless, fully equipped with a gas mask and heavy armor, ready for war.

Levi steps in. The door shuts. Within seconds, the interior is flooded with gas. His vision blurs, and his body grows heavy. Meanwhile, another car arrives to recover the corpse.

Darkness.

The car moves forward.

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Welcome to Syveron Research Facility

"Where Science Becomes Salvation."

At Syveron, we pioneer groundbreaking biomedical advancements from cutting-edge pharmaceuticals to state-of-the-art medical technology. Our mission: engineering a healthier, brighter, and more prosperous future for all.

The Syveron Research Facility, California, operates as a classified site. It houses secret experiments, restricted research, and, most notably—violation containment for agents like Levi.

The facility is pristine. White walls, lined with subtle blue accents, give it a sterile yet futuristic feel. Every inch is under high surveillance, equipped with state-of-the-art medical technology.

Levi wakes in a confined, square room. The walls are the same sterile white with blue detailing. A metal table and two chairs sit in the center. His wrists are cuffed. An intercom and a heavy steel door stand before him.

(Beep.)

The door slides open.

An American man enters, wearing a black trench coat. He looks tired and aged, his face wrinkled. In his hand, he carries a thick case file about an inch thick, most likely a recent report on what happened in the dark alley.

He sits across from Levi. Without a word, he pulls out his phone.

"Verify yourself."

"I am NEURON, Axolotl Classified Operative. Subject ID AXL-924-Ω-G4-101."

(Beep.)

"Identity confirmed."

The man exhales heavily. "Let's get this over with. You know why you're here."

"Yes, sir. But before that..." (skeptical gaze) "Do you have clearance to interrogate me?"

"Scouter will be arriving soon. Until then..." (gestures for him to sit) "According to the report, you killed a civilian charged with sexual assault and murder. Am I right?"

"Yes."

"Wait... but how did you know he was a murderer beforehand..."

(Beep.)

The door opens again.

A middle-aged Russian man enters, dressed in a sharp black formal outfit. His firm physique is the result of years of relentless training. His cold gaze, precise movements, and aura of ruthless professionalism command both respect and an underlying sense of danger.

The interrogator stands, exchanges a few hushed words with him, then steps out. The second man sits opposite Levi.

"So, what do you think you are? Some kind of f**king Dexter?"

"Saving civilians comes first. No matter what."

"Oh, so we have a f**king savior here? Let me tell you something she knows. And now she's gonna be killed. Everything you did? It was all in vain."

"She doesn't."

(Raged)

"The rules are clear. If anyone outside the classified members learns about the existence of abnormal abilities..." (emphasis) "termination is mandatory."

"You can't kill someone who doesn't know s**t!"

The man smirks. "That's exactly what you did, Sergeant."

(Realization.)

"Rules don't chain us; they're the compass that guides us. I don't know who the f**k said it, but it kind of makes sense. See, if we don't follow rules, we tend to destroy ourselves. What makes us human is rules. Following them is what keeps us sane. You've been sentenced to a week of imprisonment."

(Hopeless.)

"Just take me to jail already, Scouter."

(In Russian)

"Piece of s**t! ... This d**n generation has zero patience."

The Scouter takes Levi to jail. He is blindfolded as the guards are assigned their orders regarding his imprisonment. The containment facility is secured with titanium walls, motion sensors, and high-level surveillance. Any prisoner attempting to escape will be terminated immediately.

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The metallic scent in the air is too familiar. The cold silver walls of the confined cell contain only the bare essentials: a bed, a toilet, and a Rules & Regulations book outlining the protocols enforced by Syveron Industries.

This is how justice works. No matter what we do, good always seems to collapse into darkness. Revolutionaries are silenced for their ideologies, while people are rewarded for conforming. Validation and war are nothing more than power struggles—assertions of will. If someone powerful wills it, it happens without resistance. Yet, somehow, the world finds balance. And if that balance shifts, we are the ones who bring it back. As he continued his past.

We entered the office where we saw the target sitting in his chair. The General said, "Something's off."

As he gets to turn his chair he's dead. "Who killed him?", I said as we got com saying. ""It's ..." As we heard Charlie say, it was too late. James opened the door and shot me with a grenade launcher. The General blocked it, but the impact pushed me, breaking through the glass wall and falling into stagnant coolant water.

I was dead...

Or somehow I was accepted to a confidential experiment and it went well, except just a few headaches as side-effects. I met two people who had gone through similar tragedies and got a second life, a few more later on. A chance to save the world, but at what cost? I own Syveron a huge debt I can never pay, even after they pay me for what I do. The same industry I am thankful for was the reason I might have died. The reason they saved me, maybe because I saw the military containers with Syveron marks. Of course, it is the lead manufacture of weapons but nuclear power is banned by the government. This reminds me of what responsibility I hold as a lead operative of the squad and the secrets they are hiding from us—the very people assigned to rescue the flawed system in the first place. As I end my monologue...

The Scouter releases him. He looks rushed, as if something serious has happened. Levi follows him, trying to understand the situation.

"Well, must be desperate to release me, this soon?" (smiling)

"It is.."

(Sighs) "It is.. We got into a code red situation back at SGI."

"Syveron Geothermal Institute, the research facility where Hadeon was created, right?"

(Suspicious) "That was supposed to be classified!"

"Well... let's pretend this conversation never happened."

"Better that way."

They arrive at the control room, where operatives are working urgently. The Scouter moves toward a large screen and begins explaining the operation.

"While I go over the mission details, the rest of the team is preparing for deployment."

"Roger."

"One of our Board Members, Cassandra Specter, was assigned to inspect the Syveron Geothermal Institute. But things went downhill when a highly classified subject escaped containment and wreaked havoc inside the facility. We received a status report confirming that this is a high-level threat, as Protocol Eclipse was initiated when the subject escaped and sabotaged the facility."

(One of the workers speaks. All of the operatives have formal outfits with the Corporation pin on them.)

"Sir, the system is offline, and the AI is not responding to any commands."

"As expected due to this protocol. We're still unaware of the full situation, and our only intel comes from Suki's last communication before she went offline."

"Hope Suki is safe."

"Show us the comms, Salome."

The footage shows a close-up of Suki exudes an alluring yet formidable appearance. Her cold, captivating eyes hold an enigmatic charm, reflecting both intelligence and lethal precision. Her wavy bob, jet-black accented by striking purple streaks, frames her face elegantly, the soft waves adding depth to her sharp features as she reports the incident.

The room has a black rock matte texture with a thin gold rim running along the lower middle. Frustrated yet maintaining her composure, she delivers critical information about the facility, her unwavering gaze hinting at the gravity of the situation.

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20-12-2025 | 12:13 PM | SHADE | SGI, Insight Room

"This is SHADE, ID-AXL-357-Ω-G4-102. Protocol Eclipse has been initiated. The VIP is secured, but there is abnormal activity in the facility.

(Possible earthquake—shaking footage.)

After an explosion in one of the sectors, the facility is experiencing dimensional shifts.

(Sighs.)

The cause is unknown, but we are trying to regain surveillance access. The lockdown sequence has been activated.

I need backup ASAP."

(Static noise, gunshots...)

The footage ends.

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Chapter ends.

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