[Generation Zero Era]
A man walks down the broken street, his stomach growling.
Man (thinking): I'm hungry… haven't eaten since yesterday… only one coin left.
A shadow falls across him.
A man stands there — knuckles bandaged, wearing a torn soldier's uniform.
The air around him feels heavy. Smells like death.
Man (thinking): No… I'm going…
He starts crawling back.
???: Where are you going?
Man (panicking): W-Who… who are you?
???: (grinning wide) Name's Hachiro. Now, what's that in your hand?
Man: It's… a coin.
Hachiro: Exactly. Hand it over.
Man: N-No! I haven't eaten since—
The grin vanishes. Hachiro cracks his neck.
The man trembles.
Man (screaming): Somebody help me—!
THUD! THUD! THUD!
Hachiro's fists slam into his face, again and again.
TSCH! TSCH! TSCH!
Blood splatters across the ground.
The man's body twitches once — then goes still.
Hachiro kneels, picks up the coin.
Hachiro: This'll be enough for a drink.
He pockets it and walks off.
From the corner, voices shout:
Men: It's Hachiro!
They block his path.
Thug: Hand over your money!
Hachiro: Money?
One swings at him — Hachiro slips it effortlessly.
Hachiro (grinning): Now you've done it.
CRACK!
A right cross smashes into the thug's nose — blood explodes outward.
Hachiro: Give up your money here.
Chapter 102 — End