[ < EPISODE 1 - Miracle Struck > ]
Rain slicked the streets of Tokyo, neon lights flickering in puddles like broken dreams. A car roared past, its engine echoing through the alleyways. In a dim, desolate corridor between buildings, Akio Jager[1] trudged forward. His coat hung heavy on his shoulders, soaked and threadbare. Once a priest, now just a homeless poor soul, as he wandered without purpose.
Memories clawed at him.
He saw himself at a casino table, chips vanishing like sand through fingers. His son, Dameon, had stood beside him, eyes pleading.
"Please, Dad," Dameon[2] had begged. "Stop before it's too late."
Now, Akio collapsed against the wall of a shuttered café, sighing deeply. "If only I'd listened…" he muttered, staring at his trembling hands. "Could've stayed a priest… Damn it."
Suddenly, chaos erupted inside the café. Shouts. Screams.
"I SAID I'M DONE WITH YOUR CRAP! LEAVE ME ALONE!" a panicked voice yelled.
Another voice, calm and sinister, replied, "Done? Don't forget—I own you."
"Your missions are dangerous! You're a freak!" the first voice snapped.
"You dare insult my work? My gifts?" the sinister voice hissed.
"I-I didn't mean—"
"Oranto…[3]" the sinister voice said coldly. "I gave you your powers. I can take it back with just one grasp."
"Not without a fight!" Oranto shouted.
A glowing hand burst from a portal, seizing Oranto by the throat. He gasped, lifted off the ground. A radiant sword shimmered in the woman's hand. She drove it into his chest.
"AUGHHHH!" Oranto screamed.
"Dealstruck: Erasure," the woman said.
Oranto's body crumpled. A storm of spears rained from the sky, scattering terrified citizens. Only Akio remained, unmoved.
The woman turned toward him, intrigued. Her red hair glowed under the streetlight.
"Interesting…" she murmured.
She approached and knelt beside him, her voice soft but piercing. "You don't belong in this mess. What's a soul like you doing here?"
Akio blinked. "Do I… know you?"
"Hello poor thing... Call me Aegis[4]," she said. "Or Grace, if you prefer."
"Whatever," Akio muttered. "Got any spare change? I'm… not doing great."
"How bad?" she asked.
"Don't ask... Just… anything would help."
"I do have money," Aegis said with a smirk. "But I need something first in return."
Akio sighed. "Figures. What is it?"
Aegis spoke. "A few tasks... Missions, really. You're perfect for them."
Akio tilted his head. "What kind of missions?"
Aegis smirked again. "Let's just say… lucrative ones. BUT!! You'll be rich in no time."
Akio raised an eyebrow. "How much are we talking?"
She spoke back. "As much as you need."
"…Huh." Akio looked up, surprised with looks of hope.
"Let me guess," Aegis said, her tone teasing. "Rock bottom? Gambling debts? Sermons that no one listens to?"
"Yeah…" Akio said sarcastically. "Thanks for the reminder."
"I'll fix those mistakes," she promised. "Money, power, everything you lost."
Akio hesitated. "...Where do I start?"
"Now."
She extended her hand, glowing faintly with red flame.
Akio stared. "What the hell is that?"
"A pact," Aegis replied. "Shake my hand, and we begin."
Akio hesitates. "This isn't some scam, right? What kind of witchcraft-"
"Shake," she said coldly. "Or walk away."
Akio swallowed. "Alright, alright."
They shook hands.
Aegis handed Akio a small note, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Meet me there later, cutie," she said with a wink.
Akio grimaced. "Don't call me that."
"Whatever you say," she replied playfully.
Before he could respond, she snapped her fingers. A portal shimmered open behind her, and in a blink, she vanished.
Akio stared at the note in his hand, rain dripping from his sleeve. He sighed. "At least it's nearby…"
The city buzzed around him as he walked. Neon signs reflected off wet pavement. Crowds moved like currents, umbrellas bobbing in the drizzle. Akio kept his head down, weaving through the chaos until he reached a towering building.
"Gracefilled Headquarters," he muttered, reading the sign. "Pretty damn huge of a building... Jesus."
He reached for the door... but before his fingers touched the handle, a flash of light engulfed him.
Akio stumbled into a glowing lobby, surreal and dreamlike. The air shimmered with faint red light, and the walls pulsed with strange energy. He walked forward cautiously, unsure of what he'd just stepped into.
A door creaked open ahead.
Inside, the room was bathed in crimson neon. Aegis sat cross-legged on a desk, humming to herself like she'd been waiting for hours.
"You made it!" she said, grinning. "Perfect. Was half-convinced you'd ghost me and pretend this never happened. But hey! good for you!"
She tilted her head. "Let's cut to the chase… what's your name again?"
"Akio Jager," he replied, still adjusting to the surreal surroundings.
"Didn't think you'd show," Aegis said, tossing a folder toward him. "Good. Let's get to it."
Akio caught the folder and flipped through the pages. His eyes widened.
"Assassinations? Bounties? This is insane."
"Call it what you want," she said with a shrug. "It pays."
Akio groaned. "'Worth it,' my ass…"
"Let's start," Aegis said, her tone turning brisk. "First target: Ethan Hayes. Codename: Detonator."
Akio's jaw dropped. "The Walking Disaster?! That psycho?"
"Yep," she said casually. "Destroyed multiple parts of the government's property. But now? He's locked up. Vulnerable."
Akio asks. "What happened to him?"
"Not sure," she replied. "Maybe you'll find out."
"So, I just… walk in and kill him?"
"Exactly." She stepped forward and strapped a small device to his chest.
Akio recoiled. "What the hell?! TAKE THIS OFF ME!!-"
"Chillllll... It's just a Body-cam," Aegis explained. "Live-streamed. Insurance. Entertainment. And especially for researching purposes."
"You're broadcasting this?! LIVE?!"
"Of course," she said with a smirk. "You're the star now."
Akio scowled. "This suck..."
"Sure, grandpa, it pays you anyways. Who cares?" she teased.
Akio sighed. "…Whatever."
Aegis spoke again. "Oh, and there are three more targets," she added. "Achi Ichor, Fern, and Hans Libertres."
Akio groaned again. "Great. They sound terrifying."
"You'll get used to it. There's even more buttttttt... I feel like that'll be saved for later, just get past through this phase first and I'll tell you."
Akio groaned. "Fine…"
"But first," Aegis said, "you need to prove yourself. A tryout."
Akio blinked. "Tryout?"
"Meet Velena Iris," she said. "She's not a fighter, but she'll test you."
Just then, the door opened and a woman stepped in. Her presence was calm, but her eyes were sharp.
"You rang?" Velena Iris[5] said. "Is this a mission?"
"Not yet," Aegis replied. "Just test Akio here."
Akio turned to her. "You're Iris?"
"Correct," she said. "Follow me."
Aegis waved them off. "Send me the results later, Iris. Feedback too."
"Yeah yeah…" Iris muttered as she led Akio out.
[ < EPISODE 2 - Spark Begun > ]
The cell was silent, save for the soft hum of fluorescent lights. Ethan Hayes[6] lay on his back, staring at the cracked ceiling above him. His fingers twitched restlessly.
"Ugh…" he muttered. "I swear to God… Vandal,[7] when I'm out of this cell, you are so dead."
He sat up abruptly, storming to the iron bars and gripping them with white-knuckled fury.
"HEY!" he roared. "YOU BALD-HEADED BUREAUCRATS! LET ME OUT! I NEED TO TAKE HIS HEAD AND FUCKING SEND HIM TO HELL!"
His voice echoed down the corridor, unanswered.
Then, footsteps. Slow. Deliberate.
From the shadows emerged a figure dressed in sleek black, adorned with shimmering clockwork accessories. His presence was calm, almost theatrical.
The figure is a famous researcher of the Vaultstruct Foundation; Uzziah Cellowelt.[8] With him being part of the "10" targets for Akio to hunt.
Ethan squinted. "Who the hell…? What's with the weird rose dipshit?"
Welt smiled. "Rude. But charming. I like that about you."
"You gon stare or bust me out?" Ethan snapped.
"That's exactly why I'm here," the man replied. "You're getting out. But not just to escape, to unleash. I want you to go wild. Unleash the disaster."
Ethan's grin spread like wildfire. "You got yourself a deal, nerd."
"One thing," Welt said, stepping closer. "You're being hunted. Someone's coming for you. Soon."
Ethan's eyes narrowed. "What?"
"You won't survive long in a cage," Welt continued. "You're too easy a target like this. So... here's your key to freedom."
He placed a small device on the bars with casual precision.
BOOM.
The cell exploded open in a burst of smoke and sparks.
Ethan stepped out, coughing through the haze. The man tossed him a bundle, his old weapons, customized in Vaultstruct Style.
"Have fun," Welt said. "Tear it all down, if you like."
Ethan's smile twisted into something feral. "Oh, I will."
Later, the prison lay in ruins. Flames danced over collapsed watchtowers. Smoke curled into the night sky like a signal of war.
Ethan walked through the wreckage, untouched by the chaos. Soot streaked his face, but his grin remained.
He laughed, loud, unhinged, victorious.
The air in Aegis's office was thick with tension and sweat. Akio sat slouched in a chair, catching his breath. Across from him, Iris leaned against the wall, arms crossed, still evaluating.
Aegis broke the silence. "So… how was he?"
Iris tilted her head, considering. "Mediocre overall. But his aim? Impressive. Six shots from a revolver... missed only one."
Aegis raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. Anything else?"
"He's got fast reflexes," Iris continued. "Quick strikes, good instincts. He's rough around the edges, but there's potential. He just needs polish."
Aegis nodded. "That'll do."
She turned to Akio. "Alright, priest. Ready for your first mission?"
Akio blinked, still catching up. "Hm? Uh… I guess so. How am I getting there?"
"Like I said," Aegis replied, her tone casual. "Your target... Ethan Hayes, is locked up in a prison. You're going to waltz in and slit his throat. Simple."
Akio frowned. "Brutal. Crude. But… fine."
"One more thing," Aegis added, her voice sharpening. "You've got three hours. If you go over, let's just say… we'll have a problem. Capiche?"
"Alright, alright," Akio muttered. "Just tell me how I'm getting there."
"I'll snap you there," she said, stepping closer.
Akio hesitated. "Oh. Uh… okay."
Aegis stood still, her expression unreadable. She stared at him, unblinking, almost too long.
Akio shifted uncomfortably. "So… are you gonna teleport me now, or-?"
Before he could finish, Aegis snapped her fingers.
FLASH.
Akio vanished.
Aegis exhaled slowly, a faint smile curling on her lips. "And so," she whispered, "here comes the massacre."
<<<<<<<<< CHAPTER 0 ENDS.
[1] Who is Akio Jager? Akio Jager or just "Akio" is the main character of CONTRACTS. He was a priest before, but now since he has gambling debts and all. He has lost everything in that day, and now he's just a homeless poor soul. Wandering and waiting for a miracle.
[2] Who is Dameon? Dameon Jager or just "Dameon" is the son of Akio Jager.
[3] Who is Oranto? Oranto Ryuko or just "Oranto" is part of a syndicate "The Tenfold Eclipse"
[4] Who is Aegis? Aegis or well known as "Grace" is a Demi-God disguised as a human. Founder of the Gracefilled Company. The main source of where most power in the shows come from. As she give out powers each deal or missions the Contractor do.
[5] Who is Iris? Velena Iris or just "Iris" is one of the employees of the Gracefilled Company, playing as the role of the side-protagonist and healer most of the time.
[6] Who is Ethan? Ethan Hayes or just "Ethan" is a reckless yet soft-hearted character, one of the main "10" targets that Akio has to hunt down.
[7] Who is Vandal? Vandal Iscariot or just "Vandal" so far, won't be revealed but just a character part of Ethan's backstory.
[8] Who is Welt? Uzziah Cellowelt or just "Welt" is a well-known researcher of the Vaultstruct Foundation, and also being revealed to being part of the "10" targets for Akio to hunt down.