Zero sat in the alley, where there was no noise except for the wind.
He stared ahead, thinking about the past that even he doesn't know exists.
"Let's try everything it takes, to find the truth."
"Knowing this world… it's filled with fools who would sell their bodies, kill, even kidnap, just for a handful of coins." Disgust tinged his tone.
A bitter smirk curled his lips. As he glazed at the sky. "Money is everything, huh?" He thought.
"It buys power," {for the royalty.}
"Hope," {for the one in need.}
"And even fleeting happiness," {you do not lack resources.}
But then he glanced down at the ground. Understanding the harsh truths of life, what people in power forget.
"Loyalty?" {You might get betrayed no matter what you have.}
"Love and youth?" {One shapes your soul, and another your flesh. They are nothing a mere material can truly buy.}
"Everything has its own strength and weaknesses." Zero thought, he didn't just understand the world, he saw through it.
With determination, his fingers clenched into a fist. "But… I'll become something so flawless… that no one will be able to pinpoint my weaknesses." He said with cold eyes.
"Guess I should go pay that one place a visit."
Zero slowed for half a second. When he saw a homeless man.
The man didn't look up, didn't beg and he didn't even pretend hope existed.
{lazy people deserve what they get…}
His eyes lingered away.
{…but some people never even had a chance. It could be the first time I'm seeing the world like this.}
He walked away.
At his favorite spot, near a winding river, he lay back on the grass, the cool earth grounding him.
Nearby, a group of children played tag, their laughter light and carefree. It filled the air with a fleeting joy, yet he felt distant—a spectator to their innocence.
His lips curled into a dark smile. "I need to understand who I really am." His eyes glinted with twisted excitement. "Because what's happening to me is… absolutely abnormal. It puts me in the sights of enemies who I don't even know about. Either way, it'll be fun!"
A little boy stood nearby, his eyes wide with confusion as he gazed at Zero.
Zero turned his head upward, meeting the child's gaze. Zero raised an eyebrow. "Eh?"
The kid ran away instantly.
"Great, even kids are scared of me now," Zero sighed, shaking his head.
But in truth the kid was cringed by him. But who's gonna tell him? Well obviously not me.
His thoughts turned back to reality. {Maybe I should head to the nearby casino. I overheard some middle-aged guys talking about it.}
He smirked, excitement stirring in his blood at the thought. {Gamblers are supposed to be good at lying and setting traps. But can they beat me? Heh!}
He stood up, feeling the pull of the unknown, excitement and nervousness intertwining in his chest.
But as he walked, an hour passed, and his confidence faded.
"Wait… where is this casino again?" he muttered, glancing around at the unfamiliar streets. "Ugh, I think I'm lost."