:
---
What is this smell? It's suffocating, heavy… Where am I? Where am I? Someone, tell me! What are these sounds? Terrifying… Who are these men? What are they talking about? Why can't I move my body? Someone looked at me… I felt his gaze pierce through my chest. Don't come near me… no, don't come near. Stop… please stop. But his steps continued… step… step… step… he was getting closer… closer to me. I gasped for air; the oxygen wouldn't reach my lungs. My heartbeat raced violently until I felt it would tear my chest apart. Sweat poured from my body, fear pressing against my breathing. Then he reached me… I felt him, so close… so close that the heat of his breath touched my ear. It was hot… terrifying in a chilling way. Then he whispered:
— Why are you afraid? Don't worry… you're only going to die.
— No… please, don't kill me… I beg you.
Their laughter rose… horrifying.
No… no… no… no… no… no… no…
Twenty-four hours before the incident…
Malissora City… they say it's the city of opportunities, but to me, it felt like the perfect place to run away. I hadn't left my town just to escape bullying, but to escape the feeling that had been chasing me… that sense of loneliness despite everyone being around me.
When my feet first touched Malissora, I inhaled its air, which seemed polluted with carbon dioxide, making me cough violently. I stood in front of my new home, an old building exuding the smell of burnt paper. It wasn't just a house I inherited from my family; it made me feel like I had another place in this world.
I must find a job immediately… my wallet is empty, and the city shows no mercy… I muttered as I stared at the strange scratches on the street wall, as if some monster had passed through here.
I entered my home, exhausted, and collapsed onto the bed. I couldn't feel my body from sheer fatigue, and I fell into a deep sleep.
The sun rose, and its light touched my face through the window.
— Ah… ah… what time is it? Ah… I'm late! Today is my first day at school.
School… or rather, the word "school" annoys me.
I got up and prepared myself.
— Ah… seems I'm late. Well, I'll have breakfast at school.
Hidara whispered as he walked down the street:
— What's the story of this city? I remember hearing an explosion yesterday… Well, anyway, I don't care.
He paused.
— What is that boy standing at the school gate doing? He's wearing the same uniform as me…
Hidara whispered:
— Hello… you, why don't you go in?
Nil looked at him with an empty stare.
— We're late… they won't let us in.
Hidara muttered to himself:
— Then it doesn't matter.
Then he looked at him:
— How about we have breakfast together at the nearest restaurant?
Nil looked at him with his vacant stare.
— Alright.
At the restaurant…
Hidara whispered:
— Looks like I'll spend what's left of my money… Well, it doesn't matter.
Nil looked at him and said:
— Don't worry, I'll pay my share.
Hidara replied:
— Saved me some trouble.
A group of thugs entered the restaurant. Everyone in the place froze in fear.
Reggie looked at Nil. He approached him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
— Hey, you pathetic kid, I see you're having lunch with a stranger. Tell me, who is he? No… wait, did your mom pack your meal for you, little one?
Reggie's men burst out laughing.
Hidara muttered to himself as he continued eating:
— Is he getting bullied?
Nil looked at his food coldly.
Reggie said:
— Open your mouth… Aah.
They laughed loudly.
Nil slapped Reggie's hand, and the plate fell to the ground.
Reggie turned angrily toward Nil, then picked up the food from the floor.
— Open your mouth, you sad boy.
Nil looked at Reggie with a mocking stare.
Reggie whispered:
— You're provoking me.
He reached out to force food into Nil's mouth.
Suddenly, Hidara's anger flared, his veins bulging as he stared at Reggie with a terrifying gaze.
Reggie whispered:
— Hey… your stare scares me.
Hidara whispered:
— Step back.
Reggie said:
— Or what?
He raised his hand.
Suddenly… Nil, with a swift motion, punched Reggie square in the face, and he fell to the ground.
— I didn't ask you to step in, kid. I don't need your help.
Someone behind Nil grabbed a wooden stick to hit him. Hidara noticed immediately, leapt over the table, spun through the air, and delivered a powerful kick to the man's neck, knocking him to the floor.
Hidara smiled:
— Looks like you need me.
Nil smiled back.
They stood.
— Then let's teach them a lesson they won't forget.
Reggie got up.
— How dare you?!
He ordered all his men:
— Take them down!
Hidara and Nil smiled.
They knocked down man after man. Only Reggie remained.
Hidara approached him with a terrifying gaze, Nil moving forward with the same look.
Reggie sighed:
— Please… forgive us.
Hidara whispered:
— I'll give you three seconds… you and your dogs, get out of here.
— One… two… three.
They ran away.
The restaurant owner glared at Hidara and Nil.
— You're kicked out.
Hidara whispered to Nil:
— The important thing is that my stomach's full.
Nil laughed sarcastically.
— What a fool you are.
As they walked along a green hill by Malissora Lake, Nil said:
— Tell me, Hidara… why did you help me back then?
Hidara looked at him and smiled.
— I was bullied in my old city, so I acted without thinking.
Nil looked at him.
— Really? Thank you… you've been a great help.
Hidara looked at him.
— Don't worry.
— Then tell me, why did you leave your city?
Hidara whispered:
— To rest.
Nil burst out laughing.
— I've never seen a fool run to hell just to rest!
Hidara looked at him.
— What do you mean?
— You'll know soon enough.
Nil paused.
— Alright, I'll invite you to dinner… it's on me tonight.
Hidara replied quickly:
— Alright.
As they walked down the street, a massive explosion shook the area. Buildings trembled from the blast. Hidara panicked, sweat pouring down him, while Nil remained calm.
Nil whispered:
— You have to get used to these explosions.
He looked at Hidara.
— This is Malissora.
Hidara screamed:
— What?!
At the restaurant…
— Please, bring me some alcohol.
— Yes, sir.
Hidara whispered:
— You drink alcohol?
— I don't think that's any of your business.
Hidara raised his glass of juice.
— I know… but for your sake, you shouldn't do it alone. You must bring me some.
Nil laughed.
— Alright, add another glass.
— Tell me, what do you want? Want to rest? Don't make me laugh. You're in Malissora… a world of forbidden energy users.
Hidara looked at him sarcastically.
— Forbidden energy? What do you mean?
— You'll find out.
Nil stood.
— I'm going home… I don't feel well, I've drunk too much. Go home, alright? Malissora is dangerous at night… or rather, it's dangerous at all times.
He laughed a hysterical, terrifying laugh.
Stopping at the door, he looked at Hidara.
— Don't follow me.
He left the restaurant.
Hidara laughed.
— Are you crazy? I won't leave all this food and not follow!
He looked at the food.
— Ah… I'll finish my meal alone, and I'll take Nil's share too.
As Hidara walked down the street…
— I wonder what he means by forbidden energy.
Hidara entered his home late.
— It's late… I should sleep. Tomorrow, I'll make him tell me everything he knows.
The next morning…
— Ah… today I'll make Nil tell me everything. I'm ready. Where's my umbrella? The rain is heavy today.
At that moment, an unknown car stopped at the end of the street. Hidara exited the house with his umbrella. The car sped toward him and stopped beside him. Men got out, and suddenly, unknown men attacked him. He tried to resist, but they covered his face… he lost consciousness.
Hidara:
— Ah… what? I can't see… I can't breathe… these men… help me… I think I'm losing consciousness…
Hidara lost consciousness.
The phone rang.
— Yes, sir, the mission is complete… the boy is with us.
— Good… take him to the place.