Mr. Null leaned back against the dimly lit bar counter, his gaze fixed on the neon lights flickering outside the grimy window of the Wandering Prospects bar in the upper 2nd District of NHRC No. 9, Nodis City. The air was thick with the scent of cheap liquor and smoke, mixing with the low hum of muffled conversations and the occasional clink of glasses.

He caught sight of the individual across from him—a nervous figure, their eyes darting about the room as if searching for an escape route. Mr. Null took a reluctant sip from his glass, savoring the bitter taste of whiskey. He could practically feel the tension crackling in the air as he observed this person, who suddenly found themselves in the crosshairs of his profession.

With a slight smirk curling at the edges of his lips, he spoke, his voice smooth yet undeniably edged with danger. “What do you see? Does any of it make sense to you now? No?” He paused for a moment, allowing the weight of the words to settle. "Good," he continued, leaning closer, lowering his voice just enough to ensure only they could hear him. “Now you're ready to listen.”

The figure swallowed hard, their fingers twitching nervously on the countertop. Mr. Null could sense the fear radiating from them, but fear wouldn’t save them today. His job was to eliminate threats—not to placate them. “I’m here because I’ve been hired to eliminate you,” he stated matter-of-factly, his expression shifting to one of cold realization for the other person.

“Sure, you think you’re just another face in the crowd, but you’ve crossed someone important—someone who decided they want to send a message.” Null’s tone was almost conversational, creating a chilling contrast to the gravity of the situation. “And now…” He let the words hang ominously in the air, letting the implications sink in.

“Don’t run.” He straightened up slightly, his posture revealing an unyielding confidence. “Believe me; I’ll catch you. And trust me, it’ll hurt. It’s always better if we talk first." He gestured around the bar. “This place is perfect for a discussion. Dim lights, anonymity. Just you, me, and your inevitable fate hanging in the balance.”

He scanned the room for a moment, spotting a couple of unlikely patrons engaged in their own desperate lives, intent on forgetting the darkness lurking outside. Then he turned back, locking his intense yellow gaze onto his target, piercing through the veil of panic.

“Look, I’m not here to revel in your misery," he continued, his voice dropping to a near whisper, filled with an unexpected hint of empathy. “I understand what it’s like to be pushed into a corner. You might not realize it, but this conversation could shape how this ends for you. Perhaps even giving you a chance to reclaim some semblance of dignity.”

Null leaned in further, his presence commanding respect, or perhaps even a modicum of fear. “So, let's talk. Once we’re done, I’ll do my job, and then I'll leave. That way, at least you can say your piece before this all goes south.”