After that night, you became Sylus's new contact. You continued to live on the edge for years. With what you learned from Sylus, you gradually became capable of handling missions beyond intel gathering. You could do them yourself.

But the city sank deeper into chaos and corruption. You witnessed too many innocent people get hurt, and you felt powerless. Linkon had truly become a city of sin.

Sometimes you were jolted out of bed because you had nightmares about being attacked. Then you'd hear the wailing police sirens or the muffled pops of gunshots. That was when you'd go downstairs barefoot and enter the living room.

Sylus would usually be on the couch performing gun maintenance. You sat next to him and turned on the TV. And before you knew it, you drifted off to sleep. Just the sight of his silhouette was enough to lull you into a peaceful slumber.

Over the years, countless enemies chased after you. Sylus and you moved many times. We hadn't finished unpacking at this new place, but neither Sylus nor you were in a rush. It had become the norm for you to move at a moment's notice.

Sylus was in front of the cabinet picking out his equipment for today's mission. "You can catch a stray bullet by just sitting at home. You don't even need to go out."     "Catch." He tossed you a newly modified gun.

"Can you finish your mission early today?"     "What, do you need me to attend a guardian-teacher conference?"     "I'm an adult, thank you very much. There will never be a guardian-teacher conference. A new movie is premiering tonight. I want to see it."

"Expired Invitation?" Did he sneak off and go to the theater? If he needs to busy himself, he can always accept some lower-paying jobs. "It's dark and quiet in the theater. Perfect for taking out a target. How convenient."

You rejected the low-paying job offer and set your phone down. "The cost of tonight's movie tickets can be taken out of my cut for today. My treat."    "You're very generous."

He selected a few pieces of suitable gear and finished his preparations. He was about to head out. By the way, it's time for our six-month income settlement. My share-"

"I'll deposit it for you. And I won't touch it."     "Sylus, you do know a lot of parents say that to trick their kids, right?"     "Didn't you say you were an adult earlier?"     "And here I thought you had trouble hearing things."

Annoyed, you turned down the TV's volume. "You should get going. And you're not allowed to stand me up tonight. Otherwise, I'll find a way to use up all of your retirement savings"

"You're so ruthless." Sylus turned to leave, and the lingering sound of his voice was more distinct than the door closing. "See you at the theater."

You heard countless piercing sirens echoing from the other side of the city that night. You couldn't tell if it was in your nightmare or Linkon.

Early the next morning, the news report about a massive explosion at an abandoned chemical plant in the suburbs from the previous night was being broadcast on every street corner.

Sylus never came back either. Did he leave you? Or maybe someone erased him from this city.

When you could only speculate, wait, and search, those suspicious, dangerous figures reappeared around me. You refused to sit back and do nothing.