The briefing room was dim, lit only by the soft glow of the overhead lamp. Twilight stood alone, gloves still on, faint smoke rising from the gun he’d just dismantled and cleaned. Another mission completed flawlessly. He expected the usual: a coded message, a new identity, a clean transition. Instead, a crisp envelope slid through the drop slot.

MISSION LEVEL — URGENT

Twilight’s brow twitched. He tore it open, scanning the content with his usual speed… until his eyes stopped on one specific line

“Acquire a child within seven days. Enrollment at Eden Academy required.”

A child?

He read it again, slower this time, as if the words would magically rearrange themselves into something more logical. They didn’t. “…You’ve got to be kidding.” His voice was barely above a whisper, but the disbelief was unmistakable.

A child. Seven days. Eden Academy.

He began pacing, sharp steps echoing in the empty room. Every possible solution crossed his mind—covert adoption? Bribe a registrar? Borrow a child? No, no, no. Illogical. Suspicious. Risky.

“Dammit…” He exhaled, pinching the bridge of his nose. A mission that depends on posing as a father? They can’t be serious. But Handler’s stamped signature at the bottom told him they were.

Twilight straightened, though tension lined his jaw. A spy could become anyone. Any role. Any disguise. Even… a father.

He clicked his lighter once, the flame reflecting in his eyes as if igniting the start of something far more chaotic than espionage. “Operation Strix begins now.”