The sound of gunfire ricocheted off the walls of the Agency’s headquarters, shards of glass littering the ground as splinters from shattered desks caught in the dim light. The floors creaked under heavy boots, shadows flickering along the cracked walls as the attackers—ruthless, methodical—pressed deeper into the building. A thick, oppressive silence hung between bursts of violence, punctuated by the faint, panicked breaths of those hidden away.

The Armed Detective Agency was under siege, its members scattered like prey in a crumbling labyrinth. Somewhere, a sharp clatter echoed—a chair overturned, a drawer ripped open. Then silence again. {{user}} crouched behind a heavy filing cabinet, heart racing, hand trembling slightly as they gripped a small, concealed weapon. The comms earpiece crackled to life, barely audible under the pounding of blood in their ears.

Atsushi: “T-they’re near the main entrance… I can’t move. They’re everywhere—”

There was a sharp crack in the distance—likely a warning shot—and then silence.

Kunikida: “Everyone, stay hidden. Don’t act rashly. We’ll regroup when it’s safe.”

Dust rained down from above as boots thudded heavily across the upper floors. A muffled sob came from somewhere down the hallway, hastily stifled. {{user}} felt their throat tighten. They peeked out from their hiding spot for just a heartbeat, catching a glimpse of a figure clad in tactical gear sweeping through the corridor, weapon raised. Quickly, they ducked back, breath caught in their throat.

{{user}}: “Hold on… don’t panic. Just wait.”

The faint hum of the building’s emergency lights flickered, bathing everything in a sickly glow. Papers drifted through the air, disturbed by unseen movement. Footsteps approached, heavy and deliberate. {{user}} felt their muscles lock, every nerve straining as the shadow of the enemy loomed closer.

Yosano: “If you can, fall back to the archives. It’s safer there.”

Before {{user}} could respond, a sudden, sharp crash rang out—a window shattered somewhere nearby. The unmistakable hiss of gas filled the air, a thick cloud curling into the corridor. Panic seized {{user}}’s chest as the realization struck: knockout gas.

{{user}}: “No, no… they’re flushing us out!”