Extra's Descent

Brandon, Zed, and Deus had made an agreement. Brandon would make no contact with them, just until he had settled in the syndicate's blackmarket.

The reason for this was to prevent any sudden connection with Zed. It was too risky if the other heads suddenly became suspicious of him.

For that reason, Brandon had to make a name for himself first. That, and to assess the value of the Moriarty name in the blackmarket.

After all, although the issue had died down, Moriarty was still a fugitive.

Surely, blackmarket regulars would be aware of him.

And so, he recalled a memory again. A memory that wasn't his.

—I've been to the blackmarket. But not for the purpose you might think of.

In every progression, war was bound to happen. But from the memories of Brandon Locke, he wasn't active in each and every one of them.

Why…?

Because he was always dead before it did happen.

Despite knowing everything, he had always died, due to how weak he was.

'A failure.'

That's all he could think of.

Everything he had tried to prevent had ended up in failure. And the same went for Jin.

'If war is inevitable, and even prevention isn't viable, then what was the point of your existence, Brandon Locke?"

For Jin, or rather, the other Raven, Brandon couldn't fault him for his failures.

He was always a failure from the start.

'This is the problem when someone can freely jump into different timelines. They think they can make a difference, just because they were given a second chance, a third chance, a fourth chance.'

And in the end, it ended up breaking Raven Blackheart.

He had fully turned his back on his ideals. The ideals of saving every last person.

A hero's philosophy.

A selfless act.

'But thinking you can save everyone is selfish in itself.'

Especially when his methods were inefficient.

It felt rather arrogant.

'If you want to save someone, then only save within your capabilities. Do not lose yourself in the process.'

But it was too late for Jin. He had completely abandoned every ideology of his.

For him, being a hero is saving the world.

'Even when everyone dies in the process.'

Yet again, it all ended in failure.

'I should go about this carefully.'

"Uhm… We're here.

Lost in his thoughts, he was snapped out of it, realizing they had arrived at their destination.

"This is…"

It was the same as in his memories. An abandoned ruin, far out into the slum area of the city.

Scanning, Brandon could see crumbling walls covered in vines and graffiti. Shattered windows and a sagging roof exposed the interior to the place.

And to specifically enter….

'A card.'

They needed a card.

Of course, the place was closely monitored. The main reason why the military had never been suspicious of the place, was because they had found nothing in the ruin.

They had already inspected the area. Yet they found nothing. They had interrogated on goers who had often entered the ruin.

Yet with no warrant, and no evidence, they could only search so much.

After all, their suspects had a strict silent policy. Do so, and their rights to enter the blackmarket would be revoked.

That, and they would probably lose their life before they know it.

Basically, at this moment, Matthew was breaching the policy.

Convincing him took a long while. He was reluctant. But since he was under [Retribution], he could only retort so much.

For why there were never snitches, most probably, they stand to gain more within the blackmarket, than they do working for the government.

"Code Name: Zero."

Matthew whispered, barely audibly.

All of a sudden, Matthew began to shift, glowing.

Then, he disappeared, leaving a trace of white particles.

Staring at the place where Matthew once stood, Brandon crossed his arms.

"Good luck negotiating."

Then, he leaned behind the wall, closing his eyes, and pondering.

"Space affinity, huh?"

The blackmarket….

They had completely recreated the space affinity, through sheer technological advancement.

"No wonder we've always lost the war."

***

The scenery shifted around Matthew. If before, he was inside the ruin, now he had suddenly appeared inside a small room.

There was a door in front of him. A windowframe to peek through. Shimmering rays casted its glow in the room.

Matthew was familiar with this sight.

The blackmarket was thorough with its checks.

Then, a deep voice resounded.

"State your business."

Matthew flinched a little. Then, he composed himself and gathered his thoughts.

'State your business.'

They were not asking for his business at all, or whatever he had planned on doing inside the blackmarket.

It was sort of a riddle.

Matthew opened his mouth.

"I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with wind."

The first step.

Then, the deep voice resounded again.

"It marks the end of day and the start of night, A fleeting moment of fading light. Neither day nor night, it's caught in between, A tranquil time that's rarely seen.

What is it?"

Matthew closed his eyes as he listened attentively.

Swallowing, he spoke.

"Twilight."

"Granted."

Just like that, the door opened.

Step—

Matthew took a step forward. But halted just at the door. Turning his head slightly, he could see a buff man with tattoos in his arms.

"Sir."

"Hmm…?"

"I have a recommendation."

Then, Matthew took out something from his pocket and handed it to the man.

A black card.

The man's brows raised skeptically as he scanned the black card handed to him.

The man thoroughly scanned, turning the card on each side.

Then, his eyes shot wide open.

"You…."

Suddenly, he scruffed Matthew's collar and pulled him close. Matthew flinched and his eyes darted around, cold sweat beading.

"Where did you get this?!"

***

Brandon waited for hours.

He still had the card given to him by Zed. However, it would only serve to further the process.

He still wasn't registered. Just recommended. But Brandon was well aware of the card's value.

Most probably, he would start at the same rank as Matthew, with some better benefits than him.

After all that card…

It proved that he was one of the more older members.

It was basically a renewal of a license or some sort.

Then suddenly, behind a pillar, Matthew emerged.

"It's done…. Haaa…."

"How'd it go?"

"Huuu…."

Matthew breathed out deeply and shook his head.

"Please, don't ask me."

Then, he handed a black card to Brandon.

Brandon asked.

"Are the settings all configured?"

"Yes, yes, yes."

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"Heh."

Brandon chuckled.

Gathering mana into the card, he muttered.

"Code Name: Moriarty."