"OMEGA IRAE HAD BEATEN AMOR ALPHA!!!"

A gargantuan stadium filled to the brim with spectators, flashing neon lights, high-pitched screaming and falling confetti there stood a group of five distinct individuals on stage with eccentric outfits unfitting for their era.

The one in the middle, the tallest youth of a man wore a golden-lined monocle with a finely crafted top hat alongside an extravagant leather suit with same quality leather boots with a cog-shaped design. With a triumphant smile and moisturized eyelids, he gripped the heavy handle of the golden trophy as his eyes scanned the entire colosseum that bellowed in response to his proclamation.

"OMEGA IRAE! THE WRATH OF THE END! MAKE NOISE!!"

- The youthful man released a battlecry. His voice echoed throughout the entire futuristic colosseum after his clothes seemingly disintegrated into blue hexagonal holograms before he morphed into a much more relatable appearance of a young man who wore a black, organization uniform with the words "Omega Irae" Printed over his right shoulder and tag that says "Nikko" Over his left chest.

- As the Confetti fell over the entire bustling colosseum, the crowd showed no signs of ceasing on their cheers but rather intensified even more when the other members emerged to join the tall youth on the stage, with some even throwing valuable jewelry at the players while the chat log showed on the large screen beside was exploding with donations.

[OMEGA IRAE!!! MY TEAM!!]

[THEY WON!! HOLY CRAP!!!]

[WHAT A NIGHTTTTTTTTTT!!!]

[ITS DAY RIGHT NOW HERE IN MARS BUT COOL!!!]

- The finely dressed announcer gazed at the booming crowd in awe, as the realization began to dawn on him, he unknowingly formed a small smile as his eyes began to moisten themselves, he hung his head before tightly gripping the microphone and hovering it over his mouth.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!!!!!!! I PRESENT TO YOU!! THE NEW ADRENALINE AGE LEGENDS!! THE EARTHIAN OLYMPIAD CHAMPIONS!!

- The announcer took a deep inhale.

OMEGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.."

[I]

[R]

[A]

[E]

"IRAE!!!!!"

_______________________

As the four, youthful bunch stood on the stage showered by confetti, they yelled out a piercing wail as they collapsed on the screen-like stage, sobbing uncontrollably.

However amidst the gradiosity of such a celebration, a lone persona stood a few meters away from the group whom were receiving all the praises and glory, a youth enshrouded in the gloominess of the backstage gazed at them with obscured but visibly awed eyes before smiling softly as he saw the four hugging each other tightly.

The youth softly chuckled before taking the first step outside of the shadows, as his feet entered the scope of the spotlight, the young man whom was holding the trophy earlier clicked his tongue as he saw the individual walk towards them.

The whole stadium fell into an abrupt silence as they saw the figure slowly making its way to the middle of the podium, the young man smiled softly as the spotlight glazed against his fair white skin and was absorbed by his unkept black hair.

"Hey..!! That's..!!"

- One spectator yelled as he pointed at the approaching figure, his surprised expression was suddenly curled into a wide smile that stretched all the way towards his ears as his eyes sparkled in so much anticipation.

"..OHHH..!!"

"SERIOUSLY..!?"

"THAT'S.."

- The announcer formed a gleeful smirk as he saw the persona walking forward, he discreetly wiped the lower half of his eyelid before placing the glowing microphone centimeters away from his lips once more.

"EVERYONE...!!!!"

- The eccentric announcer's voice echoed throughout the gargantuan stadium once again, as the figure finally entered the scope of the main spotlight surrounding the first group of youth, the crowd immediately erupted into a wide-scale, unrestrained cheer.

"E-JEAN!!!!!!"

The crowd's ever intensifying cheer continued to bellow even further as the figure finally made itself clear to the audience.

A young man of a rather lean stature, unkept black hair, differently colored irises and robed with a ragged red scarf, silvery greaves, leather gauntlets that stretched all the way to his forearms, and to top it all off a brown medieval-like pants that was fastened below his copper-like skirt using a modern-day belt.

[ E - J E A N ]

With a neon-blue outline, those letters flashed on the gargantuan LED screen behind the figure, shortly followed by a montage of the same avatar engaging in rigorous physical activities such as fighting otherwordly monsters using flashing elements. after it was finished, his name was imprinted on the screen while the attached stage cannons released a pillar of fire that surrounded the group.

"THE MAN HIMSELF!!"

"E-JEAN!!"

"THE E-JEAN HIMSELF!!?!?!?"

"DOESN'T HE RARELY MAKES APPEARANCES..!?!?!?"

"I'M SO HAPPY I WAITED UNTIL MIDNIGHT TO PURCHASE LIVE TICKETS..!!!"

If it was still possible, the cheer of the spectators roared even louder, with some coughing really severely after releasing a long duration of sustained yelling.

The announcer chuckled softly before opening his mouth and gathering every single air inside his lungs.

"PLEASE WELCOME!!! YOUR CHAMPIONS!!!"

They bellowed once more, the young man's appearance didn't dissipate and instead of his clothes disintegrating into blue, neon hexagons before unveiling a similarly designed uniform like the rest, he instead lifted his arms in the air and revelled on the moment, the previous group shot each other troubled glances before reluctantly joining the figure. The young man whom was holding the trophy slowly walked over, flashing E-Jean a deep glare once he was out of camera sight before returning to his gleeful smile as he faced the audience.

"..."

_______________

Inside a rather quiet hallway coated entirely in a spotless white color devoid of any lights attached to the ceiling however still having unrivaled illumination. Filled with perfectly symmetrical decoration, the hallway stretched out into countless turns each labelled with a different code.

Amidst these halls, a young man with a hunched back, a lowered gaze, unkept black hair, fair white skin and a brown singular iris on his right eye walked briskly on the golden streamlined floor while keeping his gaze steadfast on it, as other individuals passed by wearing formal uniforms.

As the individuals wearing the same uniforms became more and more prominent in the hallway, the young man gulped and hastened his steps, eventually turning into a full blow brisk walk. A woman passed by before taking a quick glance at the youth and whispering ; "Isn't that..?"

The other staff member that was with her shrugged his shoulders, causing the woman to sigh and shake his head before focusing her eyes forward.

The young man heaved a quiet sigh of relief as he speed-walked throughout the hallway.

____

"Painful isn't it?"

- a figure enshrouded in darkness spoke with a rather raspy voice towards a the same young man who held the trophy before. He had a rather downcasted expression and a droopy face as the murky voice of the enigma entered his ears like a resonating whisper.

"Annoying Isn't it?"

- The voice echoed throughout the neon-lined, spotlessly clean room, filling it with a sense of calming dread, a danger that offered a soft embrace to whoever heard it.

"What a pain isn't it?"

- As the final bellowing whisper of the enigma, caressed his eardrums like a chilly smooch. The youth shuddered before gritting his teeth.

"Bastard."

-He muttered under his breath, amidst the shadow completely obscuring the whispering figure behind him, a small parabolic glint manifested itself inside the darkness before the figure spoke once more, this time, sounding more mischievous.

"That's it... You know what to do."

- With visibly throbbing veins prevalent on the youth's forehead, he clenched his fists as the nails drilled deep into his skin, causing blood to ooze out of his palms.

"Shut the fuck up."

- A barely audible scoff, echoed from the darkness once more before it spoke, devoid of the previous high-pitched cheerfulness it gave.

"Disappointing. Its because of Cowards like you why supposed legends are erased before they can even be written..."

- Another curved glint materialized itself from the shadows.

"Very well.. I shall be waiting."

- A card, of rectangular shape fell down on the floor, sounding way louder than what its supposed to be.

"Make the Correct Choices.. and we will meet again.. Future Legend."

- The shadow slowly coalesced into itself as the curved glint continued to expand itself.

"Nikko Linareo."

- A quiet, muffled chuckle resonated inside the youth's head like a whirlwind of needles while the shadow behind him imploded upon itself and instantly vanished. He clenched his fists even tighter while biting his lower lip, causing it to ooze out a dark, crimson-colored liquid.

" Jean...JEAN VARSINIEV..!!!"

____________________

- With muffled screams and barely-audible cheers entering his ears, the young man with unkept black hair began to fiddle with some lockers with a soft smile on his face. He took out a small, brown sling bag and began to pack up some belongings while humming a distinct tone.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!

- The young man froze on his packing before directing his eye towards the neon-lined, white door. After a few moments of treacherous silence, the monotonous voice of a woman echoed inside the room.

"Lina Gia, a competitor from Omega Irae wishes to speak with Jean Varinisiev, a competitor from Omega Irae. Does the administrator wishes to grant her entrance?"

- The young man's cautious expression softened itself into a smile before mouthing his reply with a warm overtone.

"Permission Granted."

- The door quickly lifted itself, revealing a young woman with a black short-hair with neon-gold linings, fair white skin, pinkish irises and eyelids, dressed in a tight bodysuit highlighting a rather slender stature.

"Leaving so soon?"

- She smiled before leaning in on the doorframe. The young man shot her a glance before releasing a lighthearted chuckle.

"Need to run some errands plus.."

- The young man finished packing and hanged the sling bag on his shoulder.

"Nikko wouldn't want me around."

- The young woman giggled before granting him a coy smile.

"Oh really?" - She asked, slowly walking towards the young man.

He scoffed and shrugged his shoulders.

"You know him. I don't want to ruin this celebration for everyone."

- The young woman halted on her tracks and when she was near him, she looked up and straight into his eyes before pausing.

"You Idiot."

- She lifted her hands and began to fix the young man's erected collar. Even fiddling with his crumpled necktie before straightening it out.

"What's wrong, Gia? Rather unusual for you to be this hung up towards me.."

- The young man chuckled softly, causing her to flinch slightly and pause.

"Hey..Jean. You're strong right?"

The young man blinked before squinting his eyes in a rather overexaggerated manner.

"Where is this coming from.. Don't tell me this is about the bett—!"

- The young woman quickly pulled the young man's necktie, causing his eyes to widen before he yelped in pain as his neck tightened.

"Its not that. No."

- Her eyes dropped as she quietly gripped the young man's necktie.

"You're kind Jean.. Always forgiving Nikko."

- She whispered, leaning in closer to the young man's chest but not touching it.

"Are you like that to... everyone?"

- The young man's previously humurous expression slowly degraded into a solemnized expression as he uttered;

"What is this about?"

- She tightened her grip on the necktie even more.

"Jean..."

- She muttered quietly before looking up at young man with moisturized irises.

"Am I.. Important to you?"

- The young man paused as he gazed on the young lady's deep, wet pinkish irises with a soft glint. His eyes widened as he couldn't find any words to express whatever he was feeling.

"..Gia..I.."

The young man mouthed a few words that caused the lass to pause and afterwards form a soft smile, her eyes transitioning to the same curve before squeezing a little drop out.

"..I see."

_________________

That was our final exchange..afterwards she became distant and aloof, avoiding me in every chance she got. All until that day came.

"Get the Fuck out of Here."

"What...?"

- I stood there frozen, clutching my bag tightly as I slowly registered the words of my team captain entering my head.

"Ni-Nikko..! What is this abou—!"

The team Captain, Nikko Linareo Made a deafeaning stomp forward before looking down on me, his mere presence was enough to tower over mine.

"I said get the fuck out of here."

I blinked a few times before looking to the set of individuals behind him.. back there was a set of familliar faces, ones that I always interacted with.. but a certain one struck a deep chord within me.

"..!!" - My eyes widened upon realizing who it was.

"Gia..?"

- She looked at me with half-opened eyes, expression filled to the brim with disgust, even going so far as to avoid eye contact with me.

"Hey."

"..Ah!"

Nikko grabbed my collar and leaned in, with his face inches away from mine, he glared at me with minimized irises, his forehead throbbing with visible veins as his teeth grinded against themselves.

"Don't talk to my girlfriend. You Cheating MotherFUCKER!"

Those words echoed inside my mind like a swirl of infinite bullets, my eyes widened immediately despite me not being able to fully digest the meaning behind his words. But one thing was clear.

"..." - Gia looked at me in contempt.

I no longer belonged here

---- Chapter 1 End ----

"You Worthless piece of shit!"

TWACK!!

Jean was summoned inside of a certain, luxurious office where a man wearing a large suit with a loose collar, a potbelly and a messy disposition slammed down a rather thick rectangular piece of paperweight on the bowing young man's head.

As the object collided with his skull, Jean's head slightly flinched before his singular eye widened, afterwards, a small stream of a crimson-colored liquid flowed from his hair.

..wha..?

"I can't fucking believe this..!!"

The middle-aged man tightly crumpled his chubby face while his eyebrows furrowed deeply alongside with his apparent forehead wrinkles, he then gritted his teeth as he clasped his hair with a tight grip.

With eyes ridden in confusion, Jean looked up towards the middle-aged man, an eyebrow raised with a hint of slight fury.

"..Sir.. What the Heck is this about..!!?"

- Jean asked, his voice transitioning to a more forceful tone while veins pulsated around his forehead and neck.

The man directed his glare towards the young man, slightly making him flinch before he stomped forward and towered over Jean.

SLAP!!!!

"ACK!"

A large hand with wrinkly fingers equipped with expensive rings embedded with shiny jewels and golden bracelets flailed itself in the air before colliding with the cheek of the young man, sending him flying towards the wall.

"GRAH!"

An electrifying pulse quickly shot up from his spine before rapidly spreading itself throughout his back, softly paralyzing the young man.

His cheek immediately changed its color from pale white to a crimson hue that softly pulsated, with a widened eye and laboured breaths he softly caressed the soft area, as soon as his fingers made contact with the area of impact, he let out a small shriek before quickly retracting his fingers.

"ow.."

"You Bastard."

SLAM!

A fist equipped with a different set of finely polished rings and gleaming jewelry imploded a small crater on the wall near the young man's head, whom, was frozen in place.

The middle-aged individual then leaned in, before staring down at the young man's minimized iris with his fuming crimson-colored eyes. His mere chubby stature was enough to dwarf the young man.

"Listen here you ungrateful piece of crap.."

He placed his gigantic hand on Jean's hair before gripping and slightly tilting it upwards to lock eyes with the sweating young man.

"Why on earth.. would you cheat.. on a competitive match-up!?"

- Those words resonated inside the young man's head like a repeating whisper causing a dull ache, his mind played a series of memories uncontrollably as he slowly registered the meaning behind the accusation.

- Hundreds, Thousands of memories played like an absolute flash, each lasting no more than a split second and occuring months or even years back but feeling like it happened yesterday. Despite searching for a single memory that could potentially prove the accusation correct, he couldn't even find a single one that supported it.

- However, he felt as it he couldn't easily dismiss the accusation, he gazed at the middle-aged man's red irises fuming with anger and thought, that it couldn't have just been a baseless accusation if he was that enraged.

- His emotions abandoned their sanity and reciprocated the chaos unfolding inside his head, hundreds upon thousands of unexplored emotions bursted like a hurricane that devastated a once peaceful landmass which was his psyche.

- He began to gaslight himself, his emotions began to change the scenery inside his memories, he began to question his own reminiscing, did it really happen like that? What if I did cheat? What if I installed a software? But it wouldn't have been that easy. But what if I managed to? I know jackshit about code, I can't rewrite such a sophisticated program! But what if I somehow managed to bypass it? What if I truly did cheat? What if I...

WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT

what if.. I..?

- That single question echoed inside his head like a resonating whisper, memories began to edit themselves to fit the narrative that his emotions desired, and it wanted to believe that the accusation was true.

- It continued even more, with each passing millisecond feeling like a lifetime due to how much his entire life flashed before his very eyes, scrutinizing every single small detail to look for any discrepancies, with some even beginning to alter themselves to a way that conformed to the claim.

- His sweat began to run cold, the light inside of his eye dissipating and transitioning into a dazed-like state where his eyelids closed themselves halfway.

"..I.."

- Upon hearing the young man's exasperatedly low response, a distant, faint scenery flashed inside of the man's head, causing him to grit his teeth and avert his eyes, before furrowing his thick eyebrows even further and closing his half-opened eyelids, He then released a loud groan before standing up and forcefully releasing his grip on the young man's head, slamming it on the wall softly.

- He analyzed the young man's state before the same memory flashed itself inside his mind again, resulting in his tightened facial muscles to slowly soften themselves, he then clicked his tongue audibly before turning around and taking a loud stomp forward.

"Forget it."

- He uttered, in a low authoritarian tone.

"Surrender your Virtual Bracelet and Leave, Collect your things and proceed to examination room Gamma-3, You shall meet an inquisitor there, Go. On this Day of the Solar Calendar, I pronounce you as blacklisted from the premises."

- The middle aged man walked towards his extravagant work area before gazing at the bustling metropolis through the large glass window, the young man laid there motionless on the floor, blood running down from his hair and dripping at his chin, a thousand ringings echoed inside his head as it throbbed outwards violently, narrowing his vision with a black-like smog.

WHAT...

________

"I'm sorry Sir. Move a little bit more to the left."

- An individual clothed in a black uniform waved his hand as he looked inside a camera-like contraption pointing its lenses towards the dazed young man.

"And...closer..wait wait..! There!"

- The young Jean stared towards the neon-lined, opaque camera lense with a half-opened eye devoid of any gleam.

"Hm...This—"

"Notice, Department of Cybersecurity Head; Sir Lemuel Garnison wishes to be granted permission of entry, will the administrator permit the request?"

 - The same monotonous voice of a woman echoed inside the room, catching the employee's attention before spouting; "Permission Granted"

The Door behind them quickly shot upwards, revealing a tall, stern-looking individual with slick-back brown hair, fair white skin, sharp silver-colored irises and a freshly-shaved face. His chin was slightly raised up as he walked forward, wearing a finely-ironed blue tuxedo with a rose strapped above his left chest. His shoulders carried a small golden-colored insignia with 2 stars on both sides while below the rose was another rectangle, this time with a silver coloration where the word; "Garnison L." Was imprinted.

Upon seeing the young man, his eyes squinted as his eyebrows slightly furrowed, and with a cold, low voice he asked. "Is this the man?"

"w-well.." - The employee fidgeted with his fingers as he darted his eyes around everywhere, a cold sweat sliding down his cheek.

"SPEAK CLEARLY."

- He glared at the employee with a faint glint present inside his irises, appearing somewhat glowing, contrasting the room's barely-illuminated atmosphere.

- His ever growing presence that radiated a murderous aura sent deep shivers down the individual's spine. His instincts protested against his reasoning as he found himself subconsciously lowering his head slightly while his heart continued to throb even louder.

"..I..Um..Si—..Ye-" - His index fingers tapped each other as his eyes darted around the room, taking every space away from the man's dangerous glare.

"Yes. WHAT?"

- The man stepped forward, his stature was enough to tower over the out of shape employee. He lowered his eyes but didn't tilt his chin as he looked down on the employee's short almost balding scalp.

- For the employee, the seconds that preceded afterwards felt like an absolute eternity while bathing in a stream of bodily fluids sliding down his face, he couldn't subdue the instinct to tremble and fidgeted severely before shutting his eyelids.

- After a grueling five second worth of crushing pressure, the man then released a heavy sigh instantly shattering the solemnity circling inside the room. The employee slowly opened his eyes before his muscles relaxed, allowing him to lift his head to face the domineering man.

"Forget It."

- The stern-looking man stepped forward and towered over the dazed young Jean. Upon seeing the young man's face, he paused for a few moments before uttering in a low-pitched voice.

 "You."

"You're a disgusting piece of shit. Hurry up and confess at once so that I may kick your filthy ass out of this place." - He squinted his eyes and scoffed. "You're spreading mucus all over the perimeter everytime you exhale."

...

"Not very talkative hm. Well doesn't matter, you pathetic Gamma District Dwellers might not understand anything I say at all."

...

"Gamma District Dwellers.. Those dogs dwelling in the slums, doesn't surprise me that one of them would commit such an act.."

- He Shrugged his shoulders and scoffed.

*FWIP*

*SLAM*

A fist flailed itself into the air before colliding with Lemuel's palm he then squinted his eyes and gripped it tightly, before moving it slightly to the side with a raised eyebrow. What greeted his eyes was Jean with a stretched arm looking at him with embers fuming on his eye.

"You..!"

The young man gritted his teeth, as the Cybersecurity head heaved an exasperated sigh.

"You can insult me all you please.."

-Jean tightened his fist that was trapped under Lemuel's palm.

"But don't bring anyone else into this...!"

-Jean Yelled, with furrowed brows and a wrinkled nose, his arm trembling slightly.

Lemuel paused and looked at the young man for a few moments before releasing a sigh and dragging Jean's fist upwards before..

*FWIP!*

In a less than a split-second, the young man was launched into the air before Lemuel positioned his free palm above the young man's nape and pushing him towards the floor, only stopping when Jean's nose was centimeters away from it.

(..Wha..??)

The Employee whom was watching everything unfold froze on his shoes.

(..what was that..? Sir Lemuel..)

(What the...!?)

He instinctively took a step back while a cold drip of sweat slid down his cheek.

(...Is this why.. The administrator said that Sir Lemuel didn't need bodyguards..?)

(Who is this.. person!?)

The employee gulped as he stared at the two, Cybersecurity Head; Lemuel kneeling on the floor while Jean's face was centimeters away from it, his right hand and nape both subdued by Lemuel's veiny hands. Lemuel then leaned in before hovering his mouth over Jean's left ear, his hot breath contrasted his chilly low-pitched voice that entered Jean's eardrum like a cold, lifeless blade.

"Attempted.."

- His grip on Jean's neck and wrist tightened, causing the young man to slightly shriek.

"Assault."

Though the employee and the young man were in different circumstances, they indirectly agreed on one thing concerning this man.

(THAT WAS BEYOND FAST!!)

(Who the heck is this!?)

(cybersecurity head..)

They both glanced at the motionless man staring calmly at Jean's eye with a hint of solemnized anger looming behind his sharp, silver eyes. The young man looked at him with a furrowed yet confused expression while the employee gazed with awe-filled, widened eyes.

Lemuel then proceeded to tighten his grip even more causing the young man to flinch before groaning as his neck muscles cramped upon themselves. He then leaned in again and whispered in the most low-pitched tone possible.

"You're not getting out of this one."

- He shot the frozen young man with a furious glare.

"You Gamma Bumpkin"

         ------ Chapter 2 End ------

Inside the barely-illuminated room with neon lightings stretching around the cube-like room with four spotlessly clean, high-tech walls, a distant hum originating from an invisible machine made its way from the ventilation system and into the room, where three individuals were present, one was fiddling with a large, camera equipped with a ton of modifications, glowing buttons while mounted on a bunch metallic legs pointing towards a young man with his wrists and ankles strapped onto a chair using semi-circular bands, he had a blank expression while another man, this time a tall stern-looking one with a blue tuxedo stood beside him quietly.

- The Stern-looking individual, Lemuel Garnison lifted his eyelids revealing a pair of sharp silvery eyes, he then stepped forward and placed his palm atop the young man's shoulder causing him to flinch before Lemuel lowered his head to stare down at the young Jean with his cold, towering eyes with a small glint. Jean's breathing became ragged as he locked eyes with the man, his left shoulder fidgeting uncontrollably.

"I will ask again." - Lemuel uttered in a loud yet whispering-like manner.

"Why were you cheating?" - He then leaned in on the young man, staring down at him with slightly glowing eyes as Jean trembled slightly, before he opened his mouth a wave of electricity shot up his body originating from his spine that quickly spreaded itself all throughout his nerves, causing a throbbing pain that almost caused his veins to explode.

"Ghk..!!" - Jean's eyes widened in response as his green veins slowly became more apparent on his skin, with some near his back even transitioning into a more-crimson like color.

"Speak Properly This time. That pain is excruciating isn't it?"

- He smiled softly before instantly reverting back into his usual stoic expression. Jean instinctively lowered his head while desperately trying to catch his breath and bathing in his own sweat.

"Speak." - Lemuel glared at the young man.

"Hey."

- Lemuel then proceeded to grip the young man's hair before lifting it and locking eyes with the him once more.

"Just Admit you cheated in front of this machine and you shall be released. Simple eh? Simple enough to the point a brain-dead Gamma Dweller like you would comprehend." - He shook his head and released an exasperated sigh before forcefully letting go of the young man's hair then pulling out a small handkerchief to wipe his gloves with.

Jyn's laboured breathing continued to resonate around the room as the other two individuals waited. The employee behind the camera seeing it all unfold gulped as he pondered inside his head.

(this is wrong....but)

From behind the camera, he shot the stern-looking Lemuel with a glance before looking back down to his nametag which was imprinted on his left chest, while a faint memory played itself automatically inside his head.

(i'm sorry my fellow.. I can't..) - With a troubled expression, he closed his eyes and lowered his head.

"Hey." - Lemuel flailed his palm in the air before it collided with the young man's skull. "Not gonna speak?" - He then proceeded to assault the bowing young man's cheek with repetitive slaps. "Do you want to get eletrocuted again?"

After a few moments, Jean attempted to lift his head up, causing Lemuel to raise an eyebrow before shortly retracting his hand away. Jean's head trembled as it tried to raise itself back up, eventually surrendering half-way causing it to hung again, He gulped after spitting out a small drop of a crimson-colored substance.

(Disgusting.) Lemuel Thought.

"..Like I said.. I didn't—!!!!!" Another surge of unforgiving electricity radiated from the chair and into his spinal cord, spreading itself evenly throughout his nerves, causing them to slightly expand before reverting back to their original size, with some even beginning to change color. Jean gritted his reddish teeth as his lower eyelid rose near his eye. He groaned audibly as he found his posture straightening itself only being allowed to fall back again after the session ended.

"Oh no, Sorry I didn't quite catch that." — Lemuel sighed. "Now. Can you please repeat yourself..?" — He forcefully gripped the young man's shoulder, causing it to become numb. Lemuel then softly scoffed before positioning himself in front of the young man, he then gripped Jean's unkept hair tightly and raised his face to lock eyes with him. "I perfectly get that we all have our own versions of the truth.. But you see.. The Only truth that matters here..." - Lemuel closed in and stared down at the young man with a glare that resembled a warrior facing a the most depraved being known to man. And with a soft, chilly whisper that drove shivers down the young bloke's spine like a cheese rubbed to a grater, the man spoke. "Is the truth that we want to hear. Understood?"

The employee glanced at the two in horror, his sweat proliferating on his face as his mouth remained agape, he then gulped once more before shaking his head and slightly furrowing his brows.

(..This is just..immoral..!) - He thought to himself

He attempted to stand up from the Camera's control module but was abruptly halted by Lemuel's cold voice caressing his eardrums. "Hey." - He stopped and froze, a simple word was enough to send shivers down his spine and cause his instincts to protest against his idea, previously, everytime Lemuel spoke, the employee did not feel an ounce of terror only if his attention was on the young fellow. "You." - Lemuel glanced at the employee, the only thing separating..no protecting the individual from Lemuel was the 4 meter tall machinery called; camera with a black opaque lense.

"Reconsider your Decision if you want to keep your occupation. Remember. You have a small mouth to feed."

- The employee lowered his head and responded in a soft, meek tone.

"Ye..yes sir."

-Jean slightly tilted his head upwards to glance at the fidgeting employee, but as soon as they locked eyes, the employee saw Jean's bloodshot, half-opened eyelid, alongside his messy laboured breaths and a face changing color due to the sweat. The employee quickly averted his eyes away and looked elsewhere before slowly bowing his head and going back behind the camera. Upon seeing the employee return to the module, Jean closed his eye and surrendered his resistance that was on his neck, causing his head to hung itself even lower.

Lemuel then glanced back at the half-dead Jean, before heaving a long, exasperated sigh. He closed his eyes and emitted a small, distinct smirk before kneeling in front of the young man.

"..Young Varsiniev."

- Lemuel shifted into a more, comforting approach yet the coldness was still prevalent on his tone.

"You have a Father that is a humble town Mechanic right?"

- He smiled softly before putting his hand above the young man's shoulder.

- Upon registering his words, Jean opened his eye and faced the kneeling Lemuel with a half-opened eyelid, still breathing laborously. Confusion filled his brain as he saw the previously stoic Cybersecurity Head smiling reassuringly at him.

"Amazing feat. I commend your Father for running a repair shop despite not knowing how to read."

- Jyn's eyes widened, a small faint memory of a familliar man playing itself inside his head. Lemuel then shook his head after releasing a small sigh as he uttered.

"Would really be unfortunate if by some chance, a couple of agents stopped by and made him sign a rather complicated contract under the guise that his son needed some financial backing, but was actually—!?"

- A loud clang echoed inside the room, before Jean lowered his wrists again from the semi-circular bands enveloping it, a searing pain burnt the skin causing a semi-circular line to darken around his wrist and a white smoke to seep out of the damaged area. "Oh? Trying to break free? But see... You aren't leav—"

"YOU FUCKER." - For the first time ever, Jean willingly locked eyes with Lemuel, but instead of a look ridden with horror, it was blazing with anger. Causing Lemuel to completely abandon his mischievous persona, widen his eyes and freeze for a second as he found himself being absorbed at the singular glare of the young man boring a deep hole into his psyche. A sense of urgency ran through his spine as he found his arms subconsciously paralyzed at their locations.

"BRING MY FATHER INTO THIS AND I WILL—!! ACK!!" - Lemuel quickly stood up before another wave of electricity assaulted the nervous system of the young man again, this time, the session was more excruciating than all of the previous shocks combined and even lasted on a longer duration than all of them.

After it was over, a faint white smoke rose up from the young man's body as his breathing grew fainter and fainter, his eye slowly going into a blur while a black smog narrowed his gaze, Jean's head leaned and rested itself backwards a small amount of foam forming above his mouth.

Lemuel froze with a widened glare fixated on the young man, entering a dazed-like state for a few moments before glaring at the young fellow again and grabbing his hair to straighten his face. Lemuel then pushed his arm backwards and formed a fist as he uttered. "You fucking..!"

He released the fist, charging straight at the young man's messed up face with an expression of utter anger mixed in with something else.

"SIR WAIT..!!!"

The employee exited the control module and screamed towards Lemuel, the fist stopped a few centimeters away from Jean's cheek before Lemuel directed his glare at the employee, causing the poor bloke to straighten his posture and lower his gaze.

"What!? Speak up!!"

Lemuel yelled, devoid of any solemnity he previously had.

The employee fidgeted around, tapping his index fingers to one another before he shook his head and faced the Cybersecurity Head with slightly furrowed brows and a determined expression.

"Si—Sir.. The individual's vital signs are waning.. One more damaging impact could potentially kill him.." - He uttered, a small sweat sliding down his cheek. Lemuel glared at him before directing his attention towards the half-dead young man again. "Oh that? I can just cover it up and there shall be no mishaps." - Lemuel retracted his arm and formed another fist, aiming towards the young man once more. The employee's eyes widened as Lemuel charged up another punch. "Begone."

"Sir."

- The balding employee spoke up once more, halting Lemuel's attack.

"If, Mister Varsiniev were to suddenly disappear without trace, the Omega Irae will have a hard time proving their accusations, thus causing the public to turn their favour against them."

"I can just fabricate evidence." - Lemuel Retorted, with a shaky tone yet dominant tone.

- The employee squinted his eyes as another drop of sweat slid down his chin.

"That is..improbable sir. Evidence will surely guarantee success but the days that shall precede afterwards, everyone will wonder where Mister Varsiniev went. And thanks to the recent conspiracies, public opinion has not thought lightly of us."

"I can just erase the name Varsiniev, I have accomplices in the media, I have connections in the Virtual Enterprises.. I can—"

"Sir.. Mister Varsiniev's name is popular and therefore widespread, people would not cease to talk about it and if they find out that the name; Varsiniev was never mentioned again without further elaboration, the public will surely scrutinize us even more."

"..."

- Lemuel closed his eyes and gritted his teeth before releasing a loud groan, and forcefully throwing the young man's head away, causing it to collide with the chair and release a faint clang to which the young man didn't utter a single shriek. Lemuel then pocketed his hands and began walking towards the door, flashing the employee one final glare as they neared each other. "I will remember this." - Lemuel Whispered before the door shot upwards allowing him to leave, the door then descended again quickly as a small shiver shot up the employee's spine, his mind going in an overdrive, thinking about possible scenarios that might occur in the days that will precede after this one. He angered the Cybersecurity Head; The Boss of his own Boss, someone with enough power to completely wipe anyone off the face of the earth while making it look like an accident or worse.. a suicide.

A small memory with the silhouette of a young girl flashed inside his head before he closed his eyes and gulped, releasing a large exhale as his back muscles softened. His legs felt like wet noodles as they trembled unable to support his weight anymore, before he collapsed on the floor, breathing raggedly while focusing his gaze on the motionless young man.

"Phew.. what did i got myself into..?" - He uttered.

______________

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!!

- Loud constant knocks could be heard originating from a metallic door leading outside, a middle-aged man with a broad stature, bearded-face, brown hair, and wrinkled white skin worked on a piece of machine before he glanced at the door, slowly making his way towards it, with a raised eyebrow and a wrench still inside his grip.

- He grasped the doorknob and pulled it aside, causing the bright afternoon sunlight to hit his eyes. He instinctively placed an arm over his irises before blinking to make out the two silhouettes of men standing in front of his doorway.

- "Good Afternoon." - One of the men, dressed in finely-ironed suits spoke up with a pleasant, yet monotonous tone of voice.

- The middle-aged man blinked a few more times before retracting his arm and stretching his lower backside, he then released a soft moan before smiling towards the two individuals.

"Afternoon. Are you here to inquire about a broken machine, a virtual suit, an unresponsive virtual pod... Name anything and I can fix it." - The middle-aged man smiled.

(These two seem rich. Maybe I can welcome Jean later on tonight with an expensive meal to celebrate his win.) - The middle-aged man thought to himself.

The two men paused for a few moments before responding; "..Hm. Actually we are here to inquire about.." One of them pulled out a small egg-shaped like device and laid it atop his palm, before it released a holographic piece of headline in front of the middle-aged man. "um.." - The man squinted and leaned forward. "Wait for a moment." The middle aged man went towards the house and came back fixing a pair of rimless glasses atop his nose and a sweat sliding down on his cheek. "Okay.." - The two men stared down at the middle-aged man with slightly glowing irises hiding behind a pair of plain looking sunglasses.

"Hmm.." - The middle aged man analyzed the holographic headline. "This should be important.." - The middle-aged man spoke while his eyes scanned the words present inside the holographic figure "I don't have much time so..—!!!"

He froze as his eyes landed on a familliar term on the headline, accompanied by a 2 by 2 picture above it.

"Jean..? Varsiniev?"

------ **Chapter 3 End** ------