Chapter 1: Isecade Cosmara

The hospital's top floor was cloaked in silence, broken only by the cold wind that swept through, tousling their hair. Isecade, known as Isec, stood with a gun in his left hand. Before him, a middle-aged man trembled in fear, seated helplessly on the cold floor, pleading for his life.

A menacing smirk played on Isec's face as he aimed the gun at the man's head, teasing him with the possibility of pulling the trigger. The man knelt firmly, repeatedly bowing and causing his forehead to bleed onto the dirty floor.

“I-I'll tell you everything. Just please let me live. Whatever you want to know, spare me, please…” the man pleaded with his head down, awaiting Isec's response. Isec chuckled softly, knelt beside him, and laughed hysterically. “Hmm…” He pretended to ponder, glancing at the night sky before turning back to the man with a half-serious expression, as though toying with him.

“Okay. Where's the XZ-13 file?” Isec demanded, gripping the man's hair tightly with his right hand while pointing the gun with his left. Furious, Isec glared at the man, intolerant of delay. The man trembled in fear, feigning ignorance. "I-I don't know where it is," he lied, shaking his head. The XZ-13 file contained top secrets of the De Falco, Cosmara, and Penzelian families.

Isec's jaw twitched as he yanked the man's hair harder, causing him to wince in pain. Desperation etched the doctor's face as he clutched Isec's hand, trying to alleviate the agony inflicted upon him.

“I won't ask twice! Doctor Arnoldo!” Isec shouted furiously, pulling the man's hair again, almost tearing it from his scalp. The doctor's hands shook violently as he faced Isec's terrifying glare. Summoning all his courage, he looked down briefly before speaking.

“Armen. Armen has the XZ-13 file,” the doctor confessed hastily, prompting Isec to release his grip. Isec clapped in excitement, straightened his coat, and holstered his gun. With a teasing smile, he glanced down at the doctor before turning away. The doctor, believing he was safe, sat on the floor, breathing heavily and clutching his chest, his breaths labored and shallow, eyes filled with fear.

As Isec walked away, he waved to the doctor with a chilling tone, “See you, Doctor Arnoldo!” The doctor flinched in terror.

In a swift move, Isec turned back, gun in hand, and grinned before aiming at the doctor’s head. The doctor froze, his eyes widening in sheer horror. "Wait! Sto—" His words were abruptly cut off by Isec's smirk.

“Rest. In. Peace!” he declared, pulling the trigger. A malicious grin spread across his face as the gunshot echoed through the silent floor. The doctor slumped to the dirty ground, blood flowing from his forehead, pooling beneath him, his chest heaving in a futile attempt to draw breath. Isec approached the dying man, sat down, and affected a somber expression before erupting into manic laughter.

Reaching into his coat, he retrieved a cigarette and lit it calmly. Blowing smoke into the doctor's face, he watched as the doctor coughed weakly. "Y-you're a monst—" The doctor's words faltered, cut off by Isec's calm interruption.

“I hate people who test my patience, Doctor! Perhaps in another life, do better. Alright?” Isec said softly, removing his black gloves and slipping them into his pocket. "Sleep well," he added with a smirk, closing the doctor's eyes. The doctor lay motionless, breath stilled.

Standing up, Isec turned away, leaving the doctor’s lifeless body on the cold, grimy floor. Walking to the edge of the hospital rooftop, he flicked his cigarette into the darkness below, where a shadowy alley led to a nearby club.

Turning around, hands in his pockets, Isec walked downstairs with purpose, a satisfied smile on his face. In the parking lot, a woman around his age waited by the car, dressed in a white coat, mask, and cap. She stood near the vehicle, composed and vigilant. As Isec approached, he nodded politely and opened the back door for her.

Initially wearing a joyful expression, Isec's smile faded, replaced by seriousness. He glanced at the woman. “Astralis. Gather information on this Armen, and any associates of Doctor Arnoldo,” Isec instructed in a gruff voice as he settled into the back seat. Astralis closed the car door and moved to the front, starting the engine. She glanced at Isec through the rearview mirror; he sat quietly, deep in thought.

She sighed softly. “Yes, Consigliere Matteo,” Astralis replied respectfully, focusing on the road ahead. Matteo was the name Isec had adopted. Isec sat firmly, his left leg resting on his right, eyes fixed on the passing scenery outside the window. Astralis started the engine and drove off.

As they headed to the Cosmara Mansion, one of the 30 estates belonging to the Cosmara Family, the sound of Isec's flicking fingers filled the car in a tense silence. Minutes passed without either speaking until Astralis broke the silence.

Her lips parted as she spoke. "Herneir just sent me some information, Sire," Astralis said, glancing at a tablet beside her. It caught Isec's attention as he continued to contemplate.

Taking the tablet, Isec's eyes widened upon seeing the data. He was thrilled by the information he received. "Bravo!" he exclaimed ecstatically, a broad smile spreading across his face. He scrutinized the details on the tablet, swiping the screen left. His jaw twitched, and his forehead creased slightly as he zoomed in on the information.

Name: Armen Quezia

Age: 28

Status: Single

Current Residence: Elysium City

Occupation: Teacher

Family: None

Workplace: Echo Crest Academy

A slight smirk played on his lips. "Ho... Interesting."

Zooming in on Armen's photo, Isec smiled with excitement. "See you soon, Armen Quezia," he muttered to himself.

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